The nationwide shortage of truckers has overtaken the number of hours a driver can spend behind the wheel as the trucking industry’s number one concern. According to an American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) survey, the ATRI is a research committee for the American Trucking Associations (ATA), driver shortages surpassed Hours of Service (HOS) as the top industry concern.

Dave Manning, the ATA Chairman, stated at the Austin, TX, Management Conference, “…everywhere I go, people talk about how we’ve got to resolve our workforce challenges if we’re going to keep this nation’s economy moving forward.” 

Currently, the FMCSA is looking into several changes to the HOS rules, including letting drivers choose when to take breaks. Many believe this could relieve the traffic jams, or at least give truckers the choice of taking their breaks during peak hours.

The High Turnover Rate in Trucking

The third item drivers and fleet managers see as a concern is a high turnover rate. The turnover rate dipped below 90 percent for the most recent quarter to 87 percent for large firms. This erased 11 percentage points since the 98 percent high that was experienced the first six months of 2018. 

Many drivers cannot believe so-called experts in the industry have not made the connection between better pay and lower turnover rates. Most large firms increased pay at least once during 2018 and some two or three times. Could better pay and benefits be the answer to all three? It would seem they are at least related. 

Less regulation from states and the FMCSA, plus higher pay and benefits would make most drivers happier about their situation and more likely to stay put. Plus, it would likely recruit more Veterans, young people, and women into the trucking industry. Considering the average age of the current force of truckers is 59, they probably better start attracting younger drivers quick.   

Another Possible Answer to High Turnover

Many drivers have suggested that fleet managers should do away with the zero-defect mentality they have toward moving violations. Many large, high-paying firms are terminating drivers for minor infractions in the interest of saving money on fleet insurance. However, given the extreme shortage of drivers, offering a second chance to drivers with minor convictions should be considered. Right now, the only choice drivers have is to challenge every traffic ticket, both in their commercial motor vehicle (CMV) and private vehicle. 

Although moving violations in the driver’s private vehicle do not affect the price of fleet insurance , some fleet managers think if drivers  are careless enough to get a ticket in their own vehicle, it won’t be long before they get one in their CMV. Does it make sense to fire a driver with a clean Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP), even though they might have a point or two on their motor vehicle driving record (MVR)? 

When you get a traffic ticket, you need to consult an attorney and fight the ticket.   

When You Get a Traffic Ticket, Contact Us 

We’re Bigger & Harman, and we’re here to serve you, (661) 349-9300. Se habla Español (661) 349-9755.  

We handle all types of traffic tickets and DMV Hearings. When you receive a traffic ticket in your CMV or your private vehicle, you cannot afford a conviction. Actually, there are some cases in your private vehicle when you might be eligible to attend Traffic Violators School (TVS). You can keep the ticket confidential. In that case, we would suggest paying the fine and completing TVS. But, we firmly believe you should call us about every ticket. Even in some of these cases, there might be a technicality that allows us to get a dismissal. 

Although we can’t promise every driver a no-point conviction or a dismissal, we have had tremendous success fighting overweight charges, permits, bad equipment, and especially speeding.        

Send us an email, attorney@biggerharmanlaw.com.  

References:

The 2018CA Commercial Driver Handbook .pdf

Truckinfo.com article, Increased Truck Driver Pay Lowers Turnover Rates in 2018