National Truck Driver Appreciation Week
Today’s society moves at a very fast pace and sometimes we need to take a moment to stop and realize what is going on around us and thank those who impact our live in ways we don’t even realize. One group of individuals that impacts our everyday lives are truck drivers. From the food we eat and beverages we drink, to the clothes we wear and the electronics we use, all these items, and more, were likely delivered to their destination by a truck driver.
How many goods exactly do truckers provide in the United States, you may ask? According to the American Trucking Association, 11.46 billion tons of freight, representing 72.6% of total domestic tonnage shipped in the United States, was transported by trucks in 2022. Commercial trucks, and drivers, also play a large role in the US economy via taxes paid and person’s employed as drivers. In 2021, commercial trucks paid $29.12 billion in federal and state fuel taxes, and employed 3,540,000 people as drivers according to the American Trucking Association.
National Truck Driver Appreciation Week for 2023 is September 10 – 16th. This is a week dedicated to giving thanks and appreciation to the drivers that spend countless hours on the road alone, away from their families, for many of us to have the things we need and want. So next time you see a truck driver, thank them for what they do!
Sources:
- Economics and industry data. American Trucking Associations. (n.d.). https://www.trucking.org/economics-and-industry-data#:~:text=11.46%20billion%20tons%20of%20freight,of%20total%20domestic%20tonnage%20shipped.
- Economics and industry data. American Trucking Associations. (n.d.). https://www.trucking.org/economics-and-industry-data#:~:text=11.46%20billion%20tons%20of%20freight,of%20total%20domestic%20tonnage%20shipped.
National truck driver appreciation week. American Trucking Associations. (n.d.-b). https://www.trucking.org/national-truck-driver-appreciation-week#:~:text=It’s%20a%20time%20to%20thank,September%2010%2D16%2C%202023