Long-haul trucking is not without some degree of risk. In fact, according to a comprehensive list of the most dangerous professions in the world compiled by the online industrial safety publication Tradesafe, freight trucking placed fifth, with 24.3 fatal injuries occurring per 100,000 workers. Only loggers, aircraft pilots, roofers, and iron and steel workers were found to work in more hazardous conditions.
Chief among the dangers faced by truckers are auto accidents. Of these, the prime culprits are, first, fatigue and sleep deprivation, and second, adverse weather conditions. Much has been made of that first cause, with study after study being published over the years, each invariably recommending companies hire more personnel to cover long-haul loads and advocating for an industry-wide move away from incentivizing early deliveries with cash bonuses.
While there are still some holdouts to these prudent reforms, for the most part, the larger and more reputable freight companies have adopted them wholeheartedly. So what else can be done about truck driver safety, then?
How about anything related to culprit number two?
For years, the transportation sector has mostly shrugged when confronted with the number of driver casualties related to weather. The weather can’t be altered, after all. It can barely be predicted. Meteorologists do what they can to warn people about upcoming adverse conditions, but they don’t always get it right. With that being the case, truckers can hardly hold the daily weather report as gospel when planning their routes. Especially if a freight driver is making a journey that takes some time, say the five-day trip from Montreal to Los Angeles, even the most sophisticated of weather forecasts are subject to radical and abrupt change.
So, in this age of technological wonder, is there really nothing that can be done about this pervasive problem?
Canada’s Challenger Motor Freight thinks there is. The award-winning trucking firm based out of Cambridge, Ontario is leading the charge for greater safety measures meant to protect its fleet drivers from snow squalls, torrential rainstorms, flash floods, and other extreme weather events.
“The safety of our drivers is a top concern for us,” says Dan Einwechter, the company’s founder and chair. “We go the distance to make sure that every conceivable action is taken to ensure that they reach their assigned destinations without negative incidents of any kind, and that includes the weather.”
By means of proving this assertion, Einwechter points to Challenger’s comprehensive safety training program, a measure introduced several years ago. Drivers are trained extensively on how to handle adverse weather conditions, including snow, ice, rain, and fog. This training includes techniques for safe driving, recognizing hazardous conditions, and emergency procedures. New recruits also undergo electronic simulator sessions that replicate harsh weather scenarios, allowing them to practice and hone their skills in a controlled environment.
Another significant measure is the advanced technology and equipment Challenger equips its trucks with. “Our onboard weather monitoring systems provide real-time updates on weather conditions, helping drivers anticipate and respond to changes in the weather. Our telematics and GPS systems assist them in route planning to avoid severe weather and provide real-time updates on road conditions,” says Einwechter, adding, “Our trucks are also outfitted with winter tires, chains, and other necessary equipment to ensure they can handle snowy and icy conditions.”
The company has also put in place strict safety procedures. Drivers are required to perform thorough pre-trip inspections, focusing on equipment like tires, brakes, and lights to ensure they are in optimal condition. Challenger Motor Freight enforces guidelines on maintaining safe speeds and following distances during rough weather to prevent accidents. “Drivers are told to take breaks and rest if they encounter risky weather conditions, instead of pushing through and being unsafe,” comments Einwechter. “We would rather they spend their time in a roadside diner, or at the very least, in the safety of their parked cab than take any unnecessary chances.”
Communication and support are other key elements of Challenger’s weather safety measures. The company maintains a dedicated support team that gives its truckers constant updates on conditions, road closures, and alternate routes. In case of emergencies, there are protocols in place to make sure that drivers get immediate assistance, including towing services and emergency repairs, if needed.
As a preventative measure, the company offers programs focused on the physical and mental well-being of its drivers, recognizing that stress and fatigue can play a big part in exacerbating adverse weather conditions, resulting in accidents. On the low-tech side of things, Challenger also ensures that its drivers use routes that have easy access to safe parking and rest areas where they can wait out severe weather.
“At the end of the day, there’s only so much that modern technology can do to guard against the ill effects of inclement weather,” muses Einwechter. “You can have access to all the most high-tech and up-to-date satellite-guided GPS and monitoring systems available, and still the most useful thing to a driver caught in a sudden blizzard is a conveniently placed rest stop.”
The company’s pragmatism when it comes to safety is admirable. When asked about the financial cost associated with any late deliveries linked to the company’s policies regarding bad weather, Dan Einwechter brushes this topic aside with a dismissive wave. “The most important thing is that our drivers make it home to their families. Everything else is secondary.”
