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A recent analysis has uncovered a troubling fact: approximately 4% of truck drivers currently operating on U.S. highways do not hold a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL). This startling figure raises major safety, compliance, and liability concerns across the freight industry.
The presence of unlicensed drivers behind the wheel of 80,000-pound trucks poses a real threat to public safety and to the financial stability of companies relying on freight transportation. This statistic points to larger systemic gaps in compliance and highlights how some carriers, under cost pressure and driver shortages, may cut corners on vetting and hiring practices – and ongoing due diligence, for example keeping track of when drivers’ licenses expire and ensuring they get an updated one.
For shippers, the implications are serious. An unqualified driver increases the likelihood of accidents, service failures, and unexpected delays. Worse, in the event of a major incident, the legal, and financial fallout can be devastating, exposing shippers to costly lawsuits and sometimes irreversible reputational damage.
For midsize shippers, it may be tempting to accept the lowest bid in a soft market to save on immediate freight spend. But as this data shows, chasing the cheapest rate without considering compliance can come back to bite you – sometimes in the form of multi-million-dollar liability claims.
Choosing reputable carriers with strong compliance records isn’t just best practice; it’s risk management. A trusted carrier network reduces the chance of unexpected service failures, costly claims, and disruptions that ripple through your entire supply chain.
At Portex, we understand how crucial it is for midsize shippers to strike the right balance between competitive rates and reliable carriers. That’s why our platform gives you the transparency and tools to compare bids and carrier options side-by-side. With Portex, you gain the confidence to select carriers who meet your standards for safety and compliance – not just the lowest cost on paper.
In a market where every penny counts, Portex helps ensure that short-term savings don’t turn into long-term expenses. We give you the data and flexibility to adapt to changing market conditions without sacrificing reliability and peace of mind.
When it comes to freight, cutting corners is never worth the risk. Portex helps you ship smart, stay compliant, and protect your business from surprises that can cost far more than a slightly higher rate.
