Truck drivers have a certain stereotype associated with them: grouchy, unkept, swears like a, well, like a truck driver. Granted there are a few individuals that fit the profile (I recall an instance where a (female) billing clerk sent an invoice and Bills of Lading for a load along with a fabric softener sheet with a note apologizing that the Bills were "a bit smelly"). And honestly, who wouldn't be grouchy after sitting and driving, day after day, dealing with traffic, weather and the maniacs on the road that love to mess with the big rigs just for fun. This while trying to meet a tightly scheduled delivery appointment, obey safety rules and hours of service and making sure the load is not damaged (or other) during transit, as well as sleeping in a tiny bunk, eating at greasy spoons day after day, and miles (days?) between showers. I believe the average Joe could not handle that kind of lifestyle. It takes a special kind of person/personality to drive a truck. Because along with the negative stereotypes, we've also heard the positive stories: the truck driver who stops to help a lady (or man) change a flat, blocks the highway after an accident so as to deter passing-by gapers as victims are being removed from the scene, picking up hitchhikers (NOT recommended) just because they saw someone who needed a lift. A while back my young cousin, 10 or 11 at the time, watched in horror as a speeding car struck and killed his small dog which had run out into the (not very busy) state highway in front of his house. The car did not stop. The very next vehicle was a semi that had seen the whole thing. The driver pulled over, picked up the deceased pet and carried him back to the house while trying to console the devastated boy. For many years after that incident my young cousin would often say that when he grew up, he wanted to be a truck driver.

Aside from the heartwarming stories about truck drivers, there are also the facts: trucks deliver 67% of all the freight moved in the United States. 80% of the country of the country is solely dependent on trucks to deliver food, fuel, medicine, clothing and life's other essentials.¹ The number of accidents involving semis has gone down dramatically since the 70's - in some part by stringent government rules but mostly because of conscientious, professional drivers. From 1989 to 2009, the truck involvement rate in fatal crashes fell 68%.

The country has recently recognized "National Truck Driver Appreciation Week", a very nice gesture on the national level, but we need to personally show appreciation for our truck drivers every day. They are people too, and our lifestyle of convenience depends on them. ◊