ATRI is asking motor carriers across the country to participate and share information that will help paint a clear picture of how insurance trends are affecting day-to-day operations.

Josh Hankins, J B Hunt’s senior vice president of safety and security, explained the growing strain many fleets are dealing with.
“The total cost of risk is growing annually for every fleet, regardless of size. While many carriers are cutting back on insurance coverage to control expenses, premiums keep climbing—and reducing coverage only heightens exposure to catastrophic litigation,” he said.
“Today, trucking faces a perfect insurance storm. Fortunately, ATRI’s insurance research will offer critical insights into strategies fleets can adopt to manage these costs and measure their impact.”

Premiums Continue to Rise

According to ATRI, “Trucking auto liability premiums rose by 36 percent per mile in the past 8 years amid persistent unprofitability for insurers, even as truck crashes declined over the past 4 years. In 2025, insurance cost availability and lawsuit abuse, a primary contributor to rising insurance costs, were voted as the third and second greatest issues facing the trucking industry, respectively.”

As fleets face increasing financial pressure, many are reshaping their total cost of risk by testing new technology, adjusting training programs, or shifting to different insurance structures such as self-insurance or captives. ATRI’s previous research showed that between 2018 and 2020, many fleets reduced coverage and raised deductibles in hopes of lowering expenses. Even then, premiums continued to rise. Because of this, ATRI’s Research Advisory Committee made expanding this research a top priority to understand how these strategies are being adopted across the industry and how effective they truly are.

What ATRI Needs from Carriers

ATRI is looking for motor carriers to provide data on their coverage stacks from 2021 through 2024, along with information about their safety technology and any alternative insurance arrangements they use. All data is confidential and only reviewed in aggregate form. ATRI will sign nondisclosure agreements if requested.

Carriers that participate will receive a customized report showing how their cost of risk compares to a peer group without identifying any individual company. The survey can be completed online or by PDF, and the deadline to submit is Friday, Dec. 19.

Source: The Trucker

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Exploring Untapped Workforce Opportunities

“As the industry continues to seek out solutions to its various workforce challenges, there is a new emphasis on the possibilities of hiring truck drivers with criminal histories,” said Robyn Smith, director of driver Relations for May Trucking Company. “However, there is limited data on how to successfully integrate these individuals into motor carrier operations.  “ATRI’s research will provide valuable insight to help the industry balance safety, compliance, and workforce development.”

Addressing Workforce Challenges with Data

ATRI’s Research Advisory Committee has placed a strong emphasis on this study to address the trucking sector’s staffing hurdles. The research focuses on alternative hiring pathways, with a particular emphasis on individuals with criminal histories. The survey dives into practices motor carriers use when hiring, the factors behind their decisions, and strategies for the reintegration of these workers. Additionally, participants may have the option to engage in follow-up interviews for deeper research insights. All responses will be kept strictly confidential to ensure candid participation.

Motor carriers are encouraged to contribute to this critical research by participating in the survey here.

Source: The Trucker

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This study is part of the TechCelerate Now program, a project funded by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The TechCelerate Now team comprises industry-leading organizations including ATRI, ATA’s Technology and Maintenance Council, and the OOIDA Foundation.

According to a statement from ATRI, the research aims to better understand the opportunities and challenges surrounding advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in the trucking industry. To achieve this, the research team is conducting a survey to gather insights from motor carriers. The survey focuses on identifying the use of advanced safety technologies and uncovering perspectives on several topics, such as truck driver acceptance of the systems, maintenance and repair challenges, and the safety benefits these technologies provide.

The survey, designed to take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete, is hosted on the newly launched TechCelerate Now website. The website also offers extensive details about the program and will soon feature the TechCelerate Now “Return on Investment” calculator. This tool will allow carriers to gain tailored insights into the cost-benefit analysis specific to their operations and fleet, ATRI stated.

To participate in the survey, visit the TechCelebrateNow website.

Source: Truckers News

Image: ATRI

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Insights into the Changing Driver Landscape

ATRI has crafted a streamlined survey to delve deep into the lives of truck drivers today, both in their professional journeys and personal stories. By exploring these shifts, ATRI hopes to capture how the heart of the trucking community has changed over the past two decades. Protecting the privacy of participants is paramount, as all responses are kept strictly confidential.

Comparing Trends Across Two Decades

With a treasure trove of over 20 years of survey data on truck drivers, ATRI’s latest research is set to reveal new insights into who today’s trucking professionals are, and will identify trends and transformations, offering a window into the evolving nature of the industry.

Inclusive Recruitment Efforts

This study is intertwined with ATRI’s mission to develop inclusive recruitment strategies, particularly for underrepresented groups in trucking. The spotlight is on bringing more women into the fold, as well as reaching out to individuals with backgrounds in foster care and those who have been incarcerated.

“As a driver with 33 years on the road, I have seen our driver workforce change over time. Understanding what the truck driver population looks like today is crucial to ensuring that our needs are properly addressed – whether through support, training, or policies that are specifically tailored to truck drivers. This survey will provide valuable insights into the driver community and highlight areas where we can continue to grow,” said Richard Frazer, an America’s Road Team Captain and professional driver with Walmart Transportation.

To participate in the survey, click here.

Source: Truckers News

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The first challenge is the negative industry image and perception. Issues such as inequitable social norms, misuse of social media, a lack of younger drivers, and an aging workforce contribute to this issue. The second challenge is the inability to complete truck driver training, caused by factors like the inability to pay for training, lack of driving skills or knowledge, limited access to childcare, and excessive travel to and from school. The third challenge is an unsatisfactory motor carrier company culture, which includes unclear and inconsistent communication with drivers, and an absence of recognition and appreciation initiatives.

The fourth challenge is difficulty acclimating to the OTR driver lifestyle. This is complicated by insufficient home time and an inability to establish and sustain healthy habits. The fifth challenge is limited access to parking and restroom facilities, highlighted by a shortage of available safe parking and a lack of clean restrooms. The sixth and final challenge is excessive gender harassment and discrimination, which includes discrimination during training and concerns over personal safety.

ATRI stated that this research was identified by its Research Advisory Committee in March 2023 as a top priority to better understand the challenges faced by women drivers. The research offers specific strategies for the industry to increase the relatively small number of women in trucking. ATRI’s research included input from thousands of truck drivers, motor carriers, and truck driver training schools through surveys, interviews, and a focus group of women drivers to identify the underlying factors that generate these challenges, as well as strategies to overcome these barriers.

“ATRI’s research gives a voice to the thousands of women truck drivers who have found successful and satisfying careers in this industry and encouragement to other women to consider truck driving jobs,” said Emily Plummer, a professional driver for Prime Inc. and one of America’s Road Team Captains.

The study found that women are attracted to driving careers due to the income potential. Pay parity between men and women is more common in the trucking industry compared to other fields, according to ATRI. Additionally, the research revealed that carriers with women-specific recruiting and retention initiatives have a higher percentage of women drivers (8.1%) compared to those without such initiatives (5%). The report details how fleets can implement these initiatives.

Source: Truckers News

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