FACTS

1. Speed Variability: Work vehicles traveling too fast for traffic, weather, or road conditions reduce reaction time and increase the severity of collisions.
2. Driver Fatigue: Long shifts, irregular hours, and inadequate rest impair alertness and decision-making, making work-related drivers more prone to crashes.
3. Distracted Operation: Mobile devices, radios, navigation systems, or paperwork shift attention away from the road, leading to lane departures and rear-end impacts.
4. Blind Spot Gaps: Large commercial vehicles and work trucks have significant blind zones, increasing the risk of striking pedestrians, cyclists, or smaller vehicles.
5. Poor Vehicle Maintenance: Worn brakes, low tire tread, faulty lights, or steering issues increase the chance of mechanical failure during critical moments.
6. Weather Exposure: Rain, fog, snow, and ice raise collision risk for workers who drive in all conditions, especially on rural or high-speed roads.
7. Improper Load Securement: Unsecured or shifting cargo destabilizes vehicles, causes rollovers, or falls onto the roadway, creating multi-vehicle hazards.

STATS

• In the US, work-related motor vehicle crashes caused over 21,000 worker deaths from 2011-2022, accounting for 35% of all work-related fatalities, with trends showing persistent risks through 2025.
• In Canada, motor vehicle collisions resulted in 1,768 fatalities in 2021, up 1.3% from 2020, with work-related driving contributing significantly to the $36 billion annual social cost of crashes.
• Injuries from work-related crashes in British Columbia made up 3.2% of all time-loss claims but accounted for 5.5% of total costs from 2020-2024, highlighting economic impacts in high-driving sectors.
• In Canada, driver behavior was a factor in 87% of fatal collisions in 2020, including distracted driving (22%) and speeding (25%), often linked to work-related fatigue and rushing.
• US employers face average crash costs of $16,500 per incident, rising to $74,000 for injuries and over $500,000 for fatalities in work-related vehicle events (2020-2025 estimates).
• In Canada, there were 7,868 serious injuries from motor vehicle collisions in 2020, with vehicle-related accidents remaining a top preventable workplace concern through 2024.