The last time I was at a monster truck show, the safety conscious and curious nerd in me took over and I couldn’t help thinking about what those monster truck drivers wear. I mean, there must
Obviously the safety of the drivers is a top priority so what do they wear while they are sitting behind the wheel? How do they stay safe when they are operating a 12 foot tall, 10,000 pound vehicle? What rules and requirements do they have when it comes to their clothing and restraints?
To ensure their safety every monster truck driver must wear a custom fire-resistant suit with a minimum three layers of protection and a helmet with eye protection (the eye protection can either be part of the helmet or
They must also wear
Some drivers will also wear a kidney belt for more protection. Furthermore a driver’s seat is custom molded and fitted to them to ensure optimal safety.
But, how do all of these different items work when the driver is actually on the move? Are they really enough to keep the drivers safe? How about you go make yourself a researching sandwich (I obviously recommend a BLT) and together we can take a closer look and see how everything goes down inside that big ole monster truck.
Monster Truck Drivers and Their Harnesses
Let’s first talk about harnesses. A 5 point racing harness is just what it sounds like. It is a harness that links in 5 different ways, sort of like a really intense kids’ car seat. This keeps the drivers securely in their seats as they do all their tricks and helps to prevent any injuries to the spine.
Going hand in hand with the
To restrain their heads and neck drivers are able to use either a neck collar that attaches to their seat or a HANS device that attaches to the helmet and is held down by shoulder straps. But, the MTRA (Monster Truck Racing Association) recommends that all drivers use the HANS device instead of the collar because it provides better protection.
With all the flips, tricks and turns the drivers do it is essential that they are properly strapped in. These drivers are putting their lives on the line every time they get behind the wheel, but thanks to the advances in safety precautions and harness and restrain technology many of them walk away unharmed even after the most intense accidents.
The fact that these drivers can take these great risks and remain for the most part unscathed is a testament to how well these harnesses and restraints work. Monster truck drivers love what they do and they love taking risks and they aren’t dumb about it, they take all the necessary steps to ensure their safety. They have gone through training and they understand the importance of being properly secured inside their truck.
Changes in Monster Truck Drivers’ Safety Regulations
In the early days of monster truck driving they didn’t have nearly the same guidelines as they have today. Drivers used to wear a helmet and seat belt and that was it, that’s where the safety precautions ended. Aside from the fact that they were the ones sitting behind the wheel of the gigantic truck they looked like any other person, just an average guy rocking a t-shirt, jeans and sneaker or boots.
But, after a few years– and as the sport increased in popularity, monster truck drivers realized they needed to be smarter about how they looked and how safe they were inside the trucks. The first safety regulations were put in place in 1989 by the MTRA and have been upgraded and changed over the years as technology advances. Today’s current MTRA standards include all the items mentioned previously.
These updated safety precautions have also changed the way monster truck drivers actually drive. Back in the days of a mere seatbelt some drivers used to drive while hanging out the window. This method was not only unsafe in the moment but also led to problems for these drivers later in life, with many of them suffering from shoulder problems years after retiring.
What else keeps the Drivers safe?
Along with the fire resistant suit, helmet, gloves and all the restraints, there are a few other safety precautions set in place for the drivers. These aren’t exactly things they wear but they do come in handy when it comes to protecting the drivers.
One of the first and most obvious is the roll cage the drivers sit in. This cage protects the drivers from getting crushed during a roll or in the event of a crash. The roll cage wasn’t mandatory when monster truck driving first began, but was deemed necessary by the MTRA when they made their first regulations in 1989.
Furthermore, each MTRA certified vehicle must be equipped with an approved fire retardant system and have a fire extinguisher within reach of the driver. With all the risks involved in monster truck driving it is obvious why these regulations would be included in their safety guidelines.
One of the other aspects that helps to keep the drivers safe is a kill radio. A kill radio allows an official to shut off a drivers’ monster truck at any time. This can be used to help protect drivers from dangers they may not be aware of. For example, a fire a driver cannot see while inside their roll cage. Also, most monster trucks have 3 switches that can turn off the engine and electrics in case of emergency.
Related Questions
Q: Do you need a special license to drive a monster truck?
A: Well, if you’re just driving one around in your own private dirt lot, the answer is no. In fact you don’t even need any license at all unless you are driving a vehicle on a public roadway or space. But, if you want to go pro and drive in a monster truck rally you need to obtain a commercial drivers’ license (which is the type of license necessary to publicly operate a monster truck, an 18 wheeler, a dump truck, etc) and then you must also be licensed by the organization that is hosting the rally–for liability reasons.
Q: How much do monster trucks cost?
A: It varies depending on the size and weight of the truck (and how much you are willing to spend). You have to pay for the body of the truck, the engine, the wheels, the shocks and the paint job. The being said, the cost of a truck can range between $150,000 and $250,000.
