Byrd: Truckers deliver our needs, keep economy rolling

Do you know how you get the clothes you wear, food you eat or medicine you take? All these items, and basically everything we use in our daily lives, are delivered by a professional truck driver.

Most Americans don’t recognize the vital role the trucking industry plays in our everyday lives. But when you see a truck on the highway today, realize that the driver is delivering the goods that keep America moving.

There are more than 3.4 million truck drivers in the United States, and more than 7.1 million people employed in trucking. In South Carolina, trucking provides more than 88,370 jobs, or one out of every 17; it’s a great career that many South Carolinians depend on.

Professional drivers last year hauled more than 9.96 billion tons of freight, or 69 percent of U.S. freight. Trucking is so vital to our economy that more than 80 percent of U.S. cities and towns rely solely on it for their goods and commodities. We like to think of ourselves as the backbone of our nation’s economy, delivering the things that make our collective quality of life possible.

So when you head to your local grocery store this week, look at the variety of products available on the shelves. Everything there was delivered by a truck driver, from the fresh fruits and vegetables to your morning coffee or your ingredients for dinner. Truckers even delivered the supplies and gear that your favorite team uses on football Saturdays in South Carolina.

America’s truck drivers are professionals dedicated to keeping our highways safe. So please take the opportunity to let the men and women driving the trucks down our highways know that they are appreciated. Without them, some of life’s biggest needs would go unmet.

This story was originally published October 8, 2015 at 1:06 PM with the headline "Byrd: Truckers deliver our needs, keep economy rolling."