National Truck Driver Appreciation Week is here, and recognizing drivers is more important than ever. COVID-19 has made it especially difficult to get the items we need—yet the nation’s 3.5 million drivers work tirelessly to keep homes and businesses stocked. Whether they’re driving long hauls or the last mile, truck drivers come through for us, transporting everything from food and clothing to personal protective equipment and medicines safely and securely—even in high-risk areas. Here are four ways to show your gratitude this week and every week.

How to Thank a Trucker

  1. Thank drivers directly. Next time you see a truck driver at a rest stop, simply thank them, especially for their continued efforts during the pandemic. If you like, offer to pay for their coffee or a sandwich. A gift card to a popular chain restaurant would be especially thoughtful.
  2. Donate to a trucking non-profit. A few charitable organizations exist expressly to provide assistance to truck drivers and their families during times of need, offering hot meals, free vaccines, counseling services, help with medical and funeral expenses, and more. One charity even returns lost pets to families and transports shelter animals to their new homes.
  3. Support driver-friendly legislation. Overregulation constrains truck drivers today, making their jobs more difficult than necessary. Commonsense hours-of-service (HOS) reform would help drivers by enabling flexibility with driving times and distances, rest breaks, and electronic log device (ELD) issues. Supporting the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act would address the ongoing shortage of safe parking spaces for trucks through dedicated funding to expand capacity. And including aid for the trucking industry as part of the next COVID-19 relief bill, particularly by suspending the 12% Federal Excise Tax (FET) on new trucks, would help more drivers upgrade to safer models. To learn more, visit https://www.ooida.com/.
  4. Respect truck drivers on the road. Large trucks have several blind spots around the vehicle, especially along each side. In fact, if you can’t see the driver in their rearview mirror, the driver probably can’t see you. Make an effort to stay visible, especially when merging. Because of their size and weight, trucks also take longer to stop, which is why you should never cut off a truck—the driver may not see you in time to avoid a crash. And be sure to watch for wide turns, even into neighboring lanes, whenever you see a truck’s turn signal flashing.

Capstone Appreciates Truck Drivers

Truck drivers are everyday heroes who deserve our ongoing thanks and support. Capstone supports truck drivers and carriers with strong partnerships, vetted networks, same-day payments, and a commitment to sharing the latest industry insights.