Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/630225
February '16 www.studentdriverplacement.com 7 higher fatal crash rates than middle age drivers. But teenagers and the elderly rarely drive trucks. The minimum age to operate a truck in interstate commerce is 21 and most truck drivers retire by age 70 if not sooner. In fact, the average age for truck drivers right now is about 48. • Finally, experience and research has taught us that a person's driving record – their patterns of moving violations – is a strong pre- dictor of future crash risk. For this reason, most trucking companies refuse to hire applicants who have been convicted of multiple moving violations. Also, CDL regulations prohibit individuals who have been convicted of certain egregious mov- ing violations from driving a truck. But the standard for driving a car is much lower. In fact, hundreds of thousands (perhaps millions) of people who drive cars would never be allowed to drive trucks. Byrd followed with, "Recogniz- ing these statistics – that 80% of fatal truck crashes are two-vehicle crashes and at least 70% of those are initiated by other motorists – we must admit that focusing almost exclusively on the condition of trucks and the behavior of truck drivers will – at best – be minimally effective in reducing fatal truck crashes. We must increase our emphasis on the unsafe behavior of those operating around trucks, both through enforcement and education. Said another way, chang- ing the unsafe behaviors that cause the majority of truck-involved crashes must play a greater role in MCSAP and FMCSA's programs if we are to achieve the safety outcomes we all want." What I believe Phil Byrd is saying is the government doctor has his focus all wrong. The daily food that con- sists of 70% donuts is the problem, not the 30% apples. But it appears that monetary fi nes for stops with inspections (read donuts here) are much higher than for stops without inspections (read apples here) and we all know the states really, really need the money. Numbers don't lie. So I ask you, money for the states or safety for us? ◆ Jim C. Klepper is president of Interstate Trucker Ltd., a law fi rm entirely dedicated to legal defense of the nation's commercial drivers. Interstate Trucker represents truck drivers throughout the forty-eight (48) states on both moving and non-moving violations. Jim is also president of Driv- ers Legal Plan, which allows member drivers access to his fi rm's services at greatly discounted rates. Jim, a former prosecutor, is also a registered phar- macist with considerable experience in alcohol and drug related cases. He is a lawyer that has focused on trans- portation law and the trucking industry in particular. He works to answer your legal questions about trucking and life over-the-road and has his Commercial Drivers License. 800-333-DRIVE (3748) or www.inter- statetrucker.com and www.driverslegal- plan.com