Every day, millions of truck drivers transport goods across the roads of the United States and beyond; the average truck driver travels over 100,000 road miles per year, delivering approximately 11.8 billion tons of freight. Trucks are essential to the global economy; nearly everything used or consumed is transported on a truck. In 2019, the trucking industry hauled 72.5% of all freight transported in the United States.
Discussion Points:
• How are trucks essential to the global economy?
• What was the impact of COVID-19 on the trucking industry?
• What would happen if the trucking industry was to shut down?
• What affect would it have on your business if trucks were to stop running?
• How do you celebrate truck driver Appreciation Week?
Discussion:
There are approximately 3.5 million truck drivers in the United States. According to the American Trucking Association (ATA), besides making deliveries, the trucking industry is committed to improving safety by investing at least $10 billion in safety technologies, safety training, driver safety incentive pays, and compliance with safety regulations. Each year a small group of professional truck drivers is selected to represent the trucking industry and serve as ambassadors. America’s Road Team Captains travel the country promoting the trucking profession about its opportunities, educating the public, spreading the message of safe driving, and working with policymakers at the state and federal levels.
In 2020, when many people were staying at home because of COVID-19, truck drivers continued to make deliveries. The impact of COVID-19 on the trucking industry varied according to the type of freight hauled. The demand for deliveries increased with a boost in e-commerce sales as consumers’ purchasing behavior changed when people were ordered to shelter in place, there was also a reduction in the demand for some trucking services with the closing of businesses and the shutting down of manufacturing.
National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, which was founded by the ATA in 1998, is observed the week of September 11-17, 2022, and is a time to pay respect to professional truck drivers and to thank them for their hard work and commitment.
As always, be safe out there!
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