Content of this blog courtesy of the American Trucking Association
Collectively, American truckers drive approximately 300 billion miles each year. That is the equivalent of nearly 13 million trips around the globe or more than 1,700 round trips to the sun. Every one of those miles represents a stocked store shelf, a package placed on a household doorstep, raw materials delivered to a manufacturer, and equipment conveyed to a construction site.
There are countless reasons to thank professional truck drivers, and soon we will be able to officially put the spotlight on them. Beginning on September 10, we will celebrate the 35th annual National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. This year’s theme—Miles of Gratitude—is a nod to the hundreds of billions of miles that professional truck drivers traverse to get things where they need to be on time, safely, and securely every day. The magnitude of our gratitude should match truck drivers’ commitment to their jobs.
The scale and reach of the trucking industry is simply enormous. Truck drivers deliver almost 11.5 billion tons of freight each year, which is about 70% of all the freight moved in the United States. More than 80% of communities depend solely on trucks to receive their goods.
Approximately 8.5 million jobs are directly related to trucking activity, and countless more depend on truck drivers in some way. Practically every object that we touch was transported on the back of a truck at some point, and virtually every aspect of our lives is impacted by the work of the professionals who make these deliveries. Without the trucking industry, the country would come to a screeching halt.
Proving the adage that not all heroes wear capes, truck drivers are among the first to answer the call for help in times of trouble. When the global pandemic struck and the world stopped, these hardworking men and women remained behind the wheel to continue making deliveries. When hurricanes cause flooding in the east, wildfires cause devastation in the west, or another disaster strikes the heartland, America turns to the trucking industry, which is the only form of transportation that is nimble enough and has sufficient capacity and capability to bring relief supplies where they are needed most.
Clearly, we owe truck drivers “Miles of Gratitude” for the work they do and the sacrifices they make to help put food on our tables, keep our homes comfortable, and support our families and jobs. The trucking industry is the backbone of our economy, and our professional drivers are the industry’s heart. Their dependability and commitment to safety ensures that our quality of life remains high.
During this National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, we extend our most sincere thanks to America’s professional truck drivers, who move our great country forward and deserve our praise and recognition.
The next time you are cruising down the highway and pass by a truck, give the driver the famous honking sign – he or she will love it! If a passenger in your vehicle is able to capture the moment on video, post it to social media and include the hashtag #honkforhighwayhereos and #thankatrucker.
And if you see a truck driver on National Truck Driver Appreciation Week or any week, please take the time to say “thank you.” It is a gesture that goes a long way for drivers who travel a long way for us.
For more information on the 2023 National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, and for some fun I LOVE TRUCKING products, visit the NTDAW website.
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