Trucking companies should still train drivers despite those drivers having a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), which shows they have met the minimum requirements to operate a truck. This helps to better ensure a company has a qualified workforce.
However, some companies fail to train drivers or at least fail to do so properly, endangering other road users. Here is what to know about inadequate truck driver training and how it contributes to accidents:
Why it happens
A negligent trucking company may have inadequately trained drivers behind the wheel to cut costs. The company may want to avoid paying for comprehensive training programs to save money, but this is unwise.
A company that invests in these programs ensures its drivers are properly trained in equipment usage, safety measures, driving in challenging conditions, trip planning, compliance regulations, map reading, communication protocols, load securement and emergency response.
Another reason a trucking company may want to skip properly training drivers is to meet staffing needs. There is a shortage of truck drivers in the U.S., with a significant percentage retiring or nearing retirement, while the number of new drivers entering the industry remains low. Therefore, instead of finding better solutions, some trucking companies rush drivers through training programs to have orders moving without delay.
How it contributes to trucking accidents
Inadequate truck driver training is dangerous, as drivers who are not ready to operate large vehicles may be sent out on the road. Such drivers can make mistakes that can lead to accidents. For instance, cases of accidents caused by truck drivers who didn’t know how to maneuver a wide turn or drive on a mountainous road have been reported.
An inadequately trained truck driver can hit you, causing you to sustain serious injuries. In such a situation, legal guidance can help you receive the compensation you deserve.