Trucking Industry Makes America a Safer Place. Join Us in Driving Safe.
June is National Safety Month, an important time of year to remind consumers and businesses alike that the trucking industry makes the world a more efficiently run, and a safer place.
The fact is 80% of America’s goods are delivered to communities who rely solely on trucks; not the air, sea or rail industries, to make that final delivery. This includes the food on the grocery store shelves, clothing on the rack, medicine at the pharmacy, supplies in our offices, and much more. But the importance of trucking’s deliveries goes beyond the delivery of the goods that keep families and businesses supplied — it also helps make the world a safer place.
When there is a crisis in America, truck drivers never stop. During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, America’s truck drivers were essential frontline workers who continued to make their deliveries while most of the world stayed home during the shutdowns. As the virus spread in states across the country, trucking kept the movement of goods on track during those uncertain early first days of the pandemic and made sure our stores, hospitals and pharmacies received critical deliveries. From keeping the shelves stocked while goods flew off the shelves, to the delivery of the first COVID-19 vaccine, trucking ensured all this happened, and safely.
When weather is a major factor, deliveries don’t stop. Through rain, shine, snow, hurricanes and floods, trucking risk their own safety to make deliveries.
To ensure that America’s truck drivers can safely deliver, the trucking industry invests at least $10 billion each year in safety initiatives and programs. This funding helps to advance the latest safety technology, training, and initiatives in states nationwide to ensure that all drivers are well trained and prepared behind the wheel. The industry also promotes and incentivizes safety by recognizing its safest drivers through various industry programs and awards.
The state truck driving championships are underway this month, and these are the pinnacle of safe driving achievement when each state awards their top driver after rigorous knowledge, driving and parking tests.
For America’s 3.36 million professional truck drivers, safety behind the wheel is always a top priority because each driver wants to return home safely to their family. Without truck drivers’ safe delivery, communities nationwide would not be supplied with all the critical — and recreational goods we rely on.
During this month, we are reminded of the personal responsibility we all share in creating and promoting a culture of safety in our communities. As we navigate the continued unknowns in this next stage of the pandemic, the trucking industry remains committed to doing our part of keep America’s roads safe and communities supplied not only this month, but year-round. I hope you will join the trucking industry in prioritizing safety in your own lives, knowing that the trucking community works to be a pillar of safety on and off the road.
