The American trucking industry needs 20,000 to 30,000 drivers and has exceeded 100 percent in its driver turnover rate among large fleets, according to the American Trucking Association.

The annualized turnover rate for linehaul truckload fleets of all sizes rose in the second quarter with turnover at large fleets — those who report more than $30 million in revenue — rising 16 points to 106 percent, according to the association’s quarterly “trucking activity report.”

There is “sluggish” growth in freight volumes and increased regulatory pressure on fleets to improve safety records, all combining to strengthen competition among carriers for drivers with clean histories, said Bob Costello, the association’s chief economist.

Costello believes the trucking industry is short 20,000 to 30,000 drivers.