Truck Driver Shortage

Truck Driver Shortage

Gr Trucking | Concrete Recycling | Material Trucking | Sacramento

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There is a nationwide shortage of truck drivers and the industry has been calling for help for years. COVID-19 certainly did not help as transportation of essential goods increased dramatically to help combat the pandemic. But the question is why? Why is there a shortage? Today we will answer that question.

Because there is such high demand everywhere, trucking companies are finding it hard keeping their drivers around. High demand leads to higher pay rates and because of this it is prompting many drivers to bounce from company to company. Drivers appreciate the increased pay but they are keeping an eye on what is being offered elsewhere. A lot of the time, if the pay is significantly better, drivers will leave their current company and pickup that higher paying gig at another company.

Another reason why drivers are hard to come by is because many drivers are using their large paychecks to cut down on their driving hours. Drivers are on the road while on the job. They are away from home. But if they can afford to take a few days off because their paycheck just increased, of course they are going to do so. Higher pay affords truck drivers the opportunity to be home a little more with their families.

The most obvious reason for the shortage is because being a truck driver is not easy. Life on the road is tough. As mentioned before, drivers are alone. And more often than not they are alone for weeks at a time, taking one load after another. The road life alone for weeks at a time is why truckers are switching to companies like FedEx, UPS, and Amazon that can offer more regular routes and more time at home. Trucking is a tough job and is not that flashy when it really comes down to it even if it pays well.

So, you ask why? The answer is right here. Because the drivers within the industry are switching companies for higher pay, drivers are cutting down their working hours because they can afford it, and it is a hard job to do. Finding a solution to help the industry will be tough as the demand continues to increase month to month.

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