It’s a growing problem that has the potential to disrupt supply chains and put the brakes on Europe’s economy. Amid rising demand for freight transportation, Europe’s driver shortage poses a huge challenge that could turn into a major crisis if left unaddressed.
According to a survey by International Road Transport Union (IRU) across 15 European countries, there’s a shortage of 380,000 truck drivers, which accounts for about 10% of the total demand. What’s more, if the present trend continues, the IRU expects Europe’s existing shortage of bus and truck drivers will expand to almost 2 million personnel by 2026.
The demographics don’t look promising either, as there is a wide age gap between young and older drivers. People below 25 years of age constitute less than 7% of the truck driver population in Europe, while 34% are 55 years and above. This means that a third of the driver population will retire in the next decade, and with a scarcity of people to fill in the vacant spots, it could bring forth an emergency of alarming proportions.
IRU Secretary General Umberto de Pretto said, “Trucks transport 75% of Europe’s freight by volume, and 85% of its perishable, high-value and medical goods such as vaccines and food. Bus and coach services, the most used collective transport mode in the EU, are central to Europe’s decarbonisation goals.”
With trucking and transportation being so pivotal to Europe’s economy and climate plans, finding ways to get more drivers behind the wheel is important. The best way to begin would be to explore the factors that have caused the driver crunch.
The dwindling driver numbers appear to be more than just a personnel problem. Instead, it brings real issues plaguing the transportation industry—outdated vehicles, repetitive manual procedures and cumbersome administrative tasks that increase workload and impact efficiency. Fleet digitalization can streamline processes and reduce inefficiencies, improving overall working conditions for drivers and potentially helping keep them behind the wheel for longer.
There’s much more to fleet safety than simply monitoring drivers and setting up reactive policy measures. With advanced telematics, fleets can optimize driver safety, boost driving performance and maximize driver retention.
In addition to a dent in company reputation and customer satisfaction, cargo theft can also impact driver retention as it jeopardizes safety, especially in high-risk areas. With sophisticated trailer tracking devices and sensors, it’s now possible for fleet managers to continuously track the location of their assets and cargo. Unexpected developments such as unauthorized door openings, unplanned vehicle movements are detected, and alerts are immediately sent to fleet managers.
Camera cargo sensors provide improved visibility into the status of your cargo with automatic image capture when the trailer’s door is opened and manual capture can be triggered anytime from the back office or the mobile app.
The wheels of the global economy are powered by drivers. By embracing the latest telematics technology, fleets can attract and retain talent by providing their drivers with a safer, more efficient work experience. Watch this quick video to learn more about how fleets can use digitalization to improve driver experience and to enhance their overall operations.
Trevor Durnin is ORBCOMM’s VP of Sales for European Transportation. With over 18 years of experience in fleet management solutions, Trevor leads our European transportation strategy, helping to ensure European fleet prospects and customers receive the right solutions to meet their needs.
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