Seat Belt Usage

I didn’t want to include this on another thread about seatbelts since this is a little different.

My own conclusion is that the seatbelt should be worn even off the street or road, like when moving around a truck-stop or customer property. I do this because I’m worried that if there is an incident, even not my fault, the company will look at the inside camera video to see if I was wearing my seatbelt. Only when I’m backing up and need to be free of the seatbelt do I not have it on when I’m in motion. Nobody ever specifically told me this but it just seems to be common sense. Anybody ever heard a company policy on this issue?

Schneider wants drivers to have the seat belt on 100% of the time.

My 10 year driving mentor from CRST, told me 1 time. When parked and in the back etc, IF a cop knocks on your door, BEFORE, you just sit in the drivers seat to put your belt on just to C.Y.A. Or just don't sit down period.

I'm guilty of taking it off when I enter our yard and not buckling up until I use my badge to leave. I figure I'm not going far and need it off to reach the badge reader anyways. I don't use it while backing though as I don't want it to restrict my movements if I'm readjusting to see better. My company is strict about seat belt usage on the road, but didn't fire a driver that got a seat belt ticket like other carriers may do. I'm not sure what sort of discipline he faced, other than paying the ticket, but he'd just left a store lot and was putting it on when the cop seen him.

At PFG I got coached about moving around the yard without my seat belt. My trainer there was lectured about not having his seat belt on while backing despite legally the seat belt not being required while in reverse in many states.

My father in law that drove for over 40 years only used his seat belt near weigh stations. In his personal vehicles on the other hand he ALWAYS wore it.

From racing cars and bikes, I feel naked without it on. I know it sounds crazy, but I road raced motorcycles for long enough that I still pause sometimes thinking that I need my helmet on. Guess you just get used to it. I back a lot with it on, I just forget to take it off.

seatbelts definitely save life’s but i agree when you’re backing up it should be ok so you have room to move

I only take it off when backing, as well. If moving in the yard or truck stop, I have it on. Just not at all comfortable without it on otherwise.

BK says:

Only when I’m backing up and need to be free of the seat belt do I not have it on when I’m in motion.

When Swift had driver cams. I got caught sans seat belt just to back into a trailer. The bump caused an "event" and my dispatcher called me into the office for a finger wagging. Bottom line: if you are in the driver seat and are going to move the truck, you should have the seat belt on.

My defense to my dispatcher was like "I as only moving 10 feet, less than 1 MPH, and the bumping shock would only push me into the back of the seat anyway." Dispatcher reply: "Wear your seat belt when you move the truck. Period."

On an airplane, the flight attendants (who can't write you up or fire you) will recommend you have your seat belt fastened from gate pushback to setting the brakes on arrival. So what's wrong with that?

Now you can wear your seatbelt 100% of the time!

(Do they come in orange?)