Fleetowner 5444 Volvo Vnl Driver
Fleetowner 5444 Volvo Vnl Driver
Fleetowner 5444 Volvo Vnl Driver
Fleetowner 5444 Volvo Vnl Driver
Fleetowner 5444 Volvo Vnl Driver

ACT's Vieth on driver shortage: "The feds plan to make it worse"

July 9, 2015
    Vieth also discussed the proposals surrounding driver health and fitness that are under consideration – requirement of a medical examiner’s certificate, drug and alcohol testing, and higher insurance premiums. “The driver shortage situation is bad enough; the feds plan to make it worse,” he said, questioning the reason the president threatened to veto the 34-hour reset revision.

During a July 8 webinar, "Navigating Demand for Heavy Commercial Vehicles in an Economic Rebound," ACT Research President Kenny Vieth discussed some proposals surrounding driver health and fitness that he believes could make the driver shortage worse. Requirement of a medical examiner’s certificate, drug and alcohol testing, and higher insurance premiums are a few.

“The driver shortage situation is bad enough; the feds plan to make it worse,” he said, questioning the reason the president threatened to veto the 34-hour reset revision.

Veith further explained the impacts of the HOS 34-hour reset. Before a two-overnight reset, he said, traffic flows smoothly for carriers between 5 and 6 a.m., with a “modest” morning peak, and an afternoon peak from 3 to 5. Afterward, he explained, there is virtually no morning traffic between 5 and 6 a.m., with a sharp mid-morning peak, and then a significantly longer evening peak extending to 7 p.m.

“I don’t understand why the president wants to veto this,” he said. “It is certainly not helping those of us on the road or the truckers that want to get the freight delivered.”

“Truck driving has always been a hard job,” Vieth said. “We do believe freight is going to get delivered. Freight determines the driver demand, not the reverse.”

And, he explained, fleet managers have the ability to do something about a driver shortage – buy new trucks, pay drivers more, get drivers home more often. Vieth cited an NPR Planet Money map, which depicts truck driving as the most common job in 34 states in the U.S.

“The issue isn’t universal,” he said. “It’s difficult to find drivers for everybody, but the driver shortage is really centered in the long-haul regular route truck driver market.”

Private fleet drivers, he added, make $20k-$25k more per year on average than for-hire drivers, plus they get home more regularly.

Vieth also mentioned the “unfriendly demographics” that impact the driver shortage – the age requirement of 21 to obtain a commercial driver’s license juxtaposed with the lower turnout of new drivers compared to impending retirees. 

About the Author

Cristina Commendatore

Cristina Commendatore is the Editor in Chief of FleetOwner magazine. She has reported on the transportation industry since 2015, covering topics such as business operational challenges, driver and technician shortages, truck safety, and new vehicle technologies. She holds a master’s degree in journalism from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut.

Sponsored Recommendations

Stop Sweating Temperature Excursions

Advanced chemical indicators give you the peace of mind that comes from reliable insights into your supply chains. Compromised shipments can be identified the moment they arrive...

How Electric Vehicles Help You Prolong the Life of Your Fleet

Before adopting electric vehicles for commercial/government fleets, prioritize cost inquiries. Maintenance is essential; understand the upkeep of EV fleets. Here’s what you need...

How to Choose the Right Route Planning Solution

This free buyer's guide will help equip you with the knowledge and insights needed to analyze route planning software and vendors in the market and, ultimately, make an informed...

How to Put Your Trucking Data to Work

How fleets can overcome data overload to optimize operations and get ahead.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of FleetOwner, create an account today!