Truck driver shortage: supply chain woes continue

Truck drivers have been in short supply for years, but the new wave of retirements combined with workers simply quitting in search of less stressful jobs has worsened the supply chain issues in the country. The crisis has led to empty shelves in stores, panicked shoppers and congestion at ports across the country. Meanwhile, warehouses in the country have been overflowing with products and shipments. Delivery times have been stretched to months with the crisis at hand. 

A report released by the American Trucking Associations last month shows that the industry is short 80,000 drivers, a record number, and one the association said could double by 2030 as more retire. Supply chain issues were caused by a number of factors like increased demand for products and shutting down of factories abroad. However, the situation has been compounded by a shortage of truck drivers and deteriorating conditions in the transportation industry which has made it even harder for consumers to get what they want when they want it. The trend has spread across the economy and prices have soared ever since. The White House has struggled to respond to the issue. 

Source: The New York Times