When it comes to CMVs, driver-related factors and violations in fatal crashes like speeding, distracted driving, and driver fatigue garner the most headlines and attention. But, STC recently dug deep into FMCSA’s “Large Truck & Bus Crash Facts” reports issued over the last 20 years (2000-2018 — okay, 18 years but close enough…), and found something interesting. “Failure to Yield the Right of Way” is in the top 5 truck driver-related violations cited in each of the last 18 years. Yes, you read that right, it’s one of the top 5 violations cited to truck drivers involved in fatal crashes from the year 2000 through 2018, the latest year comprehensive data are available. In fact, in the 2018 FMCSA report, it is the 3rd most cited factor/violation just below “Speeding of Any Kind” and “Distraction/Inattention.” When is the last time you read an article or thought about how big of a problem’ failure to yield’ might be in trucking? We bet that it’s been a while, perhaps a long while. If you run a fleet and haven’t highlighted this topic at a recent driver safety meeting, you may want to consider it.
Want to dig deeper on this? FMCSA’s “Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts” reports can be found here.