The shortage of truck drivers in Mississippi and other states has led to new rules that allow younger and less experienced drivers to take to the road. The goal of this policy is to alleviate the supply chain problems by getting more trucks moving more goods, but the downside is that the drivers are now more likely to get into an accident due to their lower level of experience.
Teen Drivers Behind the Wheel
Under ordinary conditions, truck drivers have to be 21 years old in order to take on an interstate trip. However, a new law lowers the required age to 18. The driver does have to clear a certain number of hours of experience, but they still have less experience than if they were 21. Moreover, the human brain is just not as developed at 18, so it can lead to worse decision-making.
The new lower age will get more truckers available for work, but it also might lead to a higher level of trucking accidents. Because of the sheer size and mass of the trucks, the accidents involve more force and are potentially more deadly. That is a risk for drivers who need to share the road with these younger truckers. It might be a good policy for getting the supply chain moving, but younger truck drivers put other people on the road at risk.
Trucking accidents can be more severe than car or SUV accidents. That means that truck drivers need to be under careful scrutiny, and with younger drivers on the road, that might lead to some bad outcomes if the rule is not applied with care.
If you have been injured as a result of a negligent driver, you should consult with an experienced attorney who handles these specific types of cases.
