Truck Driver Interview

Bonnie and Greg Cochran started their careers as team drivers for C.R. England in September, 2011 and have never looked back. The Cochrans have been married for almost a year now and currently run a dedicated C.R. England route for Wal-Mart in Wyoming. According to Bonnie and Greg, signing up with C.R. England was the best decision they could have made.

Before making their decision to come and drive with C.R. England, Bonnie and Greg researched a variety of trucking companies. What they found was that most trucking companies had a negative online reputation, and that it was hard to find the difference between all the choices. Switching their tactics, the Cochrans decided to speak with successful drivers on the road. Once they did this, Bonnie and Greg quickly learned that C.R. England was the company for them.

The couple promptly applied to C.R. England and found themselves matched up with "a great recruiter". After a smooth application process Bonnie and Greg found themselves on their way to Salt Lake City, UT to attend truck driving school. At the school, the couple had a positive experience and found themselves quickly learning the tricks of the trade. While they did hear some of their peers making negative comments about their time with C.R. England, Bonnie and Greg noticed those students were at school for the wrong reasons and did not last long with the company.

After graduating trucking school and completing their training, Bonnie and Greg were able to set out and start their career as a husband and wife driving team. Bonnie and Greg enjoy their lives together on the road, "Driving together has really strengthened our relationship," the couple said. "We literally have to trust each other with our lives each and every day." Now that the couple has had a few months of driving under their belt, Bonnie and Greg are getting ready for the winter season. As a team, Bonnie and Greg have already gotten a taste of how life on the road will be during the snowy season and say they are prepared to take it slow and always remember safety first.

When speaking with a representative from C.R. England, Bonnie and Greg Cochran were asked where they would like to be in 5 years. The couple replied that they are living their goal. A great job where they can be together and make money on the road, Bonnie and Greg are happy with their decision to drive for C.R. England, and don't see that ever changing.

Trucking Industry Stays Positive

"Hard times are a part of life. Sometimes they are long and sometimes they are short. What we do with our hardships changes from situation to situation, but somehow we will always find a way to get through." -Unknown
Right now this nation is facing hard times. The economy is suffering and people are out of jobs with seemingly nowhere to turn. There are many out there who have applied and applied, but are still unable to find work. But before you get discouraged and claim there are no possibilities, take a look at the trucking industry. C.R. England is hiring truck drivers! Despite the odds, the trucking industry is staying afloat and keeping trucks on the road. The demand for transportation is ever present and drivers are always needed to fill trucks. According to the chief economist for the American Trucking Association, Bob Costello, the outlook of trucking is bright. "Trucking's fundamentals still remain good," he said."And the best times are still ahead of us in trucking."
It is true, that the trucking industry has had its difficulties. One of the biggest hardships being the increase for the price of fuel. The constant rise of fuel prices puts a tough strain on truckers and trucking companies throughout the nation. Kevin Knight, chairman & CEO of Knight Transportation, admitted to the strain placed on the trucking industry. "High fuel prices have negatively impacted the industry for multiple consecutive quarters," Knight said."And fuel surcharge programs have not adequately offset the cost." Another hardship currently faced by truckers is the proposed changes to the HOS rules. While the HOS rules are beneficial in many ways and have helped in reducing the number of commercial truck related accidents, some of the proposed changes will make getting the job done a little more difficult. These plus other upsets in the business have shaken the trucking industry, but it has stayed strong. When other businesses are falling under the pressure of the economy, trucking is still standing and will continue to do so. It is a stable business and can provide a prosperous career. To learn more about the trucking industry and how it can help you find a career that will last, visit our website at CREngland.com.

Truck Drivers Living Healthy

A career in trucking is fun and rewarding. With the ability to drive across the nation and see the many wonders it has to offer, truck driving truly does provide many opportunities. However, with all the benefits of trucking come certain complications. One of the of the most prominent complications being health.

According to a study in The Journal of the American Dietetic Association eighty-six percent of the estimated 3.2 million truck drivers in the United States are overweight or obese. These numbers are staggering and cause for concern among the trucking industry. "Obesity is a terrible problem in the trucking industry," said Brett Blowers, director of marketing and development for the Healthy Trucking Association of America.

The sedentary lifestyle of truck drivers, spurred by unhealthy eating habits is causing problem after problem for many truckers out there. For Bill Johnson, a 25 year veteran of truck driving, the constant supply of unhealthy foods at truck stops was a big concern. "Everything's fried, fried, fried - chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers, chili, burritos, corn dogs," Johnson said. After hitting a peak of 226 pounds, Johnson decided something had to change.

As more and more truckers are noticing their weight, and the health problems that come with it, they and their companies are looking for options. Some trucking companies are building gyms for their drivers, signing up for weight and nutrition programs, and even hiring nutrition specialists to consult their drivers. Snap Fitness, an international chain of 24-hour gyms, has even announced its decision to open facilities at truck stops.

This new development will be a great benefit to truckers, as they have little opportunity to exercise regularly. "The only exercise I ever got was walking into the truck stop restaurant, eating a bit and going back to the truck." Bill Johnson said. Despite this limitation, however, Johnson has been able to become creative with his weight loss and transform his truck into a personal gym. Johnson now does sit-ups inside his trailer and pull-ups below it, he packs a cooler with 60 pounds of ice and lifts it over his head 10 to 15 times, and takes power walks around the truck stop he is at.

Some other ideas truck drivers have for staying healthy on the road include; running laps around your truck (32 laps around a rig is a mile), carrying a bicycle on your truck and getting out on a ride whenever you can, and carrying a small fridge stocked with healthy foods while on the road.

Staying healthy on the road is not impossible, although it does take some work. It is easier to simply pick up greasy food and go to sleep after a long day of driving, but you have to think of long term consequences. An unhealthy lifestyle is just that- unhealthy. Numerous problems such as high blood pressure and cholesterol, heart attacks, diabetes, and sleep apnea have all been linked with obesity. Starting a healthy routine will be a big change. One truck driver, Kevin Melton, has had to completely rethink some of his beliefs. "You hear Snickers are healthy because of the nuts, that they give you energy," he said. "But when you read the label you realize they're surrounded by caramel."

To support truck drivers in their pursuit of health, there are numerous programs and blogs where truckers can go and encourage each other. Despite the difficulties, making the change to live healthy is definitely worth it. Don't let your truck driving job ruin your health, make the commitment to start living healthy. You can do it.

To see some websites and blogs dedicated to helping truckers maintain their health visit http://www.healthytruckerlifestyle.com/default.asp, http://www.healthytruckerlifestyle.com/default.asp and http://truckingsolutionsgroup.org.

The Folded Napkin - A Truck Stop Story

If this doesn't light your fire, your wood is wet! I try not to be biased, but I had my doubts about hiring Stevie. His placement counselor assured me that he would be a good, reliable busboy. But I had never had a mentally handicapped employee and wasn't sure I wanted one. I wasn't sure how my customers would react to Stevie. He was short, a little dumpy with the smooth facial features and thick-tongued speech of Downs Syndrome. I wasn't worried about most of my trucker customers because truckers don't generally care who buses tables as long as the meatloaf platter is good and the pies are homemade. The ones who concerned me were the mouthy college kids traveling to school; the yuppie snobs who secretly polish their silverware with their napkins for fear of catching some dreaded 'truck stop germ'; the pairs of white-shirted business men on expense accounts who think every truck stop waitress wants to be flirted with. I knew those people would be uncomfortable around Stevie so I closely watched him for the first few weeks... I shouldn't have worried. After the first week, Stevie had my staff wrapped around his stubby little finger, and within a month my truck regulars had adopted him as their official truck stop mascot. After that, I really didn't care what the rest of the customers thought of him. He was like a 21-year-old in blue jeans and Nikes, eager to laugh and eager to please, but fierce in his attention to his duties. Every salt and peppershaker was exactly in its place, not a breadcrumb Or coffee spill was visible when Stevie got done with the table. 
Our only problem was persuading him to wait to clean a table until after the customers were finished. He would hover in the background, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, scanning the dining room until a table was empty. Then he would scurry to the empty table and carefully bus dishes and glasses onto his cart and meticulously wipe the table up with a practiced flourish of his rag. If he thought a customer was watching, his brow would pucker with added concentration. He took pride in doing his job exactly right, and you had to love how hard he tried to please each and every person he met. Over time, we learned that he lived with his mother, a widow who was disabled after repeated surgeries for cancer. They lived on their Social Security benefits in public housing two miles from the truck stop. Their social worker, who stopped to check on him every so often, admitted they had fallen between the cracks. Money was tight, and what I paid him was probably the difference between them being able to live together and Stevie being sent to a group home. That's why the restaurant was a gloomy place that morning last August, the first morning in three years that Stevie missed work. He was at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester getting a new valve or something put in his heart. His social worker said that people with Downs Syndrome often have heart problems at an early age so this wasn't unexpected, and there was a good chance he would come through the surgery in good shape and be back at work in a few months. A ripple of excitement ran through the staff later that morning when word came that he was out of surgery, in recovery, and doing fine. Frannie, the head waitress, let out a war hoop and did a little dance in the aisle when she heard the good news. Bell Ringer, one of our regular trucker customers, stared at the sight of this 50-year-old grandmother of four doing a victory shimmy beside his table. Frannie blushed, smoothed her apron and shot Bell Ringer a withering look. He grinned. 'OK, Frannie , what was that all about?' he asked.. 'We just got word that Stevie is out of surgery and going to be okay.' 'I was wondering where he was. I had a new joke to tell him. What was the surgery about?' Frannie quickly told Bell Ringer and the other two drivers sitting at his booth about Stevie's surgery then sighed: 'Yeah, I'm glad he is going to be OK,' she said. 'But I don't know how he and his Mom are going to handle all the bills. From what I hear, they're barely getting by as it is.' Bell Ringer nodded thoughtfully, and Frannie hurried off to wait on the rest of her tables. Since I hadn't had time to round up a busboy to replace Stevie and really didn't want to replace him, the girls were busing their own tables that day until we decided what to do. After the morning rush, Frannie walked into my office. She had a couple of paper napkins in her hand and a funny look on her face. 'What's up?' I asked. 'I didn't get that table where Bell Ringer and his friends were sitting cleared off after they left, and Pony Pete and Tony Tipper were sitting there when I got back to clean it off,' she said. 'This was folded and tucked under a coffee cup.' She handed the napkin to me, and three $20 bills fell onto my desk when I opened it. On the outside, in big, bold letters, was printed 'Something For Stevie'. 'Pony Pete asked me what that was all about,' she said, 'so I told him about Stevie and his Mom and everything, and Pete looked at Tony and Tony looked at Pete, and they ended up giving me this.'
She handed me another paper napkin that had 'Something For Stevie' scrawled on its outside. Two $50 bills were tucked within its folds. Frannie looked at me with wet, shiny eyes, shook her head and said simply: 'Truckers!!' That was three months ago. Today is Thanksgiving, the first day Stevie is supposed to be back to work. His placement worker said he's been counting the days until the doctor said he could work, and it didn't matter at all that it was a holiday. He called ten times in the past week, making sure we knew he was coming, fearful that we had forgotten him or that his job was in jeopardy. I arranged to have his mother bring him to work. I then met them in the parking lot and invited them both to celebrate his day back. Stevie was thinner and paler, but couldn't stop grinning as he pushed through the doors and headed for the back room where his apron and busing cart were waiting 'Hold up there, Stevie, not so fast,' I said. I took him and his mother by their arms. 'Work can wait for a minute. To celebrate you coming back, breakfast for you and your mother is on me!' I led them toward a large corner booth at the rear of the room. I could feel and hear the rest of the staff following behind as we marched through the dining room. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw booth after booth of grinning truckers empty and join the procession. We stopped in front of the big table. Its surface was covered with coffee cups, saucers and dinner plates, all sitting slightly crooked on dozens of folded paper napkins 'First thing you have to do, Stevie, is clean up this mess,' I said. I tried to sound stern. Stevie looked at me, and then at his mother, then pulled out one of the napkins. It had 'Something for Stevie' printed on the outside. As he picked it up, two $10 bills fell onto the table. Stevie stared at the money, then at all the napkins peeking from beneath the tableware, each with his name printed or scrawled on it. I turned to his mother. 'There's more than $10,000 in cash and checks on that table, all from truckers and trucking companies that heard about your problems.. 'Happy Thanksgiving.' Well, it got real noisy about that time, with everybody hollering and shouting, and there were a few tears, as well. But you know what's funny? While everybody else was busy shaking hands and hugging each other, Stevie, with a big, big smile on his face, was busy clearing all the cups and dishes from the table..... Best worker I ever hired. Plant a seed and watch it grow.. At this point, you can bury this inspirational message or forward it, fulfilling the need! If you shed a tear, hug yourself, because you are a compassionate person. Well.. Don't just sit there! Send
this story on! Keep it going, this is a good one! 

Truck Driver Becomes Hero

Mike Schiotis has been a truck driver for 16 years and has traveled 2 million miles. While on the road he has seen many things, but nothing could prepare him for the events that took place on Monday, October 31.

It was about 9p.m. when Schiotis was driving on Interstate 380 and saw two cars parked on the side of the road. "I thought this was a typical accident."Schiotis said. "I slowed down and got over to the left lane and was creeping by. Then I see people walking - so I slowed down more. Then I see a lady waving her arms back and forthand I thought somebody's hurt; I have to stop. Then I see a man walking after her with a gun, pointing it at her, and I just kind of froze for a moment."

What he thought to be a simple accident or case of road rage turned out to be much worse. Schiotis heard the woman screaming for help and immediately stopped his truck. "I knew I couldn't ignore her and just go on down the road and then read later that something bad had happened to her," he said. "I don't know how many years I have left on this Earth, but I would have had to think about that every day for the rest of my life."

The woman ran to his door, followed closely by the man with the gun. Schiotis heard the sound of the man beating the woman with the gun and uttered a quick prayer before jumping out of his cab to help. He got in-between the woman and the gun. "I kept turning her away from him because he kept trying to point the gun at her and swing at her with the gun," Schiotis said.
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Keeping his eyes on the gun, Schiotis told the attacker to leave. He and the victim then quickly climbed inside the cab. After getting back on the road Schiotiscalled 911 and noticed a black vehicle following him. The victim, who was bleeding heavily, exclaimed it was her ex-boyfriend and that he had been chasing and shooting at her for 20 miles.

As he drove down the interstate, Schiotis noticed the black car swerve to get beside his truck. He began to swerve his truck to block the driver and then got on his CB radio to alert any surrounding truck drivers of his situation. Soon after his broadcast another truck driver who had heard him, pulled up next to him and told him to stay on his left and together they would make a blockade.

"I never got the guy's name, just that his truck had the word Dupree on the side of the door," Schiotis said. "But he stayed with me until this was over. Other drivers were jumping on the CB with updates, telling me the cops were passing them heading my way and to hang on."
By now Schiotis was patched through the 911 dispatcher to a State Trooper who told him to start slowing down. "I jumped back on the CB and told the driver next to me that I was taking instructions from the police so to follow my lead and stay by my side, but not to let the black car get around him on the right side, which he promised me he wouldn't." Eventually the Pennsylvania State Troopers caught up to the two truckers and were able to arrest the suspect, who was eventually tried and incarcerated in Monroe County Correctional Facility in lieu of $2 million bail for attempted homicide.

Mike Schiotis has been named a hero and when asked about the situation claims he is just happy he was able to help. In an interview after the incident Schiotis admitted that he usually helps at least one or two motorist a year. The trucking industry if full of drivers, who like Mike Schiotis, are ready and willing to help where they can, even if it means simply calling 911. A truck driving career is full of opportunity, and with life changing from second to second you never know what will be on the road ahead.

To read the story of Mike Schiotis in more detail, visit http://www.landlinemag.com/todays_news/Daily/2011/Oct11/103111/110211-02.shtml

CR England Says “Thank You” To Veterans

To serve and protect this great nation, it takes something more than bravery. In war there are times when you don’t feel brave at all, but you know what you have to do anyway. To go running in where everyone else is running out, it takes a courage you never knew you had, it takes a knowledge that what you are fighting for is true and good, and it takes a love of the home that is waiting for you and that you are here to protect.

We at CR England recognize the great sacrifice all those who have served in the United States military have made, and would like to say thank you. Thank you for protecting us from the danger that would come creeping into our homes, thank you for standing in the way of those who would see this country destroyed, and thank you for being there when we needed you.

To show our appreciation, C.R. England would now like to be there for you. CR England is offering FREE tuition for all veterans to our truck driving school. We will train you to drive and will provide to you with the means to get back on your feet and start making money. What you do is not easy, and coming back from a war zone is at times another war in and of itself. It is a fight to get your life back and it’s a fight to get out there and find a job once your time in the service is over. CR England recognizes this battle and is here to help.

We provide competitive insurance options including health, dental, vision, and life. We can offer veterans a stable career in the truck driving industry and provide them with a great way to get out and see the nation they fought to protect. To qualify, you must commit to a 6 month contract with C.R. England. We have limited space available and have set a limit of 10 veterans per week to each of our locations. Upon arrival, there is a $50 administration fee.

Freedom isn’t free. Indeed, freedom has the highest price of anything else. It is bough with sweat, tears, blood, and life. Once again, CR England says thank you to those veterans who have served in the American military. Thank you for paying the price for our freedom. Now you’ve paid enough, let us help.

To learn more about CR England’s veteran program and how to get started on your career as a truck driver, visit http://www.employerpartnership.org.

Getting Your Truck Ready For Winter

As the air becomes colder and the skies grow darker, we know that winter is on the way. During the fall, the weather changes constantly between sunny skies, icy rain, and fluffy flakes of snow. With these changes in the weather come changes in the road.

As an over the road truck driver you are continually driving between states and it is important to be prepared for whatever conditions may be in the next state. Getting your truck ready for the winter season is important and needs to be done before the snow starts.

According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, winter driving conditions can change from sunny to blowing snow within an hour or two. It is important to be prepared beforehand so you don't find yourself in a difficult situation. There are a few things to do to become prepared for the winter season. The first is to know your truck. This includes knowing the condition of your truck. Before setting out for a long haul, be sure to get your truck inspected and make sure it is ready for anything you might run into. Make sure your fluids are full, especially your windshield wiper fluid, as liquid de-icers may stick to your windshield.

Checking the tread of your tires is also very important. If your tires don't have the appropriate amount of tread on them you run the dangerous risk of sliding off the road. You also need to check your windshield wipers to make sure they are in good condition and will not leave streak on your windshield, damaging your visibility. When driving in winter conditions, whether it be rain or snow, slow down. Even though the road ahead may look clear, there could be large puddles or black ice that can make you lose control of your truck. Remember to never use cruise control in wet conditions.

One of the last things you need to do before the winter season hits is stock up your truck. On their website, the Colorado DOT provided the following list of items you need to be ready to drive this season: an ice scraper, snow brush, coat, hat, gloves, blanket, first aid kit, flashlight, tire chains, matches and nonperishable food items.

Driving in the winter is no joke and needs to be taken seriously. Be prepared, be aware and, as always, don't drive if the conditions are too bad. No load is worth your life or anybody else's. Looking to be a truck driver or interested in learning how to drive in winter conditions visit http://www.crengland.com for more information.

Nominations for Goodyear Highway Hero Award

Every year a spotlight is placed on the trucking industry in search of drivers who go above and beyond their regular call of duty. Spurred on by Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, people look for drivers who, through their actions, have provided a positive example of truckers everywhere and who clearly qualify for the prestigious label of Goodyear's North American Highway Hero.

The Highway Hero program began in 1983 when Goodyear, noticing the negative reputation that seemed to come with the trucking industry, decided to shed some light on the good side of trucking. Too often respectable truckers get over looked by negative comments and actions, making the public believe that all truckers are this way. However, through the Highway Hero program, Goodyear is pushing those truckers who are upstanding drivers into a positive public light.

Nominations for this year's Highway Hero are currently being accepted from the general public, trucking companies and law enforcement agencies. To be eligible for recommendation, a driver must meet the following qualifications: Nominee must be a full-time truck driver.
Nominee must reside in the United States or Canada.
Incident must have occurred in the United States or Canada.
Nominee must have been on the job or on the way to or from work, and in his or her rig at the time of the incident.

Nominee's truck at the time of the incident must have had 14 or more wheels.
Incident must have occurred between Nov. 16, 2010, and Nov. 15, 2011, to qualify for this year's program.
Nominations for the program must be submitted by November 30, 2011.

Last year's Highway Hero award went to Junichi Shimizu. Shimizu was nominated for saving the lives of three people when he rescued them from a fiery crash in Fairfield, CA.

Truck drivers throughout the nation are performing amazing feats every day, and they rarely get the recognition they deserve. If you know a driver who has done something you believe deserves the Goodyear North America Highway Hero Award, visit the Goodyear webpage and submit a nomination form.

The Goodyear nomination form can be found at http://www.goodyear.com/truck/pdf/HighwayHeroForm.pdf
For more information about the Highway Hero program and to read about past award recipients, visit http://www.goodyear.com/truck/news/hero_overview.html

CR England Releases LNG Tractor Fleet

Earlier this month in Ontario, California, C.R. England unveiled a new fleet of eco friendly trucks. The trucks will be a great addition to the company’s green equipment and are fueled with liquefied natural gas (LNG).

CR England continually strives to lessen their impact on the environment and has always been one of the “greenest” trucking companies in the industry. According to CR England President Dean England, the LNG tractors are just one more step in helping improve the trucking industry’s carbon footprint.  

"C.R. England continually strives to find and implement greener transportation options," England said.  "LNG tractors use natural gas and are one of the best alternative fuels currently available. We are incredibly excited to be the largest refrigerated carrier to incorporate LNG tractors into our fleet and see great potential for future expansion.”

Some of the benefits of England’s new LNG tractors are the safe vapors which are nontoxic and disperse quickly, and the fact that about 99% of the gas used in the tractors comes from North America, and it is the cleanest of all fossil fuels.

Through their continual efforts, CR England is leading the way for the trucking industry to become more environmentally friendly. The numerous awards such as the Thermo King Energy Efficiency Leader Award, Food Logistics Top Green Supply Chain Partners Award, SmartWay Excellence Award, and the Transplace Excellence in Sustainability Award show the great effort of the company and set it apart from many others in the <b>trucking industry</b>.

Along with the new LNG tractors, CR England has other “green” equipment and technologies such as; Ultra Lightweight Day Cabs are custom designed for short haul applications, aerodynamic and weight reduction equipment which is used on all vehicles, and TempStack, the 53’ Temperature-Controlled Container Network technology.

CR England is a fast growing company and is one of the largest refrigerated transportation providers out there. They are always doing what they can to become a better company and hold an optimistic image of the trucking industry.

A Healthy Trend in Trucking

As younger generations of truck drivers enter the industry, the stereotypical tucker is becoming a thing of the past. A trucking career is generally seen as mostly sedentary. Truckers are behind the wheel all day, stopping nightly at truck stops and eating a greasy dinner before starting the routine over again the next day. However, this unhealthy lifestyle is having a negative impact on the industry.

In a study currently underway by multiple universities including the University of Utah, Harvard, and Virginia Tech, it was discovered that over half the drivers in the industry are technically obese, while another quarter were overweight. The data also showed that in general, long haul truck drivers have a higher body mass index (BMI) with an increased number of diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. The purpose of the study is to determine whether the unhealthy lifestyle of a truck driver can cause accidents.

Despite these numbers, there is an increasing number of drivers who are trying to stay healthy while on the road. CR England truck driver Jose Gomez claims his road to a healthy lifestyle comes from making the right choices every day. "I don't stop at truck stops to eat,” Gomez said. "I actually go to a grocery store, buy my groceries and make sandwiches, salads or other healthy stuff. I want something that won't put on weight."

Jose Gomes also straps his bicycle on the back of his cab when he is on the road. When he stops for the night, he takes his bike out for a ride, making sure he is getting his daily exercise.

While this healthy trend seems to be increasing with the new generation of truckers, there are those out there who have been doing it for years. CR England Driver Charles McFall claims that fatigue never bothers him because of his movement throughout the day. “When I get tired, I’ll take a break and walk around, exercise a little then get back in my truck and drive.” Charles has been driving for CR England for 31 years and recently celebrated 4 million safe miles.

Healthy living on the road has many benefits. It can help you have the energy you need for long drives, it can put you in a better mood and is can help you live longer. It is true that staying healthy on the road is difficult, but it is not impossible. It’s never too late to live a better life. Make the stereotypical truck driver a thing of the past and join the trend of healthy truckers!

To learn more about trucking and how to start your career, visit www.crengland.com.

ATA names Dan England 67th Chairman

In an annual meeting held in Grapevine, Texas the Board of Directors of the American Trucking Association elected their new Chairman. Dan England, Chairman of C.R. England Inc., became the ATA’s 67^thChairman, taking the place of Barbara Windsor, President and CEO of Hahn Transportation Inc., New Market, Md.

In accepting the position, England expressed confidence in the growth of the trucking industry. “I’m honored to have been chosen by my peers in this great industry to represent America’s motor carriers, drivers, independent contractors and employees,” England said. “The last few years have been difficult for our industry and our nation, but I’m confident that regardless of our challenges, trucking and ATA will continue to lead the country toward economic recovery.”

Dan England is well prepared for the task ahead of him, coming from a family of truckers. His grandfather, Chester England, founded C.R. England in 1920 and the company has been growing ever since. With his father and uncle running the company before him and his sons ready to lead the company in the future, England claims trucking will always be a part of his life.

“I have a great love for this industry,” England said. “Going back to my grandfather and right through me to my kids, the industry has provided us with a livelihood and stability. As I look at the economy, so many people have been hurt over the last few years and lost everything, including homes. We have a great deal of gratitude for the stability this industry has provided for us.”

Despite the struggling economy, England feels that the trucking industry has great potential. He claims that in these difficult times what is really needed is unity in the trucking industry.

“We’re faced with a possible change to the hours-of-service rule, a long overdue highway bill and a mounting stack of regulations on top of a sluggish economic recovery,” England said. “In order to meet these challenges, we need to speak with one voice, remembering that there is more that unites our industry than divides it. We need to go out there and fight the good fight and face head on the issues that are confronting us.”

As Dan England steps up as the ATA’s 67th Chairman, his peers show confidence in his abilities to make the necessary changes for improvement. While he looks forward to the future of trucking with optimism, England is dedicated to helping the industry better itself.

To read more on the ATA and Dan England, visit http://www.truckline.com/pages/article.aspx?id=945%2F{8E1C7279-ED27-4C03-B189-CEEEE26BBB12}

Should Cell Phones Be Banned in the Trucking Industry?

Technology today is advancing at an expedited rate. In the past, a truck driving job not only meant being away from your family for long periods of time, but not talking to them as well. Nowadays, however, almost every truck driver has a cell phone and is able to talk to their friends and family multiple times throughout the day. It is truly a blessing to have such technologies.

However, with this great ability comes a great responsibility. Along with the increase of drivers with cell phones, the number of automobile accidents is also increasing. Drivers today are becoming distracted by their cell phones and not paying enough attention to the road. In fact, because of the growing trend for drivers to use their cell phones while driving, the National Transportation Safety Board is currently trying to pass a law that would prohibit commercial drivers from using their cell phones while behind the wheel. This action was spurred by an accident that happened one year ago in Kentucky. In this accident, a truck driver was using his cell phone while driving on the freeway. He ended up crossing the median and drifting into the opposite lane where he collided with a passenger van. The accident resulted in 11 deaths, including the truck driver.

Such tragedies are heart breaking and unacceptable. Safety on the road needs to be the top priority of every driver on the road, commercial and residential alike. According to the NTSB, if banning cell phones on the road can save even one life, it is worth it.

"Distracted driving is becoming increasingly prevalent, exacerbating the danger we encounter daily on our roadways." said Safety board Chairman Deborah Hersman. "Changing behavior can start right now, for drivers of big rigs, but also for the rest of us. When you are at the wheel, driving safely should be your only focus."

Currently the ban proposed by the NTSB is being met with debating sides of acceptance and opposition. Some like the idea of a cell phone free road, while others are outraged at the very thought. The board has already banned texting in the transportation industry, creating fines up to $2,750. Distracted driving, especially in a 40 ton automobile, is extremely dangerous and the National Transportation Safety Board is dedicated to doing what they can to make the nation's highways safer.

To read more about the NTSB and read their report on the suggested cell phone ban, visit http://www.ntsb.gov/news/2011/110913.html. For employment opportunities with C.R. England, Inc. click here.

1st Annual Truck Driver Social Media Convention

In the trucking industry, it can be difficult to get your voice heard. Talk at the truck stop or over a radio is good for those drivers listening, but how much of an impact does it really make? On October 15, 2011, truck drivers around the nation will gather together for the first ever Annual Truck Driver Social Media Convention.
This convention, constructed by Allen Smith of AskTheTrucker, is the first of its kind and will be the perfect place for truckers to come together and discuss the industry. The event is going to be held in Tunica, MS at the Gold Strike Resort & Casino and will run from 8am to 11:30pm. At the Truck Driver Social Media Convention, truck drivers will be provided with ample opportunity to voice their concerns within the industry and have their opinions truly heard in a place where it will matter and can make a difference.

The convention will provide guest speakers and workshops where drivers can address specific issues such as social media, legal issues, business management, and industry regulations. At these workshops, drivers will be provided with ample opportunity to ask questions and exchange tips with their fellow drivers and the guest speakers. Along with the workshops, other forms of entertainment will also be available at the convention, including music from Jan McCarter, Tony Justice and more.

Attendance at the event is by RSVP only. Information on hotels and reservations in the area is readily available on the convention website. They even have hotel information for drivers with pets and arrangements for big rig parking.

At last, an event is being held specifically for truckers to get together and talk. This convention is promised to be different from trucking shows and expos in that it will be a "working convention" where the goal is to make a positive impact on the trucking community. For more information on the 1st Annual Truck Driver Social Media Convention, visit truckingsocialmedia.com. A complete schedule of the event is available in PDF format at http://www.truckingsocialmedia.com/documents/2011-Event-Schedule.pdf.

1st Annual Truck Driver Social Media Convention

In the trucking industry, it can be difficult to get your voice heard. Talk at the truck stop or over a radio is good for those drivers listening, but how much of an impact does it really make? On October 15, 2011, truck drivers around the nation will gather together for the first ever Annual Truck Driver Social Media Convention.
This convention, constructed by Allen Smith of AskTheTrucker, is the first of its kind and will be the perfect place for truckers to come together and discuss the industry. The event is going to be held in Tunica, MS at the Gold Strike Resort & Casino and will run from 8am to 11:30pm. At the Truck Driver Social Media Convention, truck drivers will be provided with ample opportunity to voice their concerns within the industry and have their opinions truly heard in a place where it will matter and can make a difference.

The convention will provide guest speakers and workshops where drivers can address specific issues such as social media, legal issues, business management, and industry regulations. At these workshops, drivers will be provided with ample opportunity to ask questions and exchange tips with their fellow drivers and the guest speakers. Along with the workshops, other forms of entertainment will also be available at the convention, including music from Jan McCarter, Tony Justice and more.

Attendance at the event is by RSVP only. Information on hotels and reservations in the area is readily available on the convention website. They even have hotel information for drivers with pets and arrangements for big rig parking.

At last, an event is being held specifically for truckers to get together and talk. This convention is promised to be different from trucking shows and expos in that it will be a "working convention" where the goal is to make a positive impact on the trucking community. For more information on the 1st Annual Truck Driver Social Media Convention, visit http://www.truckingsocialmedia.com. A complete schedule of the event is available in PDF format at http://www.truckingsocialmedia.com/documents/2011-Event-Schedule.pdf.

Rich

RICH In the trucking industry, it can be difficult to get your voice heard. Talk at the truck stop or over a radio is good for those drivers listening, but how much of an impact does it really make? On October 15, 2011, truck drivers around the nation will gather together for the first ever Annual Truck Driver Social Media Convention.

This convention, constructed by Allen Smith of AskTheTrucker, is the first of its kind and will be the perfect place for truckers to come together and discuss the industry. The event is going to be held in Tunica, MS at the Gold Strike Resort & Casino and will run from 8am to 11:30pm. At the Truck Driver Social Media Convention, truck drivers will be provided with ample opportunity to voice their concerns within the industry and have their opinions truly heard in a place where it will matter and can make a difference.

The convention will provide guest speakers and workshops where drivers can address specific issues such as social media, legal issues, business management, and industry regulations. At these workshops, drivers will be provided with ample opportunity to ask questions and exchange tips with their fellow drivers and the guest speakers. Along with the workshops, other forms of entertainment will also be available at the convention, including music from Jan McCarter, Tony Justice and more.

Attendance at the event is by RSVP only. Information on hotels and reservations in the area is readily available on the convention website. They even have hotel information for drivers with pets and arrangements for big rig parking.

At last, an event is being held specifically for truckers to get together and talk. This convention is promised to be different from trucking shows and expos in that it will be a “working convention” where the goal is to make a positive impact on the trucking community.

For more information on the 1st Annual Truck Driver Social Media Convention, visit http://www.truckingsocialmedia.com. A complete schedule of the event is available in PDF format at http://www.truckingsocialmedia.com/documents/2011-Event-Schedule.pdf.

Truck Driving Jobs Hijacking Safety Tips

As the year 2001 becomes more and more a memory of the past, security measures in some areas are beginning to slip. According the U.S. Department of Transportation, one of the main lessons learned from September 11, 2001 was not to under estimate enemies of the U.S. or the potential danger of any situation. Security measures need to be taken to ensure the safety of the nation at all times.

In a message specifically for truck drivers, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration makes a claim that “terrorist threats are real and here to stay, and as truck drivers, you play a vital role in protecting your family, friends, and countrymen.” The FMCSA has developed a webpage titled “America Needs You” where safety tips for truck drivers on avoiding terrorist attacks, such as hijacking, are listed.

There are three sections discussed on the webpage; On the Road, Stopping, and Your Vehicle. Each section provides steps to ensure your safety at all times. In the first section On the Road, the FMCSA asks drivers to always remain alert. Criminal surveillance begins with you. Always keep the information of your cargo and your destination secret, and do not discuss it on any open channels.

Be aware of the vehicles around you and if you think you are being followed, call 911.
Avoid situations where you are boxed in when at all possible; try leaving maneuvering room in the back and front of your truck. And finally, keep your truck moving. If you are being hijacked, momentum is your biggest defense- keep those wheels turning.

The next section, <b>Stopping</b>, advises truckers to never leave their trucks unattended while the engine is running. It only takes a few seconds for you to turn around and find your truck is missing. If you are a team driver, try leaving one person with the truck. When you do turn your truck off and leave it, if at all possible, make sure it is in a secured area. Also, be sure your keys are with you and all doors, including cargo doors, are locked. Cargo doors are best locked with a padlock.

The last section is <b>Your Vehicle</b>. In this section, the FMCSA tells how to properly secure your vehicle to ensure the highest levels of safety. They suggest the use of an engine kill switch and tractor and trailer brake locking devices. When dropping a trailer, use a fifth wheel lock whenever possible. Also, be aware that criminals know about electronic tracking systems and how to dismantle them. Make sure you check your system regularly for any signs of tampering and damage. If your system has been damaged, contact your dispatch immediately.

The transportation business has always been targeted for hijacking, from old sea pirates to current day terrorists. Trucking jobs will always be necessary and are a stable in any economy. As a truck driver, it is your responsibility to be aware of your environment. Avoid areas where you know crime levels are high. Remember to always remain alert and never let your guard slip.

For more information on hijacking and other terrorist threats as it pertains to your role as a truck driver, visit http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety-security/security/hijacking-brochure.htm.

Truck Drivers Should Not Create Fake Log Books

In the truck driving industry, there is a constant need to be on the move. Time demands on delivery are pushing drivers to be out on the road as much as possible. However, when that need interferes with the health and safety of truck drivers and those around them it becomes a hazard. Some in the trucking industry feel the need to push the limit of their driving to make more money or get more business. This push will bring a driver or an employer to the edge, where there is a large risk of making mistakes. In Washington State, troopers have recently noticed an increase of truck related accidents. The cause of many of these accidents are drivers who are driving when they are too tired. By faking their log book, some drivers drive through the required hours of sleep and become dangers on the road. While the Washington State Troopers understand they drive to make more money, they claim the risk is simply too great.

"To truck drivers, time is money," said Trooper Mike Harmon. "A lot of their companies just push them, push them, and push them. But my gosh, can you imagine what a vehicle that weighs that much with a driver that's that tired can do?" To help troopers catch drivers who are falsifying their log books and driving too long, they have enlisted the help of a state-of-the-art computer system. This system uses sensors and cameras which are placed at various locations along the interstate to track the movements of trucks and keep record of which trucks are violating regulations. The troopers will then flag the truck driver and stop them when they approach set of scales.

Through this method, troopers were able to apprehend one truck driver who faked his log so severely that it said he was in a different state. Thus far, Washington State Troopers have caught 60 drivers who have faked their log books. The fine for faking a log book is around $179. Along with a fine, when truck drivers are caught with false log books they are detained and made to pull over for the amount of time required by the HOS.

A truck driving job is dangerous enough with the regulated amount of hours on the perilous road. With the inability to control the actions of those drivers around you, it is imperative to remain as alert as possible while driving. No amount of money is worth your life or the lives of those who drive next to you. Please remember to drive safe and remain alert. To learn more about the Hours of Service requirements pertaining to the trucking industry, visit http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/topics/hos/index.htm.

National Truck Driver Appreciation Week

The week of September 11-17 is National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. During this week, the American Trucking Association will be holding contests and events to show their appreciation for truck drivers throughout the nation.

Truck drivers are an important part of the American nation. Driving from coast to coast, truck drivers deliver everything from fuel, food, and furniture. Sometimes it can seem that people take for granted the fact that they can simply go to the store and purchase the things they need. They don’t think about how it got there. Without truck drivers the economy would quickly collapse because people would not be able to buy the things they need and companies would not be able to make money.

"Professional truck drivers deliver our nation's essential freight safely every day," said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. "As a result of this commitment, our nation's highways are the safest they have ever been, and our grocery shelves are stocked. We as a nation owe a great deal to the truck drivers out on our nation's roads every day."

A truck driver’s sacrifice is one that should not be overlooked. Out for weeks at a time, truck drivers are away from their families for a hard life on the road. They deal daily with dangerous situations as other drivers on the road drive hazardously around them. As a show of appreciation for truck drivers, residential drivers need to remember to drive safely and share the road.

While National Truck Driver Appreciation Week is a way for non-drivers to recognize truckers, it is also a way for truck drivers to show appreciation for their fellow drivers. When beginning a truck driving job, rookies rely on experienced drivers to be an example and teach them the tricks of the trade. Many truck drivers on the road today are who they are because another driver has shown them the way.

For all those truck drivers who are ready and willing to help out, this week is for you. A truck driving job is one of a kind. It is a job that will always need to be done, and it is a job not everyone can do. To all the truck drivers out there who are getting the job done, we say thank you.

Sleep Apnea in the Trucking Industry

Sleep apnea is defined by the FMCSA as a condition where, during sleep, a narrowing or closure of the upper airway causes repeated sleep disturbances leading to poor sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness. In recent studies, the number of drivers with the symptoms of sleep apnea is shown to be increasing. In the trucking industry, sleep in a very important factor to the safety of truck drivers and those around them.

Sleep apnea in truck drivers is very dangerous. Because a truck driver is on the road so often, they need to be alert. If they are not, they are risking their lives and the lives of others. In fact, the FMCSA has completed various research projects centered on the slogan that "staying awake means staying alive".

The FMCSA recognizes the stress of a truck driving job and how that stress can affect your ability to sleep through the night, resulting in dangerous levels of drowsiness during the day. There are many factors that can lead to sleep apnea in truck drivers and the FMCSA is concerned with the rising numbers of drivers with the condition. In one study funded by the FMCSA, it was stated that the Divided Attention Driving Task found that individuals with sleep apnea perform, on average, as poorly as individuals whose levels of blood alcohol concentration exceed the legal limit.

Excessive sleepiness in no joke and the FMCSA is dedicated to assisting commercial drivers in any way possible to find solutions to sleep apnea. In fact, the FMCSA has dedicated a webpage on the U.S. Department of Transportation website to sleep apnea. On this website, past studies and current methods for helping you sleep apnea are available.

The website also has a section where symptoms of sleep apnea are discussed. One symptom that surprised a few truck drivers was snoring. In a study found on the website it was stated that an excessive level of snoring is nothing to laugh about, but can instead be interrupting your sleep as well as the sleep of those around you. In fact, if your snoring levels are high enough you could have a serious form of sleep apnea called obstructive sleep apnea.

If you are thinking "I know I snore, but I don’t wake myself up," don’t be too sure. With sleep apnea, you are not always aware of the many times you wake during the night. If you find that you are frequently tired during the day, you might be waking up during the night.

Sleep apnea is a very real problem and can potentially be very dangerous. With your truck driving job, you need to be alert, and excessive drowsiness is not acceptable. If you have even the smallest inkling you may have sleep apnea, visit the FMCSA’s webpage on sleep apnea at;

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety-security/sleep-apnea/sleep-apnea.aspx

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There are also tests available to check your likeliness of having sleep apnea. For the drivers of C.R. England, there are clinics and services available to assist their drivers with the problems of sleep apnea and to help them overcome it.

CR England Partners With University of Utah Football

C.R. England is pleased to announce a new partnership with the University of Utah football team. For years, football has been part of the American culture. College football specifically is a highly anticipated sporting event that brings unity to local communities and is one of the most followed sports in the nation. In their partnership with the U of U, CR England will be transporting team equipment for all road games. The trucking company has donated two trucks to the University of Utah. The trucks will pull trailers that have been branded with U of U images and are lengths of 53 and 28 feet.

"We are very excited to provide this resource to the University as well as to show our support to Utah athletics," said Chad England, C. R. England's Chief Operating Officer. "As the Utes move to the PAC-12 Conference this season, their mode of transporting their equipment will match the stature of their new conference affiliation. The Utes will now have the best transportation solution of any team in the country."

The U of U trucks will be driven by two of CR England’s most experienced drivers; Kent Lundberg and Dan Baker and will continue their regular routes during the university’s off seasons. Along with the drivers, CR England has also donated the fuel for the trucks.

CR England is founded in Utah and has headquarters located in the same city as the University of Utah. The company is proud to sponsor their local university and is excited to see great benefits for both the company and the university. CR England is a great supporter of higher education and athletics and is always looking for ways to show their support to such programs.

To learn more about C.R. England and how to become a part of the England family, visit www.CREngland.com.

Truck Stop Showers And You

Truck drivers live their lives out on the road. Moving from place to place, most truck drivers have to depend on truck stops for many of their basic necessities. One of these necessities is showering. Because most trucks do not have showers in them, drivers are required to go to a truck stop to get clean. However, when going somewhere to get clean, don’t you expect that place to be clean?

The facilities at truck stops are used by a wide variety of people and walking into a shower room without being prepared can literally be detrimental to your health. While there are plenty of truck stops with more than satisfactory shower rooms, there are also a number that less than desirable. Especially if you are in a new area, distinguishing the clean showers from the others is a difficult task without going in. So, it is always best to simply be prepared. To keep you from the worry of contamination in the showers, there are a few simple items which can help you get clean, even if your surroundings aren’t.

The first item is shower shoes. These can be simple flip-flops and can be purchased at many stores including Wal-Mart for a few dollars. Shower shoes are a necessity because of the large amount of bacteria that lingers on the human foot. Shower shoes will protect you from picking up bacteria left by others while taking a shower.

Another helpful item that can, again, be purchased at any store for a few dollars, is a bottle of Lysol disinfectant spray, or any other brand of disinfectant. Once you enter the shower room spray the surface with your disinfectant and not only will the room smell better, but it will also become marginally cleaner.

Bringing a small washcloth to place your shower items, such as your soap and razor, on is one other step you might want to take. As time goes on and you progress in your truck driving career, you will gain knowledge of truck stops that have better facilities, but until that time comes simply remember these few tips to stay clean.

　

To learn more about truck driving jobs and how you can start your career today visit us at

www.crengland.com.

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Human trafficking: a criminal activity in which people are kidnapped, harbored, transported, or sold and purchased to serve an exploitative purpose, such as sexual slavery, forced labor, or child soldiery.
Human trafficking is widespread and is prevalent in many nations throughout the world, including the United States of America.
According to U.S. government, there are about 300,000 American children at-risk every year to human trafficking. Currently, 200,000-300,000 Americans, including children and teens, are sold into the sex trade. These numbers do not include the thousands of foreigners who are trafficked into the U.S. boarders every year.
Trafficking is conducted in the U.S. at numerous locations in all 50 states including restaurants, strip clubs, hotels, and truck stops. According to the FBI, traffickers have targeted truck stops as a paradise for solicitation because of the transient lifestyle. The victims of trafficking, those being sold, are not able to make the necessary connections to get help from the drivers around them because those truck drivers will usually be gone the very next day.
So what can you do? As a truck driver, you are the eyes and ears of the nation's highways; you see things no one else is even aware of. It's time for you to step up. It is time for you, as a truck driver, to start a change that will affect the lives of hundreds if not thousands. If you think this sounds difficult, it's not. All it takes is one simple phone call.
In March of 2009, an organization was started to rescue those individuals who find themselves trapped in the dark world of human trafficking. This organization realized the importance of working with truck drivers in an effort to stop trafficking. The organization, called Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT), implemented a system where truck drivers can call a hotline and report instances of human trafficking. That call will then trigger an investigation where lives can be saved and evil can be removed from the streets.
TAT has successfully assisted in the rescue of over 1,500 children including a young woman named Shari. When Shari was 15 she and her cousin were abducted on their way to a Wendy's near their home in Toledo, OH. They were taken to a home where they were informed they would be forced to repeatedly sell their bodies in prostitution. When the two teens rebelled, they were punished.
"When one of us would do something wrong, the other one would pay for it," Shari said. "They played us off each other and it worked."
She recalled one instance in particular where she had tried to escape and was caught. She was thrown into a glass table where she was severely cut by the glass and then forced to watch as the pimp of the house repeatedly dragged her cousin up the stairs by her hair then threw her back down.
"It was really horrible to hear her screaming and screaming for me," Shari said of the experience. "They were holding me back and telling me I had to watch. They said this is what happens when I do stuff like that; it was my fault."
Shari and her cousin experienced many horrible ordeals at the hands of their captors and those who purchased their services. It is important to realize that even if you unwittingly purchase services from a victim of trafficking, you are committing a criminal act. Not only that, but you are wrecking the life of a human being.
The human trafficking industry is a billion dollar industry, second only to the drug trafficking industry. The lasting impact of the human trafficking industry is spurred to rival that of the drug industry for many reasons, one reason being the re-usability of the victims. "Where you can only sell a drug once, you can sell a human being over, and over, and over again." Kirsta Melton, Assistant Criminal District Attorney in Bexar County, TX, stated.
Life in the trafficking industry is almost impossible to escape. Victims are watched closely and threatened on a daily basis. "They are placed in a situation they literally cannot get out of," Melton said. Victims of human trafficking are forced into a nightmare from which there is no waking. They can't save themselves, but you can.
After what seemed like a lifetime of being trapped in the web of trafficking, Shari was eventually rescued. She was rescued because a truck driver made a call. This call resulted in not only Shari being saved, but her cousin and 7 other children as well. This call also triggered a case that convicted 31 offenders and shut down a prostitution ring in 13 states.
All the truck driver did was call the authorities and tell them there were some young girls at a truck stop. His name was never disclosed, not even Shari knows who to thank for her rescue. Because of this truck driver these children were saved and the lives of unnumbered potential victims were also saved.
It can work. It will work if you only pick up the phone. Call the Truckers Against Trafficking hotline at 1-888-373-7888 to report trafficking in your area. You can also go to truckersagainsttrafficking.com to learn how to identify possible trafficking victims and how you can help in the efforts to stop human trafficking.

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Mother Nature and Truck Driving Jobs

As an Over the Road (OTR) truck driver, traveling from state to state not only means seeing different environments, but feeling them as well. Crossing this great nation, there are a variety of weather patterns. From baron deserts with blistering heat, to penetrating cold, sometimes accompanied by a fury of snow, as a truck driver you need to be ready to see it all.

While some weather conditions are simply too dangerous to drive through, such as tornados and blizzards, a truck driver has to push through many circumstances that most passenger vehicles wouldn’t. When a situation arises when you have to drive through weather you have never been in before, what do you do? Many truck drivers have many suggestions, some will work for you and some won’t.

In many cases, states will have road conditions posted on the Department of Transportation website. Most will also have a link where you can receive tips on driving through hazardous conditions. Some of the most basic tips for driving through any weather situation are:

Make sure you have enough fluids. Coolant, windshield washer fluid, oil, break fluids and transmission fluids should be checked before setting out on any drive.

Check the tread on your tires.

Check the condition of your windshield wipers. Good windshield wipers are a must when driving through rain, snow and sometimes heavy wind (because of flying debris).

One of the most important things to remember before driving through hazardous weather is that no load is worth your life. If the weather seems too perilous, do not drive through it. If you think you can make it through, remember to drive slow and stay alert. Stay within your comfort zone.

If you don’t feel comfortable going faster speeds in some types of weather, don’t. As you advance in your trucking career, you might become more comfortable with bad weather conditions and be able to handle them a bit more. However, pushing yourself past what you think is safe is never a good idea.

There are many different weather conditions out there. Some are easy to drive in, while others are not so easy. Knowing your surroundings and what you are getting into is a must as a truck driver. Simply remember to drive safe and enjoy your trucking job.

Million Mile Truckers Speak Out On Safe Driving

The summer is a time of travel. Highways become packed with vacationers heading out for a good time or trying to hang on the last thread of fun before going back to work. As a truck driver, more vehicles on the road mean more risk on the road. It is important to stay safe, and to help truckers throughout the nation be as safe as possible, the ATA has gathered a few million mile, accident-free truck drivers, known as America’s Road Team Captains, to provide some pointers.

“The first step of safety,” the Captains say. “Begins in your driveway.” Before setting out for a long trip, check your truck to make sure it is up to the task. Check the wipers, your fluids, and your radiator and cooling system. It might be a good idea to get your radiator and cooling system serviced before setting out if it has been a while.

The next step to take is checking your tires. If your tires are properly inflated, you can save up to 4% in fuel mileage.  Driving the speed limit will also save fuel, while also keeping you safe. Don’t be in a hurry to get in a wreck.

Always, always be aware of blind spots; yours and others. Keeping food and water in your truck is one safety practice that many drivers do not think about. If you get stuck in a stand still while under the blazing sun, it is easy to get dehydrated and tired. Water will help keep you hydrated and the food will give you the nutrients you need to stay alert.

It only takes one second to cause an accident. Distracted driving is the cause of more than 50% of crashes in the US. Put your cell phones away and watch the road. Honoring the right of way is another safety procedure that is often ignored. Don’t cut other vehicles off; always keep in mind that highway traffic does not have to yield to those on entrance ramps.

Being a courteous driver is one more step to staying safe. Allow other cars space in front of you and let some vehicles merge into your lane. Help where you can, but remember you do not have to stop for every stranded driver you see. Sometimes it is unsafe to pull over and assist someone. In such circumstances you can use your radio to contact the police and inform them of the situation.

Safe driving should be on the top of every truck driver’s list. Taking risks and going as fast as you can not only endangers yourself, but those drivers around you as well. Please remember to drive safe and save a life.
To view a full account of the America’s Road Team Captains’ safety tips visit http://www.truckline.com/pages/article.aspx?id=904%2F{8E1C7279-ED27-4C03-B189-CEEEE26BBB12}. 

Bringing On The Heat

This year, the nation has experienced phenomenal weather patterns. 

These weather patterns have made many truck driving jobs difficult.

From raging tornados, floods, and crippling blizzards, the recent trend in weather has wreaked havoc on many trucking jobs. Roadways have been closed and trucks have been stranded in mounds of snow, keeping some areas of the trucking industry at a standstill.

Unfortunately, current weather conditions are not helping. In fact, because of the blazing heat in many areas of the nation, more and more states have had to cut off sections of their roadways because of buckling. When a road buckles, it means part of the road has risen and formed what can be defined as a ridge in the roadway.

The cause of this occurrence is called ‘thermal expansion’. In elementary science, we are taught that heat makes objects expand, while cold makes them contract. Buckling is simple example of this; when excessive heat is concentrated on the road, it becomes too hot and begins to expand. However, only a small section of the road is expanding and when this section pushes against the solid boarder surrounding it, pressure builds and the expanding section is forced upward. Sometimes, the immense amount of pressure can even cause a small explosion in the road.

According to Dawn Eischen, Virginia Department of Transportation spokeswoman, the main reason for buckling is the sudden and extreme shifts in temperature. "Because we have extreme cold in the winter and then extreme heat in the summer, it causes the buckling," Eischen said. "Unlike a pothole, the extreme heat causes the concrete of the road to expand. When the concrete expands into another segment of concrete, it buckles upward instead of collapsing like a pothole."

In most regions, buckling is not a common occurrence. The phenomenon is also seen on train tracks, when pieces of the track will bend in extreme heat. "The damage," Eischen said. "Can be repaired by digging around the buckled concrete, and filling the area with either asphalt or concrete."

While a number of roads have been closed due to buckling, detours have been created and repairs are being done as quickly as possible. As a truck driver, you might want to check the road patterns of your route to make sure there is not a case of buckling in your path. Familiarizing yourself with more than one route is always a good idea as a truck driver, as you never know what can happen.

Trucking To New Horizons

Having an office job is not all it’s cracked up to be; sitting in a chair every day staring at a screen, surrounded by the dull grey walls of a cubicle, sometimes not even seeing the sun for weeks. This can all get wearing after a while. Instead of white florescent lighting, imagine if you will the great outdoors. A bright yellow glow creeping slowly across the sky, pushing the darkness of night aside, a cool morning breeze flowing through the open window and the only thing ahead is the open road. As a truck driver, this is your office.

Traveling the nation, truck drivers experience life in a way no one else will. Always on the go, they are the eyes and ears of the nation’s highways. A trucker makes his money by keeping the wheels moving. As he goes, the American continent unfolds beneath his tires and he becomes a part of the road.

It is true that a truck driving job is hard work, but it is also rewarding work. Just like everything else in life, a trucking job is what you make of it. If you are determined to love your job, you will. On the other hand, if you look for things to get upset about you will find them.

A truck driving job can be an adventure if you are ready for it. You can set out and explore the nation, discovering the many cultures each state has to offer. As a truck driver, you can make friends with people you never would have noticed before while stuck in a drowsy office.

With a truck driving job, the world is your office. Your ceiling is the large, blue sky and your carpet is the continuous expanse of road leading to new horizons. So get out there and get going. Hear the call of the open road and start your truck driving job today.

To learn about trucking jobs and how to get started now, visit

www.CREngland.com.

Road Dogs

It is often said that dog is man’s best friend. Loyal, obedient and ever-loving, they make the perfect companion for any situation. As a truck driver, it’s difficult when you have to leave your family and friends for the solo life on the road. To provide a little companionship while driving those long hauls, have you ever thought about getting a dog?

A lot of OTR truck drivers actually do have dogs that ride with them wherever they go. It helps relieve the solitary feeling of the trucker lifestyle and provides you with someone to talk to, even if they can’t talk back. But if you do get a dog, how do you know which kind of dog is the best for your truck? That depends on you. But as the space in your cab is limited, small to medium sized dogs are recommended. Small dogs are great because they can easily maneuver around the cab without hitting everything. As many small dogs have a tendency to bark, they also make great alarms. A medium sized dog will not be able to move around as easily in the cab of your truck, but they can provide a safety factor smaller dogs can’t. The teeth of small dogs only able to bite your ankle is not as intimidating as the low growl that comes with teeth that do major damage.

If you are worried about keeping the mess down while having your furry little buddy with you, there are a few tricks that can help. For the dog’s water, use a deep metal or plastic dish to keep the water from sloshing out. You can then place both the food and water in another long container so if it does spill, it won’t get on the carpet. Covering the carpet and chairs with a blanket for the dog to snuggle up in will also keep the mess down. When the blankets get dirty, you can simply shake them out and wash them.

A dog is truly one of the best partners for a truck driver, but they do need to be taken care of. Before you set out on the road with your dog, there are safety procedures to take. The first is getting a sturdy collar and a tag with your dog’s name and your name and number. For truckers, it is also a good idea to put your trucking company and your truck number on the tag in case you lose him at a truck stop. It is also a good idea to get your dog micro chipped before going out on the road. Be sure you know where your dog is at all times. With all the commotion of truck driving job

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, it is easy for dogs to get curious and run off.

Not all trucking companies allow pets in their trucks, so check with your company and see if you can bring your dog with you when you drive. To learn more about trucking jobs and how you can start a career as a driver visit our website.

Michigan State Police Buckle Down on Truckers

In the

truck driving profession every second counts. Time really is money. When you are late to drop a load or up against some other time limit, your biggest concern is how to get from A to B in the quickest time possible. So when you see the red and blue lights closing in on you, the last thing you feel is gratitude. Time is money and now you are going to be even later. With all that frustration rising, have you ever stopped to think that perhaps that officer writing you a ticket may have just saved your life?

Police officers are dedicated to keeping roads safe, the laws of the road are not simply made to obstruct drivers. More than 50% of accidents in the USA could have easily been prevented if a driver had not been speeding, distracted or performing some other form of unsafe driving. To show their dedication to safe driving practices, the Michigan State Police are currently cracking down on drivers throughout the state of Michigan.

Specifically focusing on the safety of truck drivers, the MSP will run a specialized truck enforcement team (STET) until the end of September. The MSP will have officers stationed at locations with high commercial motor vehicle crash rates and in and around rest areas all over the state. The officers will be looking out for truckers with unsafe driving habits such as speed, lane usage, following improperly, disobeying a traffic control device and improper turning. Officers will furthermore be checking truck drivers for credentials and making sure their vehicles are in compliance with state and federal regulations.

Michigan State Police are also urging those driving around commercial vehicles to remember safety procedures such as avoiding a truck’s blind spots, never cutting a truck off and simply remembering to share the road. "It is essential that commercial vehicles and passenger drivers alike drive in a respectful manner, buckle up and adhere to traffic laws," said Capt. Harold Love, commander of the MSP Traffic Safety Division and a member of the Michigan Truck Safety Commission.

To learn more about the MSP and the STET program, visit

http://www.mi.gov/msp/0,1607,7-123-1586-257652--,00.html.

Home Cooking For Truck Drivers

One of the biggest problems to being an OTR truck driver is the lack of home cooking. The constant need to eat at greasy truck stop restaurants gets tedious after a while and the longing for something with a touch of home becomes more and more prominent. To solve this problem, try cooking in your truck.

You might think that cooking in your truck is impossible, but there are actually a lot of truck drivers out there that do exactly this. Cooking in your truck really isn't as hard as you may think. In fact, there are some devices that will even allow you to cook while you are driving. Some of these items include lunch box ovens and crock pots.

There are a wide variety of recipes that can easily be made in either a lunch box oven or a crock pot. One example of a meal to be made in a crock pot is spaghetti. To do this, begin with the sauce. Place the sauce in the crock pot around the early afternoon and let it heat up during the day while you drive. About 40 minutes before you want to eat, pull over and put the noodles in the sauce, making sure they are completely covered. Let the noodles sit for 20 minutes, then stir them to make sure they get completely cooked and wait another 20 minutes. The next thing you know you will be eating a spaghetti dinner right in your truck.

Another method truck drivers commonly use is taking frozen leftovers from home. The leftovers can be stored in Ziploc bags or containers and then placed in a freezer on your truck. To make the meals all you will need to do is place the leftovers into your lunch box oven or crock pot and let it heat up.

Some other appliances that can be used for cooking on the road include hot plates, lighter socket plug in pots and pans and a small George Foreman grill. Always use caution when cooking on the road. If you have food heating up while you are driving, try to avoid sharp turns to avoid spills. If possible, anchor your crock pot to something stable to keep it from sliding.

There are ways to get home cooking on the road. Stock up on ingredients or stop at a grocery store and with the right appliances, you can have a home cooked meal wherever you are! To learn more about trucking and truck driving jobs, visit www.crengland.com.

ATA Teams Up With OOIDA To Improve Crashworthiness Of Commercial Vehicles

The safety of those with truck driving jobs is a rising concern. Programs have been created and steps have been taken to ensure that every possibility to ensure the safety of truck drivers is examined. However, the American Trucking Association along with the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association has discovered one area where the safety of commercial trucks is lacking.

On June 8, 2011 the ATA teamed up with the OOIDA to write a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requesting research on crashworthiness standards for commercial trucks. Crashworthiness tests have been conducted for a wide variety of vehicles in the past years, including light trucks, but not a single test has been conducted to improve the safety of large-scale commercial trucks.

The letter written by the team addressed a few main points where those with truck driving jobs can benefit most from a crashworthiness standard. The largest area where improvement can be made is the survival rate of commercial truck drivers. The letter referred to a study conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration where it was discovered that approximately 700 truck drivers have lost their lives each year for the last 10 years in either single or multi-vehicle large truck crashes.

Appalled by this number, the letter proposed improvements with cab structure, occupant restraints such as safety belts and airbags, windshield and door strength, and installing more forgiving interior surfaces to ensure the safety of the drivers. The ATA and OOIDA strongly urged the research saying, "We believe there may be opportunities to enhance the survivability of professional truck drivers if appropriate, research-based, uniform standards are developed."

There is great room for improvement when it comes to the crashworthiness of commercial trucks. The proposed research could result in many lives saved, and it is time the safety of truck drivers was held at the same standard as all other motor vehicle users. As stated by OOIDA Executive Vice President Todd Spencer; "The most valuable, even most precious, cargo truckers haul is themselves and it’s time that our standards reflect that value."

To read the letter submitted by the American Trucking Associations and the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association, visit

http://www.truckline.com/AdvIssues/Engineering/Documents/ATA%20OOIDA%20ltr%20to%20NHTSA%20June%208%202011.pdf.

CR England Improves Fuel Economy

As a growing trucking company, CR England is constantly looking for ways to improve their efficiency. They use fuel efficient engines, partner with various companies and programs to improve their environmental impact, and now they have come up with some tips for improving the fuel economy.

By dividing their strategies into two categories, behavioral and equipment, CR England has been able to better track the causes of poor fuel efficiency and discern ways to improve it. Chad England, 

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resident England North America, has stated that fuel economy is one of the company’s top priorities and they always open to new ideas on how to develop it. By studying their two categories, CR England has discovered that in many situations of poor fuel economy, it is the small things that make a difference.

For example, in the behavioral category the way a driver acts can cost or save the company thousands of dollars. Chad England declared the company’s biggest behavioral issue was truck drivers over-revving and idling. Leaving a truck running for a few simple minutes may not seem like a very big concern, but the minutes add up. How many times a day is the truck left simply sitting at a dock or truck stop for four or five minutes with the engine on?

To improve the issues of idling trucks, CR England has purchased equipment that has an auto shut off timer. This device will shut an engine off after five minutes of idling. They are also working to improve their training tactics to steer away from accelerating too quickly and shifting late, and have placed 62 mph speed limiters in their trucks.

To improve their second category, equipment, CR England runs new equipment through a series of tests to determine its potential. If the equipment proves it is worthwhile, CR England will invest in it. The company encourages testing products before investing too much in them, discouraging the practice of simply relying on third party certifications. "This has been a huge key to our success," Chad England said. "Over the past few years, our fuel economy has gone up every month."

Through their continued effort, CR England hopes to see the fuel economy continue to improve. Acknowledging the fact that improving fuel economy is a never ending task, England does not lose confidence, but simply confirms the company’s resolution that they will never stop by saying, "There is no silver bullet, and there are always a multitude of things you need to work on."

To learn more about CR England and how you can join their efforts to improve the fuel economy, visit our company website

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http://www.truckinginfo.com/clean-green/news-detail.asp?news

Annual CVSA Inspection June 7-9

Every year since 1988 the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has conducted an inspection called the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s 72-hour International Road Check. The goal of the inspection is to ensure the regulations placed on commercial vehicles are being followed on the nation’s highways. This year’s inspection will take place June 7-9.

To get ready for the event, inspection stations are being placed along highways across North America and individual patrol units are getting ready to drive along all other roadways. “Commercial motor vehicle inspectors work diligently every day to ensure that the commercial vehicles using our highways do so as safely as possible,” said Stephen A. Keppler, CVSA’s executive director.

This year the CVSA will be paying strict attention to logbooks to ensure truck drivers are complying with the recent hours of service laws. Also in response to the hours of service law, inspectors will be including the examination of truck drivers moving household goods to their regular routine. The goal of this new inspection is to stop those truck companies who are trying to get away with using improperly marked rental vehicles or marked trucks that do not have the proper authorization of a customary HHG carrier.

Anne S. Ferro, administrator for FMCSA backed up the inspection by saying, “Expanding this year’s road check to include household goods movers, along with trucks and buses, reflects our strong commitment to stepping up commercial vehicle safety enforcement and saving lives on our nation’s roadways.”

The annual road inspection has indeed improved the nation’s commitment to safety; resulting in more than 234 lives saved and 4,293 injuries avoided. However, while commercial vehicle drivers are paying closer attention to safety protocol, there will always be the few drivers who disregard procedures regarding safety. According to CVSA’s Stephen Keppler, this is the reason the inspection will continue to take place. Driving any commercial vehicle needs to be taken seriously and done in the proper way.

To learn more about the upcoming inspection, visit http://www.cvsa.org. To learn more about truck driving or how to start your career as a truck driver, visit www.crengland.com.

Congressman Makes A Stand For Truckers

On May 11, 2011, Congressman Paul Tonko made a stand for truck drivers across the nation. Tonko is currently pressing Washington to acknowledge the problems faced by truck drivers needing to find a rest stop. The lack of truck parking along the nation’s highways has always been a problem for truckers, especially for those needing to pullover for the hours-of-service regulations. There are not always designated truck stops for truckers to use, and because of this truck drivers are forced to simply pull over where they can. 

 
Tonko is proposing the making of a new law called Jason’s law. The anticipated law is named after Jason Rivenburg, a trucker who lost his life because he had nowhere to safely rest in his truck. One morning in March 2009, Jason was on his way to make a delivery, but his destination was not open yet. Jason then pulled over at the only available spot, which happened to be a gas station. While waiting in his truck, Jason was robbed then shot and killed. The killers got away with all of Jason money, which totaled $7.

Jason left behind a loving wife and three children. During a press conference at the U.S. capitol Tonko expressed his outrage of the situation. "Jason Rivenburg lost his life for a mere $7 while delivering milk to South Carolina," he said. "This cannot happen again. Enough is enough." In reaction to Jason’s death, Tonko has filed a bill to create funds for building more truck stops along the highways. The bill would set up a $20 million annual U.S. Department of Transportation grant program for six years to assist states, local governments and private companies in creating more parking places and rest areas for truckers.

The actions taken by Congressman Paul Tonko have been fully supported by trucking agencies such as the ATA. “We applaud Rep. Tonko for again introducing this critical legislation, and hope Congress will act quickly to deliver for those who deliver America’s goods.” said Mary Phillips, ATA senior vice president of legislative affairs.

In order to see Jason’s Law succeed, Tonko hopes to attach it to the highway reauthorization bill. To learn more about Jason’s Law and the progress of Congressman Tonko, visit http://www.timesunion.com/default/article/Tonko-pushes-Jason-s-Law-1376254.php.