Semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, and big rig trucks are familiar sights on highways, roads, and interstates. Since these vehicular giants are so prevalent, most people would be surprised when they hear that there is a shortage of at least 50,000 commercial drivers nationwide — and that number is expected to rise as older drivers retire.
Experts within the industry believe that the current number could triple by the year 2026.
Naturally, the shortage causes a stir among consumers. Fewer drivers mean slower delivery times, which could result in a low-supply, high-demand scenario (or an increase in grocery prices). But there is more to this shortage than just price concerns.
There’s also an increased risk of trucking accidents.
Understanding the Shortage: Why It Happened and How the Industry Is Doing Now
Forbes traces the beginning of the shortage back to 2004 when federal rules regarding the measurement of a driver’s maximum workday changed. According to the new rules, the 11 working hours of truck drivers begin the moment they get behind the wheel and don’t stop until the end of the 11th hour. Before the change, drivers could stop the clock whenever they cooled their heels at loading docks.
Since drivers could not work continuously in such long hours, some of them looked for jobs elsewhere. This was the start of the shortage, which was interrupted by the recession of 2007.
Also, the trucker population is aging. Only 20 percent of the population fall under the 20 to 34 age bracket. Bringing in new blood poses a challenge. New high school graduates interested in trucking can’t become a driver since they have to be 21 years old to cross state lines.
To combat the shortage, companies offer higher wages, major pay raises, and sign-on bonuses to attract new employees. Even though truckers can now make $80,000 a year, the big paycheck is not enough to convince new entrants.
The job’s tough lifestyle plus safety issues keep potential drivers from being part of the trucking community. As a result, there are still a few truckers, which means deliveries may be delayed, and trucking accidents can potentially happen anytime.
The Safety Issue: How Did It Become an Issue?
Businesses always want to meet their quotas and other daily demands. The lack of qualified commercial truck drivers has two negative consequences: lower hiring standards and longer work shifts.
Lower Hiring Standards
The high demand for products and services can force companies to hire less qualified drivers to do the job. Truck driving, however, does not only require a simple driving skill. Applicants must know about the truck design, truck maintenance requirements, and traffic federal laws.
Companies that need immediate manpower disregard these requirements and hire inexperienced drivers, which increases their risks for accidents on the road due to:
- Failure of heeding guidelines regarding distracted driving
- Failure to recognize the signs and dangers of speeding
- Improper assessment of weather-related and traffic hazards
- Forgetting to check blind spots
- Lack of awareness with safety laws and regulations
These errors are the type newly licensed drivers can make. The potential for accidents, however, is higher among commercial vehicles since trucks are more heavy duty compared to smaller vehicles. The maximum weight of a full trailer and a semi-truck can reach 80,000 pounds and are generally more than 50 feet long. Inexperienced drivers will have difficulty in controlling such a big vehicle, which increases their risk for accidents, such as:
- Rear-end collisions
- Rollovers
- Blind spot collisions
- Jack-knifing accidents
- Side-impact collisions
Longer Work Shifts
Trucking companies that are short on drivers are forced to rely on the same ones repeatedly. While federal laws limit the time drivers can work in a given day or week, some businesses encourage their drivers to break the rules so that they can make deliveries.
Longer shifts mean drivers have to push the limits of their bodies to meet deadlines. Some truckers may be capable of working double shifts, but a majority can’t deny their body’s need for sleep. Overworked truck drivers pose a danger because of this. The fatigue leads to drowsy driving, a period where drivers struggle to stay awake, which increases their risk for accidents.
In 2018, a truck carrying 40,000 pounds of chicken feathers overturned on northbound Interstate 5 in Federal Way when the driver fell asleep behind the wheel and lost control. The crash resulted in chicken feathers clogging I-5, which took Washington State Department of Transportation Workers (WSDOT) four hours to clean everything. It also caused a 7-mile backup at the height of rush hour. Fortunately, there were no casualties, but this is only one out of 162 truck accidents in Washington (recorded in 2018).
Federal Way, under King County, is included in the list of most dangerous areas in I-5. Distracted or drowsy drivers may find themselves in collisions if they are not careful.
Shortage Shouldn’t Short-change Rights
Federal laws regarding safe truck driving exist to keep both members of the public and truckers safe. The current shortage should not give companies excuses to bend the rules in the interest of meeting demand and tight schedules. As a truck driver in Federal Way, you have every right to do your duty while still staying safe and healthy.
Protect your rights as a truck driver with a legal expert by your side. Let Truck Driver Rights assist you with some of the challenges of your job.
We’re no strangers to the hard work that goes into your job — the long (and sometimes unreasonable) hours, fluctuating wages, and extended stays away from your loved ones. Our team will always put your needs first and advocate for your rights. We will represent you in cases that deal with violations of compensation rights, which includes working off the clock, unpaid overtime, and missed meal and rest breaks.
We also offer legal assistance if you have been hurt on the job or are not receiving enough compensation for your workplace-related injury. Our lawyers have experience with pursuing claims under Occupational Accident Policies against third parties who must be held accountable for your accident.
Call us today for a FREE consultation to speak with our lawyer.