About the DRIVE-Safe Act
The country is facing a massive truck driver shortage that’s increasing the costs of consumer goods and hurting the economy. The American Trucking Associations estimates that 60,800 driving jobs went unfilled in 2019; without action, the problem is only going to get worse. The average age for truck drivers in the U.S. is 46 years old, meaning companies are facing a retiring workforce. Without action from Congress, trucking companies will be left scrambling to fill vacancies while needing to hire 1.1 million new drivers over the next decade. The growing shortage is affecting the transportation and cost of goods for all consumers, as shipping is delayed and current drivers are strained.
A group of bipartisan lawmakers in both the House and Senate recently introduced the DRIVE-Safe Act, critical legislation that will answer the country’s massive driver shortage by promoting opportunity and enhanced safety training for emerging members of this growing workforce. A coalition of more than 90 companies and trade associations endorses the DRIVE-Safe Act, including IFDA and the American Trucking Associations (ATA).
The DRIVE-Safe Act focuses on one of the primary obstacles to bringing younger drivers into the industry, the requirement that they are at least 21 years old to drive in interstate commerce. This is despite the fact that virtually all states allow individuals to obtain a commercial driver's license and operate intrastate beginning at age 18.
The DRIVE-Safe Act creates a two-step apprenticeship process to ensure these individuals are safe and prepared. Recent research shows that the average wage ($67,000) for foodservice distribution delivery is far higher than the average high school graduate’s annual salary of $38,000 and the $51,000 starting salary for the average college graduate — and it comes without the average $33,000 in college loan debt.
Formally named the Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy Act, the DRIVE-Safe Act enhances safety and training standards for newly qualified and current drivers. Under the legislation, once a driver qualifies for a commercial driver’s license, they begin a two-step additional training program with rigorous performance benchmarks. Drivers must complete at least 400 hours of on-duty time and 240 hours of driving time in the cab with an experienced driver. Every driver will train on trucks equipped with new safety technology, including active braking collision mitigation systems, video event capture, and a speed governor of 65 miles per hour or below.