As current law stands, truck drivers possessing a commercial driver’s license (CDL) under the age of 21 are only allowed to transport cargo within their state. This hinders the likelihood of young drivers joining the industry, as more money is available to interstate truck drivers. Now, the Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy (DRIVE-Safe) Act is under consideration to change this.
The call for this change is to help address the truck driver shortage. With more young people heading to college and existing drivers aging out and retiring, there is a massive gap between demand and available labor. With the existing restrictions, the likelihood of convincing an 18-year-old to wait three years to begin his or her career is slim to none. Even so, not everyone is on board with the idea of lowering the age for interstate commerce.
Opposition to the Bill
While the American Trucking Associations (ATA) threw their support behind the bill, the Owner Operator Independent Driver Association (OOIDA) vehemently opposes it. In addition to their safety concerns, OOIDA pointed out other issues affecting the truck driver shortage such as high turnover rates, insufficient pay, and uncomfortable working conditions. They contend that addressing turnover, working environment, and pay will solve the driver shortage before young drivers will.
Addressing Significant Safety Concerns
The truth most likely lies somewhere in the middle. Addressing the issues contributing to high turnover rates will help, but it won’t bridge the labor shortage gap entirely. Even so, those that disagree with the DRIVE-Safe Act have a valid point regarding safety. Younger drivers are less experienced and more prone to making mistakes when under pressure. When operating a commercial vehicle, the stakes are much higher and many worry young drivers won’t be able to conduct themselves safely behind the wheel for much longer trips.
However, advocates for the change aren’t simply going to flip a switch and send young drivers off on their own. They’re recommending an apprenticeship program that requires each driver to have 400 hours of on-duty driving experience as well as 240 hours of drive time with a veteran driver alongside them. In addition, all commercial vehicles used for these training purposes will include brake collision mitigation systems, video event-capture technology, and a speed regulator set to max out at 65 miles per hour.
Should the bill pass, fleets can put themselves more at ease by implementing telematics solutions. This data can help capture driver behaviors such as hard braking, speeding, and more to help fleets address safety issues before they result in accidents. The technology can also allow fleets to recognize superior drivers and highlight their exemplary skills behind the wheel. Showcasing safe drivers is an effective means of improving driver safety as well as improving employee morale. To learn more about how telematics can improve your fleet’s safety, contact the experts at DriverCheck today.
