Telematics are shifting the paradigm within the transportation industry. The ability to observe and analyze driver behaviors and vehicle condition throughout each day, week, and month presents tremendous opportunities to improve numerous inefficiencies. Idling is a powerful example - reducing the time drivers spend at idle reliably decrease fuel costs by more than 10%, often [...]
Motor carriers and owner operators have until December 16 of this year to ensure their logging devices are FMSCA-compliant ELDs. Though the technology and the regulations have been years in the making, many are still somewhat unclear on the numerous differences between FMCSA-compliant ELDs and their AOBRD predecessors. Several critical shortcomings of older devices that [...]
As current law stands, truck drivers possessing a commercial driver’s license (CDL) under the age of 21 are only allowed to transport cargo within their state. This hinders the likelihood of young drivers joining the industry, as more money is available to interstate truck drivers. Now, the Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy (DRIVE-Safe) [...]
Truck drivers from mountainous states often have more experience navigating steep grades. Drivers from California, Colorado, Montana, and West Virginia have a significant edge over those from flat states. Unfortunately for Rogel Aguilera-Mederos, a Texas-based truck driver, his experience navigating the steep grade on the stretch of highway between the Eisenhower Tunnel and Lakewood, Colorado [...]
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CSVA) conducts a 72-hour annual International Roadcheck each year - this year it's June 4-6. Roadcheck focuses on a specific safety element or category each year that affects all trucking companies. This year, CSVA is focusing on steering and suspension. These components are vital for supporting the heavy loads that [...]
Fleets invest a lot of time and energy into ensuring their drivers’ safety. While this often means adhering to safety regulations, following the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA’s) rulings is just the tip of the safety iceberg. Truck drivers themselves are a great source for revealing safety issues that affect them on a regular [...]
Distracted driving makes headlines for obvious safety reasons. Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) drivers that eat, text, or place calls while behind the wheel have their attention pulled in several directions. Their focus is split between the road and what’s in their hands, both of which make them less able to react to what’s going on [...]
The Department of Transportation (DOT) requires any commercial motor vehicle (CMV) that weighs in over 10,001 pounds to receive an annual inspection to ensure the CMV is in good condition without any safety concerns. However, there are numerous types of inspections and drivers need to be familiar with them all so they can know what [...]
Keeping a fleet vehicle operational is an expensive endeavor. The cost of maintenance, repairs, and fuel can add up to more than the original cost of the truck itself. That is why it behooves fleets to remain in constant contact with their vehicles. With progressive technology, fleets can monitor all of their trucks in real [...]
Truck drivers have a lot to juggle when it comes to roadway safety. With numerous regulations, changing laws, fatigue, and more, it’s easy to overlook external threats. People outside of the truck cab can incapacitate the vehicle with disturbing ease—intentional or not. The following are three of the biggest external threats that can compromise truck [...]