Washington, D.C. — Federal data reveals that 69.3 percent of truck drivers killed in fatal crashes in 2022 were not wearing seat belts, marking the second-highest fatality rate for unbelted operators since 2017.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Fatality Analysis Reporting System recorded 916 truck driver deaths last year. Safety regulators are pointing to this persistent trend as a critical gap in commercial motor vehicle safety, urging immediate attention from the industry. The statistics underscore a dangerous pattern where professional drivers continue to bypass the most fundamental safety device available in the cab.

Jessica Powell, a statistician in the NHTSA crash data analytics division, stated the agency is analyzing the data to determine why the non-use rate remains elevated and to develop effective countermeasures. The FMCSA emphasizes that seat belts function as a restraint system that keeps the driver positioned behind the steering wheel during deceleration. Lap-shoulder belts distribute crash forces across the hips and shoulders, reducing the risk of occupants striking the windshield, shift lever, or other interior components. The agency compares wearing a seat belt to accepting a free insurance policy against severe injury or death.

What This Means for Drivers

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