We know you’ve heard people talk about the trucking industry; most have no idea what they’re talking about, not to mention seeing the entertainment industry bash on truck drivers for one reason or another. People who don’t personally know truckers don’t know what the life is like, so we’re here to set the facts straight to some of the most common myths about truck drivers and the industry.
Myth #1
Truck drivers are drug users or serial killers – Truck drivers often get stuck with a bad reputation thanks to the movie industry where many truckers portray drug abusers, outlaws and violent criminals. First, to debunk the drug abuse, due to the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991, drug and alcohol screening must be done in numerous transportation industries, trucking included. They must perform routine testing, and if they fail, they are not allowed to drive. Truckers know they have a huge responsibility when they sit behind the wheel of a semi.
As for truckers being serial killers, it turns out truck drivers are actually commonly known as the “heroes of the highway”. Sure, movies may show truck drivers as violent criminals, and there have been some cases of that; however, the majority of the time, truckers are responsible, helpful people who fight crime daily and respond first to accidents.
Myth #2
Truck drivers cause traffic accidents – Did you know truck drivers are 3 times less likely to get into an accident than a normal vehicle and 4 times more likely to pass inspection than passenger vehicles? Only 2.4% of commercial drivers are involved in traffic accidents.
Myth #3
Male truckers are better drivers than females – Along with the myth of there being few women in the trucking industry, the myth that male truck drivers are better than female truck drivers exists as well. We’ve all heard it before…men are better drivers than women, so it really comes as no surprise that this myth exists. In the United States, there are over 200,000 women with a career in the trucking industry. Female truckers are 3 times less likely to get into a traffic accident than male truck drivers, 5 times less likely to violate safety regulations, and 4 times more likely than men to pass the exam to obtain their CDL on their first time.
Myth #4
Truckers have easy jobs – The life of a truck driver isn’t always the most glamorous, but they do have an extremely important job. The U.S. would come to a screeching halt if there were no truck drivers. To put this in perspective, if it weren’t for truck drivers, there would be no Christmas the way we know and love it today, hospitals would run out of supplies in 24 hours, and it would only take 4 weeks to use up our nation’s clean water supply. Truck drivers are the reason we are able to live the way we do, so the next time you come into contact with a driver, please thank them for all of their hard work.
Additionally, many truckers go days, if not weeks or months, without seeing their families, and they spend long hours alone. A great number of truckers work on holidays, weekends, and nights just to make sure everyone is getting what they need, when they need it. Truck drivers miss plenty of events and activities many people take for granted. Let’s face it: it takes a special type of person to be a truck driver, and it’s definitely not for everyone; however, it is a rewarding career if you can look past these things.
We’d love to hear any myths you may have heard – share these with us on our Facebook page, Twitter @NDITruck, or leave a comment below.
Did you know that North Dixie Truck and Trailer is a Women Owned and Operated business? We’re certified by the National Women’s Business Enterprise and as a Women Owned Small Business by the WBENC. These certifications are two of which we’re very proud to hold. Since our facilities became women owned and operated in 2006, our parts division and maintenance facility have expanded in a major way to better serve our customers.
Contact us any time by phone at 419-222-8785 (parts division) or 419-221-3750 (maintenance) or stop by and see us at 2050 N. Dixie Highway in Lima.