“New law means drivers must watch out for tow trucks”
The ONLY event to Unite, Honor and give VOICE to the Professional CDL Driver.
The 1st Annual Truck Driver Social Media Convention will be an all day and evening event to be held on Saturday, October 15th, 2011, uniting professional CDL drivers and those who support them.
Open discussions and presentations for drivers addressing:
Those most concerned within the industry will meet with America’s Professional Truck Drivers, the real “Movers and Shakers” of trucking, to address the topics of most concern.
A day to unite, pay tribute, recognize, network and discuss ideas and solutions for the issues affecting professional drivers. This is a “First of its Kind” event where the driver will have center stage and will be heard as the force that keeps America moving.
Where: The Gold Strike Resort & Casino
Tunica, Mississippi
Time: 8:00 AM to 11:30 PM
Reservations will be taken until Thursday, September 1st, 2011.
Only 550 seats will be available.
This convention is for the professional truck driver and for all who wish to work together toward positive change for the industry.
BY TARYN FITSIK
ALBANY, N.Y.–They jeopardize their safety every time they pull off the road, and their situation worsens when they can’t find a safe place to do so.
Two years ago, a Schoharie man was murdered in South Carolina, after being robbed of a meager $7.00 at night at an abandoned gas station.
Wednesday, his widow and local Congressman Tonko introduced a bill to help alleviate parking shortages.
When truck drivers climb into their big rigs to start their workweek, they are about to embark on at least 2,100 mile road-trips.
Keith Smith has been driving for fourteen years, one of his most dangerous moments was when he was attacked by a man over a fuel pump.
“He came at me with a hammer,” says Smith. “Even in broad daylight when you’re in a safe zone it’s not necessarily safe. So at nighttime it just adds that much of a degree to the whole situation.”
Smith says darkness adds another whole element of danger to a truck driver’s job, and says his situation could have been a lot worse if it happened during the night.
“You’d be fighting for your life. There’s no one around.”
Smith calls what happened to Jason Rivenburg in South Carolina senseless, and Rivenburg’s family would agree.
Since his death in 2009, they have been pushing for a law to be passed in his name, calling attention to the nationwide shortage of safe, accessible rest areas for truck drivers.
“It’s a situation where you try to go to lighted areas and secure areas, but that’s not always possible,” says truck driver Leon Weyer.
“You really don’t get a good night’s sleep, because you’re dosing, you’re not aware of what’s around you,” adds Smith.
Smith says truck drivers are often left to fend for themselves, and if Jason’s Law is passed, drivers’ support system would become much stronger.
“It is senseless,” he says. “Drivers are just out there trying to make a living, that’s all they’re trying to do.”
If Jason’s Law is passed, Congressman Tonko says twenty million dollars a year will go towards constructing safe parking facilities.
Author: Owen Jones
The majority of people have trouble finding time to work out,
but if your job means sitting down to do your work, it can be
even more difficult to find the enthusiasm to exercise. Truck
drivers fall into this category. Sitting all day behind a wheel
can lead to several common issues linked with the job.
These include back problems, circulation problems, heart
problems and weight problems. After having driven all day, one
of the last things a driver wants to do is go looking for a gym.
However, there are a few things that truck drivers can do in
order to alleviate some of these potential problems.
When you park up to eat, stop away from the building and walk
the rest of the way. Also when you take your rests, do not just
sit in the cab and read the paper, go for a walk. Walk whenever
you get the opportunity. The short distances will add up, as any
doctor will tell you, any exercise is better than none.
Be sure to wear supportive footwear. You are climbing in and out
of the cab and the trailer or jumping down from the rig
throughout the day, so it is easy to stumble and twist an ankle
unless you are wearing boots that bolster your ankles.
You could get some exercise equipment such as a mini dumbbell
for arm exercises. You will find time to use the dumbbell while
you are waiting for some administrator to sign your paperwork.
One of the modern chest expanders can be used in confined spaces
as well. Even squeezing a tennis ball helps to keep the blood
going around.
It is essential to get the amount of sleep that your body
requires. This differs from person to person, but there are
legal requirements to rest. Make sure that you abide by these
breaks and that your mattress and pillow are comfortable enough
for you to sleep if you want to.
Having a small refrigerator or cool box is a good idea for
keeping fruit, bread and other items palatable; just do not fill
it up with pies, pastries and cakes. It is far better to graze,
if your body does not need a lot of energy to do a job. It is
far better to eat throughout the day than to eat a large meal at
night.
Make certain that you use your days off to do some bending and
stretching. Swimming is very good for most of the muscles and
internal organs in your body. So is walking. Gardening is a
fantastic way of staying in shape as well. It is not essential
to go to a gym, that is modern propaganda. Nobody went to gyms
before and there have always been driving jobs and office jobs.
The secret is that there was no TV back then and people were
more active. They walked and they worked in the garden or on the
allotment growing potatoes and other supplements for their
income. That is what people do not do now.
About the author:
Owen Jones, the author of the article writes on various topics,
but is presently involved with LED automotive lights. If you would like to know more, please go
to our website at Escort 8500.
Interview by Chaunce Hayden of Stepping Out Magazine
When you think of adjectives to describe truck drivers, “smokin’ hot”, “drop dead gorgeous” and “bombshell” don’t usually come to mind. But when it comes to Lisa Kelly of “Ice Road Truckers,” she is all of that and so much more!
Featured on the History channel’s hit reality series, the Alaskan native has quickly become a household name not only for her looks, but also for her rough and tumble truckertude.
Prior to her unlikely gig as an ice road trucker, Kelly worked as a school bus driver and motocross rider. She also worked at gas stations and a pizza company and was a state freestyle motocross champion. After these ventures, she decided to settle on a long-term career and trained as a trucker on account of it “looking interesting,” She subsequently got a job driving for Carlile Transportation, an Alaskan haulage company, and the rest, as they say…
The spunky trucker also made a name for herself for her fearlessness on the History Channel’s: “Ice Road Truckers: Deadliest Roads” along with Rick Yemm, Dave Redmon and Alex Debogorski trucking in the Himalayas in India.
These days, Lisa spends her free time with her dirt biker husband, Traves, enjoying the ride, so to speak, while tearing up the treacherous Alaskan highways.
I recently had the opportunity to chat with Lisa Kelly about her life on the ice and how she feels about being queen of the road. The new season airs in June!
Chaunce Hayden: How’s life in Alaska?
Lisa Kelly: It’s the best place in the world! I’ve lived therefor over 20 years.
You don’t think of Alaska when you think of finding television stardom, but here we are.
Well, I didn’t move there for it.
But it found you.
That’s right.
You sound like a pretty private person. Are you comfortable with all the attention?
It’s been a real journey. I’m getting used to some parts of it, but I still value my privacy a lot.
So, why allow cameras to follow your career as an ice road trucker?
I’m an adventurous kind of person, and I like to try new things. You never know if you’re going to like it or not until you try. It was a new adventure. It was something I’d never done, so I thought I would give it a shot and see what happens.
And?
It’s been a lot of fun. I really do enjoy it. I learned a lot.
So, what’s the upside?
The opportunities that have risen from this have been amazing and more than I ever could have expected. I don’t even know how to describe a lot of it. The things that are happening just blow my mind.
You obviously stand out from the other truckers. It’s odd to see such a gorgeous woman driving a truck. You do know that, don’t you?
I can’t really help how I look. Do I get used to people staring at me? I have to admit I feel like a freak show sometimes. (Laughs)
Ever yell at someone, “What the hell you looking at?”
Well, in India, it was annoying because every single person did it, but most people don’t pay much attention unless I’m standing near the truck.
You’ve come a long way since your days as a school bus driver. So, I have to ask, what’s the downside to all this?
Probably the same thing that’s the good side. Sometimes I just don’t want the attention.
I’m sure you can find your privacy in Alaska. Do you get much paparazzo up there?
(Laughs) Not really. There are not enough famous people in Alaska to make it worth their time.
Hear that Lindsay Lohan?
No! If she moved here, the press would follow behind her. I’d have to take my horse and wander off into the woods and disappear. I can just be gone for days at a time if I want.
Is it true that people in Alaska don’t like the rest of the civilization dropping by?
Yes and no. The people in Alaska are really friendly, but we’re definitely a different breed of people. I can tell you that I don’t want it any fuller. I like to hide out in the woods. I don’t want to live in a big city, and I’m sure everyone else in Alaska feels the same way. We get to carry guns around and hunt and nobody has a problem with that, but, sometimes, people want to come in and change what Alaska is. We don’t mind sharing with people who appreciate Alaska for what it is, but don’t try to change it and make it like the rest of the world.
Um, are we talking about Sarah Palin?
Um… I always keep politics to myself. (Laughs) I have my own set of opinions, but I don’t think they need to be expressed. You know how it is… everyone has an opinion, but they’re like armpits; they all stink.
What is it about driving a truck that excites you?
I’ve always been very outdoorsy. My dad was a hunter and we were always outside. I got interested in dirt bikes and engines from an early age. It just seemed to fit. I like anything with wheels and engines.
Would it be fair to describe you as a tomboy?
Sure, why not? I’m not really stereotyped as anything. I mean, I took ballet and tap for six years. I’m not trying to .t anybody’s stereotype. I’m just doing what I like to do. People can try to classify me as anyway they want. I don’t care because I know who I am. It’s weird; some people fit stereotypes because they try to make themselves fit that way, but I just do what I like. I don’t care what other people like or what they think I should be. If that’s what you want to be, go ahead and be it. Just don’t try and tell me what you think I should be like. I’m just what I want to be, and I spent years perfecting it.
I get the feeling you haven’t gone Hollywood… at least not yet.
Fame is its own giant. It does affect you in some ways, but I like to think that it hasn’t gone to my head. It’s not what motivates me; it’s just a part of who I am.
The ice roads of Alaska and your documented journey through India seem so incredibly dangerous. Why take the risk?
The way I like to look at it… it’s not so much the danger that appeals to me but more the challenge that appeals to me. Sometimes, I’ll just do something just because I’m scared of it. If I didn’t do things that weren’t scary to me anymore, I would just become lazy and unchallenged. I wouldn’t be growing as a person. I don’t know if that answers your question, but I do those things because they scare me.
Why do I feel like such a wuss?
(Laughs) But I’m scared too! That’s my point. That’s why I do it… because I’m scared of it.
So, you’re a thrill seeker?
I don’t think I’m out there seeking thrills or to die young. I’m just doing it because I’m scared of it. That’s what makes me grow as a person.
When I saw you driving a truck through the Himalayan Mountains, I could feel the fear in you. You couldn’t fake it.
I was so scared! That’s why I kept going because I couldn’t let it win. I appreciate you watching it. A lot of people tell me they couldn’t even watch it because it was so scary. But hey, I lived it for two months. People can sit down on the couch and watch it in 45 minutes!
What’s more dangerous, driving over ice or driving over the biggest mountains in the world?
They are both super hard to compare because this is my life and I’ve been driving over ice for eight years. It’s what I do for a living. It’s become normal for me. Going over to India had so many other factors. It wasn’t normal for me. Maybe if it was normal it wouldn’t have been so scary, but everything was so different. So, for me, India was far more dangerous because of all the factors that were playing into it. It just wasn’t normal for me.
Not to sound morbid but did you have to sign a release that if you fell off a mountain or through the ice, A&E wouldn’t be responsible?
I don’t remember all the details of all the contracts, but I do know that no amount of money can make me do something that I don’t want to do. I totally went for the adventure and the experience. I never would have thought, “Hey, let me pack up and go to India.” I would probably never go there again, but without “Ice Road Truckers,” I never would have had the experience. I’m really glad that I went. I’ve learned so much in the short time I was there. I’m proud of myself for making and surviving it and coming back.
How are you treated by other truck drivers who aren’t on a reality show?
Just like in any profession, when you’re more well known than normal, there will be a high percentage of people who don’t like you. I find it strange. I didn’t expect the reaction I’ve gotten from a lot of people. I do get a lot of respect from drivers, but I get a lot who just don’t like me.
Does that bother you?
No, because I’ll never be able to make everyone happy. There’s a lot of jealousy and people who feel they just don’t like me. There’s nothing I can do to change that. So, I just do what makes me happy.
How does your husband feel about all this?
It’s really hard to say because he’s a really quiet guy. A lot of people ask me that question, so I asked him what he thinks about me doing this and all he says is, “I don’t know!” (Laughs) He does freestyle motocross, and he does tricks, like back flips, on his dirt bike, so he understands why I do dangerous things and I understand why he does. We encourage each other to do it.
It’s not like we tell each other to go out and be stupid. Of course we worry about each other, but we know we both have to do it.
Why isn’t he on the show?
I begged him to do it the first year and so he did, but they never aired any of it. So, when the second year came around, he said, “I don’t want anything to do with it.” So, I totally respect that. It’s fine.
Do you ever get road rage?
I would be lying if I said I didn’t. We all do.
When was the last time you had a road rage melt down?
I’m not sure. It usually happens when I’m in traffic. That’s when it’s the worst. When I see cars that don’t know how to conduct themselves around trucks… you know we can’t stop as fast or just speed up. So, it’s the uneducated general public who don’t know how to conduct themselves around trucks that make me angry. My job as a professional is to swallow that “I’m right and you’re wrong” and just be a professional.
Your next death-defying adventure should be driving a truck across the New Jersey Turnpike.
(Laughs) Oh, good gosh! I’m glad they pick dangerous roads for me and not dangerous people! That’s why I live in Alaska.
When you’re on television and look as good as you look, do you find the world treats you better?
It’s weird, but yes, it’s true. I know that’s the way it works. I’m not completely oblivious to that fact, but I feel I have a really good grasp on who I am. I try not to manipulate it to do what I want, but I’m aware that it’s there and things do happen because of it. I’m just grateful and trying to get along like everybody else.
Good answer. So, you get sex sells. Are you ever pressured to play it up?
I haven’t had anyone tell me I have to do that because, at the same time, I’m also a wife. But I do embrace my femininity. Yes, I like to play and get dirty, but at the end of the day, I like to shower and clean up and look nice. I don’t want to be offensive smelling.
What’s the best way of getting out of a speeding ticket?
I don’t know! I have the worst luck in the world when it comes to that! I get tickets every time I drive! I never get out of tickets. Someone has to teach me how.
Is there one secret about yourself you never told anyone?
Um… probably not. At least not that I’m going to tell you today. There’s a reason they’re a secret!
Tweet Chaunce Hayden at @Chauncehaydenor e-mail: Chaunce100@aol.com
Are you concerned about the growing crime rate among the trucking community?
What can you legally do to protect yourself?
JOIN Truth About Trucking LLC Thursday 4/14 2011 @ 7PM Eastern
Recently, in a Tennessee rest area, truckers became the latest victims of robbery. Special guest, Carolyn Magner is Contributing Editor for Randall Reilly Publishing and is popularly known for her monthly column in Truckers News, “I’m Just Say’n”. In the April 2011 issue of Truckers News Magazine, she reports on the growing problem of crime against truckers and what drivers can do to protect themselves. From firearms to mace to tire thumpers, we will discuss the various options available for truckers security and self-protection and the precautions to take while living life on the road.
Plaza 23 Truck Stop and Service Station is very aware of potential problems and offers safe and secure overnight parking.
Author: Nazima Golamaully
Are you maintaining tire pressure properly whenever you are
taking your truck out on long journeys? Well, you can find the
answer by taking a look at the condition of your brake heads and
brake pads. That is right. Is your truck braking properly and
smoothly? Or does it groan and moans like an animal being
slaughter whenever you step on the brake? If it is the later,
then it is obvious that the wheel and the tire of the truck
needs to be examined.
Surprised? What is the connection between the tire of the truck
and the braking mechanism? Well, it is the tire that is always
in contact with the surface. The braking mechanism experiences
resistance from the tire and the surface. If the mechanism is
being forced to do a lot of extra work, it is obvious that the
tire is to blame.
Of course, there may be some issue or problem with lubrication
or the extent of air pressure as well. However, if you know that
all these components are in good condition, then the only
possible factor involved is the condition of the tires.
Even if the vehicle does not make a lot of noise, if you
discover that the braking mechanism needs constant tinkering and
maintenance without any rhyme or reason, perhaps the lack of air
pressure in the tires is to blame.
Or, if the tires have become bald and if they do not grip the
surface properly, the brakes will have to do a lot more work to
bring the vehicle to a stop. Of course, absence of depth in the
tread is a very dangerous thing. There always is a possibility
of loss of contact and grip and skidding as a result of
treadless tires.
If you operate over long distances and if you often have to
drive no matter it is very hot, very cold or raining heavily,
you just cannot afford to have poor quality tires in your truck.
Excessive heat will cause the tire to get deformed. In such a
scenario, the treads not only help you retain grip but also give
you valuable ventilation which ensures that the heat does not
affect the structure of the tire.
However, if the tire is a smooth peace of hardened rubber, you
will obviously lose the advantages of ventilation. The same is
the case with excessive cold as well. Of course, the consequence
of using treadless tires when you are traveling on a wet road is
well known.
About the author:
For more information on Truck Tire Reviews
and Commercial Truck Tires please visit our website
When a trucker transports goods across our great vast nation they abide by the safety regulations set forth by the Department of Transportation. Strict adherence to the policies is what every driver tries to do. When they keep within the standards then we know they are doing everything they can to ensure the safety of the public as well as their own safety.
The DOT has established safety rules to see that general public is safe and that the truckers behind the wheels of these trucks are qualified to drive them. Besides the safety regulations for driving that are enforced on a regular basis, there are also several non driving rules that dictate the amount of hours a driver can drive and what class of vehicle they are able to drive.
One of the DOT safety rules is that a driver is limited to only being able to drive for 11 hours at one time. Those 11 hours must be within a 14 hour period. If you are unable to drive but a couple of hours due to circumstances beyond your control it just doesn’t matter. You get 14 hours to get your 11 hours of driving done for that stretch of time. After completion of the 11 hours driving, the driver has to rest for 10 hours.
Other rules drivers adhere to is having the proper endorsements on their license which allows them to carry many types of materials. In order to transport Hazardous materials, a driver will need a hazardous-material endorsement from their license issuing state.
Just like with the general public, a driver can only possess one CDL from a state at any given time. There are far more safety regulations and traffic regulations that a driver must follow to ensure that they are within the law. These are covered in a class that they take while attending a school. In addition to the DOT regulations, and the various state regulations, there are several safety issues that you need to consider when talking about driving and regulations.
Under DOT safety regulations there are mandates for a minimum and maximum age limits that a person can get a CDL. The rules don’t end with only haz-mat and age limits, their trucks have minimum safety standards also. A truck that doesn’t meet the requirements is put out of service until they are fixed. Often times an out of service will also carry a fine that is paid by the driver. OUCH!
That should be good news to those of you didn’t know this, because at least you know that most drivers aren’t going to risk losing their livelihood by not at least attempting to be as safe as possible. The regulations are a vital part of highway safety and everyone out there is conscious of the rules.
The regulations may seem a little outrageous and some of them are ridiculous. As a matter of fact some are nearly impossible to follow. The good news is that most drivers out there seem to abide them. The drivers that do follow the rules are the ones that help make the roads safer.
I have been driving truck for over 11 years now. It is a good living and you can make money doing it. If you need to know a little more about the trucking industry you can read more about it at JETTAM Trucking.
Plaza 23 Truck Stop Offers Free and Safe Over-Night Parking
Author: Tim Scott
Possibly the worst aspect of having to driving a semi-truck, or
a truck of any kind, is the amount of sleep that you’re not
likely to get. It is perhaps axiomatic to mention that, to those
who get their full quota of sleep per night, it’s somewhat
unimaginable, and therefore unable to appreciate how much like
torture a lack of sleep feels like. Usually semi-truck drivers
are paid based on the amount of hours on the road. It is thus
inevitable that semi-truck drivers will attempt to squash in as
many jobs as possible, and that often means a lack of sleep.
The recommended amount of rest is 8 hours per every 16 hours on
the road. There are countless incidents per year whereby a
semi-truck is involved. Most of these can be attributed to
carelessness arising from a lack of sleep. In many countries,
these hours are heavily enforced to prevent any unnecessary
incidents.
There is a common occurrence amongst semi-truck drivers and
other drivers alike, in that they take along somebody with them.
When the driver becomes too tired to continue driving down the
road, then their co-driver takes over. This method of
alternating between drivers, every 8 hours or so, allows each of
the drivers to maximise their earnings, because the semi-truck
is never stationary, and therefore it is always earning a dime.
There is absolutely nothing wrong in this method, but if nobody
else is willing, then having a good night’s sleep in your
semi-truck is perhaps the best you can hope for.
Nonetheless, let us assume that you have found somebody to sit
in the passenger’s seat, and willing to take over the driving
once you become too tired. It is imperative that you find
somebody who is likeable. If arguments and other disagreements
arise quite frequently, then it is perhaps not an advisable
co-partner. Just imagine that you’ll be inside this semi-truck,
a confined space, for prolonged hours, and therefore a friendly
atmosphere is a requirement.
In addition, it is naturally very difficult in trying to sleep
in the back of a semi-truck whilst it is in motion. Therefore,
your co-partner should be not an aggressive driver – with
frequent accelerations and decelerations. If they were to drive
in such a style, then the chance of sleep would be greatly
reduced. The active driver at the time should also avoid turning
the radio up too high. This again would interfere with the sleep
the other person is trying to get. You may both reach a point
where you may have to stop the semi-truck altogether, in order
for you both to get some quality sleep, as often you’ll find
that sleeping in a moving semi-truck does not at all guarantee a
good night’s sleep – especially when you are not accustomed to
it. Whilst this may reduce your earnings somewhat, it is perhaps
safer for everybody on the road – including both occupants of
the semi-truck.
If you are finding it difficult to sleep in the semi-truck, then
there are sleeping aids which may assist in your falling asleep.
Firstly, some good earplugs or noise cancelling headphones would
help in reducing the noise from the road when the rig is moving.
Also, some kind of mask for the eyes to prevent any incoming
light from car lights, street lights, or even sunlight. By
adding extra padding to the bed will also ensure the bumps of
the road aren’t felt so severely when you’re attempting to
sleep. These can all assist in promoting a good night’s sleep in
your semi-truck.
By doing all this, you can hopefully sleep well. The temptation
to use any sleeping pills, or even amphetamines to stay awake
for longer periods of time, should be avoided altogether. While
you’re trying to maximise your earnings, you do not wish to lose
your license completely, because this would have dire
consequences. It may even end in serious injury or, potentially,
fatalities. Natural and common-sense approaches should be taken
to fall asleep. After all, nothing beats a natural night’s
sleep!
From the author:
“TruckerToTrucker.com is the online superstore for new and used
trucks, trailers and equipment. Sell a used truck at TruckerToTrucker or Buy a used Truck from TruckerToTrucker and you’ll be glad you did.”
Take advantage of safe secure overnight-parking at Plaza 23 Truck Stop in Albany, NY.
