Industry News & Tips for Truck Drivers
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- Written by: Kate Williams
Employment trends can be unpredictable, but there's one that seems to be solid across industries, and that is the push to recruit more women into jobs that have traditionally been stereotyped as male driven. While women in trucking is hardly a new phenomenon, the female drivers who have opted to enter this field in the past have been mavericks who often embraced unconventional ways of doing things.
You might find it surprising that it's so important to recruit women now, when this field remained dominated by men for so long. The reason for the pivot isn't complex, and it isn't even really due to social changes. It's a pivot by necessity. Since 2015, there has been a notable shortage of truck drivers across all niches within the field. For over a decade before that, driver turnover was at a high point relative to the last 50 years. At the same time, the demand for drivers has been on the rise this entire time, as more and more consumer shopping is done online, increasing the demand for shipping in all its forms.
Three years of driver shortages led to a massive push by the trucking industry to recruit women, which has resulted in a job market women have begun to enjoy more frequently since 2018.
What Makes Truck Driving Attractive To Women?
There are quite a few perks of this career choice that make it attractive to women looking to build a business or chart a career path with upward mobility.
- Professional development and training on different types of heavy equipment and trailer configurations
- Variety among trucking jobs available, from short-distance delivery to long-haul cargo
- Full benefits from employers or a healthy freelance market for entrepreneurs
- Easy paths to becoming an owner-operator
- Options that work with the patterns of your lifestyle, from home every night to one week in three
- Competitive salaries
Trucking is one of the few jobs with a reliable path to income that gives the worker the independence to get the job done with little micromanagement or direct oversight. There are best practices to learn, but a unique problem-solving style is valued in trucking in ways that it typically is not in other industries.
That makes it attractive for anyone looking for a job that assumes your competence, but especially for people who have traditionally been corralled into jobs that are highly repetitive, with processes that restrict your choice of methods for dealing with problems. Even short-range drivers using company vehicles wind up having to call their shots regularly to deliver shipments undamaged and on-time.
Trucking Companies are Recruiting Women Drivers
While more women are becoming interested in truck driving jobs, driver recruiters are also taking note of studies, such as that by Omnitracs, which focus on how women truck drivers are able to help carriers boost profitability.
- Employee Turnover - Historically, driver turnover for large fleets in the trucking industry runs in the mid- to -upper 90th percentile, according to studies by the American Trucking Associations (ATA). However, the retention rate for women truck drivers is much higher, reflecting the loyalty of women more likely to remain with one trucking company for a longer period of time. The ability to retain women truck drivers and avoid turnover and retraining costs is viewed quite favorably by carriers in the truckload industry.
- Women Truck Drivers are involved in Fewer Preventable Accidents - Despite sterotypes to the contrary, statistically women truck drivers are involved in fewer accidents, including semi rollovers and rear-end collisions. Trucking companies looking to boost their profits by curtailing insurance and litigation costs should take note of the reliability and safety records being compiled by women in the truck driving workforce.
- More Miles Logged - The study also shows that women in trucking are logging more miles. Obviously, when drivers are able to keep the wheels turning, they are able to earn more money for themselves and their employer.
While there remains a huge gender gap among male and female drivers in the truckling industry, trucking companies are becoming keenly aware that hiring women drivers is a viable and responsible option for reducing their driver shortage and boosting profitability.
Learn More About the Trucking Industry
Women In Trucking is a non-profit organization which works to minimize the obstacles women interested in trucking may face. They serve as a resource for women truck drivers to encourage employment, increase job opportunities and improve working conditions for women drivers.
The future looks bright for women in trucking, because even if the number of drivers, male or female, entering the field increases in the coming years, it will have a hard time keeping up with the rate of driver retirement.Retirement numbers have been increasing for years, and are likely to keep doing so with the aging workforce within the industy.
Women do not have to have a substantial amount of brute force to handle a semi-truck and have a successful career as a driver. Trucking equipment improvements and modifications, such as automatic transmissions, have made trucking today less difficult than many years past. Whether you're looking to work in local delivery, or you want to see the country, trucking companies have options for practically everyone who has a passion to drive.
Search for Trucking Jobs
If you’re a woman ready to get started in the trucking industry, you’ve come to the right place. Once you have a CDL license, you can start searching for truck driving jobs. You can find a range of local, regional, dedicated, and OTR trucking opportunities across the country.
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- Written by: Kate Williams
While 2019 appeared to be a banner year for the economy, the rate of trucking company closures was disheartening. Approximately 800 freight-hauling companies closed in 2019, more than double the previous year, along with the largest bankruptcy in the industry to date.
“This isn't the first time this year we've seen a trucking company fail and drivers abandoned. That's been happening a lot in 2019,” Gaines Law Group transportation attorney Cassandra Gaines reportedly said. “Celadon is a little bit of a different story — it's hard to tell how much that had to do with fraud and how much to do with our market.”
Ranked among the largest trucking companies in all of North America, Celadon had a working fleet upwards of 3,300 tractors and about 10,000 trailers. The abrupt closure left 4,000 men and women without jobs, and truckers searching for available positions and calling friends in the industry for short-term work.
“So, every company driver and owner-operator lost our jobs today without being notified about the closing of the doors of this mega-company,” trucker Roderick Orr reportedly posted on social media about the incident. “A lot of people I know are stuck all around the country trying to get home and look for another job.”
Why Are More Trucking Companies Closing?
In 2018, trucking companies enjoyed strong demand, and robust shipping rates saw only 310 companies close, with a modest 2,800 trucks being sidelined. Even with stringent on-duty regulations and electronic monitoring, freight haulers were able to tighten capacity and move profits forward. But issues such as higher insurance rates raised expenses, and the tariff war with China reportedly softened demand for goods and products.
Fleetwood Transportation, for example, shuttered operations on Dec. 31, 2019, pointing to rising insurance costs as a primary reason. The closure put 240 CDL professionals out of work. According to Freight Waves, the Fleetwood board chairman sent out a memo stating the company was unable to secure coverage.
“Insurance carriers know that if there is a fatality involving a truck, juries will be sympathetic towards the (non-trucking) injured party and may reward damages in the nuclear category regardless of fault,” Chad Eichelberger, founder of trucking industry insurance provider Reliance Partners, reportedly said.
As 2020 rolls out, freight hauling organizations can anticipate that premiums are likely to triple if a fatal accident occurs. Even small carriers with an unblemished record often pay $5,000 to $7,000 per truck for coverage. Big metropolitan-based trucking companies can spend upwards of 30 percent more on higher rates.
U.S. farmers, manufacturers, and ultimately consumers have suffered considerably from the trade war initiated by the Trump administration and its imposition of tariffs against China in 2018. While a "cease-fire" of sorts was initiated with a new trade agreement signed in January 2020, it does little to reduce the overall tariff levels and appears unlikely to affect the slowing of economic growth that has depressed the trucking industry within the United States.
Additionally, the outbreak of Coronavirus and has created a worldwide economic downturn. This incident highlights that trucking industry companies remain vulnerable to disruption they have little to no control over.
Signs a trucking Company Closure may be Ahead
A wide range of factors can impact the weekly salaries of truck drivers. What makes that a tough pill to swallow is that the men and women of the roadshow up each day to deliver the goods and materials that keep our country running. In these uncertain times, it’s crucial to remain vigilant and watch for indicators of a carrier's faltering. You may discover that the earliest signs are subtle, but they can become increasingly apparent as a carrier nears the end.
Driver & Other Worker Perks Eliminated
Upper management will be the first to look at the books and recognize business is backsliding. The folks in the suits are unlikely to chop their bonuses or roll back the expensive lunches as the first line of defense. Companies usually start chipping away at the little things that buoyed employee loyalty. These may include free coffee in the breakroom, a paid day off on your birthday, or throwing a few overtime hours in the warehouse. When your employer cuts seemingly inexpensive benefits, there may be a bigger money problem.
Vendors Complain About Late Payments
When you see the IT people hanging around looking for a check or the fuel station your company regularly uses is complaining about their monthly installment, that’s a telltale sign the company is moving money around to weather a financial storm. Don’t be surprised if administrators toe the company line that there was a bookkeeping error, and all is well. When vendors aren’t getting paid on time, there’s usually a revenue shortfall.
Middle Management Starts Interviewing Elsewhere
Management folks are not on the same career track as truckers. The younger ones, usually at the tail end of management, often stay in one position until they gain enough experience to apply for a better-paying job. These folks come and go. But the ones who have been with the company for a considerable amount of time, with roots in the community, may leave because they see that the ship is sinking. If more than one middle management person starts interviewing, they probably know something the truck drivers do not.
Closed Door Meetings
When a crisis hits any company, secretive meetings take place. Administrators will literally close the doors knowing tempers are going to flare. The last thing upper management wants is to cause panic and for drivers to find another trucking job while they still need your labor. If something seems amiss and secrets are being kept, it may be time to research jobs boards such as CDLjobs.com to see what jobs fit your needs. Better to know your industry value and be prepared than suffer short-term unemployment.
Inconsistent Workflow
Truckers always know when the company is busy. Your trailer is at capacity, and they are calling in stop-gap help. Then there are the typical seasonal slowdowns. But when the work cycle seems unusually slow or spotty, trust your instincts. Houston, we may have a problem.
While those signs are certainly reason for concern, others are unmistakable. When your employer enters the death throes, these are reasons to promptly consider applying for a new truck driving job.
Your Fuel Card Gets Declined
The fuel card is the lifeblood of long-haul delivery. If your card gets declined and your boss cannot rectify the issue over the phone quickly, that may mean they don’t have the operational cash to continue business for much longer.
Your Paycheck Bounces
Many of the end-of-days signs have to do with financial shortages. If your money isn’t downloaded electronically into your account or a physical check is no good, the party may be over. Do what you can to recover the revenue and find another position.
Your Employer Files for Bankruptcy
When large freight outfits file for bankruptcy, there is likely to be some industry news circulating. Smaller companies may fly under the radar to some degree. It’s not unusual for a business to file Chapter 11, which means they are “reorganizing.” Vendors and those the company owe money to will be notified, and drivers are likely to know relatively quickly. When a company files Chapter 11, work is unlikely to stop right away. And, the company may rebound from the financial issue. By that same token, consider your own future.
Know Your Truck Driver Career Options At All Times
The recent closures have left too many of our valued truck drivers looking for work without notice. This unfair practice by some employers demonstrates that CDL professionals would be wise to keep their eyes and ears open on the job, as well as periodically check on the opportunities emerging within the trucking industry.
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- Written by: Kate Williams
Driving a truck is not typically thought of as being the healthiest profession. You are sitting for long periods, not getting many exercise opportunities, and often eating less-than-healthy foods from convenience stores and truck stops. Employing good nutrition for truckers is hard. However, just because there are challenges to being a truck driver doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a healthy lifestyle.
First, you can hop out of your cab for rigorous exercise every day. Second, you can choose some better meals and drinks. If you’ve ever looked up tips on nutrition for truckers, you may have found plenty of tips on healthy food and recipes. However, it can be harder to find useful information about what you should and should not be drinking.
What Unhealthy Drinks You Should Avoid
When it comes to beverages, staying healthy is as much about what you shouldn’t drink as what you should. These are some examples of what you will want to avoid on the road:
- Energy Drinks: Most of these are loaded with sugar, caffeine and other energy-boosting ingredients. This is probably the worst choice of drink for a pick-me-up. Any claims of health benefits are dubious at best. The harm, conversely, is well-established. Just skip these drinks.
- Soda: In a similar vein to energy drinks, soda is something you should skip. They are calorie-dense and filled with sugar. Even diet sodas are associated with diabetes and weight gain. These will also make you crash while you are driving.
- Alcohol: Obviously, you shouldn’t be drinking any alcohol when you are driving. However, it is a good idea to avoid it even when you are stopped for the night. While there is nothing wrong with relaxing with a cold one, moderation is essential. Overconsumption is bad for your health and can be dangerous if you are driving hungover.
What You Should Drink
There are a handful of drinks that you should strongly consider drinking while on the road. If you are thirsty, these should be your top options:
- Water: H2O is probably the single most important beverage to drink. You need water to stay healthy. It is very easy to get dehydrated on the road and you may not notice right away. Proper hydration can help you stay alert and focused. If you need a drink, this should be your go-to.
- Carbonated Water: Consider drinking a little carbonated water with your meals. This is a good way to feel a little fuller while eating less. Although not quite as good as still water, this is substantially better than soda.
- Milk: Having a glass of milk every day can help you get potassium, protein, calcium, vitamin D and other nutrients. If you find that dairy doesn’t sit well, consider reaching for some lactose-free milk.
- Tea: If you need a caffeinated beverage, tea is the best option. It has less caffeine than energy drinks or coffee. Brew some for yourself with no added sugar for the best possible benefits.
What You Should Moderate
Of course, not every drink choice is black and white. There are some you can enjoy in moderation. These are a few drinks that you can enjoy but shouldn’t overindulge in:
- Coffee: When you need to stay awake for your drive, coffee is the obvious choice. It is okay to drink a little, especially if you skip the sugar or sweetener. However, try to limit yourself to 400 milligrams of coffee per day (there’s a little under 100 mg in a standard cup of coffee).
- Juice: Many people think that fruit juice should be super healthy. However, it has a lot of sugar and many of the nutrients are lost in the juicing process. This is a much better choice than soda or other artificial flavored drinks, however it should be enjoyed in moderation.
- Smoothies: If you are struggling to get enough fruits and vegetables, a smoothie may seem like the obvious choice. However, if you have too many sweet add-ons, you can quickly negate the positive benefits. Again, try to limit these and make them yourself, if possible. Homemade is almost always healthier.
- Sports Drinks: The electrolytes and sugar in sports drinks can be helpful for athletes when they have been training hard. However, they are not so helpful for truck drivers. Unless you are working up a serious sweat, you are most likely just adding sugar to your diet unnecessarily. Drinking one occasionally is okay but keep them limited.
Managing Your Drink Choices
To help ensure that you reach for the right drinks, stock your cab with plenty of water. Consider getting some appliances you can run on your auxiliary power to make tea, smoothies, and other healthier options. It is easier to make the right beverage choices when you make healthy ones as convenient as possible. Stocking your cab right is the key to nutrition for truckers!
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- Written by: Kate Williams
Though you may not always think about it, truck drivers need to be in excellent health, and this includes your vision. Truck drivers need to be able to see clearly, no matter what time of day or night, to be able to effectively do your job and stay safe. Your ability to see can be a matter of life and death - if your vision isn't as good as it should be, you could end up in an avoidable trucking accident. Because of this, it is important that all truck drivers take proper care of their eyes and wear eyewear when necessary.
remember that eyewear is a tool
Successful truckers must be in the right mentality in order to spend hours and days on the road. Small details are essential when it comes to truck driving. You must pay attention to your surroundings and notice little things like brake lights or people getting too close to your vehicle.
This also pertains to your health, including their eyes and eyewear. There are different types of eyewear for different situations. Plus, truck drivers need to take care of their eyes and eyewear so that it helps them throughout their entire career.
Because of this, you may want to invest in multiple types of sunglasses to keep in your truck. You may need different tints, depending on the lighting and time of day. If you have prescription glasses, you should always have one or two spare sets, plus some prescription sunglasses in several tints so that you can always see clearly. These tools help you to be a better, safer trucker.
You should use sunglasses for long-term eye health
Though most people don't think about it, your eyes can become damaged due to exposure to bright sunlight over a long period of time. Ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause a lot of problems including vision problems, macular degeneration, and much more.
Because your eyes are so important to keep you (and others on the road) safe, you need to make sure that you are protecting them. Whenever you notice yourself squinting due to the brightness, you need to pick up your sunglasses. The best types to wear are the ones that protect you from both UVA and UVB rays.
If you have a prescription, Always wear your glasses or contactS
If you need to have prescription eyewear in order to see properly, you need to be wearing them when you are driving. In many states, this is mandated by law. If you are caught driving without your prescription, you will be fined. You may even lose your CDL.
Make sure that you have a yearly Vision checkup
As a truck driver whose vision is of utmost importance, you need to make sure that you have your vision checked once a year. This will make sure that your eyes are healthy. If you wear prescription glasses or contacts, you can make sure that your prescription hasn't changed and if it has, you can get updated glasses or contacts so that you are able to see as well as possible.
By visiting your eye care professional, you will be able to drive easy knowing that you are able to see properly. It will also help you if you are having headaches and other problems that may be caused by bad vision.
It is best to avoid frames that restrict your peripheral vision.
There are many different types of glasses, ranging from practical to stylish and trendy. However, as a truck driver, you are going to need to focus on finding a good pair of practical, comfortable glasses. You need to make sure that you can see out of them with a complete range of vision.
If you get a pair that restrict your peripheral vision, you may struggle to see your semi-truck mirrors and other people on the road. You will have to move your head in order to see what is going on around you, so you won't be able to see as much at once, causing your reaction times to be slower.
DOT Guidelines for Truck Drivers and Their Eyes
All truck drivers need a DOT physical every year. This will ensure that you are healthy enough to be able to put in the long hours needed to get your commercial vehicle from one point to another.
During this physical, they will check your vision. In order to pass, you must have a distant visual acuity of at least 20/40. This can be with or without prescription glasses. You also need to be able to see at least 20/40 with both eyes together, the right eye alone, and the left eye alone.
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- Written by: Kate Williams
Being a parent can be challenging. Being an over the road truck driver is an exciting career, but it keeps you away from home for long periods. Parenting from the road can seem like an almost impossible situation. However, many people navigate truck driving with a family at home, it just takes some adjustment and experience. These strategies can help you continue to be an active and involved parent while working as a trucker.
The Challenges of Parenting as a Truck Driver
Your work as a truck driver may take you away from home for significant spans. You may occasionally feel like an outsider when you see your family. They are living their lives and making memories together while you are away. Sometimes you will miss special events such as birthdays or recitals.
These problems are most noticeable for over-the-road drivers. However, anyone working in truck driving with a child can experience them. Unless you are only driving short, daytime routes around your home, you are going to spend some nights away from your family.
This can be more than just an issue for your relationship with your child(ren). Many truck drivers have difficulties with their spouses or significant others. Your partner is at home taking care of the house and kids while you are away. Even if that arrangement makes practical sense for your family, it can be emotionally draining for both partners.
You may also be dealing with a co-parent that you are separated from. This can add its unique challenges for getting time to spend with your kid(s).
At times, it can feel like an uphill battle. You have to keep working to earn a living and provide for your family, however, by working as a trucker you are also separated from them. Fortunately, a few strategies and some helpful, modern tools can empower you to take on this problem.
Make the Most of Time at Home
When you get home after being away, it can be tempting to put your feet up. While you should also take care of yourself, don’t squander the opportunity to spend time with your family.
One of the best ways to do this is to take an interest in what your kids are doing. Perhaps they have new hobbies that you could enjoy together. Finding things to bond over, especially activities that you can talk about, is a powerful way to maintain your connection with your kids while you are away.
You can also get them involved with what you do. Kids often love trucks and may think that life on the road is very cool and exciting. Let them express that excitement and interest. Consider letting them (and your spouse) come in your truck with you. Depending on their age, they may even be able to come on a short route with you.
Try giving your kids and map and showing them where you will be. You could set up a system that lets them track your position by placing pins in the map. This is a great way to keep your kids engaged with your travels while you are away.
Give Them an Assignment
Consider giving your children an assignment while you are away. This could be helping around the house, reaching a goal in a hobby, working on a project that you have shared or anything else. Select something age-appropriate that they can realistically achieve. It is a great way to teach planning and responsibility. It can also serve as a way to stay connected while you are on the road.
For older kids, try making a system for chores around the house. That way they are consistently helping out. This is an effective way to provide some extra support to your partner while also parenting your children.
Talk Regularly
Make sure that you call home on a regular basis. This may seem like an obvious tip, but it is so important that is bears mentioning anyway. Strive to call daily and check in. There may be some days when that is difficult, but this routine is one of the more effective ways to handle truck driving with a family.
You can update your kids on your progress and tell them a little about where you have been. Consider noting down some interesting observations or taking some photos when possible to share with them. Even things that seem boring to you can be exciting for kids, especially young ones.
Don’t forget to ask them about their lives as well. Talk about sports, activities, games, hobbies and anything else. They will really appreciate those conversations. Even if you only speak long enough to say “hello” and check-in, regular phone calls can make all the difference in the world.
Using video calls is a great way to expand on this. It gives everyone a chance to see each other’s faces, even if only remotely.
Stay Active
The short version of parenting on the road is that you need to stay active. Check-in with your family regularly and find ways to bond even when you aren’t at home. You can also keep an eye out for a new trucking job that allows for more home time.
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- Written by: Kate Williams
Delays, compliance, health problems, compensation, competition. The list of things truck drivers worry about goes on and on. With 150,000 people injured in truck crashes every year, truck drivers must focus on safe and defensive driving techniques.
Truckers spend long hours behind the wheel and face a huge variety of dangerous road situations. Since you never know what is waiting around the corner, defensive driving skills should become an integral part of a truck driver's arsenal.
Follow these truck driver safety tips to remain safe on the road.
What is Defensive Driving?
Defensive driving is a set of skills and techniques that help drivers come out of dangerous road situations without a collision. Mentally following the truck driver safety checklist below and knowing how to deal with bad drivers and poor weather conditions will help you stay safe out there.
Defensive driving is not always about your driving skills. It involves knowing how to be ready for poor decisions made by others on the road. Learning the basics of such driving can help increase the chances of staying safe regardless of other drivers' behavior.
1. Leave Expectations Behind
Don't expect another driver to be smart, experienced, sober, in a good mood, alert, or responsible. You have to be ready to react to another driver acting unexpectedly illogical. That involves slamming brakes, veering off the road, cutting in ahead of you, and much more. Remember, you are the only driver you can trust.
2. Use Signals Properly
When you are planning a maneuver, use the necessary signals to let other drivers know your intentions. Since it can take a large truck more time to complete a maneuver than a small car, start signaling well before making a turn or lane change. It's always better to annoy the other drivers with your signals than rob them of a chance to react.
3. Watch Weather Conditions
Roads often become dangerous before the human eye can catch any changes occurring on the surface. That's why it's vital to check the weather in advance. As it starts raining during the cold season, you need to assume that it's freezing rain and drive accordingly. When the ice starts forming on the windshield, it's best to get off the road immediately.
If the weather predicts heavy snow, you should have tire chains available, if permitted where you are driving. In case you carry a lightweight load, strong winds may also be a signal for you to stop. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration calls for exercising extreme caution in tough weather conditions and stopping the vehicle when necessary. The driver is solely responsible for the decision to stop operating a truck in hazardous conditions.
4. Focus on Driving
Sounds obvious, doesn't it? However, studies have shown that lack of focus is the top cause of accidents related to distracted driving.
Using a smartphone, adjusting the stereo, smoking, and eating while driving is also dangerous. It seems obvious but simply keeping your mind on the road is extremely important.
5. Use the GAFROW Rule
What is the GAFROW rule, you ask?! Since you are always on the lookout for dangerous drivers, you are likely to spot them before they make a bad move. Once you see such people act foolishly, use the GAFROW (Give a Fool the Right of Way) rule and yield.
It's important to realize that yielding to a poor driver is not capitulating. It's a way to keep both of you safe. Meanwhile, with road rage on the rise, by acting aggressively you don't just jeopardize your safety, but also the safety of innocent drivers and passengers.
6. Know your Truck’s Stopping Distance
To ensure safety on the road, you must know your truck's stopping distance. In a dangerous situation, it can help assess your options properly.
It's important to remember that the stopping distance depends on weather conditions, your speed, and many other variables, including your load. For example, when you double the speed, the stopping distance can quadruple.
7. Look Around
While focusing on the road is vital, your eyes have to move to catch whatever is going on around the vehicle. Make sure to scan all available mirrors as often as possible. It can help you prevent dangerous situations and account for all potential hazards.
8. Be Visible
How is it possible to miss a semi-truck? More possible than you might think. Extreme weather conditions can make you virtually invisible. Meanwhile, tired/drunk/upset/newbie drivers may simply not be attentive enough. Keep your lights on, brake slowly, and take wide turns to ensure high visibility to other traffic participants.
Final Thoughts
Focusing on defensive driving and abiding by the above truck driver safety checklist can help you keep yourself and others on the road safe. A truck can turn from a money-earning tool into a deadly weapon in under a second. The leading line of defense rests with your ability, as a professional truck driver, to identify, understand, and mitigate a potential disaster on the roadway.
Safety on the road is more important than the paycheck. That's why defensive driving should be on every truck driver's agenda.
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- Written by: Kate Williams
The federal government’s mandated limit on hours of service requires truck drivers to pull over and rest more frequently. But a commercial truck parking shortage has put CDL professionals in an increasingly tight spot. Drivers are now losing upwards of an hour per day just looking for a safe place to pull over due to overcrowded rest areas and roadside closures.
This perfect storm of poor government policy planning has put America’s valued truck drivers in a position of deciding whether to dole out their hard-earned money or spend restless nights in some dangerous and sketchy locations. We firmly believe that it’s time state and federal decision-makers step up their support for the men and women who deliver the goods and materials that keep our communities thriving.
a Microcosm of the Worst Truck Parking Policies
Rhode Island, the smallest state in the union, made a big splash in 2018 by targeting hard-working drivers with truck-only tolls despite heavy opposition from industry leaders. Officials basically went on a crusade blaming 18-wheelers for the systemically poor condition of 48-mile-long state’s roads and bridges.
“This plan of theirs violates the Constitution’s Commerce Clause, which prevents states from imposing these kinds of burdens on interstate commerce,” American Trucking Associations’ lawyer Rich Pianka reportedly said. “We want to make sure to establish that other states don’t get the same idea and try to use interstate commerce — and interstate trucking — as a piggy bank for their funding issues.”
Despite ATA litigation to block truck-only tolling such as that in Rhode Island, Connecticut appears to be following suit, potentially compounding headaches for drivers traveling in the Northeast Region.
But “Little Rhody” has since touted the disgraceful tolls as highly successful. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation quickly pointed to the $600,000 per month in tolls it pilfered off from the trucking industry as a win. If you’re curious about what this has to do with truck parking problems, well, a lack of fundamental fairness.
For those truckers traveling I-95, the state’s southern Welcome Center on the northbound side has routinely been closed. At other times, it bans overnight parking. Also located in the southern part of the state, the I-95 southbound rest area has been closed on-and-off. In terms of truck parking options, Rhode Island has effectively forced drivers to get off its only major highway and find viable truck parking elsewhere. After handing truckers a raw deal on tolls, one would expect at least safe truck parking in return. Despite the $600,000 monthly money-grab, such has not been the case.
While Rhode Island may highlight perhaps the most discriminatory policies toward truck drivers, the parking shortage tends to be a national issue. Driving America’s highways, it’s common to find rest areas that allow commercial truck parking are overcrowded offering limited opportunities for drivers searching for a space. In many cases, rigs are forced to pull to the shoulder of a stop’s on-ramp. The shortage has many drivers and trucking companies wondering if paid parking will emerge as yet another expensive tariff the trucking industry will have to incur.
Truck Parking Shortage Costs freight haulers Thousands
It seems a significant disconnect exists between the freight-hauling industry and government. The country struggles with an ongoing driver shortage that drives up freight rates, while the government over-regulates the sector and creates impediments such as lack of adequate semi truck parking. Talk about a lose-lose situation for professional CDL holders. According to the American Transportation Research Institute’s Dan Murray, a driver spends about 56 minutes trying to find parking to meet federal downtime regulations.
“Basically, they’re not getting paid, it’s frustrating time and costs the average driver about $4,600 in direct lost compensation looking for truck parking,” Murray reportedly said. “It’s not just a safety and compliance issue. It’s an economic issue for some of these drivers, and our data shows for some of these drivers it’s the last nail in the coffin, and they’re out of here. It’s costing them time and money.”
One of the trending solutions to the truck parking shortages is for freight haulers to pony up and pay to park. National Association of Truck Stop Operators Lisa Mullings has called for incentives to prompt business owners to increase the number of truck parking spaces they have available. That push comes with a price tag. The expectation is that truckers will pay a premium for overnight parking.
“I can guarantee you, the truck parking problems would be gone if people were willing to pay for it. It’s a cost of doing business that the truck stop industry has,” Mullings reportedly said.
While supply and demand may lead to increased paid parking, a petition cropped up on Change.org called “Stop Increasing Reserved Parking at Truck Stops.” The online pushback says that drivers could be reaching into their wallets for as much as “$90 a week, $360 a month, $4320 a year” to pay for premium parking. More than 7,000 people have signed on with a goal of 7,500 signatures. Given the fact truckers keep the country afloat and are appear unfairly treated in states such as Rhode Island, many believe the federal government has a responsibility to improve infrastructure, and truck parking should be part of that conversation.
Jason’s Law Movement Highlights Need for Increased Safe Truck Parking
It’s disheartening to know that tragedy appears to be one of the few ways everyday people get the attention of lawmakers, and the 2009 death of Jason Rivenburg was such a moment.
“While only 12 miles from the delivery location, he needed to find parking to rest through the night as his arrival location was not yet open to receive deliveries. Jason did not have a safe place to park. Jason had learned from truckers familiar with the area that a nearby abandoned gas station was a safe location to park and proceeded to park there for the night,” the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration reported. “Tragically, he was attacked and murdered at this location while he slept, with his killer taking both his life and just $7.00 that he had in his wallet.”
The tragic murder of Jason Rivenburg prompted studies that reportedly concluded the following:
- Thirty-nine percent of the drivers responding take 1 hour or longer to find parking.
- Drivers indicated that if parking was not found by mid-afternoon or early evening in either a rest area or private truck stop, the next suitable option is a well-lighted shopping area due to safety concerns. However, drivers stated they worried during their rest period they would be asked to leave or given a citation by law enforcement.
- Fifty-three percent of drivers regularly use a commercial truck stop for rest, and 20 percent regularly use a rest area. Other options used regularly include shipper/receiver location (20 percent), on/off-ramp (8 percent), abandoned lot/isolated area (10 percent), and behind a shopping center (11 percent).
- Eighty-eight percent of drivers felt unsafe while parked during mandatory rest or waiting for pickup or delivery of a load over the past 12 months.
- Thirty-six percent of respondents felt safer parked at a shipper and receiver location.
Since those results were released in 2013, the federal Hours of Service Regulations placed even greater restrictions on drivers that pressure them to stop at less-than-secure locations. The current mandate limits drivers to 11 hours following 10 hours of being off-duty, take a 30-minute break every eight hours, and 34 hours off after a 7- to 8-day workweek, according to the FMCSA. That’s a lot of downtime and searching for safe parking while on the road. The result of struggling to find a space and the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) enforcement rules have reportedly caused more than 70 percent of drivers to be in violation.
The truck parking shortage that tired over-the-road drivers see each and every day demonstrates that we are moving backward in terms of safe havens. It’s essential to lobby lawmakers at the state and federal levels to increase infrastructure spending for secure truck parking moving forward. In the interim, there are free apps that you can download to your phone that may help you find truck parking in a pinch.
- Park My Truck
- Trucker Path
- Truckbubba
- Road Breakers
We hope this conversation about the truck parking shortage and the tragic consequences it can have on our community members inspires more hard-working women and men of the road to raise their voices. We need improved truck parking infrastructure and fewer states trying to reach into our pockets without a reciprocal return for our work.
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- Written by: Kate Williams
What does it take to be a truck driver? Broad shoulders, a big heart, a mesh hat, an open mind, a giant mug of coffee, blue jeans and boots, and a cross necklace...these seven attributes make up the anatomy of a truck driver, and we love our truckers exactly that way.
Truck Driver Characteristics
Take a closer look at the anatomy of a truck driver. What would you add?
Mesh Hat
Truckers wore mesh hats before they became cool. These hats got their start in the early 1900s with feed stores and farming supply companies. These stores wanted to land new customers, so they rustled up a bunch of hats. They gave the hats away for free to truckers, farmers and other folks working in rural areas. Truckers loved the hats, which were (and still are) adjustable and breathable, perfect for life on the road.
Open Mind
Imagine having to deal with hundreds, even thousands, of awful, ill-tempered drivers every day. Truckers do that, and fortunately, they do it well. That's thanks to their open minds. Rather than stay frustrated 24/7 and think the worst of other drivers, truckers practice tolerance, understanding and patience. Maybe the driver who just cut a trucker off is rushing to the hospital to see his baby being born. Who knows? Life on the road is easier when you have an open mind and give folks the benefit of the doubt.
Broad Shoulders
Trucking companies, spouses, parents, children and friends expect a lot from them. Sometimes, it's too much, and these burdens fall on broad shoulders. Truckers must deal with blame tossed their way from different directions while they remain open-minded and patient. Those broad shoulders come in handy when truck drivers carry heavy loads.
Cross Necklace
Truckers experience more than their share of near misses. They've seen some devastating crashes in which everyone escaped unscathed or with minor injuries. It's easy to see how a higher power may exist. Plus, truckers witness beautiful landscapes and open skies that take mindfulness to another level. Many truckers wear cross necklaces or other religious symbols to keep them safe and to thank their higher power, whomever or whatever that may be.
Heart
Having to leave loved ones every few weeks can take its toll on truckers' hearts. Their hearts are huge, helping them to stay resilient and deal with their time away from home.
Coffee
A giant mug of coffee keeps truckers alert. After all, truckers have limited options for staying awake. Many aren't allowed to use hands-free phones, and it's unhealthy to keep reaching for chips, soda and other junk food. Coffee, like with typical office workers, serves as a shortcut to help truckers start the day. It can also provide periodic jolts on long drives.
Blue Jeans and Boots
The physical requirements for driving a truck are no joke. Enter tough, durable and comfortable work boots. They make driving easier while protecting truckers' feet from falling objects and ground-level hazards. Waterproof boots are important because truckers frequently deal with rain, snow and other forms of moisture. Breathability is critical too since truckers wear their boots for hours at a time. Blue jeans, like quality work boots, are tough and comfortable. They're versatile and can stand up to multiple wears without needing to be washed.
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- Written by: Kate Williams
As a commercial truck driver, you are responsible for operating your rig safely and accurately. Whether you are a new driver or have driven a semi truck for decades, you can always benefit from equipment and accessories that will make you a safer, more efficient driver and avoid preventable accidents. Many drivers are surprised to learn that their commercial truck mirrors are actually the most valuable tool in their equipment arsenal. Below are six simple ways to use your semi truck mirrors to improve your driving.
Start with a clean slate
The path to driving safety and accuracy begins with squeaky clean mirrors. While you might be tempted to grab a bottle of multipurpose cleaner from under your sink, it is better to apply glass cleaner to your mirrors to avoid streaks and smudges.
Use an actual glass cleaner on your car's mirrors, windshield, windows and rear glass. Multipurpose cleaners often create suds, which aren't necessary and can leave streaks and smudges behind. Also, avoid products that contain ammonia, as it can cause drying and other problems. Here are some other tips to make sure that dusty, grimy mirrors will never cloud your visibility:
- Find a cool spot to clean your mirrors instead of cleaning them in the blazing sun. This will help prevent the cleaner from evaporating.
- Apply the cleaner to a lint-free cloth rather than applying the cleaner directly to your mirrors. This will help prevent the cleaner from running.
- Keep a small can of defroster within easy reach in your truck to help keep your mirrors clear when the temperature dips below freezing.
adjust your mirrors
A squeaky clean, cutting-edge semi-truck mirror is worthless if you do not properly adjust it. Make it a habit to check your mirrors and adjust them accordingly before each and every trucking job. You should have two key goals in mind when adjusting your mirrors.
First, strive to maximize the amount of visual space. And second, try to minimize your blind spots. Finally, remember that mirrors are prone to shifting, so you may have to adjust them more frequently depending upon your driving conditions.
Know your blind spots
Every driver on the road should be keenly aware of the blind spots around their vehicles. But knowing your blind spots is especially important if you drive a semi. There are several blind spots or "no zones" for truck drivers:
- In front: Due to sitting higher than drivers of other vehicles, it can be difficult to see vehicles directly in front of you.
- The right side: Truck drivers have a large blind spot behind their cabs on the right hand side.
- The left side: Another common blind spot is behind the truck cab on the left hand side.
- On the back side of your truck: Because truck cabs tend to lack rear-view mirrors, drivers are unable to see if vehicles are following too closely.
Use mirrors to reduce your blind spots
Once you are aware of your blind spots, you can strategically position your mirrors to reduce or minimize them. Start by positioning two mirrors on the right and left-hand sides of your hood. Adding multiple side mirrors can also help reduce blind spots in the lanes on either side of your truck. By strategically adding more mirrors, you will increase your awareness of the driving activity around you.
Use your mirrors When turning
One of the single best uses for your semi truck mirrors is to monitor your trailer while you are turning. Keeping a close eye on your trailer is particularly important if you are making a sharp turn, as your trailer may potentially collide with medians, signs, and other vehicles. And remember to monitor your trailer throughout the entire turn instead of turning your full attention to other roadway activities.
Give your mirrors a helping hand
Mirrors can go a long way toward helping you become a safer, more accurate semi-truck driver. However, mirrors alone will not guarantee a safe ride for you and the vehicles around you. It is ultimately up to you as a driver to remain vigilant and take all necessary precautions to drive safely and respect your fellow motorists. Here are some ways you can become a more vigilant driver:
- Always remain alert: Driving when you are tired or distracted will interfere with the quality of your driving.
- Install feedback devices: Back-up sensors, audible alarms, and other cutting-edge devices are designed to prevent mistakes before they occur.
- Use signage: Some truck drivers install warning signage on their tractors to warn other motorists to steer clear of their blind spots.
The Bottom Line on Using Semi-Truck Mirrors
As outlined above, having plenty of clean, strategically placed semi-truck mirrors can improve your safety and accuracy as a driver. The single best way to remain abreast of the latest advances in mirrors and other semi-truck equipment is to reach out to an experienced leader in the trucking industry.
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- Written by: Kate Williams
It’s important for the hardworking men and women who deliver our country’s goods and materials to know that you are not alone. There are compassionate organizations advocating on your behalf and connecting valued truckers with community members.
In an effort to connect you with resources to enhance your professional and personal experience, we have put together information about some of the country's top trucking associations.
We hope this information enhances your experience.
1: American Trucking Associations
The American Trucking Associations (ATA) was born out of a merger between the Highway Freight Association and Federated Trucking Associations of America in 1993 to form a national-level affiliate of state organizations. Its long and storied history includes working with the U.S. Army during World War II when it was tasked with recruiting truckers to comprise the U.S. Army Transportation Corps. All told, 5,700 truck driving patriots enlisted.
Ever since playing a pivotal role in the country’s national security, the ATA has been a leader in interstate commerce initiatives and relentlessly fights for the fair treatment and compensation of American truckers. The ATA focuses on the following three fundamental policy platforms:
- Safety: The ATA is dedicated to improved driver safety and works in conjunction with federal agencies such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to identify and educate drivers about emerging risks.
- Sustainability: The ATA promotes environmental policies that reduce carbon emissions and improved fuel efficiency, among others.
- Trucks are Essential: The organization represents drivers and other industry leaders by promoting the fact that nearly 100 percent of the country’s goods and materials are distributed by trucks.
Along with being a strong advocate for professional truck drivers across that country, the ATA also provides substantial benefits for its members. These include the following:
- Discounted liability insurance
- Discounts on products and services
- Discounts on UPS deliveries
- Subscription to The ATA Chronicle
- Professional services such as translators
- Career opportunities
- Bi-monthly newsletter
The organization enjoys a membership base that exceeds 10,000 and ranks among the most potent voices supporting the industry today. For more information, visit the ATA website.
2: Truckload Carriers Association
The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) was established in 1983 through the merger of the Contract Carrier Conference and Common Carrier Conference — Irregular Route. Since being founded, its name has evolved from the Interstate Carriers Conference in 1983 to Interstate Carriers Conference in 1988, and finally, its current title in 1997. Although the name has changed over the years, the organization remains committed to its primary leadership roles of advocacy, education, and outreach. Those who opt to join this organization can anticipate the following benefits:
- A voice in Washington, D.C.
- Educational resources such as webinars
- Access to the weekly Truckload Carrier Report newsletter
The TCA offers memberships types that include For-Hire Carriers, Private Fleets, Associates, and Schools. To join or for more information, visit the TCA website.
3: National Association of Small Trucking Companies
Established by David Owen and Buster Anderson in 1989, the National Association of Small Trucking Companies (NASTC) emphasizes the sometimes underrepresented needs of small trucking businesses. The organization brings companies together to strengthen collective bargaining advocacy and lobbying abilities. Representing upwards of 10,000 trucking outfits, NASTC offers its members benefits that help small trucking companies lower the cost of doing business. For more information or to become a member, visit the NASTC website.
4: Women In Trucking
This non-profit organization was founded by current President and CEO Ellen Voie in 2007 and has given women the voice they deserve. Voie, a CDL-holder, has been advocating for greater female inclusion in the industry since the early 1980s. Women in Trucking (WIT) works tirelessly to promote trucking opportunities for women who are underrepresented. WIT provides a powerful gender diversity voice that is helping to break down perceived barriers in a predominately male occupation. Its member benefits include the following:
- Provide insight into women’s issues in the freight-hauling industry
- Education about improved work environments for women
- Promote driver and management opportunities for women
- Facilitate professional development
- Provide access to entry-level trucker positions
As of 2018, only approximately 6.2 percent of all active CDL holders are women. That number has increased by a modest 1.7 percent over the last 15 years, and WIT seeks to encourage women to secure CDLs and the good-paying job opportunities of the trucking industry. For more information or to become a member, visit the WIT website.
5: National Private Truck Council
Private motor carrier fleets comprise upwards of 80 percent of medium and heavy-duty vehicles on American roadways and are responsible for more than half of all miles logged. Established in 1939, the National Private Truck Council (NPTC) advocates on behalf of truckers and outfits who operate those more than 2 million vehicles. The organization seeks to further the following goals:
- Provide transportation industry leadership
- Provide professional education and certification opportunities
- Lobby government agencies and officials with regard to regulations, compliance, and legislation
- Improve the flow of vital industry information
For more information or to become a member, visit the NPTC website.
6: Trucker Buddy International
This non-profit organization is dedicated to working diligently to introduce and educate school-aged children about robust opportunities in the trucking industry. The Trucker Buddy program mentors youth and allows them to gain first-hand experience about what CDL professionals do and how their work positively impacts our communities. Teachers work in conjunction with truck drivers to oversee K-8 programs after a thorough screening process.
Students and drivers exchange letters and information in an educational setting designed to improve learning. Trucker Buddy was established in 1992 and has worked with more than 1 million students, and the organization is run through volunteers and donations. Trucker Buddy enjoys ties to other prominent trucking industry organizations such as the American Trucking Associations.
7: Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance
With upwards of 4,000 members in its ranks, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) is a non-profit organization focused on vehicle and driver safety. Since 1980, it has served as a safety standards bridge between Western U.S. states and Canadian provinces. Its safety inspection and enforcement programs include the following:
- International Roadcheck
- Operation Airbrake
- Operation Safe Driver
- North American Standard Inspection Program
- North American Standard Level VI Inspection Program
The CVSA counts hundreds of law enforcement, trucking companies, industry associations, vendors, and others among its member ranks. Its sponsors enjoy benefits that include exposure at conferences, and promotion in the CVSA bi-weekly newsletter. For more information or to become a sponsor, visit the CVSA website.
As a member of the trucking community, we hope this information about other crucial organizations proves useful. For more information about us or to explore a career in the trucking industry, please visit CDLjobs.com today.