Truck Driver Shortage Essay

Did you know that more than 70% of our nation's freight tonnage is carried by trucks? In order to move over 10 billion tons of freight, it requires 3.4 million heavy-duty class 8 trucks and over 3.5 million truck drivers (ATA Reports, Trends, and Statistics). Without the movement of these trucks, America's resources will come to a halt. In 2014, there was a shortage of about 38,000 truck drivers in America due to many reasons (TDSA 2015 1). There is also a shortage in diesel mechanics, the makers and movers behind the truck drivers. We need our younger generation to step up and realize the great opportunities being a diesel mechanic and a truck driver offer.
One main reason why there is a shortage in truck drivers is the age range. The average age of a truck driver is 49 and historically it’s always been difficult to attract the younger generations to the trucking business. Women have also refrained from the trucking world. Only 5.8% of the drivers are female (TDSA 2015 1). Other factors that play into why there's a truck driver shortage include: the government’s regulation
Men, women, 18-50, age nor gender matters. Being a truck driver you are free on the road. You get to enjoy the different beautiful sites of our country, meet new diverse people, and come home to your loving family. Not all truck drivers go away weeks on end, most come home every night to their families. And the whole reason why you get to enjoy these things is because you are helping the people of America. You are delivering items that cannot be transported any other way. You get a feeling of accomplishment, along with great pay and benefits from your company. Our younger generation today do not know the highlights of being a truck driver. Today they think it's a boring, lame job. But, in reality you get to experience great sites and