NIOSH national survey of long-haul truck drivers: Injury and safety

Chen, Guang X.; Sieber, William K.; Lincoln, Jennifer E.; Birdsey, Jan; Hitchcock, Edward M.; Nakata, Akinori; Robinson, Cynthia F.; Collins, James W.; Sweeney, Marie Haring · 2015 · OpenAlex-citations

DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2015.09.001

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Summary

This study addresses the critical lack of comprehensive data on occupational injury and safety among long-haul truck drivers (LHTDs) in the United States. Motivated by the high fatality and injury rates in this occupation—where truck drivers are 12 times more likely to die on the job than the general workforce—researchers sought to provide a nationally representative profile of crash risks, work environments, and safety behaviors. The study aims to identify key risk factors and safety issues to inform future interventions and policy. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted a cross-sectional survey of 1,265 LHTDs at 32 truck stops across the contiguous United States between October and December 2010. A complex three-stage sampling process ensured national representability. The survey instrument, developed with input from industry stakeholders and safety experts, collected data on truck crashes, near misses, moving violations, work-related injuries, work environment, safety climate, driver training, and driving behaviors. Statistical analyses used probability weighting and jackknife replication methods to calculate national estimates and 95% confidence intervals. Key findings reveal significant safety challenges. An estimated 2.6% of LHTDs reported a truck crash in 2010, while 35% reported at least one crash since beginning their careers. In the preceding week, 24% reported at least one near miss, and 17% reported moving violations in the past year. Non-crash injuries involving days away from work occurred in 4.7% of drivers, with 68% of these injuries among company drivers going unreported to employers. Work environment factors were prevalent: 73% perceived delivery schedules as unrealistically tight, 37% admitted to noncompliance with hours-of-service rules, and 66% were paid by the mile. Regarding behaviors, 24% often drove despite fatigue or adverse conditions to meet delivery times, 4.5% often sped by 10 mph or more, and 6% never wore seatbelts. Additionally, 38% felt their entry-level training was inadequate. The study concludes that LHTDs operate in a stressful environment characterized by tight schedules, long hours, and financial pressures that contribute to unsafe driving behaviors and injury underreporting. The authors highlight the interconnectedness of these factors, suggesting that unrealistically tight schedules may drive speeding and fatigue-related violations. The findings underscore the need for improved entry-level training, better enforcement of hours-of-service regulations, and interventions targeting high-risk drivers. The paper also advocates for the implementation of near-miss reporting systems and behavioral safety management techniques to mitigate the disproportionate risk posed by a small subset of drivers.

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Topics

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• truck driver fatigue
• incidence prevalence
• bus coach
• shift work driving

Information type

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• Empirical Findings: crash risk outcomes, observational prevalence
• Methodological Resource: dataset resource