The International Food Distributors Association (IFDA) says nearly nine in 10 Americans support the DRIVE-Safe Act (S.569, H.R. 1374), newly introduced bipartisan legislation to address the nation’s growing shortage of truck drivers.
The DRIVE-Safe Act is intended to modernize federal law and update safety standards to provide younger drivers with the opportunity to enter the trucking industry.
According to a recent Harris Poll commissioned by IFDA, 86% of Americans expressed support for the DRIVE-Safe Act after answering questions to gauge awareness and understanding of the driver shortage and current federal law. The Harris Poll survey was conducted online from March 5-7, among 2,015 US adults ages 18 and older.
“This legislation paves the way for the new drivers needed to sustain a safe and efficient supply chain for the more than 1 million restaurants and foodservice outlets in the US,” said Mark Allen, president and CEO of IFDA. “This bill creates opportunity while reinforcing a culture of safety far and above current standards to provide the next generation of drivers with the critical skills they need to operate a truck in the 21st century.”
The survey further shows that more than 95% of Americans believe the current commercial truck driver shortage has an impact on US consumers, and a majority believe higher shipping costs for businesses/consumers (71%), delayed/slower shipping times (70%) and increased costs of consumer goods like groceries and restaurant meals (58%) are happening as a result of the shortage.
This broad public approval of the DRIVE-Safe Act matches growing support from industry—a coalition of 69 trade organizations recently signed a letter to Congress backing the bill. It is cosponsored in both the House and Senate by a bipartisan group of lawmakers: Senators Todd Young, R-Ind.; Jon Tester, D-Mont.; Tom Cotton, R-Ark.; Angus King, I-Maine; Jim Inhofe, R-Okla.; Joe Manchin, D-W.Va.; and Jerry Moran, R-Kan.; and Representatives Trey Hollingsworth, R-Ind.; Anthony Brindisi, D-NY, Jim Cooper, D-Tenn.; Henry Cuellar, D-Texas; Al Green, D-Texas; Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas; Paul Mitchell, R-Mich.; Greg Pence Pence, R-Ind; Van Taylor, R-Texas; and Bruce Westerman, R-Ark.
According to the American Trucking Associations, the growing driver shortage is reaching crisis levels, as 70% of the nation’s freight is carried by commercial trucks. According to a recent estimate, the nation needs an additional 50,000 truck drivers immediately, a shortage that is expected to grow to more than 174,000 by 2026. While 48 states currently allow drivers to obtain a commercial driver’s license at 18, federal law prohibits these adults from driving commerce across state lines until they are 21. The DRIVE-Safe Act would create a two-step program to allow younger drivers to enter the industry safely.
Formally named the Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy Act, DRIVE-Safe enhances safety and training standards for newly qualified drivers 18-21. 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.
