Far too often regulations and laws only apply to Truck Drivers. We do the best we can to operate in a very dynamic environment. And yet the Truck Driver is held accountable.
There are very few items in USA that are not affected by the Trucking Industry. Every year Truck Drivers are given the blame for accidents on Americas hiways and side streets (false arguments according to National Hiway Safety statistics where 80% are caused by the cars interacting with trucks).
The real problem that exists is how truck drivers are compensated. Since the 30's Over-the-Road drivers have been urged to be mileage oriented "if your tires are not turning you don't get paid" compensation by the mile.
Recent changes have required Professional Drivers to keep accurate records of their hours-of-service with severe penalies for violations. With satelite and computer tracking.
What has been needed is accountability on the part of trucking companies and their dispatchers (or other job title). Perhaps licencing and regulation of Dispatchers and even Shipping and Recieving persons (the customers). We do have strict requirements for Hazmat shipments.
Comments (2)
I'm not sure you want to open this 55-gallon drum of worms. It sounds like, on the one hand, you want less of the responsibility for your actions, but you want more regulation of the companies. Fine. Let's work on the European model, then. Their trucks are governed so that they can go no faster than 100 - 110 kph (about 60-65 mph) they have electronic monitoring of their every move and they are ALL restricted to only the right lane on all limited-access highways.
Anyone who has ever driven in Europe has seen this - especially in Germany, where the regulations are stringently enforced.
This is indeed a complex barrel of worms, but should be addressed. It is also a safety issue if drivers are doing long hours, particularly at high speeds. Road use is paid for by truckers on the theory that the heavy trucks are responsible for the need for more upkeep. I would like to see more emphasis on railroads for long-distance freight, and shorter runs for truckers from rail depot to delivery destinations. I have no time to think this through further now; I shall return.