Trucking Championships Shine Spotlight on Shortage
The event is scheduled for Wednesday
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowColumbus-based Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) and the American Trucking Associations are using the National Truck Driving Championships this week in Indianapolis to highlight the nationwide shortage of driving professionals. The engine manufacturer says it is offering "ride-and-drives" downtown in high-tech tractor-trailers in hopes of showing how conditions are improving for modern-day truck drivers.
The ATA National Truck Driving Championships run August 10-13 at the Indiana Convention Center. More than 430 drivers from throughout the United States, representing different companies and fleets, are competing in various skills competitions.
The ATA says the nationwide driver shortage currently stands at nearly 48,000 and could reach 175,000 by 2024. The growing gap is due in part to a large population of drivers nearing retirement age. If the trend continues, the association says consumers could experience higher costs to having products delivered and longer delays in receiving products.
The organization says it is working with Cummins and other industry companies to highlight innovations in modern trucks. The ATA says current trucks are "state-of-the-art vehicles that meet stringent emissions and fuel economy standards while still an enjoyable experience for drivers."