5 Dangers of Hiring Inexperienced Truck Drivers
Trucking is a profession that still holds the mystique of the Wild West, despite many advances in technology. People with little experience become truck drivers because it’s a lucrative profession with freedom and independence. But this can be dangerous because driving trucks is not something you can jump into without proper training. Here are five dangers of hiring inexperienced truck drivers.
- Inexperienced Truck Drivers are more likely to have an accident
In the United States, truck drivers who have been on the job for less than one year are four times more likely to get in an accident than more experienced drivers. They are also twice as likely to cause a fatal accident. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has found that over half of all accidents involving trucks and other vehicles are caused by inexperienced drivers. These accidents often result in injuries, lost time at work, and fatalities. Truck driver accidents caused by inexperience can also result in liability for your company if the driver is an employee.
- Inexperienced Truck Drivers are more likely to violate traffic laws and incur traffic tickets
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, when truck drivers first start on the job, they are twice as likely to be involved in a speeding violation or cause an at-fault accident compared with experienced truckers. This may be because of the stress involved in driving a heavy vehicle and the lack of familiarity with traffic laws and other motorist’s driving habits.
- Inexperienced truck drivers are less likely to pass the required CDL test
In the United States, new truck drivers must pass a CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) exam after being out of school for a year or having over three thousand hours of on-the-road experience. The CDL test tests driving skills and knowledge of trucking regulations, and a person’s ability to handle the stressors of driving big trucks mentally. Trucking accidents can be very traumatic. The average truck driver will deal with many stressful situations, including bad weather and traffic jams, to get to the destination on time. Those who pass the CDL test can do this job without much stress, as they have had a year of training that prepared them for the rigors of being a truck driver.
- Inexperienced Truck Drivers are more likely to be terminated than experienced drivers
With new regulations and compliance requirements, companies demand more from their drivers. These new regulations and requirements include alcohol and drug testing, maintaining a clean driving record, and taking driver training courses. Inexperienced drivers are less likely to pass these tests, requiring the company to terminate their employment. However, more experienced drivers are more likely to succeed in passing these tests.
- Inexperienced Truck Drivers are more likely to commit distracted driving violations
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration found that inexperienced truck drivers are more likely than experienced drivers to be involved in at least one distracted driving violation, such as texting or eating. Deliberate acts caused by inexperience can lead to additional fines and increased insurance rates.
