This week, all of us here at Lionzone want to take a moment to thank America’s 3.5 million truck driving men and women! Every September, the American Trucking Associations allocates a week to schedule a nationwide celebration of truck drivers, and Lionzone is eager to participate this year and every year!
Fast Facts about Trucking!
- Did you know that over 80% of the goods delivered to American communities are brought by semi-trucks? That means that most of our food, clothing, medicine, household products, and construction materials are all brought to us via truck drivers. It is essential to remember that it takes hard work, dedication, and sacrifice to be a truck driver.
- The average truck driver will drive over 100,000 miles per year. While that equals out to roughly forty trips across the continental United States, many truck drivers run local or regional routes that keep them to one specific area. The OTR drivers that make long hauls spend three to four weeks away from home and their families, so it is important to make sure these men and women feel appreciated in their home away from home, the truck!
- Despite spending hours, and even up to weeks on the road, truck drivers are shown to get in “three times fewer accidents” than other drivers on the road in passenger vehicles. Even though they are utilizing large, fully loaded trucks, drivers are expected to safely take their deliveries from either a port or warehouse to a retail store, and sometimes even a person’s home. The fact that they must do this surrounded by millions of other drivers is anxiety-inducing at best, and, while accidents do happen on occasion, safety is paramount to all truckers.
- Eco-friendly fact! Since 1980, the trucking industry claims to have reduced exhaust-based truck emissions by 95%. With the development and testing of electric and hybrid trucks, though, these numbers could be dwindling downward further in the near future!
“Did you ever know that you’re my hero??”
There are long hours behind the wheel for many truckers. From crossing the country to visiting ports and warehouse facilities, all of the U.S.’s imported goods have to be picked up and delivered, and all of our products built for export must be taken to the coasts and airports to be shipped out in to the world.
Many of our nation’s truck drivers suffer from health conditions brought on by the unhealthy lifestyles they are forced to contend with on a daily basis. It is difficult to get the required amount of healthy food and exercise while driving for hours and hours a day. There is also a mental component to being on the road alone for so many days a year. On top of that, the entire family sacrifices time spent with their loved ones for them to be out making deliveries. It is a difficult occupation, but it is one that every American depends on, even if they don’t realize it.
If you own or manage a trucking company, then you understand how important this week is for your drivers and their families. What are some ways that you can show appreciation for your drivers?
- Gifts and Giveaways
- Lunches, Restaurant Gift Cards, Catered Meals
- Truck Servicing
- Use Social Media to Give Shoutouts to Drivers
- Monetary Bonuses or Compensation
- Special Discounts or Offers Exclusively for Truck Drivers
These few suggestions are just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many ways to show drivers how much they are respected. Remember, truck drivers should be appreciated all year round, not just for one week in September. As much as we depend on them, it is important to show them that they can depend on us as well!
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Meaghan Goldberg covers recruitment and digital marketing for Lionzone. A Patterson, GA native, after graduating from both Valdosta State University and Middle Tennessee State University, Meaghan joined Lionzone in 2018 as a digital recruitment strategist before becoming the social media manager.
Resources:
https://www.fundamentallabor.com/national-truck-driver-appreciation-week/
https://www.americatruckdriving.com/8-facts-about-the-truck-driving-industry/
