Report: Florida second in number of accidents for older truck drivers

America’s trucking industry is facing a severe driver shortage, CBS News says, and one estimate says about 48,000 drivers are needed to move 70 percent of the nation’s goods.

CBS reports that drivers more than 65 years old make up about 10 percent of commercial vehicle operators in the U.S. A five-month investigation by CBS News looked at how the increase in older drivers translates to potential danger on the nation's highways.

Florida had 1,264 trucking accidents among drivers ages 70 or older in 2013-2015, the investigation reports. It was the second highest number of accidents, with Texas having over 1,600 accidents in those years. In Florida, drivers in the 70-74 age bracket had more accidents.

Individuals are working well past the retirement age of 65, CBS News said. But as the industry has changed, the rules of the roads have not kept up with the times -- raising the question: Is more screening needed for commercial drivers?

A CBS News analysis of crash data reports a 19 percent increase in accidents involving commercial truck and bus drivers in their 70s, 80s and even 90s, in just the last three years. There were more than 6,636 involving elderly drivers in 12 states alone from 2013 to 2015, according to the CBS analysis.

Truck driver Charlie Jenkins is headed home for Thanksgiving, with another 14-hour shift in the books.

He says he understands the trend. He was once a restaurant manager who wanted a lower maintenance job.

“I can do this. I can sit and drive,” said Jenkins. “But to sit there and work in a restaurant and be the cook, the manager, and everything…it’s too much.”

Truck drivers we spoke with say they feel it’s the young truck drivers who are more reckless.

“I think the older drivers are very conscientious,” said truck driver Eric Staton.

Read the full story from CBS News here.

Cox Media Group