Why Times Are Tough For Truckers and Why It Concerns You

by

22 September 2016

Automotive

truck-

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.

Read More:

  1. Important Things To Transport During A Relocation
  2. Finding The Right Moving Company
  3. How To Get A Loan On A Day With Bad Credit?

Lucia Patterson is the woman behind TheLegalGuides, a blog solely focused on legal guides, tips, and advice. Lucia loves essay writing and blogs at EssayWritingGuides from her college days.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

Dangers of texting and driving for teens

Why Texting Is Not A Good Idea When You Drive

“Nearly 390,000 injuries occur each yearFrom accidents caused by texting while driving.”- National Safety Council, USA (2018 Study) Why Texting and Driving are Dangerous: The rise of social media and the necessity of being connected 24x7 have given rise to many problems. One of the biggest of them all are the dangers associated with driving when you are texting.Youngsters and especially teenagers are the biggest risk takers when it comes to these hazards. The use of WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Instagram Chat all act as sources of distractions. According to a Study by the National Safety Council, nearly 400,000 dangerous accidents occur each year because of texting. Teenagers and Texting on Roads: The problem of texting while driving is not restricted to teenagers. However, they are affected by it the most. The fear of losing out to something interesting is so great that even though many acknowledge the dangers of driving and texting, they cannot stop.Let us look at some numbers when it comes to dangers of texting and driving for teensAccording to the American Automobile Association (AAA):Over 95% of teenagers are aware of the risks associated with driving and texting. However, more than 35% were arrogant enough to say that they keep on doing it. The number of teenagers involved in fatal accidents who had been using their mobile phones was over 21%. Compared with their adult counterparts, teenagers were more likely to be involved in texting and driving accidents by 4x times. If there are other occupants in the car, the probability of a texting and driving accident increase by 5x times.How Counselling by Parents can Control this Dangerous Epidemic? While teenagers are to be blamed for this reckless activity, many experts feel that their parents should impart this basic understanding of the dangers to them.It is very important for parents to set a good example for their teenage children while using an automobile. Kids often pick up the habits of their elders. This includes the use of a cell phone while driving.If you are a parent, you should avoid using cell phones while you are driving with your kids. Unless it is a very important call, or a text, or an email, you should not address it. Even if you have to, pull over to a safe side of the road, bring the car to an idle, and then engage on your cell phone.This will make your kid understand from a very young age about good habits and practices. It is also a good idea to set some ground rules for your kids when it comes to driving. Teenagers are very safe when it comes to taking their rights away.You can tell them that if they are caught using their cell phones while driving, they will not be allowed anywhere near the car for a month. The quantum of punishment can wary, but parents need to be tough, in order to protect their children. Dangers of Texting and Driving: The Final Word Due to the changed rules of society and social media, teenagers are already under a lot of stress. They have self-doubt issues, depression, and other pressures. All these play a role when it comes to their driving.It is imperative for parents to talk to their kids and tell them that answering a text after five minutes would not change a thing. The need to be always updated to social happenings is not more important than their lives.No one is invincible, and talking about statistics of the dangers will help them understand the problem better. If you are a parent, you need to start setting examples and ground rules for your children.Read Also:Best New Cars For Teenagers 7 Reasons Why Teenagers Pay Extra For Car Insurance The Effects Of Drinking And Driving Under The Legal Age Of 21

READ MOREDetails
Car

4 Things That You Must Be Aware Of In Your Car

Lights are one of the most important parts of the car. Lights keep us safe on dark roads, they also help us be sure of where the path is. Hence installing good lights is very important for various purposes discussed below. There are various lights available in the market but you have to be careful while buying them as some of them may be illegal or some of them may also not be good for the eyes of fellow drivers. Check out LED lights for cars for good quality lights at reasonable rates. For more tips, visit Vehicle Freak for more tips on buying a car. In This Article, You Will Know About 4 Things That You Must Be Aware Of, In Your Car. 1. Importance Of Good Quality Headlights In Car: Car headlights are important because they help you see the road clearly as you drive at night. Without good headlights, you can drive into oncoming traffic, crash into parked cars, be unable to see a vehicle ahead of you, or run into a pole or tree. However, some people are concerned that car headlights have been getting worse as time goes by. This is because the headlights may not be of good quality. 2. Different Lights Of Cars: There are various colors of car headlights available in the market, and it is a good idea to know about them before you decide to purchase one for your car. The headlights play an important role in the safety and security of your car and its passengers. There are various types of headlights available in the market, you need to be careful while purchasing the same. Plenty of research is currently being conducted on the benefits of having different types of headlights on a car. These research results have proven that it is much better to have more than one type of headlight so your car can see better in different conditions. 3. You Should Not Compromise On Safety: When it comes to safety, one must be determined and a firm believer of safety being the number one priority. You should never compromise on the safety aspect of things. When we talk about headlights, it is really important to have good headlights installed in your car. They are a source of light in the dark areas where danger can be present at any moment or step of the road. Hence, do not try to save money or try to install cheap headlights with little to zero visibility. Put in some money and try to get premium quality lights installed in your vehicle. 4. Do Not Spend A Lot Of Money Too: As important it is to not try to save money, it is also important to not overspend the money. If a similar kind of product with the same quality and looks is available cheaper but with different branding, consider buying it and saving a few bucks for something else. You can spend the money by investing it for your future or just save it so it may help you later.Read Also:Perfect ways to Earn from your Wonderful Car 

READ MOREDetails
Fuel Efficiency

5 Ways To Improve The Fuel Efficiency Of Your Truck

Drivers everywhere today are concerned with the rising cost of fuel. But that shouldn’t mean that the answer is to avoid driving a pickup truck.The best solution for any vehicle owner today is to find innovative ways to save on the cost of fuel.The good news is that several exist, and don’t require much effort.5 Major Ways Of Improving The Fuel Efficiency Of A Truck1. Is it Still Worthwhile to Buy a Truck?For some people, a truck is an essential tool they own for getting the job done when it comes to their means of earning a living. Others love the freedom they enjoy as truck owners who own a vehicle that can accomplish a versatile list of tasks.Whether or not either one of these reasons motivates you to drive a truck properly, you shouldn’t have to compromise. Try out these tips for decreasing fuel consumption to find an excellent new truck at your Jeep Dodge Ram dealership next time you need one.2. Ease Up on the GasYou’ll burn less fuel if you drive in a more relaxed style. Aggressive driving causes you to accelerate even when you’re about to stop soon after. This means you’re burning much more fuel than is needed to drive to your destination. Ease up on your foot while driving to ensure you’re not using up fuel needlessly. 3. Don’t Sit IdlingMany people allow their vehicles to sit while idling for long periods when they could quickly turn off the ignition to save fuel. It might not seem like much time has passed or that much gas is burning away while you’re merely sitting, but the cost will accumulate over time.Imagine burning a dollar bill every day because it is a small amount of money. This is what you’re doing every time you sit in your truck while it idles.4. Haul Less WeightEvery extra pound you add to your truck increases the fuel required to run it. Try to remember to check the bed of your truck before you travel far to ensure you haven’t left anything heavy sitting there. If you’re hauling around a load of wood every time you drive, you’re spending a lot more on that load than you think.5. Keep Your Tires Properly AlignedWhen your tires go out of alignment, it causes more traction. Consequently, it takes more fuel to travel in your truck. Schedule a tire alignment regularly to avoid wasting more gas in this way.Other MaintenanceBesides these issues, there could be a number of other unknown factors causing your truck to burn more fuel. The best way to avoid this is to take your truck to a mechanic for regular maintenance checks, so they can tell you if there are any problems.Like any other vehicle, it is inevitable that your truck will burn some fuel. You can help to offset these costs by paying close attention to these five tips. You should also discuss this issue with your used truck dealer before you buy to find out the most fuel-efficient option you can buy. Talk to a used Dodge Ram dealer for more info.Additionals:Truck Accident Scenarios: Who Is Liable?A Set Of The Best Exercises For Truck DriversThe Most Common Causes of Truck AccidentsThe Main Reasons Why Cabover Trucks Are Less Common Than Long Hood Rigs

READ MOREDetails