Truck drivers are recognized annually on October 4 for National Truckers Appreciation Day and again throughout a designated National Truck Driver Appreciation week in September. Like many other transportation providers across the country, Classic Carriers plans special events to show appreciation for the drivers' hard work all year.
In this blog, let’s explore some of the ways truck drivers are important.
Transport Essential Goods
Truck drivers are crucial in supporting the U.S. economy. According to Trucking Moves America Forward, almost every good consumed in the country is placed on a truck. Think about what essential items you use each day. From groceries, clothing and medications to fuel, computers and household items, you have a truck driver to thank for ensuring you have what you need to live comfortably.
Here are additional items truck drivers transport:
- Medical equipment and supplies
- Digital components
- Food products, supplies and equipment for restaurants
- Retail products
- Raw materials for manufacturing
- Oil and gas
- Steel, lumber, concrete and hardware for construction
- Heavy industrial and construction equipment
Provide Employment Opportunities
The trucking industry is growing and provides job opportunities for families. A career in trucking can offer great pay and benefits as well as the chance to travel across the country. Many logistics companies have multiple pay packages where drivers are assigned dedicated routes with stable schedules, allowing more time at home.
Related: Why NOW is the Time to Start a Career in Trucking >>
Keep Our Highways Safe
The trucking industry invests around $10 billion each year in safety. You’ll find an increasing amount of safety training, driver safety incentive pay and safety technology. Contrary to what some might think, trucks have a crash rate 27% lower than other vehicles — and drug and alcohol use by truck drivers is rare. In fact, the industry has experienced an overall decline in truck-related crashes and fatalities over the past decade.
Truck drivers provide an extra set of eyes in reporting reckless drivers to law enforcement. Additionally, there are numerous programs designed to help transportation professionals identify safety issues and report such activities appropriately. One example is the First Observer Plus program organized by the Department of Homeland Security. This program trains truck drivers on recognizing suspicious activities possibly linked to terrorism — and provides them with ways to report their observations.
Related: Classic Carriers’ New Truck Technology >>
Help Stop Human Trafficking
Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) educates, equips, empowers and mobilizes members of the trucking, bus and energy industries to help fight human trafficking. TAT members are trained to identify and respond to a potential human trafficking situation.
TAT participants are invaluable in assisting law enforcement with stopping human trafficking networks. There are over 500,000 operators trained under this initiative, and the numbers continue to grow as the trucking industry expands.
Related: What Are the Biggest Myths About Truck Drivers? >>
Build, Maintain and Repair Infrastructure
Infrastructure requires maintenance and repair, and new construction is often needed to accommodate development. Truck drivers ensure materials and equipment are transported to sites so roads, buildings, tunnels and bridges can be maintained and constructed.
Truck drivers are especially necessary during natural disasters to quickly keep communities safe and to meet basic needs. They carry materials and supplies frequently used to rebuild homes and businesses.
See How Classic Carriers Recognizes Truck Drivers
Classic Carriers facilitates a driver recognition program to acknowledge and honor drivers who are working hard, maintaining a safe driving record and ensuring on-time pickups and deliveries. Learn more about how our appreciation program works.