Safety Is Job Number One On The Nation's Highways

Old Dominion Contributor , 

By David Congdon

While heartbreaking stories of wrecks involving tractor-trailers and large commercial vehicles often lead the evening news, these stories fail to accurately represent the transportation industry.

According to a 2013 report by the American Trucking Associations, more times than not, car drivers are at fault when cars and trucks crash with one another. In fact, the study showed that cars were at fault in 81 percent of the accidents, as opposed to 27 percent for truck drivers.

Still, the intense scrutiny – and immediate backlash against truck drivers involved in an accident (their fault or not) – serves as a stark reminder to all drivers to safely share the roads with other motorists.

Safety must be a cornerstone of any company’s operations and remains critical to the transportation industry. All motor vehicles have the potential to do harm when they are not operated safely, and, with 80 years in the transportation business, Old Dominion considers it our privilege to share the nation’s highways with the motoring public.

Old Dominion leads the transportation industry in safety accomplishments and on-road transparency of safe driving elements.   Highly qualified drivers contribute to the stability of these measurements that inspire confidence from our customers.  Our safety record is due to our stringent safety procedures – which in many instances exceed regulatory requirements – and our drivers’ commitment to following those procedures.

The transportation industry as a whole is committed to safety and continues to take measures to prevent driver fatigue. The industry has reduced the maximum amount of time drivers are allowed to be on-duty and at the wheel, and the industry is using the most advanced technology available to ensure it meets stringent safety standards.

These and many other industry investments contributed to a 22 percent decline in truck-involved fatalities between 2003 and 2012.

As an industry, we will never be complacent regarding safety – it is our first obligation when operating commercial motor vehicles. We have a role to play, and we are ready to continue leading the charge in securing the safety of our nation’s highways for all motorists.