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At Centerline, the safety of our drivers is always our highest priority. To celebrate National Safety Month, we’ve put together a quick guide on preventing accidents on the road due to distracted driving or fatigue. Stay safe this month and every month.
Category: Drivers
What’s Impacting Truck Accidents
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.
Driver Safety Checklist
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.
Your Products, Our People Infographic
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.
5 myths about being a truck driver
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
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.
Surviving summer peak season
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.
Staying safe on the road this Fourth of July
July may be known for patriotic parties, long days at the beach, and general summer fun — but it’s also a dangerous month to be out on the roads driving. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has previously noted that the Fourth of July is the most hazardous day to be out on the roads.
In addition, people sharing the roadways are likely to be distracted, in a rush, or possibly impaired.
First and foremost, practicing space management is key. If you distance yourself as a driver, you have the highest chance to mitigate yourself being exposed to a collision.
In addition to space management, use these six best practices while sharing the road with distracted drivers:
- Watch your speed: If you find yourself outpacing the traffic around you, slow down. Additionally, remember to reduce your speed if you’re driving in areas where there may be families and large groups of people. Also, remember to keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you, particularly in construction zones.
- Be mindful of the weather: The Fourth of July falls right in the middle of thunderstorm season, so severe weather safetyis a must for truckers. We all know that the weather can change quickly in many parts of the country, so it’s important to check the weather for your route ahead of time. If there’s a chance of severe weather, consider taking an alternate route if you can’t monitor the weather and conditions become too dangerous to drive.
- Expect delays: With a high volume of people on the road at the same time, it’s very possible that truck drivers will be exposed to heavy traffic, specifically in areas where camping, boating, and other outdoor activities are in heavy demand. Be sure to plan your route ahead of time and account for potential delays.
- Limit distractions: Cell phones, eating and fatigue are three key factors to distracted driving. While it’s possible to talk while keeping your eyes on the road, it’s still a distraction and it causes the driver to lose focus on the primary objective. Never use a handheld device while operating a CMV, in addition, try not to eat while you’re driving.
- Rest up: Make sure you’re rested prior to starting your shift. Often times than not, a truck driver is trying to juggle their workload while trying to participate in family gatherings. It can become overwhelming and the element of fatigue becomes a hazard.
- Maintain your truck: Summertime can really take a toll on trucks, so make sure your truck is well-maintained. During the summer months, it’s a good idea to check your tire pressure more regularly to avoid blowouts. If your tires are under-inflated, fix the problem as soon as you can.
While many, if not all of these tips apply and benefit trucks year-round, implementing small safety procedures can make a big difference for you, and everyone else on the road.
Looking for more insight on how to best stay safe on the road? Check out our ultimate guide to truck driver safety.
Celebrating Veterans Day at Centerline
At Centerline Drivers, we thank all of our veterans for their service. Here is one story of what being a veteran means to our employees.
John Trahan
Director of Business Development – Centerline Drivers
John Trahan comes from a military family. He served in the Air Force from 1985-89, assigned to the 31st security police squadron in Homestead, Fla., where he worked with a global security group, spending lonely nights guarding flight lines, aircraft and other Air Force assets and personnel. Between important global security work during the Cold War, Iran Contra and strife in Central America were a lot of lonely nights alone guarding the main gate, learning to develop patience and remain vigilant.
“Patience is a virtue when it comes to being in the Air Force or a sales leader,” he said. “You gain patience but through that patience you have to remain vigilant to your duties and your post.”
He’s kept that lesson through his work in transportation and logistics, including the past eight years with Centerline.
“You have to be patient with your team, drivers, clients,” he said, noting that it’s important to be engaged with your teammates and trust everyone to do the right thing.”
“Being in the military gave me good values and the belief in the team and working hard in everything you do,” he said. “TrueBlue values veterans. We take a lot of pride and everyone is so focused on helping and contributing to the mission. At our yearly sales meetings in Centerline, we have veterans stand up and be recognized for our service, but it’s more than that. I’ve seen from our recruiters and leadership that we’ve done everything possible to connect veterans to great job opportunities.”
And it translates to the drivers and clients, too. One Centerline client — Coastal Pacific Food — delivers food to military overseas via West Coast ports that put the food on ships to go to far-flung locations where the military is deployed. They also deliver to naval and air force bases in California, Nevada and Arizona and Centerline tries to find drivers that are vets so they can continue that service.
“You should see the heart and soul they put into making sure their containers don’t miss the ships going overseas,” he said.
Helping others stay safe while keeping America moving
It’s a difficult time to be on the road. With the number of COVID-19 cases continuing to climb and food, lodging and protection like face masks increasingly hard to find, truck drivers meet challenges while also living in fear of contracting the virus. For Kevin Cooper, it was a battle he took head on.
Cooper, who drives for LB&B in Nitro, W.V., as part of Centerline’s Mobile Driver Service, saw the fear among drivers and other front-line workers as he made deliveries and went out for food. He couldn’t find masks at stores and with time on his hands at his hotel, he got to thinking about staying safe during the pandemic and how to help.
“We feel it’s productive while helping others that we come across,” he said. “Everyone is important through this time. This is a time for self-courage and devotion toward others and ourselves. I believe that we can get selfish and comfortable within our own ways and something like this can change your life for the better.”
So Kevin and his wife, Kim, discussed what they could do for drivers.
“We decided to make masks when we couldn’t find any at stores while putting ourselves at risk. Because the drivers at my assignment weren’t protected enough, we wanted to ensure everyone had a level of safety while working under harsh conditions,” Kevin said.
The Coopers went to a local Joann Fabric store and bought 100-percent cotton fabric in two designs and Pellon to use as a filter between two pieces of cotton fabric. With the help of the daughter of a hotel staff member, who brought a sewing machine, they got started.
“We cut the fabric 9×7 and ironed the Pellon to one side. We then sewed the two pieces inside out until secure and then flipped them,” he said. “We used elastic at seven inches and when we ran out of that, we used ribbon and Velcro to fasten them together. When we were finished with each one, we sprayed them with Lysol and placed them in two-quart bags.”
The result was 25 flattened, pressed and sanitized masks. Drivers were the top priority – he handed out most of the masks at work the next day
“I think it’s outstanding that he went that far above and beyond for LB&B and others that needed help,” said Paul Cline, project and logistics manager at LB&B. “We’re very proud of him and the Centerline Mobile team for keeping this contract going and keeping everyone safe.”
When word got out at the hotel, he helped out as much as he could, not wanting anyone who needed a mask to be without. Kevin now feels a little safer on the road, but more importantly, he has learned a lesson from the experience that he will take with him and is happy that he has helped a little bit in the fight against COVID-19.
“I have come to a level of awareness that I didn’t have before,” Kevin said. “It’s a reminder to be safer in areas you thought you never would have to be. Seeing people in fear has been a real wakeup call and doing what we can to come together is the most important aspect in life. It’s definitely something to carry in the future and never forget.”
Meditation for truck drivers: A simple way to reduce stress
It appears every time we turn around, the world has increased its pace by five-fold, placing more and more demands on our time.
As a truck driver, you have the added stress of bad weather, traffic jams and tight deadlines.
All of this can leave you feeling stressed, anxious, and depressed. If this is the case, it may be an excellent opportunity for you to start a meditation practice.
While you may think of meditation as a formal practice done in yoga or by monks, it can actually be done anywhere, at any time.
There is a wide array of medication practices from which to choose, each of which helps you achieve your goals in different ways.
The benefits of meditation
Meditation can help calm your mind and create balance in your mind and body. And the benefits of meditation can extend beyond the time you spend meditating.
Meditation has been shown to reduce stress, controls anxiety, enhances self-awareness, improves attention spans and aids in getting better sleep.
Driving meditation could mean keeping your cool in a high stress situation and being able to focus your attention on the road for longer.
In fact, if you are considering starting some type of meditation practice, you are in good company. According to a 2017 survey put out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 35 million Americans, or approximately 14 percent of the general population, use some type of meditation technique.
Types of meditation
There are a variety of meditation types to choose from and it may take some experimenting to see what works best for you and your lifestyle.
The main principle of meditation is to ground your body through your breath and focus your attention on an object, mantra or even your breathing.
Other forms of meditation include:
-Guided Meditation: Sometimes called guided imagery or visualization, with this method of meditation you form mental images of places or situations you find relaxing. You can guide yourself through a visualization using as many sensory details as possible or you can use a guided meditation app or teacher to focus your practice.
-Mindful Meditation: This type of meditation is based on being mindful, or having an increased awareness and acceptance of living in the present moment. This can be done outside meditation but during it, you focus on what you are experiencing and let thoughts pass without judgement.
-Mantra Meditation: In this type of meditation, you silently repeat a calming word, thought or phrase to calm the mind.
A good way to start as a beginner is by taking steady, even breaths when you find yourself stressed out or anxious. Some drivers also find benefits in taking breaks in nature or meditating first thing in the morning or right when they get home. Try a variety of methods and see what works for you. Even just taking 5 minutes a day to deep breath
Handling Accidents of Any Size
Being involved in an accident can be alarming and disorienting, but an accident involving a commercial truck can be downright frightening. Who do you call? What actions do you take? It’s important to be prepared and informed before a wreck occurs, because the steps you take afterwards can become critical down the line. At Centerline, our drivers’ safety is our top priority. We strive to arm our drivers with the knowledge and resources needed to tackle even the hardest situations. Below we have outlined the steps truck drivers should take after a collision.
Step 1: Move to Safety
After an accident, it is important that you move out of harm’s way to prevent further damage. Place your reflectors out on the road. This will alert other drivers of the incident and help secure the scene. Take some time to calm your mind, and remember to never admit fault or apologize for the accident.
Step 2: Make the Right Calls
Call the police and seek medical attention, whether you are injured or not. The moments following a crash can be very disorienting. You may not notice or feel any pain or injuries. Remember, if your vehicle requires towing or if an accident results in a party requiring immediate medical attention or a fatality, your crash qualifies as a DOT recordable accident.
Step 3: Document Everything
Regardless of the results of the accident, it is important to make sure you are protected. Always report an accident, no matter how small. Police officers that arrive at the scene will also be completing their own report – always ask for a copy. Take pictures from every angle of the truck, and make sure to get close-ups of any damage, including damage to other vehicles. The goal is to tell the story of what happened if things progress legally.
Fill out an accident report as early as possible so you don’t miss a single detail. Reports should include at a minimum: information about physical injuries or property damage, a diagram showing lane assignment and cross streets, the cause, and your role in the incident. Don’t forget to capture contact and insurance information for the other parties involved.
Accidents can and do occur, leaving even the most experienced drivers feeling on-edge. The most important thing to remember is to remain calm and follow the steps above. Remember, Centerline has your back.
