by Desiree Wiley, WKBW

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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) – According to the American Trucking Association, it takes nearly 3 million trucks and drivers to ship 70 percent of freight tonnage in the U.S.

Statistics show the trucking industry moves nearly 9.3 billion annually, yet there is a void of nearly 25,000 truck drivers. Tim Palisano the owner of Lincoln Moving & Storage, says the lack of drivers is being felt within his western New York company.

“We get a lot of business and we take as much as we can but sometimes it does present a problem,” said Palisano. “We’re always looking for drivers because it is tough.”

To help address the shortage of drivers, Chris Duquin, the owner of Stevens Driving School, has created a unique CDL program.

“We are all about one-on-one training,” said Duquin. “They way we are different is that if you have a job, We’ll work around your schedule.”

Chuck Williams, from Stevens Driving School said his experience gives him just the right amount of patience in order to teach others how to drive.

“I’ve been driving for 34 years and I have more than two million miles of experience,” said Williams.