It’s time to recognize our nation’s truck drivers’ hard work and dependability. The American Trucking Association (ATA)—the largest and most comprehensive national trade association for the trucking industry—launched National Truck Driver Appreciation Week “to recognize and honor the vital contributions of dependable truck drivers to our daily lives and the economy.”
National Truck Driver Appreciation Week is from September 10th to the 16th this year. This nationwide celebration brings Americans together to show appreciation for the 3.6 million professional and dependable truck drivers “who work tirelessly to deliver the essential goods and resources to communities across the nation.”
This year’s theme is “Truckers: Through & Through, We Can Always Depend on You!” And depending on them, we do. According to ATA, more than 80% of U.S. communities rely exclusively on trucks to meet their freight transportation needs. From clothing, food, and medicine to household products, construction materials and heavy-duty equipment, all the things that power our economy are made available to the country thanks to the dependable truck drivers behind the wheel.
Trucking is so essential—and in demand—that the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers to grow by 4% by 2031. There’s plenty of opportunity as a driver, according to the BLS. “About 259,900 openings for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.”
CRST joins the country in honoring their hardworking and dedicated men and women who live the truck driving life, logging in miles every day. CRST drivers are the backbone of CRST—they make CRST one of the nation’s largest privately held transportation companies, with a proud lineup of accolades that represent the dedication and safe driving values that CRST drivers possess.
CRST believes it’s essential to recognize drivers for truck safety, on-time deliveries, Million Mile Safe Drivers and more. Last year alone, CRST paid out $3 million in driver bonuses.
Recently, CRST honored 17 drivers for safely driving one million-plus miles. CRST President and CEO Hugh Ekberg, COO Mike Gannon and their leadership team and 300 CRST Expedited team members were in attendance. The reception for the million-mile honorees and their families was held at Theater Cedar Rapids (TCR). Following the reception, John Smith, CRST owner, and board chairman, joined the senior leadership team in presenting the award ceremony.
CRST is also proud of its diverse group of drivers. CRST has double the national average of women truck drivers. Several women have driven a million miles without incident and have been with CRST for over a decade. The company is 19.0% female and 35.3% ethnic minorities. CRST also welcomes veterans and pays extra for their service if they have an excellent standing DD-214. This National Truck Driver Appreciation Week—and every day—CRST is thankful to its dependable employees who continually raise the bar. Are you interested in joining us? Learn more.
