The Essential Coverages of Commercial Trucking Insurance
Running a trucking business comes with many risks—unexpected accidents, cargo damage, and legal...
Where to find DOT Compliance Materials
Where can I find DOT compliance materials?
Motor carriers will be pleased to discover new safety...
The risks a passenger poses to your truck drivers
Passengers are a risky prospect for motor carriers. While permitting drivers to bring family...
RETURN-TO-WORK TIPS TO HELP OPTIMIZE RESULTS
The goal of a return-to-work (RTW) program is to help injured workers safely return to their duties...
Tips to Avoid Motor Carrier Identity Theft
Identity theft is a growing threat to consumers, and motor carriers are equally at risk. Hackers,...
5 Reasons to Keep Learning, Growing, and Connecting
Successful leadership is about far more than just maintaining the status quo. To remain effective...
The Cost of Risk: Understanding Retained Losses
When a motor carrier strategizes how to manage its risks, one of the focuses is on preventing and...
Oregon Updates Collision Reporting Requirements
Effective January 1, 2025, a change to Oregon traffic laws may impact collision reporting and...
What are the FMCSA requirements for recordkeeping?
The following tables summarize the recordkeeping requirements of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety...
Inspire, Appreciate and Recognize - How to Pump Up Employee Morale
In today’s fast-paced and competitive work environment, maintaining high employee morale is...
Assessing your Safety Culture: Is it on track?
A strong safety culture is one trait commonly shared by motor carriers that value employee...
Five Ways to reduce the risk of catastrophic losses
In the transportation industry, motor carriers face a myriad of risks that can lead to catastrophic...
Total Cost of Risk: Understanding Administrative Costs
This story is part of a series of stories examining the total cost of risk, and the four areas...
Improving Safety Measurement System Results
BRAKES, LIGHTS, AND TIRES ARE MY MOST COMMON VIOLATIONS. HOW CAN I IMPROVE MY SMS RESULTS?
One...
Understanding the hazards of confined spaces
Confined workspaces is a term motor carriers might associate solely with tanker operations, but in...
6 tips to make your performance reviews more effective
Performance reviews are a crucial tool for managers and supervisors. They are an opportunity to...
Why investing in risk control is important
There are risks inherent to trucking; managing those risks effectively is not free. Motor carriers...
Tips for building a safety-minded workforce
Having a company culture that values safety is a common trait among successful motor carriers....
Coaching Drivers on Post-incident Behavioral Change
One trait that can set a motor carrier apart from its peers is how it responds after an incident...
Operation Safe Driver Week 2024: What Motor Carriers Need to Know
Ensuring Your Drivers and Staff Are Prepared
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's (CVSA)...
What is predatory towing, and how to avoid it
WHAT IS PREDATORY TOWING?
In the unfortunate event of a roadside breakdown or vehicle accident,...
How due diligence pays dividends when hiring drivers
Selecting qualified and reliable drivers is one of the important decisions a motor carrier can...
When it Comes to Leadership, Style Matters
Leadership styles play an important role in shaping a team’s dynamics and helping an organization...
How motor carriers can manage an on-the-go team
In the dynamic world of trucking, managing a geographically dispersed workforce presents unique...
Why Risk Transfer is Essential to a Motor Carrier
Trucking is a bustling industry, where the movement of goods is constant and motor carriers are...
Four Traits of Impactful Leaders
Impactful leaders have a way of influencing others through their actions and words. A key to their...
Drug, alcohol violations on CVSA Roadcheck agenda in 2024
This year from May 14-16, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) will host its annual...
Leadership's Role In Controlling Risk
A motor carrier’s leadership team plays a pivotal role in shaping company culture and defining...
Help Drivers Manage Fatigue
Driver fatigue remains a significant concern in the trucking industry, posing risks to road safety...
Maximize the Benefits of Onboard Technologies
Over the past decade, onboard technologies have revolutionized the trucking industry. These...
Five Proactive Ways to Prevent Vehicle Accidents
Vehicle accidents represent one of the most significant loss exposures facing motor carriers. Even...
6 Ways Trucking Companies Can Prepare for the April 8 Eclipse
On April 8, a total eclipse will sweep across the United States in a stunning solar display,...
Improve Performance through Positive Intelligence
An indispensable quality that separates extraordinary leaders from ordinary leaders is positive...
Plan Your Safety Efforts with These Safety Resources
WHAT ARE THE NEW ACCIDENT & INJURY PREVENTION CALENDARS?
For the past two years, Great West has...
Avoiding Slip, Trip and Fall Hazards
Walking and working surfaces pose an increased risk of serious injury if you are not careful. Wet...
3 Ways to Prevent Crash-Related Injuries
Each year, truck drivers are seriously injured or killed when involved in vehicle crashes. In some...
7 Steps to a Safer Workplace
Work-related injuries can cost a company its most important employees. For you, being injured on...
Understand Proper Following Distance
Maintaining a proper following distance behind the vehicle ahead can be a challenge in traffic, but...
Proper Backing Procedures
Backing up a semi truck and hitting a stationary object is one of the most frequent causes of a...
Beware the Pitfalls of Complacent Leadership
Leadership is a dynamic and multifaceted role that requires constant vigilance, adaptability, and a...
Reinforcing the Hazards of Texting While Driving
Technology inside the cab of the truck can be great for helping to simplify a driver’s job and make...
Set SMART Goals for Truck Driver Success
Motor carriers are required to conduct an annual inquiry and review of a driver’s overall driving...
6 Ways to Navigate Winter Driving Hazards
Winter driving presents unique hazards that require truck drivers to adjust their driving style...
From Compliance to Commitment: The Evolution of Safety Culture
The evolution of a motor carrier’s safety culture is a journey that involves transforming from mere...
Eight Ways to Improve Shop Safety
A maintenance shop is full of hazards that can lead to a serious injury or illness. Below...
Know the Signs of a Heart Attack
According to the Mayo Clinic, “A heart attack occurs when the flow of blood to the heart is...
Five Ways Safety Can Provide a Competitive Advantage
Safety initiatives can have a big impact on company performance if properly designed and...
Tips for Improving Training for Motor Carriers
Talent development is one key to the success of a motor carrier’s overall risk management...
Work Zone Loss Prevention Techniques
No matter what time of year it is, there is no escaping the orange work zone barrels and...
How do the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse's New Notifications Work?
Starting on March 9, 2023, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rolled out...
Using Caution in School Zones
School zones are filled with hazards. Whether you are driving a commercial truck or company...
Managing Risk Through Delegation
The art of delegating responsibilities to others is a skill every manager and supervisor...
Defining Hazards and Risks for Motor Carriers
Risk refers to the uncertainty that a financial loss may occur. Each day, motor carriers deal...
Manage driver risk with an employee assistance program
According to the Society for Human Resources Management, “An employee assistance program (EAP)...
Me or We? Traits of a team-oriented leader
If you grew up playing sports, you probably heard the phrase “there is no ‘I’ in team” a...
8 tips to perfect your parking strategy
Parking can be a challenge to find, and if a driver is not careful, it can create safety and...
Time to Discuss Cargo Securement
In the hustle and bustle of daily operations, it can be difficult to remind your operations...
Proposed changes to improve SMS
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced proposed changes to the...
Time to Discuss Summer Driving Hazards
It cannot be overstated: a motor carrier’s operations staff is essential to preventing vehicle...
Cheat Sheet for a Trip Inspection: Keeping Drivers Compliant
Every spring, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) hosts a International Roadcheck....
Dry Van Trailer Safety
Working on and around dry van trailers can expose a driver to potential injuries, which could be...
Know the Hazards, Safety Precautions of Flatbed Trailer
Flatbed trailers pose a significant number of hazards to drivers, and those hazards can lead to...
Keep Calm and Adapt to Change
Change is inevitable. Sometimes it is for the better and other times it may not be. However, how...
Employees Need Help Adapting to New Technology
Adapting to new technology has become the norm for motor carriers in recent years. From...
Improve Productivity by Keeping People Interested
Employee engagement is a hot topic these days due in large part to the so-called “Great...
Helpful Steps to Pass Inspection Stops
Roadside inspections create operational delays that may result in financial losses. Every time...
The Risks of Split Coverage and Towing After an Accident
WHAT TOWING RISKS EXIST IF MY TRUCK IS IN AN ACCIDENT AND I HAVE SPLIT COVERAGES?
...
Control Risks with New Business Evaluations
Before pursuing new business opportunities, it is important for a motor carrier to evaluate...
Improve motion, relieve stress with proper stretching
Sitting for prolonged periods behind the wheel or at a desk is bad for your health. Regular...
What truck drivers need to know about germ protection
Influenza (flu), COVID-19, and other contagious respiratory illnesses can be spread by...
Establish career paths to retain top trucking talent
Adapting to ever-changing business conditions is nothing new for motor carriers. Staffing, in...
Proper mirror usage helps reduce the risk of crashes
Mirrors are an essential piece of safety equipment. A skilled driver should know how to use...
Tips to effective truck driver coaching
Coaching and mentoring are two different approaches to improving human performance. A mentor is...
Tips to avoid spoilage or rejected loads
Spoilage and rejected loads are potential risks when hauling refrigerated loads. Various factors...
Tips to help avoid jackknifes
There is an increased risk of jackknifes in winter due to icy roadways, but this type of...
Ask Risk Control: Hours-of-Service exceptions during adverse conditions
Question:How does the hours-of-service (HOS) exception work during adverse driving...
Know the defense against winter weather hazards
Winter can bring frigid temperatures and slippery conditions around the truck. The key to...
Assess your company's culture with these tools
Company culture plays a pivotal role in a motor carrier’s success. Culture impacts every facet...
5 easy exercise options when you're on the road
People who sit for long periods of time, lead sedentary lifestyles, or work in high-stress...
Ensuring driver Safety around the vehicle
Working on and around a truck can expose a driver to potential injuries, which could be costly to...
8 tips to help you pre-plan your next route
Planning your route in advance may seem burdensome at first, but in the long run may be worth it if...
Take Your Risk Control Efforts to New Heights
Implementing an effective risk control technique requires advance analysis and planning. No...
Road rage: How to protect yourself
Road rage is a criminal offense that can result in jail time. Road rage occurs when one driver...
Vehicle inspections: a 15-point list
49 CFR Part 396.13 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations specifies a...
5 Steps of Managing Risk
All motor carriers share one thing in common: managing risk, a task that is key to...
To All the Truck Drivers, we Say Thank You!
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Ask the safety rep: Regulatory updates
ARE DRIVERS STILL REQUIRED TO SUBMIT THEIR ANNUAL LIST OF TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS?
As of May 8,...
Brake Safety Week is nearing - are you ready?
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s...
10 Things You Can do to Lower Your Insurance Costs
How do you cut your truck insurance rates as a motor carrier? While there is no specific formula to...
How To Prepare for Operation Safe Driver Week
How to make sure your drivers and staff are ready
From July 10-16, 2022, the Commercial Vehicle...
Try a holistic approach to managing risk at a motor carrier
Taking a holistic approach to safety focuses on three key elements of a motor carrier’s...
Tips for evaluating driver applicants
It is no secret there is a driver shortage for motor carriers. Enticing candidates to enter...
Ask the risk manager: Loss Exposures
WHAT ARE LOSS EXPOSURES?
There are several key risk management terms to understand when it...
7 Traits of a Professional, and How They Improve the Workplace
Professionalism in the workplace benefits you, your peers, and your employer. Exhibiting...
VIDEO: Lessons Learned From a Road Team Captain
Great West recently had the privilege of hosting two drivers from the American Trucking...
The Best Approach When Giving and Receiving Feedback
HOW CAN I GET BETTER AT RECEIVING FEEDBACK FROM OTHERS?
Recognizing the need to...
Monitoring Road Hazards as You Drive
Managing the space around the truck is challenging. From driving in congested traffic to...
3 Ways to Make Safety Meetings More Effective
HOW CAN I MAKE MY SAFETY MEETINGS MORE EFFECTIVE?
Gathering drivers, dispatchers, and...
Strategic Leadership in a Complex World
Pandemic or not, we live in a VUCA world. VUCA is an acronym that stands for volatile,...
Leadership Has a Role in Helping Prevent Railroad and Automobile Incidents
Railroad crossing incidents have steadily declined in the United States since the early...
10 Ways Motor Carriers can Increase Fuel Efficiency
As diesel prices continue to rise, motor carriers are seeking ways to reduce their fuel expenses.
...
Do You Repair Trucks? You May Need Garagekeepers Coverage
Many trucking companies have a shop on the premises, where they repair trucks they own and provide...
How To Use Your Influence to Meet Safety Goals
Every motor carrier’s management team understands the challenge of steering the organization in...
5 Easy Stress Management Techniques
Stress can manifest itself in many ways and negatively affect your mood, body, and behavior....
7 Tips to Lead by Active Listening
One of the most frustrating situations in life is not being heard by others. Conversely,...
How to Reduce Driver Turnover and Increase Driver Retention
Every company faces the challenge of employee turnover. In the transportation industry,...
3 Ways Dash Cams Can Improve Your Operations
The transportation industry has seen a significant increase in technological advances over the...
How to Create an Emergency Preparedness Plan For Your Trucking Company
No motor carrier ever wants to be involved in a vehicle-related incident or be pulled into a...
Entry Level Driver Training Rule: New Requirements in 2022
HOW WILL MOTOR CARRIERS BE AFFECTED BY THE NEW ENTRY-LEVEL DRIVER TRAINING (ELDT)...
8 Must Ask Questions For your Truck Insurance Agent
People often look at the price of insurance in one of two ways: It’s a lot of money for a product...
Wear proper footwear to prevent injuries
Wearing protective footwear while working around the truck can help prevent injuries. From...
Protecting drivers from theft while on the road
Equipment and cargo thefts are constant risks for motor carriers. Thieves are always on the...
Give Safety Leaders a Seat at the Table
One mistake any person in a leadership role can make is to ignore or fail to realize the...
Safety Road Map: Tools to help you embrace compliance
Successful motor carriers who are subject to federal safety regulations embrace compliance as...
What are the safety advantages of using air disc brakes?
Air disc brakes (ADB) are now standard for many new trucks built after 2018 and can be ordered...
4 things you can do now to protect your company from cyberattacks
WHAT CAN I DO TO PROTECT MY COMPANY FROM CYBERATTACKS?
Use Background Checks to Prevent Driver Thefts
Trusting an expensive piece of company equipment and the valuable cargo inside is an act that...
Insurance is an Investment: Choose Wisely
People often look at the price of truck insurance in one of two ways: It’s a lot of money for a...
Want A Successful Safety Culture? Start At The Top
Safety Management: Motor Carriers Should Aim For Zero Preventable Incidents
Fall driving hazards: schools, farming, changing weather
Driving in the fall creates a new set of seasonal risks for drivers. From...
Improper Lifting - Know the Hazards, And How To Avoid Them
Improper lifting is a common cause of serious back injuries and could potentially lead to a...
What You Need to Know When You Face an Emergency Stop
When an equipment failure occurs or...
Ask The Safety Rep: Changes in Agricultural Commodity Rules
HAS THE DEFINITION OF AN AGRICULTURAL...
Safety Road Map Tips For Driver Selection
Screening driver applicants is one of...
Fostering Effective Speed Management
Properly managing the truck’s speed requires skill and good judgment....
Ask The PDC Adjuster: The Importance of Timely Claims Reporting
WHY IS ON-TIME REPORTING OF PHYSICAL...
How to Avoid Pattern Driving
Every truck driver has a pattern to the way he or she drives. These...
Personal Security
Truck stops, rest areas, and parking lots are used by criminals to prey...
4 Ways Technology Can Boost Recruiting
Finding the right talent, especially...
know the Root Cause of driver crashes
One core mission of trucking industry professionals is to reduce crashes. In order to properly...
Understanding The Hazards of Road Construction
Summer driving presents many challenging conditions for drivers....
Use Skip-Level Meetings To Foster Transparency
Skip-level meetings are an excellent...
Improving Sleep Habits
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),...
Self-Motivation
Self-motivation is that force within yourself that pushes you to keep...
What Can You Do to Prevent Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving is any activity (including fatigue and illness) that diverts your attention away...
Situational Awareness and Why it's Important
WHAT IS SITUATIONAL AWARENESS?
Situational...
Improve Employee Situational Awareness
Human error is a common cause of...
3 Gaps to Watch for in Your Trucking Insurance
When it comes to operating a trucking company, you often don’t know about gaps in your coverage...
Improve Hours-of-Service Results With ETHOS
Complying with the Hours-of-Service (HOS)...
Understanding and Preparing for Roadside Inspections
Roadside inspections are a part of the trucking industry, but drivers can...
Annual CVSA Roadcheck set for May 4-6, 2021
Source: Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has set...
Preventing Distracted Walking
Each year, pedestrians are struck and...
Focus on Mindfulness to Improve Driving
With the advent of more and more technologies competing for our attention, it is becoming more...
The Financial Impact of Distracted Driving
Distractions are a high-risk exposure that...
Why Training Fails... and How You Can Fix It
Training is essential to helping any...
Create a Workplace That Learns from Mistakes
Mistakes happen. As frustrating as that may...
Reducing Slips, Trips, and Falls Around The Truck
Slips, trips, and falls are one of the leading causes of workplace...
Preventing Lane Change Crashes
Lane change crashes may be prevented if drivers recognize the hazards that...
How Truckers can fight trafficking
What is Truckers Against Trafficking?
Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) is an organization...
What if Culture is Not Your Problem?
When a motor carrier starts seeing a trend in...
Aging and the Dangers of Winter Driving
The winter months bring shorter days and...
Ask the Safety Rep: How Does CBD Affect Motor Carriers?
HOW DOES CANNABIDIOL (CBD) AFFECT MOTOR CARRIERS?
Annual Clearinghouse Queries due Jan. 5, 2021
A reminder that motor carriers' annual Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Drug and Alcohol...
Ask the Safety Rep: Starting an Incentive Program
HOW CAN I CREATE AN EMPLOYEE SAFETY INCENTIVE PROGRAM?
Tips to Maximize Dock Safety
Loading docks are full of hazards that can lead to a serious injury or illness....
Preventing Cargo Theft During the Holidays
Cargo theft continues to plague the transportation industry, and this year has seen...
Rules of the Road Include Professionalism & Safety
‘Knights of the Road’ refers to a period when truck drivers had a knightly reputation for...
Protecting Parked Equipment from Fires
A fire can be a devastating financial event for a trucking company or a driver. Modern trucks...
Try blended learning to improve safety training
Are your safety meetings effective? The traditional instructor-led approach involves one person...
5 ways a safety mindset can lower your insurance rates
Being safety minded has its benefits for any employer. For motor carriers, however, it is crucial...
5 ways to Improve Fuel Economy
Fuel is a major expense. Because it is a variable cost, meaning it can fluctuate...
Leaders do not have all the answers
Contributed by John Graci, Graci Leadership Solutions, LLC
Being a leader means many things,...
Generational Leadership for a Diverse Workforce
Motor carriers are not strangers to the challenges of leading a multi-generational workforce....
Post-pandemic planning
At the time of this writing, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is still with us. Stay-at-home...
Time Management
Time management is an essential skill for any professional driver. Managing...
Engage Drivers to Decrease Turnover
It is no secret that the trucking industry as a whole struggles with driver turnover. On...
Re-Emphasize Rear-End Crash Prevention
Preventing large truck crashes has been and always will be a topic of discussion motor carriers...
FMCSA’s New Crash Preventability Determination Program
Contributed by Dave Osiecki, Scopelitis Transportation Consulting LLC
Since the...
Interpersonal Skills
Interpersonal skills (aka soft skills) are character traits and behaviors we...
Sharing the Road with truck drivers
Many “Share the Road” initiatives speak to the drivers of passenger vehicles and...
Understanding Roundabouts
Roundabouts can be dangerous for truck drivers, pedestrians, and the...
Understanding the risks of obesity
Obesity and being overweight are two common health risks facing truck...
Railroad Crossings
Side-impact collisions between a semi-truck and train can result in devastating...
Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse is a Game Changer
Technology is quickly catching up to the trucking industry, and the FMCSA’s new Drug and...
Preventing CRASHES with Stationary Objects
Hitting stationary objects are preventable crashes. The key to preventing such...
Combatting Substance Abuse
Substance abuse involves more than taking illegal drugs. It also includes misusing...
Congestion, Construction among Spring Driving Hazards
Spring has returned for most of the country, which means operations staff should take time to...
Know the Hazards of Rollovers
Tractor-trailers typically have a high center of gravity, which makes them...
Employee Fatigue is a Risk That Can be Managed
Sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and insomnia are just a few sleep disorders that affect all...
Cold Weather Ailments
Cold weather can increase a person’s risk of contracting a virus, such as...
What Message Is Your Driver Screening Sending to Applicants?
With driver turnover being an issue for most motor carriers, coupled with the lack of new...
Ask the Physical Damage Claims Adjuster
WHAT TOWING RISKS EXIST IF MY TRUCK IS IN AN ACCIDENT AND I HAVE SPLIT COVERAGES?
Having a driver...
Courageous Leaders Aren’t Afraid to Break a Few Eggs
On April 23, 1910, in Paris, France, Theodore Roosevelt delivered a speech that would come to...
Improve Communication by Asking Better Questions
Have you ever run a report and questioned the results? You may have looked at the report, noted...
The Difference between Fault and Preventability in a Crash
Fault and preventability are two terms motor carriers often confuse. The process of...
What to Do If a Load Is Rejected
A load can be rightfully rejected for several reasons, such as the goods were not delivered at the...
Protect Yourself from Thefts and Hijackings
Cargo theft and hijackings are a real danger to drivers. When out on the road,...
Mirror Use: A Key to Safe Driving
Mirrors are an essential piece of safety equipment. A skilled driver knows how to...
Use Technology and Coaching to Help Change Driver Behavior
In today’s trucking environment, where high-dollar litigation has become the norm, driver...
Talent Metrics Every Motor Carrier Should Track
Motor carriers use the word talent to refer to employees, but this reference can include all...
Avoiding the Right Turn Squeeze
A right-turn squeeze crash can occur when a truck driver swings out into the left...
Tips for Flatbed Trailer Safety
Flatbed trailers pose a significant number of hazards to drivers, and those hazards...
Fatigue, slick roads, sun glare among fall road hazards
The start of school is here, and so are the seasonal hazards that increase the risk of truck...
Ask The Risk Manager
WHAT CAN I DO TO PROTECT MY COMPANY FROM IDENTITY THEFT?
Great question! This...