ATA Recognizes Professional Truck Drivers During National Truck Driver Appreciation Week

ARLINGTON, Va.— American Trucking Associations is taking this week to honor the 3.1 million professional truck drivers that deliver America’s freight safely and securely, every day.

“Professional truck drivers deliver our nation’s essential freight safely, every day,” said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. “As a result of this commitment, our nation’s highways are the safest they have ever been and our grocery shelves are stocked. We as a nation, owe a great deal to the truck drivers out on our nation’s roads, as well as the families of those behind the wheel.”

During this National Truck Driver Appreciation Week of Sept. 16-22, ATA, its state affiliates and America’s Road Team Captains will mark the celebration by holding events across the nation.

The celebrations this week will be hosted by motor carriers, shippers and other trucking related industries. Ways in which said entities show their appreciation include million-mile and safety awards, cash bonuses or gifts, an extra paid day off, a cup of coffee or windshield cleaning at truck stops, goodie bags with fresh fruit and water, free health checks and numerous celebration meals. Several events will last all week, until every driver cycles through company headquarters. Office personnel at somecompanies are also encouraged to spend a few days out on the road to see the driver’s side of their business. Many celebrations will be kicked off with a video tribute to the professional truck driver.

ATA is once again hosting a video contest focusing on the professional truck driver. To view some of the industry submissions, click here.

Dates for upcoming National Truck Driver Appreciation Week celebrations will be September 15-21, 2013 and September 14-20, 2014.

There are over 3.1 million professional truck drivers delivering life’s essentials, nationwide. These professional men and women log close to 398 billion miles each year. In 2011, trucking professionals delivered 67 percent of the U.S. freight tonnage, equivalent to 9.2 billion tons of freight. 80 percent of U.S. communities depend solely on the trucking industry for the delivery of goods. Professional truck drivers keep America moving.

ATA began celebrating National Truck Driver Appreciation Week in 1988 in an effort to honor those hard working men and women who deliver life’s essentials, every day. Follow National Truck Driver Appreciation Week on Twitter and Facebook.

American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation’s freight. Follow ATA on Twitter or on Facebook. Good stuff. Trucks Bring It! www.trucking.org.