ATA Marks Annual Celebration of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week

ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- American Trucking Associations is taking this week, National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, to honor the 3.2 million professional truck drivers that deliver America's freight safely and securely, every day.

"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.

Celebrated this year the week of September 14-20, 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, S.C. "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 percent of the U.S. freight tonnage, equivalent to 9.7 billion tons of freight. 80 percent of U.S. 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. 

American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation's freight. Follow ATA on Twitter or on Facebook. Trucking Moves America Forward 

SOURCE American Trucking Associations