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And they utilize other social media tools as well. So it was inevitable that some truckers have organized the first ever Truck Driver Social Media Convention, on October 15th.

One of the featured speakers is Hope Rivenburg, the force behind the “Jason’s Law” legislative proposal which seeks to provide improve the safety and security of truck stops, and expand the number of truck stops and waiting areas. Visit this website for more information.

From the conference marketing materials:

“Although much focus has been placed on the struggles and hardships of the professional truck driver’s lifestyle, many more positives are accomplished through trucking social media as well.   As Social Media has grown through the years, thousands of people within the industry have come together to exchange thoughts, ideas and solutions that will best meet the needs of our nation’s drivers.  This is the founding principal of the 1st Annual Truck Driver Social Media Convention.

Many of our nation’s professional truck drivers, the men and women who move America, have largley felt that there has been nobody within the industry who will hear or even care what they have to say.   Trucking social media is changing the platform on which the American trucker speaks.

Social media assisted hundreds of abandoned Arrow Trucking drivers when the company suddenly shut down in 2009.  Trucking social media brought ideas, concerns and solutions to the forefront as the FMCSA built the new CSA initiative.  Those involved with social media within the industry are in active communication with Congress and Senators in order to assure that the voices of the American driver is heard.   For the first time in many years, through trucking social media, drivers are helping drivers.

Understanding that the lifestyle of the professional truck driver will prevent many from being able to become actively involved with driver issues, it is up to those who are involved in trucking social media to assure that their voices are heard.  The 1st Annual Truck Driver Social Media Convention will bring those involved with  trucking social media together with the professional truck driver and those who understand the importance and value of online social media

Through out the day, drivers will have the opportunity to actively participate by sharing their thoughts, concerns, ideas and solutions to what they perceive as the most pressing issues facing truckers today.  Through the tools of trucking social media: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, articles, blogs,YouTube, talk shows and many others . . .  those involved with trucking social media will then take with them all that they have heared and learned from our drivers, and through the power of social media, assure that the voices of the American driver is heard.”