Truck drivers are so important to the American economy and the global transport of goods. Although we recognize the importance of truck drivers, there are several people who still have misconceptions about them.
Here are just a few of the myths surrounding truckers,
Common Truck Driver Myths
#1. Only Men are Truck Drivers
The stereotype that men are better truck drivers is, of course, not accurate. There are more than 200,000 female truck drivers in the United States and these women are five times less likely to break safety regulations than male truck drivers. They are also three times less likely to be in or cause an accident, and four times more likely to pass CDL certification on their first attempt than male drivers. Female drivers receive less driving warnings for issues such as collision warnings, speeding, and abrasive braking. Not only are female truckers statistically safer drivers than their male counterparts, but they are an integral part of the trucking industry!
#2. Drivers Earn a Low Income.
If this were true, there would probably be far fewer truckers on the road. The truth is that truck drivers make a pretty decent living, exceeding $50,000 a year. Even in states that have a much lower wages than the national average is, I can make a living. Mississippi, or instance where is the nation in trucker compensation. And the best/hardest working six figures a year, especially if you own your own business.
#3. Truckers Don’t Spend Time at Home
Although some truck drivers work up to 70 hours a week, most truckers still have time to spend with their families. Many truck drivers work locally or regionally, meaning that they are able to go home multiple times a week to see their families. Truckers value seeing their loved ones, and many choose jobs that allow them to spend time at home.
#4. Truck Drivers Cause Accidents
The public perception of big rigs is that they are annoyances on the road. However, what most people don’t realize is how much we rely on truckers. Trucks drive America’s commerce. Without trucks, we would not have groceries or other products that we need to survive. Trucks deliver 80% of all cargo in America.
There is also a misconception that truckers cause accidents. Truckers are 3 times less likely to be in an accident than a regular driver and are only involved in 2.4% of all car accidents in the United States.
#5. Truck Drivers are Uneducated
Many current truck drivers choose to get their college degrees before or after becoming truckers. Over 200,000 drivers aged 25-55 have some level of college education or a bachelor’s degree. This number has steadily risen over the last few decades.
