Thank A Truck Driver

Each year, the trucking industry celebrates National Truck Driver Appreciation Week (September 12-18, 2021) to honor the significant contributions of professional truck drivers. Their hard work, customer service, and commitment to safety are what drive the trucking industry.

This truly has been a year unlike any other. Over the last 18 months, the COVID-19 pandemic has put us all in a near-constant state of uncertainty. In times like these, we gain a new appreciation for the people and the things in our lives that give us a sense of stability and normalcy.

National Truck Driver Appreciation Week is an important time for us to pay respect and thank all the professional truck drivers for their hard work and commitment in undertaking one of our economy's most demanding and important jobs.

The 3.6 million professional drivers not only deliver our goods safely, securely, and on time, they also keep our highways safe.

Their job is one of the most demanding and important for our economy. Many drivers sacrifice time away from home to make sure you have the basic essentials you need for your family.

These men and women drive thousands of miles hauling the food we eat, the clothes we wear, the beds we sleep in, and all other products we depend on in our daily life. They are dedicated to safety on our highways and making sure the goods they are moving get to their destination on time.

These professional drivers are the heart of the trucking industry. They are the front line of businesses and the face many customers see every day. We pass them daily on the open road while we are in our cars, and they are in their office. Often times we don't recognize that while we may be on our way home from work, they are just beginning a 400 mile route.

As we celebrate National Truck Driver Appreciation week, here are some facts from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Department of Transportation about the men and women who rule the road:

• The average age of a commercial truck driver is 57
• The average daily run of an over-the-road driver is 500 miles
• Truck drivers deliver 73.4% of America's freight
• Truck drivers move 18.49 billion tons of freight every year
• More than 81.3% of U.S. communities depend solely on truck drivers to deliver their goods and commodities

As we celebrate our drivers, thank them for helping drive our nation's economy and keeping our roads and highways safe. It is through their dedication that we are able to enjoy many of the things we use every day.

As you pass a truck on road, show your appreciation by waving to the driver, not just this week, but every week.

To the 3.6 million men and women professional drivers, thank you for all that you do.