America’s highways represent a lot about our country: our size, history, culture and ingenuity, to start. Our roadways symbolize a lot about our freedom, interconnectedness and diversity throughout our country. That’s why they often serve as the topic of books, an important part of a movie plot or an analogy in a song.
Today, America’s highways – one of our greatest assets – are visibly neglected. A recent report card from the American Society of Civil Engineers gives the infrastructure of the United States a D-plus, and we can and must improve this grade.
That’s why Pilot Flying J has supported a new documentary film entitled, “Be Prepared to Stop.” Los Angeles-based Delaware Park Productions Inc. recently released the film, which takes a close look at our dependence on the great North American highways, the condition of their assets and the potential consequences of a breakdown. Executive Producer Jennifer Clymer, whose grandfather was a professional driver, conceived the idea for the documentary after a chance meeting with the owner of a trucking company during a visit to Washington D.C.
The film illustrates the importance of our roadways – not just for our own mobility, travel needs and enjoyment, but also for the required logistics and economic health of our country.
We know that professional drivers and trucking companies drive North America’s economy. Everything we need and enjoy each day – from our toothpaste to our office supplies to the ingredients for our dinner – most likely was transported by a truck traveling along our country’s roadways. If we support drivers, we must support better infrastructure to allow them to continue to do their jobs safely and effectively.
