There is no question trucking can be a hazardous occupation. It can also be one fraught with potential liabilities – and not only for the people behind the wheel. A recent analysis by the American Transportation Research Institute revealed that large verdicts against trucking companies and shippers have increased in recent years, both in number and size of awards. Collisions expose shippers and carriers to potential legal headaches. That’s why we place Cleveland trucking safety at the very top of our priority list at On Time Delivery & Warehouse.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports there are more than 450,000 large truck crashes in the U.S. annually, with more than 100,000 of those involving injuries and somewhere between 4,000 and 5,000 proving fatal. These incidents have not only a profound impact on the individuals whose lives may be forever changed as a result, but they can also cost both carriers and shippers dearly in court. The ATRI reports the number of verdicts over $10 million doubled between 2006 and 2019.

Cleveland trucking safety is central to our operations because we believe crash avoidance is everything – to protect not only our drivers, fleet and shipping customers, but everyone with whom we share the road. This is why our fleets are properly-equipped and meticulously-maintained and why strict adherence to safety and operational policies is essential to us.

How We Prioritize Cleveland Trucking Safety

As fleet owners and third-party logistics professionals, we are committed to ensuring that our deliveries are made on time, every time. But we also understand that this can never come at the expense of safety. Working with a dependable trucking carrier with a solid safety record for truckload and LTL, as well as local pick-up and delivery, helps reduce the chances of trouble on the road. 

Some of the ways we keep Cleveland trucking safety at the forefront of our enterprise include:

• Thorough fleet maintenance routine. Our fleet is important to us, as are our drivers. We take seriously our schedule of regular vehicle inspections and preventative maintenance. We stay up-to-date on any vehicle recall warnings and act promptly when necessary. Not only does regular maintenance improve safety, it also offers a boost to performance and efficiency. When trucks are running smoothly, that’s also less chance of breakdowns and other setbacks.
• Proper training and monitoring of drivers. Drivers who know better, do better. That means ensuring all FMCSA guidelines and driver qualifications for motor carriers are strictly followed. But it also means offering defensive driving courses (to help avoid unsafe incidents with other drivers) and tracking driver mileage and behavior. This not only increases safety, it slashes unnecessary drive time and can help conserve fuel.
• Incentivizing safety. Safe driving and good performance behind the wheel can be incentivized through reward systems. This can also improve employee retention. All this is good for our shippers because they have the assurance of knowing the drivers entrusted to haul their goods are not only going to be cautious and efficient but experienced.

These are just a few of the ways we deliver on our promises to clients, as well as our commitment to ensuring safer roads in all the communities we service.

If you have questions about Cleveland trucking company services, contact On Time Delivery & Warehouse by calling (440) 826-4630 or sending us an email.

Additional Resources:

Understanding the Impact of Nuclear Verdicts on the Trucking Industry, September 2020, American Transportation Research Institute

More Blog Entries:

Cleveland 3PL Can Lower Client Liability Risk, July 20, 2019, Cleveland Truck Company Blog