Drivers want recognition from their fleets year-round, and their fleets want drivers to know they have their best interests at heart, according to two FleetOwner National Truck Driver Appreciation Week surveys.
During NTDAW, FleetOwner distributed two surveys: one for truck drivers and one for industry leaders and executives. The goals of these surveys were to learn more about how truck drivers want to be appreciated and to understand how the industry celebrated drivers during NTDAW. Though a small sample size, the results of these surveys offer interesting insight into the appreciation of truck drivers.
Truck driver survey results
Who was surveyed?
Of the truck drivers surveyed, 50% were owner-operators, 25% were company drivers, and 25% fit into an “other” category. When asked about the size of their fleets, 50% said their fleets had 0-5 vehicles, 25% said their fleets had 1,000-plus vehicles, and 25% said their fleets had 6-50 vehicles.
Who do drivers want appreciation from?
In the survey, truck drivers reported most wanting to receive recognition from their own fleets (50%). Nearly a quarter (22%) wanted recognition from other truck drivers, 11% from their families, and 11% from another party. These results highlight how important it is for fleets to understand the hard work truck drivers do and appreciate them for it.
How do drivers want to be appreciated during NTDAW?
Everyone wants to be shown appreciation differently. When asked how they wanted to be appreciated during NTDAW, 46% of drivers reported wanting giveaways, 38% wanted in-person recognition, 23% wanted online recognition, 15% wanted awards, and 8% wanted another type of appreciation. While these results vary slightly, it’s clear truck drivers just want to be appreciated.
How do drivers want to be appreciated year-round?
Outside of NTDAW, truck drivers still deserve appreciation. In the survey, drivers most wanted to be appreciated by their fleet year-round through a better work/life balance (38%). Another 25% of drivers wanted better communication, 25% wanted better pay, and 13% wanted another form of appreciation.
What’s the hardest part of being a truck driver?
When asked about the most difficult part of their jobs, 50% of the surveyed truck drivers said traffic, 25% said detention time, and 25% reported another issue. The surveyed truck drivers were less concerned with regulations, parking, and distracted drivers.
What is one thing you wish your employer or the public knew about your job as a truck driver?
This survey question was the most intriguing, as the surveyed drivers could type a short response, clarifying what they want their employers or the public to know about their jobs.
One driver mentioned blind spot safety, surely referring to dealing with other drivers on the road. Another backed up this claim, saying: “Public: Pay attention to your driving and the vehicles around you. Don't be distracted. Don't speed ahead and then slow down because you want to be in the front. Be content to follow behind when you are almost ready to exit.”
Directed toward their fleet, a driver said, “My wheels need to be turning. I don't want to sit unless it is time at home.”
Another driver worried about there being no money in trucking anymore and no respect for drivers.
See also: What makes a truck driver a hero?
Industry leader survey results
Who was surveyed?
Of the industry members surveyed, 63% were HR officers, 19% were fleet owners, 6% were safety managers, 6% were executives, and 6% reported a different title. When asked about the size of their fleets, 40% said their fleets had 6-50 vehicles, 20% said their fleets had 100-1,000 vehicles, 20% said their fleets had 51-100 vehicles, and 20% said their fleets had 0-5 vehicles.
How did fleets celebrate NTDAW?
In the survey, 83% of respondents said they celebrated NTDAW with giveaways, 33% celebrated with in-person recognition, 17% celebrated with awards, 17% celebrated with online recognition, and 67% celebrated using another method. These results mostly match how the surveyed truck drivers said they wanted to be appreciated during NTDAW.
How do fleets appreciate drivers year-round?
When asked how their fleets appreciate truck drivers outside of NTDAW, 50% of respondents said flexible hours, 33% said work/life balance, and 17% said competitive pay. These results differ slightly from how drivers said they want to be appreciated. The surveyed drivers also valued good communication with their fleets.
What do you appreciate truck drivers for?
In the survey, 50% of respondents said they most appreciate truck drivers for their work ethic, 17% said for drivers’ focus on safety, and 33% said they appreciate drivers for something else.
What is one thing you want truck drivers to know?
Like its sister question in the truck driver survey, this short-answer question yielded the most interesting results. Here are four responses from industry professionals:
“I appreciate all that they do and without them, we'd run out of essential supplies within a week. I know people tend to overlook and the stereotypes against them aren't that great, but they do important work.”
“That us safety managers, dispatchers, and all co-workers have their best interest.”
“We do our best to make their job meet their needs.”
“What a driver does impacts everyone else. They keep the WORLD moving!”
