What Trucking Means in Ohio

Commerce

Trucking directly impacts every goods-moving industry in Ohio. Trucks transport freight for 19,346 manufacturing companies, supply goods to 59,660 retail stores, and stock 24,466 wholesale trade companies.

Trucks supply goods to 5,414 agriculture businesses and deliver the produce and products to market.

Nearly 80% of Ohio communities are served exclusively by trucks. Medium and large trucks account for only 3% of vehicle registrations in the state.

Employment

In 2004, 357,503 people in Ohio - or one out of every 14 workers - were employed in trucking-related occupations at private and for-hire motor carriers. The average annual wage paid to trucking industry workers was $38,079. The total annual payroll for the trucking industry in Ohio was $13.6 billion.

Taxes Paid

In 2004, the trucking industry in Ohio paid approximately $1.4 billion in federal and state roadway taxes and fees, or 37 percent of all taxes and fees paid by all motorists.

Although the industry pays 37 percent of all federal and state highway user fees and taxes, trucking represents just 12 percent of vehicle miles traveled in the state.

In 2005, a typical five-axle tractor-trailer combination paid $7,216 in state highway user fees and taxes. This ranks Ohio 21st in the nation in terms of state fees and taxes.

Freight Movement

In 2003, 407 million tons of manufactured freight was transported into and out of Ohio by truck.

On a daily basis, trucks moved an average of 900,126 tons of inbound freight and 608,228 tons of outbound freight. 85.7% of all manufactured freight transported in Ohio is carried by trucks.

Safety

In 1997, 67,540 truck safety inspections were conducted in Ohio.

The trucking industry supported creation of the commercial driver's license (CDL), ensuring that all commercial truck drivers are qualified professionals.

Radar detectors have been banned in all commercial vehicles.

Mandatory drug and alcohol testing for commercial motor vehicle drivers has resulted in one of the lowest incidences of substance abuse in any profession.

Between 1986 and 1996, miles traveled by large trucks have increased 40%, yet the fatal accident rate for large trucks dropped by 35%.

The Ohio Trucking Association works closely with the Ohio Department of Public Safety, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol in efforts to improve highway safety. OTA actively participates in the Law Enforcement and Trucks Safety Program and the Federal Highway Administration's No-Zone Program. These efforts raise the level of safety education and are designed to reduce the number of accidents on our highways.