Author: Christina DeBusk

It’s peak season. Are you prepared?

Posted on by Christina DeBusk

Peak shipping season generally begins around the middle of August, with transportation and logistics needs remaining elevated through the rest of the holiday season. 

The better you’re prepared to withstand the increase in demand, the better your company—and its employees—will survive the longer days and new logistical challenges. This begins with making a plan.

Planning for peak needs

If your company has been in business for any length of time, you likely have some idea of what to expect as peak ramps up. You can use past years as a benchmark for how your operations will be impacted, in addition to when certain actions will need to be taken to keep from falling behind. Even newer companies aren’t totally in the dark as industry trends can provide some insight into what lies ahead.

Think about fluctuations that can occur during peak, which resources need to be ramped up, and any additional expenses that will be incurred. Develop a plan that covers the financial, operational and staff-related needs during this busy time. Any aspect of the company that is likely to be stressed during peak should have its own plan.

Prepare for the unexpected

Unfortunately, even the best-made plans won’t keep you from facing unexpected issues along the way. Trucks break down, drivers call in sick, and shipments aren’t ready when they’re supposed to be, all of which can put a kink in the delivery chain. When creating your plan, put contingencies in place for events such as these. 

One way to prepare for the unexpected is to hold a brainstorming session with your employees and come up with a list of all the obstacles you may potentially face in the months ahead. Then, talk about each and come up with a couple of ways to resolve that issue with the greatest speed and effectiveness. Hopefully, none of these events will happen. But if they do, you will be prepared.

Ramp up your workforce

A company’s workforce is one of its biggest assets, especially during peak season. These are the people who will put in more hours, work harder than ever, and do what they can to ensure that your goods get from point A to point B. 

While some companies try to get through peak without bringing on any extra staff, taking this approach can often backfire. One, you risk burning your best employees out. This not only makes them less effective but may even cause them to start looking for work elsewhere. 

Even if your current staff band together and do what they can to withstand the elevated demand, sometimes the demand is just too much. It’s like giving each one a cup and asking them to stand in front of a just-released dam to keep the water from rushing into a nearby town. It simply isn’t going to work.

Admittedly, the current labor market does present some challenges for transportation and logistics companies. Finding new drivers, and keeping them on the job, isn’t as easy as it has been in years past. 

This sometimes requires getting a bit creative, such as by finding ways to get more people interested in driving a truck.

Use a driver staffing agency

Another way to make your workforce peak-ready is to utilize the services of a driver staffing agency. Taking this approach provides access to the workers you need without the stress of the hiring process.

When you work with Centerline, our dedicated recruiters will work to put the most qualified drivers in the right positions with your company. Between our staffing solutions and advanced driver recruitment technology, we can ramp up your workforce quickly and with greater ease.

Contact Centerline today to learn more about how we can help you be more prepared for peak demands. We fill approximately 4,500 truck-driving jobs annually. We are here to help you fill yours.

Tips to improve your driver recruitment ads

Posted on by Christina DeBusk

Driver recruitment can be a challenge, especially amidst the looming worker shortage—not just in the transportation industry but in the workforce as a whole.

This makes it even more important that your recruitment ads compel prospects to apply for your open driver positions. Here are a few tips that can help.

Use the right words

What headline are you using in your driver ads? Are you advertising for a truck driver, for instance, or a CDL driver? While it would seem like both would net similar results, individuals searching for jobs with these titles on Indeed see more than 6,000 fewer jobs when using the first title over the second. So, the words you use in your ad’s headline and body can make it easier or harder for prospective drivers to find you.

Indeed’s Career Guide recommends that if a position has more than one potential job title, such as truck driver and CDL driver, make sure the one not used in the title is included somewhere in the body of the post. This helps people searching for a driver job better find your ad.

Indeed also recommends doing a keyword search to decide which words your ad should include. Many online sites offer this capability. Use one or two and see which words or phrases have the most search traffic, then add those words to your recruitment ad.

Make the ad easy to read

The same principles apply to driver recruitment ads as those used to write blogs or even your website pages. The goal is to make the information easy to read so people do, in fact, read it.

You can do this in several different ways. One is by using short sentences and paragraphs. Also, separate different sections of your ad with bolded subheadings, such as Benefits and Qualifications. This enables prospects to jump to the information that they desire most.

Using bullet points is another way to increase your ad’s readability. Information presented in this format is easier to read through. Keep these list items short. The fewer words, the better.

Talk about benefits first

Imagine that you’re someone looking for a driver position. When going to a job post, the first thing you read is the job duties. Then the ad gets into the qualifications needed to apply. If any of these are unclear or the list feels overwhelming, you’re likely to pass.

Now picture going to a job ad and the first thing it talks about is the benefits. It might share the benefits of being a driver, in general, such as not having to be stuck indoors all day, getting to see different places in the area and working in a position that is both solitary and yet still part of a team. Maybe the ad also talks about benefits that the company provides specifically, such as offering health insurance, paid days off or a flexible work schedule.

Placing benefits first in your driver recruitment ads helps get prospects excited about the job. This increases the likelihood that they’ll want to apply. It also reduces the risks that they feel so overpowered by the responsibilities and requirements that they fail to read far enough to learn about the advantages of the job.

Share the hiring process

People looking for driver jobs can be in different places in their lives. Some will be employed and want to give their current company two weeks’ notice. Others won’t have a job and want to start immediately.

Letting prospects know what your hiring process looks like right in the job ad helps them see how it would fit into their situation. You don’t have to be super detailed but a basic outline of the steps and how long hiring takes makes it easier for them to decide whether to apply.

This also saves your company time down the road by losing prospects after you’ve already invested time in reviewing their application or checking their work history. If expectations are clearly set up front, you can keep this from occurring.
 

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help find the right drivers for you!

Tips to stay safe when on the loading dock

Posted on by Christina DeBusk

One-quarter of all industrial accidents occur at the loading dock according to Industrial Safety & Hygiene News. If this seems like a lot, here’s another statistic that highlights the huge safety risks associated with being in the area where goods are loaded and unloaded: for every accident that does occur, there are roughly 600 that came close to happening but for whatever reason didn’t.

As a driver in the transportation industry, you’re bound to spend at least some of your time on the loading dock. Here are a few tips that can help you stay safe when in this area.

Be aware of potential hazards

The first step to avoiding a potential hazard is recognizing when one exists. Some of the hazards that can make a loading dock unsafe include surfaces that are wet from rain or other slippery substances, as well as unlevel surfaces. Both of these issues can increase your risk of slipping or tripping.

If you notice a wet spot, clean it up. If there is garbage on the dock, discard it. Report uneven dock surfaces to management and, until they’re fixed, ask that the crack or opening be marked with colored tape to make it more noticeable.

Also be aware of the dock edges so you don’t accidentally fall off. This can easily happen if you aren’t paying attention while taking care of your load.

Look out for other people

A loading dock can get busy when trying to load or unload goods. The more people involved in this process, the greater the likelihood that you’ll run into one another, potentially knocking one of you off the loading dock or pushing you into some of the goods or equipment.

At a minimum, this can lead to cuts and bruises, with more serious injuries being broken bones, concussions, or worse. So, take the time to notice where others are on the loading dock. This helps prevent these types of injuries.

Watch for equipment

People aren’t the only things on loading docks. You’ll also find various pieces of equipment. When on the loading dock, watch for common equipment like forklifts and dollies.

The operators of this type of equipment may not see you due to their vision being obstructed or they might be distracted. Either way, if you’re watching for them, you’re able to move out of the way quickly enough to avoid an incident.

Double-check the dock plates or boards

Dock plates and boards are used to help bridge the gap between the dock and the delivery truck. This makes it possible to move goods easily from one spot to the other.

Before stepping on one of these bridges, make sure it is locked into place. If you have a heavy load, it’s also important to make sure the dock plate or board is strong enough to handle it. This can be ascertained by checking its load capacity.

Practice good truck safety protocol

When loading or unloading, your wheels should be chocked or wedged firmly to keep the rig from moving unexpectedly. Also, shut off your truck when in the loading area to keep everyone safe from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Idling trucks can fill the air with this poisonous gas, leading to flu-like symptoms such as headache, dizziness, and upset stomach. If you take in enough, it may even cause death.

Some docks are equipped with sensors that will go off if carbon monoxide levels get too high. For those that aren’t, pay attention to how you feel and leave the area if you start to feel sick.

Follow safe loading practices

The way you load and unload your truck can also either enhance or reduce your injury risk. If at all possible, use equipment to move heavy items. This keeps you from potentially damaging your body.

But if you must physically move items, lift with your legs versus your back. And wear gloves that grip so the goods don’t slip when handling them.

Additional steps to reduce injury risks

While loading dock hazards can’t be eliminated, there are a few more steps you can take to reduce your risk of injury when in this area. This includes:

  • Never running while on a loading dock
  • Avoiding rough playing with other employees, which can result in one of you falling off the loading dock
  • Wearing nonslip shoes in case you don’t see a slippery area
  • Wearing protective gear, such as hard hats and hearing protection, whenever you’re in the loading dock area

More safety tips are available on Centerline’s app. Or, if you’re a driver who is currently looking for work or in search of a new job, we can help with that too.

Contact us today and let us know how we can help you.

Emergency truck kit essentials: how to pack a great kit

Posted on by Christina DeBusk

You can face any number of emergencies as a truck driver. You could be involved in an accident or witness a serious collision between other vehicles. You might even be going about your day, as usual, and have someone in your path have an emergency.

Having the right tools can help you respond to all these types of situations. This is where an emergency truck kit comes into play, and here are some essentials for packing a great kit.

First aid supplies

Rendering first aid in emergencies can sometimes mean the difference between life and death. And if you’re the one who needs first aid, having the right supplies in your truck can give someone else the ability to help you when you need it most.

The American Red Cross has a variety of first aid kits you can buy, and some are designed specifically for keeping in your truck. You can also make your own. Items to include in your first aid kit include:

  • plastic gloves
  • hand sanitizer
  • bandages of varying sizes
  • gauze dressing pads and tape
  • antibiotic ointment
  • antiseptic wipes
  • alcohol pads
  • emergency blanket
  • eye drops and a sterile eye pad

If you know how to do CPR, keeping a mask in your kit helps you perform mouth-to-mouth safely. Though, now this lifesaving action is also taught with just chest compressions, making this another option if you either aren’t comfortable with giving breaths or don’t have a mask available.

Items to protect against the weather

In a perfect world, emergencies wouldn’t happen in the middle of blizzards, ice storms, rainstorms or heat waves. But this is not reality. In fact, more than one in five vehicle crashes are weather-related according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration. Most of them (70%) occur on wet pavement, with just under half (46%) taking place during active rainfall.

This suggests that if you face an emergency on the road, you’re likely to also be dealing with adverse weather conditions. Having the following items available in your emergency truck kit can help protect you against them:

  • raincoat or poncho
  • umbrella
  • hand and feet warmers
  • pair of warm, dry socks
  • hat and gloves
  • winter boots
  • warm face mask
  • blanket

You might also keep a snow shovel and extra ice scraper in your truck. The shovel can be helpful if you or another driver happens to slide in a ditch, or if you face large snow drifts and need to dig your way out. The extra ice scraper can be invaluable if yours breaks, allowing you to clean your windshield once again.

Food and drink

Some emergencies are longer lasting than others. If you go in the ditch in the middle of a snow whiteout, for instance, you could be there a while before someone can reach you, pull you out and get you moving down the road again.

That’s why it’s important to have food and drink in your emergency kit. You’re able to keep your body fed and hydrated until the situation is over. Items to put in your kit include:

  • bottled water (or even gallon jugs)
  • energy bars or granola bars
  • trail mix
  • nuts and seeds
  • dried fruit
  • beef jerky
  • any other nonperishable foods

Swap out these items regularly so you’re not in the middle of an emergency with food that is beyond its expiration date, making it potentially unsafe to consume.

Items for use at night

Should an emergency occur while driving at night, you’ll want a few items that not only help you see but also make you more visible to other drivers around you. Items to include in your kit for this purpose are:

  • flashlight and extra batteries
  • warning flags, cones, or triangles
  • light sticks or flares
  • reflective safety vest

Emergency items for your truck

Some items to put in your emergency kit are more for your truck than for you. Having these things accessible enables you to respond to a situation swiftly, which can help either get you back on the road more quickly or—at a minimum—reduce further damage to your delivery vehicle.

Items in this category include:

  • fire extinguisher
  • jumper cables
  • extra tarp
  • tire pressure gauge

Miscellaneous other emergency items

There are a few other items that, while they don’t fall into one of the other categories, could still be helpful in an emergency. Some to consider adding to your kit are:

  • any medications you take, in case you run out while on the road
  • extra set of eyeglasses or contact lenses
  • whistle, to get other people’s attention, if needed
  • “HELP” banner that you can affix to your truck
  • printed map or atlas, in the event you don’t have a good connection and are lost
  • portable phone charger, for when your battery is low or if you’re in a longer-term emergency and using your phone heavily

Including these items in your kit can help ensure that you are prepared for an emergency, should one arise. In some instances, it might even turn the emergency into more of an inconvenience—all because you had the foresight to pack a great emergency truck kit.

Want more safety tips? Download our free driver safety guide here.

Trucking conventions to attend in 2023

Posted on by Christina DeBusk

Attending trucking conferences and trade shows enables your company to stay abreast of the latest shipping, receiving and transportation trends. These conventions also provide access to process and equipment innovations, also giving you the opportunity to network with others in the field.
Here are some of the trucking events that you don’t want to miss in 2023.
NPTC 2023 Annual Conference
Date: May 7-9th
Location: Orlando, FL
The National Private Truck Council’s Annual Conference and Exhibition is the biggest national private truck fleet event of the year. With more than 1,300 attendees expected and over 175 exhibitors, this is an event you won’t want to miss.
And come meet the Centerline team. Join us at booth #927! Schedule a time to speak with a Centerline team member at the booth by providing your information below.  We look forward to seeing you at NPTC 2023!

TMC’s 2023 Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition
Date: February 27 to March 2, 2023
Location: Orlando, FL
This event is sponsored by the Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) and draws more than 5,100 attendees, from fleet professionals to suppliers to vehicle manufacturers. The focus for the 2023 exhibition is “advancing reliability through root cause analysis.” Attendees can participate in a variety of educational sessions, in addition to having the opportunity to take an active role in more than 100 industry task forces.
Truckload Carriers Association 2023 Convention
Date: March 4 to March 7, 2023
Location: Orlando, FL
More than 1,300 industry professionals are expected to attend this event, which provides both educational and networking opportunities. Topics that will be discussed in 2023 include recruitment and retention, independent contractor practices, regulatory policies and the business side of mergers and acquisitions. Attendees can also participate in a variety of carrier discussion groups, some of which talk about safety and insurance, equipment specs, IT and more.
Mid-America Trucking Show
Date: March 30 to April 1, 2023
Location: Louisville, KY
This trucking show, known as MATS for short, boasts more than 850 exhibitors, 58,000 attendees, and 40 featured events. The events are a mixture of education, networking, and entertainment. (Examples of the latter include the PKY Truck Beauty Championship and music concerts.) Attendees also get to visit various exhibits, some of which offer hands-on demonstrations.
2023 Walcott Truckers Jamboree
Date: July 13 to July 15, 2023
Location: Walcott, IA
If you’re looking for a trucking event that is more a celebration of all things trucking, along with being family-friendly, the 2023 Walcott Truckers Jamboree delivers. Event attendees get to spend time at an antique truck display, the Super Trucks Beauty Contest, a pork chop cookout and live country music. You also get to watch the Trucker Olympics, cheering on participants as they use their skills in an attempt to secure a win.
IANA’s Intermodal EXPO 2023
Date: September 11 to September 13, 2023
Location: Long Beach, CA
The Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) sponsors this event which focuses on the latest products and ideas in intermodal supply chain management. Topics to be discussed at this year’s event include transloading, sustaining, driver productivity and terminal design. This event provides the opportunity to meet with professionals from all modes of transportation, from railroads to ports to motor carriers.  
CVSA 2023 Annual Conference and Exhibition
Date: September 17 to September 21, 2023
Location: Grapevine, TX
This annual event is sponsored by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) and concentrates on actions that transportation professionals, regulatory agencies and government officials can take to improve safety as a whole, working together to incite “meaningful changes” across all of North America. During this exhibition, participants will discuss topics such as driver fatigue, human trafficking, hazardous materials and vehicle safety, among several others.
ATA’s 2023 Management Conference & Exhibition
Date: October 14 to October 17, 2023
Location: Austin, TX
The American Trucking Association (ATA) puts on this event, known as the MCE (Management & Conference Exhibition). More than 3,100 business owners and top trucking executives are expected to attend, with the option of participating in over 44 different sessions. These sessions are designed to discuss the latest policies, innovations and solutions in the trucking industry. They also provide top decision-makers the opportunity to have their voices heard, sharing their experiences to direct future transportation policies.
NASTC 2023 Conference
Date: November 2 to November 4, 2023
Location: Nashville, TN
The National Association of Small Trucking Companies (NASTC) is an event designed for smaller trucking organizations. While the NASTC doesn’t yet provide a schedule for the 2023 conference, likely because registration is just beginning, past year events include informational sessions, networking opportunities and country music concerts—even boasting some amazing food.

Always be up to date with the latest news and trends with our exclusive trucking industry content library here.

Truck stop etiquette: what to do and not do when making your stops

Posted on by Christina DeBusk

Truck stops are a great place to fuel up, grab a bite to eat, use the restroom or simply stretch your legs after sitting behind the wheel for long periods. Because these stops often have bigger lots with roomier parking spaces, they’re easier to get a truck into and out of than other businesses offering the same types of services.

However, just as there are “rules of etiquette” for many of the places that we might visit frequently—such as restaurants and churches—there is also etiquette for truck stops. This etiquette can be split between two categories: truck stop dos and truck stop don’ts.

Truck stop dos

When at a truck stop, drivers should:

  • Look out for other drivers. Drivers are part of a brotherhood and sisterhood. Treat them as such. If you’re at a truck stop and see a new driver who seems a bit lost, offer to help them out. If you notice that they are having trouble with their truck, see if you can lend a hand. Extend the same type of courtesy you’d like extended to you if in their shoes.
  • Park in a designated spot. If you’re planning on only being inside the store for a few minutes, it can be tempting to find the nearest open space that can accommodate your truck and park there. The problem is that, depending on where the space is, it may be difficult for other drivers to pull in or see around you. Parking in a designated spot helps prevent these types of issues.
  • Turn down your music. When you spend all day driving and alone, music can be a good way to help pass the time more pleasurably. But that doesn’t mean that everyone else in the truck stop enjoys the same genre or style of music as you. Turning the volume down when you drive in is a sign of respect, especially for those in the area who may be sensitive to loud noises.
  • Turn off your truck. Leaving your truck running can help you keep the cab temperature more comfortable on a hot or cool day. But it can also leave people around you in a cloud of breath-taking fumes. And if your truck is noisy, that’s not fun for them either. When you’re in a busy truck stop or going to be away from your truck for several minutes, be kind to others and turn it off.
  • Treat the truck stop as if it was yours. What is meant by this is, if you have garbage, throw it in a dedicated bin. Or maybe it’s not your garbage on the floor, but you take the added effort to stop, pick it up and dispose of it properly. Treating the truck stop as if it was personally yours helps remind you to go the extra mile in keeping it clean. It may even encourage others to do the same.

Truck stop don’ts

What are some things that drivers should not do at a truck stop?

  • Park in front of a fuel nozzle. The only exception to this, of course, is if you’re getting fuel. Once your tank is full and you’ve paid for your gas, move the truck to a parking space if you plan to go inside. This frees up the nozzle for others who also want or need to fill their vehicles.
  • Play “biggest truck wins.” Maybe you do have the biggest truck at the stop. This doesn’t mean that you can do whatever you want, and all the other drivers must deal with it or go out of their way to make room for you. Stay courteous to others always, even if your truck could crush theirs.
  • Be a follower of poor etiquette practices. It can be easy to let your truck stop etiquette slide, especially if you see other drivers doing the same. Instead of following their poor practices and developing an attitude of “it is what it is,” strive to be a leader instead. Be the person who will do their part—even if no one else does. Maybe your actions will rub off on them, compelling them to do their part as well.

Want more lifestyle tips while being on the road? Check out our lifestyle content library here.

Nighttime safety tips for truck drivers

Posted on by Christina DeBusk

Driving trucks can be challenging enough when the sun is up, and you can clearly see everything around you. But when darkness sets in, the challenges you face as a truck driver often increase exponentially since you don’t always have advance notice of what lies ahead.

If you are typically behind the wheel during the nighttime hours, here are some tips that can help keep you—and everyone else on the road—more safe.

  • Check your headlights before you start your shift. The last thing you want is to be in a dark area late at night and discover that you only have one headlight. You can avoid this scenario by making sure all your lights work before you even get on the road. Realistically, this task should already be on your pre-inspection checklist. If it isn’t, make sure you add it. When looking them over, make sure they’re aimed in the right direction and that your high beams work.
  • Check your windshield wipers too. If your wipers don’t work well, you’ll have a hard time seeing in the rain or snow. Give them a look to make sure they’re not too worn out, replacing them if they are. Top up your washer fluid while you’re at it so you can remove the windshield grime that often comes with wet or slushy roads.
  • Lower your driving speed. At 65 mph, a passenger vehicle needs just over 300 feet to stop. This length increases to around 525 feet for a fully loaded tractor-trailer. And these distances can be even greater if the road is wet or slippery. Lowering your speed gives you longer to stop, which is even more important if you have a slower reaction time, are dealing with weather issues, or to make up for the stop time you lose due to brake lag.
  • Increase your following distance. Another way to give you more time to stop your truck, if necessary, is to allow for more distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. Generally speaking, you should allow one truck’s length for every 10 mph in speed. If you’re going 60 mph, for example, there should be six truck lengths between you and the     vehicle ahead of you. Increasing your following distance can also reduce your risk of jackknifing if you face a sudden stop.
  • Take a break if you get tired. Yes, you have a schedule to keep. But that schedule doesn’t do anyone any good if you fall asleep behind the wheel and hurt or kill yourself or someone else. If you feel tired, find someplace to stop and get out for a minute. This would be a good time to use the restroom or fuel up. The Cleveland Clinic also recommends grabbing a coffee to get some caffeine in your system, doing a bit of exercise to increase your blood flow to the brain, or taking a quick 20-minute nap to give your alertness level a boost. Watch your intake of sugary foods and drinks when fatigue sets in because, while these items may initially give you more energy, you’ll likely wind up crashing—making you feel more tired than before.
  • Remain aware. It’s easy to sort of “zone out” when driving trucks, especially if it’s a lengthy trip or you’ve driven the same route several times before. However, zoning out at night means that your reaction time will be slower, making it harder to stop if an animal jumps out onto the road or an accident occurs in front of you. Pay attention to your surroundings and remain aware of any potential threats in that area, such as deer crossing the road or falling rocks, so you can respond quickly if you need.

More safety tips are available on Centerline’s app. Or, if you’re a driver who is currently looking for work or in search of a new job, we can help with that too.

We fill around 10,000 assignments annually. Contact us today and let us know how we can help you!

Addressing human trafficking in the trucking industry

Posted on by Christina DeBusk

At any given time, an estimated 27.6 million people worldwide are victims of human trafficking. As a result, the U.S. Department of Justice has launched numerous special initiatives designed to help put an end to this serious crime.

One way in which transportation companies can do their part is by putting their own policies and procedures in place, bringing more awareness to this issue while also encouraging their drivers to take action if they suspect human trafficking when on the road.

This begins with first identifying exactly what human trafficking is.

What is human trafficking?

Human trafficking is often associated with keeping people, primarily minors and women, against their will and forcing them to engage in sex acts for money. However, its reach is more expansive than that.

The White House’s National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking defines human trafficking as the recruitment, harboring, transportation, patronizing or soliciting of a person through force, fraud or coercion for purposes of commercial sex acts or for forced labor.

So, human trafficking encompasses a wide range of scenarios in which a person is forced to do things they don’t want to do, sexual or otherwise. It also doesn’t require that actual force be used as even a threat of force qualifies under this definition.

Trafficking in the trucking industry

The National Human Trafficking Hotline calls truck stops the “ideal venue for traffickers” because their locations are often remote and people who frequent them are transient. When moving trafficking victims from one city to the next, traffickers commonly use these facilities as a place to force their victims into commercial sex acts.

Male truckers are a primary target, and traffickers have several ways to reach this demographic. They include:

  • Using coded advertising through CB radio
  • Advertising on online trucker boards
  • Knocking on truck doors in truck stop parking lots

Consequences of participating in human trafficking

One of the ways that legislators are trying to stop human trafficking is by instituting penalties against those involved. Offenders convicted of “purchasing” or “receiving” a trafficking victim face jail or prison time and the payment of fines.

The National Conference of State Legislatures reports that, in some states, penalties are greater when the victim is part of a vulnerable population. This includes children, those with mental illness and undocumented immigrants.

If a business takes part, penalties can be instituted against that entity as well. High-level fines (up to $1 million in some states) and exposure to civil liability are two potential consequences. So too is business license suspension or revocation, with some state’s Attorney General offices given the power to dissolve a company involved in human trafficking.

What your transportation company can do

Companies in the transportation industry are in a frontline position to help thwart human trafficking. To assist with this, the American Trucking Associations recommends that trucking companies take two actions:

  1. Offer drivers and other staff access to anti-human trafficking training programs
  2. Implementing a zero-tolerance policy for participation in “commercial sex of any kind”

The first action involves helping your employees recognize the signs that someone may be a victim of human trafficking. These signs include the person looking malnourished, having visible signs of physical abuse, avoiding eye contact, or talking in a way that sounds rehearsed. Encourage drivers to call 911 if they suspect human trafficking so the situation and person can be checked out.

The second action requires reinforcing to employees that participation in human trafficking or any commercial sex act will not be tolerated by the company. Be clear that their employment can be terminated immediately if they are involved in this type of behavior, whether on or off the job.

Learn more about the trucking industry and trends here.  

4 tips for protecting your ears as a truck driver

Posted on by Christina DeBusk

In a study involving 65,533 heavy vehicle drivers, more than one in four (26.8%) had some level of hearing loss. This means having a harder time hearing your loved ones, co-workers, the television, and more.

It also highlights the importance of protecting your ears if you drive trucks for a living, and these tips can help.

Keep your windows rolled up

In the study mentioned above, researchers noted that the drivers’ hearing loss was more prevalent in their left ear than in the right. It was suggested that this was potentially due to regularly having the left window down to get fresh air, which allows more noise to drift into the truck’s cab—including the noise that is created by the wind.

To stop this from happening to you, keep your windows rolled up as much as you can. What you lose in terms of fresh air, you gain in the ability to better hear the world around you. This is critical since many forms of hearing loss cannot be reversed.

Turn the radio down

When you’re driving by yourself all day, it can be tempting to turn on your favorite music and crank the sound up. Over time, this loud noise can damage the cells and membrane in your cochlea, which is the spiral bone in the inner ear. As long as the exposure to loud music continues, your hearing loss will continue to progress according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

While driving for work, keep your radio or music app to reasonable sound levels. You may even decide to turn the music off completely every now and then. Not only does this give your ears a break, but it also gives you time to think, which isn’t a bad thing.

Invest in a carbon monoxide detector for your truck

One study found that when noise levels are above 90 decibels and you are exposed to carbon monoxide repeatedly over time (which many truck drivers are), you have significantly poorer hearing thresholds at higher frequencies. One explanation for this is that carbon monoxide exposure reduces oxygen in the blood, which increases the deterioration of inner ear sensory cells.

Invest in a carbon monoxide detector that you can keep in your cab. This enables you to know when levels are getting too high. If you get headaches, dizziness, nausea, or vomiting, these are additional signs.

It’s also helpful to always park in areas where your truck has adequate ventilation. Also, do regular exhaust system checks to spot any issues before they have the opportunity to harm your health.

Get regular hearing exams

Sometimes the person with hearing loss is the last to know. If hearing deteriorates slowly over time, you may be accustomed to not hearing clearly. You don’t know what you’re missing out on because it’s not a sudden shift. Getting regular hearing exams can help identify issues in their early stages.

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association indicates that there is no consensus as to how often adults should be screened for hearing issues. This is because the frequency of exams depends on several factors, including the person’s age, whether you have any other health issues, if you have a higher risk of hearing loss (such as being exposed to louder noises) and your access to regular screenings.

To help you understand whether you may need a hearing test, the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders offers a convenient online test. This test is designed for people aged 18 to 64 and consists of 10 yes or no questions.

If you answer yes to three or more these questions, it is suggested that you see an ear, nose, and throat specialist, also known as an otolaryngologist, to get your hearing tested.

Need other tips on what you should be regularly checking? We’ve got plenty of tips on protecting your eyes, hands, back, shoulder, and knees.

Lowering the truck driving age limit: pros and cons

Posted on by Christina DeBusk

On January 14, 2022, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a notice stating that, although a previously proposed pilot program that would lower the truck driving age had never been implemented, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act now required that this program be established. It is known as the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program.

What is the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot (SDAP) program

Under this pilot program—which has a maximum duration of three years—the age limit for obtaining a commercial driver’s license (CDL) for purposes of interstate commerce is lowered from 21 to 18. Once the program is complete, the FMCSA is required to share its results with Congress, along with making recommendations based on its findings or suggesting any changes to current laws.

The SDAP program has certain stipulations. One is that drivers must complete two probationary periods, the first being 120 hours and the second being 280 hours. Each one contains certain areas in which the driver has to show competence, such as safety awareness, mirror scanning and logging in the first apprenticeship and backing, weighting loads and coupling and uncoupling procedures in the second.

Certain technologies must also be used by these drivers. They include the truck having an active braking collision mitigation system as well as a forward-facing video event capture system.

Some people and organizations are for this program while others are against it. Here are some of the reasons cited for their opposing positions.

Pros of lowering the age limit

One of the major pushes behind lowering the age limit for commercial vehicle drivers is to help ease supply chain issues. The hope is that, by expanding the pool of eligible drivers to address driver shortage problems, transportation companies will find it easier to get their goods to their desired destinations.

Another benefit of allowing younger people to get their CDLs is that the 18 to 20-year-olds who are interested in this career field don’t have to wait to enter it. This is important because if someone wants to drive truck at the age of 18 but can’t get their license until they’re 21, what are they to do?

At a minimum, they will need to pursue another line of work until they reach the required age in order to bring in an income. After putting in time learning and gaining seniority in their other work, they may not want to make a switch to driving truck. In situations such as this, being prohibited from entering a career that they’re passionate about can easily result in the pursuit of a different path.

In the end, this could make the driver shortage worse instead of better while also keeping younger drivers from reaching their career goals.

Cons of allowing younger truck drivers

Not everyone is so ready to accept a reduced truck driver age. Several of the agencies opposing a lower age for truck drivers are safety-based, including Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety and the National Safety Council, among several others.

Their opposition is due to concerns that:

  • there is a greater risk of distraction with younger drivers
  • young drivers have a higher accident rate
  • teens aren’t able to correctly analyze a dangerous situation
  • younger drivers have difficulty navigating the nuances of different areas in relation to not just weather and terrain, but also differences in laws

Among those opposing the pilot program, it was recommended not only to disallow younger commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers but to raise the age of truck drivers instead. Some suggested that an age limit of 25 was more appropriate for handling the responsibilities of a CMV driver.

Regardless of where you stand on the issue, if you need more truck drivers, Centerline is here to help.

Contact us today and we can talk about solutions for resolving your driver shortage issues—with less stress.

5 ways to improve sustainability as a transportation company

Posted on by Christina DeBusk

There’s a huge push for companies to be more sustainable. In fact, one survey found that 61% of Americans consider company sustainability an important factor when making a purchase. Thirty-four percent also said that they were willing to pay a higher amount for sustainable services.

How can you help your transportation company improve its sustainability, therefore being more appealing to your target market—even if it means that you may need to charge higher rates? Here are a few strategies to consider.

Develop practices to support the 3 R’s

The three Rs of sustainability are reduce, reuse and recycle. Does your company have any practices in place to encourage its employees to make these Rs a priority? If not, this is a good place to start.

For example, if you have a breakroom, you can reduce the number of paper coffee cups being used by switching to real cups and installing a dishwasher. Also, ask employees to not print documents unless they need to, instead saving them on a hard drive or in a cloud-based folder where they can be viewed later.

Documents that are no longer needed can also be reused as scrap paper, just as boxes that are no longer needed for one purpose can potentially be used for another. If you can’t find another need, these boxes can also be recycled. To support recycling more, set one of the old boxes by each vending machine for empty bottles and cans.

Consider eco-friendly vehicle and fuel options

Many EV manufacturers have promised that 2022 would be the year that they will start to deliver electric big rigs. While some are still in the midst of pilot programs, the trend toward more EV vehicles in general suggests that this will be a more concrete option in the near future. So, you could start planning now to replace your gas trucks with EV options.

If this is too costly, at least consider using biofuels in your current trucks. Biofuels can be made from natural products, such as old cooking oil and animal fat. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, these fuels have fewer negative environmental effects. Namely, they are non-toxic, biodegradable and, when burned, produce fewer harmful emissions.

Ask for funding to support your sustainability initiatives

The Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE) shares that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allows this office to support the research and development of a more sustainable transportation and freight infrastructure. One way it does this is by offering funding for certain initiatives.

If you’re willing to take part in the research and development process, you can review the EERE’s funding opportunities to see if any would work for your business. If you find one (or more) that does, you just apply for funding and see if the government will pick up the cost.

Create a more sustainable workforce

One of the ways that individuals can become more sustainable is to use their vehicles less and when they do have to go somewhere, commute as a group. You can work these same strategies into your transportation company’s business model.

If any of your employees can handle their job responsibilities when working remotely, allowing this option shows that your company is taking steps to reduce the impact of vehicle emissions on the planet. For those that need to be on-site, work with a local mass transit provider to get your workforce benefits such as reduced bus or subway fares.

Use sustainable products and services

You can also improve sustainability indirectly by working with suppliers and vendors that have these types of initiatives. Look to create partnerships or business relationships with companies focused on recycling, “going green,” and otherwise protecting the environment.

If you’re unsure whether the businesses that you work with are taking steps toward being more sustainable, just ask. Most are more than willing to share what they’re doing because it’s important to them, and they know that it’s also important to consumers.

Some will even place this information on their website. Incidentally, this is also where you should place your sustainability initiatives so that others will know upfront that you are committed to improving your sustainability and helping to protect the world for generations to come.

Want to take more of these steps to the road? Check out how to help your drivers become more fuel efficient!

The death of the long-haul trucking model: What’s happening, why it’s happening, and alternatives

Posted on by Christina DeBusk

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that most of the almost two million tractor-trailer truck drivers in the U.S. today are long-haul drivers. Yet, some industry insiders suggest that the long-haul trucking model is dying.

Here are a couple explanations as to why, along with an alternative for businesses that are responsible for transporting goods.

Explanation #1: Truck driver shortage

One of the most noteworthy changes to long-haul driving in recent times is the shortage of drivers. If trends continue as they are, the driver shortage may exceed 160,000—more than double what it is now—according to the American Trucking Associations (ATA).

The ATA explains that the reasons for this shortage are many. For instance, along with pandemic-related quits and a high number of drivers retiring due to age, women are not represented in this industry at rates consistent with the total workforce. This almost eliminates an entire demographic when it comes to filling new positions.

Other factors contributing to the driver shortage include:

  • An inability for prospective drivers to pass a drug test due to many states legalizing marijuana, yet the federal government still considers it illegal
  • Having a minimum age of 21 years for commercial drivers who will cross state lines
  • Infrastructure issues, such a trouble finding places to park overnight and dealing with traffic congestion that limits a driver’s ability to deliver their loads efficiently
  • High hiring standards that many candidates are unable to meet, such as those relating to driving record and criminal history
  • Fewer people enrolling in and completing truck driver training school

Without enough long-haul drivers, this type of delivery model cannot be sustained, especially with the BLS indicating that the industry is expected to grow 6% by 2030. But a driver shortage isn’t the only reason this model may be dying.

Explanation #2: Drivers being replaced by automated trucks

Another notable change within the trucking industry is the emergence of driverless vehicles. A study conducted by researchers from Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Michigan reveals that, if this delivery model is employed, it could affect up to 94% of long-haul trucking operation hours.

The way it would work is by using automated trucks for less complex parts of the route, such as on the highways. Then, the automated trucks would enter some type of “transfer hub,” where a human driver would take over and complete the more complex portions of the route (all the roads between the highway and delivery location).

Overall, this could equate to the loss of somewhere between 300,000 and 400,000 long-haul jobs, according to the study, depending on the type of analysis being conducted. Neither scenario is good for companies responsible for transporting goods from one location to the next. But what’s the alternative?

Alternative to long-haul driving

A short haul provider, like Centerline Drivers, is one option to consider. The benefit of a short haul approach is that, because it involves taking the “more complex” routes, these jobs are less at risk of being replaced by automated trucks.

Short haul routes are also more appealing to many new drivers. This is because they don’t have the hassles faced by long-haul drivers, such as those related to being gone for weeks at a time, having to essentially live in their rig, and dealing with poor work-life balance.

Instead, short routes allow drivers to be home every night to spend time with their friends and families. They also provide the comfortability of familiarity as the drivers are likely to be more familiar with local roads and destinations.

If you’re interested in implementing a short haul trucking model or you want to find ways to make your current short-haul model more efficient, contact Centerline today.