Truck Driver Shortage in Louisiana Is Critical

SHREVEPORT, LA - The push is on to recruit more truck drivers in Louisiana. The Louisiana Motor Transport Association is now encouraging more women to sign up for training to become a long haul driver.

Executive Director of LMTA Renee Amar says while women make up 50 percent of the workforce, very few are driving big rigs.

Amar also says women are actually among the safest drivers on the roads.

Amar says there are legitimate safety concerns for female drivers. She says the U-S Department of Transportation is trying to address dedicated areas for truck parking. Amar says because truckers are limited by the number of hours, looking for a safe area to pull off the road is a problem across the nation.

How Much Do Truck Drivers Make?

The salaries range from $40,000 to more than $100,000 dollars depending on what you are hauling and how long the trips are.

What Is Being Done about Driver Shortage

AAA Freight reports the shortage of drivers across the nation is about 80,000 and things are getting desperate. One of the biggest concerns is the aging workforce. Younger folks are not typically looking at truck driving as a career.

The report says during this year, companies are stepping up with incentives and more flexibility. The industry is also making it easier to get a CDL which is required to be an 18-wheeler driver.

The American Trucking Association is also pushing efforts to recruit more drivers. That is expected to be a top focus in 2024.