With the ELD mandate having gone into effect for most drivers and fleets on December 18, 2017, the next issue to face has been regarding the enforcement of the mandate. Around the country, ELD mandate enforcement varies from state to state. When you cross state lines on your route without a properly installed ELD, you[…]
Not everyone gets to haul trailers in Florida during the winter. If you’ve been watching the weather lately, you know that even the Sunshine State has had its share of snow and ice. Knowing how to drive in winter is critical, regardless of where your route takes you. You have to take greater care out[…]
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), in a last ditch effort, petitioned the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for a five-year exemption for “small business truckers” to delay the ELD implementation. OOIDA may think that small businesses should be exempt but with all the benefits, the system will pay for itself with increased efficiency[…]
Driver turnover is high – really high. According to an American Trucking Association report from 2014, turnover is around 96 percent. Based on those numbers, nearly every driver you’ll hire will be gone within a year. Sounds depressing, doesn’t it? It doesn’t have to be. If you put a few practices into place – very[…]
You already know that the deadline for ELD implementation, December 18, 2017, is coming up fast. You might know it’s coming, but are you ready? Working with an ELD will one day be second nature, but in the beginning, it can be chaotic and stressful, especially if your drivers feel like it was sprung on[…]
Getting in and staying compliant with the law, like the ELD mandate, might be required but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t leave a bitter taste in your mouth. People, in general, don’t like to feel forced into things. You’re pragmatic, though. You’ll do what you have to do to stay in business, keep making money,[…]
If you’ve been waiting to find an ELD for your trucking business until the Supreme Court ruled on the legality of electronic logging devices, the wait is over. On June 12, 2017, the Supreme Court issued a decision refusing to hear the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) lawsuit over the ELD mandate. The previous[…]
Right now, four states and Washington D.C. have legalized recreational marijuana usage. Other states allow medical marijuana for the treatment of certain illnesses, diseases, and disorders. While legalization has not taken place at the federal level and there are plenty of drivers who don’t live in states where it is legal, it’s still having[…]
A full fleet management system that includes a GPS vehicle tracking system is invaluable for running an efficient fleet. It provides information known as telematics, which only becomes available through the addition of technology to your trucks. Telematics gives you control over your fleet with more information than you’ve ever had before. That access[…]
Every day you’re hit with a new rule or regulation. Failing to follow them can cost your fleet time and money. Complying with a new regulation is stressful, can be costly, and requires getting your entire staff and drivers on board so that no one gets caught out on the road breaking the rules.[…]
Recently we talked to a very large fleet (85,000 employees worldwide) who said they were told that the ELD they were using would not be certified. Some ELD providers and fleets believe self-certification isn’t required. Whether it’s required or not can be debated. What’s not debatable is that every fleet deserves to know that the[…]
Every company offers a different electronic logging device (ELD product) and fleet management system. That’s almost never a bad thing. Competition breeds innovation, and companies that respond to customer needs and make life easier and more profitable for fleets and businesses, do well. The free market is a beautiful thing. But the trucking industry is[…]
There is plenty of misinformation out there about ELDs. It’s important to get the facts so you can make an informed decision and stay in compliance with the law. ELDs Will Put the Little Guy Out of Business This myth comes from the fear of the cost, loss of driving hours, and more strict[…]
Electronic logging devices (ELDs) are quickly becoming a fact of life for the commercial driving world. The OOIDA case shows that the ELD Mandate is here to stay, and the December 2017 deadline is fast approaching. Instead of focusing on the fact that an ELD is a new mandate, it’s time to think about the[…]
If you’ve managed a fleet for any amount of time, you’re used to bringing on a new driver, taking time and money to get them going, only for them to leave after a few months or a year. It’s a never-ending cycle that has become the “norm” in the trucking industry. While most drivers[…]
Since 2010, 70,000 drivers have been pulled from the roads due to new regulations about driver health by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These drivers didn’t have a hangnail or a simple cough. Many of them were diagnosed with serious diseases like uncontrolled high blood pressure, advanced diabetes, sleep apnea, and obesity. The[…]
On August 26, 2016, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a speed limiter mandate proposal by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). At the beginning of September, a 60-day window for public comments began to give the motor carrier industry the opportunity to supply feedback[…]
Day after day, you hit the same places – the truck stop, fast food, whatever junk you found at the convenience store after you filled up or in the vending machine at the rest stop. It’s the same foods over and over, and, to be honest, they make you feel awful. You’ve got that “dunlap”[…]
Because they’re regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), electronic logging devices (ELDs) must meet specific requirements, especially if owner-operators and fleets want to be in compliance by December 2017 and December 2019. Every ELD must be able to do specific things and the benefits of an ELD are compelling. However, when you[…]
You got into the commercial trucking for a lot of reasons, but the main one is to build a successful and profitable business. Maintaining a safe fleet is the first step in reducing your overhead costs and increasing your profits. With the help of a fleet management system, like Gorilla Safety, you can reach your[…]
When the FAST Act highway bill was passed, it included a provision for the extension of any exemptions from two years to five years from the date of the exemption. This gives the organizations and companies extra time for their specific circumstances. The FAST Act The FAST Act stands for Fixing America’s Surface Transport (FAST)[…]
In July, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced a few changes and updates to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). The “Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation” and “Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance” portions of the FMCSRs were the areas that received the most amendments. The FMCSA says no new regulations have[…]
Even if you aren’t a die hard fan of the latest game craze, Pokémon GO is something nearly everyone has heard of thanks to the way its players make the news. From hitting police cars to walking off cliffs, players of the game are walking, talking advertisements for what happens when you try to play[…]
A 2013 survey of truck drivers showed that almost 80% use a smartphone and more than 90% download apps to their phone. There’s no doubt that number has grown over the last few years. Even though we use our phones for personal things like email, texting our family, and playing games while we’re in waiting[…]
As a driver, you’ve seen it all, and probably done most of it, too. Depending on the job, you might need to jump on a forklift to load or unload your trailer. Sometimes, you’ve got to depend on someone else to do the job. What matters most is that whoever is on that forklift understands[…]
In late 2015, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) made significant changes to their anti-coercion rules. Drivers have more options for dealing with coercion, and the FMCSA made it clear they will not tolerate harassment or threats against drivers who are complying with federal safety regulations. What is Coercion? Coercion is the act of[…]
A lot can happen out on the road from bad weather to bad drivers. You’ve got to be on your toes in order to stay safe and avoid an accident. Sometimes the safety hazard isn’t from what’s outside the truck, but what’s going on inside. In this edition of our Safety Meeting Series, we’ll discuss[…]
How many times have you read reports about the number of accidents caused by commercial truck drivers? How often have your insurance premiums gone up, whether or not your drivers caused any accidents in a given year? The future of insurance has arrived and while not many are thinking about it yet, it could have[…]
You probably didn’t get into the commercial truck driving business because you love big trucks, hauling freight, or even the open road. Don’t get us wrong, you might love all of that, but the idea of a bit of freedom and money was probably the main selling points. Now that you’ve made it, and you’ve[…]
With the recent announcement of $16 million in investor funding available for Convoy, a startup billing itself as the “Uber of the trucking industry,” it seems that technology is continuing to catch up to the trucking industry. Convoy, founded by former Amazon employees and backed by plenty of heavy hitters in the investment world, aims[…]
It’s tough being away from home. You miss the birthday cakes and family picnics. You miss the school plays and the visits from the Tooth Fairy. It’s easy to feel like you’re not a part of your family’s life when you away. With a bit of help and creative thinking, you can stay connected with[…]
Experts predict a 400,000 driver shortage by 2017. How is that gap going to be filled? Major companies like Ryder and Werner have figured it out. The simplest answer is often the simplest – hire more women. Yes, for years, the trucking industry was considered a man’s world, and in some ways it still is.[…]
Hauling a 53 foot trailer out on the interstate, surrounded by hundreds of other drivers, is not the place for a driver to get distracted. Throw in icy roads or drivers who aren’t paying attention to the big rigs and you’ve got a recipe for disaster. One of the easiest ways to avoid an accident[…]
Accidents happen. Whether it’s a driver injured while helping unload a trailer or a smaller vehicle running out in front of you driver, causing a major highway accident. Sometimes you get a call quickly to let you know what’s going on, and sometimes you don’t. When an accident occurs, time is of the essence. The[…]
When we think about driving in “hazardous conditions” we often think about bad thunderstorms or heavy snow. But what about wind? For large trucks, the wind can be as dangerous as the worst rain or snow storm. Why Wind Can Be Dangerous Semi-trucks and other large commercial trucks are more susceptible to tipping or having[…]
When you think of your fleet, with all the trucks and all the drivers, do you ever feel like you’re spinning plates? Or is it more like herding cats? Between the paperwork, the regulations, and just knowing where your trucks are, there’s a lot to keep up with. Managing a fleet can be stressful, with[…]
If you are like most fleet operators, you know of at least a few drivers in your fleet who rush through their pre-trip inspection, and think the whole thing is unnecessary. They either have never been in an accident out on the road, or they think they can handle whatever happens out there. The pre-trip[…]
If you’ve been driving a truck for any amount of time, you’ve probably seen your share of crazy things people do on the road. From bad driving to outright aggression, drivers sometimes forget they have to share the road with everyone else. Road rage is something we’re all familiar with. Other drivers can make us[…]
Not all accidents are created equal. While that may seem obvious, it may be more complicated than you think. While every accident can impact your bottom line, DOT recordable accidents can have a major impact on your business. Here’s why. What is a DOT Recordable Accident? Carriers are required to keep records of an accident[…]
Getting behind the wheel of a commercial truck can be daunting, no matter how well you did in training. It’s easy to make mistakes that more seasoned drivers won’t. Of course, if the veterans aren’t careful, they can make rookie mistakes, too. In order to be as safe as possible on the road, and to[…]
Are you looking for a way to cut costs, keep your vehicles running longer, and keep your drivers on the road more? One of the best ways to keep your fleet moving forward and help your business grow is through a fleet maintenance program. With an effective program, you’ll have safer vehicles and lower costs.[…]
The fact that commercial trucks get into accidents out on the highways, back roads, and other roadways across the United States is no surprise. The actual numbers, however, may shock you. In 2013 alone, there were 3,900 fatal crashes involving commercial trucks, 73,000 crashes with injuries but no fatalities, and 265,000 accidents that involved only[…]
In 2012, Congress passed the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) bill requiring the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to create new regulations for the use of Electronic Logging Devices (ELD). They were given until 2015 to enact the Final Rule. The FMCSA announced the provisions of the ELD Final Rule[…]
Paper logs might not be quite dead yet, but they’re definitely on their last legs with no hope of recovery. Drivers and companies who haven’t switched over to an Automatic On-Board Recording Device already will have until December 16, 2017 to switch to the new Electronic Logging Devices. Once you’ve made the switch, it’ll be[…]
You’ve probably heard of electronic on-board recorders (EOBRs) or automatic on-board recording devices (AOBRD). With new technology expected perhapsperhaps you resisted making the change or just wanted to wait until the dust settled and rules were finalized. Whatever the reason, if you’re new to the world of electronic logging devices (ELDs), don’t let a new[…]
In 2012, Congress passed the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) bill, which required the use of Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) for commercial drivers and fleets with rules and regulations to be crafted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The goal was to bring the trucking industry into the new[…]
