Nov 08, 2019 • Carriers

Industry Update - November 8, 2019

Industry Update - November 8, 2019

By Paul DeCoste

Did you Know?

Less than two weeks ago Mack unveiled their brand new, all-black, Mack Anthem truck. Debuted at the North American Commercial Vehicle in Atlanta on October 28^th, this new model catches eyes with an all-black bulldog hood ornament, a spacious interior and much more. Mack promoted the truck with the phrase “Back in the Black”, a good omen to the goal of making good money as a driver. Truck fan or not, this blacked out semi is a beast.

Trucking Tip of the Week

Its that time of the year, watch out for snowy and impassible roads. This driver was stuck on a two-lane roadway for three days before calling local police for help. Make sure your truck is prepped for icy roads and freezing conditions.

Trucker Path’s weather feature on the navigation app can help you out here as well!

Industry Update

Owner-operators in California are using this week and next to protest the new Assembly Bill 5 that has the potential to eliminate lots of owner-operator jobs in the state. Although there doesn’t seem to be any centralized leadership with the protests, there were 50 people protesting outside of the State Senator’s office on Monday.

The controversial AB 5 bill will require owner-operators to be classified as employees with a trucking company, rather than expand their own small businesses as a contractor. This bill is allowing exemptions for certain contractor jobs like freelance writers and graphic designers. Owner-operators are looking to obtain similar exemptions.

Laws and Regulations

The owner of several New Jersey trucking companies, Tito Viteri, was recently sentenced to two years in federal prison for a massive tax avoidance scheme. He is responsible for evading personal and corporate taxes for more than nine years. Tito owned eleven trucking companies which were collectively known as Viteri Trucking Companies.

In total, Tito evaded $2.3 million worth of taxes and is now paying the price for it.

Hours of Service Update

Regulators accepting comments on a petition to exempt small carriers from the upcoming ELD mandate. If you have any suggestions on how the FMCSA should approach the new ELD mandate, find more information and submit your response at this link:

https://www.joc.com/trucking-logistics/labor/challenge-eld-rule-resurfaces-fmcsa_20191105.html

TagsTruck truck drivers Owner Operator trucking FMCSA Trucker Path Trucking Industry truck stops Owner Operators Legislation Trucking Tips California transportation

Truck Driver Injury Prevention [p] Driving a heavy-duty truck is one of the most dangerous jobs in America. Take a look at these truck driver injury prevention tips to stay safe on the road. [/p] [h2] Truck Driver Injury Prevention [/h2] [p]The trucking industry is a profession with one of the highest workers’ compensation claim rates. The profession itself requires long hours of driving, poor diets, and little exercise, making truck drivers prone to injuries. These truck driver injury prevention tips can help limit drivers at risk. [/p] [p] In America, Washington State alone, workers’ compensation claims are so high that there is an initiative for preventing on the job injuries for truck drivers. It is referred to as the TIRES Initiative. [/p] [p]Each year, 1-out-of-13 truck drivers in Washington state has a work-related injury serious enough that they have to miss work for a long period of time, on an average of 184 days.[/p] [p]Truck drivers had more nonfatal injuries (over 151,000) than workers in any other occupation in 1995. 50 percent of the nonfatal truck accident injuries were serious sprains and strains; this may be attributed to the fact that many truck drivers must unload the goods they transport. (Source: According to Knestaut, A. Compensation, and Working Conditions, 1997, Fall) [/p] [p]Long hours of driving, poor diets and little exercise make drivers prone to work-related strains and sprains with injuries to muscles, tendons, nerves and other musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). [/p] [p]<strong>Injuries are often due to:</strong>[/p] [ul] [li]Overexertion[/li] [li]Being struck by an object[/li] [li]Falling[/li] [li]Transportation accidents[/li] [li]Repetitive use of body[/li] [li]Lifting heavy boxes and cargo[/li] [li]Awkward postures such as reaching overhead [/li] [li]Gripping tightly or improperly[/li] [/ul] [p]Work-related strains and sprains make up 50% of injuries are the most costly and most frequent injuries in the trucking industry. Sprains, strains and overexertion make up for the most trucking-related injuries. [/p] [p]Studies show that costs exceed $107 million and resulting in 576,000 lost-work days per year. About 70 percent of these injuries were to truck drivers. Many of the injuries occurred when opening shipping container doors or connecting or disconnecting a trailer to the truck.[/p] [p]<strong>Strains and sprains can include:</strong>[/p] [ul] [li]Back pain[/li] [li]Shoulder pain[/li] [li]Muscle strain[/li] [li]Tendonitis[/li] [li]Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)[/li] [li]Tennis elbow (epicondylitis)[/li] [li]Other common injuries include bruises, fractures, cuts and lacerations, soreness and pain, and multiple traumatic injuries.[/li] [/ul] [p]<strong>The most common situations where truck accident injuries occur include:</strong>[/p] [ul] [li]Vehicle accidents[/li] [li]Carpal tunnel injury[/li] [li]Strained wrists from opening hard to open containers[/li] [li]Strains and back injuries from lifting and moving items or releasing 5th wheel to remove tractor from trailer[/li] [li]Slip and falls climbing in or out of the cap or trailer[/li] [li]Accidents while loading or unloading trailer[/li] [li]Slip and falls on docks[/li] [li]Crush injuries where part of load falls on driver[/li] [/ul] [p]<strong>Workers’ Compensation Costs</strong>[/p] [ul] [li]41% of compensable claims are the result of strains and sprains to the neck, back and upper extremity (shoulders, elbows, hands/wrists) [li]The average cost for a claim is over $26,000 [li]Average of 184 time-loss days Compared to other industries [/ul] [p]Couriers have almost four times the rate of work-related strains and sprains claims of all industries combined. Waste Collection has three and a half times the rate and General Freight trucking is close with almost two and a half times the rate of work-related strains and sprains of all other industries combined.[/p] [p]<strong>Additional Costs</strong>[/p] [p]Work-related time off also increases the cost of hiring and training, increasing turnover and decreasing productivity. Sometimes workers are unable to return to their full wage jobs after an injury or require extensive life-altering surgeries or treatments to recover.[/p] [p]Take Steps to equip truck drivers and operators with the proper tools needed to help them avoid injury.[/p] [p]To help offset these unwanted expenses we introduce <a href="https://www.shippingcontainertool.com/">OPNBar</a>, a 3 in 1 shipping container safety leverage tool, <a href="https://www.shippingcontainertool.com/use-tire-beater-check-tires-properly-inflated/">tire beater/thumper</a>, and <a href="https://www.shippingcontainertool.com/how-to-release-a-5th-wheel/">5th wheel release handle/hook</a>. Our product was originally designed for opening and closing truck trailers and shipping container doors with the safety for the operator foremost in mind. The OPNBar trucker tool, for instance, can help avoid some injuries by providing an ergonomic means of opening shipping containers, checking for low pressure tires, and aiding operators in releasing the tractor from the trailer.[/p] [video id="wdokuVGpIcE"] [p]Educate truckers, equip them with the right tools, and teach them good health habits to keep them safe and healthy. These simple precautions can help companies avoid unexpected fees and missed work days.[/p]

Nov 02, 2017 • Community

5 Best Things About Our Freight Factoring Company <meta name="description" content="The best freight factoring company that's right for your trucking company." /> [h2] Why InstaPay is the Best Freight Factoring Company [/h2] [p]Using a reliable freight factoring company like <strong>Trucker Path InstPay</strong> is a great option for owner-operators to better manage their cash flow. However, not all factoring companies are created equal. Here are five things that make InstaPay the best freight factoring company for you. [/p] [h2]1. Non-Recourse Factoring - We Collect For You [/h2] [p]Our <a href="https://truckerpath.com/blog/recourse-vs-non-recourse-factoring/">non-recourse factoring</a> means we assume liability to collect from your clients. We pay you for your invoices and we assume the risk to collect, not you. Choosing to factor with our factoring company allows you to operate risk-free and focus on running your business of hauling loads. Send us your bill of lading and rate confirmation right after you haul and we'll get you paid![/p] [h2] 2. Get Paid in a Day [/h2] [p]It's all in our factoring company name. With InstaPay, you no longer have to wait 30 or more days before getting paid by your clients. Our factoring company pays you within a day after hauling a load. it's instant![/p] [h2] 3. Flat Rate - No Fees [/h2] [p]Our factoring company charges a one-time, flat rate which means there's only a one-time charge of a small percentage of the invoice total. There are no hidden costs and you won't be charged for <a href="https://truckerpath.com/blog/hidden-costs-to-factor/">ridiculous factoring fees that other factoring companies will.</a> [/p] [p]We even offer a special rate on your first load and discounts for referring friends who want to use a freight factoring company like InstaPay as well! [/p] [video id="h3kXwM59BgM"] [h2] 4. The Most Transparent Factoring Company [/h2] [p]There are no contracts or commitments with InstaPay, just a short list or terms to agree to. We don't require you to factor with us for a specific amount of time or require a minimum volume. There is no fine print to worry about. We pride ourselves on being completely transparent. [/p] [p]You'll never be forced to factor a specific volume or length of terms. Factor on your terms and use InstaPay anytime you want.[/p] [h2]5. Easy to Use Right From You Phone[/h2] [p]We know how busy you can be, especially when you're always on the road. Factoring with InstaPay is easy to set up and even easier to use. Our user-friendly Truckloads app allows you to take pictures of your documents and send them right from your phone. [/p] [p] Don't let your cash flow become an issue. Signing up with our factoring company is a breeze and you can get paid in a day! So what are you waiting for?[/p] [button text="Sign Up For InstaPay" href="https://www.getinstapay.com" width="250px"]

Aug 15, 2017 • Carriers

10 Safety Tips for Hitting the Road this Winter <span style="font-weight: 400;">Navigating the road during winter can be difficult even for expert truckers. During this season, truckers have to put up with icy roads, poor visibility, and reduced traction while driving a big rig. However, implementing preventive safety precautions can help you sail smoothly throughout winter without any major problems.</span> <h3></h3> <h3><b><i>Vehicle Inspection</i></b></h3> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Before anything else, you need to ensure that your truck is in the best shape to survive the tough conditions of the winter season. See your tire pressure, antifreeze levels, and engine oil before your trip. If you have the time and the means, have a mechanic inspect your vehicle. This will help ensure that your vehicle can withstand the harsh conditions during winter.</span> <h3></h3> <h3><b><i>Watch Your Speed</i></b></h3> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Accidents during the winter season mostly happen due to overspeeding. Driving through an icy road can result in poor traction. This is why it’s wise to compensate by reducing your speed. Going easy on your accelerator also gives you a longer reaction time should things go south. </span> <h3></h3> <h3><b><i>Allot Extra Space</i></b></h3> <span style="font-weight: 400;">While driving on wet roads, stopping distance is usually twice more than normal. However, stopping distance increases to 10 times more than usual on icy roads. This is why you have to leave lots of room between your truck and the vehicle in front of you. Doing this will keep you out of harm’s way during accidents.</span> <h3></h3> <h3><b><i>Be Smooth</i></b></h3> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Don’t do any sudden movements on icy roads. Refrain from sudden brakes, acceleration, etc. Should you find yourself in a sticky situation, lightly pump your brakes. Be sure to keep your speed consistent. Avoid doing anything that will reduce your traction on a slippery, icy road.</span> <h3></h3> <h3><b><i>Pay Attention to Tire Spray</i></b></h3> <span style="font-weight: 400;">One quick way to assess the road’s condition is to observe the water coming off the tires of surrounding vehicles. More water indicates wetter roads. Meanwhile, less tire spray indicates icy roads. This should prompt you to exercise more caution while driving. </span> <h3></h3> <h3><b><i>Light the Way</i></b></h3> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Visibility can decrease relatively due to poor weather conditions. Don’t forget to turn your headlights on while driving. This allows other drivers to keep a safe distance from your truck. </span> <h3></h3> <h3><b><i>Be Evasive</i></b></h3> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Be evasive on snow-covered roads. This is relatively better instead of sudden and hard braking. Decelerate your truck slightly and carefully maneuver through obstacles to avoid collisions.</span> <h3></h3> <h3><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span><b><i>Avoid Extreme Conditions</i></b></h3> <span style="font-weight: 400;">If the weather seems too severe, pull over. There’s no point in risking a drive during extreme weather conditions. Your safety should always come first. If the weather gets too extreme, find a safe way to get off the road and wait until it’s safe enough to drive. </span> <h3></h3> <h3><b><i>Prepare Yourself</i></b></h3> <span style="font-weight: 400;">After you’ve ensured that your vehicle is ready for winter, it’s time to prep for the cold weather. Be sure to carry warm clothes and thick blankets. It won’t hurt to bring miscellaneous items like a flashlight, shovel, matches, traction devices, etc. You would never know when these things may come in handy. It’s also to make sure you have roadside assistance for trucks should you encounter trouble on the road.</span> <h3></h3> <h3></h3> <span style="font-weight: 400;">During a whiteout blizzard, visibility is compromised. This will make it difficult to see traffic lights and road signs. Stay safe by looking twice before proceeding on intersections or one-way streets.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Truckers are constantly being tested on the road. As winter begins, it brings with it obstacles that make driving challenging. During this season, it’s important to exercise caution while driving. These tips can help prevent accidents and mishaps from happening during the drive.</span>

Nov 26, 2019 • Carriers