blog

The Devastating Impact of Speeding

‍

As we all know, speeding can lead to accidents with serious or even fatal consequences. If a semi truck is speeding, it can rear-end other vehicles, cause rollovers, or have the truck jackknife itself. We’re here to remind you that increasing risk of injuries, and legal penalties is not worth it! At Real Trucking we prioritize safety and discourage speeding. Through safety reminders and coaching, we make it a point to limit speeding trucks on the road. 

‍

Per the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), approximately 23% of semi-truck accidents are due to speeding! The cost of the fine for speeding varies in different states but averages about $1,000 per state. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that in 2020 29% of all traffic fatalities were due to speeding events, and 4,014 fatalities of those were from large trucks according to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System.

‍

‍

Safe Driving Practices for Truckers 

‍

One way to prevent these types of accidents from happening is keeping a safe following distance, as it will help in keeping a steady speed but also provides you with the time and space to slow down when needed. Keep in mind semi trucks are larger and longer so sudden breaking can result in an accident. With the seasons changing also keep in mind that in poor conditions (snow, rain, or ice) double the distance in between other vehicles as it can take up to ten times longer to stop.

‍

Tailgaters may be frustrating, but they sometimes appear unfortunately. In an instance when someone is not following a safe distance avoid hitting the accelerator to increase the following distance to prevent hitting the vehicle in front of you. Look into lane changing if it is a possibility to allow the tailgater to pass you up. 

‍

Removing distractions is also key, paying attention to the road and how fast you are going is critical so in an instance of needing to react quickly and safely, you will be able to do so. Phone usage, eating, and clicking other screens are already poor distractions but doing any other these things while speeding, just makes it a lot worse, for you and those you share the road with. 

‍

Reading and being aware of all traffic signs and lights ahead is also critical when it comes to reducing speed and overall safety. Road signs are supposed to guide drivers, and in some cases warn them for the road ahead (low bridges, closed lanes, etc). Knowing the speed limit or any traffic changes, it is good to be aware and prepared early, rather than speeding to adjust or suddenly slowing down. 

‍

While driver adherence to regulations arecritical, advancements in technology also play a significant role in preventing speeding-related accidents. Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) can monitor vehicle speeds and alert drivers to exceedances. Moreover, telematics systems installed in trucks can track driving behavior, identify potential safety issues, and provide real-time feedback to drivers.

Here at Real Trucking, we install ITS technology in the cabins of our trucks to identify when a vehicle is too close and will record a video when it senses a vehicle that is too close whether it is in the front or the back of the truck. This is extremely helpful for training and improving driver safety, no matter if it is the truck driver at fault or the other vehicle. 

‍

Whether it is traffic or running late, speeding is not worth it and can end up setting you back, or even get someone hurt. Please remember to keep a safe following distance, adjust your driving accordingly, and limit distractions. It's critical to remember that every decision on the road affects real people.

‍

If you have any questions or would like to get more information on how to be a safe driver, please contact our safety department at safety@real.us.

‍

‍