Trucking is an industry that is vital to the U.S. economy, but many people don’t know some of the interesting trucking facts. From the industry’s origins to the technology used today, the trucking industry has a fascinating history and is essential to the functioning of the world economy. Below are some of the most interesting trucking facts and how they have shaped the industry today.
6% Of Drivers Are Female
The trucking industry may be dominated by men; however, more women choose trucking as a full-time career. According to The American Trucking Association, these ladies from all different ethnicities and age brackets make up 6 percent of the industry – or a total of 234,000 drivers.
The Tractor Trailer Was Built To Move A Boat
In 1914, Freuhauf built a simple single-axle trailer for lumber dealer Frederic Sibley to move his boat on vacation trips. Sibley then asked him to modify the design to haul lumber. This became known as the “semi-trailer.”
Fuel, Fuel, Fuel
Commercial trucks consume 20,500 gallons of fuel each year. With an average cost per gallon for diesel trucks being $2.44 (example) and MPG average of 8, we’ll just say it will cost a trucker approximately $50,000 at the pumps annually. In fact, the trucking industry spent over $143 billion on diesel fuel in 2011.
One Small Step For Man, One Giant Leap For Mankind
There are close to 16 million active trucks in the United States with over 3.5 million truckers behind the wheel. This means that if you could pile up the vehicles, they would reach the moon.
Roundtrip Around The Moon
If you added the annual distance covered by all 16 million trucks (at about 115,000 miles each year for small business truckers), it would equate to 300 billion miles; or 651,000 plus roundtrips from the moon.
Freight Transport
Did you know that over 72 percent of annual freight transports in the U.S. are due to truckers? In 2019 alone, freights hauled 11.84 billion tons of goods (ATA). This was roughly a 3 percent increase from 2018. You’re welcome, America.
EPA Regulations
Over the last two decades, EPA regulations have cut 95 percent of emissions from heavy-duty trucks. Clean diesel means cleaner air!
It’s Not Safe To Tailgate A Truck
Trucks need about 40 percent more stopping time compared to a car – that means they need about three football fields of room to come to a complete stop at highway speeds.
Accidents In Trucking
Most trucking accidents are due to sudden or unstable lane changes followed by impairment such as falling asleep at the wheel, alcohol, and illness. In 2019, a total of 2,734 fatal crashes involves trucks and buses in the United States.
Industry Growth
The trucking industry has grown by 2.7% annually from 2017 to 2022. Since this is a multi-billion dollar industry with stable pay and job security, it is a worthy career choice to consider for young adults or anyone looking for an exciting career change.
Although there are many interesting trucking facts out there, these are just a few. The most important fact about trucking is this – without our nation’s truck drivers, our country would not survive. Today and every day, thank a trucker and logistics professional.
