On Thursday, September 15, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), and the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association (PMTA), along with members of PMTA's Road Team, gathered at the I-81 southbound rest area near Grantville to recognize National Truck Driver Appreciation Week.

Representatives from each agency discussed the important role of truck drivers in Pennsylvania and interstate commerce. The PMTA team distributed coffee and doughnuts sponsored by the GIANT COMPANY to drivers who stopped by. 

WHAT: PennDOT, PSP, PMTA recognized the important role the trucking industry plays in commerce.

WHEN: Thursday, September 15, 2022; 8:00 - 10:00 AM

WHERE: Grantville Rest Area, I-81 southbound, mm 79

MEDIA CONTACT: Fritzi Schreffler, 717-418-5016

Below are the remarks shared by PMTA President and CEO Rebecca Oyler in recognition of and thanks to America's truck drivers.

Good morning.

I would like to thank you all for being here this morning as the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association and our partners with the Pennsylvania State Police and with PennDOT extend our gratitude for the truck drivers in our state. We are here specifically to recognize National Truck Driver Appreciation Week but in reality, we at PMTA are thankful for truckers all year round. 

Incredibly, 96.2 percent of manufactured tonnage is transported by trucks in Pennsylvania. That comes out to about 414,000 tons per day. Nearly 88% of all Pennsylvania communities depend exclusively on trucks to move their goods.

In Pennsylvania, if you bought it, a truck brought it. The shirt on your back, the food on your table, and the gas in your gas tank got to you because it was first on a truck. 

PMTA is grateful to the men and women that climb behind the wheel everyday to deliver goods to warehouses, stores and even our front doors. Every day we share the road with these guardians of commerce, and we are thankful for their dedication to safety and their commitment to move freight securely and efficiently. 

There are more than 3.7 million truck drivers in America and one in every 15 Pennsylvanians work in the transportation industry, so there is a good chance that you know a truck driver. So if you get the chance, we encourage you to say a word of thanks. And if you don’t know a driver personally, there will be one delivering your next Amazon package at your door soon. 

Thank you to all those out there on the roads today keeping America Moving.

Thank you.