.in August would set up a pilot program allowing 18- to 20-year-olds to drive tractor-trailers across state lines. Most states allow people under 21 to get commercial driver’s licenses, but federal rules restrict those drivers to working within state borders.
The American Trucking Associations, another trade body that represents trucking companies, hopes the pilot program will demonstrate that young people can safely drive tractor-trailers interstate, said Bill Sullivan, its executive vice president of advocacy. “They call it a pilot program, but it’s basically a foot in the door to change the rules for their imaginary driver shortage,” said Russ Swift, a board member of the Truck Safety Coalition advocacy group whose son died in 1993 in an accident in which a truck driven by an 18-year-old got stuck on a road after an attempted U-turn.
“We would always have several hundred job openings in the best of times,” said Derek Leathers, chief executive ofa large truckload carrier based in Omaha, Neb. But now the company has more than 500 job openings, he said, and the hardest to fill are those for long-haul drivers. Like many companies, Werner is trying to attract more drivers by, but ensuring they get home regularly is an important incentive as well, he said.
Mr. Sullivan of the ATA said the rigors of the job are more suitable for young people with more energy and without families. “I think that what I wanted to do and what I would put up with when I was 18 is a heck of a lot different than today,” he said.
usa Companies are using slave labor since adults wont accept working for free, corporate companies are changing our laws so the youth can work for free
If young people in other countries can drive big rigs, on far more dangerous roads, why not in America. When I was a teen I was restricted from qualifying to drive over the road until age 25. The SOONER young people can make the BIG BUCKS the BETTER!
So teens accept extremely low wages?
No…! The forebrain does not fully mature until age 25; area of critical thinking, judgment, executive processes. Why not self-driving vehicles and in slow lanes only? All trucks!
No. Many eighteen years old are not ready to handle life ALONE on the road. This is NOT the way to broaden the pool of potential truck drivers. There are many other viable options right in front of you. wrongpath
Are you serious? If things are that bad, then we are really in deep trouble. Why do you think insurance companies charge a premium for insured drivers under twenty five? Perhaps you may want to rethink this.
What could go wrong?
horrible
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Source: Reuters - 🏆 2. / 97 Read more »