_{TMSPH | February 5, 2025}

Isekai by Truck? The Truth Behind Truck Accidents and Their Impact on Logistics Operations

In anime, getting hit by a truck (often dubbed Truck-kun) is practically a guarantee of reincarnation into a fantasy world full of magic, swords, and adventure. In reality, however, truck accidents are a serious issue that disrupt logistics, supply chains, and, more importantly, claim thousands of lives every year. So, let’s separate fiction from fact and take a closer look at the impact of truck accidents on both individuals and businesses.

The Reality of Truck Accidents

While anime characters get reborn into magical worlds, real-life truck accidents often result in tragic outcomes.

Locally, the Metro Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) Accident Reporting and Analysis System reported in 2019 that truck accidents comprised 15.33% of total road accidents in the country, resulting in 98 deaths.

Meanwhile globally, according to 2022 statistics from the National Safety Council (NSC):

• 5,837 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes, marking a 1.8% increase from 2021 and a 49% increase over the last decade.
• The involvement rate per 100 million truck miles traveled increased 3% from 2021 and 24% over the last 10 years.
• 120,200 large trucks were involved in crashes resulting in injuries, a 2.5% increase from 2021.
• A total of 5,936 people died in large truck crashes, with most victims being occupants of other vehicles (70%), followed by truck drivers (19%) and pedestrians/cyclists (11%).
• 161,000 people suffered injuries in crashes involving large trucks, with 73% of them being from other vehicles.

Why Do So Many Truck Accidents Happen?

Several factors contribute to these accidents, including:

• Driver fatigue: Long hours on the road lead to exhaustion and slower reaction times.
• Road conditions: More than half of fatal truck crashes occur on rural roads, with 4.6% happening in construction zones.
• Traffic congestion: Urban areas and interstates see a high number of incidents.
• Blind spots: Large trucks have significant blind spots, making it hard for drivers to see smaller vehicles.
• Mechanical failures: Issues like brake failure or tire blowouts can turn a truck into an unstoppable force.

How Fast Can a Truck Send You to Another World (Isekai)?

Let’s take a step back and answer a darkly humorous question: how fast does a truck need to go to “send you to another world”?

The answer depends on the size and weight of the truck. Consider the largest truck in the world, the BelAZ 75710. It can carry 450 metric tons and is powered by two 16-cylinder diesel engines. Or in the Philippines, trucks such as the FAW J6P 420HP 10-Wheeler Dump Truck or the HINO 700 Series 16-Wheeler With Trailer Attached, or even larger models used in major construction and logistics operations.

Now, if one of these monsters were moving at 50 mph (80 km/h) and hit a person, the sheer force would be equivalent to getting hit by a small asteroid. There’s no magic portal waiting at the other end—just a very tragic ending.

The Impact on Logistics Operations

Beyond the grim statistics, truck accidents severely impact logistics and supply chains:

1. Delayed Deliveries

Accidents cause traffic congestion, leading to missed deadlines and costly delays in supply chains.

2. Increased Costs

Insurance premiums rise, vehicle repairs are costly, and lost goods lead to financial losses.

3. Driver Shortages

Accidents and safety concerns contribute to driver shortages, making it harder for logistics companies to meet demand.

4. Stricter Regulations

Governments impose stricter safety regulations, which increase compliance costs for logistics providers.

Some Prime Example

The Costly San Miguel Beer Spill

According to a post from Bicol Express News written by their staff: Two die in beer truck accident in Albay. It happened around 7:00 AM on Saturday, August 28 2021, two persons died after being hit by a truck loaded with beer in San Francisco, Malilipot, Albay Province. According to eyewitnesses, the truck lost its brakes in Bongga, Bacacay, Albay, and when it reached San Francisco, it crashed into a gravel and sand office.

The retail price of a bottle of beer varies, but assuming an average price, at that time, is ₱50 per bottle and a full truckload carrying 600 to 1,000 cases (each case containing 24 bottles), the potential loss could range between ₱720,000 to ₱1,200,000 or more.

Stolen Battery from a Truck

In some cases, theft can also contribute to logistics hazards. According to a report from ABS-CBN News, an 18-year-old was arrested after being caught on video stealing a spare battery from a truck stuck in traffic along Road 10. The suspect later admitted that they had no money for food and engaged in such thefts as a means of survival. While this act might seem minor, a missing battery could prevent a truck from restarting or even cause operational failures in crucial moments, potentially leading to accidents.

Truck Causes Oil Spill

Another notable example is an incident reported by DZRH, where a coconut oil tanker crashed into a Skyway post along the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) on March 9. The crash resulted in a massive oil spill, making the road extremely slippery. As a result, several motorcycle riders lost control and crashed, causing a domino effect of accidents. The spill also led to temporary traffic congestion, requiring clearing operations that lasted for several hours. Such incidents highlight how even non-fatal truck accidents can create widespread hazards, affecting not just logistics operations but also road safety for all motorists.

How Logistics Providers Can Improve Safety

Given the importance of trucking in logistics, companies need to take safety seriously. Some key strategies include:

1. Investing in Driver Training

Regular training on defensive driving and fatigue management can reduce accidents.

2. Implementing Advanced Safety Technology

Collision avoidance systems, lane departure warnings, and automatic braking can help prevent crashes.

3. Route Optimization

Using GPS and AI-driven logistics planning to avoid high-risk routes can enhance safety and efficiency.

4. Regular Vehicle Maintenance

Ensuring trucks undergo routine inspections minimizes mechanical failures that lead to accidents.

So to Answer, NO! You Won’t Get Isekai’d, But Instead Will be Reborn as a Loving Memory

Getting hit by a truck won’t send you to a fantasy world, but it will create real-world problems for supply chains, businesses, and most importantly, human lives. The rise in truck accidents highlights the need for better road safety, stricter regulations, and improved logistics management.

If you’re a business looking for a safe and efficient logistics partner, consider Toyota Logistics Matching Service (LMS). It allows you to book and track multiple 3PL couriers, ensuring your deliveries arrive on time and safely—without the risk of an isekai incident.

Stay safe, and let’s keep Truck-kun where he belongs—in anime!

But what if we really did have access to another world? If isekai were real, how would logistics adapt? Would we see an interdimensional supply chain with customs offices at portal checkpoints, or would mystical forces handle deliveries with enchanted storage and teleporting couriers? The rules of logistics would be rewritten—would laws still apply, or would magic take over where regulations once stood? In a world where adventurers need potions, blacksmiths require rare ores, and heroes demand legendary weapons, the biggest question remains: Would the logistics industry still be legal, or would it become something entirely magical?

To Be Continued. . .