Members of Congress have recently begun talks about training regulations for commercial truck drivers in a bid to reduce the number of car and truck accidents on the roads. Of course, there are already many regulations and laws in place to prevent trucking collisions in Hollywood and other cities across the country, but despite these precautions serious traffic crashes involving trucks still continue to occur.
Experts believe that many broadside crashes, head-on collisions, and other types of traffic accidents involving commercial trucks often occur do to driver error. Studies have shown that drivers with less experience and training have higher accident risks when compared with more experienced motorists.
It seems to make sense that hiring more experienced and highly-trained drivers would therefore help reduce the number of truck and car crashes in Hollywood and other communities. However, according to the trucking industry, the current labor shortages could make that a challenge. Right now, there is a high demand for truck drivers and a shortage of experienced and qualified truck drivers in the industry. In some cases, motor carriers must hire new drivers with less training and real-world experience.
Another issue is fraud. According to some safety experts, the number of jobs in the industry has some job applicant falsifying their credentials or claiming to have passed qualified driving instructions when they have not. Of course, it is important for motor carriers to screen applicants to ensure that they have the correct qualifications. However, in some cases applicants do a very good job of hiding the fact that they don’t have the driver training needed for the job.
Another issue is job training itself. According to some safety experts, some truck drivers do not get enough instruction – from motor carriers and in driver training classes – about basic issues such as turning distance and proper braking techniques. This can lead to incorrect braking techniques in Hollywood and other issues which can lead to crashes.
The discussions among Members of Congress include the possibility of passing mandatory commercial truck driver training guidelines. These would ensure that all truck drivers who are licensed have been taught the basics.
Legislators have also discussed possibly using certain technology in commercial trucks to reduce the risk of accidents. For example, there are some devices that can sound a warning if a driver is drifting out of a lane. There have been efforts to make these devices mandatory on all 18-wheelers and big rigs, but so far the laws have not passed.
Some safety advocates have advised that using more technology in the classroom could also help. There are driving simulators that allow truck drivers to approximate the experience of driving in bad weather or heavy traffic, for example, and some experts feel that these simulators could help drivers get some driving experience that simulates real-world driving. Other safety experts believe that the key is continual learning and would like to see mandatory additional training for commercial drivers, so that these drivers continue to get some professional instruction and in-class education and training even after being licensed.
Have you been seriously injured in a trucking collision? Your recovery time may be long and may end up being more expensive than you realize. To discuss your situation and your chances of compensation with a personal injury attorney, you can always reach the attorneys at Flaxman Law Group.