WHEN DID TRUCKERS DEVELOP BAD STEREOTYPES?
In the early 90’s, the public image of the trucker began to slide downhill.
Truck drivers were sometimes thought of as bad guys, cheaters, thieves and even serial killers. It wasn’t unusual to pin the guilt on a long haul trucker for unsolved serial murders back in those days. After all, their roaming lifestyle, fit the criminal profile for a murderer perfectly.
What caused this deterioration in public image and the creation of hurtful stereotypes? The media may have done their part to destroy the respect for the front line workers of our trucking industry.
To a certain degree, the media’s portrayal of this group over the years may have caused some permanent damage to the reputation and image of the professional truck driver. It wasn’t long until some very hurtful stereotypes began to develop around this industry.
Everything from horror movies to comedies has represented the trucker as either an apathetic maniac or an uneducated, overweight jerk
Even old trucking movies that depict truckers in a fun and exciting way such as White Line Fever, Smokey and the Bandit, Black Dog, Duel and Convoy, may have also contributed to the negative public image of truckers. After all, the main characters in these movies are law-breaking reckless individuals.
It’s hard to say.
Another possibility is that deregulation of the trucking industry led to a flood of inexperienced truckers. The number of North American truckers grew in leaps and bounds. More trucks than ever were running on our highways.
The brotherhood of drivers fell apart as drivers formed their own groups for their own causes. The unity of truck drivers disappeared and pride in their profession vanished also.
THE 5 TRUCKER STEREOTYPES
I’d say that some trucker stereotypes have an element of truth to them while most are a case of “one bad apple spoils the bunch.” It is important to remember that there is no single type of truck driver. Truck drivers come from a variety of backgrounds, education levels, ethnicities, ages, and personalities. Stereotypes are hurtful but we can take efforts to change them. Here are the 5 basic trucker stereotypes that we are tired of seeing.
1. The Dirty, Overweight Trucker
2. The Foul-Mouthed Trucker
3. The Illicit Behaviour Trucker
4. The Road Hog Trucker
5. Male-Only Industry
ARE THE STEREOTYPES ABOUT TRUCKERS TRUE?
There is an element in the industry who fits each stereotype exactly. But, there are both good and bad employed in this profession, just like any other. I’d like to think these are few in number. There’s a large element of professionals who are honest, dedicated hard working people, who want to do their job well, be paid and go home to their families.
One thing for sure, the public image of the professional truck driver has seriously deteriorated.
Perhaps the public has just cause for this negative view. Perhaps professional truck drivers are guilty of declining standards. If the majority of truck drivers presented themselves and acted more professionally, it would improve our public image as a whole.
It would also be a positive thing for truck drivers as a group. We could then perhaps better interact with each other in a more positive way and strengthen our sense of mutual respect for other drivers on the road.
HOW CAN TRUCK DRIVERS CHANGE THESE STEREOTYPES?
How do we in the trucking industry uphold the reputation of the professional driver and win back the respect of the public? There are four cornerstones to breaking down truck driver stereotypes and improving the public image of truckers.
1. APPEARANCE
2. ATTITUDE
3. DRIVE LIKE A PROFESSIONAL
4. SHOW RESPECT TO YOUR FELLOW TRUCKERS
IMPROVING TRUCK DRIVER STEREOTYPES
Many of the old school experienced truck drivers are leaving the industry, due to lack of professionalism, lack of respect and lack of decent pay.
As professionals, we need to be paid as professionals in our field deserve to be but I feel that part of the reason companies feel they can pay us less is because truckers aren’t demanding respect, nor representing themselves well.
In order to be treated with respect, we must earn that respect. We need to look the part and act the part. An increase in the level of professionalism would go a long way to helping truck drivers achieve what we want most from our trucking careers. Professionalism and a little more care in how we present ourselves is the only thing that will help destroy truck driver stereotypes.
