2 Preventables & termination

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by rotro13, Feb 14, 2026.

  1. rotro13

    rotro13 Bobtail Member

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    will most companies accept this? few megas told me they couldn’t hire me. will swift accept me?
     
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  3. Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

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    A few 1099's might if you sold your soul.
    Swift would not even consider you.

    Maybe you should find a different occupation?
     
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  4. Judge

    Judge Road Train Member

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    How big of preventable?
    Hit a building awning?
     
  5. ducnut

    ducnut Road Train Member

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    There are drivers on this forum who have millions of miles driving and decades of experience who have never had a preventable accident or traffic citation. You trying to stay in this industry is like trying to drive a round peg into a square hole. I’d reevaluate yourself and figure out what your strongest attributes are. Head to your local community college and make an appointment with a counselor to take an evaluation exam. That might give you some definitive guidance to a better career fit.
     
  6. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    Recently I saw a Western Express truck do that at a Home Depot. The idiot thought they unloaded flatbeds out front.
     
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  7. wis bang

    wis bang Road Train Member

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    More than one preventable accident is a problem with most insurance companies.

    When my requested MVR showed more than one accident, the broker's assistant would call asking for copies of the PD reports to see if both accidents were 100% 'at fault'.

    Often the copies of the PD report [you should always get a copy]; when available, made the difference in being able to insure [hire] the applicant.

    When you get the report, they should offer a copy of the 'key' that decodes the numbers in the boxes in the report margins.

    Those numbers show the investigating officer's determination of the accident and may shift enough blame to the other party to make a difference to the insurance underwriter.

    The age will also make a difference; most insurance carriers don't look back more than 3 years so one will 'age out' and OP's hire ability will improve.
     
  8. rollin coal

    rollin coal Road Train Member

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    If he can't find current employment the preventable aging out does OP no good. At that point he's considered a brand new completely inexperienced.

    This should be a lesson to anyone trying to enter the profession. You can't be lackidaisical about keeping your driving record clean. It doesn't just happen on a whim. This isnt a video game. Take what you do seriously and be methodical. Keeping a clean record is the only thing you've got that's worth anything in trucking.
     
  9. Moose1958

    Moose1958 Road Train Member

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    Just an observation—I’m not in the “go flip burgers at Micky D’s” camp. Not everyone can do this job. My son-in-law is with the XVIII Airborne Corps, and while I won’t get too deep into his field, I’ll say the mental demands of his work are far tougher than the physical. Few people can handle that. It doesn’t mean you’re stupid or anything like that. Trucking has its own unique challenges too. Almost all problems and incidents happen in less than 1% of the time, but when you’re in the driver’s seat looking back, that 53-foot trailer doesn’t seem so big. Many drivers forget it needs a lot of space to make a simple turn, and they lose respect for its height. One time in Atlanta, I saw a driver trying to drop a trailer with too little room. He tore a section off another company’s trailer—about 10 feet wide and several feet high—before I could get his attention to stop. It was loaded, and I’m sure the freight took a lot of damage.

    Perhaps the trucking gods are hinting that you’re missing the secret sauce for a long and glorious career behind the wheel. It doesn’t mean you’re a nitwit—just that the universe might be nudging you toward a different kind of adventure.

    I know a guy who was fired by Pam almost 15 years ago. He started working for Walmart in North Georgia. Today, he is a Co-Manager in one of the busiest stores in South Carolina, making some good money. There is life after going through this.
     
  10. 7speed

    7speed Light Load Member

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    Need info.
    What kind of accidents? Did you get tickets for them? Are they on your DAC?
    For example:
    Someone backing into a dock scrapes their bumper against a barrier, tells safety, then safety writes it up as a preventable but no ticket was issued.
    Making a tight u-turn and breaking off the rubber cab fairing or putting a crease in the side of the trailer.
    Some carriers might overlook those but it depends on company policy & insurance.
    I've seen ads for companies that will hire drivers with a 20 over speeding ticket and no more than 2 accidents in 5 years (basically, anyone with a pulse) and others where you need a halo over your head.
    But if your "preventables" were striking a low clearance overpass, taking down power lines, or driving over a fuel pump, then maybe SuperEgo is your only choice. They probably won't care because all expenses are on you.
     
  11. wulfman75

    wulfman75 Road Train Member

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    Safety termination is bad as well
     
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