Companies that hire drivers of hazardous materials should be held responsible for accidents, if they didn't screen
out any applicant with less than a 100% clean driving record.
Quote from The Bee editorial May 4: "One legislator said he would push the state to adopt tougher standards for
drivers of hazardous materials." This is a positive approach, and can be achieved by adopting a requirement of a
100% accident-free record. Laws are important; however, you cannot legislate safe driving.
Another quote from the same Bee editorial: "But a criminal record in and of itself ought not disqualify people from
driving trucks." I submit a criminal record is a definite indicator of someone who is unable to make proper choices.
Safe driving is much more than shifting gears and steering, it's a state of mind.
When truckers' licenses are renewed, any driver with a 100% citation-free record should be noted on the license with
a special sticker or symbol of recognition. This would help the applicant's screening process.
Clay Comer
Fresno
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