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Prior to deregulation, the trucking industry was heavily regulated. Shipping prices were set by the government, providing a safety net for drivers and enabling predictable arrangements where many could return home each night. With the shift towards competition and unregulated pricing, many trucking companies went out of business, leading to a proliferation of low-paying jobs.
The Evolving Challenges of Trucking
As freight began to move directly from shippers to customers, the job requirements for truckers transformed considerably. Drivers now commonly found themselves living out of their trucks without the knowledge of when they would return home, working long hours often without overtime pay.