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May 22, 2018 3:20:36 PM

Monitoring Drivers for At-Risk Behaviors

According to a 2014 study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the average cost of all large truck crashes is approximately $91,000 per crash. That amount can increase exponentially if injuries and fatalities are involved. Avoiding the indirect costs associated with a loss, meaning the unbudgeted expenses not covered by insurance, is imperative. While the root cause of a crash may not be your driver, experience has shown that future crashes can be predicted based on leading indicators, such as a driver’s history of at-risk behaviors. These behaviors can include speeding, following too closely, and making frequent lane changes, to name a few. If a driver continues to exhibit these behaviors, then the chances of him/her being involved in a future crash is more likely.
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May 15, 2018 3:31:28 PM

Operations' Role In Avoiding ELD Issues

Electronic logging devices (ELDs) are here. Operations staff play an integral role in helping drivers plan efficiently and schedule their time to operate within the boundaries of the hours-of-service regulations. With the transition from paper logs to ELDs, a driver’s day must be calculated down to the minute. Because of this, it is important for operations staff to be a driver’s advocate and help the driver proactively address trip planning issues before they become a problem and create unnecessary business interruptions. This approach benefits both the driver’s and the company’s earning capacity as well as boosts morale and fosters teamwork. Three areas operations staff can help drivers manage their time and avoid ELD-related problems are delays at the shipper and receiver, parking, and communication.
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May 8, 2018 3:27:34 PM

Ask the Truck Underwriter: Can I Get An Exception for a Driver Who Doesn't Have an Acceptable MVR?

Good drivers are hard to find; can I get an exception for a driver who doesn't have an acceptable MVR? With concerns about the driver shortage, to get a truck moving again, it can be tempting to consider younger, less-experienced drivers or those with a history of crashes or violations. However, hiring at-risk drivers puts a motor carrier in a bad position. Not only can hiring at-risk drivers negatively affect a motor carrier’s insurance premiums and overall insurability, but also, if such a driver were to be involved in a crash, the motor carrier could face claims of negligent hiring or negligent retention. Exceptions are not the norm, and they depend heavily on the motor carrier’s ability to demonstrate it has the management controls in place to effectively supervise the driver and the added risk.
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May 1, 2018 3:56:14 PM

Post-Traumatic Growth: Improving Operations After a Catastrophic Loss

Every motor carrier operates in a challenging environment that exposes it to the risk of a catastrophic loss. Serious injuries, loss of life, and high-dollar claims are just one crash away. Yet, even with this awareness, many motor carriers are ill-prepared for what follows that dreaded phone call informing them that one of their drivers has been involved in a critical crash.
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Apr 24, 2018 3:30:00 PM

Disaster Planning: Plan and Protect Your Future

Is your organization prepared for a disaster or an emergency? Organizations who have a plan in place may recover more quickly, whereas others may shut their doors permanently after a short disruption to their business.  
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Apr 17, 2018 3:21:27 PM

Entering and Exiting Equipment

Slips, trips, and falls are one of the leading causes of workplace injuries. For drivers, these types of injuries commonly occur when improperly entering or exiting the cab and trailer. The results can be quite painful and in some cases, proven fatal. The key to avoiding slips, trips, and falls when entering and exiting equipment is to recognize the hazards that contribute to these injuries and know how to protect yourself from harm.
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Apr 10, 2018 3:21:32 PM

Preventing Losses Through Regulatory Compliance

Those working in the transportation industry might rank regulatory compliance as their least favorite thing to do, right up there with getting a crown at the dentist, but like it or not, motor carriers must comply with the regulatory requirements to which they are subject. Failure to do so can result in penalties ranging from monetary fines, out-of-service orders, alerts on the company’s Safety Measurement System (SMS) profile, and, in severe cases, an order to cease operations.
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Apr 3, 2018 4:05:01 PM

Spring Driving Hazards

Drastic weather changes, increased traffic, and the temptation to get out and get moving are springtime hazards drivers must prepare for. Drivers must be able to recognize these hazards and apply the right defenses. Read the information below, and ask yourself if there are actions you can take to improve your driving skills and reduce the risk of a crash.
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Mar 27, 2018 3:30:00 PM

Crashes Do Happen: Tips on Driver Conduct at a Crash Scene

At some time in the future, you may be involved in a vehicle crash. These situations can be stressful and confusing. Before these situations occur, it is important that you understand driver conduct at a crash scene. Remember to be polite and courteous at the scene of a crash. Admit nothing, promise nothing, and do not argue. Do not discuss the crash with anyone except the police and representatives from your own company. Any statements you make may later be used against you; so do not offer any theories, reasons, or excuses to explain why the crash happened.
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Mar 20, 2018 3:00:00 PM

Thou Shall Not Commit...Tailgating

It's one of the deadliest sins out there on the road. Most drivers are irritated by someone driving closely behind them. If the tailgater is pulling a fully loaded 18-wheeler, it not only causes anger, but also can be downright terrifying. Many motorists who have been tailgated by a truck driver spend the next several days cursing the whole industry to anyone that will listen.
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