Safety Issues

Aug 12, 2009

How to get a HazMat Endorsement

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Truckers who want to haul hazardous materials are required to adhere to special requirements, which have become stricter in the years since 9/11.  Here’s how to get a hazmat endorsement:

•   Since hauling hazardous materials require placarding, most (if not all) states requires truckers to successfully pass a hazmat exam that is administered by your state’s department of transportation or motor vehicles department.
•   HazMat endorsements now require a federal background check along and in addition to state fees, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires a fee of $100 for the background check and to process the paperwork.
•   You will be also required to fill out a HazMat application to verify your identity, legal residency status, and that you are in possession of a current CDL.
•   If you have been convicted of a serious crime within the past seven years, you will be disqualified from obtaining a HazMat endorsement.  You will also be disqualified if your prison release date for any of these convictions is less than five years.   Disqualifying convictions include (but are not limited to) arson, assault with intent to murder, robbery, kidnapping, rape, aggravated sexual abuse, extortion, and smuggling.
•   If interested in obtaining a HazMat endorsement, contact your state’s department of transportation to determine the regulations that govern HazMat endorsements in your state.

Jul 17, 2009

How to Prevent Truck Theft

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Truck theft is a scary and all-too-real trend that happens more often than you may think.  In fact, just last week a truckload of pharmaceuticals valued at a staggering $9 million was stolen from a truck stop in Temple, Georgia (read about it here).  The FBI estimates that the U.S. loses $15 – $30 billion each year due to cargo thefts – and that’s a conservative number if you account for the fact that some carriers may not even report losses due to fears of how it might impact their reputation and insurance premiums.  Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned trucker, here’s a few tips to keep you and your haul safe.

  • Never leave the truck idling with the keys in the ignition, even if you lock the door – it only takes a few seconds for thieves (especially experienced ones) to jimmy-rig the lock and open the door.
  • Don’t disclose what you’re hauling to people you don’t know, especially if you’re hauling high-value items such as electronics or pharmaceuticals.
  • At truck stops, park in well-lit areas and as close to the entrance as possible.
  • Avoid stopping at places you know that have a questionable or shady reputation.
  • Install an ant-theft device that can deter thieves.  Some will even disable the ignition system when the truck is forced open, which can make it virtually impossible to start the truck.
  • If you work as a company driver, talk to your carrier about solutions and measures they provide drivers in order to prevent truck theft.

Jul 15, 2009

Buckle Up!

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The ATA and The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) are encouraging truck drivers to buckle up!  This comes after the FMCSA announced that the use of safety belts by drivers of medium and heavy-duty commercial trucks increased to 72% in 2008, up from just 65%.   The ATA hopes by educating truck drivers and pushing for more safety belt-related legislation that that number will steadily increase.  So as a friendly reminder from CREnglandGirl, please buckle up!

Jul 3, 2009

Truck-Related Fatalities Drop

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There may be more tractor-trailers on the road, but trucking related fatalities are actually down from just last year; 4,229 individuals were killed in accidents involving large trucks, down 12% from 4,822 in 2007.  In fact, the overall number of traffic fatalities is down and in 2008, it hit its lowest level since 1961.   Safety experts and officials say the drop is in part due to increased seat belt use, curbing impaired driving, and making roads and highways safer in general.   While we still have a long way to go regarding driving safety, it’s good to hear it’s getting better!

Jul 1, 2009

Are You in Favor of Speed Governors?

CREnglandGirl Legislation, On the Road, Safety Issues 0 Comment

Well, if you happen to be an independent contractor, you probably aren’t.  Today the L.A. Times published an article about the recent big push to get the U.S. Department of Transportation to require the use of speed governors (devices that limits speed) on big, commercial trucks or get Congress to mandate them in a highway bill.  The American Trucking Associations and other safety advocates are in favor of such a bill but others are none too pleased about it, including conservatives (who oppose government regulation of business) and owners of smaller fleets.   The ATA claims they will not only save lives, but fuel as well.  On the flip side, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association says that mandatory speed governors are more likely to lead to collisions, like when a driver needs more horsepower for an emergency maneuver and increase traffic congestion when trucks with speed governors try to pass another truck.  Want to learn more about the controversail issue in the trucking industry?  Click here to read the article from the Los Angeles Times in full.

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