The truck driver shortage in the U.S isn’t just impacting those in the industry, but it is impacting the entire country.
As baby boomers retire and millennials get into the workforce, there is a noticeable shortage in the amount of truck drivers we have here in the U.S. While this shortage has been apparent for years, it is beginning to take more of a toll now more than ever because demand is increasing. Here is what you need to know about the truck driver shortage in the U.S.
The Statistics
To put it into perspective, according to the American Trucking Associations (ATA), there’s a shortage of 51,000 truck drivers. In 2016, the number was just 36,500 and they are predicting that the gap is only going to increase as time goes on. This is because people aren’t as willing to deal with the trucking lifestyle (i.e hours on the road at a time and extended time away from family). While the amount of truck drivers decreases, our economy is increasing fast.
Freight Costs
The impact of the truck driver shortage starts with the cost of freight. Trucking companies have to increase their rates to make up for the increased wages that they have to pay their drivers. They are also just taking advantage of the fact that the demand is so high and trucks are limited, so shippers are willing to pay more for trucking services.
Retail Costs
Don’t think that the impact of the truck driver shortage is only going to affect those in the business. Rather, all consumers in the U.S are being impacted as well and you may not even have realized. Since it costs more to ship items, companies are raising their retail prices to accommodate for those costs. The worse the shortage becomes, the more retail prices will increase.
Late Shipments
The truck driver shortage is impacting businesses in a different way as well. Since it’s so much harder to find an available truck to ship goods, a lot of businesses are starting to get late shipments. This means that consumers are going to have a harder time finding what they need in stores because it’s going to take longer for restocking to occur.
Baltimore Freightliner-Western For All Your Trucking Needs
Whether you are looking to upgrade your fleet to tow trucks or simply interested in the latest trucking technology, you can rely on Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star. We have provided top-notch service for the trucking industry for 30 years and would love to assist you in buying a new top-of-the-line truck, finding the specialty parts you need, or repairing your truck. Give us a call toll-free at 800-832-7278 or locally at 410-685-4474, or contact us online. To find out more about what we are up to, follow us onFacebook,Twitter,Pinterest, and Google+.
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