27 Trucking Facts: All You Need To Know About The Truck Industry

Akinwalere Olaleye
Oct 11, 2023 By Akinwalere Olaleye
Originally Published on Apr 05, 2022
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Caravan or convoy of trucks in line on a country highway

Trucking forms one of the most significant parts of the freight industry, if not the most significant.

It is connected with major industries of the world. Being a profitable sector, it forms an important contributor to a nation's GDP.

Many people rely on trucking since it is an affordable way to obtain a quality life. It is meant for transferring various goods to different places, thus ensuring an easier life.

If this industry disappears, many people will face unavoidable difficult circumstances. Since it is such a large sector, many people are keen to start their own trucking companies resulting in many small businesses. To know more about the scope and features of trucking, keep on reading the article.

Safety Measures While Trucking

By maintaining all safety measures on the road, truck drivers can maintain a harmless environment on the road. There are few safety measures for truck driving that may reduce the possibility of trucking accidents.

A trucker should be well-rested before a hectic workday. This will prevent such a person from feeling drowsy on the street.

Slowing the trucks in specific work zones and speed adjustments helps the drivers keep themselves and others safe.

For heavy trucks, the blind spot area is a dangerous zone. Every time it changes lanes, a truck should signal to keep the small cars in its blind spot safe.

Maintaining a safe distance from cars as trucks take a longer time to come to a halt than cars.

Inspecting the brakes every time before going on the road is important.

Truck drivers should follow the speed limits mentioned throughout the way.

Truck drivers should prevent getting involved in road rage shows with small cars since aggressive drivers will escalate things.

Wear the seat belt while in trucks, even for traveling small distances.

Trucking while being intoxicated is illegal. Drivers should not drive under the influence; some medications can make them drowsy.

Truck drivers should control the emissions from their trucks.

Contribution In Developing Economic Activities

Trucking is one of the major contributors to economic development through transportation. This type of industry is one of the key factors on which s country's economic development depends. It is seen as a connecting link between production and consumption and is seen as a controlling agent of a country's economy.

The trucking industry forms an integral part of the economy; without this industry, a country would stop functioning.

Thousands of companies ship thousands of things to various locations every day with the help of trucks which helps in regulating a nation's economy.

The trucking industry's annual turnover is $732 billion, and it employs more than seven million employees.

It forms the backbone of a country by touching the operations of every crucial industry.

The trucking industry comprises large as well as small-scale industries.

In America, the majority of trucking companies are small businesses. Small trucking companies comprise 90% of the business.

The sales of industrial trucks increase every year by 20%. The total revenue of the trucking industry is close to $800 billion.

More than $30 billion are accumulated through direct jobs in the trucking industry.

Commercial trucks also contribute largely to the diesel fuel industry. It spends more than $143 billion on diesel fuel.

Diesel trucks spend almost $50,000 annually on a fuel pump, thus contributing largely to the fuel market in the economy.

Generic semi Trucks at a parking lot

Regulations Imposed By Environmental Protection Agency

The government has imposed several regulatory actions to reduce the pollution caused by commercial buses and trucks. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is, (NHTSA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) coordinates their measures to innovate cleaner vehicles that will emit a lesser amount of greenhouse gas and result in improved fuel use.

EPA announced its plan to reduce the emission of greenhouse gas and other harmful pollutants in the air from trucks on August 5, 2021.

This was only possible through a set of rulemaking for the next few years, and by 2027, these rules will apply to truck drivers.

Between 2014-18, EPA and NHTSA combined to manufacture trucks that would reduce CO2 emissions and result in less oil consumption.

The reduced fuel consumption would lead to $42 billion in net savings.

EPA and NHTSA are working for heavy and medium-duty vehicles so that they can improve fuel efficiency and cut carbon pollution.

This will reduce the impacts of climate change remarkably while introducing energy security innovation.

Since 1980, exhaust-based emissions have been reduced by 95 % by the trucking industry. Currently, the emission caused by 60 modern trucks is equivalent to the emission of a single truck from the 1980s.

FAQs

What is interesting about trucking?

Trucking is responsible for hauling more freight than any other mode of transport. Around 70% of goods worldwide are transported through trucks. Trucking moves 12 billion tons of goods yearly, while the remaining 30% is divided among rail, pipeline, airways, and vessels.

Is trucking still profitable?

Trucking businesses are an extremely profitable industry due to the number of goods that need to be transported daily by road. Yet, it can be one of the most competitive industries. Several entrepreneurs fail to set a foot into the industry due to the competition and end up failing.

What are the good things about truck drivers?

Truck drivers get to travel to many places as a part of their work which is seen as a great opportunity by many desk workers.

How to get my authority in trucking?

Getting a trucking authority takes a minimum of five to seven weeks. There are steps to becoming the authority.

Register the trucking company.

Get the EIN and the USDOT number.

Get an insurance policy for your truck.

Finally, set up International Registration Plan (IRP) to get appointed plates.

How to open a trucking company?

To open a trucking industry, you need to:

Register your business and obtain a license, permit, and insurance.

Choose the right track and secure funding for the start-up.

What is IFTA in trucking?

The IFTA, or the International Fuel Tax Agreement, is an agreement between 48 states of the US and Canadian provinces to simplify the fuel use of vehicles that operate in the same jurisdiction.

How to start a trucking business without driving?

You can get into the trucking business without having to drive by owning your own trucking company.

How to become a trucking broker?

To become a trucking broker, you need to understand the trucking industry and the trends of the freight industry. There are some steps to being a trucking broker. They include:

Attending a trucking broker training school.

Register the business and prepare a plan for the business.

Meet the requirements for licensing.

Obtain a trucking broker bond and finally develop your marketing strategy.

What does deadhead mean in trucking?

If a truck lacks a trailer attached to it in trucking terminology, it is called a deadheaded truck. This is a signal that the truck driver has already dropped off a load and is on the way to pick up another load.

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Written by Akinwalere Olaleye

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English Literature

Akinwalere Olaleye picture

Akinwalere OlaleyeBachelor of Arts specializing in English Literature

As a highly motivated, detail-oriented, and energetic individual, Olaleye's expertise lies in administrative and management operations. With extensive knowledge as an Editor and Communications Analyst, Olaleye excels in editing, writing, and media relations. Her commitment to upholding professional ethics and driving organizational growth sets her apart. She has a bachelor's degree in English Literature from the University of Benin, Edo State. 

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