Earlier this year we reported on a CBS news special called Hauling Danger, which highlighted several fatal crashes involving semi trucks.
The backlash from the trucking community was immediate and severe. Many drivers criticized the network for demonizing the entire industry because of the actions of a select few.
Hundreds of people voiced their dissatisfaction on the CBS Facebook page. Some drivers challenged reporters to take a ride in a semi truck in order to see things from their perspective.
And it worked. Sort of.
In a recent news segment called Inside A Big Rig, CBS2 reporter Alex Denis took a ride with truck driver Russel Simpson.
In the report, Denis mentions that “car drivers are at fault 80% of the time when cars and trucks collide.”
But what stood out the most was her closing line, which many took as a final jab towards the industry. Denis ends her report by saying that truckers are “particularly susceptible to distracted driving” because of long hours behind the wheel.
Instead of accepting her blanket statement, we decided to do some digging and look at the facts.
According to an FMCSA study of 141,000 large truck crashes, only 2% were attributed to an internal distraction. Roadway problems, pressure to drive from carriers, and brake problems all scored significantly higher on a table of relative risks.
Even if you combine truck driver inattention with internal distractions, the total percent is still under 20% according to the study.
In contrast, ordinary motorists are involved in distracted driving crashes at significantly higher rates. According to Distraction.gov, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released a study blaming distracted driving for 80% of crashes among motorists.
While it’s great to see reporters responding to the trucking industry — it’s unfortunate to see that it still results in one-sided reporting.
Maybe next time they’ll get it right.