Critical Issues in the Trucking Industry-Survey Results
The American Trucking Associations (ATA) released its 15th annual survey, polling over 2,100 truck drivers and carriers on what they believe to be the most critical issues currently facing the trucking industry. Once again, the driver shortage took the top spot, with nearly 30% of truck drivers being of 55 years of age or older, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Hours-of-service rules came in second, followed by driver compensation and detention/delay at customer facilities, a newbie in the results, “with 27.4% of the respondents noting delays of at least six hours.”1
Driver Detention Gets Worse
As capacity tightened last year, carriers and shippers began to work together to help improve efficiency. This included reducing wait times at docks, allowing carriers to drop trailers, consolidating shipments, and paying greater detention fees to name a few. Carriers became more selective on which shippers/consignees they chose to work with, providing capacity to those who were more “carrier friendly” and respective of the driver’s time. But this year, much has changed. Capacity has loosened as carriers invested heavily in newer equipment and more and more shippers are reverting back to older ways, tying up drivers’ time at the docks for several hours.2
Petition Against ELDS
Last week, the Small Business in Transportation Coalition created a petition to suspend current electronic logging device regulations, stating that large truck fatalities increased by 0.8% last year, according to a NHTSA report. In just a few days, the petition has gained over 9,800 signatures. The petition will run until Nov. 24th, during which time it must accumulate 100,000 signatures to make its way in front of the White House.3
Under 21 Military Drivers Job Opportunities Site Launched
Whereas current law allows 18-year-old intrastate tractor trailer drivers, you must be 21 years or older to become an interstate commercial driver. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, however, began a pilot program that would allow 18-20 year old drivers to travel interstate IF they operated a commercial vehicle while serving in the military. On Oct. 28th, the FMCSA announced a new website, Under 21 Military Drivers Job Opportunities, that presents qualified drivers with a list of approved carriers participating in the pilot program as well as their contact info.4
Stay tuned to RoadScholar.com for industry news as it happens.
(2)https://www.ttnews.com/articles/driver-detention-time-creeps-upward
(3)https://cdllife.com/2019/thousands-of-truckers-ask-trump-to-immediately-shut-down-elds/
(4)https://www.ttnews.com/articles/fmcsa-launches-job-listing-site-military-driver-pilot-program
