Top 10 Reasons to Appreciate Truck Drivers

National Truck Driver Awareness Week (NTDAW) is observed in September of each year. For 2022, it will be observed September 11-17, 2022. Each year The American Trucking Association (ATA) spearheads this national awareness campaign to show appreciation for our nation's truck drivers. These are professionals who spend countless hours on the road, away from their families, ensuring delivery of goods all across the country. It is because of the efforts of truck drivers that we can go to the store and buy items for our basic needs and, of course, our desires! Below I have compiled a list of the top 10 items that we have easy access to due to truck drivers. Without them transporting these goods across the country, we would have to go without or drive a long distance to get them. Here's a link to a great infographic showing what would happen if truck drivers stopped delivering; bad things would happen in just 24 hours. The next time you see one of our 7 million truck drivers in the U.S., be sure to thank them for what they do by giving away useful promotional items for truck drivers.

Top 10 Items We Have Because of Truck Drivers

Beer/Wine/Liquor

So beer, wine, and liquor isn't a necessity, but it sure is nice to have a drink at the end of a busy day or while chatting with friends at the bar. Think about the wide variety of alcoholic drink varieties available and all you have to do is drive to the store to get it. Without beer, wine, or liquors, many of the parties you normally attend just got lamer. Thanks to our truck drivers, our parties don't have to be lame.

Cell Phones

We live in an age now when people panic if their mobile phone battery gets below 20%. In fact there is a medical diagnosis for it called nomophobia and nearly half of the population has this “fear” of being stranded without the use of their cell phone. Well, without truck drivers, you wouldn’t have easy access to buying cell phones. You also wouldn’t have access to buying those additional charging cables to charge your phone in the car and at the office. Have mobile phones now become a necessity? It seems so with the modern ways of doing business with so many businessmen on the go.

Batteries

It’s true more and more items are using internal rechargeable batteries, but many of your everyday items use batteries. Without them, your life wouldn’t be nearly as convenient. Items that use batteries include TV remote controls, your wireless computer mouse and keyboard, flashlights, cameras, desk and wall clocks, toys, and much more. You can thank truckers for making sure there are plenty of battery stock at your favorite retail store. Batteries may not be a necessity, but they certainly are important.

Computers

We lived without computers just a few decades ago. But for efficiency and convenience, we are long past an age without computers. They are now necessary to compete in today’s world of business. You are reading this blog because a computer is hosting it. Computers are also a great way to keep in contact with friends and family. Computers are readily available for purchase at a variety of stores thanks to truck drivers. For many personal uses, computers have given way to tablets. These slim devices are the perfect size mini-computer to follow up with emails and catch up with friends on social media.

Clothing

Yes, clothing is necessary. Some nudists may disagree, but the other 99.9% of the country will likely come to the consensus that clothing is a necessity. Plus, laws dictate that you must wear clothes. We have so many stylish options now at hundreds of stores within a short drive. No matter what you figure may be, there’s a style for you. The huge variety of clothing is all thanks to truck drivers who transport it to the various stores. Everyone has a favorite shirt, shoes, a pair of jeans, hat, or socks. A big thanks is in order for our truck drivers for making sure that you have that favorite article of clothing!

Automobiles

Most of us use our car or truck every single day to get to work, school, or the grocery store. We use our cars to travel for vacations and to visit family. When you go to the car dealership to shop for a new or used vehicle, it’s unlikely that the thought ever crosses your mind that all of those cars for sale are there because truckers transported them from the plant. We have huge a selection of automobiles to pick from and we take it for granted. In most cases, we need our automobile to go shopping for most of the items above, unless you shop online, then you need the computer mentioned in #7.

Gasoline

Without gas, you couldn’t run your vehicle, unless you have an electric car. Our lawns would also look really bad if we didn’t have gasoline to run our lawn mowers and weed trimmers. We’ve become very dependent on gas for our transportation, so much that it has become a necessary part of our lifestyle. Without gasoline, there would be no flights, no bus routes, and no taxis. Truck drivers deliver fuel to gas stations every single day keeping us with plenty of fuel for our vehicles so we can continue to have fun and go to work and school. And a deeper thought…without truckers transporting gas around the country, truckers wouldn’t even have gas to fill their own trucks.

Medicines

Statistics show that about 70% of Americans are currently taking at least one prescription medication. Some of these medications are strictly to help them feel better, while some are life-saving prescriptions. What would our nation be like without the readily-available prescription drugs? Would there be more pain and suffering? Would there be more deaths? I suppose we would adapt, but there would be a lot more unpleasantness that goes along with illness and disease. Over-the-counter medications and remedies are used more readily than prescription medicines and those are available due to truck drivers.

Food

Whether you think of whole foods, such as fruits and vegetables, or snack foods when the word food is mentioned, it is most likely in a grocery store near you thanks to truckers. Grocery stores receive frequent deliveries of fresh food, literally by the truckload. Your favorite restaurants receive food deliveries and that food delivered is available due to truck drivers. We are lucky enough to live in a country where food is easily obtainable at a reasonable price. This is certainly a necessity in life.

Toilet Paper

Is toilet paper a necessity? Some say yes. I don’t know anyone who says no, and I’d like to keep it that way. Thank you so much, truck drivers, for making sure my local stores are stocked with toilet paper! Truck drivers deserve a raise! Do you take toilet paper for granted? You’ve most likely grown up with toilet paper being available, so chances are you’ve never given it a second thought. This soft (depending on your budget) paper is glorious to have, especially when you think about the alternative. Hopefully, this has opened up your eyes and helped foster a new appreciation for the truck drivers that keep us living the high life. Between items needed to sustain life and those desired items for convenience and fun, truck drivers make sure they are available. The job for truck drivers doesn’t come at an easy price for them, though. They are away from their families for days or weeks at a time, putting strains on their relationships with their kids and spouse. Their health is often negatively affected due to having to eat on the road. Additionally, sitting for hours on end is hard on the body. Your business can show appreciation and help support National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. If you own a store and your merchandise is delivered by truckers, what are you doing each year to show your appreciation? It is because of them that your store has the merchandise so you can continue to sell and earn money. Trucking companies should also show their appreciation for their employees and contractors who drive trucks for them. Giving away company-branded merchandise that is useful for truckers is a great way to show your appreciation. Shop here for items to give to truck drivers as a token of appreciation. Related Articles 8 Great Gifts for Truck Driver Appreciation Week National Truck Driver Appreciation Week