In the world of trucking, there exists a variety of misconceptions that often cast shadows over the hardworking individuals who navigate these roads day in and day out. As truckers, we understand the weight of these preconceived notions and the impact they can have on the perception of our profession.
So, we turned to the heart of our community—the truck drivers themselves—to ask a simple yet profound question: “What’s one misconception people often have about truckers or trucking that you’d like to debunk?”
The floodgates of experience, truth, and revelation swung open as our fellow truckers shared their thoughts. Today, we’ll be sharing a few of the responses that emerged from our recent Facebook community discussion, aiming to shed light on the realities and dispel the myths.
If you’re a part of this journey on the open road, get ready to nod your head in agreement, find camaraderie in shared experiences, and join us in setting the record straight, one misconception at a time.
Below are just a few of the insights shared, you can check out all the comments on our Facebook page, HERE.
“That they only have to drive the truck. No one thinks the mapping of the route, verifying what roads are safe etc. Where to stop when your 11 hours of driving are up and how to manage your time” – Bobby W.
“That truckers aren’t educated or intelligent. My Father did this as a second career after he retired from his job in government and serving in the Navy. He had to put 4 kids through college and he was someone who loved to work and keep busy! 💙” – Mandy F.
“That they’re clods with no manners. I am not a trucker, but a trucker’s girlfriend who rides often with him. While I’ve certainly met some clods, 95% of the drivers I’ve met are wonderful, thoughtful, fascinating people.” Marla S.
“That A) it’s an easy job, you just sit in the seat and drive, and secondly, all truckers, take a bunch of little pills to stay awake and drive.” – Sid H.
“That truckers are unskilled labor” – Evan M.
“That we aren’t educated that we only got the driver license and not diploma or some type of education certification.” – William V.
“That semi trucks stop as fast as cars.” – Vivienne C.
“That it’s an easy job just sitting on your rear all day driving around seeing nice places.” – Adrian P.
“The myth that I would like to dispel is that all truck accidents are caused by the truck driver.” – Ron B.
“it’s like a vacation every trip a new place . All you get to see is the highway most of the time
It’s a very hard life but it gets in your blood. Hard to give up.” – Jessie S.
“I’d like to debunk the notion that drivers are unskilled laborers.” – Tony H.
“People say that truck drivers are strung out to be able to keep driving not knowing that not only are we DOT regulated with electronic logs keeping us from going over our 8, 10,11, or 14 hour clocks, we’re subjected to random drug screenings and annual or biannual physicals to ensure that we’re fit for duty.” – Jennifer K.
“That anybody can do the job. Driving the truck is only half of the job and it’s the easy half” – Lucas S.
“That the big gap in front of my truck is left specifically for you to pull in front.
Nothing to do with breaking distance…” – Anistsirk E.
“And if they have 18 wheels, they must have 18 brakes and therefore be able to stop on a dime…” – Andrew S.
“That truck driving is a highly skilled career. It takes a lifetime of experience to be proficient at it.” – Ed B.
“Trucking is not a job. Trucking is a career that requires a huge amount of sacrifice. Successful operators use math, physics, are experts with knowledge of the areas in which they operate, are capable of repairing many areas of the equipment they operate, are schooled in medical basics. What most don’t know is that a vast majority of truckers are also veterans with the skills learned and used while serving.
When you see a truck on the highway you see far more than a job. You are watching an extremely important part of America’s tactical defense and resource management in action. The supply chain, according to FEMA, is as important as the personnel who have boots on the ground in support on an emergency.
Trucking is far more than a job….” – Yancy B.
As we conclude this enlightening journey, let’s remember that the open road holds more than just cargo—it carries stories of dedication, resilience, and unity. Armed with newfound knowledge, both within our community and beyond, we stand poised to shape a more accurate narrative about truckers—one that honors the challenges, celebrates the triumphs, and ultimately fosters a deeper connection between those behind the wheel and the world they traverse. So, as the miles roll on and the sun sets on yet another day’s journey, let’s keep the conversations alive and the misconceptions in check.
