Report says national shortage of truck drivers to reach 50,000 by 2017
The driver shortage eased in 2016 to roughly 36,500, down from 2015’s shortfall of 45,000.
American Trucking Associations (ATA), Arlington, Va., released the findings of his latest report into the driver shortage, warning the trucking industry could be short 50,000 drivers by the end of 2017.
“In addition to the sheer lack of drivers, fleets are also suffering from a lack of qualified drivers, which amplifies the effects of the shortage on carriers,” says Bob Costello, chief economist. “This means that even as the shortage numbers fluctuate, it remains a serious concern for our industry, for the supply chain and for the economy at large.”