Great West Casualty Company Blog

It is no secret there is a driver shortage for motor carriers. Enticing candidates to enter this career field is challenging enough, but finding the quality candidates and keeping them is equally difficult. Be that as it may, it is important to properly screen driver applicants. It is not enough to accept an applicant based solely on word of mouth or referrals. Motor carriers should incorporate a practice of due diligence to assess a driver’s knowledge, skills, and attitude.

Professionalism in the workplace benefits you, your peers, and your employer. Exhibiting professionalism can bring you an inward sense of pride, self-respect, competence, and job satisfaction. Your peers will mirror your behavior in the way you treat others and approach your job, while your employer will view you as a reliable team player. Read the informaiton below, and ask yourself if there are actions you can take to present yourself in a more professional manner. 

Managing the space around the truck is challenging. From driving in congested traffic to navigating a crowded parking lot, truck drivers must constantly track the hazards around them to help prevent a collision. Read the information below and ask yourself how you can improve your driving style in any of the hazard categories.

Stress can manifest itself in many ways and negatively affect your mood, body, and behavior. Read the information below about the symptoms of stress, and see if any apply to you. Even if you are not feeling stress now, try applying one or more of the stress management techniques to your daily routine as a preventive measure.

Wearing protective footwear while working around the truck can help prevent injuries. From avoiding slips, trips, and falls to protecting against objects rolling onto or penetrating your feet, proper footwear is an essential piece of personal protective equipment. Improper footwear can also be uncomfortable and lead to calluses, ingrown toenails, etc. Read the information below and ask yourself how you can better protect yourself and your feet from injury.

Equipment and cargo thefts are constant risks for motor carriers. Thieves are always on the prowl, looking for easy targets. Read the information below and ask yourself if there are actions you can take to protect yourself from being a victim of theft.

Air disc brakes (ADB) are now standard for many new trucks built after 2018 and can be ordered on either the steer or drive axles, or both. ADB can also be ordered for most trailer types. From a safety standpoint, ADB can help reduce the risk of rear-end crashes. According to Fleet Equipment Magazine, “The main strong point for disc brakes (over drum brakes) is reduced stopping distance. With disc brakes, that distance can be anywhere from 17% to 33% shorter than drum brakes, depending on speed.” Other advantages of using ADB include: No brake fade caused by heating up the brakes due to excessive usage. Generally less maintenance, although not maintenance-free. No slack-adjuster-related “out of adjustment” violations from roadside inspections. Longer life before replacement. Use of a caliper/pad mechanism, compared to the lining/drum/S-cam mechanism found on drum brakes. Consider the type of operation you run before choosing the equipment to best fit your needs.

Driving in the fall creates a new set of seasonal risks for drivers. From shorter days to increased road obstacles, drivers need to be on guard for fall-related hazards and know how to prevent a crash. Read the information below about various fall driving hazards and decide how you can improve your driving techniques.

When an equipment failure occurs or another emergency forces you to pull off the roadway, commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operators are required under Part 392.22 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) to follow specific rules to alert other motorists of your situation. Below is a simple graphic and additional safety tips to keep in mind should you need to make an emergency stop. Read the information below and refer to the regulations to ensure you meet compliance requirements and protect yourself from harm.

Properly managing the truck’s speed requires skill and good judgment. Failure to do so could have tragic consequences. To help avoid this, drivers must recognize the hazards that can lead to a crash, know the defense, and react properly. Read the information below and ask yourself how you can improve your driving style in any of the hazard categories.