
Here’s a closer look at the trucking industry statistics highlighting the significance of the backbone of America – truckers.
The trucking industry statistics are truly remarkable. It’s an industry topping $726.4 billion in revenue for 2015 and responsible for six percent of all jobs in America.
If you bought it, they brought it. Truck drivers keep America rolling by driving countless and lonely hours delivering the cargo we desire. Without trucks to ship things, those shelves would be mighty bare and those same-day delivering services from your online shopping wouldn’t be possible without truckers.
Don’t believe us? Check out the trucking industry statistics.
Merge onto any highway and you’ll see countless semi trucks heading in either direction of the road. Seems like they’re endless amounts of them right? You would be correct, in fact 80 percent of all cargo in the USA!

There are 3.5 million truck drivers in the trucking industry who put their life at risk delivering an array of commodities and goods. Drivers operate heavy-duty trucks with a load weighing as much as 80,000 pounds. In 2015, 852 truck drivers lost their life while working, making truck driver the most dangerous job in the USA. So remember to give truck drivers space and don’t tailgate.

Truck drivers haul a variety of goods with machinery, electronic and motorized vehicles making up 27 percent of goods shipped by truck drivers in America. The most common thing trucks haul is machinery, followed by electronics and motorized vehicles. Additionally, mixed freight includes commodities such as food and restaurant supplies.

Let’s face it, without the trucking industry we wouldn’t be able to enjoy the things we have. Shelves would be empty and people would undoubtedly be in a state of panic if that happens. The trucking industry statistics don’t lie!




National Truck Driver Appreciation Week 2020
[p]The U.S economy is highly dependent on some 3.5 million individuals who spend their lives on the road delivering goods to move our economy. Yes, we are talking about truck drivers who deserve praise and gratitude for what they do every day.
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[img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/09/blog-1.jpg" alt=""]
[p][b]Historical Significance [/b][/p]
[p]Trucking has been around for over a century. Alexander Winton built the first semi-trailer in 1898, and quickly over the next hundred years, its significance really started to take shape. In 1998, the American Trucking Association (ATA) decided that a celebratory week shall be commemorated on the 2nd week of September. Every year since then, we’ve reserved that date to celebrate and give thanks to the millions of OTR and local drivers. [/p]
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[img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/09/blog-2-1.jpg" alt=""]
[p][b]Impact on the Economy[/b][/p]
[p]Trucking plays an integral role in the U.S economy. Some have stated that trucks act like the red blood cells in a human body. The red blood cells deliver oxygen to vital parts of the body, the same as trucks deliver goods to every corner of the country. Without them, the entire economy comes to a halt.[/p]
[p]According to official statistics, trucks move 72.5% of all the freight inside the U.S. That’s about 11.84 billion tons of goods! The good news is that the demand for truck drivers is increasing every year. The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that by the year 2026 approximately 108,400 more heavy-load truckers will be required to maintain the network. The future is bright for anyone who wants to join the party.
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[img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/09/blog-3-1.jpg" alt=""]
[p][b]Showing Gratitude [/b][/p]
[p]Life on the road is not easy. Truckers are away from their loved ones several months out of the year.
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[p]Sometimes a simple thank-you can mean the world. Being courteous on the road, goodie bag, or even a few words of kindness can lift spirits. It’s not easy for truck drivers to always cook and pack their meals, buying them a meal goes a long way!
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[p]In spite of our current pandemic, truckers are still delivering the essential goods across the country. Keeping the shelves stocked, delivering critical medical supplies, helping us get from manufacturer to doorstep, truckers have taken on a special significance in these times. We must not forget these hardworking men and women. The National Truck Driver Appreciation Week is a wonderful time for Americans to acknowledge these unsung heroes who make our lives easier and keep the economic wheel spinning.[/p]
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[p][b]By Aldous Aldwin[/b][/p]
Trucker Spotlight - Nikki Matthews <em>The Trucker Spotlight series explores the lives of truckers and their journey to make a difference in their industry. We interview different truck drivers to understand some life lessons that make them who they are today. We also learn more about their motivations, and the problems that they encounter on the job. We also tackle how Trucker Path's solutions helped them with what they do. The information that they provide helps inform other people who are looking to delve into the trucking world.</em>
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[img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2021/01/202101-TS-Nikki-Mathews-BLOG1.jpg" alt=""]
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Today we are putting the spotlight on <strong>Nikki</strong>, who's a wife and mother of 6 kids. She's trainer at Stevens Transport and a lease purchase driver. She's been in the industry for more than 2 years now and she loves what she does. She's also an electronic junkie. Let's get to know more about Nikki and her life in trucking.
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<h3><strong>What made you decide to be a trucker?</strong></h3>
I was driving 2 hours to the Post office and 2 hours home plus 4-6 hrs delivery Mail. All that driving made me think of driving trucks.
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[img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2021/01/202101-TS-Nikki-Mathews-BLOG3.jpg" alt=""]
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<h3><strong>In the years that you have been driving, what are the significant changes that you've
noticed in the trucking industry?</strong></h3>
More women are coming out and that some of the older generation of Truckers doesn't respect women out here on the road at all.
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<h3><strong>Any times when you get lonely while driving? How do you deal with it?</strong></h3>
Yeah there are times of loneliness. I just use that time to meditate and relax my mind just a bit. I use that as my "Me time".
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[img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2021/01/202101-TS-Nikki-Mathews-BLOG2.jpg" alt=""]
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<h3><strong>What made you start a Youtube Channel? </strong></h3>
I didn't see that many videos encouraging women Truckers to come out in the industry and not many good videos of the company I work for.
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<h3><strong>What are your trucking pet peeves? </strong></h3>
Truckers leaving pee bottles and trash on the ground at truck stop. Not cleaning behind themselves.
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[img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2021/01/202101-TS-Nikki-Mathews-BLOG4.jpg" alt=""]
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<h3><strong>What keeps you busy nowadays? How did the current Covid-19 situation affect your trucking life? </strong></h3>
My 5 year old keeps me busy because he is growing and needs things so I stay out to provide for him and my fur babies. Covid-19 affect my trucking life by wearing masks all the time but I understand why I need it. Not able to sit down for lunch or dinner inside a restaurant. So I started cooking meals in my truck.
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<h3><strong>What are your future career plans? Would you continue to be a trucker? Any plans on being an instructor? </strong></h3>
My future plan is to create me a small fleet of trucks under my business name. I will continue drive for a while until my fleet is established. I am currently a trainer. I haven't thought about being an instructor just yet.
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<h3><strong>Favorite Truckstop? Truckstop Food? Favorite truck model?</strong></h3>
Pilot / Flying J is my favorite truck stop. Chicken wings and pizza at Pilot / Flying J. My favorite model of course is the Freightliner Cascadia.
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<h3><strong>What are your must haves or the things that you bring with you when on the road?</strong></h3>
God, my sanity, food, good music clothes, personal hygiene items, sometimes my fur baby, all trucker tools, and my drone.
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<h3><strong>What's your favorite scenic route?</strong></h3>
Going through I-70 through Utah to Colorado to see Aspen. So beautiful there. I just think how the western got from one point to the next point.
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<h3><strong>We're glad that you use the Trucker Path app on your day to day trucking. What features do you enjoy the most?</strong></h3>
My fave feature of <a href="https://sixdays.page.link/tpfb">Trucker Path</a> is that one it stay open while I'm driving so I don't have to stop and open it to see where I'm going. Then HOS part when you're routing.
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<h3><strong>What are some tips that you would like to share for aspiring women truckers? </strong></h3>
Don't let no one tell you what you can't do. If you wanna come out and drive trucks then do it. But don't let no one tell you any difference. Keep your head up. Don't let men bully you.
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<h3><strong>Where can people watch your videos on Youtube?</strong></h3>
They can view my videos on my Youtube Channel, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgTa_9fKQR2_li03wAMZnqQ">OTR Diva</a>.
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P3DJKuJ85sM" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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Hope you guys enjoy!
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<h4>By Aldous Aldwin</h4>
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HAZMAT Transportation [p]Understand the requirements of HAZMAT transportation and how truck drivers can avoid violations.[/p]
[h2]HAZMAT Transportation[/h2]
[p]HAZMAT transportation can be lucrative for carriers but it requires understanding common Department of Transportation violations and how to avoid them in regards to hazardous materials.[/p]
[p]HAZMAT transportation can be extremely dangerous for truck drivers which is why it typically pays at a higher rate. To enforce regulations and promote the safety of HAZMAT transportation, the FMCSA conducts over 154,000 annual roadside inspections, with an estimated 35,000 DOT HAZMAT violations reported. That's nearly 23 percent of inspections resulting in a violation![/p]
[h2]Most Common Violations of HAZMAT Regulations [/h2]
[ul]
[li]No Copy of USDOT hazardous materials registration number (8.1 %)[/li]
[li]Package not secure in vehicle (7.6 %)[/li]
[li]Placard damaged, deteriorated or obscured (6.9 %)[/li]
[li]Vehicle not placarded as required (5.9 %)[/li]
[li]No Shipping papers (5.1 %)[/li]
[li]Shipping paper accessibility (4.7 %)[/li]
[li]Emergency response information missing (4.5 %)[/li]
[li]Failure to provide carrier required placards (4.4 %)[/li]
[li]Offering a hazardous material without preparing a shipping paper (3.0 %)[/li]
[li]No placards or marking when required (2.9 %)[/li]
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[p]Want to obtain a HAZMAT endorsement on your CDL and potentially earn more with HAZMAT transportation?[/p]
[button-white href="https://truckerpath.com/blog/hazmat-endorsement/"]Here's How![/button-white]
[img src="/uploads/2017/06/hazmat-GHS.jpg"]
[p]GHS Transport Pictograms Cheat Sheet for hazardous materials from [a href="http://globalchemicalresources.com/"]Global Chemical Resources[/a].[/p]