A new study from the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center is shedding light on an alarming lack of safety training for drivers behind the wheel of utility vans, tow trucks, and other lighter vehicles. The report reveals that this potentially hazardous oversight could have life-threatening consequences if left unaddressed.
Light and medium-weight truck drivers experience higher injury rates than their counterparts with heavier vehicles, according to new research. Analyzing incident data from state workers’ comp claims along with injury narratives from the drivers themselves, researchers concluded that those behind the wheel of medium weight trucks weighing 10 – 26 thousand pounds had more reports of injuries (FROI) compared to other haulers.
Drivers of light and medium-weight trucks are not required to complete federally mandated training like heavy duty truck operators do. There’s also a higher number of younger drivers in this bracket. Younger drivers of light- and medium-duty vehicles had higher FROI rates compared with counterparts who operate heavy trucks.
“Because of this, the researchers recommend that employers of light and medium drivers provide targeted trainings to drivers with previous crashes that address distracted driving and emphasize rear-end crash prevention,”
Light/medium-weight truck crashes are most likely to be caused by running a red light, turning in front of other vehicles or being rear-ended. Transportation experts have warned that these types of collisions can often lead to serious injuries and even fatalities.
“Because of this, the researchers recommend that employers of light and medium drivers provide targeted trainings to drivers with previous crashes that address distracted driving and emphasize rear-end crash prevention,” a KIPRC press release states.
Terry Bunn, principal investigator and director of KIPRC, recommends that “national regulations can be developed and implemented” for the growing number of drivers of light and medium-weight trucks.
You can view the entire study online in the National Safety Council’s Journal of Safety Research HERE.
Source: Safety+Health
