Maryland is a state full of many hard-working people. Some adults spend their shifts in the transportation industry driving trucks and delivering the goods that keep this country running. As with any job, employers often look into drivers’ records before hiring them.
What driving behaviors present the most dangers?
The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) recently published its 2022 Crash Predictor Report. This report looked at over 580,000 records of truck drivers.
Out of the many factors that can cause truck accidents, five specific indicators can increase the likelihood of future accidents by over 100%. These dangerous behaviors are:
- Failing to use signals or improperly signaling to other drivers
- Having a history of a prior crash or crashes
- Making improper lane changes
- Driving recklessly
- Failing to yield
How trucking companies can use past driving data
As trucking companies receive applications from applicants, this new data from ATRI can help hiring managers catch potential red flags from applicants. That’s not to say that having these behaviors on their records should automatically disqualify a driver from employment. Instead, experts advise that trucking companies work to give new drivers training and aim to reduce the previously mentioned dangerous driving behaviors.
Documenting hiring drivers with prior driving violations on their records is wise. Combining these documents with proof of the driver’s training can help ensure your company is doing its part to correct a driver’s troubled record.
Many transportation companies need waves of new drivers to help them deliver goods. If you hire drivers with problematic records, doing your part to stop these problems can keep your company running smoothly without dealing with accidents and the higher insurance rates that follow.
