Trucking Moves America Forward (TMAF), the industry-wide trucking image and education movement, applauds the U.S. Congress for passing a long-term highway funding bill. The critical legislation, which President Obama signed into law on Friday, December 4, ensures increased safety and efficiency for professional truck drivers and motorists alike.

“The long-overdue passage of a bipartisan highway funding bill is great news for America’s truck drivers, families and the motoring public,” said Kevin Burch, co-chairman of TMAF, president of Jet Express, Inc., and second vice chairman of American Trucking Associations. “I congratulate Congress for taking such an important safety step in improving our nation’s road and bridges.”

The $305 billion measure, which includes several major transportation and logistics-related improvements, puts an end to the short-term patches that have financed infrastructure projects since 2009.

The professional trucking industry drives $682 billion in revenue every year, making it a vital contributor to the nation’s economy. Seven million trucking professionals nationwide move food, fuel and critical cargo in manufacturing, healthcare, retail and more.

Nearly a third of our nation’s roads are in poor or mediocre condition, and one out of every nine bridges are structurally deficient, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers report card. TMAF has advocated for infrastructure spending to improve highway networks that are most critical to the movement of freight and interstate travel. Improving our nation’s highways also prioritizes the safety of the motoring public.

“By investing in America’s transportation infrastructure, our nation’s legislators are investing in the safety of the 3.4 million professional truck drivers that drive our roads each day,” added Todd Spencer, executive vice president of The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association. “The bill passage is welcome news for the entire trucking industry.”

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About Trucking Moves America Forward
Trucking Moves America Forward is a long-term industry-wide movement established to create a positive image for the industry, to ensure that policymakers and the public understand the importance of the trucking industry to the nation’s economy, and to build the political and grassroots support necessary to strengthen and grow the industry in the future. To learn more, and to join the movement, visit www.TruckingMovesAmerica.com. Join us through social media:
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Get Involved, #ThankADriver

This week, Trucking Moves America Forward (TMAF), the industry-wide image and education movement, kicks off its celebration of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week by acknowledging and honoring professional drivers and members of the trucking industry.

“Professional drivers are the lifeblood of America’s economy, hauling goods and products that we use every day, and this week we say thank you to the drivers,” said Kevin Burch, TMAF co-chair and president of Jet Express. “Over three million professional truck drivers travel our roads every day, and we are proud to celebrate our drivers’ commitment to safety, excellence and community.”

The Impact of Professional Truck Drivers on the American economy:                         

• There are 3.4 million truck drivers in the U.S.
• Professional truck drivers drove over 421 billion miles in 2014.
• Most individual long-haul drivers average 100,000 to 110,000 miles of driving per year; regional and city drivers will drive an average of 48,000 miles.
• The job of a truck driver is paramount. Trucking remains the dominant mode of freight transportation, hauling over 68% of domestic freight in 2014
• Truck drivers deliver life’s necessities. 80 percent of U.S. communities depend solely on trucking for delivery of their goods and commodities.

TMAF is proud to announce an advertising campaign targeted to consumers that launches today in celebration of the week. The campaign aims to demonstrate that professional truck drivers are your friends, family and neighbors. Print advertisements will appear in daily newspapers in major markets throughout the country including: Sacramento, Billings, Omaha, Houston, Dayton, Nashville, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Orlando. View the ads here.

“There’s a story to tell about how integral the trucking industry is to America’s economy, and without our drivers, America simply would not move forward,” Burch added. “Our drivers often do not receive the respect they deserve, and this is just one week out of the year to remind us of their critical role in moving our nation’s economy.”

TMAF encourages the industry and general public to get involved and #ThankADriver this week. To join the movement, go to www.truckingmovesamerica.com

 

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About Trucking Moves America Forward
Trucking Moves America Forward is a long-term industry-wide movement established to create a positive image for the industry, to ensure that policymakers and the public understand the importance of the trucking industry to the nation’s economy, and to build the political and grassroots support necessary to strengthen and grow the industry in the future.

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L to R:  Scott George (TCW); Tommy Hodges (Titan Transfer and Chairman, TN Trucking Foundation); Dave Manning (TCW and ATA Vice Chairman); and Bill Reed (Skyline Transportation)

 

Today, the Tennessee Trucking Foundation announced a $50,000 financial contribution to Trucking Moves America Forward (TMAF) over the next five years.

Tennessee Trucking Foundation members of the board voted to support Trucking Moves America Forward and believe the campaign fits seamlessly with their mission. A photo of the donation presentation can be downloaded at the TMAF website.

“Trucking Moves America Forward is an educational initiative that will not only further the understanding of our industry, but will also ignite a passion in others for what we do,” said Tennessee Trucking Foundation President Tommy Hodges. “Our nation’s economy runs on freight hauled by the dedicated and hard-working men and women who travel our highways and roads delivering America’s goods. We are pleased that our contribution will help spread the critical message of safety and highlight how essential trucking is to our way of life.”

“TMAF’s partnership with the Tennessee Trucking Foundation indicates the momentum that is building across the country to educate the public about the importance of trucking to our nation’s economy,” said Kevin Burch, TMAF vice chair and president of Jet Express. “The foundation has been committed to inspiring and reaching the next generation of drivers through their goal of donating Papa Doug Hauls Strawberries & Smiles Books to local Tennessee elementary schools. We are thrilled to have the support of Tennessee’s Trucking Foundation behind the TMAF movement.”

“Pilot Flying J is thankful to the Tennessee Trucking Association along with all other state Associations who have donated to Trucking Moves America Forward,” said Whitney Haslam Johnson, Pilot Flying J Director of Brand and Customer Experience. “We are especially proud that a fellow Tennessee trucking industry partner has recognized the importance of this movement.”

TMAF, which launched in March 2014 at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky, is an industry-wide image and education initiative informing policymakers and the public about the benefits of trucking to build a groundswell of political and grassroots support to strengthen and grow the industry.

TMAF has been bolstered by significant financial contributions from the American Trucking Associations (ATA), Allied Committee for the Trucking Industry (ACT I), Old Dominion Freight Lines, Great West Casualty Company, Pilot Flying J, TAEC Region IV, Trucking Associations Executive Council and Jack Cooper Transport. TMAF has also received significant financial support from state trucking associations including Minnesota Trucking Association, Motor Carriers of Montana, New York Motor Truck Association and the Texas Trucking Association.

TMAF is also proud to have received strong support from industry leaders such as National Tank Truck Carriers, National Auto Dealers Association and Truckload Carriers Association, and donations from Randall-Reilly, Transport Topics, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, Overdrive Magazine, Commercial Carrier Journal and Heavy Duty Trucking.

To join the movement, go to www.truckingmovesamerica.com

 

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About Trucking Moves America Forward
Trucking Moves America Forward is a long-term industry-wide movement established to create a positive image for the industry, to ensure that policymakers and the public understand the importance of the trucking industry to the nation’s economy, and to build the political and grassroots support necessary to strengthen and grow the industry in the future. To learn more, and to join the movement, visit www.TruckingMovesAmerica.com

 

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About the Tennessee Trucking Foundation         

As the 501(c)3 charitable arm of the Tennessee Trucking Association, the Tennessee Trucking Foundation works to build, shape and protect the industry’s image in Tennessee through highway safety programs, community education and involvement with children’s charities.  In 2014, the Foundation published a children’s book, Papa Doug Hauls Strawberries & Smiles, which has quickly become a favorite among the industry’s families and supporters. The 25-page hardcover book tells the sweet story of a big-hearted truck driver, his relationship with his young son, and his commitment to delivering his load safely and on time. Through gentle stories and gorgeous images, the book not only creates a window into the life of a trucking family, it also educates children and adults alike on trucking’s vital role.  Papa Doug Hauls Strawberries & Smiles books are a natural extension of the TMAF movement because the story reaches children at an early age to establish the professional truck driver’s place as an important part of American life, and gives the driver a face and a family that young readers can relate to.  The Foundation’s contribution to TMAF is primarily funded through the sale of Papa Doug Hauls Strawberries & Smiles books.

May 13, 2015 – Trucking Moves America Forward announced today that the Motor Carriers of Montana has made a $10,000 financial contribution to the movement over the next year.

“The contribution from the Motor Carriers of Montana will further amplify the TMAF message,” said Kevin Burch, TMAF co-chairman and president of Jet Express. “We are deeply appreciative to have their support as we continue to recruit members of the industry. Together, we can build momentum for TMAF now and in the future.”

“We are thrilled to join this effort and to tell the trucking industry’s story,” said Spook Stang, chairman, Region IV and executive vice president of Motor Carriers of Montana. “Collectively, our members deliver the goods and products Americans have come to rely on. There’s so much to learn about the diversity, safety and sustainability efforts of our industry, and Trucking Moves America Forward is the right platform to do that.”
TMAF, which officially launched in March 2014 at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky, is an industry-wide image and education movement informing policymakers and the general public about the benefits of the trucking industry to build a groundswell of political and grassroots support necessary to strengthen and grow.

“We appreciate Motor Carriers of Montana stepping forward to support the movement,” said Michael S. Card, president of Combined Transport and TMAF founding member. “They are showing the pride we all feel in our great industry and that our message is resonating.”

Last month, TMAF reached its goal of raising one million dollars to fund educational and outreach activities. TMAF has been bolstered by significant financial contributions from trucking companies, vendors, associations and more. To view a list of donors and members, visit truckingmovesamerica.com.

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About Trucking Moves America Forward
Trucking Moves America Forward is a long-term industry-wide movement established to create a positive image for the industry, to ensure that policymakers and the public understand the importance of the trucking industry to the nation’s economy, and to build the political and grassroots support necessary to strengthen and grow the industry in the future.

To learn more, and to join the movement, visit www.TruckingMovesAmerica.com.

Join us through social media:

www.facebook.com/TruckingFWD

www.twitter.com/TruckingFWD

www.youtube.com/TruckingFWD
 

April 22, 2015 – As Americans celebrate Earth day, Trucking Moves America Forward (TMAF), the industry-wide image and education movement representing all areas of the professional truck driving industry, celebrates the progress the industry is making toward a more sustainable future, which includes adopting industry recommendations to reduce carbon emissions.

“Trucking is greener than ever, and small changes in driving habits can make a big difference in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving fuel efficiency. The industry is also taking advantage of new technologies to improve air quality and reduce the environmental impact on our nation’s roads and highways,” said Kevin Burch, co-chairman of TMAF, president of Jet Express, Inc. and second vice chairman of American Trucking Associations.

Some of the many programs, efforts and technologies that trucking companies and drivers support include:

• training that emphasizes fuel-saving driving techniques;
• reducing wait times at loading and unloading docks to decrease engine idling emissions;
• reducing pollution through ongoing participation in the EPA SmartWay Transport Partnership program;
• advancing alternative-fueled vehicles and fuels;
• lowering fuel consumption by reducing empty miles driven and
• promoting more efficient freight hauling and freight packaging practices.

Scott Grenerth, Director of Regulatory Affairs at the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, says “Professional drivers make choices which lead to a smaller carbon footprint every day. Habits like monitoring and scanning traffic to maintain an efficient speed and planning routes to avoid congestion are ingrained into a driver’s daily routine.”

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About Trucking Moves America Forward
Trucking Moves America Forward is a long-term industry-wide movement established to create a positive image for the industry, to ensure that policymakers and the public understand the importance of the trucking industry to the nation’s economy, and to build the political and grassroots support necessary to strengthen and grow the industry in the future. To learn more, and to join the movement, visit www.TruckingMovesAmerica.com.

Join us through social media:

www.facebook.com/TruckingFWD
www.youtube.com/TruckingFWD
www.twitter.com/TruckingFWD