Only ten days till Christmas!

On the tenth day of Christmas, what did your true love send to you? (You don’t have to sing it all the way - We have the answer below.)

Only seventeen days till 2014!

Time sure flies when you’re truckin’, don’t it?

Truck Drivers Offer Safety Tips for Winter Road Conditions 

American Trucking Associations wants to ensure the motoring public is prepared for winter storms taking place across the U.S. and that all motorists arrive to their destinations safely, in the coming months.  Winter road conditions can lead to dangerous situations. Fortunately, a team of million mile accident-free drivers are helping to make our roads safer.
America's Road Team Captains, elite professional truck drivers are offering advice on how to safely navigate through winter road conditions.  Tips include:

• Map your route:  Know where you are going and be prepared, ahead of time, to exit off the highway when needed. Indecisive driving is a major cause of traffic problems.

• Avoid extreme weather conditions: Ice, hail and snow make roads difficult to travel. Try to avoid driving through extreme weather conditions, and travel during daylight as much as possible.

• Remove ice and snow from your vehicle:  Clear your windows and roof of snow to ensure you have maximum visibility and avoid creating a hazard for the vehicle behind you. Don't allow ice and snow to create additional blind spots on your vehicle.

• Slow Down: With winter weather conditions present, speeding becomes increasingly hazardous. Allow plenty of a space cushion and reduce your speed.

• Prepare an emergency kit: Contents should include: battery powered radio, flashlight, blanket, jumper cables, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, bottled water, non-perishable foods, maps, tire repair kit and flares.

• Watch for black ice, a thin layer of transparent ice that forms when temperatures are close to freezing.  Black ice may make the road look slightly wet and is difficult to spot. Watch for ice build-up on your mirror arms, the antenna of your vehicle and the top corners of your windshield, all signs pointing to the formation of black ice on the roadways.  Once the spray from tires on vehicles in front of you stops, the highways most likely are full of black ice.

• Be aware of truck blind spots: When sharing the road with large trucks, be cognizant of their large blind spots. If you can't see the truck driver in his or her mirrors, then the truck driver can't see you.

• Do not cut in front of large trucks: Remember that trucks are heavier and take longer to make a complete stop.  Avoid cutting quickly in front of them.

• Keep your eyes on the road:  Distracted driving is a major cause of traffic accidents. Just two seconds of distraction time for a motorist double the chances of an accident. Use your cell phone when stopped and never text while driving.

• Leave early and avoid risks:  Leave early to avoid anxiety associated with arriving late to your destination and to accommodate potential unforeseen delays.

• Buckle up: Safety belts reduce the risk of fatal injury by 45 percent and are a simple way to increase your safety on the road.

"One of the largest driving concerns during times of cold weather is that of following distances.  When the roads are slick, your normal following distance needs to double in length for snow and triple in length for icy conditions," said Don Logan, America's Road Team Captain (FedEx Freight) from Eskridge, KS.

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Women in Trucking
Canadian Forum

New Federal Data Again Highlights Trucking’s Critical Role to the Economy

Recently released data from the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Transportation Statistics again showed that trucking is the dominant mode for moving freight in the United States.

“The Commodity Flow Survey showed once again that trucks move the vast, vast majority of freight in the United States,” said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. “Since it is only updated every five years, the CFS report is a critical tool for policymakers and researchers in examining the freight market. The government should ensure that reports like it, including the Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey, are updated on a regular basis.”

The VIUS was discontinued in 2002.

Costello highlighted a number of the Commodity Flow Survey’s results as particularly enlightening:

• In 2012, trucks moved 73.7% of all freight by value and 70% of the tonnage versus 3.3% of value and 15.8% of tonnage moved by rail

• The average length of haul for trucks is 212 miles

• Only 3% of freight tonnage moved on multiple modes – i.e. a train and a truck, or a barge and a truck

• Just 15.1% of all freight shipments were longer than 500 miles and only 9.7% traveled more than 750 miles.

“The length of haul data is crucial, particularly when talking about rail and truck competition,” Costello said. “While feasible under certain conditions, the potential for rail intermodal to gain a significant amount of truck market share is limited. Now more than ever, the two modes are more likely to complement each other than compete for business. ”

The full Commodity Flow Survey can be reviewed here.

TruckDriver.com
Carrier of the Month
Decker Truck Line, Inc.

In 1931 with the help of a single Model B Ford truck, Loren Decker and his younger brother Dale fulfilled the youthful dream of owning a trucking company. Although only 17 years of age at the time, Loren already had several years of driving experience in the days when no driver's license was required. Service in the early days involved the transportation of canned goods, plumbing fixtures, gypsum products and windmills between Iowa and the adjacent states.

In 1945 after earning a Purple Heart in the Marine Corps, Dale Decker rejoined his brother Loren in the business where both brothers participated in all phases of the company's activities. During the first 45 years of its existence, Decker enjoyed a steady yet moderate growth as it continued to concentrate its activities in the Midwestern states transporting primarily construction materials, iron, steel articles and food products.

In 1976 Loren retired and sold his interest in the company to Dale and Dale’s two sons, Don and Duane Decker. Building upon the base of 45 years of experience, customer loyalty, quality service and personnel, this new management team set forth to expand the company's operations, both in territorial scope and in the range of commodities transported. In the ten years that followed, Decker's revenues increased tenfold and its operations extended to a nationwide system of transporting all types of commodities under both its nationwide common and contract carrier authority.

In 1993, Don Decker acquired sole ownership of the company. Decker’s management team consists primarily of individuals who have grown in the company, many of whom began as drivers and are now using their combined experience in operations to sustain Decker’s highest standard of service which has gained the loyalty of some of the nation’s largest shippers, as well as smaller companies.

The Model B Ford was sold. Dry ice is no longer used to refrigerate the trailers. Computers have become commonplace. The only thing that has not changed is the company's philosophy that there is no substitute for quality of service. It is this philosophy which has allowed Decker to have the privilege of continuing to serve some customers for more than 75 years and will permit the company to earn the loyalty of new customers in the years ahead.

Because Decker is still family owned and operated, they understand the importance of family to their drivers and staff. Their operations personnel is dedicated to providing drivers consistent, quality time at home.

In the trucking industry, a company is only as good as its drivers and at Decker you’ll find:

* An attitude and reputation of quality service not only to just-in-time deliveries but all other traffic lanes as well.

* Efficiently scheduled appointment times in accordance with shipper and consignee requests

* A turnover rate in drivers that is as low as 35 percent.

* Drivers properly trained in loading and unloading procedures to minimize the potential of injury

* With Decker’s team of experienced mechanics, its maintenance program is of the highest standard of excellence in the industry. All equipment must go through a safety lane at the end of each trip. This kind of preventive maintenance program eliminates most problems before they happen.

Decker is proud to offer company drivers competitive pay, excellent benefits and equipment. They also provide owner operators competitive compensation. Opportunities are available for reefer/van and flatbed drivers, with routes to give you quality home time and keep you successful.

Apply Here

The TruckDriver.com Black Friday Survey results are no surprise.

Did you go out shopping on Black Friday?

Yes - Saved a ton money! - 8%
No - Saved a ton of time! - 38%
You’re kidding, right? - 54%

Even though the Mall brawls and the Super-store stampedes were all over the TV, online spending hit a record $1.20 billion on Black Friday 2013. This Internet thing just might catch on.  

Take the TruckDriver.com Christmas Budget Survey and let us know if you are shopping from your couch.

On the tenth day of Christmas my true love sent to me: 10 Lords a Leaping (Scroll up if forgot)

TruckDriver.com wishes you and your family a very Merry Christmas and Prosperous New Year!

Until next year, keep on truckin’ and please drive safely.

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