Driving is the leading cause of work-related deaths each year. To help address this issue, the National Safety Council launched the Fleet Essentials training program. Through this series of online courses, employers can educate employees whose jobs require them to be behind the wheel to ensure everyone makes it home safely.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 2,000 people died as a result of occupational transportation incidents in 2022, making up 37.7% of the total occupational fatalities that year. Furthermore, delivery truck drivers and sales employees have the highest rates of injuries and fatalities among all occupations, both of whom are non-CDL drivers.
“Many assume fleet drivers are well-trained, but unfortunately, that’s not always the case,” said Mark Chung, executive VP of roadway practice at NSC. “At the National Safety Council, we follow the data, and the data are showing that workplace deaths are taking place on our roads at devastating rates, thus making this training truly essential—essential to saving lives and keeping workers safe on every jobsite, which includes America’s roadways.”
See also: Prepare drivers today for tomorrow's roadways
NSC Fleet Essentials includes courses for passenger vehicles, delivery vans, and medium-duty trucks. Other topics covered in the training program include vehicle dynamics, driving professionally, and distraction awareness.
