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Reasons for Shortage of Heavy Haul Truck Drivers
Moving Information > Shortage of Heavy Haul Truck Drivers
Reasons for Shortage of Heavy Haul Truck Drivers
Increasing decline in the number of new truck drivers in heavy haul trucking companies is currently affecting the heavy haul trucking industry and has become a matter of concern. The matter becomes more alarming when trucking companies have to hire truck drivers who are not qualified enough, to meet their requirements.
There are many reasons responsible for the decline in the number of truck drivers in heavy haul trucking industry. In 2007, the United States had about 1.3 million long heavy haul truck drivers, this number is roughly 20,000 fewer than needed, according to American Trucking Associations, an industry group based in Alexandria, Virginia. A study in 2005 said that a shortage of 111,000 drivers by 2014 is expected, a gap attributed partly to retirements, inadequate recruitment and increasing demand for trucking.
- We see that trucking jobs are not popularized/ advertised properly, as in high-school job fairs we see trucking jobs advertisements missing and jobs in computer science, medicine or engineering etc. seem to be more interesting to the students.
- Accidents from aggressive driving and road rage is also repelling the truck drivers from joining heavy haul trucking industry. No matter how experienced or expert a truck driver is still they are literally afraid of reckless drivers.
- Increasing high crime in the rest areas of the truckers is another reason
- Increasing congestion on highways and pressure to meet the deadline of delivery of the freight results to frustration and mental stress in the minds of truck drivers.
- Driving heavy haul trucks is not an easy task. Sometimes it gets troublesome for drivers to drive in narrow roads and search for an appropriate parking for such a huge truck.
- Lack of respect from shippers, receivers, and dispatchers
- Long-haul drivers are also cited with unpredictable schedules and for extended periods away from home as reasons for transitioning to other occupations
Another reason for shortage of long-haul drivers is
rejection of high percentage of applicant truck drivers by
many heavy haul trucking companies for lack of
qualification. This challenge escalated in recent years as
the trucking industry tightened its security and safety
measures. Moreover, the Insurance premiums for
trucking companies have increased substantially in the
last few years. A higher level of litigation and increased
size of claim awards have contributed to this trend. In
response, insurance deductibles and self-insurance
retention (SIR) figures have gone up, especially for
bodily injury and physical damage (BIPD) of truck drivers. Along with the risk of greater loss from claims has come
increased oversight of trucking companies' operations by insurance companies. This may include review of hiring
practices and restrictions of drivers' qualifications. Hiring
below-average drivers, in terms of safety, is too risky
and costly.
Conclusion
Various collaborated efforts by Government, Trucking
Companies and truck drivers are required to eradicate
these problems of heavy haul truck drivers and
encourage them to join the trucking jobs. If there will be
attractive salary and incentives for these truckers, the
number of people opting for trucking jobs will also
consequently increase.
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