For safety training techniques, the top three answers for both light- and medium-duty fleets were hands on/behind the wheel, in-person classroom, independent video/online training.  -  Photo: Getty Images

For safety training techniques, the top three answers for both light- and medium-duty fleets were hands on/behind the wheel, in-person classroom, independent video/online training.

Photo: Getty Images

A new annual fleet safety survey conducted by Work Truck and sister media brand Heavy Duty Trucking has revealed when it comes to safety, light- and medium-duty fleets appear to take similar approaches. We’ve collected some of the top findings and broken them down for easier reading here.

Survey Respondent Details

Of the 157 total respondents, 39% stated they had Class 1 or 2 trucks in their fleet, while 35% claimed to own Class 3/4/5 trucks. Another 32% said they run Class 6 trucks.

The top three fleet types in the light-vehicle category were construction/mining, government fleet, and for-hire trucking fleets. For medium-duty, the top two were the same, with wholesale coming in third.

Top respondents for light-duty fleets classified themselves as corporate/executive management, including owner/operator; fleet manager/administrator; or operations management. For medium-duty, the top two were the same, with maintenance/shop management placing third.

Above all, the results indicate there isn’t much difference between light- and medium-duty fleets in terms of safety measures.

Insurance Costs

How have vehicle and liability insurance costs changed in the past year? The top answer for both light- and medium-duty was “increased 1-10%.” This was followed by “largely unchanged” and “don’t know/not sure.”

  Increased 1-10% Largely Unchanged Don’t Know/Not Sure
Light 28% 27% 20%
Medium 29% 21% 20%


The survey found drivers are given safety-related training as a part of onboarding, when new equipment or technology is introduced, or after there has been an accident or incident.  -  Photo: Getty Images

The survey found drivers are given safety-related training as a part of onboarding, when new equipment or technology is introduced, or after there has been an accident or incident.

Photo: Getty Images

Safety Strategies

In a long list of potential safety strategies, the top three answers for both light-duty and medium-duty fleets were well-maintained vehicles, written safety policies and procedures, and driver training.

  Well-Maintained Vehicles Written Safety Policies Driver Training
Light 76% 72% 62%
Medium 72% 71% 65%


Safety Technology

The top three answers in regard to safety technologies used for both light-duty and medium-duty fleets were backup cameras, forward collision warning, and lane departure warning. Adaptive cruise control was tied for the top third answer for medium-duty fleets.

  Backup Cameras Forward Collision Warning Lane Departure Warning
Light 54% 40% 39%
Medium 52% 43% 39% (tied with adaptive 
cruise control)


When it came to safety technologies fleets plan to implement in the next year, the top three answers for both light-duty and medium-duty fleets were don’t know/not sure, none of the above, backup cameras

  Don't Know/Not Sure None Of the Above Backup Cameras
Light 28% 20% 17%
Medium 26% 19% 17%


Safety Training

For safety training techniques, the top three answers for both light-duty and medium-duty fleets were hands on/behind the wheel, in-person classroom, independent video/online training.

  Hands On/Behind the Wheel In-Person Classroom Independent Video/
Online Training
Light 72% 68% 39%
Medium 74% 71% 41%


When are drivers given safety-related training? The top three answers for both light-duty and medium-duty fleets were when first bringing them into the company (onboarding), when new equipment or technology is introduced, or after there has been an accident or incident.

  Onboarding New Equipment/ 
Technology Introduced
After Accident
Light 84% 62% 49%
Medium 85% 61% 54%


How do your accident numbers compare to the survey findings?  -  Photo: Getty Images

How do your accident numbers compare to the survey findings?

Photo: Getty Images

Accidents

Naturally, when asked about accidents, medium-duty fleets reported a slightly higher percentage of at-fault crashes during calendar year 2020.

  0-24% Does Not Apply Don’t Know/25-49%
Light 31% 12% 10%

 

  1-24% 0% Don't Know/Not Sure
Medium 36% 23% 15%


Originally posted on Work Truck Online

About the author
Lexi Tucker

Lexi Tucker

Former Senior Editor

Lexi Tucker is a former editor of Bobit.

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