The coronavirus pandemic will have long-lasting effects on the trucking industry, as well as many other industries. There hasn’t been any other event in American history that will have such a longterm impact on every industry and the economy. You will be able to see the true impact when you look back on it.
The Trucking Industry and COVID-19
At any time, truck drivers are vital when it comes to keeping fuel, food supplies, and many other resources available. Without truck drivers to efficiently help the supply chain keep running, people would suffer. Drivers need to have the necessary resources to continue operating and to stay healthy. This is why it is so important for the trucking company to follow strict processes to keep customers, suppliers, and all of the employees safe.
Recent Research on the Impact
Several studies have been done recently on the impact that COVID-19 is having on the trucking industry, including one from the American Transportation Research Institute and the Owner-Operator Independent Driver Association Foundation. They show that fewer things are being imported, and not as many long-haul trips are being taken. But it’s not all bad news. They also found that trips less than 100 miles had increased by more than 100 percent.
While nonessential goods might not be transported quite as often, some areas saw a considerable increase in trucking traffic because of the pandemic. This included perishable foods, paper products, and medical devices.
Around 70 percent of tank trucks and specialized trucking operations saw a negative impact. Often, smaller fleets saw larger impacts than the larger ones. However, around 40 percent of the survey respondents said that parking their trucks was not harder because of the pandemic.
How Truck Drivers Can Stay Safe
As a driver, you are alone in your truck cab for many hours. But there are still some times when you could be exposed to the virus, such as at truck stops or stores. Make a plan ahead of time as to what you will do if you get sick on the road.
Try to stay at least six feet away from others and limit the amount of time that you spend next to other people. One way that you can do this is to use the radio or phone to speak with your dock manager. Try not to spend too much time out of your truck unless no one else is around. If you can, try to use paperless invoicing.
If social distancing is hard to do, then you should wear a cloth face covering. If you don’t know that you have the virus, then it might prevent you from spreading it to someone else. Make sure you clean surfaces that you touch frequently. This includes areas like:
- The truck cab, such as the steering wheel and door handles.
- Sleeper berths, such as mattress tray, temperature controls, and light switches.
- Other surfaces that someone else had to access.
You should wash your hands frequently or use hand sanitizer if you can’t get to a sink. Wash your hands both before and after you leave the cab, whether you are unloading cargo or just taking a rest stop. You should also wash your hands before or after you have food. Your hands should be washed after you sneeze, blow your nose, or cough.
Closing Thoughts
The trucking industry is being affected both positively and negatively by the pandemic. However, if you take the right safety measures, such as washing your hands often, you can reduce your risk of getting sick. Make sure you are taking these extra precautions as a trucker and remember that what you’re doing is keeping the American economy running. If you aren’t a truck driver or a part of the trucking industry, try and find a way to thank these men and women who are working hard to make sure we have the essential supplies we need during the pandemic.