Editorial: Thanking Our Drivers
- Proclamation by the President on National Truck Driver Appreciation Week
- Appreciation for Truckers Proclaimed
Welcome to National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, the time when we pause to give special thanks to the 3 million men and women who move the nation’s economy in their big rigs.
Last year, these professionals drove some 200 billion miles and did it more safely than ever before, setting a new low for the fatal crash rate involving trucks.
The average long-haul driver traversed 110,000 miles last year, while regional and city drivers averaged 48,000 miles. Over the 12 months, the trucking industry used 43 billion gallons of fuel making its deliveries.
William Canary, ATA’s interim president, said, “We’re proud of our professional trucks drivers. They continue to set safety records, and they’re doing it as we deliver more and more of America’s freight. Their hard work accounts for a full 5% of the Gross Domestic Product and they serve as the sole delivery source for 70% of U.S. communities. These professionals deserve a great deal of praise.”
Duane Acklie, ATA’s chairman and the head of Crete Carrier Corp. of Lincoln, Neb., added, “This week is all about taking a moment to let the best and safest drivers in the U.S. know that we appreciate their work. We hope everyone lets them know that we are all grateful for their role in promoting highway safety and in making our economy work.
The week is marked in many different ways, from gubernatorial proclamations to picnics, award ceremonies, truck washes and, according to reliable sources, “dunk the dispatcher” tanks at some truck terminals.
Other ways that we as a nation could show our appreciation for our drivers would be to encourage the White House and Congress to adopt a fuel policy that insures a steady and affordable supply of gasoline and diesel to facilitate the trucking industry’s needs — and to adopt a new hours-of-service rule that reflects the many changes that have occurred in equipment and infrastructure since the existing rule was adopted more than 60 years ago.
Until that day comes, we hope that a hearty “thank you” from all of us helps make this a special week for all 3 million professional drivers out there.
This story appeared in the Aug. 27 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.
Proclamation by the President on National Truck Driver Appreciation Week
I am pleased to send warm greeting to those celebrating National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, sponsored by the American Trucking Associations.Professional truck drivers play a vital role in the lives of all Americans and are key to our continuing prosperity. From coast to coast, safe, reliable truck drivers ensure delivery of the staples of life and merchandise that we depend on and enjoy. Equally important is the service that America’s truck drivers provide to the industry. They carry much of the freight that provides American businesses, factories, and assembly lines materials necessary to do their respective jobs. Trucks haul almost three-quarters of some $5 trillion in commodities transported annually in the United States and more than two-thirds of 7.7 billion tons of commodities.
The commitment by drivers of large trucks to reduce truck-related injuries and fatalities has been critical to improving safety on our highways. My Administration is working with the trucking industry to continue the reduction in the number of fatalities associated with large trucks. The Department of Transportation estimates that the number of fatalities was 5,307 last year, down from 5,362 in 1999. I appreciate your efforts to continue to bring this number down, and I encourage your continuing focus on safety.
Best wishes for a memorable celebration.
Appreciation for Truckers Proclaimed
President George W. Bush, as Transport Topics went to press, was poised to join numerous state governors in honoring America’s 3 million truck drivers with proclamations of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week.
The week kicked off Aug. 25 and runs through Sept. 1.
“This week is all about taking a moment to let the best and safest drivers in the U.S. know that we appreciate their work,” said Duane W. Acklie, chairman of American Trucking Associations and of Crete Carrier Corp. in Lincoln, Neb. “We hope everyone lets them know that we are all grateful for their role in promoting highway safety and making our economy work.”
As of Aug. 23, the governors of Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia had signed proclamations.
William Canary, interim president of ATA, said, “We are proud of our professional truck drivers. They continue to set safety records, and they’re doing it as we deliver more and more of America’s freight. These professionals deserve a great deal of praise.”
He said truckers produce 5% of the gross domestic product in driving more than 200 billion miles a year and carrying the vast majority — 87% by volume — of the nation’s freight.
There are an estimated 3.12 million tractor-trailers in the United States, which take 43 billion gallons of fuel a year to keep moving. Trucks make up 10% of the traffic but pay 37% of highway user fees, according to ATA.
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This story appeared in the Aug. 27 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.
