Keeping Our Country Moving

Karen and Jay pay tribute to all the great truck drivers who do so very much to keep our country on the move.

Please click here to enjoy a fun clip from the iconic tune ‘Truckin’ by the Grateful Dead’ - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pafY6sZt0FE

In many ways, truckers are the ‘backbone of America.’ Keeping our stores stocked, food on our shelves and critical supplies delivered – day in and day out. A truth that all of us have realized at some level or another over the years – but became indelibly seared into the forefront of our national consciousness during the critical days of the recent pandemic. As such, we owe a great deal to the 3.5 million Americans who embrace a ‘life on the road’ and dedicate themselves to the demands of this unique job and lifestyle.

In fact, trucks and truck drivers are part of our daily lives in so many ways. For instance, earlier this week, I was driving on the highway when a school bus full of kids and a truck happened to pull up beside me. Naturally, the kids all gathered to one side and encouraged the truck driver to give them a honk of his horn. The truck driver did not disappoint, as his truck gave a great big ‘honk, honk’ to the kids’ excitement, so much so I could actually hear them cheering from inside my car! The moment brought a big smile to my face on what was otherwise a forgettable drive. As I reflected on the moment, I was struck by how often truck drivers go unrecognized for the duties they perform yet how vital they are to the economy and everyday life, and of course, to kids on a school bus.

It may be little known, but the trucking industry is responsible for moving more than 70 percent of all freight in the United States. This adds up to over 10 billion tons of freight annually! It includes everything from consumer goods and raw materials to fuel and agricultural products. It’s likely that the majority of what you buy during your weekly grocery run, at your favorite store or coffee shop for example has at one point gotten to you thanks to a truck driver. Not only that, in total, the trucking industry also employs over 7 million people. This includes drivers, mechanics, dispatchers, and administrative staff, making it one of the largest sectors of employment in the country.

As we all know, the pandemic caused incredible disruptions to our daily lives. It put stresses on almost every single part of our economy, from the healthcare industry to supply chains. However, it must be recognized that the ability to still have access to essential goods was almost single handedly thanks to the trucking industry, despite all the disruptions. The trucking industry worked to maintain supply chains and keep goods moving across the country by finding alternate routes in many cases and different modes of transportation, as well as implementing safety protocols to protect drivers and others involved in delivery processes. Most importantly though, truckers were essential to supporting healthcare workers, making sure medical supplies and equipment safely arrived in the locations hardest hit by the pandemic. Despite the difficult and rapidly changing circumstances, truckers still delivered.

In fact, more than eighty percent of communities across the United States are dependent on trucks for their medicine, food, raw materials, and other essentials. Without the constant behind the scenes work from truck drivers, that means the vast majority of us would not be able to go about our daily lives.

So, whether you’re driving on the highway or on main street, when you see a truck driver, give these behind-the-scenes heroes a little salute of gratitude! They are out there – day in, day out, in good weather and in bad. Here’s a big salute to all our great truck drivers who keep America moving!

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