What are some hazards of being a truck driver?
4 Occupational Hazards for Truck Drivers and How to Minimize Risk
- Driving Accidents. The high rate of car accidents is one reason why, in 2016, truck driving was considered the deadliest occupation in the United States.
- Equipment-Related Injuries.
- Ergonomic Injuries.
- Lifestyle-Related Diseases and Injuries.
How long does a truck traveling at 65 mph take to stop completely?
A normal passenger vehicle traveling at a speed of 65 miles per hour would take about 300 feet to stop. For a fully-loaded commercial truck, the stopping distance of it running at 65 miles per hour is about 525 feet.
Why are so many people killed in truck accidents?
One study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration attributed approximately 11,000 truck crashes to distractions outside of the truck. Nearly 30 percent of all crashes in work zones involve large trucks, and the number of people killed in these types of accidents is increasing.
What are the health risks of being a truck driver?
Truck drivers are thought to occupy the front line of exposure to DPM, a health threat in many industries and to the general public. There is little dispute that truck drivers suffer excess mortality from lung cancer, shown in over a dozen studies.
What to do in case of a truck accident?
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Is there such a thing as repetitive driving injury?
Yes. Discomfort and lower back pain are frequent complaints reported by drivers. In the United Kingdom, the term “repetitive driving injury” (RDI) has been used. These injuries include foot cramps, low back pain, stiff neck, and sore shoulders from poor posture, stress, tension, and staying in one posture or position for a extended period.
When is a truck accident the most dangerous?
One of the most dangerous categories of truck accidents is when the trailer becomes detached from the truck. When this happens, it instantly places the equivalent of a multi-ton boulder in the path of every other vehicle on the road.
What can cause an accident in a truck?
Distractions outside of a truck’s cab, such as glancing at a passing billboard or building, can also lead to accidents. One study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration attributed approximately 11,000 truck crashes to distractions outside of the truck.
Why are long haul truck drivers at risk?
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report: March 6, 2015 / 64 (8);217-221. This study reported that about 14% of long-haul truck drivers are at increased risk for injury and death because they do not use a seat belt on every trip.
Is there any way a truck driver isn’t responsible?
One common way that this can happen is that wear and tear on the fifth wheel degrades the lock over time, so it can’t do its job, or a driver fails to properly connect the fifth wheel and the kingpin. The most likely cause of degradation in the fifth wheel is repeated, improper coupling and uncoupling with trailers.