Driver Turnover Falls at Large Truckload Carriers

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Driver turnover at large truckload carriers dropped 13 percentage points last year — the first decline since 2001 — while it rose by an identical percentage at smaller truckload carriers, according to a survey produced by American Trucking Associations.Large truckload fleets reported a turnover rate of 117% during 2006, the survey showed, while the smaller carriers had a rate of 109%. Meanwhile, less-than-truckload carriers reported a three-point decline in their average turnover rate to 12%.Bob Costello, ATA’s chief economist, said a drop in freight volumes last year “played a big role in the turnover declines for large carriers,” as drivers are less likely to leave their fleets in search of higher pay or benefits at other carriers when load levels are declining.For the full story, see the March 26 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.