People discussing ways to reduce their crash risk often focus on their own behavior and the behavior of fellow motorists. After all, the decisions of drivers are often the underlying cause of wrecks. Drivers choose speeds that are too fast given their circumstances or give in to the temptation of digital distraction.
Those seemingly minor decisions can have major implications for their safety and the safety of others on the road. In theory, professionals operating commercial trucks have more training and experience than the average driver. Their abilities help reduce the likelihood of a crash that could prove devastating for the people in the smaller vehicle. In some cases, commercial drivers could prevent crashes by making better choices. Other times, the factors that contribute to a crash relate more to the choices made by their employers.
What are some of the ways that commercial transportation companies can limit the risk of a crash involving one of their vehicles?
Proactive fleet maintenance
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), issues with commercial vehicles are to blame for a large number of crashes. Roughly one in 10 commercial vehicle collisions occur because of something wrong with the commercial vehicle. In many cases, maintenance issues are what lead to a driver losing control and causing a wreck.
Employee screening and training
The demand for commercial drivers is higher than ever, and many companies struggle to maintain enough staff. Unfortunately, the pressure to keep goods and materials moving across the country may lead to transportation companies cutting corners regarding employment decisions. Some companies may hire drivers who have a history of unsafe behavior. Others might rush through the training process and put a driver on the road when they have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) but very little professional experience. Those mistakes might ultimately lead to a driver causing a crash due to poor decision-making or inexperience.
Minimize high-pressure company policies
There are many laws that regulate commercial transportation. Businesses in the transportation sector and their employees should be proactive about following speed limits, limiting the number of hours on the road and avoiding digital distractions. Some transportation companies have policies that force drivers to make unsafe choices. They may communicate actively over dispatch devices when drivers are on the road. They may offer bonuses or threaten discipline based on whether drivers reach their destination on time or not. Such policies might force commercial motorists to put compliance ahead of safety.
In scenarios where a transportation company may have directly contributed to a crash, the other parties involved in the incident may have several options available for seeking compensation. Holding businesses accountable for contributing to a semi-truck collision can help reduce the financial impact a crash inspires.