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Most fleets are continuing to steer away from raising driver pay this year, but about 80% of carriers expect they will have to take that step when the pace of the U.S. economic recovery accelerates, according to a new survey.

Once a year — and it should be far more often — we pause in our busy lives to take notice of and show our appreciation for the everyday heroes who move our freight: the 3.4 million professional truck drivers who deliver the goods.

Fleets are intensifying their already aggressive recruiting efforts to find qualified applicants, as skilled prospects become harder to find, industry officials said.

The trucking industry seems to operate primarily in a boom or bust cycle. Rarely, it seems, are things stable for very long.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Con-way Freight driver Carl Krites was named Grand Champion at the National Truck Driving Championships Saturday, beating more than 400 truck drivers in taking the title.

The truck drivers who are traveling to Columbus, Ohio, for the National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships, which are scheduled for Aug. 3-7,  very much appreciate the renewed national focus on driver safety.

The number of fleets that raised driver pay in the second quarter increased sharply, and continuing difficulties in attracting new drivers could spark another round of increases in the third quarter, several industry experts have said.

Seeking to capitalize on an ever-tighter market, many fleets are racing to sign up qualified drivers as freight demand rises and stiffer federal driver standards loom, experts said.

TUCSON, Ariz. — Executives with two of the nation’s largest motor carriers said freight demand has jumped so fast in recent months that some sectors are having difficulty finding trucks to transport their goods. 

The U.S. National Guard is ramping up its truck driver training program, which could help ease long-term driver shortages.