Trucking is vital to everyone from huge companies to average everyday Joe’s. Which is all the more reason why it raises concerns when there’s a truck driver shortage.

Although this problem stretches back nearly a quarter century, more recent events only add to the list of problems. Those of which include: A run-up in freight demand, tremendously high turnover rates, and waves of truckers ready for retirement.

The American Trucking Associations figures companies need about 60,000 drivers, a number that could top 100,000 in just a few years. This is a problem even on the consumer end as the shortage of drivers cause shipping rates to go up.

Trucking companies are doing their best to combat this in three ways; By increasing pay, making trucking easier, and attracting new types of drivers.

There’s no doubt the face of trucking is changing, it’s just not clear that’s happening fast enough to reverse the deepening shortage of truck drivers.