Drivers

Drivers who drive for work vary; some spend nearly 100% of their work time in a vehicle on the road, while others occasionally travel for work in their privately-owned vehicle (POV) and are reimbursed for mileage and expenses.

Regardless of how much time drivers spend in their vehicle for work, driver input is an important part of any work vehicle safety program as they often know the most about potential hazards associated with their jobs. Drivers also have the most to gain from a successful vehicle safety program and the most to lose if the program fails. Drivers should participate in a meaningful way in the development, maintenance, review, and update of written driving and work vehicle policies and procedures.

Drivers must commit to always wearing seatbelts on every trip regardless of distance. Drivers must also commit to safe vehicle operation and never drive while distracted, drowsy, or impaired. This includes never using a cell phone while driving. If communicating via cell phone is necessary during the workday for work or personal purposes, the driver should pull off the roadway to a safe and preferably well-lit area to complete the call or text before continuing their route. It is important to note that the road shoulder is not the safest place to pull over. Highway shoulders are very dangerous places for both pedestrians and motorists alike. Although they're specifically meant for emergency situations and emergency vehicles, hundreds of people are killed every year on highway shoulders while awaiting assistance, changing a tire, hooking up to a tow truck, or dealing with a police officer.

Drivers are responsible for conducting the pre- and post-trip vehicle inspections. Important areas that should always be inspected pre-trip include:

• Brakes/brake systems
• Tires – including air pressure
• Wheels, fasteners, and hubs
• Lights and signals
• Steering functions
• Fuel and exhaust system
• Fluid levels
• Windows and mirrors – clear view
• Emergency equipment and safety devices
• Cargo securement – if applicable
• Flatbed trailer fall protection systems – if applicable

All vehicle deficiencies that are discovered should be documented and defective vehicles should be promptly repaired before placing the vehicle back into service.

The Surface Transportation Assistance Act protects drivers' rights to enforce truck safety by making it illegal for a company to discipline, discharge or discriminate against an employee for making a vehicle safety complaint related to a violation of commercial motor vehicle safety regulations, standards, or orders, or refusing to operate an unsafe vehicle. The refusal must be based on a "reasonable apprehension" that operation of the vehicle would present a genuine safety hazard to the driver and/or members of the public.

"Reasonable apprehension," as interpreted by the DOL and the courts, means that a reasonable person in the same situation would reach the same conclusion that the unsafe condition establishes a real danger of accident, injury, or serious impairment to health. If it later turns out that the vehicle was not actually unsafe, the employee is still protected if their belief is deemed to have been reasonable based on the objective facts and evidence available to them at the time they formed their belief. The employee must also give the company a chance to correct the problem.

Drivers need to be particularly careful while traveling through work zones. On average, over 700 fatalities occur in work zones each year.¹ Large vehicles have limited maneuverability and large blind spots which make operating in these areas more challenging. In fact, large trucks are disproportionately involved in work zone crashes. Drivers should always keep their eyes on the road, but this is exceptionally important in work zones. Drivers should be aware of all signage approaching and throughout work zones that can indicate reduced speeds, lane changes and other important information. For mor information visit OSHA's website on Highway Work Zones and Signs, Signals, and Barricades.

Drivers operating vehicles without a clear rearview must take precautions to avoid hitting people or other objects when backing. Numerous incidents have resulted in employee deaths from back-overs. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics https://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/dbdown/ch show that from 2019 to 2022, nearly 250 people were killed in back-over incidents. For more information on prevention of these incidents, see OSHA's page on Preventing Backovers.