(Maybe) a (temporary) farewell to HOS, and the big insurance problem
Hi all,
Hope you're faring well in these trying times. The last week has not been what I've expected, and I'm sure many of you feel the same way.
A few interesting updates in trucking as the coronavirus pandemic descends:
1. Lack of insurance. Truck drivers are twice as likely as the general population to not have health insurance, per the CDC. Nearly 70% are obese, just over half smoke, and 18% delayed or did not receive needed medical care in a given year. (They're also healthier in a lot of ways than the average population. They sleep a lot more and are less likely to drink.)
These issues have concerned me since I started writing on this beat in 2018, but even more now. I've received a worrying amount of emails from drivers who don't have health insurance but have a slew of pre-existing conditions. Many are owner-ops (people who own their own trucks and drive on a sort of freelance basis). The high cost of health insurance deters them from getting it.
The health challenges among truck drivers is a risk for everyone amid a pandemic. To quote one truck driver who emailed me: "I have yet to see or hear of a virus that cripples the transportation industry. If it happens you don't hear about it. Say 100,000 drivers all had the flu in the same time frame, that would surely cause a disruption in freight movements." (Any sort of serious disruption to trucking would harm our ability to get groceries, water, cash and of course the precious toilet paper.)
Health insurance in America is a question for another forum. But, I couldn't help but wonder... is there an economic or moral obligation for retailers or manufacturers to ensure truck drivers that they don't directly employ have health insurance? I'm curious to hear what you think.
Read more: America's 1.8 million truck drivers can't work from home and often lack health insurance — and that may stymie the fight against coronavirus
2. Farewell, sweet HOS. Truck drivers' most-hated law may very well be suspended in coming days, FreightWaves reports. That's the hours of service (HOS), which mandates how many hours a driver can drive and work in a single day. (Read this for a primer if you're not versed on HOS or why drivers are upset about it.)
Recent panic-buying is matching what we typically see during a hurricane or flood, Convoy's in-house economist Aaron Terrazas told me on the phone earlier this week. But the problem is, we're seeing that panic buying nationwide. And, unlike a natural disaster, we don't have any sense of when it's going to end.
The possible HOS suspension is bound to be happily received by truck drivers. But, as the American Trucking Associations reportedly emailed members today, companies "remain responsible for ensuring that drivers are receiving sufficient rest and are not operating fatigued."
That's it from me. Stay safe, wash your hands, email me if there's anything I should look out for this week.
3. Just some interesting but not depressing articles that I've recently enjoyed if you want a respite from trucking* or coronavirus:
Stay safe, wash your hands, and send me a note if there's any news I should look out for this week. Or if you're bored in quarantine.
See ya next time!
Best,
Rachel
*In all fairness, if you wanted a respite from trucking, why did you open this email?