Recently, I was in a meeting with safety directors of fleets that are members of the National Private Truck Council. As we went around the room discussing the number one issue facing their companies today, it was unanimous that the driver shortage was their main concern.

The pressure on the trucking industry to help satisfy America’s growing consumption increases every year. Between now and 2027, the amount of freight moved by trucks is expected to jump by 27 percent. Meeting that demand won’t be an easy task for the nation’s trucking companies, especially since America’s supply of drivers continues to dwindle. The ATA estimates that the industry will need more than 96,000 new drivers annually for the next 10 years to keep pace with consumer spending. Very few industries – especially those at the heart of the economy – face such a daunting challenge. A large percentage (45%) of these new drivers will be required merely to meet the shortfall created due to current drivers retiring; 33% will be required just to keep up with an increase in demand.

With the supply of qualified drivers at this time considerably low, driver salaries are expected to keep rising as an incentive to retain existing drivers, with many transport companies looking into innovative measures to entice old drivers to stay and new drivers to join the business.

Originally Posted on Idealease Safety Bulletin