Poll: US public considers truck drivers safe

Oct. 21, 2014

A new national poll released recently found that the American public believes professional truck drivers are among the safest drivers on the road.

The poll, conducted by Public Opinion Strategies between September 20-24, 2014, surveyed 800 registered voters on their attitudes about politics, the trucking industry, and the state of infrastructure.

“This poll confirms that the public knows what we in the trucking industry have always known: professional truck drivers are dedicated, professional, and safe,” said Bill Graves, ATA president and chief executive officer. “It also shows that our efforts to portray a positive image of our industry are having a tremendous impact.”

Among highlights of the poll:

•80% believe truck drivers are safer than passenger vehicle drivers.

•Just 7% of respondents believe truck drivers are more likely than passenger vehicle drivers to drive unsafely.

•90% of respondents believe passenger vehicle drivers are more likely to speed than truck drivers.

•74% of respondents think that in accidents involving a car and a truck, the passenger vehicle driver is at fault.

“Our industry values safety above all,” said incoming ATA Chairman Duane Long, chairman of Longistics, Raleigh NC, “and this poll shows that our commitment to safety is paying dividends in the minds of the public.”