Fuel prices may affect the trucking industry

Fuel prices across the U.S. continue to rise. Many experts attribute this increase to the civil unrest in Libya, while others believe inflation to be the cause.

For instance, gas prices in Asheville, South Carolina rose to $3.36 per gallon from $3.33 on Sunday. However, these rising prices are hurting the trucking industry the most and analysts say that the crunch will continue to worsen in the next few months

Many drivers told the news source that they have seen gas prices skyrocket, and these increases are becoming very expensive for owner-operators as well as trucking companies.

As such, some companies restrict the speedometers on their trucks so drivers cannot drive faster than 60 miles per hour. However, this has affected some individuals' bottom line.

"It does eventually affect the company profit line which affects bonuses [and] pay," Rick Dixon, a former owner-operator, told the news source. "It does trickle down to us."

Companies can enroll their drivers into online truck driver training course to teach them the most cost-effective routes to take while conserving fuel.

By Anna Byrne

Fuel prices may affect the trucking industry

Monday, February 28th, 2011