Truck Drivers Can Shape Industry One Pen at a Time

Jason's Law - Call to Action

During his address to Congress on August 12th, 1974, Gerald Ford said, “A government big enough to supply you with everything you need, is a government big enough to take away everything that you have.”

As our nation’s truck drivers face stricter regulations, one has to consider if truck driving can still be a viable career.  We are called professionals, yet we are labeled as unskilled by the U. S. Department of Labor.

Career is defined as “an individual’s course or progress through life.” Is long-haul trucking a career or is it simply another job?

I can remember when trucking was fun and CDL training was when you jumped in the truck and taught yourself.  I remember when ten drivers would stop along the road to help one trucker with a busted water hose and I can remember when the CB radio was the best tool for passing the miles away with thought provoking conversation and laughter.  I can not remember the exact time when truck drivers turned on truck drivers.

Talk among drivers concerning a major strike in the United States has been going on for years.  We have seen a few drivers strike with a 100 here or 500 there, but it is time to get pass the truck driver strike rhetoric.  A U. S. nationwide trucker strike will never happen, nor should it.  It could prove to be a horrendous act that would spin a country further down, what is already an economic chaos.  Truck drivers in America can do more to shape the industry standards to fit their needs than executing a strike.

They can do so through action.  Not action by force, but action first noted by Greek poet Euripides, who died around 406 B.C. when he said, “The tongue is mightier than the blade.” Through the writings of  Edward Bulwer-Lytton from the 1839 play, Richelieu, it has become better known as, “The pen is mightier than the sword.”

The FMCSA is accepting comments from truck drivers and industry execs concerning the implementation of speed limiters on all heavy duty trucks.  With approximately four million CDL drivers in the U. S. and another four million CDL holders, you would think that eight million people could flood the comment page to capacity.  Yet, at last count, only about 4,000 comments had been received.  This works out to be a response rate of only 0.0005 per cent.  Why would the industry regulators listen when basically nobody is responding?  Furthermore, these so-called 4,000 comments were largely from a form letter by some safety group organization, where many simply copied and pasted to the comment section, giving an appearance of 4,000 comments.  Politically motivated . . .

We can stand around at the shippers and receivers, we can sit together at our favorite truck stop or gather in the rest areas and talk about the over regulations of the industry and what its doing to the American truck driver, but nothing will change to better the industry for drivers unless we actually take the time to get involved and use the system as it was meant to be used.

How to submit comments to the FMCSA

To assist drivers in preparing comments submitted to the FMCSA, Truckers for a Cause, former FMCSA administrator John Hill and OOIDA regulatory affairs specialist Joe Raikovacz held a live conference call for drivers on Saturday, January 22nd, 2011 at 12:00 noon, Central Standard Time.

This was a live conference webinar meeting where drivers were able to ask questions and learn more about the best way to submit comments to the FMCSA.  The call was recorded and is available through the meeting archives at the Truckers for a Cause website.

Truck drivers need to come together and use the tool that is more powerful than any strike could summon . . . pick up the pen.

© 2011, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.

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Tagged with: career • FMCSA • fmcsa comments • ooida • speed limiters • strike • truck driving • truckers for a cause

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Tips to Help Truck Drivers Stay in Shape

It is hard for most people to find the time in their day to stay in shape, but when you drive a truck it can be even more difficult. Your job is difficult but it also requires you to stay in your seat for hours each day. Over time this can lead to a very unhealthy lifestyle, heart problems, and becoming overweight. There are some great ways for truck drivers to stay in shape though.

Most over the road truck drivers stop to eat and rest at truck stops. Park at the end of the parking lot and walk inside to eat, shower, and relax. This exercise each time you stop will really add up in no time at all. Instead of sitting inside the truck stop and watching TV go for a walk around the area. This will give you some fresh air, exercise, and the chance to stretch out your legs.

Getting in and out of a big truck can be dangerous if you aren’t careful. Many truck drivers jump down instead of using the stairs. As a result they risk injuries to their knees and to their back. It is also important to wear quality shoes or boots that offer plenty of support for the arches in your feet.

You might be able to walk when you are making your deliveries as well. It depends on the rules that are set up at the place where you deliver. Many of them have rules in place where the driver’s have to stay in the cab at all times for safety reasons. If that is the case you can use that time to do paperwork or to take a nap.

It is possible to keep some basic exercise equipment in the cab of your truck. Lifting weights is a good exercise routine to incorporate into your day about three times per week. You can easily store the weights under your bed when you aren’t using them. There are some other types of exercise equipment that fit well into the cab of your truck as well that you may be interested in purchasing.

Getting sufficient sleep each nigh is important, and this can be difficult when you drive a truck. You may have deliveries at off hours and that means your sleep schedule is broken up rather than all at once. Make sure you have a comfortable mattress and pillow so you can sleep comfortably. Never accept loads that require you to work when you should be sleeping. Not only is this going to affect your overall health, it is illegal and you could find yourself in serious trouble if you get inspected or you are involved in an accident.

The foods you eat are very important to your overall health. Instead of grabbing fast food all the time, try to eat a good meal that offers you plenty of nutrients. Look for truck stop restaurants that offer you a quality salad bar full of fresh fruits and vegetables. You can also install a small refrigerator in your truck and stock up on nutritious foods for you to eat for meals and healthy snacks.

You need to make sure you eat enough during the day to keep up your energy levels. A person’s metabolism can slow down if you skip meals. Don’t starve yourself all day and then eat one large meal. It will be hard for your body to digest and you won’t have the energy you need to get through the day.

Most truck driver’s have a couple of days off in between runs. Use this time at the gym, playing sports, or doing yard work. There are so many different ways you can get the necessary exercise and stay in shape. Driving a truck is a rewarding career for those who really enjoy it. Yet if your health deteriorates you won’t be able to drive a truck so do all you can to stay fit now.