Trucking’s Ethical Roadmap: Prioritizing Safety and Accountability

 

In the context of the recent CERAWeek discussion and amidst the evolving landscape of transportation safety, the trucking industry stands at a critical juncture. While the sector navigates the energy transition and technological advancements, its fundamental commitment to safety and public duty demands urgent attention. The stark contrast between the safety records of the trucking and airline industries underscores a significant gap that needs bridging. With 46,682 lives lost in large truck crashes since 2010 and an additional 1.3 million people injured, the industry’s safety measures are evidently falling short of its duty to protect the public.

First Duty: Aiming for Zero Fatalities

The trucking industry’s first and foremost duty is to safeguard all road users, encompassing truck drivers, motorists, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Achieving zero traffic deaths might seem ambitious, yet it is an attainable goal with the adoption of higher safety standards and the integration of emerging technologies. This commitment to safety must permeate every level of the industry, from trucking company owners ensuring their drivers are well-trained and free from substance abuse, to the broader industry embracing technologies that enhance road safety.

Second Duty: Ensuring Fair Compensation for Crash Victims

Another critical aspect where the trucking industry must reassess its responsibilities is in compensating crash victims adequately. The current minimum financial responsibility set by Congress in 1985, at $750,000, is woefully inadequate today. Adjusted for inflation, this figure should stand at $2.1 million to cover victims’ claims effectively. The industry’s reluctance to update this figure not only undermines its ethical standards but also places an undue burden on public resources, as victims often resort to government assistance in the absence of adequate compensation from at-fault trucking companies.

A Path Forward

The path to elevating trucking’s safety and ethical standards involves several key steps:

1. Improved Compensation: Adjusting the minimum financial responsibility for motor carriers to reflect current economic realities would ensure better compensation for crash victims and reduce the incentive for litigation.
2. Safer Operations: A higher potential financial consequence for accidents would incentivize carriers to prioritize safety, resulting in fewer accidents and fatalities.
3. Reduced Public Burden: Adequate insurance coverage from trucking companies would lessen victims’ reliance on public resources, effectively reducing the industry’s subsidy by society.
4. Fair Competition and Predictable Premiums: A level playing field in insurance coverage, combined with more predictable premiums, would benefit carriers of all sizes and encourage a competitive insurance market.

The trucking industry finds itself at a crossroads, with the opportunity to redefine its commitment to public safety and ethical standards. By taking cues from the airline industry’s remarkable safety achievements, trucking can and must do better. Upholding a rigorous duty to protect all road users and ensuring fair compensation for those affected by accidents are not just regulatory issues—they are moral imperatives. The industry’s future, both in public perception and operational sustainability, may well depend on its response to these challenges.

 

Source:

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/what-trucking-can-to-do-to-create-safer-highways