Federal Express Corporation (more commonly known as FedEx) based in Memphis, Tennessee, employs nearly 53,000 truck drivers across the United States. As a major trucking company, FedEx trucks traveled 954,520,014 miles in 2018 alone.
In the 24 months prior to September 27, 2019, FedEx drivers were involved in a total of 442 accidents. This includes 13 fatal collisions and 149 crashes involving injuries. Of the 440 accidents, 280 required one or more vehicles to be towed.
FedEx Company Snapshot: What Types of Trucks Are on the Road for FedEx?
According to data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)’s SAFER system, FedEx operates trucks that are authorized for hire on the interstate highway system. Their 33,568 vehicles carry general freight as well as packages and letters.
FedEx owns three primary types of vehicles: straight trucks, truck tractors, and trailers. They have 30,764 straight trucks, 2,770 truck tractors, and 5,798 trailers. In addition, FedEx owns a total of 38 vans.
How Safe is FedEx?
There are many potential measures of a trucking company’s safety record. The FMCSA records three particular types of data: crash reports, inspection records, and information regarding violations. Examining this data against other information available from the SAFER system can help you get a better understanding of just how safe a trucking company truly is.
In the 24 month period ending September 27, 2019, FedEx drivers were cited 267 times for unsafe driving violations. No acute or critical violations were discovered during this time frame. Many of these violations were for behaviors that could lead to accidents, such as texting while driving, failure to pay attention while driving, not yielding right of way, and speeding.
In that same time frame, the FMCSA conducted 3,010 of FedEx’s drivers. They found 30 violations of federal hours of service laws, which specify how long drivers can be behind the wheel without a break. While FedEx had relatively few hours of service violations, even 1 can lead to a fatal accident, as drowsy driving is a top cause of serious and fatal accidents.
FMCSA also performed 2,265 vehicle inspections in that same time frame. Inspectors found 525 vehicles with vehicle maintenance violations, with no acute or critical violations discovered. The type of violations included issues such as a truck hood not being fastened securely, insufficient brake linings, and failing to secure a load.
FedEx drivers did not have any drug or alcohol violations in the relevant time frame. However, out of the 3,010 inspections, 53 driver fitness violations were found. These violations included items such as a driver not having the proper license to operate the vehicle in question, not having a medical certificate in their possession, and operating a commercial vehicle without the appropriate endorsements.
As discussed above, FedEx trucks were involved in a total of 442 crashes in this time period. Given that FedEx vehicles drove 954,520,014 miles in 2018, its drivers have one accident for approximately every 2,159,548 vehicle miles traveled. In comparison to some other trucking companies, this makes FedEx relatively safe.
If You Are in an Accident with a FedEx Truck
There are few things that are scarier than being in an accident with a commercial motor vehicle, such as a FedEx truck. No matter the size of your own car, you will likely receive the worst of any collision — and potentially suffer serious or even fatal injuries as a result. Solnick & Associates can help.
A complex web of laws and regulations governs the trucking industry. Our team of Philadelphia truck accident attorneys understands these laws, and works to get you the best possible outcome. From obtaining the initial accident report to performing an investigation into the crash, we will aggressively pursue your case.
To learn more about how we can help you or to schedule a free initial consultation, contact our firm today at 215-481-9979 or reach out online anytime.
