“On behalf of the proud members of National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC), we extend our respect and gratitude to the many professional tank truck drivers that serve our unique industry,” says Daniel Furth, NTTC president. “Know that you have the respect and admiration of the entire tank truck community this week and every week throughout the year.”
Furth made his comments at the start of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, which runs September 14-20.
He went on to say that the tank truck industry plays a critical role in the North American economy and “our segment’s performance is largely due to the professionalism of our driver corps. Our industry has many important stakeholders, but none as mission-critical as our drivers. Without the contributions of this essential group, our industry and the overall economy would come to a screeching halt. Our membership simply cannot achieve that mission without serving our drivers as a priority. These professionals are the face of the industry whose commitment to safety is paramount to the success of our carriers, our customers, and the many people with whom we share the road each day.”
A perfect example of the caliber of tank truck drivers is James Starr of Groendyke Transport Inc, the first recipient of the NTTC’s Professional Tank Truck Driver of the Year award. A 42-year trucking veteran, Starr accepted the grand champion’s award graciously on stage amid seven other extremely qualified and experienced champions whose collective accident-free miles totaled in excess of 25,000,000 miles over a cumulative 297 years behind the wheel. NTTC’s grand champion alone drove an astonishing 3.5+ million accident-free miles during his 29-year career hauling chemicals and petroleum for Groendyke Transport.
American Trucking Associations officials added their thanks to the truck driver community.
“I just wanted to take a moment to say Thank you to the 3.2 million professionals, men and women, who safely move products for this country and provide for the quality of life that Americans have come to appreciate,” ATA President and CEO Bill Graves said in a video message kicking off NTDAW.
National Truck Driver Appreciation Week will feature celebrations hosted by motor carriers, shippers and other trucking-related industries, as well as with events hosted by ATA, its state affiliates and America’s Road Team Captains.
These groups routinely celebrate NTDAW with driver award ceremonies, company cookouts, bonuses and gifts for drivers and other expressions of appreciation for the extremely important job America’s truck drivers do.
“I ask all Americans to join me in doing something to celebrate our nation’s truck drivers,” said ATA Chairman Phil Byrd, president of Bulldog Hiway Express, Charleston SC. “For too long, our millions of professional drivers have not been afforded the respect they deserve and we hope this annual celebration of their dedication to safety and their essential role in our economy can help to change that.”
There are over 3.2 million professional truck drivers delivering our everyday needs nationwide. These professional men and women log close to 421 billion miles each year. In 2013, trucking professionals delivered 69.1% of the U.S. freight tonnage, equivalent to 9.7 billion tons of freight. Eighty percent of US communities depend solely on the trucking industry for the delivery of goods. Professional truck drivers keep America moving forward.
ATA began celebrating National Truck Driver Appreciation Week in 1988 in an effort to honor those hard working men and women who deliver life’s essentials every day.