Sep 17, 2018 • Community

Brake Safety Week is almost here. Are you ready?

Brake Safety Week is almost here. Are you ready?

Are you ready for the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) Brake Safety Week happening later this month? From September 16-22, CVSA-certified inspectors will conduct a weeklong inspection blitz throughout the U.S. and Canada focusing on brake systems. CVSA reported that 14 percent of truck drivers were placed out-of-service for brake-related violations during last year’s Brake Safety Day. Getting placed out-of-service costs drivers valuable time and money, so it’s important that you don’t find yourself in the same situation. Making sure you’re prepared will not only help you pass an inspection and keep you moving, but it will also make our roadways a safer place.

Most inspections during the blitz will be full Level I inspections. This comprehensive 37-step procedure examines driver operating requirements and vehicle mechanical fitness, and will also focus on the inspection of:

Brake-system components to identify loose or missing parts
air or hydraulic fluid leaks
defective rotor conditions
measurement of pushrod travel
mismatched air chamber sizes across axles
air reservoir integrity and mounting
worn linings, pads, drums or rotors
required brake-system warning devices
other brake-system components

There will also be 12 jurisdictions using performance-based brake testing equipment to measure vehicle braking efficiency.

So, what can you do to be ready for your inspection?

Have your driver’s license and registration easily available.
Perform your regular preventative maintenance procedures.
Conduct your pre-trip visual inspection. Make sure to look for loose hoses, leaks and any damage; check air disc brakes for cracks and grooving; and ensure air chambers are intact and in the correct position.
Inspect brakes more in-depth looking for leaks, checking brake linings for cracks and wear, and measuring the brake stroke, etc.
Utilize the Trucker Path app to see inspection facilities and get an idea of when you might expect to receive an inspection during the blitz.

We hope these tips will help make your inspection go smoothly. It’s also important to remember that it’s a best practice to always keep your truck well-maintained, inspect your brake systems regularly, and perform a thorough pre-trip inspection before every trip. You still have time to address any issues and get yourself and your truck ready for the 2018 CVSA Brake Safety Week!

Tagsdrivers truck drivers brakes brake safety brake safety week inspections

Trucker Spotlight - Jamar Holland <em>The Trucker Spotlight series explores the lives of truckers and their journey to make a difference in their industry. We interview different truck drivers to understand some life lessons that make them who they are today. We also learn more about their motivations, and the problems that they encounter on the job. We also tackle how Trucker Path's solutions helped them with what they do. The information that they provide helps inform other people who are looking to delve into the trucking world.</em> <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/08/jh2.jpeg" alt=""] <h2></h2> Today we are putting the spotlight on Jamar, who's been driving for 4 1/2 years. He's a husband and a father who loves every minute of his trucking life. Let's get to know more about his life on the road. <h2></h2> <h3></h3> <h3><strong>What made you decide to be a trucker?</strong></h3> I decided to become a trucker honestly because everything else in my life had failed up until that point. I was tired of working dead end warehouse jobs and was really ready for a new career. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>In the years that you have been driving, what are the significant changes that you've noticed in the trucking industry?</strong></h3> The most significant change for my short career has definitely been ELDs. I had a short experience with paper logs but it became a challenge when we shifted to their electronic counterparts. <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/08/jh3.jpeg" alt=""] <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What made you decide to put up your Youtube channel?</strong></h3> Honestly, I never imagined my Youtube channel growing into what it is today, it actually just started as a way to vent-out and express myself. Somehow it became therapeutic to me and surprisingly to others as well. As it grew, I continued to take pride in being a voice for others like myself and giving motivation that truly anyone can be successful in life. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>Any times when you get lonely while driving? How do you deal with it?</strong></h3> Absolutely, but thank God for technology. I recently started referring to myself as "FaceTime Daddy" and even though it's done jokingly, FaceTime and other similar forms of communication are pivotal for me and my family to remain sane and whole while I'm out here working to secure our future. <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/08/jh4.jpeg" alt=""] <h2></h2> <h3><strong>As a trucker, what are the current struggles in this COVID19 pandemic?</strong></h3> I think just the uncertainty of what will happen next, hoping that it doesn't effect my income so drastically like so many of my friends and family. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What are your usual routes? Favorite scenic truck route?</strong></h3> I usually stay on I40 and I5 in California, however my favorite scenery would definitely be Oregon just perfectly created in my opinion. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What was your weirdest or most unusual haul?</strong></h3> I picked up a load of hay in the middle of a Nevada desert that was literally 30 miles off the map. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>How often do you use rest stops / truck stops? What are the things that you look for in a truck stop? Favorite truck stop meal?</strong></h3> I use both very often, first thing I look at is always the parking lot size and parking availability. Lucky for me, the Trucker Paths app is normally very accurate. As far as inside, I always look at reviews of the showers. There's nothing more disturbing than a poorly kept bathroom. Favorite truck stop meal is always a mom and pop diner with great breakfast! <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What are the common troubles or problems you encounter while trucking?</strong></h3> Common troubles for me are rude and unsafe drivers. My biggest fear is that even if I can control and safely operate my truck, you never know when someone around you will do something that will not only jeopardize their life but yours as well. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What are your pet peeves while driving/trucking?</strong></h3> Biggest pet peeves are vehicles who enter the highway too slow, its literally called the acceleration lane. <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/08/jh5.jpeg" alt=""] <h2></h2> <h3><strong>How did Trucker Path help you in your day to day trucking?</strong></h3> The fact that <a href="http://www.truckerpath.com">Trucker Path</a> can tell me how far each truck stop is from my exact location, that allows me to be very productive and productivity equals more money. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What are some tips that you would like to share for aspiring truckers?</strong></h3> Be confident when you're out here on the road and most importantly don't rush. The money will come and so will all your goals just keep pushing one day at a time. Like I always say on my channel, Stay safe, Stay positive and Stay productive. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>Where can people watch your videos on Youtube?</strong></h3> They can view my videos on my <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/Tre7DJHouse/featured">Youtube Channel, ATruckerNamedJay.</a> <h2></h2> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y95yUN8oyfg" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> <h2></h2> Hope you guys enjoy! <h2></h2> <h2></h2> <h4>By Aldous Aldwin</h4> <h3></h3> <h3></h3>

Aug 19, 2020 • Carriers

Worst Traffic Bottlenecks in America [p] Which locations landed on American Transportation Research Institutes [a href="https://app.appsflyer.com/com.sixdays.truckerpath?pid=Social Facebook"]top 100 worst traffic bottlenecks in America[/a]?[/p] [p]Bottlenecks, no not the Budweiser kind. Rather the worst traffic bottleneck that causes extreme delays can derail a truck drivers schedule. Let's take a look at the list of places where drivers are bound to be waiting in triaffic. [/p] [h2]1. Atlanta Spaghetti Junction[/h2] [p]Winner winner, spaghetti dinner! After analyzing over 600,000 heavy-duty trucks, the ATRI deemed the intersection of [b]Interstates 285 and 85 North in Atlanta[/b], known as the “Spaghetti Junction” is the most congested freight bottleneck in America.[/p] [ol] [li]Atlanta Spaghetti Junction[/li] [li]I-95 at State Route 4 in Fort Lee, New Jersey[/li] [li]I-290 at I-90/94 in Chicago, Illinois [/li] [li]I-65 at I-64/71 in Louisville, Kentucky[/li] [li]I-71 at I-75 in Cincinnati, Ohio[/li] [li]SR 60 at SR 57 in Los Angeles, California[/li] [li]SR 18 at SR 167 in Auburn, Washington[/li] [li]I-45 at US 59 in Houston, Texas[/li] [li]I-75 at I-285 North in Atlanta, Georgia[/li] [li]I-5 at I-90 in Seattle, Washington[/li] [/ol] [giphy]<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/3o7qE3a5YpLpCdeq0U" width="480" height="269" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe>[/giphy] [h2]Which State Has the Worst Bottlenecks?[/h2] [p][b]Texas has the most bottleneck of any state[/b], with nine locations ranked among the top 50 worst. Washington has six locations in the top 50, California has five – primarily in the Los Angeles area, while Georgia has four.[/p] [h2]Which City Has the Worst Bottlenecks?[/h2] [p]Staying in the Lone Star state, the city with the worst bottleneck congestion is [b]Houston[/b]. Not only does Houston have three locations in the top 15, it has six in the top 40. Seattle is another city with major bottleneck traffic congestion with five locations on the top 100 list.[/p] [h2]Difference Between Traffic Jam and Bottleneck[/h2] [p]A bottleneck differs from a traffic jam because a bottleneck is caused by a road design or flaw in the timing of traffic lights. Bottleneck traffic can be limited if there is a proper redesign of the roadway, something that is extremely costly and time-consuming. The most common causes of bottlenecks are:[/p] [ul] [li]Traffic Interruption – the most common causation of bottleneck traffic that includes railway crossings, tolls, stop signs or traffic lights.[/li] [li]Lane Reduction – a merge caused by the reduction in the number of lanes.[/li] [li]Merging – specifically when two major highways intersect.[/li] [/ul] [p]American Trucking Association President Chris Spear sees the results of the ATRI study as an indication of infrastructure issues that the Trump Administration should address.[/p] [quote]“With President Trump expected to press for significant long-term infrastructure spending, this ATRI analysis should be a key guide for deciding what projects are worthy of funding,” Spear said. “Ensuring the safe and efficient movement of goods should be a national priority and this report draws attention to the places where our highway network needs improvement in order to meet that goal.”[/quote] [giphy]<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/2bgR8ybgyJU6Q" width="480" height="269" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe>[/giphy] [button-white href="http://atri-online.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-ATRI-Bottleneck-Brochure.pdf"]Full List[/button-white]

Jan 26, 2017 • Community

Celebrate National Truck Driver Appreciation Week with loads of savings and giveaways [p]National Truck Driver Appreciation Week (NTDAW) is this week! This year, the trucking industry will come together from September 9-15 to honor professional drivers nationwide. We want to thank you for all your hard work and commitment to your careers. Without you and your integral role as a truck driver, life would get tough fast for the rest of us. Many of the things we take for granted, including access to medical supplies, fuel, food and clean water, would all be gone in a matter of weeks without trucks and truck drivers. What you do matters, and we are so grateful for you.[/p] [p]As a professional driver, there are several rewards and freebies you can take advantage of as part of NTDAW. These include:[/p] <ul> <li><strong>[p]Denny’s</strong> - Participating Denny’s travel center locations will offer professional drivers scratch-off cards with various diner discounts and prizes through September 30. Drivers will also receive a 10 percent discount key tag that can be used until December 31, 2019. (<a href="https://www.truckersnews.com/dennys-to-show-appreciation-to-drivers-in-september/">https://www.truckersnews.com/dennys-to-show-appreciation-to-drivers-in-september/</a>)[/p]</li> <li><strong>[p]Pilot/Flying J</strong> - Throughout the month of September, Pilot Flying J stores will have money-saving offers and daily giveaways via the myPilot® app. Pilot Flying J Truck Care is also offering free mid-trip inspections, valued at $50, to help professional drivers and trucking companies prepare for Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s Brake Safety Week. The company is also handing out a combined 100 million myRewards® loyalty points to more than 60,000 drivers, including 2,000 daily winners. To enter, professional drivers can simply swipe their myRewards® loyalty card when purchasing diesel fuel at participating travel centers in the United States. Additional details can be found here: <a href="https://www.pilotflyingj.com/driver-appreciation/">https://www.pilotflyingj.com/driver-appreciation/</a>[/p]</li> <li><strong>[p]Love’s Travel Centers</strong> - Love’s is celebrating NTDAW all month long with many food, drink, and merchandise deals as well as the opportunity to win 10,000 My Love Reward points. One driver will win 1 million points. Use the following link for more details: <a href="https://www.truckersnews.com/loves-appreciates-trucker-drivers-throughout-september/">https://www.truckersnews.com/loves-appreciates-trucker-drivers-throughout-september/</a>[/p]</li> <li><strong>[p]AmBest Truck Stops</strong> - Specific AmBest members are hosting driver appreciation events. Check out the full list here to find one near you: <a href="https://am-best.com/News-Events/Driver-Appreciation-Days">https://am-best.com/News-Events/Driver-Appreciation-Days</a>[/p]</li> <li><strong>[p]Southern Recipe</strong> - Vote for your favorite truck driver chef recipe for a chance to with $2,000 here: <a href="http://southernrecipe.com/truckdriverappreciation/">http://southernrecipe.com/truckdriverappreciation/</a>[/p]</li> </ul> [p]Many carriers around the country are also hosting their own driver appreciation events this week. Be sure to check out their social media pages to find out the details. Know about a NTDAW event happening that you want to share with other drivers? Leave the details in a comment below.[/p] [p]Here’s to a great National Truck Driver Appreciation Week![p]

Sep 10, 2018 • Community