Drivers are Essential and Other Stone Cold Facts

A turn of the wheel, engagement of the clutch and the trademark air horn. Truckers are as American as it comes. Ever since former President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956, the pathway to interconnected America went from idea to horsepower-driven reality. With advances in semi-truck technology moving throughout the 20th Century into the innovative self-driving truck concept of the 21st, it’s safe to say that trucking has come a long way.

A lot happens in September. We send the summer, temperatures tend to cool down and we celebrate Driver Appreciation Week. Driver Appreciation Week runs September 12-18th. This celebration matters a great deal to the England Logistics team. We understand and appreciate how much of our success has come from strong carrier relations and thanks to dedicated, professional drivers. It’s with deep gratitude that we reflect on the contribution drivers make each day.

The truck drivers of this great nation move freight at any hour of the day or night. When most are snoozing at 1:43 a.m., somewhere thousands of drivers are pushing ahead towards their scheduled stop. It’s a position the requires the fortitude and resolve to operate an 18-wheeler for hours upon hours in the light of noonday sun and quiet reflective silence of the midnight moonlight. The ability to adjust to the load they are moving requires drivers to show a lot of grit. We salute their commitment to all lassoing their heavy horsepower stallions at any hour imaginable.

The unofficial motto of USPS is, “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” Tell me that motto doesn’t describe our dedicated truck drivers of the U-S of A. They move loads. Snow and ice? Drivers pull over and chain up. Downpour. Wind gusts.Hurricanes? Drivers pay close attention and find the best way to move forward. Is that a Twister? It’s no match for a semi. Certainly, they must be careful; pause when needed and exercise sound judgment, but drivers work tirelessly to find a way to advance, rather than delay freight. It’s a job and responsibility they take very seriously. Yes, mother nature can be problematic and rivers take all necessary safety precautions, at the end of the day they know it’s their mission to keep the economy moving. It’s no surprise they have been called the heartbeat of America. Well, them and Chevrolet both.

During the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, filling store shelves became critical. The nation needed supplies and as they always do, drivers delivered. While many were bunkered down at home, drivers surged ahead on the open road, moving the freight that stocked stores and allowed so many to be able to buy the essentials.

In an August 10, 2021 memo, the Department of Homeland Security released its Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce. Page 15 of the document reads in part…”Workers supporting or enabling transportation and logistics functions, including truck drivers.” While it took a bit longer than it should have, it’s wonderful to hear that drivers have received the essential worker designation. Before, during, or following a pandemic, truck drivers are essential. They work incredibly hard doing a mentally and physically taxing job. We would like to say a sincere thank you to drivers for all that they do for this great nation. Drivers, we appreciate you.