The holiday season is upon us. While this is a favorite time of the year filled with food, family gatherings, and festivities for many, for commercial trucks, these months bring a more somber reality — more roadway accidents.
A Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) study found that trucking accidents rise about 20% during peak holiday periods—such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve—compared to other times. Accident rates tend to spike during holidays because of heavy travel and increased delivery demands.
While many people relax during the holidays, truck drivers often face increased pressure to meet deadlines. To promote safety during this busy season, trucking companies can take several steps to ensure only qualified drivers are on the road and that they adhere to safe driving practices.
Work Hours and Deadlines
Commercial truck drivers often work long hours during peak holiday seasons to keep up with the increased consumer demand for goods. This demanding schedule can lead to dangerous fatigue levels and may also push drivers to take risks to meet tight delivery deadlines. Some drivers may increase speed, tailgate, or work beyond legal hours to compensate for lost time. Unsafe driving practices, along with exhaustion, are dangerous to our roads.
Employers must prioritize driver safety by enforcing regulations and encouraging drivers to take necessary breaks to combat fatigue. They must keep logging records to ensure drivers are not driving over the legal limit. Trucking companies also should enforce a firm stance against unsafe driving behaviors— no excuses for speeding, tailgating, or working past legal hours. They should praise safe driving practices over fast deliveries.
Adverse Weather
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that about 17% of all vehicle accidents happen in winter weather. The holiday season brings hazardous driving conditions like snow, ice, and fog. These factors can make roads unsafe by lowering visibility, reducing tire traction, and longer braking distances.
Drivers should be cautious and adjust their driving habits to accommodate winter conditions. The safest approach is to avoid driving in fog, reduce speed, and increase the distance between vehicles. Companies should use the appropriate winter tires and ensure drivers are trained in safe winter driving practices.
Inexperienced Seasonal Drivers
During peak holiday periods, corporate companies frequently employ short-term workers to supplement their driving workforce. These seasonal employees typically haven’t accumulated the same knowledge of delivery routes as long-term truck drivers. Drivers with limited time behind the wheel tend to be more prone to mistakes and often struggle to cope with the intense holiday road conditions, increasing the risk of collisions.
Temp drivers often get less safety training than full-time drivers. To keep everyone safe on the roads, all drivers (regardless of if they are working for the holiday season or driving year-round) need the same safety procedures training. Providing sufficient safety training for temporary drivers is a must to minimize accidents.
Vehicle Maintenance
Truck maintenance is a must. Regular inspections of tires, brakes, and lights help ensure that vehicles are in good condition, giving drivers the best chance to avoid accidents and protect everyone’s safety, including their own.
Contact The Ammons Law Firm
At the Ammons Law Firm, we see firsthand how trucking accidents can devastate families, especially during the hectic holiday season. Our experienced legal team holds negligent trucking companies accountable when their practices put profits ahead of public safety.
We’ve successfully represented numerous clients who were injured in truck accidents. Our truck accident attorneys understand the complex web of federal regulations, insurance policies, and corporate responsibilities that come into play in these cases.
If you or a family member has been hurt in a trucking accident, you need advocates who will thoroughly investigate your case. The Ammons Law Firm has the resources and experience to fight for your deserved compensation. Contact us for a free consultation.
