How is it that SWIFT manages to wreck so many trucks?

You're correct.

But they are the largest "private" fleet. With over 7000 trucks.

So that means there would be ONE truck every other mile post.

About 1/2 the number of trucks.....with 95% fewer accidents. No contest.

 

Walmart does not train new people. In fact, you are required to have three years' experience before they will hire you.

The models are so different it's like comparing apples and oranges.

 

What about Stevens Transport? I see those guys wreaking havoc everywhere also. I still wonder about that fiery crash that killed a driver on I-80 around Cheyenne a few months ago. It was the one were the guy ran into the back of a stevens truck and died anybody got info on that?

 

If you have access to the Swift terminals, you will see every one of them has a few wrecked trucks out behind the shops on display. Troudale has two out back there with raspberry bushes growing over the wrecks, returning them to nature.

 

That was a small company truck that hit that Stevens. It was Stevens' fault for being there.

Not long before that, a Swift rear ended a small company's truck under nearly identical circumstances. It was Swift's fault for not watching what was ahead.


You just can't win.




(Add) those trucks behind the terminals are kept there for a few reasons. They may have been involved in fatality crashes (like one of the two in Troutdale) and are there as a reminder to the drivers or there is a pending court case involving the truck. The two behind Troutdale have been there at least as long as I've been driving class A. Nearly five years?

 

I figured it was Stevens Transport fault. That was one hell of a sad deal. These companies need to retrain the trainers and keep closer tabs on them and the drivers they are training. This might reduce some of the problems they are having instead of letting everybody be a trainer.

 

It doesn't matter what company you refrence. A company can invest millions and have the best safety department in the industry; yet these accidents will still happen. Why? Because no matter what you teach a new driver, you're at the mercy of their ability to apply what was taught. Training is useless if it isn't applied.

 

MMM, You missed the point completely.

 

With that being said, not every trainer is meant to be a trainer either and same thing (the training) applies here too. If I had someone doing training for me I would keep close tabs on them and their students. That way if their students are coming up with several issues then thats not their fault but the fault of the trainer unless its just one student with a problem. The first6 months on their own should be able to tell you something about the student and the trainer. Trainers should be accountable for their students or why are you getting the extra pay for? Trainers need for the most part a different frame of mind. Its not just a money maker for ya and trainers should have at least 3yr OTR with a clean safety record before being allowed as a trainer along with 1 yr exp at the company

 

Any truck and any driver can get into an accident at any time. Much of it has to do with risk management, training, personal limitations, and the safety culture of a company and some of it has to do with timing--if you're "there," you might be "the one." Risk management is an area with which I am very familiar and have a certain level of expertise. That does not, however, mean I will not have a random very bad day. I just hope I won't and will work hard to manage the risks, develop realistic personal limitations, and control the road rage we all experience.