Are inexperienced truck drivers becoming a problem?

On Behalf of | Jan 11, 2021 | Truck Accidents |

Navigating a large truck on the road takes greater skill than driving an ordinary car. For that reason, you want the big truck that pulls up next to you to have a steady and knowledgeable hand on the wheel. However, some trucking companies do not always hire experienced drivers.

According to Work Truck, as of 2019 trucking companies have made progress in keeping the number of preventable truck accidents from rising. Still, some of these same companies have problems hiring skilled individuals to do their driving.

Why companies hire inexperienced drivers

Favorable economic conditions, predictable gas pricing and an increase in electronic commerce all have created the need for truck companies to hire more drivers to make deliveries. However, the larger demand for truck drivers has created a shortage of experienced drivers. As a result, trucking companies hire people with less training and driving time.

The importance of driver experience

A skilled truck driver is less likely to cause an auto accident. They tend to be more attentive and avoid distraction. When they need to find their next destination, they pull off to the side of the road to check their information or their GPS. If they feel fatigued, they know to pull over at a rest stop to avoid drowsy driving or falling asleep behind the wheel.

Using telematics to improve performance

Many trucking companies have employed telematics technology to gauge the performance of their drivers and install safety measures in their trucks to help avoid collisions. The results from these efforts have been encouraging. However, the presence of inexperienced drivers may blunt these efforts. Do not take it for granted that a large truck will have a skilled driver behind the wheel.