Sunday, October 23, 2011

Raising Awareness is Key to Truck Drivers Issues

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1st Annual Truck Driver Social Media Convention Banner by: TheKeysTruckers.com

I often hear from truck drivers who refer to themselves as a “voice in the wilderness.” When you look at the general public as a whole, they have no clue about the struggles and governmental bureaucracy that drivers face on a daily basis.

During our most recent broadcast on Truth About Trucking “LIVE” while we were discussing crime against truckers, a listener from Pennsylvania called in who happened to be a law enforcement officer.  He was totally shocked to discover that drivers were experiencing such crimes in their work place.  Even as a police officer . . . he had no idea.

Be it the general public, a police officer or even the national news media, as professional truck drivers we cannot cast blame on those who have no understanding of what life on the road is all about.  Like in the case of the Pennsylvania officer . . . the “outside world” is simply unaware.

Utilizing the tools to raise awareness of an issue can bring about valuable reform.  In the political world, crimes against humanity can be hidden away for years until one day, one person steps forward with a blog post or YouTube video and suddenly brings awareness to the situation.  If awareness is never built upon and given the opportunity to grow in numbers and strength, a particular issue can lie dormant for years.

As in the case of human trafficking, we have seen a surge of unity brought about by Chapter 61 Ministries and Truckers Against Trafficking, raising awareness of a serious issue that many truck drivers were blind to.  The first step to unity and changing those issues that are destructive to a way of life . . . is raising awareness.

Somebody once told me that when the Great American Trucking Show was first launched in 1999, less than 1,000 people attended.  I do not know if this is fact or rumor, but I do know that in 2010, GATS pulled in 46,732 visitors.

When the Mid-America Trucking Show came around in 1972, they saw a total attendance of 4,000 visitors.  In March of 2011, MATS saw an attendance of 76,566 trucking enthusiasts.   Through the years, these two shows continue to grow in numbers, all geared toward the overall trucking industry.

The 1st Annual Truck Driver Social Media Convention can lead to the point where drivers are no longer a “voice in the wilderness.” As we have seen with the two major trucking shows in the country, what began with a few can grow into thousands, drawing attention and awareness through-out the national news media.  Unlike trucking shows and expos, an Annual Truck Driver Convention will raise awareness to the professional truck driver.

For years, truckers have discussed among themselves the restrictions and regulations placed on them that further damage their livelihood.  Talking among each other in truck stops, rest areas and at shippers and receivers warehouse docks, fails to bring public or media awareness to the issues.

A convention for truckers, growing in strength and numbers year after year, addressing issues and discussing solutions, will undoubtedly catch the attention of the trucking industry, media, and the general public, raising  awareness and respect for the professional truck driver…a voice to be reckoned with.

As drivers join together, uniting to create awareness, there are many watching, wondering what the effects of 550 motivated and unified drivers can accomplish.  They are wondering if their unity will catch the attention of those who never before listened… or even cared.

They are watching and wondering if our goal to unite and raise awareness regarding the industry issues will be successful.  Without a doubt, I know they are watching, and although many are excited and enthused, there are also many who are intimidated by the possibilities and accomplishments that can be achieved from such an event and driver unity. This is an indicator that as drivers, we are on the right track.

Join us in October.  Let’s make a statement.  Let’s make a difference.  Let’s make history . . . unite and be a part of the 1st Annual Truck Driver Social Media Convention.  ” Raising the Standards of the Trucking Industry”

Display your Unity on FaceBook by clicking the “I am attending” button on the  EVENT PAGE

© 2011, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.


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