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Teen Truck Drivers Could Drive Cross State Lines Under New Law

A tractor-trailer hauls some stuff down the highway.

As all drivers know, commercial trucks, including 18-wheelers and other big rigs, are all over the roads. Some drivers are careful and follow the traffic laws, but this doesn’t always happen.

When big rig drivers are irresponsible, truck accidents happen. These accidents can be catastrophic and can lead to significant and debilitating injuries.

Yet, despite the grave risks already posed by commercial trucks, a new law has the potential to make matters much worse by allowing teenage truck drivers to drive across the country.

Bill Would Let Teen Truck Drivers Cross State Lines

The recently proposed bill would reduce the age for commercial truck drivers to drive across state lines from 21 to 18.  The law would allow teen truck drivers to operate trucks between states that sign on to an agreement that allows for teenage truck drivers.

The push for the new legislation came from the trucking industry. According to the industry, there is a shortage of drivers and hiring will have to increase dramatically over the next several years to keep pace with demand.

Teen Drivers More Likely to Be in Accidents

Studies show that teen drivers are more likely to be involved in vehicle accidents than people who are 20 and over. This is largely because teen drivers are less experienced than older drivers at operating vehicles (click here for info on the other causes of teen driving accidents).

Combining this inexperience with the dangers of operating large trucks poses great danger for other drivers on the roads. Driving trucks is dangerous work and should be limited to drivers with more experience.

However, some in favor of the law argue that teen drivers can already drive within state lines so expanding where they can drive really shouldn’t make a difference. The problem with this argument is that long-haul truck drivers can be on the road for as much as 82 hours per week. It is much easier to have this much time on the road when you’re driving across the country, rather than just driving around a single state. Being on the road that long is dangerous for anybody, but particularly for younger less experienced drivers.

The bill is in its early stages, so only time will tell if it gets enacted into law.

Call a New Orleans Truck Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident with a big rig or other commercial truck, call a New Orleans truck accident lawyer to discuss your case. The Mahone Firm is here to help.

Call (504) 564-7342 for a free case evaluation with a Louisiana personal injury attorney so you can figure out your options.

Mike Mahone

Mike Mahone

Mike Mahone is a personal injury and business litigation lawyer located in New Orleans, LA, and the sole practitioner of The Mahone Firm.

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