BROUSSARD, La. (KLFY) Truck drivers can work up to 14 hours a day.

So this week the nation is taking the time to appreciate the hard work that they do.

News Ten’s Emily Giangreco had the chance to ride along with a driver from Dupre’ Logistics and see some of the challenges they face on the road.

American Trucking Association celebrates Truck Driver Awareness week every year.

This year the DOTD is riding along with drivers to see what problems they face driving around Acadiana

“We realize that everything you own, buy, sell or trade has been on the back or in our transportation system at some point,” said DOTD Secretary Dr. Shawn Wilson, “This is just an eye opening experience for a lay person, a non-truck driver, to appreciate what they do on a daily basis.”

Dupre’ Logistics driver Flint Deemer said the main issue with driving these big rigs is that drivers don’t take truckers into consideration while on the road.

“You constantly have to think about that, getting in and out,” said Deemer, “There’s a lot of pre-planning with this job. People that don’t know what trucks go through to get through their day to day operations. That’s the biggest challenge.”

Dr. Wilson says although there isn’t much that can be changed to the Atchafalaya Basin, they are trying to accommodate truck drivers in the plans for the I-49 Corridor.

“At the very minimum, building I-49 will benefit the trucking industry,” said Dr. Wilson “Making sure we design and build things with the right curves, with the right turning radius’ to allow trucks that are this long to be able to make a very precise move.”

After going on his ride along, Dr. Wilson said one of the main issues is non-truck drivers who are using their phones and not paying attention to their surroundings.