Newsletter Archive

Truckers aging out, young drivers MIA

Insiders: The trucking industry is aging, and not near enough young people are joining the ranks of trucking. What problems does this cause? Get the answers in the Inside Look. P.S. We added a podcast recommendation to the lineup today. Enjoy the listen! - Bianca Prieto, Editor

Inside today's newsletter
🔷 Speed limiter rule pushed to 2025.
🔷 Software automates more tasks.
🔷 Sentencing in Southwest cargo theft ring.
🔷 Four-wheelers unaware of truck blind spots, survey says.
🔷 Used truck sales increased in May.

⬆️ $3.48

AVERAGE U.S. DIESEL COST PER GALLON AS OF July 8: UP 1¢

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

INSIDE LOOK

Trucking's youth and retirement issues

While the trucking industry struggles to attract young drivers to the workforce, career drivers who have logged countless miles behind the wheel aren't seeing an exit to retirement ahead.

The current generation is aging out and the next generation isn't stepping in. The average age of current drivers is 59.5 years (per a study by Commercial Carrier Journal) making them among the oldest group of professionals in the U.S. That same study also found that, of the participants surveyed, a whopping 0% were age 34 or younger.

Where's the balance? It's going to take time and effort to fix the issue of new drivers stepping into the cab while the current generation rides off into the sunset. With that in mind, will there be a lapse in active drivers when the shift occurs, or will there be a line waiting to take the wheel? Get the full stats on CCJ Digital.

FAST LANE

SEEN & HEARD

"Don't let technology drive you into an accident." - Jerry Veres.

Buckle up for a bumpy ride on the latest episode of FreightWaves' "What the Truck?!?" Host Timothy Dooner and safety manager Jerry Vares dive headfirst into the alarming statistic: a 75% increase in truck crash fatalities since 2009. Dooner throws down the gauntlet – is technology supposed to be making trucking safer, or is it contributing to the problem? Starting around the 10-minute mark, the duo pull back the curtain to dissect the potential causes of this safety erosion in the trucking industry. Watch here.

NEWS

Ring of cargo criminals arrested and sentenced
Four members behind a cargo theft operation have been handed their sentences as part of their participation in a string of cargo thefts totaling over $1.7 million in stolen goods. The four men involved helmed the operation throughout 2019, garnering goods across three states before selling them across Florida. Combined, all four participants will be serving 14 years in prison. (Land Line)

Used truck sales increased in May

A significant uptick in used truck sales has dealers hoping for a continued trend. In all, sales jumped 18% in May. And while dealers anticipate a slight decrease or stagnation in the months to come, they're optimistic about an overall increase by the end of 2024. Figures are close to year-over-year forecasts that indicate they're on the right path. (Transport Topics)

Survey finds other motorists unaware of blind spots

A majority of motorists lack an understanding of truckers' blind spots. New survey data shows that fewer than one in every 20 Americans can correctly point out all of a semi's blind spots. And another 30% don't feel that driver's education prepared them for sharing the road with 18 wheelers. (Truckers News)