Author: Casey Nighbor

What’s Impacting Truck Accidents

Posted on by Casey Nighbor

Collisions happen. From a minor fender bender to a full-on collision, roads seem to be more and more dangerous every day. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA), truck accidents have increased by 20% over the past two decades.

Commercial truck drivers are generally considered above-average drivers because of their extensive training, but no one is exempt from the hazards of being on the road. Below we have outlined a few of the most common factors that contribute to accidents involving commercial vehicles. 

Download our infographic

Your ultimate guide to driver safety

Posted on by Casey Nighbor

At Centerline, the health and safety of our drivers is always our top priority. But, according to our State of Trucking 2021 survey, more than half of drivers do not feel safe on the road today.

While there are many factors that impact truck driving accidents including distracted driving, road conditions and traffic—safety training and being prepared make a huge difference to keep drivers safe.

This safety guide covers a variety of safety topics to ensure good practices on the road.

We take driver safety very seriously here at Centerline. Here are 3 reasons why our safety program is different than the rest. 

Download our guide

RampUp, Serviced by Centerline

Posted on by Casey Nighbor

Onboarding drivers can be difficult, time consuming and expensive for your operation. But it doesn’t have to be this way. With RampUp, our team gives you the flexibility to scale your drivers – up or down – quickly, based on your business needs. 

Ready to learn the Centerline way? Let us help you find the driver that fits your needs.

Driver Safety Checklist

Posted on by Casey Nighbor

Here at Centerline, keeping our drivers safe is always our number one priority. This checklist is a tool to help drivers double-check their trucks to eliminate downtime, violations and mitigate incidents on the road.

Looking for more safety tips? Download our safety guide for drivers here. 

Download our checklist

Flexible Driver Service [Info Sheet]

Posted on by Casey Nighbor

Our flexible driver service helps you find drivers when and where you need them – especially during times of growth, seasonality or unexpected turnover. Our flexible workforce model is built with your unique business needs in mind, which means you can keep your operation moving forward.

Request drivers here. 

[Guide] State of Trucking 2020

Posted on by Casey Nighbor

Each new year brings new changes to the trucking industry. Centerline conducted our first annual State of Trucking survey to gather insights of truck drivers and businesses hiring drivers to understand challenges facing the industry today.

Download the full guide that uncovers insights to questions around:

  • driver shortage and its impact on business
  • rules and regulations
  • staying competitive when recruiting and retaining drivers
  • and more.

In need of drivers? Learn about how Centerline can help find the quality drivers you need.

Download our 2020 State of Trucking guide

Your Products, Our People Infographic

Posted on by Casey Nighbor

Imagine a partner that provides expert professional drivers to get your products where they need to go. Centerline is your best source for placing and hiring expertly matched drivers to keep your business moving forward. With our solutions in place, you can focus on making the best product—we’ll take care of the people.

[Infographic] State of Trucking 2020

Posted on by Casey Nighbor

Centerline’s annual state of trucking survey shares new trends that will define the transportation industry in the upcoming year, including competitive pay and how customers plan to overcome the driver shortage.

Read on for more tips on how to stand out from your competition when hiring drivers. 

Download our infographic

5 myths about being a truck driver

Posted on by Casey Nighbor

Truck drivers keep America moving. They are some of the hardest working people on the road but they are often misunderstood.

Here are the top 5 biggest myths about being a truck driver.

1. All truck drivers are male

It is true that a majority of truck drivers are male. However, the rate of female truck drivers has been rapidly rising. In 2010 only 4.6% of drivers were female. By 2018, the number has risen to 6.6% and continues to climb. As reported by the Wall Street Journal, women have been increasingly attracted to truck driving because of its equal pay and high demand for drivers.

2. Truck drivers are never home

While long-haul truck drivers are often away from home, that is not the only type of truck driver. There are many drivers who do medium or short haul drives and see their families every night. At Centerline, we pride ourselves on providing jobs that ensure drivers make it home each night and have the flexibility they need.

3. Truck driving is easy

While many truck drivers make it look easy, it is incredibly difficult to drive large trucks. Drivers train extensively to get their license and certifications. On top of that, they have to deal with large vehicles, traffic, construction and deadlines while being safe on the road. Drivers are some of the most responsible and best drivers on the road who take safety very seriously.

4. Truck driving isn’t important to the everyday American

If trucks stopped for even a day, the impact would be felt by every single person. While sometimes it is difficult to know where your food, fuel or consumer goods came from, it most likely was on a truck at some point. Trucks help move food, fuel, medical supplies, and consumer products all around the country. Without truck drivers, we would be in very dire straits.

5. Anyone can be a truck driver

It is true that anyone could train to be a truck driver, it is just not a profession for everyone. Getting the proper CLD training takes dedication and commitment. Truck drivers have to be safe on the road and compliant with a variety of guidelines. In addition, being a driver requires constant discipline, hard work and professionalism. Not everyone can do all of that but here at Centerline, we appreciate every driver who does.

Curious what happens if trucks stop moving? Our infographic dives into what would happen if truck drivers disappeared. 

3 Heat-related illnesses + symptoms to watch

Posted on by Casey Nighbor

Extremely hot conditions during the summer months are not something to take lightly. Just like your trucks, your body can overheat. Without knowing the symptoms to watch for ultimately can put you or your teammates at dangerous risk for heat-related illnesses.

Here are three heat-related illnesses to know, and symptoms you should watch for during the heat of the summer months ahead.

Heat stroke occurs when the body no longer sweats, and body temperature reaches dangerous levels.

Symptoms of heat stroke include:

  • Dry, hot, reddish skin and lack of sweating
  • High body temperature
  • Strong, rapid pulse
  • Chills
  • Confusion
  • Slurred speech

Heat exhaustion is the body’s response to the loss of water and salt, typically through sweating.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

  • Excessive sweating
  • Weakness or fatigue
  • Dizziness and/or confusion
  • Clammy skin
  • Muscle cramps
  • Flushed complexion

Heat cramps are painful cramps in the body’s muscles due to low salt levels and are typically caused by excessive sweating.

Symptoms of heat cramps include:

  • Muscle pain usually in the abdomen, arm or legs.
  • Muscle spasms usually in the abdomen, arm or legs.

If you are experiencing these symptoms and or feel you are at risk for any of these illnesses, please contact your healthcare provider.

To prevent these heat-related illnesses, use these top 10 hot weather tips from our own safety expert, Jim Ledbetter, Safety Manager at Centerline.

When Discomfort Prods Innovation

Posted on by Casey Nighbor

Most people are inclined to stay within their comfort zones: in business and at work, socially, even physically. We’ve learned to focus our attention where our strengths lie and tend to stay in this space, confident that we are meeting the requirements set out for us. While this mindset is understood and accepted in many environments, it is essential to realize that some of the greatest moments of innovation and learning happen when outside of that comfort zone, during a state of unease when pushing our limits.

This apprehensive aspect of growth may touch on experiences from the past: walking into an unfamiliar classroom full of unknown peers, getting behind the wheel alone for the first time, or starting a new position in a role you haven’t yet mastered. From those moments, lifelong lessons are acquired: from important social behaviors to vital safety behaviors to being open to adaptation and learning quickly. When we explore outside our normal daily parameters, it’s typical to feel nervous, wary, or scared. The possibilities of failure are many and old habits have proven to work well enough thus far. But what might happen if we move into a space less comfortable than our norm and face questionable areas head on?

Numerous coaches, therapists, and authors champion the importance of discomfort when looking for an innovative mindset.  Uncomfortable scenarios look different for everyone: some may find sharing ideas publically a challenge when others have difficulty properly engaging and listening. Short deadlines can be a motivating push for one individual and an anxiety-ridden timeline for another. Certain personalities like to work as a team and others prefer to function independently. Rather than retreating from a situation that doesn’t feel easy to tackle, focus on why you want to challenge yourself. Gauge where your comfort zone ends and when you begin to feel a stretch.

Once you know where your discomfort begins, you can work toward finding an area where you can improve. Rather than completely disengaging from your current routine, make small steps in getting comfortable with new situations that can cause unease. As you become more confident and experience successes within this new scope of opportunity, you may find yourself more receptive to change and even begin to seek out challenges that stir creativity and innovation. New skills always feel awkward at first – but trying things differently allows us to perceive things in fresh light and lends the opportunity to approach challenges with unexpected solutions. 

Surviving summer peak season

Posted on by Casey Nighbor

The busy season of summer is here. It is now the time of more construction, more traffic and more heat. As a driver, you need to make sure you are prepared.

Use these tips to stay at your best during one of the busiest times of the year.

Take care of yourself

The most important thing during peak season as a driver is to make sure you are taking care of yourself. If you are not, you will not be able to maintain high volumes and frequent hauls.

–Stay hydrated: Drinking enough water is important all year round, but it’s especially important in the hot summer months. Proper hydration also increases alertness, boosts immunity and keeps all of your body’s systems running properly. Aim for 8-10 glasses a day to make sure your body stays hydrated.

–Get enough sleep: Being well rested helps your body fight off any illness and reduce stress levels. Sleep deprivation can cause your body to run down and make you more susceptible to burn out. Get 7-9 hours a night can ensure you stays healthy and alert.

–Take personal precautions for your health: This summer season is different from any other. Taking safety precautions can help ensure a smooth season with no disruptions or harm. Make sure you keep a mask, hand sanitizer and other necessary supplies with you in order to protect yourself from COVID-19.

Click here to learn more about best practices for keeping yourself safe on the road.

Prepare for more traffic

During the summer, congestion increases. With more vehicles on the road, there are higher rates of accidents. Prioritizing safety and avoiding distracted driving can help keep you safe on the road all season long.

More traffic can also mean more stress on the road. Find a calming activity to reduce stress that you enjoy. This could be exercising, meditation, cooking, yoga, or being around friends and family. Find what works best for you to make sure your stress levels stay in check.

Summer weather

Summer can be an unpredictable time for weather, and it pays to be prepared. Temperatures and conditions can vary greatly across the country so take note of your location and get ready accordingly.

Heavy rainfall is also likely. To stay safe in the rain, be sure to slow down and leave room to avoid hydroplaning. Very little water can cause hydroplaning in a truck so be sure to adjust your speed according to the amount of water on the roadway.

Summer peak can be manageable if you are ready for it. Learn more lifestyle and safety tips here.