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Job attractiveness in road transport, challenges and opportunities

According to various stakeholders and studies, the European road transport sector is facing an important professional driver shortage. The average age of drivers is increasing in Europe and the number of drivers is diminishing year after year, while the share of road use for inland freight transport is actually increasing. Hard working conditions and pressure on drivers seems not appealing for young Europeans. 

The increasing shortage of truck drivers may be really damaging to the whole sector (to transport companies but also to retailers, with a potential price rise that may impact consumers and demand). Furthermore, transport being the number one GHG emitting sector, road transport may face some further challenges in the forthcoming years. 

However, the current situation may also create a momentum to seize the opportunity of a change in road transport, notably to boost the shifting to other transport modes, to use technology and digitalization as ways to promote smart driving or at least to rethink the transport of goods throughout Europe. Additionally, such innovations may be boosters to encourage new generations to enter the sector. 

The next Policies and Practices’ session will focus on:

• Key figures on the road transport of goods and the broader view on how to create conditions to attract and retain truck drivers;
• The question of the balance between social, economic and environmental issues while thinking about the road transport of tomorrow;
• The use of technology to promote smart driving. 

Speakers to include:

- Inès Maillart, Policy Assistant, Road Transport Unit, DG MOVE, European Commission

- Esther Visser, Manager – Social Affairs, IRU Permanent Delegation to the EU

- Isabelle Maître, Head of the Permanent Delegation to the European Union, FNTR (French Road Haulage Association)