Trucking Industry Ensuring Safety in a Time of Unrest
Despite the challenges presented to the trucking industry this year during the pandemic and the nationwide protests and unrest, the industry has remained steadfast in addressing safety concerns and ensuring the safety of the 3.5 million professional truck drivers on America’s roads, which means America’s deliveries can arrive safely and on time. We are reminded of the industry’s commitment to safety as we close out National Safety Month, a month dedicated to saving lives and preventing injuries through an educational and awareness month-long campaign, which is hosted annually in June by The National Safety Council.
Safety has brought on a new meaning to professional drivers over the past few months. Drivers have placed an emphasis on their health and personal safety while behind the wheel during the COVID-10 pandemic, and this means a greater sense of safety for everyone who is part of the supply chain and for the recipients of the deliveries.
Some of the precautions that drivers are taking include disinfecting the surfaces of their truck to stay healthy, as well as maintaining social distancing while making deliveries to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. The “Day in the Life” of a trucker video tells the story of several truck drivers who have been on the road during the pandemic, and some of the changes they have seen this year. You can watch the video here.
Drivers have had to adapt to additional safety challenges, such as protests and road closures that a driver may come across unexpectedly while on the road. The American Trucking Associations, ATA Safety Management Council (SMC) and the ATA Transportation Security Council (TSC) released a series of recommendations for drivers entering areas of social unrest that offer some helpful reminders.
Truck drivers recognize the responsibility they have while sharing the road with the individuals and families driving alongside them, as well as to their families back at home. The personal safety of drivers remains a top priority for both drivers and trucking companies.
