Trucking | Age does matter

In between all the stats, there are three points that show age does matter. This is from Jim York’s June column in Fleetowner mag.

Older but wiser - Fleetowner.com

…the majority (62.7%)) of drivers are under age 46. However, that demographic changed during 1999-2001. The number of younger drivers (under 46) declined from 65.2% in 1999 to 62.7% in 2001.

Younger drivers start at 46? And that number declined. We have a bunch of ‘old farts’ driving around.

Second, the data confirms that safety performance improves with age. For example, drivers under age 26 experienced the highest driver and vehicle out-of-service rates, while those in the 56-65 category experienced the lowest.

Young whipper-snappers driving around too fast for their logbook in crappy, poorly maintained trucks.

Third, and most important, younger drivers appear to be disproportionately involved in fatal truck crashes. Drivers under age 26 represent 5.66% of all drivers, yet they’re involved in 6.45% of all fatal crashes. According to the Volpe data, this trend continues through age 35. Drivers in the over-55 group also appear to be disproportionately involved in fatal crashes.

Sounds a little like the general population. Young whipper-snappers driving too fast, too tired, in crappy trucks. Old farts know how to take care of their trucks, but are getting too old to be driving.

Here’s the important part -

Hmm. Younger drivers are leaving the industry and younger drivers need more training. Any chance these findings are related? Perhaps drivers are leaving because they feel we’re not investing in their future success through effective training and support. It’s certainly something to think about.

Didn’t I say back in Too Many Drivers that companies don’t have an investment in their new drivers. Just train ‘em, get ‘em on the road, if they wreck, get the next one in line. Yeah, I did -

Truck driving schools and even company sponsored schools have no investment in the people they train. If they have a wreck or get tickets, there are plenty waiting to take their place. If companies had a substantial investment in their students they would insure they could not only drive the truck but had the aptitude to be professional.