Training of Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers - A Synthesis of Safety Practice
About this Study
In 2004, large trucks accounted for 3% of the nation’s registered vehicles, 8% of traffic volume, and 12% of all fatal crashes (Federal Highway Administration [FHWA], 2004, and Fatality Analysis Reporting System [FARS] 2004). To reduce the incidence of preventable crashes, training programs are offered as a countermeasure to improve fleet safety by improving the skills and knowledge of commercial drivers. There are many schools − some operated commercially, and some operated privately by large carriers − with differing objectives, facilities, and staff orientation. FHWA provides a list of discriminating factors in its Commercial Vehicle Preventable Accident Manual: A Guide to Countermeasures (Uzgiris et al., 1991): curriculum content, adequacy of facilities, compatibility of training vehicles with company fleet, staff qualifications and experience, certification, referrals, and hours of actual driving instruction and practice.