A recent study has found that raising truck drivers´ wages could be the key to improving road safety in California.

The analysis of safety data and truck driver wages from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration showed a strong correlation between higher wages and reduced accidents.

The results indicate that a 1% increase in drivers´ wages translates into a 1% decrease in accidents. The study also suggests that a 10% wage increase would be five times more effective than a 10% reduction in unsafe driving or 2.5 times more effective than a similar reduction in driver fitness violations.

Previous research reported similar results when a 39% wage increase reduced driver turnover by 50%, accidents by 50%, and severe accidents by 75%. Additionally, companies that paid their truck drivers higher wages saw significant improvements in productivity and the retention of experienced drivers.

Other studies revealed that paying truck drivers for all their time, including detention time, reduces fatigue and the incidence of accidents. Truck drivers who are compensated for their working time tend to reduce their working hours, avoiding long driving shifts that can pose risks to road safety.

While the federal government has attempted to improve truck driver safety through regulations like ELD (Electronic Logging Devices), accidents have continued to increase. The proposed law to eliminate the overtime exemption for truck drivers could be an effective solution to incentivize higher wages, leading to safer roads for everyone.