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How the Driver Shortage Is Affecting the Trucking IndustryThere has hardly been a time since the birth of the trucking industry where it has been harder to find drivers. This is leaving trucking companies, education centers, and recruiters more eager than ever to find ways to draw new drivers into the fold. These efforts focus on making trucking a more attractive lifestyle through pay, benefits, and improved training and inclusivity.

Driver shortages can have significant impacts on the trucking industry as well as the broader economy. This makes finding suitable drivers a necessity. The trucking industry must find ways to overcome these challenges to maintain the essential components of national and international transport.

The current driver shortage has been going on for about a quarter of a century. The drastic increase in freight shipping combined with high industry turnover rates and a wave of employee retirements means that the problem continues to pose new challenges.

 

How the Trucking Industry Is Adapting

Currently, the industry needs about 60,000 drivers. It is possible that as many as 100,000 drivers will be required just a few years from now. This is significant because truck drivers practically move all food and retail items. As the driver shortage worsens, shipping rates continue to climb.

These issues are leading trucking companies to recruit drivers who may not fit the traditional truck driver image. Companies are also trying to make trucking jobs more intuitive and newcomer-friendly. Finally, companies are also raising pay in a bid to bring more people into the industry.

New trucking jobs are more likely to offer paid time off (PTO), 401(k) and other retirement options, health care, and dental and vision insurance. Trucking companies have also begun to offer sign-on and referral bonuses, as well as bonuses for remaining with the company for set periods. Other companies have started to provide coverage for online college tuition for their drivers. Nevertheless, truck drivers still have lower wages than they did in the 1980s after pay is adjusted for inflation.

Truck drivers have often complained about how shipping companies treat them. Many drivers are paid by the mile rather than by the hour. This means they end up losing money when they are required to spend hours waiting to load and unload their vehicles. Companies are beginning to crack down on shipping facilities that take up too much of their drivers’ time.

New trucks are more likely to have automatic transmissions. They also come equipped with safety features like reverse cameras, lane assistance, obstacle alerts, and automatic brakes. Modern trucks are also equipped to track drivers’ locations in real-time to improve efficiency.

 

Attracting New Demographics to a Growing Industry

The number of women and minority groups working in the trucking industry has increased in recent years. This trend is likely to continue as the industry reaches out to new demographics to fill a growing need.

Trucking companies have made it a priority to seek out new demographics, especially women. More than nine out of ten long-haul truckers are men. Companies are also striving to be more accommodating for women, minorities, and LGBT drivers. Many trucking companies have much work left to do on these fronts since aspects of the industry can be a turnoff to these groups.

Long-haul truck drivers are reliant on truck stops to eat, rest, and relieve themselves for weeks at a time. These facilities require updates to make them more accommodating for new drivers. These improvements include better and more lighting, improved washroom facilities, and increased safety features.

Trucking companies and the intertwined business alike need to keep making improvements in order to help with the driver shortage. Keeping drivers happy and healthy keeps them employed longer.