Truck drivers are extremely important to our economy and help drive the economy forward. Without our hard-working truck drivers, we would all experience an unhappy lifestyle. We are all used to seeing the trucks all over the interstates, but have you ever considered what would happen if all truck drivers stopped driving? Without our truck drivers, life would almost completely stop. Consider the following timeline explaining what could happen if there were no trucks.
First 24 Hours
Gasoline shortages will begin. The busiest fuel stations require multiple gas deliveries a day. US mail and package deliveries will stop. Deliveries to hospitals and nursing homes will stop leading to shortages of supplies such as syringes and catheters. Many major manufacturers, such as computer manufacturers, rely on “just in time” manufacturing; without those, they cannot continue their work and cannot continue to employ many people.
Day One
Gas shortages will continue to grow, leading to skyrocketing price increases and long lines at the pumps. Grocery stores will stop receiving food deliveries thus causing to the start of food shortages.
Two to Three Days
The situation will become even worse. Gas stations will completely run out of fuel. ATM’s will run out of cash and banks would be unable to complete transactions. Trash will begin to pile up in the cities and neighboring suburbs leading to toxins and infectious organisms leaching into the soil, causing disease. Container ships, railways, and planes will cease operations. Food shortages will lead to public panic, looting, and hoarding. Food essentials, such as bottled water, powdered milk, and canned milk, will completely disappear.
One Week
All personal vehicles will remain still due to the lack of gasoline. People will not be able to get to grocery stores for food, get to work for an income or receive medical care. Hospitals will begin to run out of oxygen reserves.
Two Weeks
Our clean water supply will begin to run dry. It’s important to remember that humans cannot live for more than a week without sustainable clean water.
Four Weeks
The clean water supply will be completely gone and the only source of clean water will be through boiling. This will lead to an increase in gastrointestinal disease which will then exhaust the medical system that is already terribly overloaded.
It is amazing to think about how much is riding on the shoulders of all those truck drivers. Remember to thank the truck drivers in your life because they help carry the future of our economy and our country. It is a difficult job, but it is worth it.