If you employ drivers you understand the great impact that accidents and injuries have on your organization. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 2011 saw a 20% increase in truck occupant deaths over the previous year. While this number is startling, some additional statistics give us some insight into the recent spike.
The FMCSA also reports the following:
- Speed was a factor is 22% of those deaths.
- 2% of the victims had a BAC of .04 or greater
- 4% were impaired, most often by fatigue
- 1/3 were not wearing a seat belt
While the increased number of deaths is startling, the facts surrounding their deaths allows employers the ability to help decrease truck occupant deaths. Enforcing strict safety policies can greatly decrease your risks of accidents and injuries. Offering incentives for drivers who comply with your safety policies also have proven success. Notify drivers that your organization will discipline up to termination for violations of your safety policy. While implementing and enforcing a strict safety policy for drivers can be costly and time consuming, the overwhelming list of direct and indirect costs of an accident, injury, or death are greater.
Some of the more prevalent costs include:
- Cargo Damage
- Vehicle Damage
- Medical Costs
- Insurance Costs
- Loss of Revenue
- Lost Clients
- Lost Time at Work
- Hiring and Training Costs for Replaced Employees
- Government Agency Costs
- Depreciation of Equipment
- Accident Investigation and Reporting Costs
- Equipment Downtime
- Rental Equipment Fees
According to Truckinfo.net , one person is killed or injured in a truck accident every 16 minutes. The recent spike in truck occupant deaths is likely to increase that statistic in the near future. If your organization specializes in something other than logistics, you may considering partnering with a third party logistics firm or a staffing firm who specializes in hiring and managing drivers. The additional legal compliance that are required with employing drivers are no small task. Remaining in compliance is essential to protect your organization and their bottom line. Staffing firms who are specialized in managing drivers often provide additional options, such as dedicated driver services to manage not only recruitment of drivers but also full service employee and compliance management.
Want to learn more about how you can gain access to Trillium’s national network of professional drivers? Contact us today! Learn more about our Dedicated Driver Services here! Are you a safe and professional driver who is seeking a rewarding career? Visit us here to locate a driving career in your area!
Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.
