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There’s a lot of turnover in the trucking industry. Drivers are constantly leaving the profession because they get fed up with low pay and long hours. That’s why there’s considerable demand for new drivers. This is unfortunate because experienced drivers are less likely to make dangerous mistakes.
Trucking companies will try to save money by hiring inexperienced or poorly trained drivers. They may even hire drivers with bad driving records. This leads to serious accidents that harm thousands of unsuspecting drivers and their passengers every year.
There are important steps that trucking companies must take to ensure the safety of everyone on the road. Trucking firms should only hire experienced employees with safe driving records and constantly monitor their performance.
How to Hire Safe Drivers
Being a truck driver is a huge responsibility. The safety of other drivers depends on your ability to make split-second decisions. Trucking companies can’t just hire anyone who walks through the door. It’s essential to screen potential drivers to make sure they have what it takes to do the job right.
Before hiring a new driver, employers need to perform a thorough background check to guarantee that the driver will be safe behind the wheel. It’s the company’s responsibility to ensure that the driver is properly trained and they have a safe record.
Responsible trucking companies demand the following information from any potential employee:
- A valid Arizona Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
- A drug screening
- A written application
- A safe motor vehicle record (MVR) from the DMV
- References with phone numbers from prior employers
Make Sure They Went to a Certified Trucker School
It takes a lot of skill and knowledge to safely drive a big rig truck. That’s why responsible trucking companies only hire drivers who have successfully completed a driver’s training course at a school that’s certified by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
The curriculum should include the following types of coursework:
- Basic operations
- Distracted driving
- Roadside inspections
- Dashboard and control systems
- Shifting and transmissions
- Backing and docking
- Coupling and uncoupling
- Space management
- Night operation
- Speed management
- Extreme weather conditions
- Braking, jackknifing, and skid control
- Roadside inspection
- Hours of Service (HOS) requirements
- Pre and post trip inspection
- Fatigued driving
Training and Monitoring
Trucking companies should diligently monitor driver performance. Failure to detect unsafe drivers is known as negligent retention, and that makes trucking companies liable for accidents caused by unsafe drivers.
The following strategies help ensure that the company is maintaining a safe fleet of drivers:
- Driver checklists
- Safe driver incentive programs
- Drivers must regularly submit MVRs for review
- Training sessions followed by written quizzes
- “Am I driving safe?” bumper stickers
- Regular drug and alcohol screening
- Requiring drivers to keep accurate driving logs
Were You Harmed by a Careless Truck Driver?
Insurance companies hired by the big trucking companies do everything they can to prevent you from getting a fair settlement after a collision on the highway. But our experienced trial lawyers at The Husband & Wife Law Team will file a claim to help you get the money you need to pay your medical bills and other expenses caused by the accident.
We’ve won millions of dollars in settlements for our clients. Call (602) 457-6222 to schedule a FREE consultation today.
At The Husband & Wife Law Team, you won’t owe us anything unless we win your case.
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