semi-truck

Semi-trucks are the heavy-duty machines of the hauling world. They’re the types of commercial trucks that allow businesses and vendors to move tons of cargo in one smooth trip. Whether you use a semi-truck to go on long-hauls or your fleet just travels around the state, you’re responsible for getting vital supplies to companies all over. However, this kind of responsibility doesn’t come easy. There’s tons of training that semi-truck drivers must go through. Truckers must always be alert and aware of their cabin and their cargo. They must be especially cautious of all drivers on the road and conscious of all of the deadlines their company must meet. There are also tons of risks that come with driving a semi-truck. Companies have to be aware of their driver’s behavior, potential liability cases, safety measures, and more. With the rise of technology, minimizing these risks and tracking defensive driving behaviors have become easier than ever before.

On this page we’ll talk about some of the risks of semi-truck driving. We’ll cover semi-truck safety, how technology is shaping the industry, how drivers can stay safer on the roads, and how to properly insure these commercial vehicles in case of an unfortunate scenario.

Women in Trucking

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The shortage of truck drivers has become one of the most prominent challenges for the trucking industry. According to the latest report from the American Trucking Association, currently, the industry is short by 60,000 truckers, which is a nearly 20 percent increase from last year.

The association has warned that if this shortage continues, it may increase to 160,000 by 2028. To meet the rising demand for truck drivers, the niche acknowledges the requirement to hire more truck drivers. Currently, the industry has only 47 percent women drivers.

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How Much Does Insurance for a Used Truck Cost?

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“How much does insurance for a used truck cost” is one of the common questions drivers ask before they buy. Though the cost of these trucks is often low, the price you pay every year varies depending on factors like driving history, the state you live in, and cargo type.

For instance, if you have operators with impeccable driving history, you may need to pay $10,000 to $15,000 per used commercial truck. Here is a quick overview of different types of coverage commercial truck drivers hold.

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The Impact of the $1.2 Trillion Infrastructure Bill on the Trucking Industry

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The trucking industry has had issues with retaining their drivers and growing their fleets for years. This issue is somewhat related to the new rules and regulations in the trucking industry. The $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, in this regard, is no exception. The bill is expected to have a significant impact on truckers and fleets.

Apparently, the bill aims to improve the water systems, railways, and highways throughout the country. As a result, the government plans to set aside more than $110 billion for infrastructure work. The remaining funds will be used to improve ports, public transit, and railroads.

The bill includes regulations that will have a large impact on fleets. Whether you’re a trucker or own a fleet, learning how the infrastructure bill will impact your business is crucial.

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Brake Safety Week is August 22nd-28th

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The US’s commercial motor vehicle authorities placed more than 1,151 vehicles out of service due to rule violations. During a one-day inspection in May, 8,658 trucks were evaluated according to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance. They had a similar inspection in Mexico and Canada. The authorities inspected more than 10,091 vehicles and found 1,273 out of service; particularly for brake-related breaches.

The safety alliance announces the dates for brake safety week each year publicly in advance. This year’s break safety week will take place August 22nd to the 28th. 

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How Do I Keep My Truck Drivers Happy?

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Certain vehicles require the driver to carry a CDL.

Earning as a truck driver means long working hours and unwavering commitment and responsibility towards the job. Most truck drivers are fatigued and stressed due to the overwhelming pressure to stay secure while hauling heavy loads within the deadline.

Keep in mind that happy truck drivers are not only satisfied, but also more productive. If you run a logistics company, keeping your truck drivers happy should be your top priority.  After all, without a happy or productive driver, there is no way you can deliver things to your destination.

From keeping your safety scores clean and offering rewards, you need to do everything to keep your truck driver happy. Meeting your DOT inspection requirements and safety scores are two primary ways you can retain a driver who drives safely, is familiar with the routes, and works well with dispatch for the long term.

Here are some top-tier ways you can keep your truck driver happy and retain them.

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Can I get my own primary liability and cargo if I’m leased to a motor carrier

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If you're leased onto a motor carrier, you need to make sure you have the right primary liability insurance and cargo insurance.

Primary liability insurance is the only coverage for commercial truckers mandated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This is basic coverage and proof of financial responsibility that you must have before you can drive. The purpose of primary liability insurance is to cover claims for bodily injury and property damage that you cause to others while operating your vehicle. It does not cover any losses that you suffer, regardless of who was at fault for causing them.

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How to choose a heavy-duty tow truck company for your semi-truck

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How to choose a heavy-duty tow truck company

As much as we wish that we could simply go about our days without any major catastrophes happening, we all have to be prepared for Murphy’s Law: anything that can go wrong will go wrong. When you drive a complex and heavy-duty vehicle like a tractor-trailer, those little mishaps can turn into a complete disaster. Truckers, of course, are often required to travel on highways, some of which are paths less traveled. So what happens if you’re on the highway, miles from the nearest town or city, and your truck breaks down? Or, what happens if you accidentally run off the road? Well, that would be the time to call a heavy-duty tow truck, no?

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What factors influence the cost of tractor-trailer insurance?

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Many factors affect the cost of tractor-trailer insurance.

Truck insurance rates are not the same across the board. Every business is different, so every business is going to pay a different price for their tractor-trailer insurance. There are a lot of factors that influence the cost of semi-truck insurance – insurance carriers look at a lot of details about a business before they will give them a quote. We’ll explain some of the factors that affect the cost of tractor-trailer insurance.

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What is a BASIC in trucking and why do the BASICs matter?

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Your BASIC percentiles can determine if you'll be subject to FMCSA intervention.

There are a lot of regulations that trucking businesses need to be aware of and follow. The FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) is the agency charged with overseeing CMVs and regulating trucks. The FMCSA has the power to intervene with truck businesses in the form of written letters of warning or investigations. But how does the FMCSA decide who to investigate? There are a lot of businesses out there – why would they single out your business?

The FMCSA uses BASIC (Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Category) percentiles to prioritize which truck businesses to investigate. What’s a BASIC percentile? Great question. We’ll explain what BASICs are, where they come from, and what could cause your business to get poor percentile scores on your BASICs.

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What is trailer interchange insurance?

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Bobtail insurance and non-trucking liability insurance aren't quite the same thing.

Trucking is a unique industry. There are many different scenarios and risks that you face as a trucker, and that means that you need a variety of insurance coverages to protect you. However, all of these transportation and commercial auto coverages can get a little confusing. There are a lot of them, so they can get jumbled. One type of trucking insurance that you might be curious about is trailer interchange insurance. What exactly is trailer interchange insurance? What does it cover? When and why would you need it? We can answer those questions and shed a little light on this very specific type of coverage.

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