It’s Time to Celebrate Our Unsung Heroes: America’s Truck Drivers

September 15 marks the kickoff of an important celebration in the US logistics industry. National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, organized by American Trucking Associations (ATA), gives all of us a chance to express our gratitude and appreciation to America’s more than 3.6 million professional truck drivers. 

Driving is not an easy job. It’s a physical endurance test that involves a lot of sacrifice, including significant time away from home, family and friends. But these millions of truck drivers are providing a vital and essential service by delivering food and beverages, clothing, medicine, household products, construction materials and other goods to consumers. In fact, according to ATA, more than 80% of US communities rely exclusively on trucks to meet their freight transportation needs. 

At Redwood, we work with truck drivers and owner-operators every day as we provide freight brokerage and managed transportation services to our customers. We have a vested interest in our driver partners, and we’re encouraged by some trends that are making the job easier and more rewarding — including more competitive salaries, an improved work-life balance, and driver amenities that improve comfort and safety, such as semi-autonomous driving features and more ergonomic cab designs. As Gen Z moves into the trucking workforce, we’re also seeing more digital features and communication platforms added to the cabin.  

On the highway, we’re seeing public and private investments in improved truck-stop facilities and faster, better roadside assistance. In June, $200 million was allocated in the House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee funding bill for expanded truck parking. This addresses a critical driver concern, as 98% of drivers in a recent study reported they have trouble finding a safe place to park. 

National Truck Driver Appreciation Week is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the important contributions drivers make to the US economy, as well as our personal lives. ATA recommends celebrating a special driver in your life or posting a general message of gratitude, on social media using the hashtags #NTDAW24 and #ThankATrucker. Redwood will be posting on all our social media platforms throughout the week to show our appreciation for these unsung heroes of the logistics industry. 

Redwood has also planned a series of in-person celebrations across our locations in honor of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. We plan to host our drivers for meals at various locations throughout the week to show our appreciation for them. 

How can you express your own gratitude? If you see a truck driver at a highway rest stop, at a red light or unloading at a local store, take a moment to say a simple “thank you.” And perhaps take a few moments to reflect on the role of truck drivers in your everyday life. Chances are, if you’re eating it, drinking it, wearing it or using it, that item spent some time in a truck. At Redwood, we do our best to honor and thank drivers all year, but especially during this national week of celebration.