THE Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) wants mandatory behind-the-wheel training for new drivers, not compulsory rest periods in the boonies and hours-of-service regulations.
"Fatigue is often cited in making regulatory changes. But statistically, fatigue almost never is the cause of truck-related crashes," said OOIDA vice president Todd Spencer.
"Truckers are not causing the majority of highway crashes, but are unfairly blamed," he said, adding that the fault of truck-related crashes falls mostly on passenger vehicle drivers.
"Instead of relying on technology and making misguided, hours-of-service regulations changes, the focus should instead be on training standards for entry-level drivers," said Mr Spencer.
"Despite orders from Congress in 1991, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has still not made training new drivers a priority," he said.
The FMCSA revised hours-of-service regulations about a year ago, and many in the industry have criticised the rationale behind the changes and question how much they will reduce truck crashes, a statement from the association said.
The industry group said it receives "many complaints from drivers that the changes have instead meant unintended consequences such as more time on the road and less time at home".
According to statistics from FMCSA, fatigue is a factor in 1.4 per cent of truck crashes and the percentage of fatal crashes involving trucks is about 10 per cent.
WORLD SHIPPING
19 June 2014 - 22:52
Fatigue rarely causes truck crashes, lack of training does: indy drivers
THE Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) wants mandatory behind-the-wheel training for new drivers, not compulsory rest periods in the boonies and hours-of-service regulations.
WORLD SHIPPING
19 June 2014 - 22:52
Fatigue rarely causes truck crashes, lack of training does: indy drivers
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