Truck drivers play an essential role in the world economy, but life isn’t easy for them. Drivers face a wide variety of issues and challenges that affect both them and the industry as a whole. For example, trucker issues contributed to the driver shortage, as qualified drivers leave the industry because of low pay and difficult working conditions. Other truck driver challenges include issues related to health and wellness. Truckers must deal with a lack of exercise, poor diet, extended periods without bathroom breaks, eye strain, cramped conditions, poor sleep — not to mention the mental toll of being away from home and family for days at a time. Though many drivers earn good wages, the physical and mental stress isn’t always worth it to them.
Check back here for the latest news and insights on driver issues, or visit our Trucking Industry News archive to find additional information.
California is applying meal and rest break provisions to truck drivers that are in conflict with federal hours-of-service regulations, according to many in the industry. That is why so many are pushing to include the Denham Amendment in the FAA authorization bill.
Sparks fly over jurisdiction, charges of conflict of interests and a weigh station alternative.
One aspect of increasing driver retention is to recognize the strong correlation between turnover and quality hiring.
Even with low unemployment, recruiters in a new survey indicate they expect an increase in driver job applicants, but they also expect driver turnover to rise as companies continue to boost pay and sign-on bonuses.
For all the innovations, the focus remains on driver comfort and safety.
While April 1 turned out not to be the total disaster so many predicted, the hard enforcement date has brought pain to some individual truck drivers and fleets who continue to be tripped up by common mistakes.
The survey includes responses from more than 100 trucking companies of various sizes with the intention of keeping a pulse on the industry.
There’s a lot at stake for shippers, but whether it’s for the long or short-term, becoming a shipper of choice benefits the entire supply chain, not the least of which are drivers’ experiences.
There’s a lot at stake for shippers, but whether it’s for the long or short-term, becoming a shipper of choice benefits the entire supply chain, not the least of which are drivers’ experiences.
The shift would put the burden of dealing with trucking infractions on to local Oklahoma courts.
A decision by an NLRB administrative law judge this year was mostly negative for XPO in its relationship with the Teamsters.
“The good news is we picked up 19,000 drivers last year,” says TMW’s Damon Langley. “The bad news is we’re still about 50,000 short.”
To help maximize driver hours, place appointments and schedules around driver sleep patters and preferences
In partnership with Reliance Partners …It isn’t easy, it isn’t quick, but having a safety culture in your company can pay some clear dividends.
The number is 175,000 out several years, against a base of a half-million.
Demand for cheap products is rising, and a national “just-in-time” delivery network has placed trucking companies under economic pressure to move heavier and heavier loads.
Cashflow Corner presented by TriumphPay …Large fleets are benefited for years from fuel and maintenance discounts. Now, smaller fleets and owner-operators are starting to reap some of those same benefits.
Wages continue to rise for America’s truckers as the trucking industry contends with driver shortages coupled with an increased demand for shipping services.
Convoy put the freight brokerage industry and shippers on notice with it’s automatic detention system.
A limitation on soliciting customers is upheld. Restricting the movement of employees is not.
One thing that hasn’t changed (yet) with the ELD mandate is the way drivers get treated at shippers and receivers. The old adage of “hurry up and wait” has never been more apt, especially in the over-the-road truckload sector.
The power has shifted to the carriers, and shippers need to work at staying on their good side.
It’s pay, it’s treatment, it’s training: a long list of personnel issues facing the trucking industry.
The JOBehaviors Assessment helps carriers identify applicants who possess the behaviors, core values, and attributes of top performing truck drivers. Fleets who implement the assessment see higher productivity and lower turnover.
As Phil Wilt, the president and COO of American Central Transport said, “I had heard about a driver shortage for the 12 years I’ve been in the industry. It’s finally arrived.”
FMCSA Administrator Ray Martinez heard plenty of complaints from truck drivers over ELDs, hours of service, and parking issues during a Listening Session at Mid-America.
Detention time is a major issue for truck drivers and carriers, but Convoy is doing something about it by introducing automatic detention pay for those operating under Convoy loads.
The administrator said he is on an “aggressive listening” tour.
Building out its suite of driver focused benefits, ONE20 has partnered with MDLive to offer members a virtual health insurance program and is also adding a fuel card option with discounts are large as 55 cents off per gallon.
The exemption does not apply to the wider agriculture industry, like a recent FMCSA break.
Clarifying the grandfathering of AOBRDs in a fleet expansion.
A CDL holder between the ages of 18 and 21 must do all their driving inside a state under current law.
Supply chain participants spent years taking time out of the process to offer faster, more streamlined services, but with ELDs and e-commerce, that lack of flexibility is now constraining operations.
Dealing with the tight market for drivers in multiple parts of the JB Hunt business.
Health company higi is opening up resources at its 11,000 self-screening health stations to truck drivers who are members of Rolling Strong for free biometric testing.
While driver pay has been inching up, something else has been increasing: guaranteed pay programs.
Cashflow Corner presented by TriumphPay …There is no shortage of deductions that truckers can take. You just need to know where they are.
Rolling Strong’s app can you tell exactly what you need to do every day to pass your DOT health exam.
Drivers say they’re employees, though their classification is as a contractor
