Truckers appreciated by most Americans, survey says

It’s not uncommon for truckers to be portrayed negatively in the media.

However, a new survey suggests that many Americans view truckers in a positive light.

In a recent study, CloudTrucks asked 2,000 Americans about their perceptions of truckers and the trucking industry. Overall, Americans’ attitude toward trucking is a positive one.

According to the study, Americans are aware of the importance of truckers. When asked if they believe truck drivers play a crucial role in the economy, 80% responded with “Yes.” Only 9% said “No,” while 11% indicated that they were not sure.

Americans also expressed awareness of some of the dangers of driving a truck. More than 80% of survey respondents said that truckers “frequently” or “occasionally” encounter aggressive or unsafe behaviors from other motorists. Only 19% believe that truck drivers rarely or never come across such driving behaviors.

For the most part, Americans have a positive perception of the average trucker.

Thirty-five percent described drivers as “industrious, overworked and underpaid.” More than 30% described truck drivers as reliable and punctual.

However, there also were some less flattering perceptions. More than 20% of respondents suggested drivers are older white males with tattoos and rough appearances. Another 13% referred to truck drivers as reckless, with disregard for traffic rules and safety precautions.

Americans appear to be confident that they know about the life of a trucker. Nearly two-thirds indicated that they are either very familiar or somewhat familiar with the daily life and challenges faced by truck drivers.

Geographically, Southerners are more confident about their trucking knowledge, with nearly 70% responding they are very familiar or somewhat familiar with the life of a trucker. Comparatively, only 57% of Northeasterners indicated a familiarity with the trucking lifestyle.

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association encourages all members of the public to advocate for bills that would improve the lives of truck drivers. Some of those efforts include removing the overtime exemption for truckers and increasing the number of safe places for them to park.

Visit FightingForTruckers.com to let your lawmakers know about several trucking-related bills that would make the nation’s roadways safer. Clicking on any of the legislative links on the homepage will take you to an easy-to-fill form that will go straight to your federal lawmakers. LL