Trucking Deaths Down 8 Percent

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Trucking Deaths
Image Source: Franks Bucks

Trucking Deaths Down In Preliminary DOL Report

Trucking Deaths
Image Source: Franks Bucks

Fatal trucking deaths are down 8 percent according to a recent preliminary report given by the U.S. Department of Labor. The report stated that trucking deaths in the private trucking job sector accounted for 461 fatalities, which is an 8 percent drop from 2013. Some were quick to say that extra precautions and global awareness are two major contributors to the drop but this report can be misleading.

The Department of Labor stated that among private sector service transportation and warehousing jobs, truck transportation is the largest sector. Despite the decrease in the preliminary report on trucking deaths, numbers are expected to be higher when the DOL releases updated reports in early 2015.

The transportation sector report includes deaths in trucking, air, water and rail. Transportation accounted for the second highest fatalities according to Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries given by the Department of Labor. The private construction sector had the highest deaths in this category, accounting for 796 fatal work injuries in 2013.

In total, 4,405 fatal injuries were reported nationwide in the sector for 2013. In 2012, 4,628 deaths occurred, a difference of 223 deaths which is positive news if any. The national fatal work injury rate also dropped to 3.2 per 100,000 from 3.4 in 2012.

Safety should always be a top priority in any sector and the report is positive. However, one death is one too many. We’re glad to see trucking deaths down in the preliminary but we expect this number to rise in the updated report in 2015. We can safely assume that the trucking industry is taking the proper approach in safety but until we get to zero, work is to be done.