Trucking Industry Best Practices for the New Year

As we move into the new year, it’s a good time to look forward to what can be done to improve the trucking industry. Between driver shortages and increased crash rates, things can begin to look dire.

Fortunately, there are things you can do to improve driver safety awareness and retain quality drivers. Many of your options have to do with automating processes and embracing technologies that can help you monitor driver behaviors.

Making improvements for the new year also relies on improving your company communication. With changes to improve safety and efficiency you can also create a better atmosphere to encourage new drivers to come into the industry.

Focus on Safety

One of the biggest issues for the trucking industry is maintaining safety. With truck-related injury crashes increasing 115% and fatal crashes increasing 43%, the need to improve driver safety consciousness is evident.

This is more evident when you see that 15% of all police-reported commercial vehicle crashes were the result of distracted driving. This, coupled with a 967% increase in average verdict sizes during litigation shows just how important safety is to the success of trucking companies.

So, how can trucking companies develop safety consciousness? There are several ways to make this a priority moving into the new year.

Use CSA Data to Analyze Problem Areas

The FMCSA maintains CSA scores for all commercial vehicle companies that are available to the public. These CSA scores are a good place to start when determining where your focus should be.

Take time to analyze your scores. Look for trends in problem behaviors so you can provide corrective training on these issues. Common problem areas are speeding, distracted driving, and work zone issues.

Corrective training doesn’t have to focus on the negative only though. You can also highlight drivers who have a good safety record. This will encourage them to continue with good behaviors and incentivize other drivers to meet those same standards.

Make Use of Safety Technologies

There are several options available to help the trucking industry improve safety on the roads. Regulations require ELDs in all trucks, but many companies are also using cameras in their vehicles. These cameras help monitor driver behavior on the road and can come in handy when it comes to lawsuits.

Cameras have helped companies in situations such as staged accidents in the past and can help prove if you know a driver isn’t at fault for an incident. You can also use both bad and good behaviors to help develop safety training programs.

Beyond cameras, trucking companies can take advantage of driver alert systems, collision warning systems, and rearview cameras. These technologies help drivers better monitor their surroundings to reduce the risk of accidents. Even better, many of these technologies can help you negotiate better insurance rates.

Utilize Online Safety Management Options

Safety training is important for the trucking industry, but it can take up a lot of time, and disrupt schedules. In-house training can also get expensive when you consider the cost of travel, housing, and feeding those involved. That’s why many organizations are moving to online training platforms.

With a platform like Infinit-I Workforce Solutions, you can set up training ahead of time and let the system take care of the rest. Drivers can access training from any device with an internet connection, so they don’t have to take more time out of already busy schedules.

Online training options also help you keep up with training documentation, so you have records of all training completed by your company. This makes it easier to keep everyone on the same page and reduces the stress of maintaining safety training.

Make Use of Parking Services

One area often overlooked when it comes to driver safety is parking. 75% of drivers report difficulties finding safe parking. This leaves drivers with very few options other than driving around to look for a space or parking on the side of the road.

Many companies avoid parking services because they don’t want to pay extra for this. The problem is, between fines for illegal parking or going over hours-of-service, or the price of fuel while drivers search for a space, the cost of a parking service is less.

Using a parking service will keep both the drivers and the cargo safe. The trucking industry has seen a 56% increase in cargo thefts yearly, much of this is due to lack of safe parking for drivers. Ensuring safe parking for your drivers just makes sense.

Prepare Drivers for Potential Staged Accidents

The issue of staged accidents is back in the news as more charges have come down from a case in New Orleans from 2017. Many organizations have been focusing on this issue though, as the occurrence of staged accidents has increased over the years.

Drivers need to be aware of the potential and need to know what to watch out for to reduce the risk. Drivers also need to be prepared for what to do after an accident in case they do fall victim to this tactic.

Make sure drivers are properly trained on what evidence they should gather at the scene of an accident to help protect them and your company during litigation. Also, make sure they know what they should and should not say or do at the scene.

Keeping Up with Industry News and Changes

Laws and regulations for the trucking industry can change rapidly in our world. It’s important to keep up with these changes to ensure that your company remains in compliance. This is even more important when dealing with interstate hauling as you will need to make sure drivers are prepared to follow state and local laws.

You also need to make sure you and your drivers are aware of any alerts coming out of the areas they will travel to. Keep up with weather conditions and possible natural disaster conditions so they are prepared for what to expect.

Maintaining Documentation and Communication

With nuclear verdicts on the rise in the trucking industry, it’s more important than ever to maintain documentation. This includes maintenance records as plaintiff lawyers are now going after mechanics during lawsuits.

Online training and communication management systems can help you keep all your documentation together in one place. You can even provide tablets to your drivers, so they have access to any policies or other documents they are required to have with them when driving.

Prepare for FMCSA Changes

Last year, the FMCSA made changes to the regulations regarding the Alcohol & Drug Clearinghouse which had a detrimental effect on the trucking industry driver shortage. Coming up in 2022, the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements are changing.

Trucking companies need to prepare themselves for what changes like these can mean to them and their drivers. Get in early on implementing necessary changes so you can avoid as much trouble and stress as possible.

Infrastructure Bill Bringing Changes

Congress has passed an infrastructure bill that will bring several changes to the trucking industry. The bill puts emphasis on alternative fuel options such as electric vehicles. They even provided funding to set up infrastructure for meeting these needs.

This is an opportunity for trucking companies to look for options that could reduce fuel costs. Many companies have already started looking at these alternative fuel options, but these changes could make that option more economical for you.

Another change came with the apprenticeship program that was passed with the bill. This allows companies to hire drivers under 21 to participate in an apprenticeship. The passing of this program could have a positive impact on recruiting and training younger drivers.

Pay Attention to Relationships within Your Company

The recent emphasis on the driver shortage in the news has shown how important it is to show drivers they are valued. This recognition can come in many forms, pay, communication, and benefits.

Moving forward, it’s important for the trucking industry to pay attention to the relationships and needs within their organization. Encourage positive communication company-wide, but especially between drivers and dispatchers.

Incentive Programs

One way many trucking companies are showing driver recognition is through incentive programs. This is also a way of nurturing a culture of safety companywide. Using a monthly or quarterly driver scorecard, you can provide safety performance bonuses for those drivers who do well for the chosen period.

You can also implement incentive programs for drivers who remain with your company for a given amount of time. These incentives will help drivers feel valued and could help you increase driver retention.

Make the New Year Your Best Year

Safety, communication, and recruiting are the major focus areas moving into the new year for the trucking industry. There are many options available to help make these processes easier.

One such option is Infinit-I Workforce Solutions. Our online training platform allows you to streamline safety training and communication so you can nurture your company’s safety culture. With access to more than 800 videos, you can find the most relevant training to meet your orientation, ongoing, and corrective training needs.

Would you like to see for yourself how the Infinit-I system works? Schedule a demo to get started with the best safety practices in the new year.

Celebrating Fleet Safety

The trucking industry has made strides towards fleet safety over the years. Companies have increased safety training and improved record-keeping. These efforts are gaining recognition at several conferences.

Thanks to this recognition, companies had the opportunity to celebrate keeping their drivers safe this year. Fleet Safety Awards were presented to highlight companies with the fewest accidents based on miles driven. We would like to join in celebrating the winners.

Tennessee Winners

At the Tennessee Trucking Association (TTA) Annual Conference for 2021, winners were announced for safety awards. Among the winners, we would like to congratulate some that stand out.

First up are the Grand Champions for Small Carriers and Large Carriers. Both champions deserve to celebrate:

• Southern Champion Tray won the Small Carrier division as a Private Carrier. They had 0 to 1,000,000 miles. This company has won three years in a row!
• M&W Transportation Company won Large Carrier division as a Truckload. They had 3,000,001 to 7,000,000 miles.

You guys [Infinit-I Workforce Solutions] play a key role in our safety efforts, so you should take pride in that as well. – Mike McFarlin, President and CEO of M&W Transportation

There were some notable first place winners for their categories:

• Specialty Transport won for Truckload. They had 0 to 3,000,000 miles.
• Titan Transfer won for Truckload. They had 7,000,001 miles or over.

Among all the awards received at TTA, other winners should get recognition:

• Quickway Carriers (Paladin Group) won 2^nd place for Truckload. They had 0 to 3,000,000 miles.
• Danny Herman Trucking won 2^nd place for Truckload. They had 3,000,001 to 7,000,000 miles.
• Brown Trucking won 3^rd place for Truckload. They had 3,000,001 to 7,000,000 miles.
• Ozark Motor Lines won 3^rd place for Truckload. They had 7,000,001 miles or over.

Congratulations to these and other winners who help maintain travel safety. With the help of safety management solutions and the diligence of the trucking companies, everyone can work together to reduce accidents.

Indiana Winners

The Indiana Motor Truck Association (IMTA) also announced fleet safety awards for the year. Congratulations to the winners. There are winners in several categories including:

• Williams Dedicated won Grand Champion for Over the Road. They had 500,001 to 1,000,000 miles.
• Transmark Logistics won 1^st place for Local Fleet. They had 500,001 to 1,000,000 miles.

Other clients won first place for their mileage categories:

• LNL Trucking won for Over the Road. They had 250,001 to 500,000 miles.
• Online Transport won for Over the Road. They had 5,000,001 to 10,000,000 miles.
• Carter Express won for Over the Road. They had 10,000,001 to 15,000,000 miles.
• Venture Transport won for Over the Road. They had 20,000,001 to 25,000,000 miles.

Thank you to all the companies who work towards improved safety.

Working Together for Safety

As these winners show us, fleet safety is important to the trucking industry and industry partners. We all must work together to keep accidents down. Infinit-I Workforce Solutions is proud to be one of the partners in this effort.

The winners above are valued Infinit-I Workforce clients. They trust us to provide solutions that make safety training hassle free.

How can we help keep your drivers safe? Request a demo and discover how to become a winner in safety management.

Pandemic’s Impact on FEMA Relief After Hurricane Ida

Every year, carriers jump at the chance to haul FEMA loads for two reasons:  

1. To be a part of the solution and help those in need.  
2. FEMA loads are cash cows, sometimes paying up to $5 per mile and $2,000 per day detention.  

The question remains: Will Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have its pick of freight haulers this year? 

There is some uncertainty surrounding the capacity and willingness to accept FEMA loads this year. The truck driver shortage has allowed carriers to increase rates and shippers have no choice but to comply. In previous years, carriers easily reassigned drivers to government loads. Now that standard rates are competitive; they may be less willing to abandon their commitments to shippers.  

“Catastrophic risks are the primary drivers of the Nation’s response and recovery capability requirements because these risks will stress local, state, tribal, territorial, supply, and national resources.” 

What Truckers Should Expect 

Expect to run hard.  

In the past, FEMA loads have been of the “drop everything” sort. If your carrier is chosen and accepts these relief loads, you may find your plans changing by the minute. Keep communication lines open at all times and be prepared to reroute at a moment’s notice. You can stay up to date with FEMA alerts and updates.

Expect to sit. 

You will be faced with delays and under-communication. FEMA deliveries are not like other deliveries. Yes, they pay well, and you are helping those highly in need. When you deliver, you may find yourself in a line of hundreds or thousands of other tractors waiting to be offloaded. Be patient and remember those who’ve lost their houses, possessions, or loved ones to the storm. They need food, they need water, and they need smiling faces of the truckers who bring it to them.  

Bring your own food. 

If you’ve never hauled FEMA loads before, it may be difficult to imagine the confusion and lack of communication that exists when delivering emergency supplies. When you arrive, you do not get offloaded for several days. Before getting to the relief site, make sure to load up on food, snacks, and water. You won’t be able to get out of line to get food.  

Be patient.  

Be patient and remember those who’ve lost their houses, possessions, or loved ones to the storm. They need food, they need water, and they need smiling faces of the truckers who bring it to them. 

Stay safe. 

Check all highways, traffic alerts, and flood zones in the areas where you are and where you are going. The routes given by your GPS may be underwater. Always have an alternate route in mind and stay in communication with your dispatcher at all times. 

Sign up for our 30-day Complimentary Trial to be better prepared for inclement weather such as storms like Hurricane Ida.

Feel free to check out our other related Hurricane Ida content.

Truckers Parking Nightmares

As usual, the top concern for carriers is the ongoing driver shortage. Others admitted concerns about CSA, rising insurance costs, and driver retention. The principal problem for drivers, however, is the truckers parking. 

Our very own Craig Hart and Mark Rhea welcomed Anthony Petitte, CEO, and Founder of Truck Park, in a recent roundtable event. Truck Park is a platform for carriers to find safe, secure, and reservable truckers parking for their fleet.

You wouldn’t go on vacation without booking a hotel first. You shouldn’t send your drivers on the road without a guaranteed place to stop for the night.  

You can watch the replay here.  

Parking in Perspective 

Truckers Parking may not seem like a huge issue to those who have never experienced the stress. However, driving from full lot to full lot is frustrating for truck drivers, even more so after a long shift, crazy traffic, and a drive clock ticking down to zero.  

Picture this, and you’ve just finished a shift. You had a long and stressful day at the office. The only thing on your mind is getting home, watching a little TV, and crawling into bed.

Traffic is a nightmare on your commute, your gas light is blinking, and you’d give anything for a cup of coffee. Add to that your spouse calls and says you have 17 minutes to get home because you’ve been at work almost 14 hours.  

You finally pull into the driveway. Home at last! But you’re too late, the door is locked, and you don’t have a key. You’ll have to find another place to sleep. The motel down the street seems like your best option.

You jump back in the car, eyes heavy with sleep, and head that way. Oops, the flashing no vacancy sign means you’re out of luck.  

There’s another motel a few miles down. It’s not in the best part of town, but they did rid of the bed bugs last year. You decide to give it a shot. As you roll into the parking lot, you notice a sheet of plywood propped against the front door with the words ‘Closed for Renovations,’ scribbled in red paint.  

Only one option remains – the brand new skyrise hotel right off the interstate. The front desk clerk greets you with a warm smile and explains all the amenities in their one remaining room.

Finally, after exhausting all other options and running on fumes, you are 5 minutes away from a hot shower and a few hours of sleep.  

“That will be $287 for the night,” the clerk says with a smile, holding out a hand for your credit card.  

Now you must decide if that hot shower, stiff mattress, and gently used sheets are worth more money than you make in a day.  

The Problem with Truckers Parking 

Availability is just one of the ongoing issues when parking a big rig for the night. Drivers often find themselves in precarious situations if the parking spot they find isn’t ideal.  

Drivers of high-value loads also have to keep their load secure throughout the night. They can take precautions like parking under lights or backing up to a fence so their trailer doors cannot be opened. Truckers Parking lots that lack security guards or cameras are a prime target for freight thieves. 

The trucker’s safety is a top concern. Drivers who sleep in their tractors are in a vulnerable position overnight. It is especially dangerous if they park in a lot of stores that close or do not have adequate lighting.  

In 2018, a 25-year veteran of trucking named Amos Phillips was met with a grim situation in Fort Hall. He parked his tractor in the parking lot of a TP truck stop and visited a nearby casino.

After trying his luck at blackjack, Phillips returned to the truck stop and climbed into the sleeper of his truck. He began his nightly routine, locking the doors and unwinding from the day before falling asleep. 

It is unclear whether the truck stop had security guards watching the lot, but it is apparent that someone was watching Phillips. Slightly after dozing off, Phillips was startled out of his sleep by a man standing over him inside the sleeper.

The man demanded money from Phillips, or he would beat him. When Phillips refused to give him cash, the man repeatedly struck Phillips in the face with rocks.   

Williams was able to escape his attacker by fighting back. He fought hard to stay alive. He kicked and punched anything he could reach. But it was 2:30 in the morning, and he was confused and afraid. Finally, he was able to kick his attacker with both feet hard enough to send him flying out of the truck. 

Phillips called 911 and was treated for multiple broken bones in his face and nose and a blot clot in his brain. The driver who recovered the tractor was horrified to find bloodstains all over the sleeper of the truck.  

8 Parking Questions Your Company Might Face  

Do you drivers have an issue finding parking spots? 

Of course, they do; all drivers do. This issue is large enough to gain the attention of the federal government. Jason’s Law requires the DOT to analyze the state of truckers parking regularly.

The DOT conducts a survey to determine each state’s ability to provide adequate, safe, and secure parking for truck drivers.  

Jason’s Law was enacted in 2015 after truck driver Jason Rivenburg was shot and killed 12 miles from his drop-off location. Jason was ahead of schedule and was not allowed to drop off his load more than an hour ahead of schedule. He parked at a truck stop to wait for his delivery window.  

Jason’s attacker watched him pull into the parking lot, crawled under his trailer, and waited for Jason to fall asleep. He climbed into the cab, shot Jason Rivenburg in the head, and stole the $7.00 that Jason had on him.

He left behind a wife, son, and unborn twins. This tragedy may have been avoided if the parking lot had been more secure or the receiver let him park in their yard.  

Does your trip planning training include parking advice or instruction?  

Every veteran driver knows the importance of trip planning. This includes checking available hours, pick-up and delivery times, alternate routes, weather, fuel, and fuel stops, etc. Focus is usually placed on the beginning of the trip and arriving on time to all destinations.  

Truck parking is equally essential as the above considerations. This step should be included in the trip planning phase. A safe place to park will give truck drivers a clear picture of their goal for the day. It will also relieve the stress of frantically searching for a safe place when their daily hours are getting low.  

Have your drivers ever run out of hours while looking for parking?  

Admission to this question will prove you are aware of HOS violations. If your answer is ‘yes,’ be prepared to answer questions about what you are doing to prevent violations. Parking is a huge piece of the trip planning puzzle but is often overlooked.  

While managing their fleet, dispatchers should be aware of this issue and advise drivers to plan for parking ahead of time. With proper training, operations and truckers can work together to avoid these types of situations and reduce HOS violations.  

Do you drivers know what to do if the shipper/receiver rejects their request to park for a break?  

Truck drivers are sometimes turned away from the shipper/receiver and are left to find parking on their own. Jason Rivenburg mentioned above is a prime example.  

Michael Boeglin was on his way to pick up a load. He pulled over in a parking lot for the night because his pick-up was scheduled for the following day. In a suspected robbery, Michael was attacked. Five shots were fired, and then his tractor was set ablaze in an apparent attempt to destroy any evidence. 

“He was always willing to help out a friend, loved to farm, and was so excited about becoming a dad.” 

-Ashley Boeglin, Michael’s wife. They were expecting their first child.  

Detroit experienced a string of heinous crimes that involved a fatal shooting and arson. Michael Boeglin was the 4th victim in 30 days.  

Have you checked with your female and/or special interest truckers to make sure they feel safe? 

Hiring for diversity and inclusion is a common practice today. Some trucking companies institute special campaigns specifically focused on special interest groups such as females, veterans, LGBTQA+, and more. Have you checked with your female and special interest truckers to make sure they feel safe?  

Diversity and inclusion in hiring portray your company as culturally safe. In some cases, it is the determining factor for a trucker to choose your company when looking for a job.

Examine your company’s follow-through after hiring. In addition to diversity and inclusion in hiring, ensure your company culture reflects the same ideology.  

Do you allow your drivers to carry weapons in their trucks, and do your policies reflect that?  

You may not know whether your drivers carry a gun or other weapon in their truck because they keep it quiet. Consider your driver handbook. If you have policies that forbid self-defense weapons, make sure your drivers are aware and fully understand the policy.  

This is a great topic to discuss in orientation; however, it is worth re-training your drivers at least twice a year. You can use the Infinit-I platform to distribute policies on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis.

Drivers benefit from electronic access to these policies. Your company will benefit from retaining electronic policy acknowledgment signatures regularly. 

Do your Operations employees understand the gravity of safe and secure parking situations?  

Operation training on driver parking is just as necessary as driver training. Your operations team acts as your drivers’ advisors but, in most cases, lacks truck driving experience.

Your dispatchers, fleet managers, and weekend/graveyard teams must understand the importance of safe truckers parking. Their knowledge is another layer of protection for your freight and your company’s most precious assets, your drivers.  

In June of 2021, truck driver Alfred Hill, Jr. was killed on the shoulder of I-70. His truck broke down while driving, and he was forced to pull over. He was struck by a vehicle while placing reflective triangles on the road.  

His death was not the result of unavailable parking, but tragic nonetheless. Many drivers park their semis on the interstate when there are no other options and are too exhausted to continue.

Train your operations employees on the importance of safe and secure parking during trip planning. Use software, such as www.truckpark.com, to reserve safe truckers parking for your fleet before they start rolling.  

How long do you allow a driver/tractor to remain parked before checking in?  

To Learn More 

Watch the replay of our expert roundtable titled, “We Saved You A Spot – Turn truck parking from a headache into a win!” Of the 1.1 million truck drivers in America (and only 313,000 parking spaces), 75% say they experience difficulty finding safe truckers parking.

A staggering 90% say this happens at night.  

Truckers parking nightmares can be a simple solution that improves driver safety, wellbeing, morale and might improve truck driving retention.

CEO Anthony Petitte explains how Truck Park is the ultimate solution 75% of truck drivers are begging for. You will learn how dangerous it is to ignore your drivers’ parking challenges. Truck Park is a simple solution that improves driver safety, wellbeing, and morale and just might improve retention.

Infinit-I can help, too! We would love to give you a tour of our platform. Click here to schedule a demo with one of our experts.

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