Opinion: ATA Offers a Deep Appreciation and Thanks for America’s Truck Drivers
By Bill Graves
President and Chief Executive Officer
American Trucking Associations
This Opinion piece appears in the Sept. 20 print edition of Transport Topics. Click here to subscribe today.
When was the last time you thanked a professional truck driver for delivering a package to your home or a load of freight to your dock?
Like most Americans, you may take it for granted that your package will be delivered to your front door on time, or that your freight will be delivered so you can stock the grocery store shelves for the morning rush.
If you haven’t had the chance to say “thank you,” be sure to take the time during the week of Sept. 19-25, which is National Truck Driver Appreciation Week.
American Trucking Associations is proud to continue the tradition of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week — a week set aside to honor the 3.4 million professional truck drivers who deliver life’s essentials safely and securely each day.
Many people don’t recognize the vital role that the professional truck driver plays in our everyday lives. Trucking serves as the backbone of our nation’s economy, responsible for nearly 70% of the total U.S. freight tonnage.
Virtually every consumer good that we enjoy — from food to clothing, to much-needed medicine — is delivered by a professional truck driver. In fact, more than 80% of our communities are serviced exclusively by trucks.
America’s truck drivers are dedicated to keeping our highways safe. They follow stringent safety regulations, attend frequent training programs and educate the motoring public to help them drive more safely around tractor-trailers.
In fact, the U.S. Department of Transportation just released statistics showing that the trucking industry is the safest it has been since DOT began keeping records in 1975. The statistics show a 20% decrease in fatalities involving large trucks — a significant achievement because preliminary estimates show that vehicle miles traveled have increased. These safety trends are a testament to the skills and commitment to safety demonstrated by our nation’s professional truck drivers.
So when you head to your local grocery store this week, take a moment and look at the variety of products available on the shelves. Everything was delivered by a professional truck driver, from the fresh fruits and vegetables to your morning coffee or your ingredients for dinner. What would we do without them?
As we celebrate National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, make sure to let the men and women behind the wheel, along with their families, know that they are appreciated.
Bill Graves is a former two-term governor of Kansas. ATA is a national trade federation for the trucking industry, with headquarters in Arlington, Va., and affiliated associations in every state. ATA owns Transport Topics Publishing Group.
