Truck driver shortages are now affecting consumers. Trucking is an industry where driver turnover is growing and consumers are facing longer delays and higher prices. The increased costs of recruiting new drivers, plus higher fuel prices, are adding pennies to the cost of food and hard goods. Security requirements have only exacerbated the shortage of drivers since hauling fuel and other hazardous substances used to require little more than a clean driving record and some training. Now, due to security regulations, drivers who want to transport such materials have to undergo a background check and fingerprinting. In addition, new regulations designed to ensure that tired truck drivers aren‘t on the road have forced a lot of them to sit at rest areas unable to deliver or pick up their loads. With so much change at hand, we recommend that shippers anticipate shortages and delays for over-the road transports.
HazMat Industry News