Truck driving is one of the most dangerous, yet important professions in the world, and there are several reasons as to why this is the case.
First and foremost, the nature of trucking involves long hours on the road, often in difficult weather conditions and on unfamiliar roads. This increases the risk of accidents and can lead to fatigue and in many cases mental illness, which impairs a driver’s ability to make safe decisions. Additionally, the sheer size and weight of trucks make them much more difficult to maneuver and maintain than smaller vehicles.
Maintenance can be difficult for drivers too, as many carriers have policies forbidding their drivers from performing any sort of preventative maintenance while on the road. Meaning if a driver for one such carrier has troubles on the road, they have to wait until a tow-truck can bring them back to a shop for repairs. This can be a costly endeavor in terms of both time and money. That’s also assuming the shop actually has the parts they need for the repair.
Many times the trucker stuck at a shop will have to wait days for their truck to be ready, all because the part they need is discontinued or the shop doesn’t have enough interchange information on it. That’s where looking on sites like TPI will come in handy, with new, used and aftermarket trucks and parts, as well as interchange information readily available from industry professionals.
Another factor contributing to the danger of truck driving is the ever-increasing volume of traffic on the roads. With more vehicles on the road (some of them autonomous), the risk of accidents increases, and the potential for collisions with trucks is heightened. Additionally, the growing number of distractions in modern vehicles, such as smartphones and in-dash navigation systems, can also increase the risk of accidents for truck drivers.
What about the pressure to meet tight deadlines and delivery schedules? This can lead to drivers taking shortcuts, such as driving at excessive speeds or skipping rest breaks, which further increases the risk of accidents. Take the infamous Humboldt Broncos accident of 2018 for example.
The lack of proper training and licensing for truck drivers also contributes to the danger of the profession. Some trucking companies may hire drivers with minimal training, which increases the risk of accidents on the road, and sullies the reputation of skilled, properly trained drivers.
Truck driving is a dangerous profession due to a combination of factors, including long hours on the road, the size and weight of trucks, increasing traffic volume, distractions, tight delivery schedules, and a lack of proper training. To reduce the risk of accidents, it is important for trucking companies to consider these factors and have access to proper equipment/resources like TruckPartsInventory.com.
