Why Times Are Tough For Truckers and Why It Concerns You

Published on: 22 September 2016 Last Updated on: 29 May 2021

It wasn’t all that long ago that truck drivers were paid competitive wages and offered benefits for doing their jobs. But in recent decades, a job that once provided stability and a comfortable paycheck has become much more trying for truckers.

When the trucking industry was deregulated in the 1980s, there was a rise in the number of trucking companies, leading to an increased demand for drivers. That need for more drivers has been a pox upon the trucking industry virtually ever since, and it shows no signs of letting up anytime soon. The American Trucking Associations says that the industry is currently short about 48,000 drivers. By 2025, that number will rise to approximately 890,000 drivers.

Ask a commercial driver who has been working a big rig for a long period of time and they will tell you how much times have changed. In many ways, drivers feel as though they are under siege, either through regulation or by the companies that find more and more ways to save the money they pay some of their hardest workers.

The changes in the trucking industry are important to everyone who shares the road with tractor-trailers. The fact that the industry is in limbo is a big concern for all of us.

Truck Driver Pay Isn’t Keeping the Pace

The trucking industry has been struggling to retain the number of drivers that they need in order to meet shipping demands. While the industry refers to this as a shortage of drivers, many labor experts also believe that it is really a shortage of truck driver pay. Workers that used to gravitate toward the role of a truck driver are finding other sectors that offer more pay, or at least similar pay for more optimal working conditions.

Truck drivers spend long stretches of time away from their homes and families. Unless adequate pay entices those workers to get behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler, they will find other sources of income. This means that the current workforce is stretched thin. Truck drivers are increasingly being hired as independent contractors, which means they lack the benefits that they used to enjoy and end up footing the bill for downtime.

Self-driving Trucks are on the Horizon

Though not an immediate threat to those who choose truck driving as a profession, the possibility of self-driving trucks is an ever-present entity in the trucking industry. While many believe that the automated trucks of tomorrow will have a human being in the vehicle to oversee and intervene in case of an emergency, the possibility of self-driving trucks raises a number of questions that remain unanswered.

Now that companies are throwing their hat into the automated truck ring, the recent fatal crash involving the Tesla Autopilot system has also raised major concerns about the effectiveness and safety of a human operator taking over from an automated system. Until this technology is truly road-ready, it will remain a big question mark in terms of its impact on road safety and trucking labor.

Many Regulations Currently loom Over the Trucking Industry

A number of regulations have been hanging over the trucking industry in recent years. Electronic logging devices are slated to be mandatory on all trucks. Speed limiters are expected soon. These devices are promoted as being a boost to road safety by slowing trucks down and holding drivers and companies more accountable for hours spent on the road and for traveling too fast. However, many in the industry, including drivers, are concerned that these devices could cause more problems than they fix.

Some drivers feel as though logging devices are a way to shift blame for violations onto them, and there have been many concerns (and lawsuits) over how the information from these devices is used to harass and intimidate drivers behind the wheel. Likewise, many drivers are concerned about the implementation of speed-limiting devices, which inhibit the ability of a truck to exceed a predetermined speed. Some safety advocates say these devices will improve road safety, but others are concerned that speed limiters will limit the ability of a driver to be as flexible and adaptable as they need to be in order to avoid causing traffic congestion. Yet another concern with speed limiters is that they create large speed differentials with other vehicles on the road, which increases the likelihood of collisions.

Trucker Health and Sleep Apnea

One of the biggest challenges for truck drivers is maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Driving a truck means being sedentary for long periods of time. Eating healthy while on the road is difficult. It’s easy to see why truck drivers, when compared to the average worker in the United States, have twice the rate of obesity and diabetes. Sadly, they are also twice as likely as all other workers to not be covered by an insurance plan.

These less-than-optimal conditions set the stage for the high rate of sleep apnea among truck drivers. The FMCSA says that close to one-third of commercial truck drivers have obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that affects the quality of sleep and diminishes daytime alertness, among other health concerns. One report found that truck drivers with sleep apnea are five times more likely to be involved in vehicle crashes.

These issues represent some of the greatest obstacles in the path of the trucking industry. As long as there is a demand for shipping, these companies will no doubt find a way to meet it, but the price is being paid by those who are behind the wheel. The fact that we all share the road with them means that we, too, have a vested interest in these struggles.

There will be many changes to come for the trucking industry in the years ahead. Unless those in charge find a way to keep these drivers healthy, happy and better-taken care of, many of the problems mentioned above will only get worse.

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Abdul Aziz Mondol

Abdul Aziz Mondol is a professional blogger who is having a colossal interest in writing blogs and other jones of calligraphies. In terms of his professional commitments, he loves to share content related to business, finance, technology, and the gaming niche.

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Why the Vauxhall Insignia Should Be Your Next Car

In the market for a new vehicle? It can be hard to know where to look with so many different makes, models and types of car to consider and this can make it a daunting prospect. One vehicle which currently stands out from the crowd and would be a smart investment for any motorist is the Vauxhall Insignia. Here are some of the reasons that can motivate you to buy Vauxhall Insignia as your next vehicle. The Insignia : Vauxhall is always a great brand to invest in because you know that you are getting great quality, a decent driving experience, and great practicality. Additionally, the iconic British manufacturer is known for its value for money and the Insignia is not an exception to the rule. The Insignia is a spacious 5-door full-size car that is well-suited to families, professionals and any motorist that wants a well-built vehicle which is comfortable, stylish and enjoyable to drive. You will surely love the design that you will get in this machine. Variations : The Insignia is available in a 5-door hatchback (Grand Sport) the Insignia Sports Tourer and the Insignia Country Tourer, so there is a type for every motorist. It is also excellent value for money and particularly when you shop in the used car market at places like AA Cars. It’s one of the best car design you will find in the modern market. Owner Experience : So, what makes the Insignia such a great buy? The Insignia builds on the success of the influential Vauxhall Astra (a UK favorite) with its practicality, driving experience, and quietness - this makes it a top choice for families. It can be cheap to run thanks to the wide range of economical engines with the petrol variations both returning 47 mpg, whilst the diesel versions return a brilliant 70.6 mpg and 55.4 mpg. It gives users one of the best riding experience in the car industry. Style & Tech : The Insignia has a sophisticated look and, although not the most exciting looking car on the road, it does feature plenty of great in-car technology and a generous equipment list. This includes the much-praised OnStar in-car assistant with vehicle diagnostics, crash response, and roadside assistance as well as sat-nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and much more. The style and thought of the Insignia are well-thought-out and you cannot compare it to any other. Conclusion : Overall, the Vauxhall Insignia is a smart purchase for your next car as it is one of the most practical, comfortable and reliable automobiles currently available. There is a large focus on driver enjoyment so anyone that spends a lot of time behind the wheel will appreciate this, whilst the excellent in-car tech can further the experience of both driver and passenger. Finding a car which ticks all of the boxes can be challenging, but the Insignia is one which manages to do this and is certainly worth keeping a lookout for. You can be sure of getting the value for your money if you decide to invest in the Insignia. Read Also : 5 Ways To Avoid The Rip Off While Buying A Used Car There Is A Pothole Problem In America – How To Protect Your Car From Damage?

How Many Wheels Are In The World? – Are You Excited To Know?

Have you ever wondered how many wheels are there in the world? The first answer that will come to the fore is that there are actually plenty of wheels, which are infinite in number. However, in this article, we will look at this interesting question a bit differently and find out how many wheels are in the world in particular. With the Automotive Industry growing in leaps and bounds every year, the number of wheels depends upon the large number of vehicles being produced. Estimations have speculated that the number of wheels could be anywhere around 37 billion globally. Furthermore, in this article, you will also know why this question is there in the first place and what is the motivation behind finding out how many wheels exist in the world. You will also know about the fact why many people want to know how many wheels are there in the world estimate, as well as the views of the people. How Many Wheels Are In The World Total? – General Background Many users on the internet and social media (Twitter in particular) organized a popular poll, which was mainly about whether there are more doors or more wheels in the world. Hence, there were two different opinions from different users, and the reasons that people came up with were also interesting and, in some cases, extremely funny. On the one hand, many people were of the opinion that there are more doors in the world since there are many buildings and a single building has several doors. On the other hand, others claimed that since there are too many vehicles in the world, the number of wheels outnumbers the doors. Many people from around the world participated in the poll, and many people enjoyed the answers on the poll. The poll was featured in many countries, including the US, Canada, Australia, the UK, Ireland, and many more. The person who started this poll is Ryan Nixon. According to him, he found similar questions in Quora, from where he took the idea. According to Ryan, the question he found on Quora is, “If you could have one superpower, what would it be?” To answer the question, Ryan replied, “The ability to know the answer to any question I wanted.” This is how he found the idea of asking the question to people on the internet. Although it may sound strange to you, this is actually how the poll started and got popular in no time. More Doors Or More Wheels – What About The Post? Image Source: static.tweaktown.com Ryan Nixon posted the poll on March 5, 2022, on his Twitter account with the Twitter ID @NewYorkNixon. In the poll, he posted, “My mates and I are having the STUPIDEST debate...And I am here for it. Do you think there are more doors or wheels in the world?” As of February 22, 2023, we found that there are 223,347 votes. The final results are already out. The poll results were close, as 53.6% of people voted for more wheels, while 46.4% of people voted for more doors. There are 4823 retweets of the post and 19,200 likes on the post. Furthermore, 4414 people quoted the tweet. From the moment Ryan posted the tweet, it went viral in no time. Within three days, the post was one of the most viewed on the internet. Many experts are of the opinion that the reason behind the post being popular is that it was truly unique, and different people have different opinions about the post. Additionally, the post got popular quite fast on Facebook, Reddit, and other social platforms as well. What People Are Saying About The Doors Vs. Wheel Post? Image Source: media13.s-nbcnews.com You must have already understood that the post was unique and got popular due to it being interesting and funny at the same time. This is because hardly any people think about the number of doors and wheels in their own houses and cars, let alone the world. The funny part about the post is the way how many people came together to vote on the poll and have a debate in the comment section of the post. The question was, although simple, it was intriguing as well. For example, one person even commented, “Who is voting doors??? There’s wheels on everything. I have wheels on my garment rack, makeup storage holder, rubbish bin. It’s definitely wheels.” In return, Ryan Nixon replied, “You have more wheels in your house than doors? Think about cupboards, the pantry etc. Think about how many doors there would be in something like an apartment building or hotel...” Such conversations and opinions made the post extremely interesting. Some of the other comments that added fuel to the fire are: “Very solidly wheels. All cars have 4 wheels but 2-4 doors. An average home might have 6-10 doors but it also has 3 suitcases with 6-12 wheels. A collection of toy cars might have 400 wheels.” “How many suitcases with wheels on have you got in your house? I’ve got eight. That’s 32 wheels just there.” “Doors. Four door cars and trucks nullify themselves. All ships have doors, no wheels. All buildings have doors, no wheels. Doors.” “Doors by far. Most things with wheels have at least a 2:1 door-wheel ratio, and then you have all the other doors in the world.” “In my household there are 29 doors including fridge, cupboards, washing machine, tumble dryer and car. Got 4 wheels on my car and the hamster has a wheel, can’t think of any more wheels I’m saying doors." "Using the ideology that wheels are only for vehicles and doors only count if they can be walked through. Think it’s quite clear that doors win. Let me know if I’ve missed anything major or something needs explaining.” "Think it’s quite clear that doors win. Let me know if I’ve missed anything major or if something needs explaining.” "Doors. Four door cars and trucks nullify themselves. All ships have doors, no wheels. All buildings have doors, no wheels. Doors." "Easily doors There's double the number of homes in the world than there are other types of buildings too, eg shops, businesses etc Then on top of that, most vehicles have many doors too," "Must be wheel. Wheels is one of the earliest human inventions. Not only in vehicles, but also in rollerblades, suitcases, chairs, etc. Wheels also made each day more than doors." "Just to confuse this debate do you mean EVER or NOW? as this very much alters my answer. Also, is a broken door or wheel still a door or wheel? I need some rules here." "You have ruined my life, I've lost sleep over this." "This has sent me into a spiral and I can't escape it." What Is The Exact Answer To The Question? In every way, it is very hard to find out the exact number of wheels or doors. If, for example, you think about only cars, you have to consider it has four wheels and at least two doors. There are wheels in other vehicles as well. Furthermore, there are so many doors in houses, furniture, etc. On the other hand, there are also wheels in toys like Hot Wheels and Legos. Realistically speaking, the numbers are just too much for a person to count, as they are infinite. Hence, we will not be able to give you even a close idea. How Many Lego Wheels Are There In The World? Image Source: m.media-amazon.com In answer to how many Lego wheels there are in the world, you will need to estimate the number of car toys Lego produces. In a year, almost 17 billion toy cars are produced. Lego has sold approximately 6 billion wheels until now. As per a 2010 report, we found that Lego produces 318 million tires every year. Despite all these data, it is still hard to find out the number of wheels in this case too. Summing Up It is really hard to find how many wheels are in the world or even how many doors there are. Who knows! There can be billions of wheels and doors in the world. However, the best part about the question is that it is interesting and unique, and the post from where the question is inspired was a head-turner. Moreover, the post was funny, and the results were even funnier. Read Also: How Long Can You Go Without An Oil Change? What Type Of Vehicle Is Ideal For Off-Road Driving? How To Choose The Best Wheels And Tires For Your Vehicle?

Choosing the Right Anti-Theft Devices For Your Car In Houston TX

Although there's no foolproof way to protect your car from being stolen, you can certainly reduce the chances of it becoming a target without spending more than you can afford. Outlined below are a few tips and tricks on how to keep your beloved motorcar protected. Use A Mechanical Immobilizer: A mechanical immobilizer is designed to restrict movement or access to the vehicle. Unlike most anti-theft devices that remain hidden, this device is highly visible, hence an excellent choice for deterring amateur car thieves. The police recommend using one of these alongside other anti-theft devices to keep car thieves at bay. 1. Steering-Wheel Lock: This is the least expensive anti-theft device you can invest in. As the name suggests, the steering-wheel lock makes it impossible to drive the car, hence one must unlock it to be able to navigate. 'The Club' is a good example. 2. Tire Lock: Having a tire lock in place can help deter thieves from targeting your car. Tire locks, however, require time to put on and off, which is why you may want to try other options if you use the car daily. Electronic Immobilizer: Most modern cars today come with built-in microchips and transponders capable of sending a signal to the built-in anti-theft system. Trying to start the car without its keys and fobs simply mean the engine will not start. Most car thieves will avoid vehicles equipped with electronic immobilizers. Have a 'Kill Switch' installed: This device is normally installed in the engine's electrical system. As the name suggests, it sends a signal that turns the engine off when activated. Although most modern cars have this anti-theft feature installed, you can have one installed on your vehicle for as little as $10. The most expensive option goes at $200. The Master Lock Starter Sentry is a good example (and popular model) of a kill switch capable of disabling the ignition system, as well as the fuel wirelessly. The best kill switches disable all other functions of the car until the signal is deactivated through a series of tasks. Install a Car Alarm: Car alarms are considered the most effective visual anti-theft devices there is today. The alarm is however only activated should one attempt to gain entry to the car forcefully, perimeter breach, sudden movement, or the breaking of glass. The system works with several sensors that pick up the slightest sign of forced entry or breach sounding an alarm at over 120 DBS. This alerts the driver immediately and anyone else within a hearing distance. Consider VIN Etching: All vehicles have a 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) mostly printed on the dashboard, registration, and insurance cards. 'Branding' all parts of the car with its VIN Number can help deter car thieves from targeting your car. This is particularly useful if you can have all windows and glass parts imprinted with the VIN. Most car thieves will avoid vehicles with their VINs etched on all visible parts. This is mostly because disposing of parts with VIN exposed is considerably much more laborious and costly. Have a Vehicle Tracking System Installed: Although an expensive anti-theft device/feature, a vehicle tracking system not only deters thieves from stealing your car but also provides real-time data on the car's location should it be stolen. These systems use GPS (Global Positioning Systems) to pinpoint the car's exact location for easier retrieval. One of the advantages of investing in a vehicle tracker is that the system can be integrated with other anti-theft features to keep the car protected. You, however, need to subscribe to this service to get real-time updates on your vehicle whenever you need it. You can contact an automotive locksmith Houston Tx for immediate services. Read More : 5 Ways Camera Monitoring System Will Enhance Vehicle Safety There Is A Pothole Problem In America – How To Protect Your Car From Damage?

Why Times Are Tough For Truckers and Why It Concerns You

Truck Driver Pay Isn’t Keeping the Pace

Self-driving Trucks are on the Horizon

Many Regulations Currently loom Over the Trucking Industry

Trucker Health and Sleep Apnea

Role of messaging apps in enhancing a company’s market prospects

How To Shop For A Car With Your Teen Driver?

Abdul Aziz Mondol

Abdul Aziz Mondol is a professional blogger who is having a colossal interest in writing blogs and other jones of calligraphies. In terms of his professional commitments, he loves to share content related to business, finance, technology, and the gaming niche.

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Why the Vauxhall Insignia Should Be Your Next Car

How Many Wheels Are In The World? – Are You Excited To Know?

Choosing the Right Anti-Theft Devices For Your Car In Houston TX

Why Times Are Tough For Truckers and Why It Concerns You

Truck Driver Pay Isn’t Keeping the Pace

Self-driving Trucks are on the Horizon

Many Regulations Currently loom Over the Trucking Industry

Trucker Health and Sleep Apnea

Share this Article

Role of messaging apps in enhancing a company’s market prospects

How To Shop For A Car With Your Teen Driver?

Abdul Aziz Mondol is a professional blogger who is having a colossal interest in writing blogs and other jones of calligraphies. In terms of his professional commitments, he loves to share content related to business, finance, technology, and the gaming niche.

Leave a Reply

Popular

Follow Us

Recent

Related