Truck drivers face what some are calling a transitional year in 2021. Professional CDL holders were called upon to keep America’s supply chain open and the pandemic appears to be waning. But even as a sense of normalcy is restored, a logjam of goods and products tasks truckers with working long hours to help protect community members from potentially skyrocketing inflation. With all of these external forces weighing on freight haulers, the men and women behind the wheel face challenges of their own.
1: Capitalizing on Prosperity
Although truckers enjoy steady and reasonably good-paying jobs, 2021 presents a rare opportunity to make a significant salary leap. According to American Trucking Associations chief economist Bob Costello, the country’s annual gross domestic product is expected to surge by 6.4 percent in 2021 and upwards of another 4.3 percent in 2022. These ranks as high-water marks not experienced since 1984.
“Some younger people have never seen an economy grow like this before. People in their 20s and early 30s have never seen anything like this over a sustained period of time,” Costello reportedly said.
By that same token, Costello notes that inventories remain at low levels due to economic disruption. Heading into August, businesses are competing for quailed CDL holders and offering high salaries. For truck drivers to maximize their earning potential, 2021 may be the best time to sign an employment contract that pays well and locks you in after inventories are restored.
2: Speed Limit Reduction Mandates
Changes in the White House routinely impact the trucking industry. During the Obama Administration, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration suggested crafting new rules regarding vehicles that exceed 26,000 pounds. The idea of mandating speed limiters being installed was bandied about with maximize speed thresholds ranging from 65-68 mph.
Congress re-introduced the Cullum Owings Large Truck Safe Operating Speed Act of 2019 in May, and the bipartisan legislation likely has the backing of the Biden Administration. Although reducing speed has been statistically linked to fewer accidents and fatalities, that may not necessarily hold true in some of America’s wide-open highways. However, it could negatively impact drivers who rely on mileage rates to earn a living within the hours-of-service rules.
3: More States Consider Truck-Only Tolls
Rhode Island became the first state to charge truck-only tolls on the heavily used I-95 and other highways. Former Gov. Gina Raimondo didn’t face the political backlash the trucking industry anticipated. Instead, she was handed a position as Secretary of Commerce. Neighboring Connecticut recently followed suit after its state legislature passed a similar bill that levels tolls on vehicles weighing 26,001 pounds or more. Targeting hard-working truck drivers as scapegoats for poor road conditions ranks among the most unfair and concerning trends of 2021.
Source: ttnews, fleetowner, truckinginfo
Well written sir, And if you look at Matt Cartwright “D” rep 8th district of PA. His recent comments on bridge tolling in Pa. The state of PA is next, these people view truckers as an income for their state not as heros who bring goods to market. Elections matter, do your research and vote people like Cartwright out. Do not rely on rate increases to cover toll increases, it rarely keeps pace.
Need to limit as much as possible going to those states. Do everyone else first. If nothing better then go there
During the pandemic truck accidents were down significantly due to the fact that there were fewer cars on the roads. Trucks take to much blame for what happens out on the road.
As a owner/operator these states are just going to cause all products to increase in price. Eventually you’ll be paying 50.00 for a gallon of milk
Some states can careless for the owner operators. Between fuel charges, fees, repair cost (everyone has repairs). As long as they (states) make their money nothing else matters.
I may be off topic but, personally don’t think I am and this is my opinion.
Not to long ago, prior to the tariffs imposed on Canada and Mexico for goods coming into the US. You would see very few out the of country trucks with the exception of the boarder states. Now, to avoid those tariffs, Canada and Mexico run their freight strait through the US to the other country, never to unload in the US. Since the tariffs, I have seen many Canadian trucks everywhere, even new companies. This is lost revenue for the US economy and US drivers as well. We already have a huge parking problem, and with these additional trucks on US roads, it creates even a bigger problem. Not to mention longer lines and waiting periods at the pumps. Additionally, they will stop on the shoulders to take their breaks, this is a safety issue.
Since we are being told “lower speeds result in lower accident rates”, why not limit the speed of ALL highway users? A car weighing 2500 pounds with a 400 horsepower engine is more dangerous in the hands (and feet) of the average driver today than a .357 Magnum in a grade school student’s hand. How many days pass without seeing several idiots in their cars driving like demons heading for Armageddon? Car drivers need to be forced to have the same equipment truck drivers are forced to deal with: speed limiters, “anti-collision” radar, lane departure warnings and all the rest. I see no good use for any of it a truck and bet we’ll never see any member of Congress with the guts to propose it be installed on cars.
The answers seem pretty simple. Refuse loads to or thru these states, let them starve for a few weeks and you’ll see the extortion go away. As far as speed limiters on trucks, most of the big fleets already have their trucks governed at 70mph or lower, but I’d bet my last dollar that a 10 day truckers strike would put an end to Washington’s overreaching bullshit too. If you keep accepting the beating that these crooked politicians put on you, then you can’t blame anyone but yourself.
Well to many taxes maybe they don’t deserve to have trucks come in there state.Hell im from Oklahoma and I bitch about once a month to the toll people.Oklahoma lease there toll rods out yrs ago.Damm Yankees run it now.Which in turn makes them ass holes
If Rhode Island wants to tax truckers , for using there roads , We as Trucker shouldn’t Deliver Their
Agreed.