Trucking companies and industry associations across the country have been honoring truck drivers for their hard work and celebrating their role this week

. National Truck Driver Appreciation Week recognizes the integral role drivers serve in delivering everything we need safely and efficiently.

The annual event is sponsored by the American Trucking Associations. According to the ATA, there are 3.5 million professional truck drivers delivering life's essentials across the country every day.

In celebration, the North Carolina Trucking Association hosted a safety banquet this week to recognize its Drivers of the Month and Driver of the Year. In attendance were the North Carolina secretary of transportation, the state's secretary of crime control and public safety, the commander of the state highway patrol, the director of the state's Governor's Highway Safety Program, and the division administrator of the FMCSA.

At Perdue Farms, senior management and all salaried associations had the opportunity to ride along with a company professional driver and post stories on the company's web site. The company hosted cookouts at all its facilities, with banners and signage thanking drivers. Chairman Jim Perdue also sent personal letters to each driver.

The Virginia Trucking Association celebrated with the Share the Road drivers at Interstate 81 and the Fairfield Safety Rest Area.

Meanwhile, the South Carolina Trucking Association honored its drivers by cooking hamburgers and hotdogs at the eastbound Dorchester scales.

In its effort to appreciate drivers, Power Service Products is offering a National Truck Drivers Appreciation Week rebate for Diesel Fuel Supplement & Catani Boost.

Transportation provider Trinity Transport greeted and thanked its drivers in Jessup, Md.

Some associations issued press releases expressing their appreciation, including the Texas Motor Transportation Association and the Towing and Recovery Association.

Others received proclamations from their governors about the week, including South Dakota Trucking Association, Alabama Trucking Association and New Hampshire Motor Transport Association.

BNSF Railway Company celebrated its 3,000-plus drivers at its intermodal facilities in Dallas/Ft. Worth, Memphis, Seattle, and San Bernardino, Calif., with signage, refreshments and giveaways.

More info: www.ntdaw.org