Truckers: the most confident and responsible drivers

A survey revealed that truck drivers stand out as one of the most confident and safety-conscious groups when it comes to driving abilities.

When it comes to driving skills, truck drivers have no doubts about their ability to navigate the world of road transport. In a recent survey conducted by online parts provider FinditParts, more than 1,000 adults were asked about their confidence while driving, their training, skills, strengths, and weaknesses. The results revealed that truck drivers stand out as one of the most confident and safety-conscious groups when it comes to driving abilities.

However, this confidence does not reflect a sense of collective superiority. Although more than 91% of truck drivers are confident in their driving skills, they are also three times more likely than car drivers to acknowledge their mistakes on the road. Additionally, they are twice as likely to feel motivated by criticism of their performance behind the wheel compared to those who do not drive trucks.

Truck drivers are the safest drivers on the road

Survey data reveals that 63.3% of those who have driven a large truck feel “very confident” in their driving abilities, compared to only 54% of non-truck drivers who report the same level of confidence.

Even more notably, as mentioned earlier, 91% of professional truck drivers report a high level of confidence in their ability to drive. Where does this confidence come from? Largely from the rigorous training they undergo and the extensive hours they spend on the road. Most of these professionals complete between three to six months of instruction at a specialized truck driving school and obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), which represents significantly more comprehensive training than that of the average driver.

Despite their confidence, training, and vast experience, truck drivers still face road safety challenges. This suggests that even with extensive preparation, no driver is completely immune to road risks. Even so, only 1% of the truck drivers surveyed reported feeling any insecurity about their driving abilities.

Truck drivers are more likely to take responsibility on the road

Truck drivers are not only more open to constructive criticism about their driving—32% said they would take a driving course if someone close to them questioned their driving—but they also show a greater sense of responsibility compared to the general driving population.

Only 18.74% of non-truck drivers said the same. Moreover, when asked if they believed their driving skills had contributed to accidents they had been involved in, 31% of non-truck drivers said no, compared to just 12% of truck drivers who gave a similar response.

In contrast, a significantly higher percentage of truck drivers (57.14%) admitted that their driving had directly contributed to an accident, compared to only 22.18% of non-truck drivers.

The trucking industry sets a high standard for driving skill and safety—one that should serve as an inspiration for all drivers. This high bar not only drives truckers to develop a greater sense of honesty and accountability but also gives them the assurance that their driving skills often surpass those of the general driving public.