"As the nation faces a historically low level of unemployment, trucking companies are doing what economists have said firms need to do to attract and retain workers: They’re hiking pay significantly, offering bonuses and even recruiting people they previously wouldn’t have considered.

Trucking often competes with construction and manufacturing for workers. Both of those industries have been on a hiring spree lately, as well — and unlike trucking, construction and factory jobs typically don’t require additional schooling. To get a commercial driver’s license, an applicant needs to attend several weeks of school, which can cost about $7,000 before financial aid."

Check out the full article here: How Trucker Shortage Could Undermine U.S. Economy – Heather Long, The Washington Post

"After several relatively stable months, US freight demand is spiking in June, squeezing already scarce capacity
tighter and pushing up rates faster. Rather than softening in mid-June before climbing before the Fourth of July holiday, freight markets accelerated, propelled by a combination of factors that cumulatively created a market some call 'unprecedented.'"

Read more details: ‘Unprecedented’ Demand Strains US Surface Transport – William B. Cassidy, JOC.com

"Hours of service will be the focus during the stepped-up enforcement period June 5-7, a 72-hour event sponsored by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance. Unlike past years, inspectors across North America will be checking for electronic logging devices.

With the mandate that nearly all trucks be equipped with ELDs, which went into strict enforcement April 1, inspectors expect less pushback from drivers when it comes to staying within their 11-hour maximum daily driving time.

That could mean fewer HOS violations this year than in past years, said Will Schaefer, director of safety programs for the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, the event’s sponsor."

Read more information here: ​This Year’s Roadcheck to Focus on HOS Compliance – Eric Miller, Transport Topics