Gas Prices Hurting Independent Truckers

FLORENCE, Ala. (AP) - Independent truckers, like other drivers,
are feeling the pain at the pump because of high fuel prices.
Charles Scott of Florence doesn't know how some of his fellow
independent truckers can afford to stay in business.
Scott has been a trucker for about 50 years and has seen many
changes. What he sees today frightens him.
Scott says a lot of truckers talk about getting out of the
business because of the high expenses. Independent truckers are
struggling with steadily increasing diesel prices. They're also
dealing with shippers that are not willing to pay the truckers a
fuel surcharge, which supplements the amount of money shippers pay
the driver to haul the freight.
At 69, Scott says he is in good shape financially. He is a niche
hauler who specializes in overweight and oversized loads. He owns
his own tractor and trailer. He recently paid $3.97 per gallon for
diesel in South Carolina, but has seen it priced at over $4 per
gallon in other areas.
Larry Daniel, president of America's Independent Truckers'
Association, says high fuel prices hurt the trucker more than the
consumer.
While the higher cost of fuel might raise the cost of some goods
"a few cents," Daniel says, it could cause the independent
trucker to lose his livelihood.