Driver turnover in the US dropped sharply in the first quarter, for reasons not completely understood by the American Trucking Associations.
Turnover rates at large and small truckload fleets dropped 12%. This brought turnover at large fleet (more than US$30 million in revenue) to 84%, marking the first time it has fallen below 90% since 2011.
“Clearly, the decline in driver turnover in the first quarter was significant,” ATA chief economist Bob Costello said, “but what is less clear is why it dropped so much and whether turnover will continue to remain low.”
For smaller fleets, turnover dropped to 83%.
“Drivers continue to be in high demand, so we still see the risks posed to the economy and our industry by the shortage of drivers,” Costello said. “The drop in turnover was likely, at least partially, connected to a temporary slowdown in freight movements in the quarter, as well as improved retention efforts of fleets across the board. But I would not be surprised if turnover edges higher in the quarters ahead.”