Category: freight

Dash Cameras: Are They Helpful or Harmful?

Posted on May 21, 2019 by - artificial intelligence, best dash cam, CDL training, dash cam, Distracted driving, expresstrucktax, freight, information technology, pros and cons, tech, truck dash cam

Over the last few years dashboard cameras (dash cams) have become the must-have accessory for road voyagers. Next, to artificial intelligence, this new device has some hefty pros and cons. If you’re considering getting a dash cam for your next long-haul we have made a list of things for you to think about. Before you press record or invest in a dashcam we want you to make sure it’s the right thing for your truck.

Pros

There are some obvious pros to dash cams that are changing the game for truckers and one of those would be that it prevents staged accidents. Often times passenger vehicles blame large trucks for accidents that just never happened. It’s easy to play the blame game when there are no witnesses or proof. Statistics say that of the car-truck crashes approximately 80 percent of them were at the fault of passenger vehicles. This number may be increased as more dash cams are installed. Dash cams can save you from a rise in insurance and keep you from being blamed for a staged accident.

Other Pros of Dashcams Include the Following:

Improve Driving Skills

CDL instructors and company freight trainers are beginning to use dashcams to train new drivers and help prevent common mistakes. Dash cams are becoming a new method of learning and are creating a culture of safety on the road. Some dash cams can even store information technology that may assist in the training process. CDL training is slowly improving with the help of gadgets like dash cameras.

Document Your Trip

Being away from family on long-hauls can be extremely tough, but once you come home watching the footage from the dashcam will give you a chance to bond with loved ones.

Prevents Theft

Cargo theft can cost you thousands, but with the use of a dash cam, you can capture the culprits and possibly retrieve the stolen cargo.

Cons

The cons of dash cams are a little lighter than the pros, but there are a few things that should be considered.

Driving Distraction

Dash cams can easily be a distraction. Technology has a mind of its own and while you’re driving something may happen and you feel the urge to fiddle. The combination of fiddling with one hand and using the other to operate a 55,000-pound truck may not end the best way.

Rule Breaking

There are some states where recording without consent is illegal. You may be arrested, charged, or even fined, so making sure you are aware of the laws of each state line you cross will save you from facing some heavy consequences.

The technology that is dash cameras can come in handy and can also lead to tragedy. Knowing the ends and outs of the specific camera you purchase is the most beneficial way to ensure it is right for you and the long-hauls you’ll be making. Hopefully, these basic pros and cons will give you an idea of what to expect from all trucker’s new favorite gadget and help you in finding the best dash cam for your truck.

It’s National Truck Driver Appreciation Week

Posted on September 14, 2015 by - expresstrucktax, freight, National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, truck drivers, trucking industry

That’s right! From Sept. 13 to 19, professional truck drivers across the country will be admired and acknowledged for their hard work and dedication in the industry. Businesses are offering promotions and hosting various events and tributes, such as free daily deals, coffee refills, and a health fair for free blood pressure screenings, glucose tests, and flu shots. In addition, our own affiliates are providing fun and memorable activities for National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. Take a look below or refer to TheTrucker.com to get the complete 411 on the following events:

Celadon Trucking

Steve Sommers from America’s Truckin’ Network will be at Celadon headquarters from Monday to Thursday while Kristi Lee and Tom Griswold from the Bob and Tom Show will be in attendance on Friday. Make sure to check out the schedule because something fun and special will be happening each day!

Con-way Truckload

Management will be providing delicious grilled lunches for their drivers at terminals, as well as giving away random items and prizes. Get yourself a free hat or T-shirt. You deserve it!

RWI Transportation

RWI has scheduled hourly giveaways from Monday to Friday, as well as daily food for its drivers. Don’t miss out—each operator can receive gifts and free truck washes!

Schneider

Drivers can come for free food and drinks as Schneider provides tents and grills at more than 100 of their locations. This week is also a chance for drivers to chat with executives and receive personal thanks for a job well done.

Did You Know?

To further commemorate approximately 3.5 million hard-working men and women who make up America’s trucking industry, I’d like to provide some interesting facts, courtesy of Planet Freight.

  • The trucking industry collects, on average, $650 billion in revenue each year. That is about 5% of America’s GDP. 
  • In the United States, there are over 200,000 female long haul drivers. 
  • There are about 15.5 million trucks operating in the United States today. 
  • The top transported goods in the United States are clothing, food, furniture, and electrical machinery equipment/goods. 
  • The trucking industry is expected to grow by about 21% over the next 10 years. 
  • Annually, trucking accounts for about 70% of all freight transported in the United States. 

A Note from Us

Everybody at ExpressTruckTax recognizes you and thanks you for not only for being a loyal customer but for impacting the trucking industry in such a powerful way. Without you, essential freight wouldn’t be moved across the U.S. every single day and our precious goods wouldn’t be delivered in a safe, timely manner. We appreciate you, Trucking Nation!

We’d love to speak with you if you have any questions or concerns. Just give us a call at 704.234.6005, email us at support@expresstrucktax.com, or drop us a line on Facebook or Twitter!

Involving Drivers In The Freight Logistics Process

Posted on November 23, 2010 by - ”small trucking company”, 2290, business minded, Express2290, freight, freight logistics process, involving drivers, logistics, small trucking companies, truck driver, truck taxes

Featured Blogger
Benjamin Bellville

Involving drivers in the freight logistics process can be a great way to boost your overall effectiveness when it comes to moving freight and customer relations. Many small trucking company owners don’t understand that this is a process that begins with the hiring of their drivers. First I’m going to show you some things to look for in employees that you will want for your company, then I will outline the ways you can involve them in the freight logistics process and the benefits it will afford your company by doing so.

Driver Hiring Criteria
When you are going to involve your drivers more in the day to day operations decisions you will need to look for a certain type of driver. Just because a driver has a clean driving record and good recommendations does not necessarily mean they are the driver for you and your approach. Here is what you should look for in the interview process.

  • Are they business minded?
  • Do they have strong organizational skills?
  • Do they have great communications skills?
  • Do they look professionally presentable?
  • Are they experienced in trucking company operations?
  • Do they know how to use a load board and book freight?
  • Basic computer skills?
  • Are they safety and compliance minded?
  • Do they believe in driving fuel efficiently?
  • Can they perform basic mechanical tasks?


This is just the tip of the iceberg here, and will be dependant on just how much responsibility you want to give your drivers over time. Important to remember is that many truck drivers choose to drive for small companies because they are made to feel like they are more a part of the process and that what they think matters. This type of approach fosters confidence in your company and has a higher retention rating than just treating them like another number in a truck.

If you feel they may just be inexperienced in the industry but are business minded enough to train then by all means give them a shot. Sell your company as a building ground for drivers to build their own business within your business while providing them all of the tools and help they will need to some day branch out on their own. Include them daily in the freight logistics process as by involving drivers you will be shocked at what they are truly capable of. After all they are the ones with the real road experience who have a better idea of what it takes to get freight from point A to B that someone in an office has to guess at.

Teach them how to be your eyes and ears and as a group your company will virtually run itself. Why more companies don’t understand this I will never know. They treat drivers exactly the way they are stereotyped in the news and by society, how does this make a driver feel good about working for you or make them truly care about your business success?

I hope this week’s freight logistics posts have given you much food for thought and an idea of how to approach this topic when you start your company or how to make things better in your current company. Of course this has just been some highlights meant for a basic understanding, it’s up to you to unlock the approach that makes you most comfortable and that you feel provides you the best chance of success.

Did you know that when you start a trucking company you need to file for your HVUT taxes before you can obtain your IRP? Why not let Express2290 show you how they can save you money with fast electronic filing.

Freight Logistics for Beginners

Posted on November 18, 2010 by - “freight logistics for beginners”, ”beginners logistics”, ”small trucking company”, ”start a trucking company”, ”trucking company”, freight, freight logistics, logistics

Featured Blogger
Benjamin Bellville
When you go to start a trucking company it is important to understand freight logistics for beginners as this is the core of a trucking operation, whether a one truck operation or a multiple truck fleet. Logistics is defined as the management of the flow of goods, information or services from the point of creation to the point of consumption. Freight logistics simply put is the process by which you will get the goods from point A to point B, but entails much more than just driving the truck. Let’s take a look at all of the operations that will make up your freight logistics daily process.

1. Management – managing yourself, other drivers or employees to make sure that all the cogs in the wheel are rolling together properly.
2. Booking Freight – making contracts for direct freight or finding loads from brokers on load boards.
3. Dispatching – properly assigning the load to a truck that can get the freight there in a timely and compliant manner.
4. Safety and Compliance – ensuring that all company operations follow federal and state guidelines for safety and compliance, as well as keeping the company files stored properly up to code.
5. Accounting – keeping proper records of accounts receivable and accounts payable.
6. Transporting Goods – driving in a safe and compliant manner while making sure to be on time with agreed to scheduling for pickups and delivery.
7. Customer Relations – building strong relationships with brokers, shippers and receivers as well as any businesses you work with to maintain other aspects as mentioned above.
8. Mechanical Upkeep – making sure your equipment meets guidelines set forth by federal and state regulations, keeping it looking presentable and professional.

Perhaps the number one reason that many one truck operations fail quickly is that they are started by a former owner operator who is used to someone else performing all of these tasks for them and they neglect one or more of these steps when they operate their own company. You have to be able to wear many hats as an independent trucker and have the time to dedicate towards the cultivation of all areas.

It can seem overwhelming at times to find the time to put towards each task as much of your time is spent doing the transporting of goods and you also have to have proper rest so you can be safe behind the wheel. In order to accomplish this you need to be able to kill many birds at a time rather than doing each separate. Multitasking properly is something you should be good at before you even consider starting your own small trucking company.

In my next blog post here on Express2290 I will be getting into ways in which you can make freight logistics for beginners more manageable to optimize your time and your business image so be sure to come back and check it out.