Negative press and stereotypes have created many common misconceptions about today’s truck driver. Apex has gathered the evidence, dispelled the myths, and provided you with the facts about our growing industry.
MYTH: Semi-trucks are dangerous and cause numerous accidents.
FACTS:
- Trucks are three times less likely to be in an accident than a regular motor vehicle.
- Commercial trucks are involved in 2.4% of all car accidents. Of these accidents, 84% are not the truck driver’s fault.
- Trucks are four times more likely to pass safety inspections than passenger vehicles.
(Source: Transportation Issues Daily)
MYTH: Freight transportation is not a very large industry.
FACTS:
- Trucks carry 68% of all domestically moved freight in the United States.
- The U.S. has 3.5 million truck drivers.
- In 2012 the U.S. transportation system moved a daily average of about 54 million tons of freight valued at nearly $48 billion. The tonnage and value of this moved freight surpassed the previous highs reached in 2007, by just over 4%.
(Source: The ATA, The Truckers Report & BTS)
MYTH: Truckers are unhealthy or overweight.
FACTS:
- Most truckers are particular about their outward appearance, especially because of the negative reputation and stereotype that truckers face.
- There is a large effort by the FMCSA and other organizations for truckers to live a healthy lifestyle. Every two years truckers have to find a doctor to sign off on their paperwork saying they’re fit to drive. (A good resource for finding FMCSA-certified physicians is driverphysicals.com)
- Many truckers are beginning to take on healthier eating habits and are exercising. It’s not uncommon to find a group of truckers either cycling or jogging in truck stops in the morning before hitting the road!
(Source: GTSA Bulletin)