【Flyer小组习作】argument79 6.25

MaryWongUID: 2619999

TOPIC: ARGUMENT79 - The following appeared in a magazine for the trucking industry.

"The Longhaul trucking company was concerned that its annual accident rate (the number of accidents per mile driven) was too high. It granted a significant pay increase to its drivers and increased its training standards. It also put strict limits on the number of hours per week each driver could drive. The following year, its trucks were involved in half the number of accidents as before the changes were implemented. A survey of other trucking companies found that the highest-paid drivers were the least likely to have had an accident. Therefore, trucking companies wishing to reduce their accident rate can do so simply by raising their drivers' pay and limiting the overall number of hours they drive."

In this claims, the arguer cited evidence of the Longhaul trucking company's progress in decreasing its annual accident rate to conclude that raising the salary of the driver and limiting the total driving time could simply reduce the incidence of accident. However, the arguer does not offer enough demonstration on the direct correlation bewteen these evidence and the result.

In the first place, by common sense one can image that how tired a truck driver
is when he has drived for a long time in the way transporting goods, especially in the country road. Even the most familiar way at this time can be risky when the sleepy driver confront it. Usually, only 1-3 hours deep sleep every 6 hours driving can solve the problem and return the driver vigors. The key stradigy here is relax every 6 hours but not giving the driver 4-10 hours break after the exhaust work of 16-18 hours. There is no clear stastic
show us that the way of the truck company selected to limite the overall number of hours they drive. Without the right measure, one would have no confiddence to see the fruit.
In the second place, skills grasped by drivers make the road smooth. That is the main reason why every society place very importance in severe management on the driver licence. The Longhaul trucking company pay more for its training as a longterm investment. Pittefully the arguer does not pay any attention to this intelligent decision.
Last but not least, the assertion that higher pay could help reduce the accident rate sounds ridiculous. There are about thiry tradigy happened everyday in the form of
road accident. But the drivers of the misery are ofcourse not all in poverty. The careless CEO, famous but drunk super star, the engineers who are so sleepy all died if the misfortune take place. Who will take plunge to be death only due to the low salary?
In sum, there are lack of persuasive reason in this argument to convince us that raising the driver’s pay and decreasing the time of work can keep the company from too much accident.