A Cheat Sheet for Roadside Inspections
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) International Roadcheck is scheduled for May...
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,...
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 NEWENTRY-LEVEL DRIVER TRAINING (ELDT) REGULATIONS?
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...
Reduce Crashes: Driver-Related Root Causes of 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....
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...
The Essential 7 Driving Techniques
Truck drivers were asked to identify the driving skills they felt were most effective in...
Use Positive Spillover to Improve Safety Performance
Have you ever noticed how people are influenced by those around them? Think of a neighborhood...
It's That Time of Year Again! Quick Review of School Zone Safety
Yes, school is back in session and that means school zone safety.
We have all heard it said,...
The Essential 7 Work Practices
Truck drivers, mechanics, and office workers were asked to identify the skills...
Trucking Safety 101: Back to Basics
In the frenzied pace of motor carrier operations, it is easy to get caught up...
How to Avoid the Four Critical Crashes
Critical crashes typically result in severe losses and can be catastrophic for everyone...
Why You Should Make Road Tests Part of the Hiring Process
One of the most important responsibilities a motor carrier has is to hire qualified...
What You Need To Know When Uncoupling A Trailer
Working around the truck can be just as dangerous to a driver as getting involved in a...
It's Time to Discuss Summer Driving Hazards
Summer is here, and a new set of driving hazards is sure to raise a driver’s stress level as...
Ask the Safety Rep: How Can I Improve Driver Retention?
Great question! Unfortunately, there’s not a magic pill to resolve this issue, but motor carriers...
Preventing Crashes from Outside the Truck
There is nothing worse for a motor carrier than receiving a call that one of its drivers has been...
Ask Human Resources: How Can I Better Manage a Dispersed Workforce?
Great question! Engaging and managing a geographically dispersed workforce is a challenge most...
Preventing Rear-End Crashes Today
Rear-end crashes typically result in severe losses and can be catastrophic for everyone involved....
Is Your Driver Retention Problem Right in Front of You?
The trucking industry focuses a great deal of attention on preventing large truck crashes and...
Choosing the Correct Personal Protective Equipment for the Job
If a hazard cannot be removed or reduced to a point it can be considered an acceptable risk,...
Practical Drift: How Human Nature Causes Policy Failure
Policies and procedures are necessary for high-hazard industries like trucking. They add structure...
Managing Space Around Your Truck
Managing the space around the truck is challenging. From driving in congested traffic to navigating...
Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls
Slips, trips, and falls are leading causes of workplace injuries. No matter where you are, hazards...
It's Time to Discuss Spring Driving Hazards
Winter is nearly in the rearview mirror, which means it is time to start thinking about spring and...
Preventing Road Rage
Road rage is a criminal offense that can result in jail time. Road rage occurs when one driver...
Is Accident Reporting Your Achilles Heel?
There is a misguided belief by some motor carriers that delaying or failing to report claims to...
Instilling a Culture That Embraces Fuel Economy
Fuel costs have traditionally been the largest line-item expense for motor carriers. According to...
Promoting a Culture of Professionalism
Professionalism in the workplace benefits you, your peers, and your employer. Exhibiting...
The Financial Impact of Losses
Measuring the financial impact of a loss cannot be underestimated by motor carriers, especially...
Addressing Aggressive Driving
Aggressive driving puts you and others at risk of serious injury or death. According to the...
Ask The Liability Adjuster: Do onboard cameras impact claims?
Great question! The Claims Department at Great West Casualty Company has seen an increase in the...
How to Manage stress effectively
Stress can manifest itself in many ways and negatively affect your mood, body, and behavior. Read...
Winter Safety Tips
During the winter months, most of the country is exposed to adverse weather conditions that...
Buying Into Safety: Six Reasons It Makes $ense
Remember in Oliver Twist when the hungry boy quietly approached his unforgiving master and asked...
Defending Against Winter Driving Hazards
Winter driving can be dangerous. The possibility of losing control of one’s vehicle and the need to...
Exercising While on the road
Persons who sit for long periods of time, lead sedentary lifestyles, or work in high-stress...
Crash Scene Procedures
In the event a driver is involved in a vehicle crash, how he or she responds immediately...
Achieve Safety Excellence Through Teamwork
Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple, Inc., was once asked if he played a musical instrument. He...
Make Your Safety Training Memorable
A boring driver meeting or orientation class is frustrating for both the trainer and the trainees....
Healthy Eating
Healthy eating on the road is essential for maintaining a normal Body Mass Index (BMI) and helping...
Ask the Safety Rep: What is Required for Accident Recordkeeping?
Great question! According to Part 390.15(b)(1) of CFR Title 49 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety...
Crash Prevention: Are You Proactive or Reactive?
When a vehicle crash occurs, the first questions a trucking company will likely ask are: What...
Fall Driving Hazards
The fall season presents many unique hazards that truck drivers should be on the lookout for....
Opening/Closing Trailer Doors
Opening and closing trailer doors are two of the leading causes of work-related injuries for truck...
Backing
Backing up a truck and hitting a stationary object is one of the most frequent causes of a loss for...
Tractor–Trailer Fires: What Do You Do?
Tractor-trailer fires can result in devastating losses destroying trucks, trailers, and cargo....
Providing a Workplace Free of Known Hazards
Motor carriers are in a hazardous industry and face four types of loss exposures: financial,...
Use Road Tests to Measure Driver Quality
Motor carriers put a lot of faith in drivers. They are entrusted with very expensive equipment,...
Build a Positive Culture that Inspires Employees to Thrive
Every motor carrier has a company culture that reflects the organization’s values. This culture...
Skin Protection
The health of your skin is vital to your overall health. Skin, the body’s largest organ, makes...
Preventing Work Zone Crashes
With the increase in the volume of traffic, number of vehicle miles traveled, and deteriorating...
The Importance of Staying Hydrated
One of the leading causes of a heat-related illness is dehydration. Dehydration occurs when the...
Ask Safety: With New ELD Rules, what can we expect from inspectors?
Out-of-service enforcement for electronic logging device (ELD) violations began on April 1,...
Summer Driving Hazards
Summer driving presents many challenging conditions for drivers. Avoiding potential losses...
Heat-related Illness
A heat-related illness, such as heat exhaustion, heat cramps, or sun stroke, occurs when the...
Time to Discuss Summer Driving Hazards
It cannot be overstated: a motor carrier’s operations staff is essential to preventing vehicle...
Avoiding Crashes Due to Distracted Driving
RECOGNIZE THE HAZARDS
Slips and Falls
Slips are the result of a person losing balance or footing due to a lack of friction between...
3 Wellness Tips for Truck Drivers
Truck driving does not typically lend itself to a healthy lifestyle. Spending up to 11 hours behind...
10 Summer Weather Tire Survival Tips
Summer weather can be brutal on tires and can contribute to blow-outs and other problems. As the...
Pattern Driving
Every driver has a pattern of driving. These patterns, or habits, can be good or bad, or more...
Ask the Safety Rep: How do drug testing changes affect employers?
On January 1, 2018, the final rule went into effect amending 49 CFR Part 40. The DOT announced...
Monitoring Drivers for At-Risk Behaviors
According to a 2014 study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the...