WESTLAKE, Texas — According to a new study on trucking fleet safety, many Americans “feel greatly impacted by unsafe fleet driving behaviors.”
The study was conducted by Solera Holding LLC, which bills itself as a “vehicle lifecycle management” company.
According to a news release, Solera surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults in August 2022 “to uncover insights on the perceptions around safety in the fleet industry.”
“The industry has come a long way in improving driver safety standards, and it’s important that we continue on this journey collectively – especially as there are public perceptions to overcome,” said Michal Yariv, vice president and general manager of Strategic Initiatives at Solera. “First and foremost, driver safety needs to be a top priority for fleet managers to ensure drivers can do their job and get home safely at the end of the day, and video technology with built-in driver coaching is the key to achieving optimum safety.”
With 88% of Americans noting they have driven next to or near a commercial truck driver in the past year, “it’s clear that fleet safety affects almost everyone,” according to Solera officials.
More than half of all respondents (56%) said they’ve felt unsafe driving near a commercial truck driver in this timeframe, with 64% saying they have witnessed unsafe driving behaviors in commercial truck drivers.
“Video-based safety and artificial intelligence technology can help overcome these negative perceptions by identifying distracted driving and coaching drivers out of unsafe behaviors and aggressive driving — a top unsafe behavior witnessed by respondents (37%) — ultimately helping to prevent the risk of accidents,” the news release stated.
Additional findings from the survey include:
- Cell phone usage while driving is a concern for respondents. “Almost one-third (31%) say avoiding tech distractions while driving should be the first course of action for commercial truck drivers to become safer on the roads,” the survey noted. “As fleet managers and drivers know, cell phones can be an invaluable tool to map routes, log information and more — but it’s crucial to support hands-free route management and navigation to ensure safer driving.”
- Safety training is perceived to help improve conditions. “The vast majority of respondents (89%) believe commercial truck drivers could benefit from further safety training,” according to the survey. “In addition, two-thirds believe video-based safety systems would have a positive effect on commercial truck drivers’ ability to drive safely.”
- Safety perceptions affect interest in becoming a fleet driver. “Almost half (44%) of respondents think the addition of more safety-based technologies — such as in-cab video, road-facing video and AI driving tools — in commercial fleets would lead to more people wanting to become a commercial truck driver,” according to the survey.
The Trucker News Staff produces engaging content for not only TheTrucker.com, but also The Trucker Newspaper, which has been serving the trucking industry for more than 30 years. With a focus on drivers, the Trucker News Staff aims to provide relevant, objective content pertaining to the trucking segment of the transportation industry. The Trucker News Staff is based in Little Rock, Arkansas.
I feel that most people in personal car’s should be more aware of big rigs and keep there distance instead of of us truck drivers trying to keep from running them over, it’s hard enough trying to see them when you’re in my blind spot, or you are next to me at 70/80 mph when you should be way ahead or stay behind, cause when that tire blowout, it’s unsure which way I might go, so be aware of all that may and can happen at all speeds.
And “STOP cutting us off”, it’s hard trying to stop a liquid filled trailer at any speed.
You are right. Even if the truck driver controls the truck a 60 mph piece of truck tire can take out a car and passengers.
Because people commits stupidest acts that big rig it’s carrying your food your supplies , stay away safely from that big rig don’t play or dare stupid games shit!! And respect those big trucks….
I believe in drivers ed they should teach people how to drive safely around big trucks. also the general public wants more safety, but it has caused an opposite effect with E-LOGS . almost all drivers with this setup have to race the clock
How about more safety initiatives further training for the idiots in the four wheelers…how about those chumps learning the rules of the road…how about more in cab cameras in personal vehicles…oh wait…THEN it would be an issue…stupid companies like the one that did this “survey” which I’m sure they will try to monetize somehow,keep blaming the trucks and truckers…how about statistics on accidents where there are NO trucks involved…oh wait…once again that doesn’t fit the narrative…if you are “scared” to drive near trucks,then either don’t drive near trucks or stop buying ANYTHING !!!!