LIHU‘E — Roger Ridgley Jr. said Friday that truck traffic was significantly less than last year. Ridgley, owner of A Tow in Paradise, was celebrating National Truck Driver Appreciation Week by offering passing truck drivers a free cold drink and
LIHU‘E — Roger Ridgley Jr. said Friday that truck traffic was significantly less than last year.
Ridgley, owner of A Tow in Paradise, was celebrating National Truck Driver Appreciation Week by offering passing truck drivers a free cold drink and a cupcake or cookie along Kaumuali‘i Highway, just west of Kukui Grove Center.
“This is the final day of the week and we’ve already spent a day at Kealia doing the same thing for truck drivers on the east side of the island,” Ridgley said. “This is the third year we’ve done this for Kaua‘i’s truck drivers who are responsible for moving a lot of goods all over the island.”
During National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, America takes the time to honor truck drivers for their hard work and commitment in tackling one of our economy’s most demanding and important jobs, according to the American Trucking Association’s Web site.
That sentiment was echoed by a lot of passing motorists, slowed to a crawl due to re-striping work in Puhi. Many were honking their horns apparently in agreement with what Ridgley was doing.
There are more than 3.5 million professional truck drivers nationwide, states the ATA Web site. Professional truck drivers deliver goods U.S. consumers need every day.
The truck drivers logged more than 432 billion miles, delivering 10.7 billion tons of freight in 2007, or 69 percent of the total U.S. freight tonnage.
Professional truck drivers are more essential to the national economy than ever before, states the ATA site. They deliver their loads safely and professionally.
“It’s been slow,” Ridgley said of his Friday vigil, accompanied by his father, Roger Sr. “You can tell the economy is down. Last year, we had more than 40 trucks. This year, we are not even close to that.”
Ridgley said the celebration usually occurs in August, but was changed to Nov. 1-7 this year.
The spot he selected for the third year he’s done this was made because he said it is the only place along the stretch of highway where truck drivers can pull over safely.
In addition to paying tribute to truck drivers on Kaua‘i, Ridgley said A Tow in Paradise will be offering the free tow home for holiday celebrants who have enjoyed the holidays just a little too much.
The free tow will coincide with Christmas and New Year’s, Ridgley said.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
