Truck Driver Retention in Auto Transportation vs Freight
The driver shortage remains an ongoing issue in both the auto transport industry and freight trucking industry, ranking second in the American Transportation Research Institute’s 2022. As we all know, truck drivers play a vital role in hauling multiple vehicles and are responsible for the transport of over 70% of the goods across and within the United States.
According to the American Trucking Association, the trucking industry faces a shortage of 80,000 drivers. However, low wages and poor working conditions are contributing factors to 90% of why there are no drivers in the industry anymore, calling into question if driver shortage is the problem or the best way to retain drivers is the real issue.
In this blog, US Car-Go Freight will take us through how to better ensure truck driver retention by embracing change and exploring new ways to improve the overall truck driver’s work experience.
What is the Auto Transportation industry?
The auto transport industry is an industry that helps people move their cars from one location to another. When a car owner wants to transport their car, they contact an auto transport company and give them details about their vehicle, pick up and drop off location, and leave the rest to them.
What is the Freight Trucking industry?
The freight trucking industry is the industry that helps with the movement of goods and commodities, often over long distances across the United States. They are responsible for transporting raw materials to finished products while ensuring that all the goods they transport are delivered in a timely manner and without any damage.
How to Improve Driver's Retention in the Auto Transport Industry
Sufficient Driver Training
Many truck drivers in most cases receive insufficient training to prepare them for the challenges of the job. Driving a fully loaded semi-truck requires specialized skills to operate properly and safely, especially when traveling at high speeds surrounded by other vehicles.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has low training requirements for truck drivers entering the profession. This process has made many individuals become drivers but without a demonstrated ability to operate a commercial vehicle in real-world conditions. This means there are many truck drivers on the road who are sorely inexperienced and without the required skills for the job.
Create Realistic Expectations
Many trucking companies want to pay huge profits, making them place unrealistic expectations on their truck drivers. This put these truck drivers in a situation where the only way they can meet the company’s demand is to violate federal hours of service rules.
With the right training and work-life balance, companies can set their truck drivers up for success and alleviate their stress. They should also provide them with education that will truly help them on the road, and create expectations that fall within the parameters of federal guidelines for driving hours.
Build Professionalism Culture
The primary factor that causes people to quit working in any place is a toxic work environment. No one wants to work in a place where they feel disrespected, have an abusive manager, or have a cutthroat environment. Creating a culture of well-being and professionalism in the trucking industry is an area that can go a long way toward improving morale among drivers.
According to statistics, many truck drivers are leaving their trucking jobs because of the way they are being treated. When your hard work goes unnoticed, or worse, is ridiculed, it is challenging to stay motivated or continue doing a tiresome job. When trucking companies make their truck drivers feel valued and respected in their workplace, it is a critical step to inspire them to stay in their jobs.
Create Resources for Mental Health
Truck drivers often drive for a long period of time, isolating them away from their homes and families. These can cause several mental health issues such as depression and anxiety and these have also shown to be the most highly reported mental health disorders in the industry.
The high level of pressure that is placed upon many truck drivers is a recipe for mental distress and makes them burnt out or give up easily. Therefore, trucking companies need to provide valuable resources and training that will help their truck drivers manage and improve their mental health.
In Conclusion
To improve truck driver retention, trucking companies should look for new ways to support their truck drivers including building up the culture and advocating for mental health support in the trucking industry.
Ready to transport your next car? US Car-Go Freight is the best option for you across the United States. Trusting and relying solely on experts like US Car-Go Freight for your auto transport gives you the peace of mind you want and professional services.
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