When discussing perilous occupations, certain roles like police officers, firefighters, and construction workers often dominate the conversation. However, one profession that often flies under the radar in terms of associated risks is that of tractor-trailer truck drivers. Yet, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data unveils the unexpected dangers inherent in this line of work.
Consider the following statistics:
- Roughly one in every six American workers who meet a fatal end on the job is a tractor-trailer truck driver.
- In 2021 alone, over 1,000 truck drivers lost their lives while on duty, reflecting a distressing fatal injury rate of 29 per 100,000.
- The primary cause of these fatalities, accounting for 78 percent, stems from transportation incidents.
Moreover, heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers also top the charts for nonfatal injuries and illnesses necessitating time off work, surpassing even high-risk professions like police officers, firefighters, and highway maintenance workers. In 2014 alone, these drivers collectively reported 55,710 cases, ranking sixth among occupations with the highest incidence rates of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses.
To put this into perspective, truck drivers accounted for nearly one out of every 20 injury and illness cases nationwide requiring time off work for recovery. In fact, they are three times more likely than the average American worker to suffer an injury or illness necessitating days off.
Common injuries leading to work absences include slips, trips, falls, and overexertion, often incurred while handling heavy loads and maneuvering in and out of their vehicles. Musculoskeletal disorders, a significant concern among truck drivers, result from prolonged sitting, poor posture while driving, and the physical strain associated with loading and unloading cargo.
Truck drivers face prolonged recovery periods compared to workers in other fields. Half of all truck drivers required at least 20 days away from work after an incident, with 42 percent missing over a month due to injury.
Recognizing these risks, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is tasked with reducing crashes involving large commercial trucks and buses. Additionally, resources from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provide guidance on preventing musculoskeletal disorders in the workplace.
It's our hope that by disseminating this detailed information, employers will take proactive steps to enhance working conditions for tractor-trailer drivers while empowering workers with knowledge about potential hazards.
For further inquiries or additional information regarding this data, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Sean Smith and Patrick Harris are economists at the Bureau of Labor Statistics. BLS employees Nicole Nestoriak and Erin Huband also contributed to this post.
The Big 12: Red Flag Violations
Safety investigations conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) scrutinize driver histories, particularly focusing on the most severe violations of FMCSA regulations. These critical violations, often referred to as "The Big 12," are always investigated to ensure corrective actions have been taken. While the list of these violations can evolve over time, the current 12 Red Flag Violations are detailed below, along with the relevant BASIC (Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Category) and the corresponding regulation they violate:
| BASIC | FMCSR Part | Violation Description |
|---|---|---|
| Driver Fitness | 383.21 | Operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) with more than one driver's license. |
| Driver Fitness | 383.23(a)(2) | Operating a CMV without a valid commercial driver's license (CDL) |
| Driver Fitness | 383.51(a) | Driving a CMV (CDL) while disqualified |
| Driver Fitness | 383.91(a) | Operating a CMV with improper CDL group |
| Driver Fitness | 391.11 | Unqualified driver |
| Driver Fitness | 391.11(b)(5) | Driver lacking valid license for type of vehicle being operated. |
| Driver Fitness | 391.11(b)(7) | Driver disqualified from operating CMV. |
| Driver Fitness | 391.15(a) | Driving a CMV while disqualified |
| Controlled Substances/Alcohol | 392.4(a) | Driver uses or is in possession of drugs. |
| Controlled Substances/Alcohol | 392.5(a) | Possession/use/under influence of alcohol less than 4 hours prior to duty |
| Fatigued Driving (HOS) | 395.13(d) | Driving after being declared out-of-service (OOS) |
| Vehicle Maintenance | 396.9(c)(2) | Operating an OOS vehicle. |
Any driver violations identified during carrier investigations that remain unaddressed may result in a driver Notice of Violation or Notice of Claim.
CVSA’s International Roadcheck Is Set for May 14-16
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has scheduled its International Roadcheck for May 14-16. This initiative, conducted over three days across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, is a prominent effort focusing on commercial motor vehicle inspection and regulatory compliance enforcement.
Certified law enforcement personnel from CVSA will carry out inspections of commercial motor vehicles and drivers at weigh/inspection stations, temporary sites, and mobile patrols to ensure adherence to federal, state, provincial, or territorial regulations. Data collected during the 72-hour period of International Roadcheck will be analyzed and released later this summer.
Each year, International Roadcheck places particular emphasis on specific violation categories. For the current year, the initiative will concentrate on two main areas: tractor protection systems and alcohol and controlled substance possession.
The issue of controlled substance and alcohol possession/use remains a significant concern for motor carriers, drivers, and the public at large. The rising number of prohibited drivers documented in the U.S. Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (DACH) underscores this pressing issue, posing risks to all motorists across North America.
Throughout the three days of International Roadcheck, inspectors will conduct the routine North American Standard Level I Inspection, which involves a comprehensive 37-step procedure examining vehicle components and driver documentation and requirements.
For further details on Roadcheck 2024, visit: https://www.cvsa.org/news/2024-international-roadcheck/
