FedEx Faces Safety Concerns As Driver Accidents Rise
Mounting accidents for parcel delivery service company FedEx has placed a spotlight on their need to improve safety for their drivers and others on the road. The company employs approximately 6,000 delivery and big-rig contractors and experienced almost 100 fatal accidents in the US over the last two years. Conversely, FedEx’s main rival, UPS, experienced only 66 fatal accidents over the same period, even though they logged many more miles, and delivered roughly 60 percent more packages than FedEx.
The Culprit? High Driver Turnover = Less Experienced Drivers on the Road
FedEx claims that they are pursuing the implementation of initiatives that promote the use of technology that provides enhanced visibility and accountability in order to ensure safety. They also indicate that an artificial intelligence-based system that detects when a driver is distracted and sends alerts is on the way.
Yet current and former delivery contractors – as well as the research itself – indicates that the culprit is a deeper structural issue, and that has to do with providing incentives to retain more experienced drivers, who are less likely to drive dangerously on the road. In other words, higher driver turnover is inextricably linked to more accidents on the road, as the accidents tend to involve new drivers in their first few months on the job, and, according to the driver workforce, FedEx doesn’t pay enough to entice drivers to stay longer and gain experience.
The studies have backed up this phenomenon, indicating that, in general, commercial drivers with more experience on the job tend to be safer drivers on the roads. FedEx has a driver turnover of approximately 30 to 40 percent compared to UPS’ less than one percent, and in addition, UPS now has a tentative labor agreement in place that promises to pay drivers $49 an hour, plus full pension and health benefits, after four years on the job. As a result, it isn’t uncommon for UPS drivers to stay with the company for decades.
Jury Awards $8M for FedEx Truck Crash
Exactly one year ago, one jury awarded $8 million to a woman who suffered back injuries after being rear-ended by a FedEx truck. The accident occurred because the FedEx driver failed to properly apply the brakes. FedEx admitted liability for the accident prior to trial, and had offered the injured victim $1.8 million in a settlement offer. The victim rightfully chose to go to trial instead of accept the settlement because FedEx disputed the extent and severity of the victim’s neck and back injuries.
Contact Our Macon, Georgia Truck Accident Attorneys
All of this ultimately comes down to more accidents on the roads with FedEx drivers, who are more likely to be new, less experienced drivers. If you or a loved one has been harmed or killed in a truck accident, contact the Macon truck accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Buzzell, Welsh & Hill today to schedule a free consultation and find out more about your options.
Source:s
insurancejournal.com/news/national/2023/08/16/735581.htm
fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/2020-07/VTTI-CMV-Driver-Risk-by-Age-and-Experience-July2020-MCSAC-FINAL.pdf
