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Are You Getting the Most Out of Your DVIR?
Driver vehicle inspection reports (DVIRs) might be required but that doesn’t mean every fleet does them well or uses them wisely. If your drivers need help getting them done, and you spend too much time tracking down reports or trying to decipher them, you’re not alone. DVIRs are only useful when they’re completed, accurate, and[…]
What Dropping Oil Prices Could Mean for Your Fleet
We’ve all seen the change in gas prices for passenger vehicles, and if you’ve paid attention to economic news, you know crude oil has been at all time lows. The drop in oil prices is part of a trade war between Saudi Arabia and Russia, but it impacts the North American trucking industry. Lower Prices[…]
Coronavirus’ (COVID-19) Impact on Fleets
Coronavirus has had an immediate and obvious impact on the entire world. Schools and businesses have closed. People are staying home to keep from getting sick or spreading the virus. Hospitals are working at or beyond capacity. The trucking industry has not escaped the impact of COVID-19. HOS Regulation Change The biggest impact on fleets[…]
HOS Regulation Changes Due to COVID-19
COVID-19 has hit the world hard, and the US is no exception. Shortages of needed supplies are occurring across the country as people stock-up and hunker down and the pandemic impacts our healthcare system. This means that necessary supplies are running out quickly and need to be restocked just as fast. As always, truckers are[…]
Hiring 1099 Drivers May Not Be Worth the Risk
Are you considering expanding your fleet this year? Need to bring on new drivers to keep up with demand? Know the only way to grow is to start hiring? You can hire drivers who are employed by you or you can hire 1099 drivers (independent contractors). Deciding which is best for your fleet is a[…]
Getting Ready for the First Inspection Blitz of the Year
It’s never too early to get ready for an upcoming inspection, especially when you know it’s going to happen. The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has planned it’s annual International Roadcheck Inspection blitz for May 5 through May 7. If that sounds early, you’re right. Typically this blitz occurs in June, but the timing was[…]
Reviewing Your Accident Procedures in 2020
No matter how hard you and your drivers work to prevent accidents on the road, they happen. What your driver does in the immediate aftermath can make the difference in what happens later — lawsuits, settlements, insurance disputes, and more. Now is a good time to review your accident procedures and prepare for future accidents. […]
It’s 10pm – Do You Know Where Your Trucks Are?
Back in the day, you worried about where your kids were at night. Now it’s not missed curfews that keep you up — it’s wondering where your fleet is. Figuring it out doesn’t have to be a stressful guessing game, not when you have the right technology at your fingertips. What Do You Need to[…]
Are You Doing Enough to Track Your Yellow Iron?
The equipment and heavy machinery your company uses is just as important as the trucks in your fleet. Yellow iron keeps your business moving forward. If you’re not tracking it, you’re missing out on important information and cost-saving measures. Maintenance and Repairs Just as you schedule oil changes, brake checks, and other maintenance for your[…]
How to Handle Roadside Inspections
In 2019, over 3.4 million roadside inspections were conducted by federal and state inspectors. Of those, 5 percent of drivers were placed out of service and 20 percent of vehicles were placed out of service. Many of these situations are completely avoidable, as long as you know what to expect in a roadside inspection. […]
How to Avoid an ELD Outage
You’ve used technology long enough to know that outages happen. Cell towers go down in storms. Your internet won’t connect on a laptop. Things happen. But when your equipment is what keeps your business moving (and legally compliant!), outages must be rare and long outages are unacceptable. Outages Happen, But They Shouldn’t Be Common At[…]
ELDs Lead to Better Rested, More Alert, and Safer Drivers
Time is money, but too much time, especially behind the wheel, leads to fatigue and accidents. The good news is that electronic logging devices (ELDs) lead to drivers who get more rest which leads to fewer accidents. Anecdotal Evidence The hard data isn’t available yet on the effectiveness of ELDs, but many in the industry[…]
How Can an ELD Impact Detention Times?
Electronic logging devices make one thing irrefutable — exactly how much time a driver spends on the road or sitting around waiting. In the past, mileage was the main factor in determining value and rates. These days, thanks to ELDs, the most precious commodity is time, and it’s all being tracked, saved, and reported. That[…]
Personal Conveyance and Yard Moves: What You Need to Know
You know, better than anyone, that just because you’re behind the wheel of your truck, you’re not always logging miles and time toward your HOS. A big fear, in the early days when the ELD mandate was announced, is that these moments would not be taken into consideration or would be counted towards your daily[…]
Monitoring Your Fleet’s Performance
You’ve probably been managing fleets or working in the trucking industry long enough to remember when keeping up with drivers was something you had to take on faith. Sure, smartphones made it easier to check in and certain technology advancements improved communication, but you never really knew what was going on. Until there was an[…]
Improve Your SAFER Scores
Your SAFER score ranks your fleet’s safety and compliance, as well as your drivers’ safety and compliance, to help determine which fleets and drivers stay safe and maintain compliance on the road. These scores are publicly available and can be used to determine if a company should hire your fleet. From an internal standpoint, poor[…]
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[…]
