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How Dangerous is Truck Driving?

The trucking industry has been relatively unaffected by the recent unemployment crisis. Because trucks are necessary for the transportation of goods, the job is considered relatively safe. However, truck driving remains one of the most hazardous jobs in America, accounting for one out of every four fatal accidents. Drivers also face many health issues related to long hours and stress. If you’re considering a career in trucking, here are some things you should know.

Driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of truck accidents. The National Transportation Safety Board estimates that fatigue contributes to a substantial percentage of truck crashes. Even with mandated rest breaks, truck drivers can become fatigued or sleepy. The government has even passed hours-of-service regulations to help reduce these risks. Unfortunately, drivers who have a medical problem can’t always prevent accidents, but it’s still important to make sure that your truck driver has enough rest and sleep before getting on the road.

Another contributing factor in truck driver fatigue is exhaustion. Long hours on the road are not only stressful for drivers but for other road users. In addition, truck drivers are susceptible to injuries caused by heavy loads and lifting containers. Slips and falls can also occur, and drivers who speed frequently are at a higher risk for accidents. Therefore, truck driving is one of the most dangerous occupations in the U.S. because it involves heavy lifting and prolonged time on the road.

Why is Truck Driving the Most Dangerous Job?

Truck driving is one of the most dangerous jobs on the road. Drivers must constantly drive in the worst weather. While some wait for big storms to pass, others force themselves to continue driving. Summer highways are notorious for the high number of injuries and deaths. Whether driving a small pickup or a large tractor-trailer, truck drivers face many dangers. Here are some of them. Listed below are some of the top reasons truck driving is the most dangerous job.

Last year, 831 people lost their lives in accidents involving trucks. This was the highest number of work-related deaths for any broad group of workers. The number of truck driver deaths topped the list of independent workers in 2018.

Is Truck Driving One of the Most Dangerous Jobs?

It is true that truck driving is among the most dangerous jobs. Last year, truck drivers had the most work-related deaths of any broad occupational group. The number one spot was given to truck drivers in a report released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Drivers have the highest incidence of work-related deaths among independent workers, with an average of five fatalities per day. The reason for this high incidence is largely unknown.

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The high accident rate of truck drivers is due in part to the arduous nature of the job. Most truck drivers must continue driving even in bad weather conditions. Some choose to wait out big storms, but many push through them. Moreover, highway crashes in the summer are among the deadliest times, with more fatalities and injuries. The statistics are alarming, and we can’t afford to make excuses.

The trucking industry is the lifeline of our country, and we all depend on owner operators to bring us goods and services. Therefore, state governments and trucking associations must work together to improve the working conditions and safety of truck drivers to protect their livelihood. Of course, there will always be dangers in truck driving, but improving safety and conditions for truckers can lower their turnover rate and injury rates. The US government and trucking associations must work together to make their industry safer and more appealing to new talent.

Are Truckers the Safest Drivers?

Truckers, like bus drivers, are responsible for the highest number of fatal accidents and injuries in the United States. Insurify conducted a study to determine which drivers were the safest. Drivers in these industries are often underpaid and have short fuses when encountering irresponsible drivers. Truckers are often less than friendly with people on the road, but they have important jobs to perform and families to take care of.

Trucking can be one of the most dangerous occupations in America. In 2004, the death rate for workers in material moving and transportation occupations was 17.5 per 100,000. Drivers are responsible for loading and unloading 80,000 pounds of goods in just 72 feet of space. They must be extremely attentive to road conditions, as well as their load and stop distance. This isn’t an easy task, but truck drivers need to be aware of their surroundings and stay alert at all times.

Drivers of other vehicles need to leave enough space for unpredictable drivers. Truck drivers should always scan ahead a quarter mile or two, equivalent to four football fields, in order to anticipate hazards and avoid collisions. This distance should be increased to seven or eight seconds when traveling at highway speeds. However, large trucks need more time to stop and follow, so drivers should aim to keep this distance higher, a quarter mile or more. In case of bad weather, this distance can increase to 14 seconds or more.

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What are the Odds of Dying As a Truck Driver?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the chances of dying as a truck driver are six times higher than the risks of dying in other occupations. Fatal trucking accidents usually result from a collision with another big rig or single vehicle. Fatal truck accidents can be caused by fatigue or poor driving conditions, as well as wet roads and bad brakes. Trucker deaths also tend to occur more frequently in men than women.

Among the major factors that cause truck crashes are the tires and brakes. Tires are responsible for 30% of all truck crashes, and tire defects are a major cause of at least five percent of these accidents. Fatality rates are also higher in truck crashes involving passenger vehicles. In 2018 alone, truck-related fatalities claimed the lives of 97 percent of truck occupants. In addition to fatal truck crashes, other types of traffic participants are also susceptible to these accidents.

Despite the risk of death, truck drivers can make a good living despite high rates of on-the-job accidents. In the U.S., a driver wearing a seat belt has a one in fifteen chance of being killed in a truck crash. This number has increased in recent years. Despite the high mortality rate, truck drivers can still enjoy financial rewards if they are careful and follow safety measures.

How Many Truckers Died in 2020?

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 68% of fatal truck crashes in 2020 involved a passenger vehicle. The fatality rate for two-vehicle crashes was 97%. Motor vehicle accidents have long been a cause for concern, but there have been measures to reduce these numbers, including increased driver education. Trucks have been an outlier in the trend, so the numbers of truck accidents in 2020 will be especially alarming.

The number of fatal workplace accidents has been steadily increasing. In 2010, there were 4,766 workplace accidents, the most since 2013. The greatest risk is driving, but trucking is still among the most dangerous occupations in the country. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 766 heavy-duty truck drivers died on the job in 2020. While the number of fatal accidents is still high, it is down from the eight-hundred and forty-three trucking deaths recorded in 2009.

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The NHTSA says that there will be 38,680 fatal truck crashes in 2020. However, preliminary data from the Federal Highway Administration indicates that the number of fatal truck crashes will be lower than in 2019 due to the coronavirus pandemic. According to NHTSA, the overall number of fatal crashes in 2020 is estimated at 1.37 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. This rate is higher than the 1.11 fatal truck crashes in 2018.

Is Being a Truck Driver Worth It?

There are many benefits of being a truck driver. This profession is highly in demand, and there are many different styles of driving. Some truck drivers prefer driving flatbed, tankers, or vans. Others prefer to drive refrigerated vehicles, like refrigerated trucks. Team drivers earn excellent pay and can enjoy huge sign-on bonuses. Still, some drivers prefer to own their own truck and work for themselves. Many transportation companies offer programs that help drivers become owner-operators, which allows them more freedom and profit than being an employee.

Another benefit to being a truck driver is the fellowship you will have with your coworkers. You’ll be working with like-minded individuals, and you’ll feel a sense of brotherhood from your shared experience navigating the big challenges of your job. You’ll get to spend up to 300 days on the road each year, so it’s important that you enjoy the freedom of your schedule.

What is the Life Expectancy of a Truck Driver?

One question that many people who want to become a truck driver ask is: “What is the Life Expectancy of a trucker?” The truth is that it is much shorter than the average lifespan of Americans. In fact, some truck drivers live to be 61 years old, almost one-third of whom do not have their own children. The reason for this shortening of the average lifespan of truckers is not entirely clear, but many factors contribute to this.

For one, fatigue is one of the most common risks for truck drivers. Poor sleep can have long-term negative effects on a driver’s health, such as a decrease in immune function, chronic diseases, and an increased risk of fatal accidents. The fact that truck drivers have a shorter life expectancy than other people may be a factor, but there are also a number of other risk factors that contribute to this unfortunate fact.

Learn More Here:

1.) History of Trucks

2.) Trucks – Wikipedia

3.) Best Trucks