Why safety policies and accident procedures matter for truck drivers

Here are a few basic accident prevention strategies you can take before and during each drive:

• Conduct a pre-trip inspection, ensuring lights, brakes, and tires are in working condition. Check under the hood for any obvious issues and conduct a 360-degree walk around the vehicle.

• Secure your load, double checking the freight and equipment being hauled is secured with chains or straps to prevent shifting.

• Practice safe driving habits by avoiding speeding, abrupt stops and turns, following other vehicles too closely, and any distractions like cellphones or food and drinks.

Managing a fleet effectively involves taking proactive steps, including:

• Hiring safe drivers by performing background checks and running motor vehicle records (MVRs) during the hiring process and annually for current drivers.

• Implementing clear policies, such as a distracted driving policy, that will be enforced

• Training drivers on safety habits and focused driving, and communicating expectations to new employees.

Though the safe driving habits outlined above can help protect you and other drivers, accidents may still happen—which means you need to be prepared to respond. Your conduct at the accident scene is crucial.

Here are the first crucial steps truck drivers like you should take after an accident:

1. Remain calm. Take a deep breath.

2. Stop immediately. Leaving the scene of an accident is a crime, which can bring severe penalties. Don’t leave until you receive permission from law enforcement.

3. Notify the police. Call 911 immediately, or have another motorist report the accident. Don’t leave your truck and cargo unguarded, except in an extreme emergency.

4. Protect the scene. Turn on your four-way flashers, and quickly—but safely—set out warning devices, following DOT regulations.

5. Help the injured. Assist anyone who’s hurt, but don’t move them unless absolutely necessary to prevent further injury or danger.

6. Notify your employer. Contact your dispatcher or company safety officer and provide a specific location and time, along with descriptions of any injuries or damage, the condition of the cargo, and where you can be reached.

7. Notify your claims department to report the crash. Call to report the crash—you can file claims 24 hours a day.

These steps are different than those you’d take as a third-party driver involved in the accident—and it’s not a complete list. Remember that every accident is different and you may need to adjust in the moment, depending on the circumstances.

At Sentry, we provide all our commercial auto insurance customers with accident kits to help drivers respond safely, professionally, and thoroughly following an accident. If you’re a Sentry-insured driver, complete and submit your accident kit as soon as possible.

If you’re a fleet operator and one of your truck drivers gets into an accident, there are some immediate steps you need to take.

1. Assist your driver. Many drivers are injured in motor vehicle crashes. It’s important to help them receive care and ensure they have answers to any questions they may have.

2. Document the scene. Teach drivers ahead of time how to document crash scenes with photos, videos, and witness statements. If warranted and possible, send a management representative to the scene to assist the driver.

3. Collect information. In addition to the information gathered at the scene, gather any information involving the driver leading up to the accident, such as activity logs, maintenance records, driver files, and shipment information. You also may need to conduct post-accident drug and alcohol testing required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

4. File an insurance claim. Get the claims process started as soon as possible with your insurance company and the provider of any other drivers involved.

Employers can also invest in technology to help their truck drivers get to their destinations safety. Telematics is one of the most popular options in the trucking industry, providing resources like:

• Smartphone blockers: Through Bluetooth technology and mobile apps, these programs can block drivers from using their smartphones to make calls, send and receive texts, and interact with social media under certain circumstances, like when the vehicle is in motion.

• Fleet tracking apps: These apps can monitor, record, score, and report driving behavior. These smartphone programs run in the background and upload data using the phone’s data plan.

• Telematics devices: These devices capture vehicle service information and other important data. These devices have their own GPS chips, accelerometers, and modems, so they can record, score, monitor, and report without any direct driver input.