Trucks are the moving wheels of economies. Everything you see around supermarkets, car dealerships, malls, or even your local drugstore, every product is moved across the factories to stores in trucks. Sadly, the most underappreciated individuals in the trucking industry are truck drivers.
The American trucking industry is valued at $791.7 billion. Yet, most truck drivers face many problems that can be easily solved with state and local governments’ right strategies and initiatives. Though the state and local CDL training grants can cover the training cost of truck drivers, there are many other problems they face. If these problems are taken care of, the rising demand for skilled truck drivers can be fulfilled.
Here are five common challenges that most truck drivers face.
1. Lack of funds for training
All truck drivers must have a CDL license and truck driving training to legally drive and operate the cargo trucks. These training courses train drivers to learn essential skills and techniques to navigate the trucks in challenging situations and longer hauls effectively.
Unfortunately, however, most aspirants cannot go through the training as they cannot afford to pay the training fees. Truck driving training in the United States can cost around $3000 to $7000, which can be a big amount, especially when many drivers lost their jobs during the pandemic. Thankfully, the federal government noticed the problem and intervened. Truck drivers can receive state and local CDL training grants and scholarships, allowing them to undergo the training and get the permit.
There are various types of grants that the applicants can apply to. Some grants even cover the transport and lodging if the individuals have to travel far for the training. These grants will surely encourage more drivers to join the force and mitigate the shortage of skilled truck drivers.
2. Lack of sleep
It’s no secret that truck drivers often face a lack of sleep due to strict delivery deadlines and longer shifts. Though drivers have allotted pit stops, reasons like traffic and weather conditions can cause delays that they need to cover within the stipulated time, including driving for long hours without sleep. The lack of sleep can affect their judgment on the road and put their lives and property at risk.
3. Health concerns
Truck drivers often drive for several hours without a stop. This excessive seating puts a lot of stress on their spine and back. Excessive pressure leads to excruciating back pain and can result in permanent disability.
4. Work OVerload due to lack of drivers
As reported by the Department of Transport, more than 30000 truck drivers leave the profession annually. With more and more drivers leaving every year, there’s a massive shortage of skilled drivers, which only puts more pressure on the drivers, since they have to work double shifts to cover for the shortage of drivers.
5. Lack of Home Time
One of life’s simplest pleasures is sleeping in your bed. Sadly, most truck drivers are deprived of this simple pleasure. They don’t get enough home time as they spend most of their time on the road. Most drivers are on the job for several days straight and go back home only on weekends. Whether they have a family or live alone, everyone deserves to have some good, comforting home time.
The trucking sector is the backbone of the American economy. If these problems are solved on time, the truck driver will be happier, and thus more likely to meet and even exceed delivery expectations and deadlines.
