2024 State of Trucking Research Report Available Now. Learn More.
The most common injuries for truck drivers are sprains and strains, according to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). These types of injuries can sideline you from driving for days and even weeks. You can reduce or prevent these injuries by following a simple 3-point rule when getting in or out of your truck.
Learn more safety tips by visiting our safety content library here.
2020 has been busy to say the least. But we’ve got you covered—in one easy list. Here are the top five pieces of content that our readers loved most this year.
In the wake of COVID-19, keeping our drivers and customers safe and healthy is the top priority. Maintaining a clean truck and practicing sanitation guidelines is the first step in preventing the spread of infection. Our free cleaning checklist can help ensure you are taking the proper steps to reduce the chance of infection
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has approved changes to the hours of service (HOS) regulations. These changes are intended to improve driver flexibility while still promoting and ensuring safety. These changes went into effect on September 29, 2020. Not sure what all changed? Catch up with the ruling
If ever there’s a time to focus on maintaining the morale of your drivers, it’s now. In addition to dealing with larger workloads and longer hours due to high demand, drivers are also facing more restrictions and regulations due to the pandemic, on top of trying to stay safe and healthy themselves. Read how to boost the morale of your drivers
The Department of Transportation (DOT) regularly conducts audits to make sure companies are following the rules and maintain compliance. By keeping up-to-date documentation and reports, you can ensure that an audit will go smoothly and are more likely to pass. These audits often happen without much warning so it’s crucial to keep your records updated at all times. Double check to make sure your records are up-to-date with these checklist.
Regulations on the state, local and federal level are no strangers to constant change. However, the pandemic and consequent recession have added a new layer to this ever-changing world. This guide is designed to help you understand the biggest employment compliance trends and what they mean for you in 2021. Download this free guide instantly
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Compliance is one of the most important aspects of managing a workforce—especially in transportation. Regulations at the federal, state and local levels can change on a dime. And the cost of failing a DOT audit can devastate an operation.
A trusted partner should be able to ensure every driver they give you is within all compliance guidelines.
Here are some aspects of a good compliance partner that you should check for.
A true partner has your back and that means having a proven record of compliance. Ask what their hiring policies are, how many DOT audits they have passed and how they stay on top of compliance changes. Not being able to show how they keep their clients safe is a major red flag.
Partner with an organization that has in-house, expert knowledge of the regulatory landscape, and that’s ready to pivot while recommending solutions and policies that meet new regulations.
They should be committed to making sure that you and your workforce are always covered, and they should be able to prove their commitment with an exceptional compliance record.
With compliance constantly changing, is your partner keeping their drivers up-to-date? Regular compliance trainings for drivers and staff mean that everyone knows the correct protocols and procedures.
As one of the leading partners in transportation, we make it a priority to stay on top of ever-changing regulations. We’re passionate about compliance and we’ve had a perfect DOT audit record for over 45 years.
Let us help you maintain driver compliance seamlessly. Get in touch with us today
Regulations on the state, local and federal level are no strangers to constant change. However, the pandemic and consequent recession have added a new layer to this ever-changing world.
Add to that an election year with increased national discussion about employment laws and you have a recipe for potential disaster for employers.
In addition to the proliferation of local minimum wage, sick leave and background check rules, there are new regulatory frameworks for paid sick leave with COVID-19, new protected classes and worker scheduling requirements.
The transportation industry has also added a variety of new laws and regulations for employers to follow.
These regulations create significant administrative challenges and new risks, as the patchwork of legislation may be inconsistent or contradictory, and multiple policies for a single employer may be required.
This guide is designed to help you understand the biggest employment compliance trends and what they mean for you in 2021.
In the event of a DOT audit, make sure you have all documents required with this DOT compliance checklist.
Long days on the road means the chances of experiencing truck trouble, such as flat tires, are high. And while no one enjoys getting a flat tire, it is important to know the common causes and some of the steps to possibly avoid flats.
This is the most common cause of a flat tire. It often happens when a nail or a piece of glass punctures your tire. If possible, avoid driving over debris on the road or in parking lots.
Ripped or worn tires can cause a flat as well as create a hazard to other drivers. Checking your tires for damage before driving can help detect these problems before they become a flat.
This can occur if you accidentally hit a curb or rub against a sidewalk while parking. When the tire slips from the rim, a slow leak can create a flat over time.
Over pumping your tires can cause the tire to pop and go flat. Be sure to properly check and fill your tire pressure before heading out.
An unlikely but possible reason for a flat tire is vandalism. Thankfully, this requires no repair to the tire and you can just reinflate it.
Potholes and unexpected debris can cause damage to tires. If safe, avoid these hazards on the road.
Regardless of what caused the flat, flat tires can be easily changed. If it happens frequently, be sure to mention it to your mechanic or dispatch to address a potentially more serious issue.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) conducts regular audits to ensure that companies are following the rules and maintaining compliance. To ensure that your company passes these audits, it is essential to keep your documentation and reports up-to-date.
These audits often happen without much warning so it’s crucial to keep your records updated at all times.
These are items that you will need in the event of a DOT audit.
Worried about staying DOT compliant? Here at Centerline, we have a 45 + year perfect DOT audit record and an in-house compliance team to ensure all our drivers maintain compliance. Learn about our compliance solution here.
As summer approaches, fleets can breathe a sigh of relief knowing less loads will have to be rerouted due to snow storms, icy road conditions and other winter hazards. But, spring and summer bring their own set of challenges, including a big seasonal ramp up.
The Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics reports that over the last three years, spot rates have peaked between May and August. As spot rates increase, fleets also have to endure increased traffic and congestion, seasonal commodity challenges, and inventory challenges.
Preparing your fleet in advance will help ensure success during the busy season.
During the summer, congestion increases. With more vehicles on the road, fleets can anticipate a higher rate of accidents due to closer vehicle spacing, and a higher rate of incidents due to overheating vehicles. To combat these issues, fleets can be proactive by creating alternate routes to help drivers avoid bottlenecks whenever possible. Fleets should also account for traffic by lengthening shipment windows whenever possible. This will make routes seem more achievable for drivers, and help limit frustrations.
Warmer weather heavily impacts what commodities are being shipping. Food and beverage distributors will be battling the heat in order to keep items fresh during transit. The United States Department of Agriculture reports that during Q3 – the height of summer – produce shipping rates increase almost $0.30 per mile, putting more pressure on carriers to deliver products in a timely fashion. Before sending out any shipments on refrigerated trucks ensure required temperatures can be met, and notify drivers of these requirements.
Seasonal goods are shipped to meet flocculating demands of consumers, meaning fleets need to be flexible to meet the demands of their customers. While meeting customer demands is important, retaining drivers can make or break a busy season. Honor time off – instead of adding shifts to already packed schedules, consider working with a driver staffing partner to find seasonal drivers to help with additional loads.
Preparing your fleet in advance will help ensure success during the busy season.
Inattentional blindness or perceptual blindness is as a psychological lack of attention that is not associated with any defects or deficits. In simple terms, its an event where someone fails to see an unexpected stimulus in plain sight.
It is becoming more and more common while driving due to modern advancements pulling our attention away from the road. As a truck driver, it can happen when you have been driving for long periods of time, lose focus by thinking of other things while driving and or are distracted by something such as your radio.
Distracted driving vs. inattentional blindness
Distracted driving means that a driver is not paying full attention to the single task of driving. This can mean that you are texting, eating or talking on the phone, etc.
Inattentional blindness means that a person is missing critical information even when their eyes are focused on the road ahead. It can happen when you are very focused on only one thing while driving. For example, if you become hyperfocused on reaching a destination or exit, you can miss other things happening around you on the road.
What can you do to prevent inattentional blindness?
Inattentional blindness can never fully be avoided because our brains are wired to not absorb every single stimulus presented to us. If they were, our brains would be bombarded with information and we would never know what is critical information. However while driving, there are steps you can take to decrease your chances of missing important cues due to inattentional blindness.
3 steps to take to decrease risk of inattentional blindness:
1. Minimize distractions and maximize your attention: Put your cellphone away. Even if you aren’t directly texting someone back or browsing the internet while driving, your attention could easily wander if your screen lights up, causing you to miss things while on the road. Also, understand that safety technology in your truck is there to supplement and not replace safe driving. You still have to pay attention in order to remain safe.
2. Look for cues: Road signs often warn of potential hazards but so do your surroundings. Farmland means tractors or animals, forests can mean deer, mountains can mean falling rock and cities can mean more distracted pedestrians. Stay alert and refocus when your surroundings change.
3. Be the professional: As a truck driver, you are the professional on the road. Watch for distracted drivers, pay attention to signals and leave room for those who are not paying as close attention
These tips can help you reduce the changes of looking without seeing.
In the event that you do get into an accident while driving on the job, here are 3 tips to handling accidents at any size.
2020 proved to be a difficult year for everyone and the trucking industry is no exception. As we enter a new year, our commitment continues to focus on driver safety, ensuring our drivers here at Centerline stay safe both on and off the road.
We sat down with our very own Safety Manager, Jim Ledbetter, to discuss how drivers can stay safe now and always.
1. How should you prepare drivers for peak season?
I think drivers need to prepare for peak season by really being aware. Not only do they need to be aware of general driver safety, but also what’s going on with the pandemic and all of the social distancing and hygiene protocols that go along with that. Right now, with everything opening back up, there is the very real possibility of more spikes across the country. Many drivers come into contact with multiple people throughout the day doing their job and need to make sure that they are being safe.
I also think that we are going to continue to see more and more traffic. People have been stuck in the house all summer and are looking to get out. Freeways, roadways and parking lots that drivers are on will start to be busier with automotive and pedestrian traffic. Couple that with the fact that people aren’t paying as much attention after not driving for so long. Drivers need to be really paying attention and being aware of their surroundings on the road.
Currently, I’m telling drivers that in addition to being socially distant from people, they need to be social distant drivers. Stay away from packs of cars and use the lane of least resistance to avoid traffic-related accidents. Giving yourself space and being a defensive driver means you can avoid the chance of an accident.
Overall, drivers need to be really focusing on the basics. Pay attention to traffic, prioritize safety on the road, minimize distractions, follow COVID-19 guidelines and general hygiene/cleanliness guidelines.
2. What’s the one thing you wish more drivers would do to increase safety?
The biggest thing I wish more drivers would pay more attention to are pre- and post-trip inspections. It’s something that a lot of drivers skip over or do quickly without paying much attention to the details of their truck. However, doing them can avoid a lot of problems. Not only do they avoid violations, but they can also avoid break downs and even collisions. They really a non-negotiable part of the job.
3. What safety violation or injury is most common among drivers that you see?
Lately, we’ve seen a lot of pallet jack and pallet-related injuries. Although you may not think of it, pallets are frequently the cause of workplace injuries. To avoid pallet injuries, you should never use them as a stepping stool, avoid stacking them on their sides and walk around them instead of over them
For pallet jacks, drivers need to be trained or certified to use them. If you are not experienced with pallet jacks, you should not be using them.
4. How do you think COVID-19 has impacted the life of a truck driver and our customers?
I think that everyone has a newfound respect for truck drivers after COVID-19. I really think that more people appreciate what drivers do. At every truck stop, I’ve seen signs thanking truck drivers. I think this pandemic has increased recognition and awareness of drivers and how important they are to our daily lives.
For drivers, I think this pandemic has made them aware that they need to be more well-rounded in their specialties and abilities. You can’t just be a flatbed driver or a refrigerated truck driver. At any time, the market can change and you need to be able to go where the business is.
For our customers, I think it’s taken a toll on a lot of operations. But it’s really varied depending on the type of business. Some have really taken a financial hit because their products aren’t in demand right now. For our clients with essential businesses such as grocery stores and medical suppliers, their workload has ramped up quite a bit.
5. What recommendations or best practices do you have for employers to ensure their drivers stay safe as we head into a holiday season and a new year?
The holiday season is always really busy for drivers and also a time of increased traffic. Like I said previously, making sure that you perform a pre- and post-trip inspection is a surefire way to mitigate many issues before they become real problems.
For people who are hiring or looking for drivers, don’t take any shortcuts. You want to hire drivers who are going to take ownership and accountability for their jobs and their safety. Don’t settle for a less qualified driver. If your gut is telling you that this is the wrong person for the job, they most likely are. It may take a little more time but qualified drivers are out there.
If you are struggling to find qualified drivers, contact Centerline to see how we can help. Or download our solutions eBook to learn more. If you’d like to learn more about safety trends and best practices, click here
At Centerline, our business would not be possible without our drivers. As we look back on this past year, the “new norm” has become an environment of constant change. Yet, what hasn’t changed is the tremendous work that our drivers to do keep our economy running and America moving forward.
Happy Driver Appreciation Week!
Hours of service are regulations designed to eliminate drowsiness in truck drivers that led to crashes.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has approved changes to the hours of service (HOS) regulations. These changes are intended to improve driver flexibility while still promoting and ensuring safety.
These changes went into effect on September 29, 2020.
What’s changing
The changes to hours of service regulations are below, per the FMCSA.
Short-haul exception
Expands the short-haul exception to 150 air-miles and allows a 14-hour work shift to take place as part of the exception.
Adverse driving conditions exception
Expands the driving window during adverse driving conditions by up to an additional 2 hours.
30-Minute break requirement
Requires a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving time (instead of on-duty time) and allows an on-duty or not driving period to qualify as the required break.
Sleeper berth provision
Modifies the sleeper berth exception to allow a driver to meet the 10-hour minimum off-duty requirement by spending at least 7, rather than at least 8 hours of that period in the berth and a minimum off-duty period of at least 2 hours spent inside or outside the berth, provided the two periods total at least 10 hours, and that neither qualify period counts against the 14-hour driving window.
Who does it impact?
Generally, most commercial motor vehicle drivers must comply with these new regulations.
Resources to learn more
FMSCA is hosting an education webinar that outlines the basics and changes to the hours of service regulations. You can learn more here.
Changes in compliance can be difficult for many businesses to keep up with. Partnering with a trusted company like Centerline can help ensure you stay up-to-date and all your drivers maintain compliance. Learn more here.
The summer months are quickly approaching and based on your current location, you may already be experiencing the heat.
However, just because snow storms and icy roads have diminished, doesn’t mean truck drivers will experience perfect road conditions. The extreme heat can cause health risks to drivers if precaution isn’t taken, so how do you ensure drivers stay safe through the summer months?
Here are the top 10 best practices for staying safe on the road during the summer months.
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