Dive Brief:

• Members of the American Trucking Association (ATA), including drivers and CEOs, held a meeting with President Donald Trump regarding the effects of health care coverage and other issues of concern within their industry, Supply Chain 247 reported.
• Concern over industry statistics as well as trucker health were highlighted, as drivers move 70% of the country's freight and thus contribute 56% of the gross domestic product (GDP). In order to maintain those numbers, truckers' health is paramount to fueling the economy.
• The ATA considers the Affordable Care Act, as enacted by former President Obama, unacceptable and unaffordable, and hoped for a cheaper, less legislated plan.

Dive Insight:

Trucker healthcare and safety is a multi-pronged challenge for the truck driving industry, as capable drivers are in chronic shortage and the turnover stands at 80%. The model is broken, and not only is healthcare reform necessary to keep drivers healthy and safe amidst physically demanding conditions, but the trucking companies can also work with regulators to ensure safety on the road.

Insurance of various kinds are a challenge for those within the trucking industry. Most recently, coverage rates have increased significantly as a result of enormous accident settlements, necessitating drivers to accept the presence of cell phones used as dash cameras within their cabs. 

While the constraint of ease of use could be seen as prohibitive toward drivers, these are the types of proactive moves that trucking companies can make to further their need for safety. Limiting mobile phone usage for phone calls or texts is impossible, lowering the risk of distraction for drivers. They also encourage better, more thorough communication between dispatchers and drivers, and higher quality monitoring of routes.