National Truck Driver Appreciation Week is when America takes the time to honor all professional truck drivers for their hard work and commitment to tackling one of our economy’s most demanding and essential jobs. Nearly every aspect of daily life is made possible because a truck driver delivers the goods and resources people need.
National Truck Driver Appreciation Week is an essential time for America to pay respect and thank all professional truck drivers for their hard work and commitment in undertaking one of our economy's most demanding and vital jobs.
Americans and Canadians have taken extraordinary steps to show their appreciation for the critical work that professional truck drivers have done. From children passing out lunches to "I Heart Truck" signs across the highways, the public has taken notice of the essential role truck drivers play in their lives. As we reflect on the past three years, I often wonder where we would be today if the truck drivers had refused to drive the trucks at the onset of the Covid pandemic that was delivering our personal protective equipment (PPE), food, medical supplies, and the list goes on and on!
This week in September is a small way to show appreciation to the 3.5 million professional men and women who not only deliver our goods safely, securely, and on time but also keep our highways safe. Start planning now to do something special for your drivers during this week in September that we set aside to recognize them.
Driver Recognition Awards
Driver Appreciation week is a good time to review the award and recognition programs that you have in place. It is important that we recognize those drivers who have performed in a safe and compliant manner. Recognition awards are best used for safe driving. A recognition award should be an award that the driver or employee cannot get anywhere else. It is best if these awards are personalized. The benefits of recognition awards are that they are non-monetary and have a longer-lasting effect. A driver should not be able to go and buy this award on their own. The only way to receive the award and recognition is to meet the requirements for receiving the award. These awards can be further enhanced by presenting award group presentations with peers (i.e., meetings, banquets, etc.).
As a motor carrier, there are several state and Nationwide association award programs that you can enroll your drivers in. I would recommend that you contact your state trucking association for a listing of the awards programs that are available. There are a variety of awards programs available for your drivers through organizations such as the American Trucking Association (www.truckline.com) and the National Private Truck Council (NPTC). The NPTC has the Driver Hall of Fame and National Driver All-Stars driver’s awards programs that are available to NPTC members. Go to: www.nptc.org to enroll your driver.
Driver Incentive Awards:
Incentive monetary awards are best used to motivate a driver to perform. These types of incentive programs are successful in motivating the driver to achieve a specific goal such as a certain fuel mileage or clean roadside inspection.
Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Enforcement Crackdown is Now in Place!
The 2023 national enforcement mobilization “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” went into effect across the country on Aug. 16 and will conclude on Sept. 4, 2023. One of the deadliest and most often committed – yet preventable – of crimes (impaired driving), has become a serious safety epidemic in our country.
With the end of summer comes Labor Day weekend, which in years past has signaled one last trip to finish out the summer. As it turns out, this year does not look much different, despite the COVID-19 pandemic — except for the places Americans plan to travel. Given that many locations around the country have instituted a 14-day quarantine for new arrivals and some countries have banned Americans altogether, travelers are essentially opting for the locations that will have them. A study from Tripit comparing Labor Day air line bookings this year vs. last year shows that traditionally popular destinations have been replaced with warm-weather destinations that also happen to be pandemic hot spots.
Unfortunately, the holiday weekend also means an increase in road traffic, with many flocking to the beaches and to visit family and friends for the long weekend.
Increased traffic means an increased likelihood of vehicle crashes, and the festive nature of the weekend, unfortunately, lends itself to instances of drunk driving. To keep people safe on the streets, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) wants to make sure this busy travel period is a safe one, which is why we’re partnering with law enforcement nationwide for the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaign from August 21 through September 7, 2020, to help put a stop to alcohol-impaired driving.
https://www.nhtsa.gov/campaign/drive-sober-or-get-pulled-over
Have you prepared your terminal facility for the upcoming Labor Day weekend?
It is not uncommon for thieves to target truck terminals over the holidays, as they know it is an excellent opportunity as no one is there. Make sure that you take extra precautions to secure the trucks and items of value at your terminal. If your units do not have anti-siphon devices or locking caps, instruct the drivers not to fill the units at the end of the day. Make sure that all security alarms are in working order. Walk the perimeter of the lot to make sure that security fencing is in good condition. Move units and all other materials, such as pallets, tires, etc., far enough away from the fence so they cannot be used to climb on to get over the fence. Consider blocking the entrance and exits to the lot so units cannot be stolen. Throughout the three-day weekend, assign management personnel to check the terminal randomly. Using a little prevention and common sense can deter a thief from striking your facility.
