NATIONAL TRUCK DRIVER APPRECIATION WEEK

This week is National Truck Driver Appreciation Week and although you may think it’s just a team celebration, everyone around the country should be celebrating the industry. There are many reasons why we should all take time to appreciate all the invisible work done by truck drivers every hour and every day. If trucks stopped going for even just a day, we would see the effects throughout the economy as well as our own lives. Let’s take a look at a few reasons why we need to appreciate truck drivers.

Being a Truck Driver is Difficult

Truck drivers live a life of solitude and mobility. Truck drivers spend an average of 112,000 miles on the road each year and half of them spend 200 days away from home. This means they don’t get to watch their kids play baseball, they don’t get a home cooked meal every night and they don’t get to sleep in their own bed. Some truck drivers are away from their loved ones for days, weeks, months at a time with a week back home before the cycle starts over again.

Being a Truck Driver is Dangerous 

Truck drivers consistently make the “Most Dangerous Jobs in America” list every year. Despite the fact that most accidents that truckers are involved in aren’t their fault, accidents constantly happen. Although long haul driving is safer today than it ever has been, close to 500,000 tracking accidents still occur in America each year and 1 in 8 traffic fatalities involves a truck. Truck drivers put themselves in harms way every single day and most people don’t realize it so it’s good to appreciate them when we can.

Trucks Transport Most of the Nation’s Goods 

Approximately 82% of all goods in America would not have reached their destination if it weren’t for truck drivers. This includes everything from food to electronics and other consumer goods. Trucking is by far the highest mode of transporting goods and it’s expected to continue growing throughout the years.

The Trucking Industry Stimulates the Economy

There are currently 3.2 million truck drivers in the U.S. with the industry employing a total of 7 million people. On top of that, there are about 30,000 open job positions waiting to be filled. Truck driving also stimulates economic activity in every sector of the American economy, including health care, fuel and transportation, waste removal, retail, food and agriculture, and many others. That alone should make you feel appreciative toward truck drivers.

Progressive Reporting would like to thank all the truck drivers and employees of the trucking industry for their continued efforts in keeping America moving. Next time you see a truck driver, tell them “Thank you” and let them know you appreciate their hard work.