News
6 Tips for New Drivers
Whether you’re just starting out or have been a professional driver for years, we have some tips and advice to help make your journey easier. As a truck driver it’s essential to maintain your health, happiness, safety, and efficiency on the road. Follow the tips below to get up to speed quickly on what it takes to build a successful driving career from the start. Spoiler alert: the best thing you can do is leave early. Read on to learn more.
- Make it to your appointments on time
Take your appointment times seriously and ensure that you’re showing up when expected. This is a major factor of consideration to a company in understanding what drivers are dependable assets to the company. Many different things trickle in when you prove yourself reliable from how you’re treated, the jobs you’re assigned, and even pay increases. This may take careful planning on your part at times, but it will be worth it to ensure you’re always driving legally and making your appointment times. The best thing you can do is leave early so you have plenty of time for anything that can arise on the road such as traffic, road closures, detours, etc. If you leave early, you can stay calm and patient through whatever the road throws at you and still make your appointments on time. - Don’t be hasty
When you’re rushing, you often compromise quality or performance. We’re all much more prone to overlook things, cut corners, or miss necessary instructions when we’re trying to go too fast, so it’s best to plan well so you can slow down and take your time. These compromises can lead to bigger issues down the road, so you’ll want to be proactive, leave early, and plan ahead. Make this a part of your regular routine early on and the habit will be set. Plus, you’ll enjoy smoother sailing as a result. - Practice patience
Out on the road there are so many situations that can arise that will test our patience. If you continue to exercise your patience, you’ll be much more prepared to respond calmly when these situations occur. It can be tempting to speed; it can be difficult to sit in rush hour traffic; and it can be down-right infuriating when a 4-wheeler zooms by you only to end up next to you at the next light. Being patient not only keeps you safer on the road, but also helps with your stress levels, blood pressure and overall health. Once again, if you plan ahead, and leave early, you’ll be much more prepared to go with the flow. - Practice your backup game whenever you can
Mastering backing can be a gamechanger in safety and efficiency, but the only way to truly master it is to practice as often as possible. If you’re pulling into a truck stop at the end of the day, take an extra moment to practice backing into a tight spot even when there are no other vehicles around. The more you practice the more you’re prepared, so when it matters most, you’ve gained the skills to back your rig into any tricky location with ease. That narrow driveway that requires street backing will have nothing on you! - Develop your communication skills and be the bigger person when conflict arises
Professional relationships can sometimes be tricky and there will be times that disagreements arise between you and other drivers, or dispatch, or even customers. When someone is lacking in communication skills this can make these interactions more difficult. If both parties are lacking communications skills, bigger problems can arise. The important thing is not to stoop to someone’s level of ignorance or anger. They don’t know what they don’t know, they’re going through their own thing, and if your attitude remains positive in the face of conflict, you can often diffuse the situation, and maintain a positive ongoing relationship. If, however, you come back at them at their same level, you can often make the situation worse. - Take care of your health
It’s important to make sure that you’re moving your body, getting exercise, and eating well. It can be all too easy to fall into a routine that doesn’t include exercise or that relies too heavily on snacks and junk food. Learn a few heathy recipes you can cook in your truck. Keep healthier snacks on hand, patron restaurants with healthy options, and ensure that you’re creating time and space for movement in your schedule. You’ll also want to ensure your stress levels stay low. Using some of the tips above can help with this. Leave early, plan ahead, practice patience, and maintain good communication in your professional relationships – these things can go a long way in maintaining healthy stress levels which lead to better overall health.
New truck drivers, welcome to the profession! It’s a great way to see the country and earn a good living. These tips should help you get your career started off on the right foot. Be safe out there and take care of yourself. Happy driving!
Supply Chain Turmoil Hits Drivers as Costs and Shortages Persist
“Due to the exorbitant cost of shipping, we have had to raise prices to our customers as well as order eight months’ worth of inventory, eight months in advance.” — Hanna from The Crown Choice
The anticipated recovery year turned into ongoing supply chain disruptions, with raw material shortages and factories in China operating on limited schedules. The cost of shipping containers has skyrocketed, impacting small businesses and their ability to order inventory effectively.
What This Means for Your Wallet and Your Miles
Shipping costs are at an all-time high, which could mean higher operating costs for you as a driver. If you’re hauling goods for small businesses, expect them to pass these costs along in the form of higher order rates or delayed payments.
Fuel costs are also likely to be affected as ripple effects from supply chain disruptions impact pricing. Keep an eye on fuel surcharges and budget accordingly to avoid surprises in your expense sheet.
If you’re relying on contracts with big retailers, be prepared for potential delays. Mass retailers are struggling with empty shelves, which might lead to fewer loads as they adjust to the new normal.
Load availability may shift as businesses look to diversify their supplier base. Stay flexible and ready to adjust your routes based on changing demand and supply scenarios.
How are shipping costs affecting my job?
High shipping costs are driving businesses to increase prices, which may lead to fewer shipments or altered contracts. Be prepared to adjust to these changes.
Will this affect fuel prices?
Yes, supply chain disruptions can influence fuel prices, so keep an eye on trends and potential surcharges that may affect your operating costs.
What about load availability?
Load availability could fluctuate as businesses adjust their supply chains. Flexibility in routes and contracts will be crucial to maintaining steady work.
How can I prepare for potential delays?
Keep in close contact with your logistics partners and clients. Understanding their challenges can help you anticipate delays and adjust your schedule accordingly.
Is there anything I can do to mitigate these costs?
Consider renegotiating rates and contracts to account for increased costs, and explore new markets and clients who may offer more stable opportunities.
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.
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