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Dear {FName}, December 15, 2011

As we approach the end of 2011 we want to wish you and yours a wonderful Holiday Season and a safe and prosperous 2012!

Merry Christmas from TruckDriver.com


Trucking Industry Encouraged to View New ‘Highway Angel’
Video and Share the Link with Friends

The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has an important job for each and every person reading this story: Help change the public’s perception of trucking by watching Lindsay Lawler’s brand new “Highway Angel” music video at www.youtube.com/highwayangelvideo and forwarding the link to everyone you know.
Lawler, a country singer who has a strong following within the trucking community, wrote and recorded “Highway Angel” as a tribute to TCA’s Highway Angel program. The lyrics applaud the many professional truck drivers who stop each day to help motorists in trouble on the highways.

“This song sends a strong, positive message about the good people of the trucking industry and deserves to be seen and shared by all of us. We hope everyone will share the link with their friends through Facebook and other social networking sites,” said Gary Salisbury, TCA’s chairman and the president and CEO of Fikes Truck Line, Inc., of Hope, Ark. “People are always asking me what they can do to change the image of trucking. This is something that is quick, easy to do, and doesn’t cost anything. The more people who spread the link, the more ‘buzz’ we can generate to help boost our industry in the eyes of the general public.”

According to Salisbury, TCA’s goals are to spread the video’s link virally to as many people as possible before the end of 2011 and have millions of views recorded by YouTube. It is hoped that the video’s popularity will catch the notice of the country music recording industry and result in additional exposure for the song, Lindsay Lawler, and the entire trucking industry.

In conjunction with the YouTube post, TCA and Highway Angel program sponsor Internet Truckstop hosted a special launch reception for the new video December 8th in Nashville, Tenn. Representatives from the Great American Country network, MTV, and several other music industry entities were invited, and TCA members from in and around Nashville attended.

The video will be played for the 30,000 fans in attendance at the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on Saturday, December 17, 2011, at 3:30 p.m. MST at Bronco Stadium in Boise, Idaho. During the Bowl, TCA and Internet Truckstop will recognize Marcus Beam, a driver for Epes Transport System, Inc., as TCA’s 2011 Highway Angel of the Year. Beam pulled a mother and two young children from an overturned car while others stood by, refusing to help.


U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood Announces Final Rule That Bans Hand-Held Cell Phone Use by Drivers of Buses and Large Trucks

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has announced the final rule specifically prohibiting interstate truck and bus drivers from using hand-held cell phones while operating their vehicles. The joint rule from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is the latest action by the U.S. Department of Transportation to end distracted driving.

"When drivers of large trucks, buses and hazardous materials take their eyes off the road for even a few seconds, the outcome can be deadly," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "I hope that this rule will save lives by helping commercial drivers stay laser-focused on safety at all times while behind the wheel."

The final rule prohibits commercial drivers from using a hand-held mobile telephone while operating a commercial truck or bus. Drivers who violate the restriction will face federal civil penalties of up to $2,750 for each offense and disqualification from operating a commercial motor vehicle for multiple offenses. Additionally, states will suspend a driver's commercial driver's license (CDL) after two or more serious traffic violations. Commercial truck and bus companies that allow their drivers to use hand-held cell phones while driving will face a maximum penalty of $11,000. Approximately four million commercial drivers would be affected by this final rule.

"This final rule represents a giant leap for safety," said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro. "It's just too dangerous for drivers to use a hand-held cell phone while operating a commercial vehicle. Drivers must keep their eyes on the road, hands on the wheel and head in the game when operating on our roads. Lives are at stake."

While driver distraction studies have produced mixed results, FMCSA research shows that using a hand-held cell phone while driving requires a commercial driver to take several risky steps beyond what is required for using a hands-free mobile phone, including searching and reaching for the phone. Commercial drivers reaching for an object, such as a cell phone, are three times more likely to be involved in a crash or other safety-critical event. Dialing a hand-held cell phone makes it six times more likely that commercial drivers will be involved in a crash or other safety-critical event.

In September 2010, FMCSA issued a regulation banning text messaging while operating a commercial truck or bus and PHMSA followed with a companion regulation in February 2011, banning texting by intrastate hazardous materials drivers.

"Needless injuries and deaths happen when people are distracted behind the wheel," said PHMSA Administrator Cynthia Quarterman. "Our final rule would improve safety and reduce risks of hazmat in transportation."

Nearly 5474 people died and half a million were injured in crashes involving a distracted driver in 2009. Distraction-related fatalities represented 16 percent of overall traffic fatalities in 2009, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) research.

Many of the largest truck and bus companies, such as UPS, Covenant Transport, Wal-Mart, Peter Pan and Greyhound already have company policies in place banning their drivers from using hand-held phones.

The final hand-held cell phone ban rule can be accessed here.

To learn more about the U.S. Department of Transportation's efforts to stop distracted driving, please visit
http://www.distraction.gov

Latest Forum Topics

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TruckDriver.com
Carrier of the Month
Western Express, Inc.

Western Express, Inc. is an asset based truckload carrier, founded in 1991 by Donna and Wayne Wise. In the last twenty years the company has grown to become a large tier industry truckload carrier with 2010 annual revenue in excess of $432 million. This extraordinary success has been achieved through a combination of internal growth and strategic acquisitions.

Western Express, Inc. is a service focused company. Their first goal is to serve the needs of the customer, while also focusing on lanes and areas that provide profit to company.

Their service offerings include truckload van, dedicated fleet, flatbed transportation, logistics and expedited truck/rail. They take pride in their fleet and own and operate approximately 2500 power units and in excess of 6500 trailers. 100% of their power units are satellite tracked.

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Western Express is the name to remember for today’s best career options. You will receive excellent pay, big miles, top-notch equipment, and the hometime that you deserve.

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The results of the TruckDriver.com Time for a Change Survey and it looks like 2012 is going to be a very busy year!

Are you planning on looking for a new driving job in 2012?

Yes - 87%
No - 13%

Needless to say, the sales guys have been high-fiving each other all day!

Now, take the TruckDriver.com Job Search Survey and let us know how you plan on looking for that new driving job next year.

Until then, keep on truckin’ and please drive safely.

And above all, have yourself a Merry little Christmas now!

* * * * *

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


“In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season; the Christians called it 'Christmas' and went to church; the Jews called it 'Hanukkah' and went to synagogue; the atheists went to parties and drank.  People passing each other on the street would say 'Merry Christmas!' or 'Happy Hanukkah!'  or (to the atheists) 'Look out for the wall!'”

~ Dave Barry ~



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