DRIVERS SHORTAGE * USA - Fleets acknowledge driver shortage a problem, report finds

Columbus,OH,USA -Truck News (CAN) -May 6, 2011: -- A shortage of drivers is already weighing on the minds of many US fleet managers, according to the findings of the Q2 2011 Fleet Sentiment Report...  The report surveyed 52 fleets operating 77,000 power units and 132,000 trailers in the US and was conducted by research firm CKCVR...  More than 70% of fleets surveyed indicated the driver shortage is either impacting their fleet now or may in the future. Forty-two per cent said they are currently having trouble keeping seats filled and must limit the number of new units they can add to their fleet...  Another 32% who claim to be unaffected now, still believe the shortage of drivers could impact their fleet in the future, the survey found...  The Fleet Sentiment Buynig Index fell to a reading of 90.5, yet still points toward continued strong demand for medium- and heavy-duty power units and trailers, CKCVR reports...  (Image from msnbcmedia1: A recent study by the American Trucking Association concluded that 82,000 new truckers were needed.)