The American Trucking Associations' promotion of a truck driver shortage has led to policies that have destabilised the US freight industry and compromised highway safety, says Craig Fuller, founding CEO of FreightWaves.

Mr Fuller said the shortage narrative gained traction during the Covid scare, prompting regulatory changes that lowered commercial driver's licence standards and relaxed training requirements. These measures allowed poorly trained drivers onto the roads, many lacking knowledge of US traffic laws and language proficiency.

Reports suggest some new drivers operated vehicles for up to 20 hours a day, far exceeding legal limits. The influx of inexperienced drivers and ageing equipment has contributed to deteriorating safety standards nationwide.

Mr Fuller described the resulting downturn as the "Great Freight Recession," with excess capacity and cheap labour undermining wages and forcing legitimate operators to adopt risky practices to survive.

Family-owned trucking firms, many long-time ATA members, have been particularly hard-hit. Unable to compete with operators ignoring regulations, many have shut down or are barely surviving.

Mr Fuller argued that the ATA's mischaracterisation of market conditions has harmed its own members. He called for a shift toward fair labour practices and strict safety standards, rather than expanding the driver pool.