- ATA Releases
Trucking Trends for 2015
2015-07-30
Trucking soared to new heights in 2014, and American Trucking Associations has the scoop on all
the numbers. Here are some highlights from the latest release of American Trucking Trends.
- Truck Driver Shortage Worsens With a 90% Turnover Rate
2015-05-12
Although unemployment rates in the US have been slowly recovering since the economic downturn
in 2008, the trucking industry continues to face a steep and steadily worsening shortage of
truck drivers. As freight volumes keep increasing, this shortage is becoming an even bigger
problem for the trucking industry.
- Trucking Really Ramps Up
for Business
2014-11-25
Truckers do more than move merchandise. They also move the economy. And with economic forecasts
looking solid, truckers can expect a steadily growing demand for freight services. That means
more jobs and more miles. Are you and your truck ready?
- Truckers Battle Over Work
Hours
2014-11-18
Despite setbacks in the struggle, truckers continue to fight for better safety regulations. The
changes to trucking laws have negatively impacted productivity by at least 3 to 5 percent,
according to the American Trucking Association—without promising any real solution for driver
fatigue.
- Truck Drivers Are
in Demand as Shortfall Swells
2014-11-06
More American goods move by truck than any other mode of transportation, but a growing shortage
of commercial truck drivers has the potential to create a nationwide shipping crisis in the not
so distant future. According to the American Trucking Association (ATA), the trucking industry
is currently short of 30,000 drivers; but that shortfall is expected to swell to 200,000
truckers over the next 10 years.
- Trucking Hours -
Are You Being Forced Into a 5 Day Work Week?
2014-10-14
Being your own boss and setting you own work schedule are two of the top reasons you started
driving a truck. New government mandates are now restricting the total number of hours you can
work in a week and regulating your off hours, too. These regulations are altering the income and
independence of drivers.
- How CSA Is Impacting the Driver Pool, Driver
Pay
2013-06-04
Truck drivers were surveyed by ATRI in the spring of 2011 and then again in the Spring of 2012
to gain perspective on how commercial drivers view CSA in terms of employability issues and
carrier operations.
- Busted By a Hair
2013-05-21
Since mandatory random drug testing of all commercial driver license holders became the law the
problem of impaired truckers has dramatically diminished.
- Tips to Prepare for Hours of Service
Changes
2013-05-17
As the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals prepares to issue a final decision in the American
Trucking Assns.' (ATA) case against the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
regarding the restart and rest break changes to the driver hours of service rules, the trucking
industry should be preparing for the impacts those changes may have on their operations.
- Enlisting the Aid of Professional
Drivers to Improve Trucking's Public Image
2013-05-16
America's Road Team is a national public outreach program led by a small group of professional
truck drivers who share superior driving skills, remarkable safety records and a strong desire
to spread the word about safety on the highway.
- Are Speed Limiters in Every
Trucker's Near Future?
2013-05-13
Limiting trucks to a predetermined set speed limit has long been a controversial topic,
especially among truck drivers. And while many of the nation's largest carriers already have
speed limiters installed on all their rigs, many drivers still refuse to work for fleets that
limit the speed on their vehicles.
- The Great Weight Debate
2013-04-30
Truck size and weight has always been a controversial issue and the debate is heating up as
Congress has agreed to study the increasing truck sizes and weights to 97,000 pounds on six
axles.
- Preventing Highway 'Gators' That Give Trucking A
Black Eye
2013-04-29
Highway "alligators," those strips of tread strewn along our nation's highw, ays,
give trucking an undeserved black eye with the motoring public and also represent a huge loss to
the trucking business, in terms of increased costs.
- HOS: Zero Hour Is Almost Upon Us
2013-04-24
If you're still hanging on the hope the feds will delay implementing new truck driver hours of
service regulations or have just procrastinated preparing for the change, it may be time to get
a move on. As it stands now, drivers will need to be ready to comply in just a few short weeks.
- The Blame Game: CSA's Crash
Accountability Failings Cost Carriers Business
2013-03-22
Over a year ago, FMCSA shelved plans to make determinations on crash accountability in favor of
further study.
- LMTA Chief Wins ATA
Honor at the Annual Conference in Las Vegas
2012-10-12
The American Trucking Association (ATA) has recognized Cathy Gautreaux of the Louisiana Motor
Transport Association (LMTA) for her dedication, leadership, and achievements on behalf of the
Louisiana trucking industry.
- Saving Money by Choosing Where to Fill Up
With Diesel
2012-06-07
In a time when there is so much unemployment in the United States, the one section that not
only is going full blast and actually looking for employees is the trucking industry.
- Current Trucking Trends That Can Help
You Prepare For The Future
2012-05-07
This can be seen in the fact that, of the 6.8 million people employed in the trucking industry,
more than 3 million are drivers. Although in the past female and minority inclusion in this job
market was rare, there are an ever-growing number of drivers making up these groups.
- Bill Introduced to Place More Tax on Diesel
Fuel
2012-04-26
As if the price of diesel, repairs, taxes, insurance, and other things a trucker must pay is
not high enough, a bill was introduced in the House of Representatives to increase the diesel
fuel tax rate 6.3 cents per gallon.
- What's Ahead For The Trucking
Industry?
2012-04-09
Most truckers recognize some drastic changes have occurred in the industry since the recession
began in 2008. Higher fuel prices, more legislative mandates, and reduced consumer spending have
all taken their toll on many who depend on this profession for survival.
- LNG Trucks: What is the likely future of LNG
and trucks?
2012-02-24
Liquefied Natural Gas as an alternative fuel is all over the news right now, and several major
trucking companies are testing trucks and considering the switch to LNG. Truck drivers and
Trucking company owners seem to be divided on the issue.
- Rising Cost of Fuel Drawing Fire from Industry Leaders
2011-05-07
Bill Graves, the CEO and President of the American Trucking Association, told members of the
House Natural Resources Committee on March 31, 2011, that in order to allow affordable diesel
fuel to the trucking industry, policymakers would have to step up.
- February Truck Tonnage Slips But Overall Indicators Remain Positive
2011-03-22
Today we are looking at the latest freight tonnage figures recently published for February:
After January's surge in truck tonnages, which set a new record and beat the year-on-year
numbers, February has experienced a slight roll-back in tonnage hauled according to the American
Trucking Association (ATA).
- FMCSA
34 Hours Restart Study Called Into Question
2011-02-03
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is using a two part study from
Washington State University as the basis for revisions to the Hours of Service (HOS) rules. The
study is behind the 34 hour restart proposals which also recommends two full nights of rest
time. The findings are now being strongly questioned by the trucking industry, particularly in
respect of night drivers.
- Volvo's Selective Catalytic Reduction Technology Becomes EPA 2010 Standard
2011-01-20
Volvo's Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCT) technology is now equipping a Volvo VN780 being
used by America's Road Team in its ongoing campaign for truck safety and emission control.
Volvo's SCT has rapidly established itself and has been selected as the EPA's preferred emission
solution in 2010 and will continue into 2011. Click the link for more information on Volvo
trucks for sale.
- Major Changes to HOS Rules Waiting Decision from White House
2010-12-05
The White House is the final stage for new American legislation as it waits for the President's
signature, and a major new law on Hours of Service (HOS) is expected shortly. While there has
been no official statement yet, at least one major trucking organization is expecting major rule
changes which include: