Do Older Truck Drivers Get in More Accidents Than Younger Truck Drivers?

The trucking industry is shrouded with issues of negligence, indifference, and shortcomings when it comes to safety. Everyone from the truck driver to the trucking company and even the manufacturer of the goods and cargo that is loaded onto trucks are often cited for failing to follow Federal Motor Carrier Safety guidelines, engaging in reckless hiring and training practices, and being careless while operating big rigs to name a few. While there is something to say for older drivers being more careful and responsible with their actions than younger drivers, when it comes to trucking safety, one study finds that it is experience and not necessarily age that is a critical safety factor.

Trucks are a large part of what keeps America working. In Pennsylvania, there is a heavy trucking presence coursing throughout the highway system in the state. From I-81 to I-80, I-95 to I-76, and more, there is no shortage of large commercial trucks driving around Pennsylvania meaning that the risk of a crash with one of these monstrous vehicles is very likely. If you or a loved one was injured or if you lost someone close to you in a truck accident in Pennsylvania, then you may have a case to file a claim for compensation. For more information on if pursuing legal action makes sense and what your claim could be worth, you can reach out to the Philadelphia truck accident attorneys at Edelstein Martin & Nelson.

How Experience Trumps Age When it Comes to Safe Trucking

According to the data from a Virginia Tech study, truck driver experience relates more to safety than truck driver age. And, in fact, truck drivers that are younger rather than older have specific advantages when it comes to operating a large vehicle like a commercial truck. 

The critical findings that the study found include:

• Younger truck drivers have the benefit of faster and more keen reaction time, potentially be more open to learning, and be ready and prepared to prove their worth by driving safely and efficiently.
• The first year of any commercial truck driver across the board regardless of age is the most perilous. This is when many traffic citations and crashes happen and the trends seen during the first year are similar no matter what age the driver is.
• Once a truck driver has at least a decade or 10 years under their belt, the risk of a crash for these drivers is fairly consistent irrespective of age.
• New drivers aged 55 and older report more crashes than those with the same experience who are younger.

Speak to a Philadelphia Truck Accident Lawyer Today

There is always the need to assess truck safety from every aspect possible because of the catastrophic nature of truck accidents. Victims of trucking accidents can have a tremendous amount of harm done if they are able to survive their accident. For help with a Pennsylvania truck accident claim and support throughout every step of the legal process, you can call the Philadelphia personal injury attorneys at Edelstein Martin & Nelson at (215) 731-9900 to schedule a free consultation.