Speeding is a growing problem in the trucking industry

Every summer, the trucking industry gears up for Operation Safe Driver Week. Throughout this week, law enforcement in Connecticut and other states will heighten traffic safety enforcement and work to educate trucking drivers about roadway safety. One of the biggest concerns that the initiative is focusing on this year is driver speeding.

Why is speeding so common?

Unfortunately, many drivers admit to speeding throughout some of their routes for a variety of reasons. One of the most common is that they believe they can get to their destination quicker and deliver more goods during their available driving hours of service.

The reality is that driving faster causes more devastating car accidents. In fact, the National Safety Council has revealed a new estimated rate of death on the roadway increasing 24% in 2020. That’s a large spike in roadway fatalities. This is the highest increase of roadway fatalities in over 96 years.

Reasons why everyone should avoid speeding

Apart from reducing the number of roadway fatalities due to trucking accidents, there are various other reasons everyone should drive only the posted speed limit. First of all, a commercial truck is designed to be run in the 65-to-75-mph range on the highway. This means that the tire’s lifespan is designed to last according to that range. If truckers go above that range, they’re going to wear the tires out faster. Also, drivers have discovered that they lose .14 miles per gallon in fuel efficiency for every mile per hour that they go over 60 miles per hour.

While on the surface, speeding may seem like a great way to get to a destination faster so that drivers can deliver more products, the reality is that it could cost more than they’re going to make. Not only does it cost lives in roadway fatalities, but it will also cost drivers in tires and fuel. It’s best to abide by the speed limit when traveling routes.