In an announcement from the American Trucking Association in October 2021, it was stated that the U.S. had a shortage of 80,000 drivers and that shortage could rise to 160,000 in the next 10 years. This shortage has led to long shifts and burnout for many veteran drivers like Hugo Rolin of St. Louis, Missouri. He stated to St. Louis on the Air, “You could theoretically drive a 21-hour shift if that’s what you wanted. If you had essential freight, medical equipment, or even food and groceries — shippers and brokers and everybody needed so much freight, so fast, all the time, that it burned me out. It was just too much for me to do.” Increased stress due to overwork and the dangers of trucking in these conditions, have led to many drivers like Rolin to leave trucking. Many companies have since made changes to attract drivers. Hugo has since gotten back behind the wheel for UPS.
