Millis OTR journal

I realize before I even make this statement that I am just pointing out the completely obvious. These features exist simply for companies to show their insurers that they are doing everything they can to deserve lower rates. If they actually worked as intended, they'd be great additions to a truck for new drivers. I understand every angle and every argument that supports them. They aren't wrong, but they ARE misguided. None of the folks that designed these features are driving these trucks. None of the company executives who choose to put them on their equipment are driving these trucks. We outnumber them by such an exponentially high number that it's almost incalculable. And yet, the opinions of the few and stupid outweigh the millions. These "safety" features don't help. They distract. And they take the most stressful stage of a driver's career and make it worse. If I had to deal with the increased safety technology when I first started, I doubt very seriously I would be sitting here to pen this post. I would have quit. It's too much. Thankfully, that's all in my rear view mirror now.

 

I agree. But the problems companies are facing today are multi-faceted. They need new blood to handle turnover. That means training the guy I was almost two years ago. Some do good, some do "good enough", and probably half end up washing out. It's a marketing problem, in my opinion. Tighten up the entrance requirements, invest in a more capable support environment, increase wages. Make it something people long for, not something people luck themselves into. THEN you'll have an environment that attracts the drivers you're talking about. Every single company out there that is fully stocked with company drivers is looking at this situation especially hard right now with the new tax changes.