A recent study has shown more truck drivers are dying from not using seat belts
The lack of seat belt use among truck drivers is a growing concern for federal regulators, evident from the recent fatality data. In 2021, a staggering 64% of truck drivers killed in crashes involving large trucks were not wearing seat belts, marking a significant increase from 59% in 2019 and 44% in 2020. The data also emphasize that 42.6% of large truck occupants who died in crashes were wearing seat belts, underscoring the critical importance of seat belt usage for safety. Alarmingly, nearly 75% of those who did not use seat belts were completely ejected from the truck during the accidents.
In response to this alarming trend, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is integrating it into its strategic plan, focusing on proactive measures such as outreach programs, and educational campaigns, and gaining a deeper understanding of the factors contributing to drivers' decisions not to use seat belts. Furthermore, fatal crashes involving large trucks witnessed a 16% increase in 2021, surpassing 1,000 occupant fatalities for the first time since at least 2005. These concerning statistics highlight the urgent need for concerted efforts to improve seat belt usage and enhance road safety in the trucking industry.
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