It’s National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, and we wanted to take a moment to show our gratitude for the many contributions that truck drivers make to this great country of ours on a daily basis — contributions that too often go unrecognized.
Truck drivers contribute more to our economy than many people consider. Trucks deliver the food we eat, the goods we buy, and more. When it comes to economic contribution, for-hire transportation services contributed $169.8 billion, while in-house trucking operations contributed $199.1 billion to the annual transportation industry. Truck drivers are responsible for transporting 70% of U.S. freight, while 80% of U.S. communities are dependent on trucks for their medicine, food, raw materials, and other essentials.
It’s one of the most demanding jobs on the market, often with significant mental health impacts like stress, anxiety, and depression. That’s why trucking companies must show their appreciation for their drivers constantly. However, National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, which comes around every September, offers a chance to be a little more vocal.
The event originated in the early 1990s when, according to Bill Webb, a 30-plus year industry executive and former President and CEO at the Texas Motor Transportation Association, “… it just came to us that if we were going to expect people outside the industry to respect drivers, we needed to do a better job inside the industry.” When this event took off in the United States, Canada also initiated a similar event called “National Trucking Week,” which begins the first Sunday in September every year.
We know that without the hard work and dedication of professional truck drivers, our way of life would come to a grinding halt. The food we eat, the clothes on our backs, and the tech we use in our homes, schools, and workplaces all need to be delivered via truck. So we’d just like to say:
Thank you, truck drivers.
Trucker Appreciation Quotes
At Solera, we know the trucking industry inside and out, and we understand how important good drivers are to a trucking company. We want to take a moment to express our gratitude through these thank-you quotes for truck drivers.
Thank You for Your Commitment
Operating such a large, complex vehicle is hardly an easy task. It takes serious time and effort to acquire the skills needed to handle a truck — and not everyone can do it. And that’s just learning the basics. There’s always more training to be had, from mastering the latest new technology to learning a new company’s way of doing things.
Thank you for your unwavering commitment to being the very best at what you do.
Thank You for Your Professionalism
There aren’t many other jobs out there where a momentary lapse in attention could be so dangerous — but for truck drivers, it’s a daily reality. That’s why drivers are hyper vigilant when it comes to safety. They know every best practice, every company rule, and every newly-updated law. They scrupulously follow each one to the letter because they know just how serious the consequences could be if they didn’t.
Thank you for your professionalism in every aspect of your job.
Thank You for Your Sacrifices
It’s a simple fact: truck drivers don’t get to be at home as often as most other people. Whether they’re leaving at the crack of dawn and getting home late, or staying on the road for weeks at a time, it’s definitely not a typical 9-5 job. And that kind of schedule comes with some major sacrifices. Professional drivers know how to make every minute spent with family and friends count.
Thank you for the sacrifices you make to keep this country moving.
Thank You for Being You
It’s no secret that truck drivers are special, independent, tough, and capable. Without that legendary truck driver spirit, our nation, and our lives, would look very different.
You make a difference in the world every day, just by virtue of being you. And we sincerely thank you.
Thanks to Truckers: 5 Reasons to Be Grateful for Truck Drivers
Truckers are part of the lifeblood of our country, bringing goods from one coast to the other, and then back again. It’s not the easiest job, but it can be rewarding for the right person. Too often we take our truck drivers for granted, and so we wanted to shine a little light on why we should appreciate them more. Here are just a few reasons why we’re celebrating National Truck Driver Appreciation Week:
1: They’re Committed to the Job
Trucking isn’t for the faint-hearted, but it does attract some remarkable individuals. Truck drivers who have been on the road for many years know the demands of the job, but they also like what they get from it. They’re committed to their work, and they treat the job with respect.
2: They Keep Things Running Smoothly
Trucks in America carry billions of tons of freight each year. If trucks in this country suddenly didn’t start one morning, we’d have a catastrophe on our hands. Truck drivers go out every morning, even before first light, and make sure that businesses around the country have what they need to thrive and grow.
3: They Know the Importance of Family
There’s no doubt about it, truck drivers have to make some sacrifices when it comes to their schedule. They don’t get off at 5:00 every day to pick up their kids from soccer practice. Truck driving is a job that requires putting in days at a time on the road, but it also means that they have days off when they aren’t even allowed to drive. Truck drivers know the importance of family, and work to balance their responsibilities at home with their time on the road.
4: Their Driving Skills Are Second to None
The news covers accidents involving trucks heavily, so to the general public, it can seem as though truck drivers are dangerous. However, fleet managers know that they really are some of the best and safest drivers out there. In fact, multiple studies have shown that in car-truck accidents, car drivers are at fault around 80-90% of the time. Accidents involving trucks make the news because of the potential damage that a big truck can do, but truck drivers are professionals who care about safety on the road.
5: Truckers Bring Us Everything We Enjoy
Truck drivers bring us the goods we use every day. In our society, it’s easy to forget that just about everything we buy didn’t come from our immediate area. Truck drivers keep it all moving toward the stores that we eventually walk into. Without truck drivers, our selection at the convenience store would be pretty limited. If you get a chance today or this week, don’t forget to thank a trucker!
7 Ways to Thank Truck Drivers during Truck Driver Appreciation Week
Solera Fleet Solutions appreciates truck drivers, and we want to acknowledge all they do for businesses and consumers alike. This event provides a unique opportunity for you to thank your drivers and a great time to raise public awareness of how much those in this profession do. You could do many things, but here is a list of several ideas to show your appreciation during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week (NTDAW).
1: Host giveaways
During this special truck driver appreciation week, host giveaways for your drivers. Include big-ticket items: new CB radios, phones, hands-free Bluetooth headphones, and other items your drivers could upgrade but often wouldn’t for themselves.
Hold daily raffles. At the end of the week, have a grand-prize drawing for something big and truly unique, like an all-inclusive vacation getaway (plus the time off) or something of similar value.
2: Give away food (but keep it healthy)
You can’t say no to a free lunch, and neither can drivers during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week 2023. But drivers, just like everyone else, are more health conscious than ever.
Offer free lunches or vouchers for common lunch spots truckers visit while on the road, and encourage your team to make healthy choices. For local routes, sack lunches can be a good alternative.
3: Host family nights or outings
One common way to say thank you to a truck driver is by hosting a family night or outing. The problem with many of these? Not every driver can attend. Someone still has to be out there on the road. To make sure everyone has a chance to take part, offer a few family nights during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. Look at schedules and try to make it possible for all drivers to attend.
This is also a great way to show those who are left behind when drivers are on the road that they also matter to your team. They also have a tough job, and their support means the world to your drivers. It should to you, too, so be sure to take time to thank them.
4: Serve and equip your drivers
One way your drivers know you care is when you equip them with the tools they need to do their jobs more efficiently. Not only can this help you attract drivers in a highly competitive market, but it can also help you keep them long-term.
Especially during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, you can offer drivers extra services like truck washes to ensure they have the things they need for both comfort and safety. This includes the latest software, fleet safety tools, and more.
Remember, the best leaders enable their teams to excel by supporting them in every way possible. This special week is just an opportunity to showcase and increase that support.
5: Share other opportunities
While it’s crucial for your company to offer special perks and opportunities during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, you’re not alone. Other companies, including truck stops, restaurants, online shops, and physical stores, offer discounts, freebies, and specials.
One way to show your appreciation is to make a list of these opportunities for your drivers and be sure they know about all the offers available. Drivers are busy and may not have time to look these up for themselves, and they may not even be aware of some vendors who are ready to serve them.
6: Go public
Finally, make not only your drivers but your community aware of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week 2023. Let them know how you say thank you to your truck drivers — and how they can, too.
- Go social: Use your social media presence to spread the word and even thank individual drivers who work for your company.
- Contact news outlets: Spend time on the news and the radio, even with articles in local papers, to let them know how much truck drivers do for them and the economy and how they can show their support.
- Hold a public appreciation event: Invite all truck drivers, regardless of where they work. This illustrates your support for the industry and can even give you a recruiting boost.
When those around you see your genuine appreciation, and you expand your circle to include local media and social channels, you make your thanks even more meaningful.
7: Celebrate all year
While it’s important to celebrate National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, it’s even more vital to celebrate your drivers and staff year-round. There are countless ways to do this, including supporting them with the latest technology, personalized thank-you notes, driver of the month recognition awards, safety awards, and even rewards for the time the driver has spent in service with your company and inside the industry. These efforts keep your drivers safer, make them more efficient, and help your bottom line.
Thanking Truckers With Tools and Technology
Truck drivers rarely get the public praise and appreciation they deserve. However, at Solera Fleet Solutions, we do our best to ensure they get the tools they need to demonstrate their commitment and showcase their professionalism. Our solutions help truck drivers stay safe and compliant while doing their job at the highest level possible — and for our nation’s truck drivers, that’s pretty high.
We also know that the industry is going through a tech revolution, and the only way to stay on top is to keep up with these innovations. If your trucking company could use better fleet management software, then give us a call today.
