It’s safe to say that 2020, the year of perfect vision, has not gone as expected- we have entered a new world of masks, medicine, and isolation. The rise of COVID-19 cases worldwide in the early Spring put much of us in between a rock and a hard place, but it is important to remember that there is still hope, and that we are going to get through this together.

COVID-19 In The United States

COVID-19 is a disease caused by just one type of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), dubbed the novel coronavirus, meaning it is the newest one discovered. Coronaviruses have been responsible for epidemics in the past including, SARS and MERS, but none have spread to this global scale before. This is because this strain of coronavirus is quite infective, meaning it’s very good at spreading from person to person- it is spread through airborne droplets.

It came as a shock to everyone when countries began rapidly shutting down as COVID-19 cases multiplied after the discovery of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China. The first case of COVID-19 in the United States occurred in January when travelers arrived from Wuhan, but it didn’t really start gaining ground until March when a nationwide call for isolation was released.

Since then, the United States has been locked down, but some states are working on slowly reopening to return to normalcy without causing a huge influx of cases. Soon we will be able to return to the lives we had before COVID-19, and we will return stronger and wiser for the wear.

Staying Healthy

Staying healthy during a pandemic such as this is not limited to avoiding contracting the virus, it encompasses all areas of health. Taking care of yourself and your loved ones is crucial during such stressful times.

The most-reported way of keeping yourself and everyone else safe is by socially distancing by at least 6 feet from others and wearing masks. Social distancing keeps you away from people who may be carrying diseases, and masks block particles that might contain the virus from blowing into the air and infecting others. Masks and social distancing are inconvenient, but they are what research has shown to be effective right now.

Now that masks are out of the way, it is crucial that you pay attention to your mental health. Stress and isolation are not a good combination for the mental health of anyone, especially those who are predisposed to mental illness. However, there are things you can do to alleviate the ill-effects of quarantine: picking up a new hobby such as learning an instrument, woodworking, reading, or painting can all be a good place to start to combat boredom and increase your productivity!

Physical health is also extremely important, so make sure that you are exercising regularly to the best of your ability. You can accomplish this by taking walks, hiking, fishing, or playing golf! If these options are not available to you, then you can work out at home using your own plans or finding resources online. 10-minute High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) workouts are a fun and low-impact way to stay healthy that have recently gained popularity!

Staying Connected

Staying connected is one of the most important ways to stay healthy during this pandemic- it’s so important that it has its own heading. We can have an incredible reach with the technology that is right at the edge of our fingertips- people love being connected, and it’ll make you happier as well. Staying connected is easy once you start, call your family, text your friends and coworkers, and you could even video chat with all of them!

Final Thoughts

2020 may still be the year of perfect vision as we learn more about ourselves and the world which we live in. As we return to normalcy, we should remember to be kinder, more compassionate, and more optimistic than ever before because we have the power to make the best of our situations if we try.

We will beat this pandemic, but right now the best thing you can do is make sure that you and the important people in your life are happy and healthy. Try to learn all that you can about yourself and others so that you can emerge from this time as an even better person than you were before!

No matter how long you have been a truck driver and no matter how new or old your truck is, there will come a time when you will have to encounter a roadside inspection. It is easy for some individuals to become worked up and panic; however, there is no need for that to happen. Just remember, you are not the only one who gets inspected. Everyone will be inspected at some point during the year, so take a deep breath and try to remember the following tips to help get through it, get back on the road quickly, and without a citation.

1. Always Perform a DVIR. Performing pre-trip inspections before you hit the road is always a good idea. Following a Driver’s Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR) can help you check off all the right boxes on your truck. This report includes checking your battery, brakes, clutch, defrost, exhaust, horn, lights, mirrors, safety equipment, tires, and windows. These items are just a few of the things you should check. Make sure you also pay close attention during your own inspection. Attention to detail will pay off during a roadside inspection and it’s also a safer way to drive. 
2. Review the Annual Vehicle Inspection Report. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Annual Vehicle Inspection Report outlines all of the same things that will be checked if you have to go through a Level I Roadside Inspection. It is a good idea to review this report before your area’s Department of Transportation inspection period every summer. 
3. Keep Your Truck Clean. Make sure your truck, tires, wheels, and interior are as clean as possible. Doing this may be the key to a fast inspection, as it lets the inspectors know that you are a responsible and detail-oriented driver. It also keeps everything visible to the inspectors for a fast walk-a-around.
   
4. Know Where Your Emergency Supplies Are. Make sure you always know where your roadside emergency warning triangles and fire extinguisher are. Knowing where these items are at all times will not only help you pass a roadside inspection, but it will also help you in different situations. 
5. Don’t Rush. If for some reason you get waved in for a closer look during an inspection, don’t be in a hurry. If you decide to rush the inspection, you could make the inspector angry. Instead, pull in slowly, follow the signs, and watch out for foot traffic in the inspection area. 
6. No Radar Detectors. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration does not allow radar detectors; therefore, it would be wise not to have one in your cab. 
7. Make Sure Your Dog is Secure. If your dog is traveling with you, make sure the first thing you do after you get parked is to put them in a secure dog carrier, especially if they are aggressive or nervous. This will not only help the inspector do their job, but it will also keep your dog safe from traffic. 
8. Admit to Any Known Problems. Tell the truth about any problems you may know about and could cause further inspection. It is possible the inspector might waive the citations if you have shown that you know about the issue, discovered it recently, and are working toward getting it fixed. 
9. Know How to Work Your ELD. The inspector will ask to look at your Electronic Logging Device (ELD), so be sure you understand how to email your e-logs to the inspector. This will help speed up the inspection process so you can get back on the road. 
10. Have Your Documents in Order. Make sure you have your documentation organized, in order, and easily accessible in a binder or folder. You will need to have your driver’s license, registration, vehicle insurance, Medical Examiner’s Certificate, Record of Duty Status, annual inspection records, hazardous materials paperwork, IFTA (International Fuel Tax Agreement) card, and permit credentials. 
11. Carry Extra Equipment. It is important to carry plenty of equipment for securing loads. Loads that are not secured correctly are one of the most notorious reported problems during inspections. You’ll never be sorry that you packed extra tarps and straps. 

The best advice any truck driver could get for passing an FMCSA Roadside Inspection is to simply be prepared. Making sure you create a habit of prioritizing the following items every day could save you from getting citations or causing delays and Out-of-Service Orders.

• Brakes that are out of adjustment or other brake issues
• Tires that are under-inflated or too worn
• Securing of loads
• Damage to lights
• Windshield damage or obstruction
• Oil leaks

Direct Freight wants to make sure that your trips are worth the drive and you and your load stay safe. Here at Direct Freight Services, we can help you find the right load for you. We also offer services that can make your drives easier, such as truck stop locations, mileage calculator, and trucking links. To learn more about our services, visit us at directfreight.com. 

The United States is a huge country, there are literally millions of miles of roadways all totaled, and around 50,000 of those miles are interstates. This land of highways and byways is navigated constantly by commuters, families, and the unmistakable American icons, Big Rigs.

We live in a highly commercial nation that requires goods to be shipped from sea to shining sea, up North, and Down south. This is an incredibly large job with a complex infrastructure that is maintained by silent heroes who put in long hours to keep the United States up and running.

Logistical Logic

The United States is filled with innovators and makers who produce everything from agricultural to electronic products. Each of these sources needs a means of delivering to their customers, and the most effective way to do that on a large scale is by truck. With an increase in transit services needed, trucking is an in-demand career with over 3.5 million truckers employed in the United States according to Census data.

Almost half of America’s truckers work over 40 hours per week when driving all over the nation. This is an incredible time investment, and it is completely necessary for the United States to continue functioning and growing.

America’s Most Important People

Everything commercially produced that we buy at stores was on a truck at some point before it reached the shelves. It is impossible to go anywhere in the United States without seeing the effects of trucking.

Truckers are a diverse group of men and women representing all ages and races- these people are the true nurturers of the American economy. Without truckers, it would be impossible to accomplish the feats of economic success that the United States has been able to lavish in.

America’s most important people are not celebrities, politicians, or pop stars- they are not the people that work hard every day to keep the store shelves full, the companies supplied, and ensure that Americans are able to access what they need. Truckers are most certainly some of America’s most important people, and they deserve to be recognized as such.

Why Truckers Deserve Recognition

Next time you pick up a box of cereal at the grocery store; call someone on your phone; or put your clothes on, think about the complex steps taken for you to be able to do that. Truckers are the bridge from production to consumption, and it is their hard work that allows you to be clothed, fed, and entertained.

It is a great thing to live in America, the land of the free and the home of the brave, so make sure you remember to show your appreciation for those who make your life better. Truckers are brave to face the harsh driving conditions and long hours required to do the job right, in addition to this around 10% of truckers are veterans who protected our freedom!

Final Thoughts

Truckers deserve our thanks and appreciation as they are true champions of the American dream. They provide us with an incredible service every day, working hard so that we can rest easy knowing we can access the things we need. With this, we want to say thank you to all the American truckers, we appreciate what you do for us!

When it comes to driving big semi-trucks, what do you think of? Many people automatically think of blue jeans, flannel shirts, ball caps and beards. All trademarks of a trucker, right? Not hardly. There is more to being a truck driver than those things, and women today are making 

headway in the trucking industry! Women truck drivers are becoming the future of big rig truck driving. 

As of April 2019, there were 3.5 million truck drivers in the United States, and of those, 7.89% were women. This may be a low percentage due to a variety of factors, one being the fact that many women have a family to raise and would therefore be sacrificing their time away from them. However, that does not mean that truck driving is a men only profession. Not only are some companies encouraging and recruiting women to become truck drivers, but women themselves want to get behind the big wheel. 

Benefits 

Women make contributions to the trucking industry, including being 20% less likely than men to be involved in a crash. According to Ellen Voie, the CEO and founder of the nonprofit Women

in Trucking Association (WIT), carriers often tell her that women take better care of their equipment, are easier to train, and have outstanding customer service and paperwork skills. Women are also statistically 45% less likely to participate in logbook violations and 60% less likely to commit hours of service violations. There are many positive benefits for women truckers. One major benefit is equal pay. Trucking companies do not pay their employees based on their gender, age, or ethnicity, but rather on mileage or the load of the percentage. Therefore, women receive competitive pay and benefits that trucking companies offer to their male counterparts. The mean wage for a commercial truck driver is $42,500 and women have more opportunity for advancement into management positions in the trucking industry than others. Female truckers also have a community of other women who are in the trucking industry to connect with. Besides WIT, which encourages the employment of women in trucking, promotes their accomplishments, and decreases obstacles faced by women working in the trucking industry, REAL Women in Trucking is also a huge advocate. This organization provides their community of readers with information and support to educate women who want to have a career in trucking and to improve the lives of those who are already truckers. Family passes are also becoming popular among trucking companies. These family passes allow truckers to bring their spouses, children, or pets on the road with them. 

Challenges 

Being a truck driver isn’t easy for women. They have to face hardships such as leaving their family behind at home, sexism, lack of female accommodated truck stops, and safety issues. Safety concerns are one of the most common issues, and not just for women. Some of these 

concerns include poorly lit loading docks and being pushed to drive in inclement weather. Organizations such as WIT are working with truck stops to improve safety and recommending changes such as improved lighting and additional security guards. WIT also hosts self-defense classes and works with truck manufacturers to install safety alarms and ergonomic additions for female truck drivers in their cabs. Many trucks are designed and built for someone of a larger stature than the average woman. This can make for an uncomfortable drive which can prove to be a challenge when you are on the road for 10 hours or more. It is also likely that women truck drivers may encounter harassment due to this being a male-dominated field. To help with this, truck driving schools are providing female-led training for women who are new to the profession. 

Other Titles 

Not all women who are in the trucking industry are drivers. There are many women who are behind the scenes that work to make sure female drivers are being advocated for and who make sure their female drivers are safe out on the road. Women who work behind the scenes have careers in management and are trainers and advocates. There are even women who own their own trucking companies. No matter what type of career a female has in the trucking industry, it is an important one in order to encourage women to become truck drivers. 

The staff here at Direct Freight Services knows the importance of having women drivers and the things they can offer the trucking industry. Even though there is a shortage of female truck

drivers and it is a male-dominated field, that doesn’t mean women shouldn’t be celebrated. Whether it is driving a big rig across the country or working behind the scenes, women who work in the trucking industry care deeply about their job. They work hard, encounter many hardships, and sacrifice their time away from their family. Now that’s something worth celebrating!