There is a crisis forming in the trucking industy. There are too few drivers to support a growing demand for long haul freight. Despite the slow economy and very limited actual training required, fewer young people are choosing to be a tractor trailer truck driver. Currently, there is a shortage of approximately 20,000 needed drivers. This number is expected to increase dramatically in the next couple of years as older drivers leave the profession. In some nationwide companies, the average driver’s age is 56. And, those who drive cross country for years know first hand of the physical and mental wear on their bodies and minds. It is not a very desirable job anymore. Back in the 1970’s, there were movies and songs which glamorized “life on the road” and “convoys” of trucks. They depicted the “freedoms” of being on the road. At first, there will be the “newness” of the job and seeing many different parts of the country. But quickly, it will become sitting for long hours at a time and driving endlessly. Drivers get very tired of the same CDs and playing the same “road games.” They miss their families and grow to hate being away “all the time.” Marriages and relationships suffer, and children miss their parent. Some companies, in an effort to mitigate the boredom and loneliness, actually allow pets and family members to “ride along” and “share the experience.” These measures can help but can also present their own dangers and issues. Pets loose in the cab can cause dangerous distractions as can relationship squabbles while driving in heavy traffic. Consequently, it is now more difficult to get these positions filled.

As a result of this growing crisis, large trucking companies are having to compensate for fewer drivers with fewer runs but significantly larger payloads. The need for available trucking does not change with the number of qualified drivers. As a result, companies and their lobbyists try to get laws changed to allow for even larger weight allowances and multiple trailers. Of course, heavier loads and more trailers behind a single tractor poses even more dangers to the traveling public and requires substantially more experience and skill to safely operate. One can see how this problem is only being compounded by the changing industry dynamics. A fully loaded tractor trailer at conventional weights of 26,000 pounds can take up to a football field to come to a stop from 60 miles per hour. With ever increasing weight allowances and more than one trailer being transported, it will take even greater distances to stop these loads and the risk of “jack knifing” becomes more likely. If multiple trailers are in use and separate, you will start seeing more news stories about multi-car crashes and more serious injury and loss of life.

Our attorneys oppose any loosening of current federal standards for the trucking industry as we have seen what can already happen. We hope and pray your family is never affected by the negligence of trucking companies. But if you have been serious injured, we are trained and ready to help. Carefully review our lawyers’ qualifications and then call us for a private review of your particular case. You can reach us directly at 803-554-4157 or nationwide at 877-374-5999.