Month: August 2021

Driving in the Latter Part of the Pandemic

Covid-19 has changed the world in many ways and the world is still changing. As we leave the stressful times of the climax of the pandemic behind us, there are some new challenges that we are going to face in the global recovery from Covid-19. This includes rebuilding the damaged parts of the economy, creating safer and cleaner means of working and living, and staying safe from new microbial hazards.

Covid Challenges

Covid has caused many challenges for our daily lives. Barring the health risks from developing the disease, the restrictions, regulations, and fear of contracting the highly contagious virus have posed difficulty for many in remaining steadily employed. Even drivers, who are in high demand, have had to leave their jobs due to these issues. The good news is many states are loosening the restrictive regulations and have better information on how drivers can avoid contracting the virus even in the possible instance that Covid-19 cases rise sharply.

Varying Regulations

Every state has different rules. This was true even before the pandemic. Some states have harsher speed penalties, less rest areas, and seemingly countless variations to the rules of the road, but now the rules vary even more. This is because there are different amounts of the population with Covid between different states, and even different counties. The good news is most of these rules will be made clear, especially on store doors and windows. If you’re unsure, it’s never a bad idea to mask up. 

Driving between states can pose a new challenge during these times, as regulations change from state to state, but it is possible to stay on top of these regulations by being prepared for any conditions. With the rise in variants of Covid, many states are creating tighter mandates once again. Keeping hand sanitizer and masks in your truck can help you to avoid breaking any state-specific rules. As with many things, it is better to be over prepared than under prepared.

Staying Up to Date

Following the news and taking note of the parts that apply most to your travels will likely help you avoid any mishaps. Staying up to date will also allow you to protect yourself, understand your own risk, and take measures to avoid contracting Covid-19. If you need more information than what a simple search through the news provides, it is never a bad idea to do more research. You can even become more informed while driving, as there are many radio shows and podcasts out there to help educate you on any subject, especially one as important as this!

Final Thoughts

It will be a long road for the American economy to fully recover and much of that will be dependent on the efficiency of the transport industry. Drivers have been crucial in keeping America safe throughout the pandemic and they are still needed and appreciated in making everything run smoothly. Driving poses some unique challenges and requires sensitivity to the changing times. It is incredibly worthwhile when drivers face these challenges and keep America rolling!

Drivers Needed: An Explanation of Nationwide Driver Shortages

You see it everywhere, signs saying, “job openings,” “we’re hiring,” and “come work here”. This is especially true for the trucking industry! There is a well-documented nationwide driver shortage, and this is posing issues for timely transport. Many factors went into creating this issue and it is not something that can be solved rapidly. But, with hard work and dedication transport will be on a roll again shortly!

Job Openings

There are job openings across the country as businesses are recovering from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. While having job openings is a sign of an economic boom, the abundance of need for people willing to work can be a bit concerning. However, this is a great time to sign on for new jobs as competitive wages are being offered by many companies, including those in the trucking industry.

Why Drivers Quit

Drivers represent an aging part of the American population. Many are nearing the age of retirement, but some drivers are also quitting earlier than retirement age because they are dissatisfied with their company. This can be due to many factors, from a lack of growth opportunities to dishonest and irresponsible companies. While most driving companies strive to do their best to follow the rules of the road and ensure their employees are satisfied, the American workforce loses thousands of drivers a year because they feel stuck or morally unable to work for a given company.

High Demand

Drivers are in high demand everywhere. It is not all because of Covid, although recently there has been a spike in job openings due to the pandemic. Another reason for the need for drivers is that many drivers are aging out of the industry and retiring. We are thankful for their service, but it leaves one asking, “who’s going to fill their shoes?”. Right now there are not many young people entering the field, but there isn’t much information out there encouraging them to investigate the career, and in many companies, there is no room for growth.

To create more interest in the industry, companies need to put information out to younger people and offer pathways of growth so that employees don’t feel stuck and get burnt out. It must also be noted that drivers want to work for honest companies who aspire to follow the rules and regulations of the road. In the coming years it will be important to broadcast that driving is an incredibly valuable career to the American economy and inform potential future drivers that it can be a very fulfilling career for people who are prepared for the challenges of the job.

Final Thoughts

With the recent pandemic mostly behind us, and the huge need for drivers, there is still a lot of ground that we must regain. From educating young people about driving and the ins and outs of the career to businesses practicing ethical employment strategies and providing room for growth, the American Trucking Industry will be back up and running better than ever before! With hard work and dedication by drivers and their companies, America will be brought back to and go beyond its pre-covid transportation status.