Kenyans engage in truck driving in the US

According to a recent US census, there is an estimated 3.5m truck drivers in the United States. This makes it not only one of the most sought after careers, but also one that has attracted quite a number of Kenyan drivers.

Truck driving contributes significantly to the US economy. There is however still a severe shortage of truck drivers across the United States. According to the American Trucking Association (ATA) the trucking industry will need to hire approximately 1.1 million new truck drivers in the next decade to keep up with the current industry demand. This translates to about 110,000 drivers per year.

The trucking industry has gradually attracted a number of Kenyan and East African drivers. This has similarly led to many Africans investing in owning delivery trucks of various sizes and capacities, the most common being semi and box trucks.

Myriad of Challenges

As expected, the industry is plagued by a number of challenges. Weather and climatic conditions contribute immensely to the problems that drivers face. This is especially in states that experience harsh and extreme climate such as snowy and windy weather conditions.

A weak competitive pay rate, inconsistent and irregular pay are in some cases an issue of concern though most truck driving jobs are generally better paying than other fields of work.

Lack of home time is another major predicament for truck drivers since the nature of work forces them to be on the road for long and away from their families and loved ones. This subsequently results in lonely and solitary life that makes you understand why some truck drivers travel along with their pets to counter the loneliness.

In addition to these challenges, truck driving is an extremely exhausting career. Truckers suffer from dreadful fatigue which is why there are mandatory breaks that the truck driver should take as per the law.

These factors among others will sometimes result in health problems for the drivers. For the owner operators, driver shortage is a grim concern since there is a severe scarcity of truck drivers in the US.

Other challenges that truck drivers face include finding safe, ample and secure parking, compliance to numerous road regulations and state laws, truck breakdown among other difficulties.

Gratifying Occupation

The bottom-line however, is that there is a need for more trucks and more truck drivers to ensure effective delivery of loads across the different states. This will efficiently aid the struggling transport industry and boost the national economy. It remains a relatively acclaimed career with clearly rewarding outcomes. There is flexibility and independence in trucking since you freely get to choose when and where to work.

Trucking doesn’t require a degree but you need specialized training for the Commercial Driving Licence (CDL). Some companies provide additional benefits such as scholarships, paid vacations and medical insurance. If you’re considering trucking as a career choice, I recommend that you go for it and aid in sealing the gap occasioned by a severe shortage of truck drivers.