Page 23 - Georgia Forestry - Issue2 - Spring 2018

2] Safety & Log Truck Driver Training
One factor contributing to insurance rate increases is the current nationwide shortage of qualified drivers and the policy of most insurance companies
to require drivers to have two to three years of experience. To address this issue, support for educational programs at technical colleges should continue and creative strategies for recruiting drivers with experience (e.g. military veterans with heavy truck experience) should be implemented, and safety programs should be instituted to incentivize drivers and mills.
3] Improving Relations
with the Department of
Public Safety (DPS)
A focus on increasing communication with DPS to improve trucking safety and educate log truckers on the most up-to- date regulations.
4] Legal Reform Interviews with insurance representatives and log truck owners concluded that frivolous lawsuits, or those where settlements can result in up to $1 million paid by the company, have resulted in the recent increase of insurance premiums.
“It is critical that we take the neces- sary steps to work on these issues with the logging community,” Villegas said. “We have re-instituted the Harvesting and Logistics Committee within our Association, which includes the help of Southern Wood Producers Association, to address the systemic problems that are creating pressure on log trucking insur- ance rates in Georgia.”
The Southern Wood Producers Asso- ciation (SWPA) is an advocacy and educational organization focused on the logging sector in Georgia and Florida.
“Creating a better safety reputation through training and technology is so
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SANDERS LOGGING COMPANY