National Shortage of Truckers Means More Hazardous Roads for Everyone

Authored by Tyler Hall, Esq.

Roads Made More Dangerous by National Shortage of Truckers

The shortage of truck drivers has been on the rise for several years now, and it’s only recently begun to hit critical numbers the general public is starting to become aware of. According to an announcement made by the American Trucking Association , the trucking industry will be short 175,000 drivers by 2026. This is certain to only further exacerbate the issue of road safety that has resulted from the desperation with which trucking companies have been seeking new employees.

Serious Consequences

All motor vehicle accidents come with the risk of causing physical and mental injuries, but collisions with semitrucks tend to have the most serious ramifications. It cannot be disputed that truck drivers provide a noble and valuable service by keeping the economy of the United States alive and thriving. But as with any profession, negligence is always possible, and the results of negligent truck driving are often devastating.

Even with the most attentive driver, mistakes do sometimes happen. Since truckers are expected to spend their entire workday attentive and alert in order to practice safe driving, letting their guard down for a mere moment may be enough to cause a serious accident.

With the countless goods that are transported every day by truck, it’s an indispensable industry in our country’s economy. A shortage of drivers impacts everybody in a variety of ways, including the cost of goods and the price of shipping packages. But even more concerning is the fact that, with a greater need to fill drivers’ seats, trucking companies may cut corners, putting everyone on the road at risk.

Keeping Up With Business Demands

It’s key to remember that trucking companies view the driver shortage through the lens of running a business. As with the vast majority of businesses, the whole point of their operation is to make a profit. When a company is unable to find enough employees to keep up with the demand, the amount of money that it brings in will inevitably begin to decrease. As was seen during the height of the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the supply chain may be impacted dramatically by significant global events.

With the high pressure on trucking companies to keep pace with growing demands, bosses and supervisors may pass that pressure onto their drivers and encourage them to make dangerous decisions. This may include driving faster or longer than they should, but it almost always involves taking shortcuts that aren’t conducive to safe work conditions.

Tired Drivers

One of the riskiest driving behaviors is operating a vehicle while fatigued. Many people don’t realize that being overtired may impair their driving ability as significantly as intoxication does. Without enough sleep, drivers have a substantially reduced reaction time, giving them fewer precious seconds to react to the often unpredictable movements of other vehicles and other hazards that spontaneously emerge on the road.

Individuals who drive when they’re too tired are also more prone to becoming distracted. With the constant barrage of distractions involved in modern everyday life, from smartphones to billboards, any increased susceptibility to these diversions is detrimental to a person’s ability to drive safely — and a danger to everyone on the road.

When trucking companies are desperate to not become the weak link in the supply chain, they may pressure or instruct drivers outright to skip their scheduled rest periods. Even missing an hour of sleep may significantly impact a person’s cognitive abilities and reaction time. For many drivers and companies, their tolerance for risk increases every time a delivery is completed without making regularly scheduled rest stops. Unfortunately, it only takes once for a life-changing collision to occur.

Of course, the greatest danger of fatigued driving is the risk of falling asleep at the wheel. These collisions are often the worst because the driver cannot react and may collide with other vehicles at full speed. Even if a driver only dozes off for a second or two, at the high speeds of the interstate, this still translates to a considerable distance covered without a conscious driver.

To compound the issue, federal regulations were temporarily lifted in 2020 that had previously regulated the number of consecutive hours drivers were able to work and how often they had to follow safety protocols, like taking rest periods. This unprecedented move suspended an interstate road safety law that had been in place for decades and is a prime example of just how much pressure the COVID-19 pandemic has put on trucking companies. Whether this will be continued is unclear, so it is always a good idea to consult with a trucking accident lawyer to be sure.

Driving Too Fast

Speeding gives drivers less time to react to dangerous situations. It also makes collisions more serious when they do happen. Due to the size and weight of semitrucks, they are an exceptionally difficult type of vehicle to control at high speeds. With their greater mass and resultant higher inertia than regular cars, it takes much more time with your foot on the brakes to bring them to a complete stop. This is why trucks often have a posted speed limit that’s lower than other vehicles.

With deadlines that are continuously being shortened, drivers experience constant pressure to make their deliveries as fast as possible. Truckers often get the impression from their superiors that they need to save time in any way they can to keep their job, and this becomes a recipe for ignoring their personal safety and that of others.

Lower Standards for New Hires

It’s easier than ever for people to find work in the trucking industry, which is great for people looking for jobs in this field but not so good for road safety. Companies are extremely desperate for more people to operate these vehicles and get goods shipped from point A to point B. In many companies’ desperation, they’ve resorted to filling the cabs of their trucks with drivers with less-than-perfect track records or next to no experience.

With less experience comes an increased likelihood of making mistakes on the road, which makes for a highly dangerous situation at freeway speeds. Since beggars can’t be choosers, decision-makers behind many major trucking companies have weighed the risks and decided that it’s worth putting the general public in danger to keep up with supply and demand.

Operating a semitruck is a highly serious responsibility, yet keeping up with business demands has resulted in that responsibility sometimes being put into the wrong hands. With lower hiring standards for truck drivers, people with DUIs or other significant traffic violations may still be able to get the job.

The best thing drivers can do to keep themselves and their loved ones safe on the road is to use extreme caution around semitrucks. Simply by giving these large vehicles extra room when passing and not following them too closely, you can greatly decrease the likelihood of an accident. It’s always a good idea to give extra attention to these vehicles — and hope that the truck driver will give you that same courtesy.

If you’ve been in a motor vehicle accident involving a semitruck, contact Rebenack Aronow and Mascolo, L.L.P., at RAM Law. With offices located in New Brunswick and Somerville, New Jersey, you’ll find an attorney you can count on. Call us at (732) 394-1549 or fill out our online contact form today to talk to a professional and experienced trucking accident lawyer.