If Trucks Stopped…

*According to a 2006 American Transportation Association study, more than 70%, or $671 billion worth, of our goods are transported by trucks.

Red Alert.com compiled the ATA’s information into this bulleted list:

The first 24 hours

*Delivery of medical supplies to the affected area will cease. *Hospitals will run out of basic supplies such as syringes and catheters within hours. Radio pharmaceuticals will deteriorate and become unusable. *Service stations will begin to run out of fuel. *Manufacturers using just-in-time manufacturing will develop component shortages. *U.S. mail and other package delivery will cease. Within one day food shortages will begin to develop. *Automobile fuel availability and delivery will dwindle, leading to skyrocketing prices and long lines at the gas pumps. *Without manufacturing components and trucks for product delivery, assembly lines will shut down, putting thousands out of work.

Within two to three days:

*Food shortages will escalate, especially in the face of hoarding and consumer panic. *Supplies of essentials, such as bottled water, powdered milk, and canned meat at major retailers will disappear. *ATMs will run out of cash and banks will be unable to process transactions. *Service stations will completely run out of fuel for autos and trucks. *Garbage will start piling up in urban and suburban areas. *Container ships will sit idle in ports and rail transport will be disrupted, eventually coming to a standstill.

Within a week:

*Automobile travel will cease due to the lack of fuel. Without autos and busses, many people will not be able to get to work, shop for groceries, or access medical care.

*Hospitals will begin to exhaust oxygen supplies.

Within two weeks:

*The nation’s clean water supply will begin to run dry.

Within four weeks

*The nation will exhaust its clean water supply and water will be safe for drinking only after boiling. As a result gastrointestinal illnesses will increase, further taxing an already weakened health care system.

The next time you want to curse a truck driver or campaign for stricter trucking regulations, remember this list and thank him or her instead.

(this article appeared in www.cdllife.com/)