[Source: TruckertoTrucker.com Trucker Myths Debunked]
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Here are the 4 major myths that people associate with trucks and truck drivers:
Myth #1
Truckers are dangerous drivers and cause most accidents
- According to statistics, trucks are 3 times less likely to be in an accident than a regular automobile.
- Trucks are 4 times more likely to pass safety inspections compared to regular automobiles and passenger cars.
- Although you may think trucks are involved in many accidents, trucks are only involved in 2.4% of all automobile accidents.
Myth #2
Truckers are druggies
Federal law states and monitors that at least 50% of all truck drivers take drug tests, compared to drivers of regular cars, which is 0% of car drivers. A driver must NOT have been convicted of any of the following things:
- Felony involving the use of a motor vehicle
- Crime involving drugs
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Refusing to submit to an alcohol test required by a State or its Implied consent laws or regulations
- Leaving the scene of a crime
- Causing a fatality through negligent operation of a motor vehicle
- Trucking companies face fine of anywhere up to a total of $825,000 if one of their truck driver employees fails a drug or alcohol test.
- Police now have the power to administer a drug test on a trucker without any degree of reasonable suspicion.
- In 2009, there were 10,839 alcohol-impaired driving crashes. Of that number, less than 5% were truckers.
Myth #3
Men are better truck drivers than women
- There are over 200,000 female long haul truck drivers in America
- Women are 3 times less likely to get in an accident than a male truck driver
- Women are 4 times more likely to pass their CDL certification on the first attempt than men are
Myth #4
Truck drivers are poor
- The national median salary in the United States for a truck driver is $44,389
