Truck drivers make up an important part of the American economy. Their role in logistics and the economy at large may be invisible to many. What's not invisible, though, is the sheer number of large trucks on the road, from flatbeds to traditional semi-trailers, box trucks, and custom carriers for livestock and heavy machinery. With increased traffic comes the risk of motor vehicle accidents and the need to address seat belt safety.
With the number of drivers carrying goods for stores, factories, and supply line shipments, it's no surprise that about 500,000 crashes each year involve commercial trucks of one kind or another. While recent reports show the number of deaths from these trucking accidents is down considerably from historical statistics, in 2022, 4,764 people died in accidents with large trucks.
- 17 percent of deaths involved truck occupants
- 66 percent were occupants of cars or other passenger vehicles
- 16 percent of deaths involved pedestrians, bicyclists, or other motorists
Its important to note that passenger and large truck occupant deaths in crashes have declined significantly during the data collection period from 1975 through 2009, and death rates have remained relatively stable since 2009. The rising concern for and promotion of seat belt safety protocols is attributed to the lowered accident death rates.
Seat Belt Use Saves Lives
If you drive a truck for a living, you need to buckle up to help reduce your chances of injury or death. The good news is that seat belt use is and has been on the rise for some time. The implementation of primary enforcement seat belt penalties across much of the nation has been credited with increasing seat belt use and reducing traffic deaths. Research shows seat belt use by front-seat passengers rose from about 71 percent in 2000 to 91.6 percent in 2022.
Those numbers also show that regardless of the number of accidents over the years, about half of all fatalities involve people who are not wearing seat belts. In 2009, drivers and passengers who skipped the seat belt made up 53% of all accident deaths. In 2022, that number was still nearly 50%, but studies have shown the safety benefits for truck drivers are even greater than for drivers in passenger vehicles.
- Among front-seat passengers and drivers, seat belt use leads to a 45% reduction in fatality risk and a 50% reduction in serious injury
- Drivers who don't use seat belts are 30 times more likely to be ejected from the vehicle during a crash
- Roughly 75% of those who are ejected during a crash die from the injuries
- Men are more likely to die when unrestrained than women, with a death rate about 4-5% higher than the average when gender is discounted
Another important point is how seat belt enforcement helps efforts to increase passenger safety. While it can be inconvenient to be stopped for a safety check, states that have rigorous enforcement programs have a 9% higher rate of seat belt use than those without them, and the national rate of 90.7% represents the average across both high enforcement and low enforcement states. That means if you are driving in a state that's less rigorous about its enforcement, you're more likely to be surrounded by at-risk drivers and passengers.
Analyzing the Numbers
While seat belt safety has been growing as a public concern, it's important to realize that it's not the only safety measure that is important. The number of deaths due to accidents that involve large trucks is generally down since 1981, but it is not linear. From 2009-2015, the number of deaths was down significantly compared to those in the years since, although both sets of numbers are well below the average for most years from 1991-2008. That mirrors the rise and fall of the national accident rate.
What is important to note is that while the number of fatal accidents was lower in those years, the likelihood of fatality among unrestrained drivers was higher.
So, what caused the decrease in fatalities among unrestrained drivers? No doubt some credit belongs to the innovations in safety technology since then, but it's also worth noting that the increase in safety belt use can be credited with a lot of the reduction. The more people wear them, the less likely it is that the total number of fatalities connected to a lack of use will remain high.
What Can Truck Drivers Do to Encourage Seat Belt Safety?
The best way to help increase everyone's safety on the road is to set a great example. When you buckle up, you not only serve as a role model for less experienced driving professionals, but you also serve as one to the kids and young adults in passenger vehicles who literally look up to you as they pass you on the highway.
Of the more than 4,700 fatalities involving large trucks in 2022, 823 deaths involved truck occupants. You can help reduce that number while setting a good example.
Safe drivers are also in greater demand throughout the workforce as trucking companies continue to grapple with a shortage of drivers across the country. If you are a truck driver with an excellent safety record, there may be a better trucking job available to you.
Authored By:
Kate Williams
Kate Williams is Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at CDLjobs.com, a trusted leader in the trucking industry since 1999. With over 35 years of experience in finance and business operations, Kate has spent the last two decades helping connect truck drivers with reliable carriers across the United States.
As a driving force behind CDLjobs.com’s growth, she works closely with driver recruiters and industry partners to ensure job seekers have access to high-quality, legitimate driving opportunities.
Based in the Midwest, Kate understands the regional hiring challenges and trends that matter most to CDL drivers. She is dedicated to supporting the American trucking workforce and brings a unique perspective, combining financial strategy with real-world recruiting insight.
Connect with Kate: LinkedIn | More about CDLjobs.com
