Why National Truck Driver Appreciation Week is of Special Significance this Year
September 13th through the 19th is “National Truck Driver Appreciation Week” and should be held in special regard this year by all Mainers. Since March of this year during the worst pandemic in a century, Mainers and all Americans have depended on truck drivers to keep grocery shelves stocked, gas pumps full, construction sites active and countless other initiatives that have kept a struggling economy afloat.
Trucking companies have led the way on both public and driver safety during this challenge. The trucking industry has put in place procedures to ensure safe social distancing, deep cleaning of equipment and adherence to Department of Transportation safety protocols. Despite the many current health and logistic challenges drivers report to work each day and deliver the goods.
Just How Important is Trucking to Our Economy?
With revenues well north of $700 Billion the trucking industry produces more GDP than all but 32 countries globally.
Almost 6% of Americans work in the trucking industry. That 7.5 million jobs!
In 2018, US based freight companies moved 12 billion pounds of freight or 35 pounds of product for every person in the country.
Truck drivers transport over 70% of all the goods in the country. Rail, ship and airlines account for the remainder.
And, here is something everyone will certainly appreciate right now. Without the trucking industry the majority of grocery stores here in Maine would run out of food in 72 hours.
Who Are these Road Warriors?
For most truck drivers living away from home and family most of the time is a reality as they work to get products from San Diego to Lubec and everywhere in between. Remember that Johnny Cash song “I’ve Been Everywhere”. Most truckers easily exceed the forty plus mentioned locales in that song. The average long-haul driver logs 100,000 miles per year compared to the average to individual motorists that log about 13,500 miles per year. Drivers are a diverse group in age, sex and ethnicity. The National Transportation Institute reports:
The average age of truck drivers is 52 years old
6% of truck drivers are women
40% of drivers are minorities compared to 22% of overall jobs in the country.
11% of long-haul drivers are Veterans
These Guys and Gals are Safe Drivers
Highway safety is improving dramatically has new technology and safety mandates have been introduced to the industry. The trucking industry has strict rules regarding electronic log (miles driven) monitoring, drug and alcohol testing, prohibiting the use of hand-held devices while driving, and safety training.
In the last decade the number of truck fatalities on USA highways decreased by 28% despite a 75% increase in traffic.
Car drivers are primarily the cause of accidents involving large trucks. In 2015 this number was over 70% and mostly involved distracted drivers or drivers operating vehicles while intoxicated or high.
90% of head on crashes between motorists and large trucks were the result of the passenger car crossing the median into the trucks lane of travel.
Some have called truckers heroes. But most truckers will modestly tell you they are just doing what they love to do. They take pride in being an important part of the American economy. But I think most would also say it’s nice to be appreciated. If you want to say thanks there is an opportunity on Sunday September 20th at 11:00am at Scarborough Downs. The annual Convoy 4 Kids will be held and many of Maine’s drivers will be participating.
A big thank you from our Chief Canine Officer Lily, to all the truckers out there that are getting the job done safely.
