We often view our country as a steady, constant machine always working overtime to uphold the economy, provide for our education systems, and strive toward an optimum quality of life that citizens appreciate and expect. However, truck drivers are a dedicated group of essential workers, often overlooked for the long hours they put in daily.
From the merchandise lining the shelves of grocery stores to the life-saving health equipment utilized by health care workers, each of these necessities was delivered by a truck driver. This year specifically, Priority1 wants to pay extra tribute to our tenacious truckers during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, which falls on the week of September 13-19th. According to the American Trucking Associations, “This week is a way to show appreciation to the 3.5 million professional men and women who not only deliver our goods safely, securely, and on time, but also keep our highways safe.”
The U.S. trucking industry, netting over $700 billion a year, hauled 72.5% of all freight transported in the United States in 2019, equating to 11.84 billion tons. Truck drivers often leave their own families behind to provide necessary goods to cities across the nation. Minorities account for 40.6% of all driver positions, while only 6.2% of drivers are women.
“Drivers are the backbone of the American economy. Priority1 takes great pride in keeping our drivers safe and healthy while on the road. We appreciate all the hard-working men and women who spend days, weeks, or months at a time away from their loved ones to keep the goods moving. Without their commitment and perseverance, our country wouldn’t be able to function.” — Chris Olsen, Vice President of Truckload.
So please do your part and thank a driver today for their pledge to provide! From everyone at Priority1, we thank you, drivers. To us, you are more than essential. You are exceptional.
