National Trucking Week Rolls
Out September 7 - 14
(September 5, 2008) -- Canada’s
trucking industry is gearing up to roll out National Trucking Week this weekend.
This year’s event runs from September 7 – 14, 2007.
National Trucking Week is held annually to spotlight the important
contributions made by the 400,000 Canadians (over 200,000 in Ontario)
who work in the industry. The week also serves as a platform for raising
awareness of how to safely share the road with trucks and about the
industry’s new smog-free trucks.
“Grocery store shelves are stocked and the
supplies we need for daily living are available when we need them, thanks to the
country’s safe and reliable trucking industry,” says OTA President
David Bradley. “During National Trucking Week we salute the men and women
who form the backbone of the trucking industry. Without you the country would
literally stop!”
“One week is hardly enough to recognize the
efforts of so many people in an industry which operates 24/7, 365 days a year,
but it is OUR week," says Bradley. "The trucking industry is the
lifeblood of commerce. And, it is our people that make it
happen."
Trucks haul 90% of all consumer products and
foodstuffs and two-thirds of Canada’s trade with the United States –
our largest trading partner and the destination for about 80% of all Canadian
exports. Our people ensure that store shelves are stocked, that food products
arrive fresh, and that key parts get to manufacturers’ assembly lines on
time. The old saying, If You Got It, A Truck Brought It, is as true today
as it ever was.
Most importantly, the trucking industry is one of the
few industries that share its workplace with the public and it takes its
responsibility to ensure that it operates safely and in keeping with
environmental stewardship at the top of its list of priorities. Our drivers and
our vehicles are the safest drivers and vehicles of any on the road. Our engines
and our fuels are cleaner than any other freight mode – we are in the era
of the smog-free truck. Trucking is an important part of every
community.
"Grocery store shelves are stocked and the supplies we
need for daily living are available when we need them, thanks to the
country’s safe and reliable trucking industry,” says Bradley.
“This week we salute the men and women who form the backbone of the
trucking industry."
All over the province, OTA member companies are
marking National Trucking Week in a wide variety of ways. Some fleets are saying
‘thanks’ by treating their staff to special breakfasts, lunches or
BBQs during the week, while others are presenting commemorative jackets or
shirts and other tokens of appreciation to their staff. Senior
managers at some fleets are washing and fueling trucks for drivers before they
leave the yard.
Quick Facts About Trucking:
- Trucking in Canada is a $67 billion industry that employs over 270,000 drivers and somewhere in the order of 400,000 Canadians overall.
- Truck driving is the second most common occupation for men in Canada.
- Trucks move 90 percent of all consumer products and foodstuffs within Canada and almost two thirds, by value, of our trade with the United States, our largest trading partner.
- Trucks haul 62% of Canada-US trade by value and 80% of US exports to Canada. A truck crosses border once every 2 ½ seconds.
- Truck drivers and vehicles are the safest vehicles on the road. Trucks are involved in less than 2% of all collisions. And truck drivers are not at fault in 70% of collisions they are involved in. Trucks account for about 3.5% of all vehicles involved in personal injury and fatal collisions.
- The low collision rate is particularly impressive when you consider that a truck’s exposure to collisions is over 4 times greater than smaller vehicles.
- Smog-Free Trucks: The road transport industry and heavy truck and engine manufacturers in the past two years have reduced emissions by close to 90% with the introduction of low sulphur fuels and low emissions engines. The trucking industry has moved further and faster than any other transportation sector to reduce emissions. Trucking is not only meeting targets for GHG reductions, but is exceeding them and leading the way to a greener future.
- Where the Truck Fleets Are Found: Ontario (37 per cent), Alberta (25 per cent) and Quebec (13.5 per cent) accounted for over 75 per cent of the Canadian heavy truck fleet.
OTA is helping its members mark the event with
the following items:
- Official Poster/Collector Cards –The collector card is filled with interesting trucking facts while the poster aims to raise awareness of the week. Both of which are produced thanks to generous support of Kingsway General Insurance Company.
- Mark’s WorkWearhouse Discount Card: The card entitles the bearer to receive a discount on many popular items at Mark’s Work Wearhouse locations anywhere in Canada. OTA member companies distribute the cards to their employees.
- OTA/Wonderland Ticket Program: Employees of OTA member companies can take their family to Wonderland and enjoy reduced ticket prices.
The Prime Minister of Canada has also sent a
special message of congratulations to the industry which may be viewed by
visiting: www.cantruck.ca (click on
National Trucking Week logo).
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© 1995 -
2008, Ontario Trucking Association
555 Dixon Road, Toronto, Ontario
M9W
1H8
Tel: (416) 249-7401 | Fax: (416) 245-6152
Email:
info@ontruck.org