DRIVE ON! The Challenging Road to Recovery is the theme for this year's Ohio Trucking Association (OTA) Annual Convention.
If you’re within 100 miles of Cincinnati September 16-18, this is a MUST ATTEND event. You’ll hear from the FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferro, receive updates on CSA, and get a “State of the Industry” from Dan England, Chairman of C.R. England, and this year’s ATA Chairman.
You don’t even have to be a member of the OTA to attend – in fact, it’s a great way for non-members to learn more about the Association before joining.
The 2-day event will be held at the Kingsgate Marriott Conference Center at the University of Cincinnati ($99/room rate). Registration for the Convention is only $295 (members) and $395 (non-members).
As an active member of the OTA, I highly recommend getting involved. Attending this year’s Convention is a great first step. The education, relationships, and political advocacy that the OTA provides make it an incredible value.
All OTA Convention materials are now available online. Follow these links to see more!
I hope to see you in The Queen City!
About the OTA
The OTA is a nonprofit, full-service trade association formed to promote and protect the interests of the trucking industry in Ohio. Membership includes over 800 company members, including both Ohio-based and non-domiciled carriers, and their suppliers.
The OTA staff provides updates on critical industry issues through regular communications, and serves as Ohio's only liaison between the industry and the Ohio Legislature and regulatory agencies.
The OTA also provides a forum where members can learn from other members' triumphs and mistakes. These forums include:
- An annual convention
- Regional meetings in your area
- Periodic seminars and workshops
- Monthly Safety & Maintenance Council meetings on topics your people need
- An annual Membership Directory listing all the information you need to contact other members
For more information about the OTA, visit www.ohiotruckingassn.org
Driving Ambition is a premier CDL truck driver staffing company serving Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee. Since 2001, we have specialized in matching safe, experienced CDL drivers for our customers and great job opportunities for our professional truck drivers.
Our commitment to safety and building solid working relationships with both customers and CDL drivers has allowed us to earn an unparalleled reputation with our Proven Drivers and Exceptional Service.
It's time to celebrate professional truck drivers! National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, held September 16-22, is a chance to extend a special “thank you” for all their hard work.
Recent statistics show that there are over 3.1 million professional truck drivers nationwide – delivering the goods U.S. consumers need every day of the year. Logging over 398 billion miles per year, trucks deliver nearly 67 percent of total U.S. freight tonnage. Professional truck drivers are more essential to the national economy than ever before, and they’re delivering their loads safely and professionally.
It’s no secret that the backbone of this dynamic industry is its drivers. Driving a truck is one of the country’s most demanding and essential jobs. Millions of these dedicated men and women travel the roads every day, sacrificing a lot personally to deliver the freight that keeps the country moving. They miss birthdays, anniversaries, family dinners, school plays and many other special moments that most of us take for granted.
During National Truck Driver Appreciation Week (NTDAW), America and the trucking industry honors and recognizes all professional truck drivers for their hard work and commitment to the vital role they play in the economic growth of North America. Companies and industry associations across the U.S. and Canada will host special events and promotions in honor of professional truck drivers.
NTDAW allows the rest of us to recognize and appreciate the sacrifices that our drivers make every day out on the road. Be sure to let the men and women driving those trucks down the highway know it’s appreciated. Sometimes a little gratitude goes a long way.
Thank you drivers for a job well done!
Valuable links:
Driving Ambition is a premier CDL truck driver staffing company serving Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee. Since 2001, we have specialized in matching safe, experienced CDL drivers for our customers and great job opportunities for our professional truck drivers.
Our commitment to safety and building solid working relationships with both customers and CDL drivers has allowed us to earn an unparalleled reputation with our Proven Drivers and Exceptional Service.
Last week the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) announced that a record 74,072 truck and bus inspections took place during this year’s Operation Roadcheck, the world’s largest annual 72-hour roadside inspection and enforcement blitz for CDL drivers and trucking companies.
There were a total of 48,815 North American Standard Level 1 inspections - the most comprehensive roadside inspection - resulting in a total of 22.4% of vehicles, and 3.9% of drivers, being placed out of service. Both percentages are the second-lowest achieved in Roadcheck’s 25-year history, and continue a downward trend.
The overall OOS rates for the entire event in 2012, including all inspection levels, were 20.9% for vehicles and 4.6% for drivers, both of which were higher than Roadcheck 2011.
Despite the positive trend on Level 1 inspections, the CVSA expressed concern that one in five vehicles selected for inspection was found with a violation serious enough to be considered an imminent safety hazard. While the attention to maintenance and regulatory compliance generally is improving, more needs to be done by industry and enforcement alike.
“Once again, Roadcheck effectively identifies and removes from the road truck and bus companies that cut corners at the expense of safety,” said FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferro. “FMCSA embraces Roadcheck 100 percent and for good reason – it enforces high safety standards and improves roadway safety for everyone.”
The 74,072 inspections conducted during Roadcheck 2012 included 652 inspections of passenger-carrying vehicles and 4,826 inspections of vehicles carrying hazardous materials. Of passenger-carrying vehicles inspected, 8.6% of vehicles and 2.5% of drivers were placed out of service. Of vehicles carrying hazardous materials, 15.6% of vehicles and 2.3% of drivers were placed out of service.
Roadcheck 2012 took place June 5-7, with an average of more than 1,000 trucks or buses inspected every hour. Inspections included an examination of driver license and credentials, proper and complete records-of-duty status, safety belt use, driving behaviors and other driver safety conditions. Vehicles were examined for proper brake system maintenance, tire condition, function of lighting systems, properly secured loads and other vehicle condition-related violations.
About CVSA
CVSA is an international not-for-profit organization comprised of local, state, provincial, territorial and federal motor carrier safety officials and industry representatives from the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The CVSA's mission is to promote commercial motor vehicle safety and security by providing leadership to enforcement, industry and policy makers. CVSA member jurisdictions are represented by various Departments of Transportation, Public Utility and Service Commissions, State Police, Highway Patrols and Ministries of Transport.
In addition, CVSA has several hundred associate members who are committed to helping the Alliance achieve its goals; uniformity, compatibility and reciprocity of commercial vehicle inspections, and enforcement activities throughout North America by individuals dedicated to highway safety and security.
Driving Ambition is a premier CDL truck driver staffing company serving Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee. Since 2001, we have specialized in matching safe, experienced CDL drivers for our customers and great job opportunities for our professional truck drivers.
Our commitment to safety and building solid working relationships with both customers and CDL drivers has allowed us to earn an unparalleled reputation with our Proven Drivers and Exceptional Service.
If you’re facing challenges recruiting and/or retaining CDL drivers, then this is for you!
Jeremy Reymer, President & CEO of Driving Ambition, will be sharing his Driver Recruitment & Retention Presentation to the Risk & Safety Management Council of the Kentucky Motor Transport Association (KMTA).
Please join us on Tuesday, September 18th, from 11:30am-1pm (lunch is served) at the Holiday Inn at 4110 Dixie Hwy in Louisville, KY.
You’ll hear about both traditional and new methods for improving your driver recruitment and retention efforts.
For more information on the KMTA’s Risk & Safety Management Council, please contact 2012 Chairman David Guess, Safety Director of Usher Transport (dguess@ushertransport.com) or Vice Chairman Jerry Ogle, Safety Representative of Marvin Johnson & Associates (jogle@mjai.com).
You can also visit the KMTA's website at www.kmta.net.
Driving Ambition is a premier CDL truck driver staffing company serving Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee. Since 2001, we have specialized in matching safe, experienced CDL drivers for our customers and great job opportunities for our professional truck drivers.
Our commitment to safety and building solid working relationships with both customers and CDL drivers has allowed us to earn an unparalleled reputation with our Proven Drivers and Exceptional Service.
Who’s old enough to remember those two critical statements of yester-year…”Experts predict price of diesel fuel will rise to $1.40 per gallon by summer” and “Truck drivers are a dime-a-dozen”? I must be honest, I can barely remember those days myself. We know where diesel fuel prices have gone. But, we don’t know where our truck drivers have gone.
In our current environment of suffering through a true driver shortage (which will get worse before it gets better); driver turnover rate nearing 100%, again; and, costs per hired driver ranging from $2,500 to $7,000; our industry’s playing field certainly has changed.
For years, we have thrown marketing dollars toward our driver recruiting needs. We’ve thrown more dollars to make our driver programs sizzle. We’ve increased our rates per mile; created signing bonuses; improved the quality of our benefit programs, invested in reducing the age of our fleets; buying more driver- comfort tractor accessories than ever before. All good stuff that we hope will produce profitable returns on our investments.
But, some experts tell us that we’re missing the boat if we don’t take a time-out and throw a few dollar toward our internal training. They say the best solution to the driver shortage is acknowledging what we already have…and stop throwing “the baby out with the bath water” (and what the heck does that old saying mean anyway??). Yes, those connoisseurs of profitability encourage more investment in driver retention.
Driver retention can be improved by exploring a plethora of avenues. But, the #1 driver retention tool is the rebirth of the Driver Manager. We know the Driver Manager is the person who chooses to become your driver’s best ally, or most fierce enemy. The Driver Manager has the most control over your driver retention.
In today’s transportation world, the Driver Managers who “get it” understand their critically important role to the success of their company. They have been trained how to deal with the daily stresses of trucking and how to deliver the messages, properly, to the driver. How to be empathetic to the driver’s concerns and needs; yet have the ability to convey the teamwork driven spirit it takes to keep the driver on board and productive. This type of Driver Manager is worth their weight in gold. They will make you lots of profit dollars in the future.
The Driver Manager who does not yet “get it” is still driven by their competitive spirit of yester-year. They still get a charge by winning every battle with their drivers. In their eyes, the driver had best do what they are told, or pay the verbal and/or load assignment consequences. This type of Driver Manager is supporting the near 100% driver turnover. Drivers are smart…they know they do not have to tolerate the old-style Driver Managers of the world. They can get another job, with a more talented Driver Manager, tomorrow.
The good news is the old-style Driver Manager can be converted. They can “see the light” if company decision makers will invest in their culture change and invest in them. There are many excellent dispatch/operations training programs available that help the “old-style” operations person understand the criticalness of adopting the “new style”. When it comes to driver retention, the company’s survival is at risk.
So, in 2012, those statements of yester-year will never be heard again. The new critical statements are…“Experts predict price of diesel fuel will rise to $4.40 per gallon by summer” (maybe higher) and “Truck drivers are now $90,000-a-dozen”….so we’d better take care of them.
Driving Ambition is a premier CDL truck driver staffing company serving Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee. Since 2001, we have specialized in matching safe, experienced CDL drivers for our customers and great job opportunities for our professional truck drivers.
Our commitment to safety and building solid working relationships with both customers and CDL drivers has allowed us to earn an unparalleled reputation with our Proven Drivers and Exceptional Service.
Last month, we talked about what you can do to stay cool and ensure you don’t become a victim of heat-related diseases. This month, we will take a look at what you can do to make sure your truck stays cool.
A good pre-trip inspection is crucial in extreme heat operating conditions to prevent breakdowns. During the summer months, you should pay special attention to the following items:
Tires
Check the tire mounting and air pressure. Inspect the tires every two hours or every 100 miles when driving in very hot weather. Air pressure increases with temperature. Do not let air out or the pressure will be too low when the tires cool off. If a tire is too hot to touch, remain stopped until the tire cools off. Otherwise the tire may blow out or catch fire.
Engine Oil
The engine oil helps keep the engine cool, as well as lubricated. Make sure there is enough engine oil. If you have an oil temperature gauge, make sure the temperature is within the proper range while you are driving.
Engine Coolant
Before starting out, make sure the engine cooling system has enough water and antifreeze according to the engine manufacturer’s directions (antifreeze helps the engine under hot conditions as well as cold conditions). When driving, check the water temperature or coolant temperature gauge from time to time. Make sure that it remains in the normal range. If the gauge goes above the highest safe temperature, there may be something wrong that could lead to engine failure and possibly fire. Stop driving as soon as safely possible and try to find out what is wrong.
Some vehicles have sight glasses, see-through coolant overflow containers, or coolant recovery containers. These permit you to check the coolant level while the engine is hot. If the container is not part of the pressurized system, the cap can be safely removed and coolant added even when the engine is at operating temperature. Never remove the radiator cap or any part of the pressurized system until the system has cooled. Steam and boiling water can spray under pressure and cause severe burns. If you can touch the radiator cap with your bare hand, it is probably cool enough to open. If coolant has to be added to a system without a recovery tank or overflow tank, follow these steps:
- Shut engine off
- Wait until engine has cooled
- Protect hands (use gloves or a thick cloth)
- Turn radiator cap slowly to the first stop, which releases the pressure seal
- Step back while pressure is released from cooling system
- When all pressure has been released, press down on the cap and turn it further to remove it
- Visually check level of coolant and add more coolant if necessary
- Replace cap and turn all the way to the closed position
Engine Belts
Learn how to check v-belt tightness on your vehicle by pressing on the belts. Loose belts will not turn the water pump and/or fan properly. This will result in overheating. Also, check belts for cracking or other signs of wear.
Hoses
Make sure coolant hoses are in good condition. A broken hose while driving can lead to engine failure and even fire. Check fuel lines, crankcase, hydraulic hoses and the exhaust system. All leaks should be repaired and any leakage cleaned up.
Battery Cables
Ensure all battery cables are not frayed cables, are not missing cable tie-downs, and are free from any buildup of grease and debris.
Once out on the road, watch for bleeding tar. Tar in the road pavement frequently rises to the surface in very hot weather. Spots where tar “bleeds” to the surface are very slippery.
Slow down. High speeds create more heat for tires and the engine. In desert conditions the heat may build up to the point where it is dangerous. The heat will increase chances of tire failure or even fire, and engine failure.
Stay cool and stay safe!
Article provided by the National Private Truck Council as one of their monthly safety letters for truck drivers.
Driving Ambition is a premier CDL truck driver staffing company serving Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee. Since 2001, we have specialized in matching safe, experienced CDL drivers for our customers and great job opportunities for our professional truck drivers.
Our commitment to safety and building solid working relationships with both customers and CDL drivers has allowed us to earn an unparalleled reputation with our Proven Drivers and Exceptional Service.
Continuing an annual process that began in 2005, the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) is conducting the 2012 Top Industry Issues Survey to identify the critical issues confronting the industry and to develop strategies for addressing these issues now and in the future.
This year, the survey has been streamlined to allow the industry to give feedback more quickly, while also providing a broader range of issues to consider. Some of these issues include CSA, Hours-of-Service, the driver shortage, onboard recorder technology, the economy, transportation funding, congestion, truck size and weight, and fuel issues.
Industry stakeholders are encouraged to complete the survey online. Alternately, a paper copy is available on ATRI’s website at www.atri-online.org.
The results of the 2012 survey will be released at the ATA Annual Management Conference and Exhibition, to be held Oct. 7-10, 2012 in Las Vegas.
To view the Top Industry Issues Survey results from previous years, click here.
Driving Ambition is a premier CDL truck driver staffing company serving Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee. Since 2001, we have specialized in matching safe, experienced CDL drivers for our customers and great job opportunities for our professional truck drivers.
Our commitment to safety and building solid working relationships with both customers and CDL drivers has allowed us to earn an unparalleled reputation with our Proven Drivers and Exceptional Service.