The prevailing wisdom is that fewer cars on the road means less potential for accidents. However, that might not always be the case, especially when it comes to accidents involving semi-trucks. Is there an impact of truck driver shortages on crash rates?
First, consider the issue of the driver shortage. Commercial Carrier Journal recently had this to say about the shortage:
“The trucking industry, an essential backbone of the U.S. economy, faces an ongoing critical challenge: a significant shortage of drivers. This shortage — 60,000 as estimated by the American Trucking Associations — is not just a transient issue. It has profound implications on the supply chain, affecting everything from the availability of everyday consumer goods to the stability of national economic growth.”
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) collects data related to crash statistics. According to the data, the number of large trucks involved in fatal crashes increased 18%, from 4,821 to 5,700. As for the number of large trucks involved in injury crashes went up by 11%, from 105,000 to 117,000.
A correlation can be made between the shortage and the increase in accident numbers. Why is that happening?
Reasons for the Driver Shortage
The issue of truck driver shortages has been ongoing for years. There are several reasons why this is happening, including the following:
Retiring Workforce
According to the American Trucking Associations, the average age for a truck driver is 46. Beyond that, a large portion of the workforce is nearing retirement age. The concern is that when a truck driver retires, a new truck driver needs to replace them.
High Turnover Rates
Driving a truck is an extremely demanding job that requires long hours and extended time away from home. That can prove too overwhelming for many, especially if an opportunity to work closer to home presents itself.
Regulatory Challenges
The FMCSA established hours of service regulations that drivers must comply with. That can limit the amount of time a driver can operate their vehicle.
How Driver Shortages Impact Road Safety
Why would fewer truck drivers impact road safety? It has less to do with the number of truckers on the road and more to do with the pressures those drivers are under to complete their routes. Here’s how those shortages can impact road safety:
Long Work Hours
The service hours a truck driver needs to follow include being able to drive up to 11 hours after being off duty for 14 consecutive hours. That also includes a minimum 30-minute break after eight hours. All of those hours need to be logged, or the driver could be cited. Working fewer hours can pressure a driver to increase the speed to make their delivery.
It can also lead to drowsy driving if drivers don’t get enough rest between driving shifts, which can compromise their ability to maintain control of their large rig.
Although drivers are expected to comply with the FMCSA, the trucking companies are willing to bend the rules as they urge the drivers to work longer.
Aging Drivers
As we age, our response time slows down. There can also be developing issues with vision and hearing. That is as true for an elder car driver as it is for a senior truck driver. A driver shortage could have trucking companies turning to older drivers and perhaps even pulling them out of retirement to make their deliveries. That could increase the risk of accidents if the driver is not up to the challenge.
Overloaded Cargo Trucks
When faced with a limited driving fleet, a trucking company might compel the cargo loading company to increase the loads to make up for the lost time on the road. An overloaded truck, even if it meets weight restrictions, can still be compromised, increasing the risk of a rollover or jackknifing accident.
Overloaded trucks are also more likely to experience equipment failures. That extra weight raises the risk of brake failure and tire blowouts.
Inadequate Skill Development
Many states have recognized the need to increase the number of truckers. Land Line reports that Pennsylvania lawmakers are advancing a bill that will lower the age requirement for obtaining a commercial driver’s license. While that can increase the number of truck drivers, it can also increase the number of drivers without the skills or experience to handle challenging road conditions.
Even with all of these challenges facing the trucking industry, the vast majority of truckers complete their routes without getting into an accident. However, there is no such thing as a day without a truck accident somewhere in the country. If you find yourself the victim of a collision with a truck, you owe it to yourself and your family to discuss what happened with the attorneys at Prochaska, Howell & Prochaska LLC. We can provide you with guidance to help you decide the best option for seeking compensation. Get those critical questions answered.
