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Getting the Most Out of Your ELD
The electronic logging device (ELD) in your trucks keep you compliant and out of trouble with the FMCSA. It probably wasn’t as big of a hassle as you originally feared when the mandate first came out. But if all you’re using your ELD for is to stay compliant, you may be missing out on big[…]
The Importance of a Thorough Driver Orientation
New hire orientation usually conjures up an image of a nameless person standing at the front of a room, droning on and on about company policies. Most people imagine excruciating boredom in freezing cold conference rooms while drinking lukewarm, stale coffee. New hires often leave with the bare minimum of information and little understanding of[…]
Using Driver Scorecards to Improve Your Fleet’s Performance
Name one improvement you’d like to make in your fleet’s performance this year. Is it reduced violations? Lower fuel costs? Fewer equipment replacements? Fewer accidents? Better delivery times? For most fleets, the answer is all of the above. The first place to start is to know how your drivers perform behind the wheel. This is[…]
New Year’s Resolutions: Avoid Citations and Ace Inspections
Do you want to avoid violations and citations this year? Of course you do! You’ll lower costs, reduce headaches, and keep your drivers on the road instead of being stuck on the sidelines during overly long roadside inspections. What you and your drivers do before they get on the road will make a big difference.[…]
Winter Driving Hazards and How to Avoid Them
Whether you’re driving a big truck or a small compact car, you know that winter driving can be hazardous. But it’s especially dangerous — for you and other vehicles on the road — when you’re a big truck hauling a 53 foot trailer and trying to keep 18 wheels on icy roads. Make sure you[…]
Rising Insurance Costs: What Can You Do?
Insurance premiums could increase as much as 20 to 25 percent in 2020, thanks in large part to the extremely high awards being determined by juries against carriers and fleets. With insurance rates on the rise, what can you do? Preparing for Insurance Rate Increases Insurance companies that service the trucking industry have been running[…]
Gearing Up for a Tough Year
During an economics session at CCJ‘s Solutions Summit in Scottsdale, Arizona recently, ACT Research President Kenny Vieth shared his projections on what the trucking industry can expect in 2020. In short, it’s going to be tough. As with all things related to the economy, there are opportunities and bright spots, but fleets that aren’t efficient[…]
Make 2020 the Year of Efficiency and Reduced Costs
You can’t control how much fuel costs or the price of a new truck, but that doesn’t mean you’re helpless in reducing your fleet’s expenses, either. As you plan for a more profitable 2020, consider how your fleet can become more efficient and reduce costs at the same time. Here’s what you can do. Plan[…]
Ring in 2020 with a Safer Fleet
Having a safer fleet out on the road is good for business. It keeps shippers working with you all year long, helps you build your fleet, and determines how well your company will grow in the future. Being safe isn’t just a good business decision. It also prevents unnecessary violations during inspections and makes life[…]
Retaining Good Drivers
Keeping a good driver isn’t always easy. Between driver shortages across the US and high turnover rates, you can easily find yourself in a cycle of hiring, training, and then saying goodbye to a driver with potential. If you’re ready to stop the cycle, here are a few things you can do to keep your[…]
Don’t Let Your Fleet Go Up In Smoke
The use of marijuana is legal, in some form, in 33 states and counting. And yet, it remains a Schedule 1 drug according to the federal government. While it’s imperative that drivers stay sober and unimpaired while they’re behind the wheel, it’s worth thinking about the risks of both hiring and not hiring a new[…]
Smoothly Transition from AOBRD to ELD
As the deadline approaches for AOBRDs to be phased out and for fleets to transition to ELDs, you might be tempted to panic if you still need to switch. Panic won’t help you at this point, but a plan will. Here’s what you need to know for a smooth transition. Pick Your Equipment Ultimately you[…]
Choosing the Right ELD — More Important Than Ever
You already know how important it is to make good business decisions — who you hire, what equipment to buy, what prices to charge — so that your business can succeed. One wrong choice can cost money and time. Choosing the right ELD system is one of those decisions that can have ripple effects in[…]
No More Extensions
The final deadline for electronic logging device (ELD) is coming fast. Spoiler alert: there will be no more extensions. The time for waiting is over. What You Need to Know As of December 16, 2019, any carriers still using non-ELD compliant logging software or AOBRDs will be in violation of FMCSA regulations. This means drivers[…]
Gorilla Safety Military Discount
America is the land of the free because of the brave. From the very beginning of our founding until today, we’ve depended on military men and women to go into battle to defend our rights and freedoms. We thank you, veterans and active duty military members, for your service and sacrifice. In this day and[…]
Preparing to Migrate from AOBRD to ELD
You’re staring down the barrel of the AOBRD deadline, and you’re starting to panic. Take a deep breath. Yes, you’re cutting it close, but this migration can still be done without too much stress or hassle. First, you need a plan. Then, you need to know what to expect. Here’s what you need to know[…]
Watch Us Flex
You’ve heard all the amazing and exciting news about fleet management systems with accident reporting, document storage, and maintenance requests. It sounds nice, but you’re a single owner-operator or maybe the owner of a few trucks. You don’t need all those bells and whistles. More importantly, your budget doesn’t have room for all those bells[…]
Canadian ELDs and Third Party Certification Requirements
Hopefully by now you’ve heard the big news. Canada recently announced it’s own ELD mandate that will go into effect in June 2021. It is very similar to the American version but with at least one key difference. ELDs will need to go through a third party certification process in order for Canadian drivers and[…]
Successful Fleets are Safe Fleets
One of the easiest ways to reduce unnecessary expenses and keep your drivers from being sidelined on the road is to make sure your fleets operate safely. Safe fleets reduce fuel costs, have less accidents, and face fewer fines from roadside inspections. Follow these safety tips to boost your bottom line and keep your drivers[…]
Fleets Flock to ELDs for Compliance and Added Functionality
Carriers and fleets across the country are beating the December 16 deadline to phase out AOBRDs in favor of electronic logging devices (ELDs). Doing so well in advance of the deadline gives these carriers an advantage over their non-complying competitors and improves fleet functionality. If you haven’t made the switch yet, here’s what you need[…]
Monitor the Health of Your Fleet
With multiple routes and vehicles, and an entire fleet out on the road, the last thing you need are unforced errors that cost time and money. When trucks and equipment go without necessary repairs or when you get a mechanical violation during an inspection, you’re at the mercy of preventable problems. The health of your[…]
How to Keep Your Best Drivers
You already know the trucking industry faces a driver shortage crisis. You also know how hard it is to keep a driver long-term. But the worst is when your best drivers leave — for another carrier or when they leave the industry completely. Recruiting, hiring, and training a new driver is expensive. Keeping a good[…]
Don’t Let One Bad Accident Destroy Your Fleet
No matter how much safety training you offer, eventually a driver will be involved in an accident. Maybe it was their fault, and maybe it wasn’t. Hopefully no one is injured, but of course, that’s always a possibility. What you do after the accident can make all the difference in whether you still have a[…]
Marijuana Legalization Negatively Impacting Driver Shortage
The trucking industry has faced a growing driver shortage in the past several years and decades. Marijuana legalization, for recreational or medicinal use, has only made the problem worse. Drug Testing All drivers face a drug test before being hired but many carriers are voluntarily opting to include a hair test as part of the[…]
How California’s Contractor Law Could Impact the Trucking Industry
California lawmakers recently voted to overhaul their independent contractor rules and regulations. Not only does this have major ramifications for the state but the country as a whole. The trucking industry will absolutely be impacted if the bill is signed into law. A.B. 5 pushes businesses, regardless of industry, to classify more independent contractors they[…]
Class is In Session: Back to School Safety Tips for Fleets
No matter how much you may try to avoid side streets and roads that run right through town, eventually your route will take you through a school zone or past a school bus stop. Now that school is back in session, all drivers, but especially truck drivers, need to be more careful. Here’s what you[…]
Crossing Borders and the ELD Mandate
Contrary to what some people believe, and a few industry myths you might find on the internet, Canadian and Mexican drivers who cross the border into the US on their route don’t get to avoid the US ELD mandate. When driving on US highways, the drivers and fleets are subject to the rules of our[…]
Document Management: Fleet Managements Unsung Hero
As a fleet manager, where does the majority of your day go? If you immediately envision a mountain of paperwork, missing documents, and going back and forth with a driver who swears they gave you a receipt, you’re not alone. For too many fleet managers, paperwork takes up a lot of time, attention, and energy. […]
Time Is Running Out! Now is the Time to Transition from AOBRD to ELD
If you still use automatic onboard recording devices (AOBRDs) in your trucks and ignored the big changes from the ELD mandate, time is almost up. The grace period for grandfathered AOBRDs ends December 16, 2019. While it may feel like you still have plenty of time, it’s better to transition to an ELD system now[…]
Canada’s ELD Mandate: What You Need to Know
On June 13, 2019, Transport Canada released its final rule outlining the new Canadian ELD requirements. Whether you’re a Canadian driver or fleet owner or a driver in the US who crosses the Canadian border, the new ELD mandate will impact you. Here’s what you need to know. The Purpose of the ELD Mandate Set[…]
The Impact of Oversupply on the Transportation Industry
Carriers and the transportation industry, in general, are going through a bit of a market correction this year. After a booming year for many carriers in 2018 with shippers scrambling to get goods across the US and paying higher prices, 2019 is on a downward trend. This is causing pain to the industry but it[…]
Radio Nemo Interview with Gorilla Safety CEO at GATS 2019
LIVE from the Great American Trucking Show 2019 Radio Nemo interviewed Gorilla Safety’s CEO, Mark Walton, discussing the looming ELD Mandate deadline and how easy it is to make the transition from AOBRD to ELD. Tune in to hear more about the benefits of ELDs and the changes for drivers editing capabilities. Other topics covered include[…]
If You Employ CDL Drivers, You’re Going To Need A Query Plan For The Drug And Alcohol Clearinghouse
With the registration for the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse a few months away, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has announced the Query Plan options for employers conducting queries in the Clearinghouse. The Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse is designed to help monitor drivers that are not legally permitted to operate a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) due to drug[…]
Gorilla Safety Establishes New Organizational Infrastructure To Accommodate Growth; Bolsters Team With Several New Appointments
Company Also Moves all Customer Support to its Houston Headquarters HOUSTON … August 20, 2019 … Gorilla Safety, a provider of an innovative, proprietary and patented fleet and safety management solution, announced today it has established a new corporate infrastructure and appointed 10 professionals as a result. Concurrently, the Company moved all customer[…]
FMCSA Announced the Proposed Changes to the Hours of Service Rules
Wednesday, August 14, 2019, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on the long awaited changes they suggest for the Hours of Service (HOS) rules. “This proposed rule seeks to enhance safety by giving America’s commercial drivers more flexibility while maintaining the safety limits[…]
Freightliner is now delivering the electric eCascadia truck to customers
On August 12, 2019, Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) announced that they are ready to start deliveries of their eCascadia all-electric semi trucks to customers. According to Freightliner, Penske Truck Leasing and NFI will be the first companies to employ the eCascadia in their commercial operations. The trucks are part of the Freightliner Electric[…]
Over 1,600 Trucks Placed Out-of-Service During Brake Inspection Blitz
On May 15, 2019, more than 1,600 commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) were placed out-of-service (OOS) for critical brake violations during a surprise brake safety inspection blitz. Surprise Brake Inspection Blitz One day only, fifty-five jurisdictions in the United States and Canada participated in a surprise brake inspection blitz and reported the results to the Commercial[…]
What You Need To Know About The IRT Model Replacing Current CSA Scores
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is currently working on an Item Response Theory (IRT) Model that will replace the current Safety Measurement System (SMS) used for CSA Scores. SMS identifies commercial motor vehicle (CMV) carriers at high risk for future crashes. The IRT Model will focus on “safety culture” rather than trying to predict[…]
Improve Your Safety Score By Keeping Up With Repair And Maintenance
Being placed out-of-service during a roadside inspection is the last thing any successful fleet wants. An inspection that turns up simple, ridiculous and expensive violations disrupts time on the road delivering cargo. Too many inspection violations can make your safety score plummet. Potential customers will see the low safety score as proof that your company is[…]
Texas, Are You Ready For The ELD Mandate December 2019?
The Texas ELD mandate is coming December 19, 2019. Texas commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) driving intrastate must make sure that their fleet is in sync with the new requirements to remain compliant. Texas has updated their Hours of Service (HOS) code with a ruling that follows the guidelines put in place by the Federal Motor Carrier[…]
Final Driver Training Rule Has Been Delayed For 2 Years
The Final Ruling that will set the standard of training for drivers applying for a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) has been delayed for 2 years. Despite the delay, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) insists the new curriculum and training will still take effect on February 7, 2020. Driver Trainers and State Driver Licensing[…]
Hours-Of-Service Proposed Rule Set To Debut July 31
After much delay, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has reset the projected date of publication for the new and improved “flexible” Hours-of-Service (HOS) Rule to July 31, 2019. This date was released by the Department of Transportation (DOT) in the June 2019 Significant Rulemaking Report. The proposed driver’s HOS Ruling was set to debut[…]
Gorilla Safety Offers Asset Tracking For ANY Business With Advanced GPS
Ever feel like you can’t find your trucks or trailers? Tired of not knowing what’s going on around your business? You can’t leave yourself in the position of not knowing where your $160,000 truck and $75,000 trailer are. Gorilla Safety has you covered. With Advanced GPS Tracking, you know where your company’s assets are at[…]
House passes Funding Bill that bars the DOT from eliminating the 30-minute Break Rule
On Tuesday, June 25, 2019, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the 2020 government funding bill. Stipulations were placed on this bill that requires motor carrier’s ratings with the DOT’s Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program to be made public within 6 months. The stipulations placed on this bill, H.R. 3055, were fought by the House Rules[…]
Brake Safety Inspection Week 2019
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has announced that this year’s Brake Safety Week is scheduled for September 15-21, 2019. Although inspections happen all year long, there are several inspection blitzes a year focusing on different aspects of commercial motor vehicles (CMV). While checking brake systems is always part of the North American Standard Inspection Program,[…]
U.S. DOT launches program to help Veterans and Reservists find jobs in the Trucking Industry
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced Monday, June 17, 2019, that they are accepting applications for a pilot program to permit younger drivers between the ages of 18 to 21 with the U.S. Military’s equivalent of a commercial drivers license (CDL) to operate large trucks in interstate commerce. During the pilot program, which is[…]
Gorilla Safety aligns with project44 to provide location data services to shipping companies
Location Data Services Play Key Role in Meeting Increased Demand for Shipment Visibility HOUSTON … June 17, 2019 … Gorilla Safety, a provider of an innovative, proprietary and patented fleet and safety management solution, announced today the Company has aligned with project44, the world’s leading advanced visibility platform for shippers and logistic service providers[…]
USDA Clarifies the Rules Regulating Hemp Transport After Drivers Arrest
There has been a lot of confusion about hemp’s legal status due to a recent high-profile arrest of a driver hauling industrial grade hemp from Oregon to Colorado. When driver Denis Palmurchuk was arrested by Idaho State Police for transporting 7,000 pounds of industrial hemp and charged with smuggling marijuana, the U.S. Department of Agriculture[…]
FMCSA Seeking Data on Detention Times When Loading & Unloading
Driver detention times have long been an issue in the transportation industry affecting driver pay and increasing the risk of accidents. According to results from research done on Driver Detention Times in Commercial Motor Vehicle Operations, “drivers experienced detention time during approximately 1 in every 10 stops for an average duration of 1.4 hours. This represents[…]
The ELD Mandate: Improving Safety Through Technology
The ELD Mandate goes into effect when the AOBRD grandfather provision expires, December 16, 2019. At this point, Phase 3 of the ELD Rule begins. Drivers and Motor Carriers subject to the ELD Rule must use ELDs registered with the FMCSA to remain compliant. How do ELDs Work? ELDs synch with the CMV engine to automatically record:[…]
