Tag Archive for: trucking

Top 5 Dangerous US Highways – Check Before Your Next Trip!

Top 5 Dangerous US Highways

Top 5 Dangerous US Highways

There are hundreds of television shows, movies, and songs that boast the life of truck drivers. These forms of entertainment always portray the freedom of the open road and just how cool it is to be a trucker. Jerry Reed made it look pretty fun in Smokey and the Bandit. His big smile, hearty laugh, and his best pal Fred made life on the open road look easy. 

In 2007, America got an inside look at how dangerous truck driving is. Ice Road Truckers showed, for the first time, the grit and guts it takes to drive a big rig. The show follows truckers haul freight over frozen lakes where roads are unavailable. Viewers become entranced by the sound of popping ice and howling wind. You might even find yourself holding your breath as not to upset the ice on tv.  

These are both unique examples of the trucking experience; one glamourous and one treacherous. The average trucker has never helped a fugitive with a carload of beer travel across the country, avoiding the police. Nor have they attempted to drive across a sheet of ice that waves and pops, threatening to swallow them up with one wrong move.  

When your office is the interstate, and your coworkers are the general public, the job can be hazardous. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), truck driver fatalities increased 48% from 2009-2019.  

Top 5 Dangerous US Highways for Truckers 

Freight Waves recently released an infographic about the most dangerous highways for truck drivers, and the numbers are staggering. Between 2010 and 2016, there were 1,700 truck-related fatalities on just five highways in the U.S.: 

5 – Oklahoma – State Route 9 with 17 deaths per 100 miles.  

4 – Arizona – U.S. Highway 93 with 45 deaths per 100 miles.  

3 – Colorado – U.S. Highway 160 with 20 deaths per 100 miles.  

2 – Texas – Interstate 10 with 77 deaths per 100 miles. 

1 – California – Interstate 5 with 96 deaths per 100 miles.  

It is unclear if these highways have one major commonality that causes these accidents. Across these southern states, there are many variants to population, speed limit, weather, and altitude.  What do you think of the top 5 dangerous US highways for truckers and do you think we are missing any? 

Some may consider combining lengthy rural stretches that suddenly meet with big city traffic to be the main factor. Others view highway obsolescence to be a major cause. This is especially true through well-established cities. Over the years, highways have been re-routed, expanded, and manipulated to accommodate a growing population. Overcomplicated add-ons such as additional bridges, passes, and access roads can make these roads confusing. Navigating these built-up access points that weren’t planned initially can be difficult.  

These five highways are major freight corridors, meaning truck drivers must travel these roads often. Below, you’ll find some of the most common situations that can lead to devastating accidents.  

Top 5 Risky Situations for Truckers 

Complacency (Road Blindness) 

Road blindness is an interesting phenomenon in which a driver arrives safely but cannot recall the drive. You can easily forget to pay attention to your surroundings while driving, even for a short distance. Maybe a fantastic song comes on the radio, or you are deep in thought about something important. Or maybe you have driven a particular road hundreds of times. Your brain goes into a sort of auto-pilot, going through the motions but you are not actively present.   

The danger arrives when something out of the ordinary happens. Let’s say you are about 10 miles from your nighttime parking spot. There’s no other traffic on the road, so you begin making a mental list of things you need to do after you park.  

First, you’ll eat. Next, take a shower. Then head back to the truck, tidy up, watch a movie, and go to sleep. You’re deep in thought about how great it will feel to drift off to sleep when you’re driving through blown-out tire shreds on the highway. They didn’t just appear. But you were so entranced in thought; you didn’t even notice until it was too late. 

Traffic 

No one loves stop-and-go traffic, especially when you get paid by the mile. Traffic jams and congestion require every bit of a truck drivers’ attention. In addition to their rig, they must be aware of surrounding drivers.  

Truckers have the upper hand in a traffic jam. The height of the cab allows them to see further and with more clarity than passenger cars. But they also have to pay attention to the cars behind them, making sure to give timely visual cues to following vehicles.  

Always check the side view for lane changers and drivers cutting in front of others. The longer a traffic jam lasts, the more agitated other drivers become. A commuter driver who tries to “beat the traffic” at a standstill has little regard for the safety of others.  

Construction 

Construction zones are a nightmare for most drivers, especially truckers. It is challenging to navigate a 53-foot trailer through narrow lanes, flashing lights, bottlenecks, and stop-and-go traffic. Add to that the presence of construction workers performing tasks 10 feet from your rig as you drive. Then throw in a few rubberneck drivers, zippy lane changers, and texting drivers, and you have a recipe for disaster.  

“Confusion, frustration, merging/distracted four-wheelers, speed limit changes, narrow lanes, and hundreds of attorneys are hoping you make a mistake. Work zones are dangerous; it’s that simple.” 

Mark Rhea, Industry Expert and former president of Lisa Motor Lines  

In 2019, work zone crashes accounted for 842 fatalities. Of those deaths, 34% were truck drivers. The most common causes of work zone crashes are improper following distance, distraction, failure to “lean and look,” speeding, and ignoring blind spots.  

In April, we hosted Maria Robertson of ATSSA and Dan O’Brien of Fundamental Underwriters to discuss the danger of construction areas. For more information about National Work zone Awareness Week, check out our webinar here.  

Fatigue 

Drowsy driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving when comparing how each affects the driver. Driving while fatigued can lessen your ability to pay attention, slow down reactions, and make it hard to make quick decisions.  

According to the CDC, commercial drivers are more likely to drive tired. The number one thing a truck driver can do to prevent fatigue is planned every day. Find a parking spot as part of your trip plan. You can use services like truckpark.com to reserve safe and secure parking spots. 

Most people know when and where they will fall asleep for the night. They can make adjustments in their schedule to allow for more rest if necessary. Truckers do not have that luxury. Read more about truck parking nightmares here.   

Impairment/Distraction 

Every drunk driver holds a higher potential to cause accidents, injuries, and death. Driving an 80,000 semi-truck while intoxicated, however, is far worse. Drunk truck drivers disregard company policies, the law, their safety, and the general public’s wellbeing. Operating a tractor-trailer without a sober mind can lead to mayhem and destruction due to the tractor-trailer’s size, weight, and velocity.  

A big truck accident involving a drunk trucker is fodder for billboard attorneys. Trucking accidents influenced by alcohol or drugs are almost a guaranteed win for prosecutors. Minimizing the impact of impaired accidents begins with the hiring process. Most drunk drivers who were killed in an accident are repeat offenders. According to NHSTA, drivers involved in fatal accidents are four times more likely to have already been convicted of drinking and driving.  

Top 5 Things That Keep Truckers Safe 

Infinit-I is one of the trucking industry’s most powerful tools to prepare truck drivers for the dangers of highway travel. If your goal is empowering your fleet to become the safest and most efficient fleet, Infinit-I has all the tools to make it happen. We offer industry-specific training to prepare your drivers specifically for the safe operation, including:  

Route Management: This video goes over scenarios drivers find themselves in when delivering a load. It discusses proper pre-trip planning, determining the best highways, jotting down notes to refer to while driving, and GPS mistakes. It also discusses taking breaks, rush-hour traffic, fuel stops, route management issues, and communication with the dispatcher and the customer. 

Distracted Driving Awareness – Hands-Free Device Allowed – Mobile phone usage in CMVs is a hot topic for drivers and carriers because of the dangers they create. It’s essential for drivers to know their company’s policy on this topic and follow the rules carefully. In this video, learn the laws, what is considered distracted driving, the definition of mobile phone usage, associated risks, how to comply with the rules, and proper utilization of hands-free devices while operating a CMV. 

Intersections: Expect the Unexpected – Intersections are dangerous places. Drivers pass through many intersections each day and may not be as alert as they should be. As professionals, drivers are responsible for their safety and the safety of others on the road. This video reviews how to safely negotiate intersections. 

7 Deadly Errors Cars Make Around Large Vehicles – One fundamental way to improve your skills as a defensive driver is to anticipate the mistakes other drivers will make around you. This video discusses the seven deadly errors small vehicles make around commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) and gives defensive driving tips for CMV drivers. 

Under Construction: Trucking In Work Zones  

  1. When driving through work zones, drivers should remember that special caution is needed to avoid preventable accidents. This video discusses how road conditions, time of day, and lighting contribute to unique problems that can cause accidents in work zones. 
  2. As drivers pass through potentially hazardous work zones, it is crucial they use caution to avoid preventable accidents. This video discusses the importance of maintaining proper speed, avoiding convoying, and expecting the unexpected. 

Download the Infinit-I Workforce Solutions Training Catalog here to see our 850+ video library.

Infinit-I hopes that you learned something from our Top 5 Dangerous US Highways article and please feel free to read more about the top concerns in 2021 which is Truckers Parking Nightmare article.

Please check your trucking route and plan accordingly when you venture onto the Top 5 Dangerous US Highways on your next trip.

/0 Comments/by

55 Things We Learned from an Expert Insurance Underwriter

55 Things We Learned from an Expert Insurance Underwriter

Insurance premiums and renewal rates continue to be one of the biggest expenses incurred by trucking companies. Rates have increased exponentially in recent years due to accident frequency, truck driver shortage, and the ever-present threat of nuclear verdicts. But, we are here to help. We set out to learn about the underwriting process including:

  • – Assessing a Trucking Company
  • – Premium Increases
  • – Technology Factors
  • – COVID-19 Impact
  • – Safety Culture Influence

Download your free eBook from Infinit-I: Avoiding Nuclear Verdicts

[gravityform id=”92″ title=”false” description=”false”]
We interviewed Tony Hoff of Napa River Insurance about the underwriting process for trucking company insurance assessments. He gave the most interesting and data-packed presentation I have ever seen! I could barely keep up with all the notes.

Infinit-I Workforce Solutions presents: 

55 Things We Learned from an Expert Commercial Auto Insurance Underwriter.

Underwriting Process

  1. Fleet managers and front-line operations are the ones who must maintain the safety culture with the drivers. If they are not ‘singing the safety tune,’ no one is.
  2. Operations MUST believe in safety culture and live it every day. It is a continuation of the top-down culture that insurance underwriters take into consideration.
  3. Underwriters will not convince you that safety culture is important. You should already be living it.

“Safety is doing the right thing for a long time.” – Tony Hoff, Napa Valley Insurance

Industry-Wide Premium Increases

  1. 15-20% Increase in premiums across the industry without a horrendous loss. If you have incurred large losses, you can expect more.
  2. Underwriters consider 5 years of data history.
  3. Excess limits are more costly and difficult to fill. They are not priced to have a loss every single year.
  4. Results in commercial insurance carriers leaving the market because they can no longer afford to write commercial auto coverage.
  5. Capacity is on a steady decrease as insurance carriers leave the market. When you lose money from a loss standpoint, you don’t want to underwrite anymore.

COVID-19 Effects on Insurance

  1. In the beginning, COVID-19 slowed everything down in the commercial auto insurance market.
  2. Initial reduction in claims due to:
    • Less congestion on roads
    • Increased productivity
    • Fewer losses
    • Decreased accident frequency
  3. The trucking industry rebound has led to more claims due to the resurgence of traffic, congestion, and sudden backups.
  4. Speeding is OUT OF CONTROL!!! Unsafe Basic scores are rising across the board.
  5. “Accident rates are increasing at an unprecedented level. We need to slow these drivers down.”

Premium Increase Factors

  1. Everything is more expensive. (Claims frequency and amount, medical coverage, defense attorney fees.)
  2. Insurance companies are seeing losses where their vehicle never touched the insured truck but are still paying out.
  3. Plaintiffs are getting better at what they are doing. Ten years ago, they did not even know what a CSA score was. Not they could teach you about CSA.
  4. There is a lot of uncertainty in trying cases. Settling may be cheaper than going to court (fees/attorneys) even if you were clearly not liable.
  5. Loss development – the longer the claim is pending, the more it costs.

“A 300% increase in 6 years is dramatic. It is unsustainable. Something has to give. Who is it going to be?”

What You Can Control

  1. Know the process – know what steps of underwriting consist of.
  2. Underwriters who have time to thoroughly vet the submission feel more comfortable writing.
  3. Strongly suggest you shop early. Get ready at least 3 months before renewal. Have your documents ready.
  4. If you are going to shop with more than one broker/carrier, have a standard submission-ready.
  5. Know where you stand. Is my expectation to get a decrease? Or do I want to manage my increase?
  6. (Loss Ratio + Incurred Total Loss) / Your Premium. If you are over 65%, your insurance carrier is losing money.

Safety Culture

  1. Online continual training is key in proving your commitment to safety.
  2. Look at your drivers’ attitude. Do they accept responsibility? Are they willing to learn?
  3. It is absolutely crucial to have a remedial training program. Find drivers’ weaknesses and coach them.
  4. Insurers look at loss development, are you trending in the right direction. If you have a stellar loss history, a new loss may not significantly affect your premiums.
  5. Find the carrier that you enjoy doing business with and then figure out the pricing.
  6. Put some faith behind your trusted safety program. Invest in yourself.
  7. Let Underwriters know what makes you “Best in Class.”
  8. Be prepared for renewal, provide a packet with the following documents:
    • Financial documents and review
    • Loss History
    • Insurance History
    • Profile of Operations
    • CSA Roadside Results
    • Reportable Accidents not on Loss Run
    • Onsite Loss Control Survey

Be a Real Partner

  1. Solidify a business relationship with your Insurance Partner.
  2. You can get a quote from anywhere, be engaged.

Technology

  1. Track everything. You can’t know where you are trending unless you can track it:
  2. Turnover, Retention, Ops Performance, CSA Scores, Driver Safety Performance, Loss Trends, Accident Costs, Recordable Accident Rates, Total Accident Rates, Insurance Costs
  3. Benchmark yourself and maintain accountability.
  4. Find out what metrics are causing your losses and attack those.
  5. Use front end data to make back end decisions.

“Safety Professionals who make future decisions based on past results and analysis are the most effective. BE PROACTIVE.”

  1. “Every lawsuit involves being able to produce documents quickly. “Have you trained your drivers? Can you provide the documentation that you’ve trained your drivers?” Camera/online training combination can take a nuclear verdict and knock it out of the courtroom.” – Mark Rhea
  1. The greatest myth in trucking is that safety is too expensive. The advanced technologies that are now in place are a game changer in the industry. Technology is embraced by insurance companies because it gives us a claims “edge” that we otherwise would not have.
  1. Onboard cameras and collision mitigation are proven to influence courtroom decisions. BUT it only makes sense if you are willing to act on the data. You will need to have policies in place before you utilize these technologies.

Addition Tips from the Underwriter

  1. We will look at how many times you have switched insurance carriers in the past.
  2. If you have favorable loss history that extends beyond 5 years, and then have a bad year, it will come up at renewal. You need a relationship history with your insurer.
  3. Be 100% honest about what kind of carrier you are and what makes you the best.
  4. Bring to renewal: What do we do best? What do we need to do better?
  5. Have Best Practices in place, not the easy out. (PSP, Long-form physicals, etc.)
  6. Invest money in the onboarding process. Invest in your training.
  7. 10% of drivers cause 90% of your problems. Get them in and coach them before we lose them.
  8. Reporting the issue is huge! We track day loss happened vs. when it was reported to us.
  9. 3 things that will result in plaintiff verdict:
    • Leaving the scene of an accident.
    • Failure to report an accident.
    • Positive drug test after accident.

Insurance Take-Aways

  1. 2021 will continue to be a very challenging year from an insurance standpoint.
  2. Losses are up and so is speed. Slow your drivers down.
  3. We are living in different times and we need to adjust.
  4. What makes you an exceptional risk? Can we fix those areas that are not exceptional?

“Safety Culture = Commitment. If everyone in your organization stays committed, you WILL succeed.”

Get Your Insurance Questions Answered!

MCIEF Founder Tommy Ruke is Ready to Answer Your Most Pressing Insurance Questions. 
Learn Real Solutions to Your Insurance Problems. 

Infinit-I Workforce Solutions has partnered with the Motor Carrier Insurance Education Foundation (MCIEF.org) to help you get your insurance questions answered. Infinit-I and MCIEF have joined together to provide access to “Ask Tommy”.

This is a service provided to MCIEF members, but it is being opened up to Infinit-I visitors to give you the opportunity to ask your most pressing insurance questions. To submit your questions, click here.
/0 Comments/by

Its Brake Safety Week and We Can’t Stop… talking about brakes!

Brake Safety Week

Fast Forward Webinar Series – Infinit-I Workforce Solutions hosts a bi-weekly webinar series focused on delivering leadership skills to trucking companies in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Each webisode offers expert advice from industry leaders. Special guests include:

Hit The Brakes! Webinar – August 20, 2020

This week’s webinar was dedicated to Brake Safety Week and we can’t stop… talking about brakes! CVSA utilizes this week to detect maintenance issues regarding brake systems in commercial vehicles and educate drivers on proper requirements. During inspections, enforcement officers will take a close look at the braking system of every tractor-trailer they inspect to ensure highway safety.

Any vehicles found in violation of operational regulations will be placed out of service until the violation is corrected. Last year, 13% of CMVs inspected were found to have some type of regulation severe enough to warrant the vehicle nonoperational. This could mean a portion of your fleet could face a shutdown if the braking systems are not up to standard.

CVSA provides these education videos to help trucking companies prepare for Brake Safety Week. Please contact CVSA or Infinit-I Workforce Solution if you would like further information. Click here for information videos: CVSA Brake Safety Week “Inspection Bitz”

Inspection Bitz include:

  • External Brake Stroke Indicator – The US and Canada require pushrod stroke indicators. Make sure your indicators meet the regulation requirements.
  • Air Leak – Is your audible air leak a violation, OOS condition, or just a minor inconvenience? Learn how to detect, identify, and document audible air leaks before you’re placed out of service.
  • Caged Brake NAIC – Only to be applied after an air brake failure should not be used for normal operation. Arizona DPS explains operational requirements.
  • Plastic Hoses – Air tube chafing out of service identification.
  • Brake Adjusters – Identify whether your trailer has manual slack adjusters and whether they are in compliance.

Upcoming Webinars

Check out the schedule of upcoming webinars. Each participant will receive helpful tricks and best practices to not only survive but thrive throughout the rest of the pandemic and beyond. The schedule is listed below. Registration is always free.

September 10, 10:30 am CST

American Trucking Association – Industry Updates and International Road Check

September 17, 10:30 am CST

FMCSA Hours of Service – industry changes

October 1, 10:30 am CST

Dealing with Fog and Adverse Weather Conditions

October 15, 10:30 am CST

Intersection Awareness – Intersection Hazards for Drivers

October 29, 10:30 am CST

Reduce Critical Events that trigger reporting

Free Expert Safety Consultation

Future Infinit-I Workforce Solutions Clients: Click here for an expert safety consultation. In just 30 minutes, we can show you how to enhance your safety culture and create safer drivers.

More Articles

Spotted Lanternfly: Operating Without a Permit Could Cost You $20,000

What Your Drivers Need to Know About CVSA’s Upcoming Brake Safety Week

Nuclear Verdicts Entice Fraudsters in New Trucking Exploitation Scheme

Top 5 Surprising Ways Lawyers Attack Trucking Companies – Know Your Risk

/0 Comments/by

How to Sue a Trucking Company and Win Big – The Impact of Rising Nuclear Verdicts

The American Transportation Research Institute, verdict awards between 2010 to 2018  rose 51.7% annually. This number is astronomical when compared to standard inflation which grew 1.7% during the same time period. The highest awarded verdict in this time period was $91 million. Albeit an outlier, its existence proves the possibility for your company.

 

We searched the phrase, “How to Sue a Trucking Company.” Google returned almost 3 million results in less than half a second. Accident victims have virtually unlimited access to resources that explain a step-by-step guide to penalizing your company.

Legal websites lend advice stating employers are accountable for truck accidents, not the actual driver.

How could an attorney advise that the truck driver is not responsible? Even when the truck driver was at fault. Even if the driver, the one with his hands on the wheel, was drinking and driving. How is that driver not responsible?

The answer is simple: There’s not enough money in pursuing legal action toward an individual truck driver.

It is the employer who holds the checkbook.  Changes in the litigation procedure allow nuclear verdicts to become commonplace.

Thousands of attorneys employ this practice often. Accidents happen. Unfortunately, there’s nothing a trucking company can do to completely avoid litigation. The best thing you can do is prepare.

“…Truck companies will knowingly continue unsafe practices unless they know they will be held responsible with large verdicts when they are at fault.”

–Michael Leizerman, Co-Founder of Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys

During discovery, prosecutors will attempt to discredit your company in any way possible. Attorneys will look for any of the following weaknesses:

  • – Negligence in hiring procedure
  • – Failure to maintain equipment
  • – Driver was not properly trained

Any of these scenarios are not difficult to prove and could cement the jury’s decision. Of course, the company would be at fault if the driver wasn’t properly vetted or was presented with defective equipment.

How to Prepare

You don’t have to wait until you are faced with litigation to prepare your defense strategy. For every effort you make in training your drivers and changing behaviors, you are a step closer to avoiding litigation altogether. A highly trained and skilled workforce is much more likely to avoid preventable accidents.

If you do end up needing a defense attorney after an accident, the first thing they will request is documented proof of your proactivity. They may ask questions like:

  • – How often do your drivers participate in training classes?
  • – Have you trained your fleet on specific matters?
  • – Do you drivers know what to do in the event of an accident?
  • – Have you provided all the reasonable accommodations?
  • – Can you prove your company has done everything to establish a solid safety culture?

Your frequency, consistency, and focus on safety training will prove your commitment to safety. Enhance your safety culture now and positively change driver behaviors before you are faced with legal trouble. Not only will you proactively protect your company from nuclear verdicts, you will be protecting your drivers from injury or death.

The consequences of an accident can be dire for your drivers and for your company. Infinit-I Workforce Solutions offers a learning management system specifically designed to mitigate your risk regarding driver behavior.

We Want To Earn Your Business

We would like to offer you a sneak peek at what our system can do. The only thing it will cost is 30 minutes of your time. Our experts will demonstrate how easy it is to

protect your company, your drivers, and everyone else on the road.

We want the opportunity to prove our value to you. For 30 minutes of your time, we will repay you with complimentary 30-day access to our system. Immediately begin protecting your company from billboard attorneys who specialize in suing trucking companies.

Click here for your free demo!

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:

WEBINAR – Thursday, July 30, 2020 10:30 am – Trial Lawyer Peyton Inge joins trucking consultant Mark Rhea to discuss the prevalence of nuclear verdicts and how to avoid such situations. 

One crash, with the right attorney, can put your company up in smoke. Your preparation to avoid nuclear verdicts is key. Be proactive now or risk turning the lights off, for good.  

Click here for free sign up 

 

Additional Resources:

Chuck Norris Says “Thank You, Truckers!” In This Touching Video

Go Green: How Online Training Saves You Time, Money, and Resources

Increase Fuel Efficiency and Lower Maintenance Costs – Legislation Passed to Improve U.S. Highways

/0 Comments/by

Chuck Norris Says “Thank You, Truckers!” In This Touching Video

Chuck Norris

Kudos to Truckers! Thank you for keeping America going through the pandemic

The coronavirus has challenged sectors across America, but one sector has proven the lifeblood of the American economy and kept it going: American truckers. They have risked their own personal safety, and they have done a lot of hard work; keeping the U.S. economy rolling while putting products in motion to businesses across the nation. Without them, we’d be in for a lot of hurt.

Action Star Chuck Norris Thanks Truckers

Chuck Norris, an action star famous for his role in Walker Texas Ranger, recognizes the role that American truckers have played in keeping America supplied throughout the extended crisis. Norris teamed up with GP Transco, an American trucking carrier out of Illinois, to send a message of gratitude to those who have served on the frontlines of this crisis.

Norris even acted a role in the 1977 classic “Breaker! Breaker!” Chuck Norris continued in saying that without American truck drivers, we wouldn’t have medical supplies, food on the store shelves, or many of the other things that we require. Norris’s grateful message sends goosebumps up your arm.

 

Social Media: Thank a Trucker

Truckers have had such importance that social media has turned the gratitude spotlight toward them with the hashtag #ThankATrucker. These people have been the real heroes in the COVID-19 crisis among others, but we shouldn’t forget how they have helped us to stave off further disasters that could have caused greater harm.

Without truckers, we’d have empty shelves across the nation, and there would be people who would starve. It’d make our situation far more dire. We have seen people from diverse backgrounds on Twitter thanking truckers for their service. Team Penske, for example, was one example of a professional motorsports organization that was thanking truckers, and you had others as well like eCapital Corporation, Blackburn Energy, and even President Donald Trump has reminded America to thank truckers for keeping the United States moving.

Tough Job That Deserves a Thanks

TOUGH JOB THAT DESERVES A THANKSTruckers do a tough job, and many times, they don’t even receive recognition for it. They stay on the road sometimes for weeks or even months at a time away from family. Truckers work for up to 11 hours per day, day in and day out. This takes its toll, and we have to recognize the sacrifice that truckers make every day helping to keep the American economy in blossom. We have to salute those on the frontlines because, without them, our way of life would change greatly.

Many times, you see these harsh stereotypes about truckers that make people even look down on them, but if it wasn’t for truckers, we would have no food on our shelves or medical supplies in our hospitals right now.

Essential at All Times

One of the things that we should keep in mind is that truckers matter at all times. The work that they do matters, not just during a crisis. Without them, the American economy would grind to a screeching halt. An important thing that we have done has been to promote unity across the nation. We don’t want divisions at a time like this. You have many people who put their lives on the line with this pandemic, and they have done it selflessly to help other people.

We should also take the time to honor the other essential workers even above and beyond the truckers like:

  • Police officers
  • Grocery store workers
  • Hospital workers
  • Farmers
  • Home health aides

Everyone who has worked during the pandemic as an essential worker deserves recognition for their hard work and serving the nation in a time where it is vulnerable. As the coronavirus cases within the United States hit 4.11 million people, we have seen an increased risk that people will get exposed to it. Without taking the right precautions, this will harm our nation.

Who All Has Said Thanks to Truckers?

You have a few different businesses that have given their thanks to the truckers on our American highways. Some of the other businesses that have noticed what truckers do for America include:

  • Peterbilt Motor Co.
  • Pilot Flying J
  • TravelCenters of America
  • FMCSA
  • Bestpass

Essential to the Economy and Our Lives

What semi-trucks do for America is keep the economy rolling, but they also protect our lives because society couldn’t operate this essential job. We need people who can deliver the goods to businesses across the United States. You have short-haul truckers who might spend one night out on the road per week at a minimum, but you have other truckers who are known to spend months at a time out on American highways.

Running in and out of COVID-19 Hotspots

Truckers go everywhere. You’d be hard-pressed to identify a single place in the United States where truckers haven’t been. In fact, some have even gone into Canada and Mexico. The job takes you all over the nation, but during a pandemic, this means running in places where you might have a high number of COVID-19 cases. That increases the risk that you will catch COVID-19 while on the job, and these American heroes do it selflessly and without complaining.

National Truck Driver Appreciation Week

From September 13th to September 19th, we celebrate National Truck Driver Appreciation Week in honor of the truck drivers who continue to operate on the road today. An estimated 3.5 million truck drivers on the road help to supply this demand, and not only do they deliver goods, they usually do it securely and on time. Americans in all 50 states have recognized the importance of truckers, and we have seen a number of things done for truckers. For example, you have kids passing out meals to truckers, and at other times, you have people holding signs that say, “I heart truckers.”

We love our trucker

How can we observe this week in honor of truckers? To show our appreciation, you might send a simple thank you note to a trucker. You’d be surprised what a simple thank you means to them. National Truck Driver Appreciation Week first began in 1998, and they have continued it ever since.

Awareness of Resources

During this time of difficulty, we should understand where to get the necessary resources as truckers. Groups like the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association posts on social media about the different places that you can go to get takeout, showers, and laundry facilities. We want to go the extra mile to make things as easy for truckers as we possibly can during this time. We would not be able to survive the current crisis without the esteemed help of our brothers and sisters on the highway.

Some truckers have decided not to even come home because of how they fear that, with their job, they might bring something home to the family. That shows selflessness and commitment. A lot of truck drivers aren’t accustomed to receiving acts of kindness, so it can be unusual when they experience it from someone. Small gestures of kindness to our trucking brethren can go a long way to boosting their morale and making the long and lonely drive a little more comfortable than what it would have been otherwise. If you know a trucker in your life, please give them a thank you.

 

Thank you

Check out this great post dedicated to all the truck drivers that need some love so lets thank a trucker today

/0 Comments/by

How Online Training Saves You Time, Money, and Resources

Save Time

The most precious commodity. Online training offers numerous ways to increase your efficiency; the most effective being through online orientation.

Traditional in-person orientation for a trucker is about 3 days on average. Every day that one of your drivers is sitting in a classroom and not on the road is potentially 500 miles per new hire. That’s money lost for your bottom line.

You might be thinking, “It’s not always about mileage, safety is a big part of orientation.”

Absolutely, we couldn’t agree more. Since the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic, the entire business structure has shifted. Companies are now realizing the need for remote capabilities.

Our learning management system allows your new hires to start orientation as soon as the job offer is accepted. Instead of dozing off during orientation presentations, your drivers can

participate in online orientation from the comfort of their homes.

If you eliminate just 2 days of in-person orientation, you are looking at an additional 1,000 miles per new driver! Increased your efficiency, capacity, and revenue instantly.

Bonus: Since your drivers can work at their own pace while online, they get to spend more time with their family. This means, when your drivers do show up for their truck assignment, they aren’t worn out by several days of repetitive workshops or classes. They are fresh; ready to hit the road and make some money.

“Infinit-I is the pioneer and the leader for online truck driver training. For instance, we were able to cut our new driver orientation from two days into 2.5 hours with Infinit-I.”

-Bobur Hasan, HR and Recruiting

Save Money

The industry average cost of onboarding a new truck driver is around $10,000 each. How many new drivers do you take on each year? Most trucking companies have a turnover between 85-105%.

If you run a fleet of 100 drivers, your onboarding cost for one year could be up to $1 million dollars. That’s cost to hire, before rolling. How many miles would your new driver have to run before your company breaks even? And since the majority of turnover happens in the first 90 days of employment, how many of your drivers stay on that long?

Our safety program has proven to decrease our client turnover by up to 53%. That means is possible for Infinit-I Workforce Solutions to take you from 100% turnover to just 47%. A reduction in turnover like that would save you over half a million dollars per year in onboarding costs. Incredible!

Let’s say, however, that the Infinit-I Workforce Solutions platform reduces your turnover by a modest (very modest) 5%. Here is a simple formula to show your annual savings:

With a fleet of 100 trucks, a 5% reduction in turnover would save your company $50,000 annually.

 

Save Resources – Drivers, Equipment, Fuel

Our #1 goal is to support you in your effort to create safer drivers. Hopefully, you aren’t willing to put a price on a driver’s life. If our frequent and consistent safety training saves even one life, driver or civilian, our platform proves invaluable to your company.

We can, however, put a price on accidents. The average cost of an accidents/incidents in the trucking industry is around $5,000. Our learning management system has shown some clients up to an 18% reduction in accidents.

“The Infinit-I platform has streamlined our orientation process…resulting in lower CSA scores, reduced worker’s compensation claims, and decreased vehicle incidents and accidents.”

-Shepard Dunn, President & CEO

What could a just a 5% reduction in accidents return to your bottom line? If we figure one accident/incident per week for an entire year, your potential savings could be around $13,000 annually. Plug in your numbers below to figure how much your company could be saving.

Remote training can save you resources in so many other ways too. In-person training sessions, no matter how frequent, will always increase wear & tear on your equipment and unnecessary fuel consumption.

Not to mention the loss of revenue while your drivers are traveling to and from the terminal, not making money for your company. These are opportunity costs that aren’t typically considered when planning for safety training sessions.

And since social distancing is here to stay, in-person training presents even more challenges:

  • – What are your legal responsibilities to your employees?
  • – Can you accommodate a 6-foot distance between attendees?
  • – Will you require your drivers to wear masks?
  • – Will you provide masks?
  • – What types of masks are acceptable?

Too good to be true? Nope!

See for yourself with a complimentary, one-on-one, 30-minute demonstration with our experts. In just half an hour, you’ll experience the power of the Infinit-I Workforce Solutions platform.

Our learning management system will not only create safer drivers, but will save you time, money, and resources. We can prove it.

Click here to enhance your safety culture in just 30 minutes.

 

Want to know more…

More New Content Coming Soon! Check out these new additions to our library.

Out-perform, Out-shine, and Out-grow your Current Safety Culture

Why A Positive Dispatcher & Driver Relationship is Key

Why You Should Be Focused on Your Employee’s Cultural Relationships Now More Than Ever

/0 Comments/by

Legislation Passed to Improve U.S. Highways

The Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956

The Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956, signed into law by Dwight D Eisenhower, allowed $25 billion to construct a roadway system to efficiently connect the states. The bill is also known as the National Interstate and Defense Highways Act; its purpose to allow access for military defense during war.

While most drivers are aware and appreciative of this action, most do not know it was inspired by Eisenhower’s personal experiences in the Army. Lieutenant Eisenhower was a participant in the Transcontinental Motor Convoy in 1919, long before his presidency or the interstate system we know today.  The convoy left Gettysburg, Pennsylvania via the Lincoln Highway and headed to San Francisco.

They experienced numerous infrastructural challenges along the way. The convoy damaged bridges, became stuck off-road, and damaged equipment as a result of roadway conditions. The trip across the country took two months.

Because of this experience, Eisenhower was an advocate of constructing an interstate highway system to support national defense. In times of conflict, the US Army will be able to efficiently move troops and supplies across the country in just a few days, rather than months.

While truck drivers, along with the American public, still reap the benefits of this interstate system, it is aging and in need of major reconstruction.

2021 Budget Appropriations for the Department of Transportation

 

On July 14, 2020, the House Appropriations Committee voted on a $158 billion legislation to support the Department of Transportation, among others. The bill, passed in a vote of 30 to 22, will focus in part on the country’s aging transportation system.

 

“The departments and programs funded by the THUD bill are integral to our way of life – housing and transportation connect us to jobs, services, and education.”

-Chairman David Price, House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies.

The Secretary of Transportation received $1 billion for highway infrastructure program. From the full committee print, the allocation requests are listed below.

In the coming years, we are likely to see major reconstruction of interstates across the country. With improved highways, trucking companies will experience increased fuel efficiency and lower mechanical maintenance costs.

For You

As long as we have highways, however, we will always have construction. You do not have to wait until this project is complete to benefit from increased fuel efficiency and lower maintenance costs. Infinit-I Workforce Solutions can help you get a jumpstart on those issues and improve your bottom line now.

Over the course of two years after implementing our system, American Central Transport experienced a fleetwide increase of almost 1 MPG. The Director of Safety states it was because of continual training and counseling through the Infinit-I Workforce Solutions platform.

You can do it too. We will show you how. We are offering free demonstrations of our system to anyone interested in enhancing driver performance. Give us 30 minutes to demo. If you like the program, and you will, we will give you 30 days to utilize the system absolutely free.

Further Reading

8% of Truck Drivers Could Lose Their Job if their Employers Do This To Save Money

More New Content Coming Soon! Check out these new additions to our library.

Out-perform, Out-shine, and Out-grow your Current Safety Culture

Why A Positive Dispatcher & Driver Relationship is Key

/0 Comments/by

Out-perform, Out-shine, and Out-grow your Current Safety Culture

Infinit-I Award-Winning Training Platform

Through the first half of 2020, the trucking industry has made major adjustments to a “new normal.” Our procedures have evolved to maintain efficiency in a wounded economic environment. And yet, we survived.

Resistance to change is common, as amendments to the status quo can be challenging. Stepping outside our comfort zone, however, is an opportunity for personal and professional growth. We were motivated, because of the pandemic, to protect our greatest assets.

You, as a client, are our most valuable asset.

For us, it really wasn’t much of a stretch. We pride ourselves on our unrelenting customer service. The pandemic has allowed us to prove it to a broader audience who, amid the crises, sought affirmation.

For the past six months, our clients continued their success through our training and communication software. To achieve our goal, we stuck by one rule: keep it simple.

Because they have always been top-notch, our Client Success Team was instructed to maintain business as usual. We strive to transcend your expectations, provide superior communication, and employ a problem solver mentality. We provide these through our stellar Client Success Representatives.

Transcend Expectations

We specialize in training. It’s no surprise our Client Success Reps are thoroughly prepared to handle sticky situations. Their abilities will consistently transcend your expectations.

Our Client Success Reps are here to see you out-perform, out-shine, and out-grow your current safety culture.

Out-perform, Out-shine, and Out-grow your Current Safety Culture.

Superior Communication

A key indicator of employee satisfaction is communication. Ask any truck driver, office employee, or shop worker, etc. They will agree.

Infinit-I Workforce Solutions has reformulated the traditional customer service model. Instead of waiting for you to call us with problems, we proactively seek out potential issues in a bi-monthly check-in.

No need to dial a call center, select your prompts, and wait for the next available representative. Our Success Team reaches out to you, saving you time while simultaneously driving you to success.

Problem Solvers’ Mentality

Infinit-I Workforce Solutions not only created the Five Leadership Principles, we employ them. During your chat, let them know which areas of your company you would like to improve. We will show you what it means to “Propel the Psychology of a Problem Solver.”

Our Client Success Reps are well versed in the content of our resource library. They will happily recommend and assign training courses to your employees.

While other companies are scaling back their client support, we are expanding. Where they are cutting availability, we’re building ours. Where they have you on hold for 30 or 60 minutes, we respond as quickly as always.

In addition to your own dedicated CSR, you can now take advantage of our learning management system for free. Get to know us during your 30-Day Complimentary Trial, our gift to an industry under stress.

Our success model is proactive. It is effective. And most importantly, it is personal. We call them Client Success Reps for a reason. You will win! Let us prove it to you.

/0 Comments/by

Why A Positive Dispatcher & Driver Relationship is Key

WHY A POSITIVE DISPATCHER & DRIVER RELATIONSHIP IS KEY

Dispatcher & Driver Relationship

Dispatching truck drivers is a challenging yet rewarding career path. The relationship between the two can be maintained in a healthy way through constant coaching and communication.

Dispatchers must be trained to manage any situation a driver might face over the road. They must be competent enough to walk the driver through sticky situations according to company policy. Not add to the stress of an already intense situation.

A dispatcher is the trucker’s first line of communication when encountering difficult situations. They are the first phone call when a trucker realizes their load might be late, or their trailer is overweight.

But these are minor inconveniences that happen daily, with relatively simple solutions. When a driver becomes injured, however, the dispatcher must be equipped to oversee the crisis.

Proactive vs. Reactive

In the simplest terms, being reactive means responding to situations that have already happened. Being proactive means having a plan in place before a situation occurs.

When a driver realizes their load might be late, there are certain stresses that exist when reporting to the dispatcher. They might be afraid they will get written up or lose their bonus.

While a written warning from a dispatcher is anxiety-inducing, it is nothing compared to the stress that can be caused by injury. Truck drivers are at high risk for some nasty injuries. From broken bones to lost limbs, even death, each is a potential risk of the job.

When a driver calls in to report an accident, the dispatcher must be trained to keep calm. They must also readily recall company policy in order to properly report the incident.

To achieve this, training should occur for dispatchers. Not only on the proper procedures, but also how to effectively communicate with a truck driver after a traumatic incident has occurred.

 

Driver Risks

Work-related injuries can happen anytime, anywhere. For truck drivers, the consequences of a work-related injury could be life or death.

As with any physically demanding job, truckers encounter many risks:

  • – Entering and Exiting the Tractor Trailer
  • – Slinging Chains or Tarps
  • – Loading and Unloading freight
  • – Adjusting Heavy Equipment (sliding tandems)
  • – Back Injury from Extended Driving
  • – Heat-Related Injuries
  • – Hazardous Material Exposure
  • – Accidents and Incidents

Each of these poses a threat to the driver’s health, up to serious injury or death. They could also be put on medical hold if deemed not qualified to operate a commercial vehicle, which can lead to financial struggles for the company and/or the driver.

In addition to truck driver training, dispatchers should be trained on the proper procedures before an event occurs. Knowledge that is frequently and consistently trained will be readily available during a time of crisis.

The Dispatcher & Driver Relationship Program

A healthy relationship is a fundamental motivator for hard work.

Encouraging a positive company culture is essential to achieving top performance. Your dispatchers and drivers are the heart and soul of your company. The health of their relationship is a key indicator of employee morale. A healthy relationship is a fundamental motivator for hard work.

The Dan Baker Cultural Relationship Program offered by Infinit-I Workforce Solutions teaches dispatchers the importance of communication and cooperation with their drivers.

In addition to Dispatcher Driver Relationship training, The Dan Baker Cultural Relationship Program focuses on:

  • – Employee Development
  • – Improve Communications
  • – Encourage Cooperation
  • – Foster Professionalism

The entire Dan Baker Cultural Relationship Program is available on the Infinit-I Workforce Solutions platform.

 

 

Additional Resources:

5 Intangible Must-Haves that Truckers Crave in the Job Market

Why You Should Be Focused on Your Employee’s Cultural Relationships Now More Than Ever

Why your Safety Culture will Die without Buy-In. And how to get it.

 

 

/0 Comments/by

5 Intangible Must Haves that Truckers Crave in the Job Market

5 Intangible Must Haves that Truckers Crave in the Job Market

Wow! Dan Baker, what an insightful thinker!

We can’t stop talking about the inspiring webinar this week featuring Dan Baker, so we decided to blog about it.

His wisdom and knowledge and overall-attitude about truck drivers are downright infectious! (Bad choice of words during a pandemic?)

The trucking industry moves fast. If you’ve never seen the inside of an operations department, you may not realize the stress and anxiety that exists. One might compare the energy level to the trading floor of the stock exchange, or the stress of air traffic control.

All of this with a solitary purpose, deliver consumer goods on time.

What is a Cultural Relationship?

Research states that employee satisfaction is one of the most important factors in retention. One employee’s attitude can change the feeling of an entire workspace, either positively or negatively.

Bright HR introduces the concept of a psychological contract between employers and employees. The idea states that employers have an obligation to recognize the mental state of their employees and identify potential issues that may arise.

A company’s culture has become a prevalent topic in the working world. Leadership is focused on creating solid cultural relationships between employees.

Employee dissatisfaction leads to a higher turnover. High turnover leads to lower profitability.

The cost of replacing an employee can be thousands of dollars, depending on their position. Creating a workspace where employees feel respected and valued can support one of the best cost-cutting tools; retention.

Why is it important?

Turnover is an ever-present pain point, especially in the trucking industry where average driver turnover hovers north of 90%. The current driver shortage means there are many options for most drivers to easily find another trucking job.

Most of the time, it’s not about the equipment. Or the sign-on bonus. Or the size of the fleet.  While those are factors in the decision-making process, there are other, non-tangible perks that truck drivers are looking for.

With that in mind, employers are focusing on how to make their company the place drivers want to be.

5 Intangibles Truck Drivers Crave

Honesty

From day one, truck drivers just want to hear the truth. Recruiting, especially in transportation, has become a sales position.

Recruiters are trained in sales tactics. They are instructed to ask open-ended questions to identify value points. Then use those value points to entice the drivers. Sometimes, this can feel like a sales pitch to the driver instead of the beginning of a working relationship.

From the moment a driver posts a resume on a job board, their phone starts ringing nonstop. It is easy to get overwhelmed with all the interviews, emails, and screening they have to participate in.

Remove the vail of the sales pitch. Be honest. If you value that driver, tell them.

Communication

After they are employed, you must be able to carry that through to the operations side. One of the most frustrating things for an employee is lack of communication.

Imagine what it’s like to be sitting in a tractor-trailer, waiting for an assignment. Being told, “I’m working on something for you.” Only to wait hours and hours to be dispatched with absolutely no idea when they might get to start rolling.

That driver, or any employee for that matter, would much rather hear, “I won’t have an assignment for you for another 3 hours.”

They may not be happy about the situation, but setting the expectation is always better than leaving your driver hanging.

Respect

Truck drivers are the ultimate boots on the ground, front-line, in-the-know resources of the industry. And they deserve to be treated as such.

Even though they are not sitting in a cubicle at the terminal every day, they are still just as much a part of the workforce. Dispatchers, safety officers, managers, executives, truck drivers, and everyone in between should see themselves as coworkers.

This is where your company culture determines your employees’ cultural relationship. Do they see themselves as a team with a common goal? Or is it every man for himself?

To create a positive experience for everyone involved, focus on enhancing that relationship. Explore training options to encourage a workforce that shows respect to each other.

Fast Orientation

Since turnover is so high in the trucking industry, drivers can move companies often. They have been involved in every type of orientation available. And most of the time, they flat out don’t want to be there.

They’ve heard the presentations, they’ve filled out the paperwork, they’ve taken tests repeatedly.

With the latest technological advances, the practice of in-person orientation has become all but obsolete. Infinit-I Workforce Solutions allows trucking companies to virtually conduct online orientation from the comfort of their own home.

Orientation begins immediately after a job offer is made. The short, Netflix style videos or new hire paperwork get sent directly to your new driver’s computer, tablet, or smartphone. They can participate in all your regular “class-room style” orientation activities before they even arrive at the terminal.

Truck drivers just want to get on the road. For some, sitting through 3+ days of repetitive orientation is an eternity. We can change that.

To drive

Enough said.

Empty asphalt road in summer.

As previously mentioned, Dan Baker is an expert at creating positive and encouraging cultural relationships, specifically in the trucking industry. His Cultural Relationship Program was born of a need for connection and change.

One thing has become palpably apparent during the national emergencies recently: truck drivers are essential. And they should be treated that way. A strong cultural relationship is mutually beneficial for everyone from the front lines all the way up the ladder.

The Dan Baker Cultural Relationship Program will help you evaluate your business structure and allow you to eliminate weak points and solidify your strengths.

Click here for more information.

Additional Resources:

Why You Should Be Focused on Your Employee’s Cultural Relationships Now More Than Ever

Why your Safety Culture will Die without Buy-In. And how to get it.

HOT HOT HOT! Sunshine Threatens Truckers. Here’s What Your Fleet Needs to Know

/0 Comments/by