National Trucking Week 2017 celebrates this amazing truck transportation industry. Most of the general public take trucks on our roadways as a part of everyday life and an inconvenience to the motoring general public. Nova Scotia Trucking Safety Association would like to share some truck transportation facts about the industry. Many people do not realize how important a role the truck transportation industry is to the economic well-being of Canada, Nova Scotia and the communities we each live in. Join us as we celebrate National Trucking Week 2017 and the amazing people that work safely on a daily in this great industry.
There are 700,000 trucks across the nation, 420,000 of which are used to carry freight commercially. The remainder can be found in the hands of governments, utility companies and farmers and occasionally haul commercial goods such as machinery and equipment. About 500,000 are straight trucks and the remaining 200,000 are truck tractors.
According to Statistics Canada the occupation of truck driver is the most frequently cited occupation of Canadian men. Over 227,000 Canadians are truck drivers making it one of the top occupations in the country. 97% of the professional drivers in Canada are male, 3% are female.
In 2012, statistics showed that 90 percent of all consumer products and foodstuffs were shipped by truck throughout Canada, and almost two-thirds (by value) by trade with the US, which remains Canada’s largest trading partner. Without the trucking industry, the wheels of commerce would stop rolling.
Roadside truck stops around North America can expect to stay busy as the trucking industry continues to thrive. This diverse industry is made up of a few large companies and thousands of small and medium-sized businesses around the US and Canada. The Canadian Trucking Alliance reports that in Canada alone, the trucking industry is worth over $65 billion with more than 260,000 drivers and over 400,000 employees overall.
Trucking is a key trade facilitator between Canada and the United States. Approximately two-thirds of Canada-US trade is moved by truck, including more than 80 percent of all US exports to Canada. Canadian for-hire trucking firms are responsible for just over 80 percent of the total tonnage shipped intra-provincially.
Don’t try to stop short with a semi behind you. These trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds/36,000 kgs, which can be difficult to stop on a dime. It takes up to 40% more time for trucks to stop than cars.
This industry is a very dynamic industry that changes everyday. NSTSA would like to remind the general public to give the professional ladies & gentlemen of the road a break, allow they some extra space to complete turns. Give them a few extra seconds to get their truck & trailer parked so they can get the products delivered.
Below is a video NSTSA created as part of a recent advertising campaign. This video shows the importance of trucks and the cargo they are delivering on a daily basis across Canada and the United States. Happy National Truck Week 2017 !
Thanks to Today’s Trucking, Canada Cartage, Freightera and Stats Canada for the great stats.
Comments