The truck driver shortage continues nationwide leaving some store shelves nearly bare, and goods not getting to where they are needed. Our state is no exception, says Renee Amar, CEO of the Louisiana Motor Transport Association. “Where I’ve got members that have a fleet of trucks and can maybe put half of those trucks on the road,” said Amar.
Cargo ships backed up at ports are an indication of being unable to get those goods to their destination due to a shortage of truck drivers, many who have aged out of the business, and a drop in interest in the professions, Amar saying applications for CDL licenses dropped by 100 thousand last year in Louisiana alone. While there seems to be no silver bullet to solving the driver shortage, Amar says the LMTA is offering scholarships through its foundation to offset some of the expense for drivers to obtain their CDL licenses.
Amar says the truck driver shortage and the significant growth in e-commerce since the beginning of the pandemic are causing major problems in the delivery of goods. She says, “the e-commerce has just exploded and some of those companies that that’s what they primarily do they’re still trying to catch up with that huge demand that they’re seeing right now.”
Amar says you should consider buying Christmas gifts, including specific toys, sooner rather than later, but not just because of the truck driver shortage that could lead to empty shelves. “We know there’s been a chip issue as well from some of the other countries that had issues getting the chips made and so maybe some of the toys,” said Amar.
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