Share the Road Drivers Encourage Safe Summer Driving
Members of American Trucking Associations’ Share the Road Program, an elite group of drivers with millions of accident free miles to their name, urge motorists to exercise caution when taking to the highways this summer.
With an estimated 42 million people hitting the road this summer and with construction season in full swing, Share the Road drivers made a number of recommendations to ensure highway safety.
- Buckle up: Safety belts reduce the risk of fatal injury by 45% and are a simple way to increase your safety on the road.
- Slow Down: With the extra highway congestion due to vacation travel, speeding becomes even more dangerous. Allow plenty of space between you and other vehicles and reduce your speed.
- Don’t drive impaired: Summer is often a time for merriment, but if you’ve had too much to drink, don’t get behind the wheel.
- Do not cut in front of large trucks: Remember that trucks are heavier and take longer to make a complete stop, so avoid cutting quickly in front of them.
- Be aware of truck blind spots: When sharing the road with large trucks, be aware of their blind spots. If you can't see the truck driver in his or her mirrors, then the truck driver can't see you.
- Be aware of the vehicle in front of you: Leave extra room between you and the vehicle in front.
- Keep your eyes on the road: Distracted driving is a major cause of traffic accidents. Even just two seconds of distraction time doubles the chances of an accident. Use your cell phone when stopped and never text while driving.
- Plan ahead: Before you get on a highway, know your exit by name and number, and watch the signs as you near the off-ramp. Drivers making unexpected lane changes to exit often cause accidents.
In addition, Share the Road professional Kirk Weis, a Rio Rancho, NM based driver with ABF Freight, reminded drivers that even after the 4th of July holiday weekend is over, summertime is peak construction season on the roads and to be careful around ongoing roadwork.
“We all want good, smooth roads to travel on,” said Weis, “but that sometimes means highway repairs. Be extra cautious when you see those signs and cones.”
Weis said around construction zones drivers should:
- Expect the unexpected because speed limits or traffic lanes may be changed.
- Keep a safe distance from other traffic and construction workers and equipment.
- Pay attention to signs, signals and surroundings
- Avoid distractions because work zones present extra challenges and obstacles.
Share the Road is a highway safety outreach program of the American Trucking Associations that educates all drivers about sharing the roads safely with large trucks. An elite team of professional truck drivers with millions of accident-free miles deliver life-saving messages to millions of motorists annually. Follow Share the Road on Twitter and Facebook.
American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation’s freight. Follow ATA on Twitter or on Facebook. Trucking Moves America Forward
TruckDriver.com
Carrier of the Month
Chizek Transport, Inc.
Chizek Transport, Inc. entered the transportation industry in 1962 when Carmen Chizek, the founder of the company, hauled agricultural products from the fields of Wisconsin. As the company grew through acquisitions and internal growth, other commodities were added. Today, with the help of Mike Chizek, the current owner of Chizek Transport, the company has grown to a 48 state carrier primarily servicing the Midwest, Texas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and the Northeast.
Headquartered near Cleveland, Wi, Chizek Transport is constantly upgraded and has grown continuously through the years with a planned mix of company equipment and permanent leased owner-operators to ensure customers the highest level of service.
They are a company that values experienced, professional drivers. Here are some of the features and benefits of driving for Chizek.
• Get treated like a real person and not just a Truck number
• Take your truck home when you go home
• Home every 10-14 days for Over the road
• Wisconsin or Michigan Regional Home Every Weekend (certain areas apply)
• Same pay loaded, empty or deadhead
• Average 2500-2800 miles per week
• Freightliners with APU's • Reefer and Dry van Trailers
• QualComm - Elogs
• No touch freight
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Vacation after 1 year employment
• DRIVER REFERRAL BONUS $$$$$
• Start pay of $.40+ cpm up to $.48 cpm
• Sign on bonus of $500 ($250 on first check, $250 after 6 months)
Chizek offers employment opportunities with an honest approach that is free of recruiting gimmicks.
If you are looking for a place to call home call 1-800-477-7565 or visitwww.chizektransport.com
Silvia Chavez
Women In Trucking
Member of the Month
Women In Trucking Association has announced Silvia Chavez as its July Member of the Month. Silvia is described as being a powerhouse of a woman. She is an Army National Guard veteran, having served six years as a medic. When her husband on active-duty had to relocate for work, the two picked up and moved from Fort Leonard Wood, MO to Fort Knox, KY.
“I’d constantly run across advertisements for CDL drivers,” said Silvia. “So I figured, why not? I got my license and training, and before I knew it, I was an over-the-road driver.”
With Silvia and her husband planning for another move within the next year or so, she says she needed to focus on having a career where it would be easy to adapt to constant change.
The field training she participated in for the National Guard prepared her well for her time as an over-the-road driver in that she had already grown accustomed to the idea of sometimes having to be away from the comforts of home. The National Guard also taught her tremendous work ethic and empowered her to take pride in her work.
“It taught me to step up to the plate at all times,” she shared. “I didn’t know all the ways I would end up applying the things I learned there.”
Silvia now drives for a Ryder dairy customer, where she has a predictable route and schedule that allows her to be home more often.
“There are so many benefits to being a driver—from the independence that comes from being my own boss, to the drama-free nature of the position.”
While there are various misconceptions that come along with being a driver, such as the assumption that all drivers are unhealthy, Silvia insists that the job of a driver is an important one and one which requires of a “take charge” type of attitude. Silvia believes driving needs to be looked at like an office job in the sense that because drivers sit for such long periods of time, it is critical that they get up and take care of themselves. She advises drivers to eat healthy and take the time to exercise on their free time, as doing so enables them to perform better and be more alert.
“People often see women and think ‘oh no, it’s a woman driving—watch out,’ but I’ve heard that we are actually some of the safest CDL drivers out on the road,” said Silvia. “I think women are always trying to take care of things, so in the driving industry, I believe we do the same thing, from taking special care of what we are carrying in our loads, to being particularly mindful of the people driving around us.”
A veteran who’s already dedicated herself to serving her country, she continues to serve by delivering some of the everyday goods that Americans consume daily. She is a role model to other women who may find the industry to be an intimidating one, and she is a shining example of what it means to be a tough, smart woman who takes ownership of her work.
“Silvia is a great example to other women who might be considering a career in trucking,” said Patrick Pendergast, Senior Director, Recruiting Services, Ryder. “She greets everyone with a smile, provides impeccable customer service to Ryder’s customers, and proves that women can excel in this industry.”
Women In Trucking Foundation Scholarship Foundation
The Women In Trucking Scholarship Foundation was formed in 2011 to provide financial assistance to anyone pursuing education in the area of safety, truck driving, leadership, or as a technician. Since 2013, the organization has awarded seventeen men and women scholarships.
This year, the foundation is opening up the application process for a second time and is encouraging anyone attending a training facility to submit an application on its website womenintruckingfoundation.org.
Applications will be accepted through the end of July and students will be notified in early August.
Anyone pursuing a career in the trucking industry may apply. Membership in the Women In Trucking Association is not a prerequisite (although certainly encouraged). Scholarships are not limited to women either.
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