Study shows more education needed among drivers about CSA

Truckers still don't totally comprehensive the ramifications of CSA, a just-released report says.

The Trucker News Services

8/10/2011

ARLINGTON, Va.  – The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) Wednesday released a report detailing the extent to which CSA has exerted an influence on the daily lives of commercial drivers.  ATRI’s report also describes and analyzes driver attitudes toward and comprehension of FMCSA’s new regulatory program, based on survey data collected from 4,555 U.S. truck drivers.

While findings reveal that truck drivers continue to have myriad concerns related to CSA, ATRI discovered that drivers may not have a solid understanding of what CSA is and does.  Among the findings, over 77 percent of drivers incorrectly believe that a trucking company inherits past violations from new hires.  Job security concerns still exist, with nearly two-thirds of drivers somewhat or extremely concerned that they will lose their jobs as a result of CSA. 

These areas are explored in full depth, and recommendations are presented for enhancing driver knowledge and support through multiple training and education sessions, as well as other sources of familiarization.

“ATRI’s study clearly points out that motor carriers, state trucking associations and FMCSA collectively need to do more to educate drivers about CSA and what it does and doesn’t mean for their jobs,” commented Ed Crowell, Georgia Motor Trucking Association President and CEO.

ATRI currently has a similar motor carrier survey under way which can be accessed online at ATRI’s website.

To obtain a copy of the ATRI CSA Driver Survey Report, visit www.atri-online.org.

The Trucker staff can be reached to comment on this article at editor@thetrucker.com.

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