It’s officially Summer and it’s officially Hot! That tells us that it’s time for the Top Five list - just to remind you to keep a cool head and to stay cool this Summer.
Top Five Ways to Beat the Heat
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of liquids, especially water. Drinks containing caffeine will only make you thirstier and while they taste good, they actually make you more dehydrated. Try freezing a bottle of water to have on hand for those extra hot days.
Say Stress Free: The summer heat only adds more stress when things go bad on the road. Plan your trips carefully. Avoid rush hours, long stretches of highway driving in the middle of the day and keep your emotions under control. Road rage is more frequent in the summer heat, avoid putting yourself in that position. Remember, the other guy is just as hot as you are.
Relax and Stretch: Take a little time to unwind. Find some shade or air conditioning and stretch your arms and legs every now then. Don’t hop out of the bunk and plop down behind the wheel. Give yourself a little time to think about the work day ahead.
Sunscreen: Use it! Recent reports reveal the cheaper the sunscreen the more effective. A small price to pay to avoid sunburn. Place a cool damp towel around your neck when fueling or doing your inspection. Stay cool!
Get Plenty of Rest: Being tired only makes you hotter. A good night’s sleep and a little nap in the afternoon will keep your energy from being zapped by the heat.
Have a great Summer and a safe 4th of July Holiday Weekend!
ATA’s Official National Truck Driver Appreciation Week Online Store Now Open
American Trucking Associations has opened the official 2016 National Truck Driver Appreciation Week online store, featuring customizable merchandise designed to show support for the industry’s 3.5 million professional truck drivers.
“The men and women who drive trucks in this country do a tremendous service to all of us, and it’s important to recognize the work they do to safely and efficiently transport the goods we rely on each day,” said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. “Safely navigating the nation’s highways is a challenging task for many of us, but truck drivers handle it with professionalism and poise and for that they deserve our appreciation.”
Notable additions to this year’s e-store include a neon safety shirt, a durable, easy-to-carry search flashlight, and a lightweight, practical backpack, all of which showcase the 2016 NTDAW logo. Popular items from previous years, such as lunch boxes, hats and banners are also available on the NTDAW store.
This year’s National Truck Driver Appreciation Week is September 11-17. ATA encourages motor carriers and suppliers throughout the industry to hold appreciation events for professional truck drivers. ATA First Vice Chairman Kevin Burch, president of Jet Express, is hosting ATA and America’s Road Team for an event at the Jet Express facility in Dayton, Ohio. For more ideas on hosting your own NTDAW event, visit the Resources section of the official NTDAW website.
“Our economy is literally driven by professional truck drivers, so these men and women deserve our highest respect and praise,” said Burch. “We’ve seen excitement for this week grow from year to year and I think it’s because truck drivers are proud of the work they do and the public is starting to understand how important truck drivers are to our way of life.”
The official 2016 NTDAW logo is available for download on the ATA website. The site also offers resources ranging from state proclamation drafts to examples of editorials for trucking industry affiliates to enhance their driver appreciation events.
Plan to Attend Expedite Expo 2016 - Expediting’s Largest Trucking Event
July 15-16 at the Lexington Center in Lexington, KY
Each year, Expedite Expo offers something new. This year is no exception. Here’s a look at some of what’s new for this year’s Expo:
All-American Working Truck Show
The National Association of Show Trucks is developing a brand-new working truck show for Expedite Expo. NAST members who show their truck at a NAST-sponsored event accumulate points for winning in different categories such as lights, murals, engines, and paint. Those with the highest scores from the individual shows are then invited to compete at The Mid-America Truck Show in Louisville, Kentucky.
NAST trucks are generally working show trucks that are usually a few years old. The vast majority of NAST members will be picking up a load the day after the show and go back to business as usual. The All-American Working Truck show will be July 15-16. Like the Expo, the Working Truck show is free to view. We do recommend you register in advance to come inside to see the Expo so that you do not have to wait in line. Register online at www.expediteexpo.com.
Health Pavilion
Visit the Health Pavilion, sponsored by Stoops Specialty Trucks and Bolt Custom Trucks and
Manufacturing, to get valuable information for protecting and improving your health. Learn about
nutrition for life, get a blood pressure check from the Lexington Health Department, hear Big John’s weight loss story, and more!
For more information, visit www.expediteexpo.com/events/health-care-pavilion.
Product Pavilion
The Expo is a great place to check out all the newest products to make your trucking experience more efficient and more enjoyable. New this year is a dedicated area on the show floor for purchasing things you need for your truck and your travel on the road.
Free Truck Wash
For the first time, Expedite Expo will be offering a FREE truck wash to every driver that comes to the show with their truck, first-come, first served, available 10am to 4pm only. The Expo will have the equipment and people on-site to wash each truck right in the parking lot at the Lexington Center. Sponsored by Expeditersonline.com.
Hotels on-site
The Expo has arranged special rates the Hilton Lexington Downtown, just across the street from the convention center. The Hilton Lexington Downtown has a rate of $129 per night plus taxes. For more information and reservations at either hotel, visit www.expediteexpo.com/travel/hotel.
Free Admission and Free Parking – Expedite Expo is open to the general public!
Expedite Expo 2016 – Lexington, KY
ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello discusses May truck tonnage index
which increased 2.7% from April and 5.7% from May 2015
Video
Jan and Dean discuss why Summer Means Fun
Video
Expedite Expo 2016 - Expediting’s Largest Trucking Event
July 15-16 at the Lexington Center in Lexington, KY
Free Admission and Free Parking – Expedite Expo is open to the general public!
Video |