Today, technology can be overwhelming. There are many options on the market, it can be a difficult decision figuring out what type of technology your fleet or truck could use and whether the return on investment will be worth it.

The other tricky thing about technology is that it is constantly changing. You always risk adding something to your truck and finding out a couple years or even months later that it is obsolete or needs constant updates that can be money or time consuming.

That all being said, technology has major advantages on the road. It can be time-saving, accident preventing and can save money if used properly.

Electronic logging devices are now mandatory in Canada and the United States. These devices electronically log commercial trucks hours of service to ensure drivers operating these vehicles are within the legal requirements of driving and resting. Some people who own smaller owner-operator businesses believe that e-logs make them less competitive, that the only way for them to keep up is to ‘stretch the truth’ when they log their hours of service. But owners who have been in the business for years can see the advantage of using them. One owner said that it took nearly two years to change over the whole fleet but once he did, he found that it contributed to his fleet doubling and it improved the drivers work life drastically.

A technology that has been evolving in the past 15 years or so is driver’s scorecards. When they were first introduced, they got a bad reputation for being the tool that could help ‘shame’ drivers into doing better on the road. They have since evolved into a great tool on the road that is more accurate and takes into considerations far more factors such as load type and transmission shifting data. The information is now a great tool for driver coaches to share with trainees and is a valuable training tool.

A forward-looking camera system more familiarly known as a ‘dash cam’ have been around for years but like most technology has improved immensely in quality. They are getting smaller in size and larger in functionality such as storage space, nighttime vision and high-definition imagery. These camera systems are a great way to protect the driver of the truck. It can be a way to defend the driver in a false insurance claim, for example, if someone is looking for an easy way to cash in on their vehicle by making a false claim the camera can capture the accident to prove the innocence of the driver.

There are many different ways to let technology help you on the road that we have not listed here. You have to find what suits your operation best. Whether you are an owner-operator or own a large fleet technology is something to consider. It will be an investment and take time to install and learn but at the end of the day it could be a real positive factor on your bottom line, safety of your drivers and efficiency on the road.

RESOURCES

https://www.fleetowner.com/technology/article/21701619/7-truck-technologies-you-need-and-why

https://haulhound.com/blog/best-tech-truck-drivers/

Maintaining a clean truck is always important, it keeps you productive and healthy, both mentally and physically, as you live your life in a small space. Along with having a clean truck, keeping up with your personal hygiene should always be a priority on the road. Now, more than ever, it is a critical key to sustaining life on the road.

Interior of your truck

There are obvious steps you can take to keep the interior of your truck clean but here we thought we would break down small steps you can take so that it doesn’t become a time consuming and overwhelming job.

1. Clean out the garbage daily. Take any coffee cups, food wrappers or bottles out before you sleep every night. When you do this, you will avoid it piling up. After all, this is your workspace and home for the next number of weeks.
2. About once a week spend 15 minutes vacuuming out the dirtiest spots of your truck. You can use your vacuum for the dashboards and any curtains you have in the truck.
3. Depending on the weather, it is important to wash your windows at once a week. Most of the time the exterior of your front windshield will need to be cleaned at least once a day, if not more.
4. Once a week, take your mats out of your truck and give them a good wipe down. Also, when you are getting into your truck, take a few seconds and get rid of any visible dirt on your footwear.

With the current COVID-19 pandemic happening, it would be wise to keep an alcohol spray (at least 70%) in the cab of your truck. Spraying the surfaces of your truck frequently will help to protect you and anyone else you may come in contact with on the road.

Personal Hygiene

Personal hygiene while you are on the road can help you in many ways. It will help with first impressions, mental health and overall physical health. When you are packing to hit the road keep these tips in mind.

1. You don’t know when you will have access to a shower. Pack everything you might need to keep you clean and feeling fresh. This includes items such as: a towel, facecloth, shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, razor and shaving cream
2. Don’t forget to wash your clothes! There is no sense spending time keeping your body clean if your clothes are dirty. If you know you will not have access to a washing machine you could pack enough clean clothes to get you through your entire tour.
3. If you will not have access to running water, alternatively, you could use baby wipes to replace a shower and hand sanitizer to ‘wash your hands.’ But it is important to remember that nothing will replace a warm shower with soap and clean running water and soap to wash your hands.

Making sure you and your truck clean on the road can help in so many ways. Feeling your best will allow you to stay alert on the road and sleep better at night. Keeping your truck clean will keep you healthy on the road. Be sure to make cleanliness a priority when you are on the road!

The trucking industry in Canada employs over 300,000 people, this includes both drivers for-hire and drivers who are involved in private trucking activity. The trucking industry can be an appealing industry for men and women who are goal-orientated and like to work independently. Here we are going to explore some facts about the trucking industry in Canada and the United States.

1. Days in the truck can be long. Some drivers prefer to only drive in the daylight, so they are up early and stop for the day when the sun goes down. Some drivers prefer to drive through the night when there is less traffic. Depending on your delivery schedule you will likely be able to choose which you prefer, as long as you are still following company regulations.
2. The Canadian Trucking Alliance reports that in Canada, the trucking industry is worth approximately $65 billion with more than 260,000 drivers and over 400,000 employees overall. In the United States, the trucking industry generates approximately $650 billion in revenue each year. This is about 5% of America’s Gross Domestic Product (GPD).
3. In Canada, to avoid fatigue in drivers, there are laws in place which allow truck drivers to only drive 13 hours in a day with a required 8 hours off.
4. Trucking is a key trade enabler between Canada and the United States. More than 80% of all US exports to Canada are moved by truck.
5. Most long-haul truckers in Canada and the United States are paid by the mile. In some cases, short distance drivers, are paid hourly.
6. Almost everyone in society relies on the trucking industry in some way. This could be anything from online purchases being delivered to their doorstep to critical goods being delivered to businesses across Canada and the United States.
7. In the United States, most drivers cover about 125,000 miles a year. This equals about 500 miles a day.
8. Being a long-haul truck driver in the United States or Canada can give you a unique perspective.  While making a living you will have a chance to see all of the beautiful scenery that these countries have to offer.  
9. In some cases, truck drivers will have to be able to lift a minimum weight while loading/unloading the truck. This will vary depending on the job. This is something you will have to find out before you start the job and make sure you are physically able.
10. On average, truck drivers with little experience will be paid about $35,000 a year. After a year or two of experience drivers can expect about $45,000 to $55,000 a year. Truck drivers who haul oversized loads or hazardous materials can expect more.
11. The trucking industry continues to evolve and find strategies to improve the environmental effects gas emissions have. Diesel trucks today run much ‘cleaner’ than they did years ago. In fact, it would take 60 trucks today to equal the gas emissions from just one truck in 1988.
12. The top three transported goods in the United States are clothing, food, furniture.

If you are a truck driver or a family member of a truck driver reading this, tell us what else you want people to know about the trucking industry. Comment below and let us know!