In case you haven’t heard the word, the Word of the Year for 2009 was “unfriend”.
unfriend – To remove someone as a ‘friend’ on a social networking site such as Facebook.
That’s according to the New Oxford American Dictionary.
Another word that made the list is ‘intexticated’.
intexticated - distracted because texting on a cell phone while driving a vehicle
That brings us to the latest word from Ray LaHood, Secretary of Transportation.
Secretary LaHood Bans Texting for Commercial Truck Drivers
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has announced a federal ban on texting by commercial drivers as part of the DOT’s ongoing campaign to stop distracted driving.
Click here to read the full press release.
For more on intextication visit distraction.gov.
More words we found interesting (perhaps we should say words we found even more interesting) came from the Truckload Carriers Association, the TCA.
TCA Announces 2010 Best Fleets to Drive For
The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), in conjunction with CarriersEdge, is pleased to announce the winners of the second annual Best Fleets to Drive For survey and contest:
Bison Transport, Winnipeg, MB
Boyd Bros. Transportation, Clayton, AL
Brian Kurtz Trucking, Breslau, ON
CalArk Trucking, Mabelvale, AR
Central Hauling, Mabelvale, AR
Coastline Transport, Fowler, CA
Con-Way Truckload, Joplin, MO
Dart Transit Company, Eagan, MN
Don Hummer Trucking, Oxford, IA
Kennesaw Transportation, Rydal, GA
Laidlaw Carriers Van, Guelph, ON
MacKinnon Transport, Guelph, ON
Melton Truck Lines, Tulsa, OK
MSM Transportation, Bolton, ON
Schneider National, Green Bay, WI
Shulist Trucking, Maple, ON
Yanke Group of Companies, Saskatoon, SK
Best Fleets to Drive For is an annual survey and contest identifying the North American for-hire trucking companies that provide the best workplace experiences for their drivers.
To qualify, carriers operating 10 trucks or more had to be nominated by at least one of their drivers (either a company driver or an owner operator). CarriersEdge conducted the survey and compiled the research data, evaluating each nominee on the range and depth of offered programs, the overall effectiveness of those programs across key metrics, and the responses of surveyed drivers.
“This is the second time the survey has been conducted, and the data that has emerged from it has been very useful to the industry in terms of identifying trends and where things are headed,” said Chris Burruss, TCA’s president.
Mark Murrell, president of CarriersEdge, agreed, adding, “For example, the survey reveals that fleet sizes went down overall last year, but a number of the Best Fleets actually grew in size. Many of the Best Fleets also took advantage of low prices and interest rates to invest in new equipment.”
Murrell said many drivers noted that the biggest area to get cut last year was employer matching 401(k) and RSPs. Many fleets dropped their employer match altogether, while those who kept it generally lowered the matching rate, he said.
Drivers also said that their fleets are continuing to invest in green technology, even though fuel prices have stabilized. “More and more bonus programs seem to be tied directly to environmental initiatives like fuel efficiency and idle time,” Murrell stated.
In addition to industry trends, the survey also provided a glimpse into some of the most innovative programs carriers are operating to recruit and retain drivers. Notable company initiatives include Don Hummer Trucking’s quilting club, through which drivers fill some idle time making quilts that are later raffled or donated to charity; Bison Transport’s extensive corporate intranet, which allows drivers’ family members to login and see their satellite position; Boyd Bros. Transportation’s seasonally adjusted mileage-based bonus program; and Kennesaw Transportation’s starting pay program, which is based on the driver’s longevity at his previous employer.
In March, TCA will announce the names of the highest scoring fleets from each of two categories: Best Fleet for Owner Operators and Best Fleet for Company Drivers. These overall winners will be recognized at the TCA Annual Convention, February 28 – March 3, 2010, at the Wynn Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Here is the latest word from Women in Trucking.
TEN WOMEN TRUCK DRIVERS SELECTED FOR ROADSIDE MEDICAL AND WOMEN IN TRUCKING WEIGHT LOSS CHALLENGE
Roadside Medical Clinic + Laband Women in Truckingare pleased to announce that ten finalists have been selected to compete in the first of its kind Women Trucker Roadside Medical Challenge. The Challenge is designed especially for women drivers to see if they have what it takes to get in shape, despite the challenges faced while living life on the road.
"Maintaining your health can be very difficult when you spend so many hours on the road, but hopefully this challenge will help women truck drivers realize that it can be done," says Ellen Voie, President/CEO of Women in Trucking."Together with Roadside Medical we will be able to help women get on a better road to health."
Roadside Medical Clinic + Lab and Women In Trucking have partnered together to form a 120 day challenge that will track the fitness efforts of ten women truck drivers. The 120 day challenge will kick off on February 1, 2010 and each finalist will receive a Roadside Medical Driver Body Fuel kit, free 30 day health checks and free personal coaching from Bob Perry, the Trucker Trainer. Finalists will also be sharing their experience on the Midnight Trucking Radio Network, document their challenge online and be featured in various stories in newspapers, magazines, Internet media and in Pilot Travel Center’s Challenge Magazine.
"We are pleased to partner with Roadside Medical Clinic + Lab to improve the lives of our customers," said Jimmy Haslam of Pilot Travel Centers. "Our goal is to be a total solution provider for all driver services, and Roadside Medical Clinic + Lab is helping us deliver medical services. The evidence supporting driver health initiatives is too staggering to ignore. Providing drivers with healthy options and access to medical care isn’t just good business, it’s the right thing to do."
The ten finalists for the Women Trucker Roadside Medical Challenge were selected based on their personal story submitted to both organizations explaining why they should be a challenge finalist. Visit roadsidemed.comto learn more about the Challenge participants.
"We are excited to be working with Women in Trucking to share our message of health and wellness with their members and prospective members," says Bob Perry, a.k.a. "The Trucker Trainer," President for Roadside Medical Clinic + Lab (and Vice Chair for the American Transportation Association Safety Management Council’s Health & Wellness Working Group. "We are also fortunate to have Pilot’s Challenge Magazine on board to help us recognize our Challenge winner nationally."
Roadside Medical will announce a winner and two runners up on or about June 15, 2010. The challenge winner receives a $100 gift certificate from GiftCertificates.com ™, free Roadside Medical Driver Body Fuel product for one year; a four day, three night stay in Las Vegas including airfare, hotel and $300 spending money; a workout session and a healthy grocery shopping trip with Bob Perry while at Las Vegas; a photo shoot for Pilot Travel Center’s Challenge Magazine; a profile on the Roadside Medical Clinic + Lab and Women in Trucking Web sites; and inclusion in national media announcements. The two runners will each receive a $50 gift certificate from GiftCertificates.com™ and free Roadside Medical Driver Body Fuel product for six months.
"GiftCertificates.com is proud to be a part of such a positive program and support the lifestyle changes these women are making," said Gary Krow, Chief Executive Officer of GiftCertificates.com. "By providing SuperCertificate Rewards to the winners, each woman will be able to reward herself by picking the gift cards of her preference from the hundreds of choices available on our website. What better way to celebrate such a major life achievement then by picking your own prize."
And here is the word on The TruckDriver.com Pizza Your Heart Survey.
We asked: What are you favorite pizza toppings?
This is how the toppings ranked:
Cheese – 20%
Mushrooms – 15%
Onions – 13%
Pepperoni -19%
Peppers – 9%
Sausage – 16%
Other – 7%
Don’t eat pizza - 1%
Take the TruckDriver.com Texture Survey and tell us what you think about the ban on texting while driving.
And finally, here is The Word from Stephen Colbert.
Until next time, keep on truckin' and please drive safely.
Your Comments Are Always Welcome
We do like to hear from you and invite you to let us know how we can improve the e-Report. Please send your ideas and suggestions to: jobs@truckdriver.com
