In an effort to reduce truck driver fatalities, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will tighten its focus on seat belt use among commercial vehicle operators.

“Only 48% of [truck] drivers wear seat belts, as opposed to 79% of all passenger car drivers,” said Duane Baker, an FMCSA safety investigator, at the recent Waste Expo convention in Dallas. “One out of every five truck drivers is ejected from their vehicle in a crash – and the only reason they can be ejected is if they’re not wearing their seat belt.”

Baker said that in 2002, 588 truck drivers died on U.S. highways – and 311 of those were not wearing their seat belts. He noted that FMCSA plans to step up enforcement of seat belt usage by writing tickets during this year’s national “Roadcheck” commercial motor vehicle safety inspection week which starts June 7.

“The reason we’re planning greater enforcement on seat belt usage is simple – to save lives,” Baker said.

He added that seat belt usage is even more important in preventing serious accidents tractor-trailer accidents from becoming more serious.

“The best chance for a truck driver’s survival is to remain conscious and in control of their vehicle behind the wheel,” Baker said. “They can’t do that if they are ejected from the cab. Also, staying conscious and in control in a crash or emergency situation gives the professional driver time – perhaps to maneuver their vehicle in a way to lessen the severity of the accident.”