News
Women Are Entering a Trucking Industry That’s Not Built for Them
Trucking carriers long staffed by mostly male drivers are now looking to get more women behind the wheel, Shera Avi-Tonah reported for Bloomberg. With the industry still facing a decades-old struggle to keep drivers and a shortage of 100,000 drivers on the horizon for 2023, more and more recruiters are targeting women.
Only 6.7 percent of long-haul drivers in 2019 were women, according to the American Trucking Associations. Some nonprofits, trade groups and government programs have begun sponsoring female drivers to get their certifications. A $550 billion infrastructure package currently in Congress includes a provision to study how to recruit more female drivers.
Ellen Voie, CEO of Women in Trucking, told Bloomberg that part of the challenge is changing women’s perspective on truck drivers. Voie said she’s spoken with 400 to 500 recruiters, trucking school operators, and drivers over the past 14 years, encouraging them to train and hire more women.
Voie said female truck drivers are generally more cautious on the road — they get into fewer serious accidents. Still, truck driving often requires long, irregular hours, lonely conditions and a lot of safety risks. And the industry isn’t always friendly to primary caregivers.
Missing “birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, being out here by yourself on Christmas, being out here by yourself on Mother’s Day—these are the things a lot of people aren’t prepared for,” Ingrid Brown, CEO of the North Carolina-based trucking company Rollin’ B LLC, told Bloomberg.
While there’s little data on sexual harassment and assault in the industry, some trucking schools warn female truckers about those concerns before they begin driving. S.H.E founder Sharae Moore reportedly started a 20,000-member Facebook group and licensing program in part to help women entering the industry avoid companies known for tolerating sexual misconduct.
Interstate Trucking Academy owner Gary Hollands runs a free training program for women with lessons on self-defense and dealing with sexual misconduct. Hollands tells students to carry mace and share their stop schedule with a friend.
“How to drive a truck is only one part of our program,” he said. “The main part of the program is how to navigate the culture that they’re going into.”
Jenny Reeves, 47, graduated from Hollands program and told Bloomberg she appreciated how frank the instructors were about what it’s like to be a woman driver. She recently started hauling waste in Portland and said she got so many job interviews after finishing trucking school that she felt like “the trash princess.”
To get hired, “you pretty much just have to have a pulse,” said Real Women in Trucking’s Wood. “What I’d like to see is a path to success.”
Key Strategies for Effective Remote Worker Time Management
Remote work has become increasingly popular in recent years, thanks to technological advancements and changing attitudes towards work-life balance.
The article discusses various strategies and tools to enhance time management for remote workers. It covers setting expectations, choosing appropriate time tracking tools, and maintaining accountability to improve productivity in a remote work environment.
What This Means for Your Wallet and Your Miles
For drivers who also manage remote workers or work remotely themselves, the right time tracking tools can streamline operations and improve productivity. This could potentially reduce overhead costs and increase efficiency.
Setting clear expectations regarding availability and communication can help avoid misunderstandings and reduce downtime, ensuring you stay on top of your tasks and deadlines.
Establishing a routine can help you make the most of your work hours, allowing more time for driving or managing logistics without affecting performance.
Regularly reviewing and adjusting your time management practices can help identify inefficiencies, allowing you to make changes that enhance productivity and ensure a steady flow of income.
How can I improve time management for my remote workers?
Set clear expectations for work hours and communication, use effective time tracking tools, and establish routines to optimize productivity.
What are some recommended time tracking tools?
Popular options include Toggl, BuddyPunch, RescueTime, and Harvest, each offering different features suited to various needs.
How often should I review my time tracking practices?
Regular reviews, ideally monthly, can help identify areas for improvement and ensure your practices remain effective and aligned with goals.
Why is accountability important in remote work?
Accountability helps maintain productivity and motivation, ensuring that tasks are completed efficiently and on time.
What should I do if my current routine isn’t working?
Be flexible and willing to adjust your routine or try new tools and strategies to find a setup that maximizes productivity and fits your work style.
An Illinois-based trucker, Moath Musamih, from Orland Park, has been formally indicted in Ohio on grand theft charges for allegedly avoiding nearly $22,000 in turnpike tolls. The indictment, filed on April 21 by a Williams County grand jury, accuses Musamih of a fourth-degree felony relating to unpaid tolls, with potential penalties including up to 18 months imprisonment, a $5,000 fine, and restitution.
Prosecutors assert that Musamih’s truck was monitored with open-road tolling technology for close to two years. Despite receiving multiple payment notifications, the tolls remained unpaid. The indictment also includes a clause to confiscate the 2012 Freightliner Cascadia allegedly used in these offenses.
County Chief Investigator Andrew Skiles noted that the Ohio State Highway Patrol had been keeping tabs on Musamih for some time due to the unpaid tolls. According to Skiles, Musamih is an owner-operator whose vehicle, reportedly registered under his wife’s name, was regularly tracked traveling extensive distances on the Ohio Turnpike using an E-ZPass transponder.
An Ohio State Highway Patrol officer encountered Musamih at a service plaza on eastbound Interstate 80, where an incident report was filed for “Theft by Deception.” The report included accusations of theft without consent and engaging in corrupt activities.
Williams County Prosecutor Katherine Zartman opted for criminal proceedings against Musamih due to the significant total of approximately $21,991 in unpaid tolls over an extensive period from April 2024 to April 2026. The decision to pursue a fourth-degree felony charge was influenced by Musamih’s alleged repeated offenses and the proposed forfeiture of his semi-truck as it was deemed contraband linked to the criminal activity.
The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission, through its advanced open-road tolling system launched in April 2024, identified Musamih. Executive Director Ferzan Ahmed emphasized the aim to maintain optimal conditions on the turnpike while highlighting the challenges posed by companies that fail to settle their toll liabilities, despite numerous reminders and collection attempts.
In a broader context, the commission recently disclosed a list of 315 trucking companies accused of evading $5.2 million in tolls over the past two years, indicating a widespread issue with rogue operators.
Summary:
Truck drivers often face safety concerns on the road, leading many to consider carrying a firearm for protection. However, rules about carrying guns in trucks vary by federal and state laws, and there are even more restrictions when crossing borders into Canada or Mexico. This article breaks down these rules to help drivers understand what is and isn’t allowed.
News for You
Carrying a firearm in your truck might seem like a good way to stay safe, but there are important laws you need to know about before bringing a gun on the road. The rules can be confusing because they differ between federal and state laws, and if you’re driving into Canada or Mexico, things get even more complicated.
Federal vs. State Laws
There isn’t a specific federal law that stops you from having a gun in your truck, but federal regulations do come into play when you’re transporting goods between states. If you have a firearm, it needs to be stored correctly — usually unloaded and in a locked case separate from ammunition. Some states have their own rules about carrying guns in vehicles, so it’s important to know the laws of each state you’re traveling through. For example, states like California and New York have stricter gun laws compared to others like Texas or Arizona.
Crossing Borders into Canada or Mexico
Taking a firearm into Canada or Mexico is a whole different story. Canada has very strict gun laws, and you need special permits that are hard to get, especially if you have a criminal record. If you try to bring a gun into Canada without the right paperwork, you could be arrested and face serious penalties. In Mexico, the laws are even stricter — bringing a firearm can lead to arrest, heavy fines, and even imprisonment.
Driving Professionally
For professional truck drivers, carrying a gun could also affect your job. Many companies have their own policies that ban firearms in their vehicles, regardless of state or federal laws. If you’re caught breaking these rules, you could lose your job or face other penalties. It’s best to check with your employer’s policy before deciding to carry a firearm in your truck.
How This Affects You
For truck drivers, knowing the rules about carrying a firearm can help you avoid legal trouble and keep your job secure. If you’re considering carrying a gun for protection, it’s crucial to understand the differences in state and federal laws, as well as the specific rules for crossing into Canada or Mexico. Always check with your employer’s policy on firearms, as company rules may be stricter than the law. Staying informed will help you make the best decision for your safety and your career.
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#TruckDriverSafety #FirearmLaws #Truckers #CrossingBorders #StateVsFederalLaw #GunSafety #TruckingRegulations #CanadaMexicoLaws #ProfessionalDrivers #TruckingJobs
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