Key Safety Concerns in Trucking and How to Prevent Them
Trucking is one of the major economic activities whereby goods are moved over long distances, which is quite crucial in maintaining the supply chain. At the same time, it happens to be one of the most dangerous fields because of the physical risks involved. Some preventive measures are required to avoid any accidents that may affect the well-being of the drivers. The motive of this article is to elaborate on some major safety concerns and propose strategies for implementing them effectively.
Major Safety Concerns in Trucking
Safety has remained one of the most peculiar and serious challenges within the trucking sector, especially because long working hours are sometimes enforced, with intense schedules happening time and again in mostly unbearable weather conditions. Below are some basic safety concerns that the driver and employer should be aware of:
Driver Fatigue: This is considered one of the major issues in the trucking business, especially when drivers work for a long interval. Reports show that driver fatigue caused 20% of accidents in 2024. Inadequate sleep reduces the reaction time and strength of drivers.
Distracted Driving: With all the new technologies coming up, the truck drivers now have more possible distractions in front of them. They operate their smartphones and consume alcohol while on the road. These lapses in focus can lead to slower reaction times and are a growing factor in serious road collisions.
Poor Loading: This puts extra strain on the truck and renders it unstable. One UK report noted that between July 2022 and March 2023, more than one in four HGVs (over 25%) on British roads were overloaded during DVSA roadside inspections
Bad Weather Condition: The road is usually slippery during the winter season, which contributes to poor visibility as well. This leads to the occurrence of head-on collisions since the truck driver might not have gotten a proper view of the oncoming vehicle.
Mechanical Failure: Accidents result from failed brakes, tyre blowouts, and poor servicing of the vehicle. Most truck drivers do not service their truck engines because of the stress of delivering goods on time.
Preventive Measures to Address Safety Concerns
To reduce the risks of road accidents, it’s important for drivers to wear clothing that’s comfortable and ergonomically designed, helping them avoid discomfort while driving. Other key factors capable of addressing concerns about road safety are explained below:
Health and Wellness Programmes: The health programmes that are of importance in the life of a truck driver are physical fitness, nutrition, and mental health. Companies can make an effort concerning wellness by encouraging regular exercise and providing resources in reference to maintaining good mental health.
Awareness Programmes: Training and awareness programmes on the dangers of distracted driving should be implemented, along with the establishment of no-phone zones within the truck cab to help minimise instances of in-cabin distractions.
Obeying the Speed Limit: The ideal speed limits on highways in the UK lie between 40 to 70 miles per hour. If the drivers are able to maintain their speed limits within this range, it will go a long way in reducing fatal crashes on highways.
Better training on cargo securement: Complete training on load securing would save most of the accidents caused by cargo shifting. Continuous inspection and random police checkpoints on proper loading would also minimise rollover, along with all other kinds of accidents as well as mislaid cargo.
Periodic maintenance of truck engines: Trucks have to be routinely checked for tyre wear, effectiveness of brakes, and other crucial systems. In addition, having a logbook for maintenance makes it way easier to identify problems before they become real hazards.
Legal Compliance and Employer Responsibility
Safety on the road isn’t just a driver’s responsibility—it’s something employers need to take seriously as well. When companies fail to maintain proper standards, it puts both their drivers and the general public at risk.
Employers should ensure that drivers are properly trained, well-rested, and operating roadworthy vehicles. That means implementing clear shift schedules, avoiding excessive hours, and allowing for proper rest breaks throughout the day. It also includes conducting regular maintenance checks and making sure that vehicles are loaded correctly and within legal limits.
Workplace policies should reflect road safety regulations and support drivers in following them. Encouraging the use of safety gear like high-visibility clothing, providing guidance on fatigue management, and keeping updated maintenance logs can go a long way in reducing risk.
By taking a proactive approach to compliance, employers not only avoid legal trouble—they also build a safer, more dependable operation. It shows drivers that their wellbeing matters, and helps prevent accidents before they happen.
Conclusion
The safety of truckers on the road is a crucial factor that needs to be taken as a top priority in the trucking industry. In this guide, we have explored the key safety concerns of driving on the highway. We also learned that structured safety programmes combined with a driver wellness-based approach can help reduce accidents, driver fatigue, distracted driving, and environmental hazards among truck drivers.
Advance your Logistics Operations with IoSCM. Call 0800 1422 522 today to find out how we can help.