The shortage of professional drivers quickly became the defining issue for the industry during the past year with its far-reaching effects.
American Trucking Associations estimates that the industry needs 80,000 more drivers. That figure is expected to worsen in the years ahead with a lack of new drivers to offset retirements and growing demand.
“This year definitely feels different than driver shortages in the past,” Daniel Most, vice president of operations and safety at CPC Logistics, told Transport Topics. “It seems that no matter what you’re throwing at different markets, you’re just not getting responses.”