Many motorists have no idea about trucks. They tend to think of them operating just like small cars do. Truckers know, however, that a big rig is nothing like a small car on the road. There are many things truckers wish motorists knew about big rigs. For instance, a big rig uses gears to shift… Read more »
Author: Platinum Drivers Inc.
Research Concerning Sleep Apnea and the Trucking Industry
The online edition of the journal Sleep has something of particular interest to truckers in its March 21st edition. Turns out that a new study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute has found that truckers with obstructive sleep apnea who aren’t being treated/complying with treatment have a fivefold increase in the risk of a severe… Read more »
Federal Regulars Target “Sleepy” Drivers
When driving a big rig over roads, you do not want to fall asleep, right? Sleepy drivers should know that the federal regulators are considering new restrictions for truck drivers who have sleep apnea, a condition where a person reduces or stops breathing during their sleep. Sleep apnea involves repeated episodes of upper airway collapse… Read more »
Why Logistics is a Growing Industry
Similar to the trucking industry, the U.S. depends on logisticians to make sure that products get from one location to their destination. An important element of any business, it is the responsibility of a logistician to analyze and coordinate the supply chain. This includes managing the life cycle of a product – from how the… Read more »
New Commercial Driving Rule Aims To Improve Roadway Safety
A new federal rule affecting commercial truck and bus drivers will change the way drivers’ hours-of-service are recorded and verified. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) adopted a Final Rule requiring drivers to use electronic logging devices (ELD) to replace paper and pencil records of on-duty/off-duty time. Approximately three million… Read more »
Things for Truck Drivers to Pack While on the Road
Truck drivers need to pack certain things for their trips. Of course, it helps to have a Trucker’s Atlas handy for navigation purposes, as well as a working CB to stay in contact with other truckers along the way. A box of tools for minor repairs to the truck is always a good thing to… Read more »
Trends in the Trucking Industry
There is a shortage of professional truck drivers in this country. Research found the shortage to be about 20,000 in 2005. According to trucking.org, that number increased to 38,000 by 2014, rising to 48,000 last year. Yikes! The situation is a bit dire, with the shortage expected to rise over 100,000 in the next decade… Read more »
What Falls Under the Distracted Driving Umbrella?
Few things are more dangerous than a distracted, inattentive driver on the road. Regardless of whether you drive an 18-wheeler or a small, 2-door vehicle, distracted driving puts you and others at serious risk. In an attempt to curb distracted driving amongst truck drivers, both the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) and the PHMSA… Read more »
Stay Safe in Treacherous Conditions this Winter
As if driving a vehicle with 18-wheels under clear skies wasn’t difficult enough, having to drive one when it’s snowing, icy or in white out conditions raises the difficulty level to a whole new spectrum. Even the most skilled drivers must take additional cautionary measures on the road, and with Winter Storm Jonas ready to… Read more »