Driver turnover has been an area of concern for the entire trucking industry, with the current turnover rate hovering around 90%. Since more than 70% of American freight is transported by trucks, carriers constantly face difficulties in preventing business disruptions due to a lack of drivers.
However, transportation companies continue their search for new methods to counter driver turnover, as replacing an experienced driver can cost a company somewhere between $12,000 and $20,000 (the average replacement cost of a truck driver as per The Bureau of Labor Statistics).
A new method has emerged to be successful for some trucking companies as they’ve discarded the age-old sleeper cabs (truck sleepers). On the surface, this method might seem like an expensive one because the drivers would have to stay in a motel instead of a sleeper cab. Staying in a hotel helps counter various problems including wasted fuel, uncomfortable rest, and safe overnight parking.
Lodgings in Hotels Help Carriers Prevent Driver Attrition
Carriers can improve an important aspect of their business by turning to lodgings in hotels. Drivers often face problems while resting in the sleeper cab as the cab can lose power, forcing unwanted air conditioner or heating system shutdowns. The level of discomfort can be high because sometimes a driver carrying freight over long distances has to rely on sleeper cabs for days and weeks.
On the other hand, resting at a hotel would ensure the drivers would never have to face extreme weather conditions due to loss of power. Another aspect of hotel stays that benefits the drivers and carrier companies is the safe overnight parking space of the hotel that is difficult to find elsewhere.
Mental health is one of the various issues that contribute to driver turnover. Providing hotel lodgings is a step taken in the positive direction by companies to assist their drivers in fending off mental health problems. The privacy and safety provided by hotels come as much-welcomed add-ons.
During their stays, drivers can also access the fitness rooms and laundry facilities to create a better balance between their professional and personal lives. A good night’s sleep in comfortable hotel beds can boost the energy and mood of a tired driver, reducing the chance of any accident on the road later on.
The shift from a sleeper cab to a hotel accommodation is also a good financial move for carrier companies as they can decrease their fuel expenditure. The benefits become even more prevalent due to the rise in fuel prices, as sleeper cabs burn a significant amount of fuel while idling. Comparing the cost of fuel burnt during idling with the cost of hotel accommodation, carrier companies have found that sleeper cabs can cost them more than hotel stays.
Conclusion
Motel lodgings are the perfect solution for countering the ever-increasing driver turnovers. Further, providing hotel stays for drivers instead of sleeper cabs is also better from a financial perspective as idling in trucks requires more expenditure in fuel as compared to the cost of motel lodging.
