Whole industry is at fault
7/7/2018 at 8:15 AM
| | | mikesims said "Do you see that the company is at fault ? The driver is responsible for that truck while he’s driving it . The driver made the poor decision to advance past the stop sign without making sure it was safe to do so . The driver was given 2 weeks training. Most likely a road test to see if he can drive and then training on any safety certs needed. The company had 2 trucks in total with no other violations with dot. So again how is the company at fault also ?? " |
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This accident is just the tip of the iceberg. I have been a class 1 over the road driver for many years and have left the industry. The events of this accident are just the beginning. The quality of life and standard of living in which the paycheque of a driver now provide really do not compute anymore so that is why there are so many new and inexperienced drivers on the road. All companies need to start taking some responsibility for this, and sadly, there is one thing that could solve a lot of problems and its always money. I myself have left the road and have been able to secure employment that equals the gross annual salary of a driver, but I work a more regular 40 hr week and sleep in my own bed instead of being away working 70 hrs a week. Doesn't add up. I still have a lot to do with trucking now, I just don't drive. I recently read an article stating that to match 1985's cost of living a driver today should earn almost 120k annually to be equivalent, and trust me the rates are far from that. Thousands of good, safe courteous drivers have left the industry because year after year their cheques never go up, taxes increase and so does everything else and it has recently hit the point where the lifestyle and risk don't justify the reward. I could find anyone 20 drivers to fill jobs with great driving records but no one will come back unless things change. Heck I would drive again with a few small improvements. Sadly though anyone who pays for a lot of transportation has seen the costs go up greatly, but that is only to cover a trucking companies largest expense and that is fuel. If you look deep into rates that are paid, the base rate is the same as the early 80's, with variable rate fuel surcharges. The money never makes it back to the driver. A few things which I would like to see the industry implement in the light of this accident are as followed:
1. He was a new driver. He should have still been driving in a team situation to get more coaching from an experienced driver.
2. He was pulling combination trailers with little driving experience. We have a graduated system for class 5 and motorcycle licenses, we need some graduation in Class 1 as well. In my opinion both combination trailers and dangerous goods should be restricted for at least 1 year after becoming a driver.
This company was also a very new company, and what was the experience of the owner? Business is business to a point but I have also seen people with money buy trucks as an investment, while never ever being over the road and let me tell you when I have worked for people like this. Often they start up and cut the rate to get the work, but have to cut corners somewhere and this is often the result.
As a society we have start looking deeper at this. We all feel entitled to demand better of everything and even sometimes buy into false propaganda. Fast food companies can stand on a soap box and claim their food is more ethically raised than the competitors, but if a trucking company were to stand tall and claim their drivers are trained, experienced, properly compensated for their hard work and experience, but the rate we need to charge for you the consumer to sleep at night knowing this, will be higher than company xyz down the street, we as a society won't pay it yet and company xyz gets the work. I hope it gets better. Trucking used to a noble industry which nothing but hard work led to success.