America depends on truckers. There are more than 3.5 million truck drivers in the U.S. who dedicate their lives to safely and efficiently delivering goods to the American people. As a way to say thanks, we honor National Truck Driver Appreciation Week (NTDAW) — an annual celebration of the men and women who drive our nation forward. This week allows us to recognize the valuable contributions these drivers make to our economy and our nation.
As part of this year’s NDTAW, we’re highlighting key statistics that showcase trucking’s critical role in our society and sharing safety tips and resources for truck drivers.
Trucking Safety Resources
Top 5 Trailer Maintenance Checks During Summer Weather – Getting ahead of maintenance issues saves valuable time and helps lower the risk of catastrophe on the road. Use this checklist to catch damage before it leads to emergency repairs or an emergency situation.
Fleet Safety Tips for Operation Safe Driver Week – Launched in 2007 by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) in partnership with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), this initiative seeks to reduce injuries and fatalities due to unsafe driving behaviors like speeding, inattention, and lack of regulatory compliance and roadside inspections. Check out the blog to get more information on Operation Safe Driver Week and a detailed list of fleet safety tips.
How the Right Trailer Brakes Improve Safety – Spec’ing air disc brakes is essential for protecting truckers and other motorists. They allow shorter stopping distances, improve trailer in-line braking stability, require less frequent maintenance, and are less likely than drum brakes to go out of adjustment. For more on trailer brakes and their impact on driver safety, read the blog.
The FMCSA Resource List – These resources equip managers and drivers with up-to-date information on hours of service regulations, emergency declarations, driver regulations, drug and alcohol testing, CMV driving tips, rollover prevention, traffic enforcement, highway-rail grade crossing safety, and more. It also provides physical exam forms.
NIOSH Motor Vehicle Safety at Work Resources – The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) supplies motor safety resources like webinars, publications, crash facts, conferences and events, and other resources, including links to studies and analyses of health and safety among truckers.
Truckers Drive America
While it is getting safer for truck drivers, and new resources and technology solutions are likely to increase that trend, trucking is still a challenging job. Drivers put themselves at risk, take themselves away from loved ones and the comforts of home, and devote endless hours to the road.
These men and women provide a critical service to industries and communities across the country. America couldn’t run without them, so if you haven’t already, take a moment today to thank a trucker.
Ready to learn more about the trucking industry and the critical role drivers play? Download our Trucking Facts infographic.
