From the Front Lines

The Driver Shortage ... How Shippers Can Help

In March of this year, Fikes President and CEO, Gary Salisbury, was elected Chairman of the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), where he represents the industry to lawmakers, the media and special interest groups across the country. Primary to his agenda is enhancing the industry’s image.

“When I was growing up, drivers were the knights of the road,” says Salisbury, “If you needed a good place to eat, you asked a trucker. If you broke down on the road, you wanted a trucker to stop. We need to bring back that driver.”

He continues, “It’s an issue that affects us all. Conservative estimates put the driver shortage at about 300,000 by next year. We need to make a career in trucking more attractive to a younger generation.”

How shippers can help

Salisbury has supported and spearheaded several important image-building initiatives through the TCA. Here’s how you can help too:

• Donate to the TCA’s Image Campaign
  Monies raised will be used towards continued television and radio advertising that promotes a career in trucking.

• Share Lindsay Lawler’s Highway Angel music video
  Lawler, a country singer who has a strong following within the trucking community, wrote and recorded “Highway Angel” as a tribute to TCA’s Highway Angel program. The lyrics applaud the many professional truck drivers who stop each day to help motorists in trouble on the highways.

• Sponsor Trucking Weight Loss Showdown
  The issue of Truckers Health is attracting headlines as the TCA joins forces with other groups to address driver health.