Dec 12, 2015 at 04:57 PM CST
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WASHINGTON DC (WREX) -
http://www.wrex.com/story/30726009/2015/12/11/new-transportation-bill-allows-for-18-20-year-old-truck-drivers The new Transportation Bill signed into law by President Obama allows some 18 to 20 year olds to drive big rigs across state lines. Safety advocates are worried that could open the door to all teen truck drivers criss-crossing the country. Previously 48 states licensed young drivers as long as they stay in the state. The new highway bill allows teens to cross state lines if they learned to drive in the military. Some trucking companies say if they are able to drive within a state line, they should be safe to drive out of the state. Safety advocates say an average of 10 people die every day, and it's usually people in other vehicles who get killed. Industry leaders predict they will need to hire 890,000 drivers over the next decade to keep up with growth and replace retirees. The following truck crash fatality numbers were supplied by the Truck Safety Coalition: |