NPTC Safety Article- June 2024 -Maintaining Composure on the roads

As a professional driver, you work daily on poorly maintained and overcrowded roads and highways. You often encounter other motorists who lack common courtesy, are distracted, or are compromised in some other way.

These behaviors are a breeding ground for aggressive driving. According to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, aggressive driving is defined as any unsafe driving behavior performed deliberately and with ill intention or disregard for safety. 

When you are confronted with an aggressive driver or road rage, how should you respond?

Respect the Drive May Spotlight: Charles Alele

Through our Respect the Drive program, our team and customers nominate drivers each month to share their stories for all the hard work they do and how they have gone above and beyond.

This month, our spotlight winner is Charles Alele, a mobile driver in Willis, Texas.

Being with Centerline for two years, Alele reminds us of the qualities that drive our success and the individuals who make it all possible.

Known for his reliability and dedication, Alele constantly goes above and beyond for clients and colleagues. Recruiting Manager Diana Torres, who nominated Alele, stated: “Charles is the kind of person who doesn’t just meet expectations—he exceeds them.”

Whether ensuring timely deliveries or maintaining the highest standards of safety and professionalism, Alele exemplifies what it means to be a team player. His commitment, exceptional work ethic, and unwavering dedication make him a true standout in our organization.

“We always reach out to our drivers to let them know they are very much appreciated and thank them for all they do for Centerline,” Torres stated. “We couldn’t be happier having Charles on our team.”

Thank you, Charles for all your hard work and for Respecting the Drive!

If you are a driver in the market or know a driver who would be a great fit for Centerline, our Recruiting Managers are ready to talk! Reach out to them today.

NPTC Safety Article- May 2024 -Buckle Up

Every year, thousands of people die in vehicle crashes because they are not wearing a seat belt. In 2020, more than 38,000 people died on the road—a 7% increase from 2019. In that same year, in accidents involving commercial vehicles, nearly 5,000 people died and more than 146,000 were injured.

According to surveys conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, nearly 14% of all commercial motor vehicle drivers do not wear a seat belt. In fatal crashes, approximately 50% of large truck occupants who did not wear seat belts lost their lives.

Federal regulations require commercial vehicle drivers to buckle up. So why are drivers not using seat belts? Frankly, there are a lot of myths out there. Let’s set the record straight.

Navigating Safely – Pedestrian Safety

At Centerline your safety is our number one priority. In this video, learn how to operate safely, even when pedestrians and other non-motorists may be unaware of what it takes to operate a big rig.

5 easy pre-trip inspection tips

Ensuring safety and compliance with regulations is paramount for truck drivers. A good way to keep safety top of mind is to always (always!) conduct a pre-trip inspection. Inspections eliminate downtime, violations and mitigate incidents on the road.

Here are 5 quick tips to conduct your inspections with ease.

  1. Establish a routine

The best way to always be able to complete all the necessary inspection steps is to establish a consistent process. Knowing the step-by-step process backward and forward means you can complete your inspections faster and more efficiently each time.

  1. Address issues quickly

Inspections are only useful if the vehicle defects or deficiencies are noted and corrected. It’s crucial that you notify someone if any problems are found so they can be fixed as soon as possible.

  1. Check it twice

This is not the time to second guess. It’s okay (and a good idea!) to double-check or triple-check the pre or post-trip inspection items if you are unsure of what you previously checked. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

  1. Inspect yourself too

You are also an important part of the inspection process.

Ask yourself:

  • How are you feeling?
  • How is your attitude?
  • Are you distracted?
  1. Keep it clean

A clean and well-maintained truck not only reflects professionalism but also increases safety. Keep the exterior and interior of your truck clean and free from clutter. Ensure that cargo and loose items in your cab are properly secured.

By following these five easy tips, truck drivers can prepare effectively and increase their safety on the road.

Watch our pre-inspection video here.

Congratulations to our Q1 2024 Safety Recognition Program winners!

Here at Centerline, we want to recognize our safest drivers who go above and beyond. Our Driver Safety Recognition Program rewards drivers who make safety a priority.

Our quarter 1 2024 winners are here! Last quarter, they were nominated and recognized for outstanding safety practices and rewarded with a bonus. Here are a few short words from the team about why they were nominated quarter.

Winner #1 – Ivan Dorosch
Ivan is always a joy to work with. He brings a positive attitude to every interaction and receives glowing feedback both from clients and their vendors. Vendors of our clients especially appreciate Ivan’s deliveries. His impeccable driving record truly reflects his commitment to safety as he demonstrates excellent driving skills along with exceptional attendance since he started with Centerline in 2012.

Winner #2 – Noel Turner
Noel has been employed at Centerline for more than a year without any accidents , and he consistently shows up on time without any absences. We love having Noel as one of our valued drivers and he deserves this award and recognition.

Winner #3 – Thomas Grindstaff
Thomas exemplifies excellence as an employee. He always demonstrates strong teamwork, completes tasks efficiently and serves as a role model for the team. Moreover, he consistently arrives on time and follows standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Thank you again to Ivan, Noel and Thomas for their your dedication to keeping our roads safer each day.

Check back next quarter for our next group of our driver safety winners. Learn more about our recognition program here.

State of Trucking 2024: What drivers need to know about safety [Infographic]

2024 marks the 5th annual State of Trucking survey and safety always has, and likely always will be, at the forefront of our study every year.

This year’s report was even more profound than usual with safety trends taking a front seat.

Respect the Drive April Spotlight: The Gatlin Brothers

Through our Respect the Drive program, our team and customers nominate drivers each month to share their stories for all the hard work they do and how they have gone above and beyond.

Our April spotlight falls on not just one but three individuals. A remarkable trio of brothers – Chris, Kenneth and Adrian Gatlin, who are all local drivers in Lakeland, FL.

All three brothers’ journeys with Centerline began in February of this year and they have been a dynamic trio since.

Chris, who was already making waves within the team, was the first to join Centerline and brought on both Kenneth and Adrian, each adding their unique qualities to the team. Senior National Account Recruiting Manager Melissa Springfield, who nominated the Gatlin brothers, stated, “When Kenneth first called, he said: ‘Rumor on the street is you have loads.’ I genuinely laughed out loud. Having all three brothers working for us and everything we hear about them has been great.”

In the short time with Centerline, the Gatlin brothers have become synonymous with reliability, professionalism and unparalleled service. Their willingness to extend their working hours and availability, combined with their dedication to personalized service for each designated customer, has already left a mark on colleagues and clients. 

“Their reputation has been so tremendous, even a client asked if they could have Adrian. We are extremely happy they have brought their family into the Centerline family.” Springfield stated.

Jacob Guzman, Service Manager, added, “Every customer we assign them to has nothing but compliments and requests to have them back. With great attitudes, remarkable respect, and incredible work ethics, they are all true representations of Centerline Drivers.”

Thank you, Chris, Kenneth and Adrian for all your hard work and for Respecting the Drive!

If you are a driver in the market or know a driver who would be a great fit for Centerline, our Recruiting Managers are ready to talk! Reach out to them today.

Introducing the Centerline Mobile App

Centerline Drivers has launched an amazing new app to keep truck drivers like you updated and connected.

No matter where you are, our mobile app will ensure you are in the loop on everything you need to know while on the road and off.

Visit the Apple App Store or the Google Play store on your device and search for Centerline to download.

Why Work for Centerline

We know you’re concentrating on the road, but are you thinking about what’s next? Centerline is your one-stop-shop to limitless truck driving opportunities.

Our job is to connect you with safe, rewarding work at top companies while maintaining your flexibility and work / life balance.

Ready to join the Centerline family? Apply now.

NPTC Safety Article- April 2024 -Road Inspection Primer

As a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) driver, you understand roadside inspections are part of the job. These inspections are of particular importance during the annual Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) International Roadcheck.

This year the Roadcheck is being held May 14-16 across North America. It’s important to remember that inspections should not just happen during next month’s Roadcheck event but throughout the year. 

While the inspections conducted during Roadcheck scrutinize all safety and compliance aspects of equipment and drivers, this year there will be two specific areas of concentration: the use of controlled substances and alcohol among drivers and vehicle maintenance, particularly tractor protection and anti-bleed back systems.

How to Login into the Centerline Mobile App

With the Centerline mobile app, you can stay engaged and connected by viewing your paycheck, entering and submitting time schedules, referring truck drivers to earn money, access to training and safety tips and more.

To get started, download the Centerline Mobile App.