Trucking Driver Shortage May Jump To 111,000

The current shortage of 20,000 drivers may increase over the next ten years. And that will affect the tech world along with every other bit of commerce nationwide.

American Trucking Associations reports in its newly released Analysis And Forecasts on the shortage of long-haul heavy duty truck drivers.

The study cites the wage competition between the trucking and construction industries, both of which tend to draw from the same labor pool. Trucking wages went down after 2001, while construction wages maintained their upward movement due to continued housing demand.

Schedule flexibility was another factor cited. As drivers encounter family situations requiring their presence, they move from job to job in search of more regular schedules. Although wage issues get cited frequently as an attraction issue for new drivers, quality of life issues affect retention of experienced drivers.

The impact on the tech industry comes from a need to move all those consumer products from the warehouses and import facilities to outlets and customers across the country. Trucking carries that cargo and helps the economy continue to thrive.

David Utter is a staff writer for WebProNews covering technology and business. Email him here.