Driving Safely in the Rain: Tips for Commercial Drivers

Wearing a seatbelt is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself on the road. Yet, some drivers still overlook this critical safety measure, especially during short trips or low-speed operations. The reality is that accidents can happen anywhere, at any time, and a seatbelt is your best defense against serious injury or death.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), seatbelts reduce the risk of fatal injury by 45% for drivers of large trucks and lower the risk of moderate to critical injury by 50%. In 2021 alone, nearly 15,000 lives were saved by seatbelts. However, about half of all truck drivers killed in crashes were not wearing one.

Beyond complying with company policies and federal regulations, wearing a seatbelt keeps you in control of your vehicle. In the event of a sudden stop, rollover, or collision, it prevents you from being ejected or thrown around the cab, reducing the likelihood of severe injuries.

No matter how experienced you are or how short the trip may be, always take the extra second to buckle up. It’s a small habit that makes a big difference. Stay safe, stay secure, and keep your focus on the road ahead.

Debunking Common Myths About Safety Belts

This information is from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. 

❌ Myth 1: Safety belts are uncomfortable and restrict movement.

✔️ Fact: Most drivers find that once they have correctly adjusted their seat, lap and shoulder belt, discomfort and restrictive movement are not a problem.

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❌ Myth 2: Wearing a safety belt is a personal decision that doesn’t affect anyone else. ‍

✔️ Fact: Not wearing a safety belt can certainly affect your family and loved ones. It can also affect other motorists since wearing  a safety belt can help you avoid losing control of your truck  in a crash. It’s the law. Federal regulations require commercial vehicle drivers to buckle up.

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❌ Myth 3: Safety belts prevent your escape from a burning or submerged vehicle. ‍

✔️ Fact: Safety belts can keep you from being knocked unconscious, improving your chances of escape.  Fire or submersion occurs in less than 5% of fatal large truck crashes.

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❌ Myth 4: It’s better to be thrown clear of the wreckage in the event of a crash. ‍

✔️ Fact: An occupant of a vehicle is four times as likely to be fatally injured when thrown from the vehicle. In 2006, 217 truck occupants and drivers died when they were ejected from their cabs during a crash.

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❌ Myth 5: It takes too much time to fasten your safety belt 20 times a day.‍

✔️ Fact: Buckling up takes about three seconds. Even buckling up 20 times a day requires only one minute.

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❌ Myth 6: Good truck drivers don’t need to wear safety belts.‍

✔️ Fact: Good drivers usually don’t cause collisions, but it’s possible that during your career you will be involved in a crash caused by a bad driver, bad weather, mechanical failure, or tire blowout. Wearing a safety belt prevents injuries and fatalities by preventing ejection, and by protecting your head and spinal cord.

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❌ Myth 7: A large truck will protect you. Safety belts are unnecessary. ‍

✔️ Fact: In 2006, 805 drivers and occupants of large trucks died in truck crashes and 393 of them were not wearing safety belts.  Of the 217 drivers and occupants who were killed and ejected from their vehicles, approximately 81% were not wearing safety belts.

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❌ Myth 8: Safety belts aren’t necessary for low-speed driving. ‍

✔️ Fact: In a frontal collision occurring at 30 mph, an unbelted person continues to move forward at 30 mph causing him/her to hit the windshield at about 30 mph. This is the same velocity a person falling from the top of a three story building would experience upon impact with the ground.

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❌ Myth 9: A lap belt offers sufficient protection. ‍

✔️ Fact: The lap and shoulder belt design has been proven to hold a driver securely behind the wheel in the event of a crash, greatly increasing the driver’s ability to maintain control of the vehicle and minimizing the chance for serious injury or death.