President’s Message
Truck Drivers Always Deliver for Alabama I
Mark Colson President and CEO Alabama Trucking Association
‘Celebrating our industry’s most valuable resource for only a week isn’t enough. If you see a truck on the highway or a driver taking a break at a rest stop, take a moment to just say “thanks.”’
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t should go without saying that truck drivers are the backbone of America’s economy. But sometimes America’s 3.5 million truck drivers are taken for granted. Visit any grocery store, business, or medical facility in Alabama, and it becomes immediately obvious: Truckers move America. Whether you’re buying clothing at a retail store or filling the tank at a gas station, nearly all aspects of our lives are impacted by the work of professional truck drivers. Even in the midst of a pandemic — one in which we have faced unforeseen hardships and challenges — those professionals behind the wheel came through for America when we needed it most. And despite numerous risks to their personal health and safety, store shelves remained stocked. Professional truck drivers haul more than 10 billion tons of freight every year, which accounts for 70 percent of total U.S. freight tonnage, and more than 80 percent of U.S. communities rely exclusively on trucks to deliver their freight. Most importantly, America’s professional truck drivers are committed to doing their jobs safely, because they too are mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, and friends and neighbors. The next time you speak with a professional truck driver, ask them how many safe miles he or she has, but don’t be surprised if the answer is in the millions. Can you imagine what our lives would be like if groceries, medicine or gasoline weren’t readily available? We appreciate the hard work and sacrifices truck drivers and their families make every day so that we never have to find out. Earlier this month (Sept. 13-19), we celebrated National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. It was an opportunity for the public to extend a “thank you” to the men and women who drive America’s economy and keep our communities supplied. Like other brave frontline workers, such as doctors, nurses, law enforcement officers, and store clerks, it is important to acknowledge those who step up daily to help ensure our way of life remains intact. Celebrating our industry’s most valuable resource for only a week isn’t enough. If you see a truck on the highway or a driver taking a break at a rest stop, take a moment to just say “thanks” – at the very least recognize that the driver is most likely in the middle of delivering the goods that keep America moving forward. Let’s keep it fresh in our hearts to always recognize the important role that truck drivers have in keeping our communities supplied and stocked with the critical goods that we take for granted.
A LABAMA T RUCKER • 3 RD Q UARTER 2020
