Part 5/7:
Pugh highlights a broader issue within the trucking industry: the attempt to keep labor costs artificially low by attracting a less qualified workforce. He asserts that many carriers are willing to cut corners, recruiting drivers who are not adequately trained, to save on expenses. This practice compromises safety standards and ultimately endangers all road users.
He notes that this problem is exacerbated by the narrative of a driver shortage, which he argues is misleading. The shortage is not real but manufactured to justify relaxed hiring standards and reduced driver pay, leading to dangerous hiring practices.
Call for Stricter Federal Regulations and Industry Reform