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MFW Social Posts
December 6, 2021
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The trucking industry has been struggling with driver shortages for years, but has seen a bigger gap over the last couple of years. Driver shortages have a large impact on the entire economy, as the majority of freight is moved on US highways. What is causing this shortage and how do we fix it? There are several factors at play, including demographics and lifestyle. Currently, the majority of truck drivers are men over the age of 45, with a median age of 59. We will see an even bigger shortage in the next 10-20 years as many of the drivers retire. Another issue is that trucking driving only taps half the population. Women currently make up 6% of commercial truck drivers. The trucker lifestyle is also a concern for many. Truckers are often away from home for long periods of time, have to adapt to living in a truck and work long, tiring days. What are some potential solutions? Some of the more common ideas include raising driver pay, shortening trip times, targeting women drivers, and utilizing more LTL shipping. What are your thoughts on the truck driver shortage? Ship Smarter. MFW |