Driving a truck is a rewarding career, and recent wage growth has proven truck driving to be one of the last remaining blue-collar jobs to pay a decent living. The profession, however, remains one of the more dangerous jobs in the United States.

Truck drivers haul up to 80,000 lbs and spend most of their time on highways, packed with speeding four-wheelers and other hazards. This makes it even more crucial to follow all safety precautions when hauling special freight, such as oversized or HAZMAT.

Not only is the safety of the truck driver an issue, but also everyone else on the road can be affected by the decisions of a driver or their company.

In the case of one driver who worked for TrueStart Transport, the driver refused to haul an oversized load without the required safety escort. The dispatcher insisted the he violate the Department of Transportation regulations. When the driver refused, he was forced to travel from a rest stop in Tennessee to his home in Texas on his own dime.

The company then fired him in retaliation.

Aside from being illegal, this is incredibly dangerous. Fortunately, the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) conducted an investigation and concluded that Truestart Transport LLC had violated federal law.

The company was required to pay nearly $30,000 total in back wages and interest as well as both punitive and compensatory damages.

When it comes to freight regulations, both trucking companies and drivers benefit when the rules are followed.