There are millions of truck drivers in the United States. Every day, these drivers play an important role in helping our economy flow by transporting important goods throughout the country. While there are truck drivers with histories of accident-free driving, there are many inexperienced truck drivers who may be hazards to others on our highways.
According to a study by the National Surface Transportation Safety Center for Excellence, commercial driving experience is more important than age when considering safety risks. During the first year of driving, a truck driver has higher risk of crash rates, crash involvement and moving violations.
Accidents Caused By Inexperienced Truck Drivers
According to a recent study from the American Trucking Association, the current driver shortage has risen to 80,000, and may increase to 160,000 by 2030. With the shortage being higher than past years, the likelihood of an inexperienced driver causing a truck driver accident is increasingly more common.
Because inexperienced truck drivers lack real-life, on-the-road experience, they are more likely to cause one of these truck driver accidents:
- Leaving the travel lane, either into another lane of traffic or off the road;
- Losing control because of traveling too fast for conditions, cargo shifting, or failing to reduce speed when there are poor road conditions;
- Colliding with the rear end of another vehicle because of not leaving sufficient space in front or following too closely;
- Falling asleep because of driving while fatigued or violating hours of service rules;
- Crashing because of Inattentiveness and distraction;
- Driving too fast for conditions; or
- Operating the vehicle in a careless manner caused by driver panicking, overcompensation, or poor exercise of directional control.
What does a driver need to do to become a truck driver and overcome inexperience?
New drivers must become a professional by mastering specific driving skills and knowing the regulations and procedures of the trucking industry. They must also meet special requirements such as obtaining a special license, passing physical examinations, and passing tests regarding knowledge and skills for driving a tractor trailer.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires drivers to meet minimum standards to operate a vehicle in interstate commerce. These standards include, but are not limited to, passing a basic knowledge test covering areas such as motor vehicle inspection, repair and maintenance, procedures for safe vehicle operation, effects of fatigue, poor vision, hearing impairments and general health upon safe commercial motor vehicle operation, and the effects of alcohol and drugs. A driver must also know basic procedures for maneuvering a vehicle including putting the vehicle in motion, backing up, and different types of turns such as off tracking.
After going through a skills test, a driver must then obtain a CDL skills test, which includes pre-trip inspections, basic control skills test and a behind the wheel road test. After obtaining the CDL license, the driver will likely need other training as well. This extra training is often done by companies that hire drivers to operate their vehicle on the roads.
What do motor carriers need to do to verify a driver is not too inexperienced to drive?
It isn’t just the job of the new driver to meet certain standards, but the companies must also educate their inexperienced truck drivers. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations require motor carriers to maintain a driver qualification file for each driver, which requires a company to obtain, keep or maintain the following.
- An application for Employment completed in accordance with 49 CFR § 391.21;
- A copy of the motor vehicle record received from each state pursuant to 49 CFR § 391.23(a)(1);
- Inquiries into previous employment pursuant to 49 CFR §§ 391.23(a)(1) and (b);
- Safety Performance History Records pursuant to 49 CFR § 391.23(i)(2) and § 391.23(i)(3);
- The certificate of driver’s road test issued to the driver pursuant to 49 CFR § 391.31(e);
- A DOT written examination;
- A copy of a driver’s commercial driver’s license;
- The annual motor vehicle record received from each state driver licensing agency as required by 49 CFR §§ 391.25(a) and (c);
- Results of the annual review of the driver’s driving record as required by 49 CFR § 391.25(c)(2);
- The list or certificate relating to violations of motor vehicle laws and ordinances required by 49 CFR § 391.27;
- The medical examination report and medical examiner’s certificate as required by 49 CFR § 391.43;
- Pre-Employment Drug and Alcohol Documents as required by 49 CFR §§ 40.25(j); 382.301 and 391.23(e);
- Longer Combination Vehicle (LCV) Driver Training Certificate as required by 49 CFR § 380.401;
- Longer Combination Vehicle (LCV) Certificate of Grandfathering as required by 49 CFR § 380.111; and
- The skill performance evaluation certificate obtained from a field administrator, division administrator, or state director issued in accordance with 49 CFR § 391.49.
Navigating a Lawsuit Against Inexperienced Truck Drivers
As truck accident attorneys, we make sure to verify that drivers who cause a truck driver accident are properly trained and not so inexperienced as to cause an accident. Unfortunately, because of the current labor shortage, we think inexperienced truck drivers will continue to cause problems on the road.
If you believe you were injured due to the actions of an inexperienced driver in Missouri or Illinois, contact our legal team for more information.