Truck Driving News Archives - Page 8 of 10

Creating a Great Playlist for the Road

Music can have a dramatic impact on mood, alertness, and productivity. As a trucker, creating your own on-the-road playlists can help you stay engaged, alert, and entertained while on the job. Keep reading to discover just a few of the classic and modern songs you should consider for your very own trucking playlist.

East Bound and Down

“East Bound and Down” is an upbeat song recorded by Jerry Reed and Gordon Stoker for the soundtrack to the 1977 film “Smokey and the Bandit.” After its release in August of 1977, the song spent 16 weeks on the U.S. Country Music Charts, reaching number two on the list. “East Bound and Down” also reached number three on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 weekly chart.

On the Road Again

“On the Road Again” became Willie Nelson’s ninth number one Country & Western hit and is still one of his most widely-recognized songs today. This classic song not only reached number seven on the Adult Contemporary charts and number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100, it also won a Grammy for Best Country Song in the year following its release.

40 Miles of Bad Road

“40 Miles of Bad Road” is an instrumental song by Duane Eddy, an inductee into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Musicians Hall of Fame. The song was released as a single in 1959 and reached number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. “40 Miles of Bad Road” has been named one of Eddy’s best singles of all time, keeping “the raunchy spirit of rock and roll alive” at a time when the music’s sound was undergoing many changes.

Whatever your personal music preference, the right tunes can help you enjoy your trucking career. If you are looking for a reputable trucking company in Tucson, call DSW Drivers today at 1 (888) 266-7534 or visit our website for more information on our trucking careers and trucker benefits. You can find even more trucking trips and industry information when you check out the articles on our blog.

Tips for Staying Alert While on the Job

During your trucking career, most of the time you spend on the job will be behind the wheel of your truck. Thus, road safety is one of the most essential components of your job. Drowsy driving is one of the most common causes of accidents while on the road, with potentially serious consequences. Staying alert and awake will protect you and any others that share the road with your truck.

Get Enough Sleep

Restful sleep each night will help you maintain your energy levels during the day, while too little or poor-quality sleep will increase your risk of becoming drowsy. Try to arrange your driving schedule to allow you to stop early during the day when you are more likely to find a parking spot so you can rest. This tactic will also get you back on the road earlier in the morning, helping you to avoid traffic.

Nap When Necessary

Even when you get enough sleep, you can still become drowsy after long hours on the road. Rather than stop for a cup of coffee or an energy drink, stop and take a 20-30-minute nap. Numerous studies have proven that even short naps are far superior in terms of restoring alertness than caffeine, sugar, and other stimulants. A nap will keep you feeling refreshed for longer, while coffee, soda, and energy drinks can exacerbate sleepiness when the limited effects of the stimulant wear off.

Eat Healthy Meals

Your body relies upon the food you eat to maintain energy levels. Choosing healthy foods rich in minerals and vitamins provide the building blocks your body needs to help you stay more awake and alert naturally. Avoid stopping for fast food or skipping meals, both of which can cause drowsiness and other negative health effects.

DSW Drivers is a Tucson trucking company dedicated to helping you achieve your career goals as a successful trucker. Visit our website or call us today at 1 (888) 266-7534 to find out more about our current job openings for all types of drivers, including less-experienced drivers and owner-operators.

Visit our ongoing series of videos of some of the worst drivers caught on camera! Check out, Who Taught You How to Drive?! by clicking here.

Trucking Industry News: Truck Driver Shortage

As the economy recovers and demand for raw materials and goods increases, the trucking industry must grow to meet the rising demands of the consumer. This increased industry growth, coupled with changes in the number of hours truck drivers can be on the job before resting, has led to a significant shortage in the number of truck drivers. Currently, the trucking industry has more open positions for truck drivers than there are drivers searching for employment—making qualified and dedicated drivers more valuable than ever before.

About the Driver Shortage

The driver shortage in the trucking industry is not a new occurrence. Although the trucking industry has suffered from a driver shortage for years, the economy’s slow growth and housing market collapse in the recent past have masked the severity of the shortage. During the slower market, there was less demand for goods and raw materials. As the economy has recovered, however, the driver shortage appears more acute. Currently, the trucking industry has 30,000-35,000 open truck driver jobs that are unfilled, leading to an increasing labor shortage as the demands on the transportation industry continue to rise.

Combating the Driver Shortage

As trucking companies feel the ever-increasing pressure of the driver shortage, they are taking steps to increase their workforce. Truck driver recruiting has gone up, while trucking companies across the board are offering pay raises, improved benefits, and more customized career options. Recruiters are often working directly with truck driving schools to garner attention among students and offer work immediately upon graduation. Additionally, the trucking industry is working with military veterans and individuals who have left other industries seeking alternate employment by offering CDL training tuition reimbursement and additional on-the-job training options.

Are you ready to begin or advance your career in the trucking industry? You can apply for a job with DSW Drivers of Tucson online for a fast response. If you have further questions about working with our trucking company, please call 1 (888) 266-7534.

Top Trucker Associations

Trucking associations exist to represent the interests of trucking industry employees. These associations serve the interests of both trucking companies and truck drivers, seeking to improve factors such as working conditions, pay rates, and safety across the transportation industry. Keep reading to learn more about a few of the top trucker associations in the U.S.

American Trucking Associations

Founded in 1933, the American Trucking Associations (ATA) is the trucking industry’s largest trade association. The ATA represents the interests of more than 37,000 trucking company owners across the 50 states on the state and federal levels. Throughout its long history, the ATA has sought to promote the trucking industry’s image while improving efficiency, profitability, safety, and equality in the workplace environment. The ATA is also working to advance the trucking industry’s goals with regard to environmental conservation.

Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, or OOIDA, is dedicated to representing individual truck drivers rather than their employers. Founded in 1973, this association represents the rights and interests of over 150,000 drivers in the U.S. and Canada. OOIDA’s goals include pushing for a more equitable work environment, as well as improving on-the-job and highway safety for drivers at the local, regional, national, and even international levels.

Arizona Trucking Association

Originally called the Arizona Motor Transport Association, the Arizona Trucking Association was formed in 1937 and gained its current name in 2004. The ATA is responsible for promoting the interests of the trucking industry in Arizona, which has a rich history with regard to the transportation industry. Benefits of ATA membership include vehicle registration services, safety compliance services, employee background screening, legislative and regulatory advocacy, and new business opportunities.

DSW Drivers is dedicated to providing a positive and supportive work environment for truck drivers in Arizona. Our Tucson trucking company offers a variety of career options, 24/7 on-the-road support, and health and dental benefits after just 90 days on the job. Please call 1 (888) 266-7534 or visit our website to learn more!

New Safety Rules for Truck Drivers to Reduce Fatigue

Truck drivers spend long hours behind the wheel as they transport goods from one location to another. However, constant driving can cause fatigue and drowsiness, both serious concerns when handling a truck on the road. In an effort to improve trucking safety and reduce fatigue-related accidents, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has introduced new rules that ensure truck drivers are allowed enough rest between on-duty shifts.

The New Regulations

Both previous and current safety regulations limit truck drivers to 60 hours of driving over seven consecutive days and 70 hours of driving over eight consecutive days. These time frames are considered a single “duty cycle.” In order to begin a new duty cycle, previous regulations required that a driver take a minimum of 34 hours off duty. The new regulations extend this concept to state that drivers must observe at least two “night periods” from 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. to allow for adequate sleep during their restart period. Thus, drivers who end a duty cycle between the hours of 1 a.m. and 7 p.m. will need to extend their restart period to ensure it covers two night periods before beginning work again.

The Benefits

Extensive studies were conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration prior to the instatement of these new regulations. These studies indicated that truck drivers who were allowed at least two nights of sleep during their break periods were less fatigued when back on the job and behind the wheel. Less fatigue meant drivers could stay more alert and responsive while driving, reducing the risk of accidents. The study monitored incidences of attention lapses and lane drifting, finding that both were reduced after two night periods during each restart cycle.

DSW Drivers is dedicated to providing a healthy and positive environment for our employees. If you would like to learn more about working as a truck driver with us in Tucson, please call 1 (888) 266-7534 or apply online to become part of the DSW trucking team.

Ways That Truckers Can Improve Their Fuel Efficiency

Fuel is the single largest cost involved in the trucking industry. As the price of fuel continues to rise, along with demand for consumer goods, changes in vehicle technology and driving techniques allow drivers to improve their fuel efficiency. Keep reading to discover how you can improve your truck’s fuel efficiency to enjoy fewer stops and lower costs while on the road.

Use Cruise Control

The cruise control function maintains speed much more effectively than a human touch, reducing engine fluctuations that can cost you fuel. During long stretches of road where intensive steering, braking, or accelerating is not needed, use the cruise control on your truck to minimize the engine’s RPM and increase your fuel economy.

Avoid Idling

Whenever possible, turn your truck’s engine off instead of letting it idle. Idling causes unnecessary engine wear and uses fuel even while you are not moving. Every hour your engine spends idling consumes a gallon of gas—while this may not seem like much, it can add up to more than $7,000 in gas costs over the course of a year.

Use Progressive Shifting

Progressive shifting is a technique that avoids bringing the engine up to peak RPM in each gear before shifting. Thus, progressive shifting minimizes RPM in each gear, which will reduce your overall fuel consumption. Practice progressive shifting whenever possible to perfect this technique and save the maximum amount of fuel during gear changes.

Maintaining good fuel efficiency is the sign of a good driver—those with the most efficient driving methods have the right to brag about it! If you are interested in working for a top-quality trucking company dedicated to promoting employee innovation and efficiency, call DSW Drivers of Tucson today at 1 (888) 266-7534. We also invite you to visit our website to learn more about the benefits of driving for us in Arizona.

The Job Outlook for Truck Drivers

Although the economic climate has been in a state of flux, the job outlook in the trucking industry has remained strong. Truckers are needed to transport raw materials, consumer goods, livestock, and much more to both local and national destinations. Keep reading to learn more about what you can expect regarding employment in the trucking industry in the coming years.

Current Growth

Despite the current uncertainty in the job market, the trucking industry has continued to add new jobs steadily since before 2012. In addition to 1,500 new for-hire trucking jobs in May of 2014, June of 2014 saw an additional 3,300 new trucking jobs open for truck drivers. Thanks to these new jobs, the for-hire trucking industry currently has over one million payroll jobs as the job outlook in the transportation and warehousing sectors continues to remain strong.

Projected Growth

In addition to the current positive job outlook, the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected that employment of heavy and tractor-trailer truckers will continue to grow through the year 2022. The BLS estimates an 11% positive change in employment numbers from 2012-2022. This increase is attributed to the fact that the recovering economy will continue to demand more materials, goods, and foodstuffs, increasing the need for truckers to provide transportation. Although the BLS predicts that rising fuel prices may drive some industries to seek rail transportation over trucking, the majority of goods will continue to be transported by trucks. Trucking offers greater flexibility with regard to scheduling over long distances, as well as higher efficiency than rail transport over short distances. Thus, the demand for qualified and dedicated truckers will continue to rise in both the short and long term, offering truckers a positive job outlook.

DSW Drivers is now hiring CDL drivers in Tucson. If you’d like to find out more about becoming a part of our trucking team, call us today at 1 (888) 266-7534. You can also find out more about our rewarding career opportunities for new drivers, experienced drivers, and owners/operators on our website.

Benefits of Becoming a DSW Driver

Becoming a truck driver offers you a wide range of career possibilities and opportunities. When you choose to work with DSW Drivers of Tucson, you’ll instantly gain benefits you won’t find with other trucking companies. At DSW Drivers, we are dedicated to providing a positive work environment where our drivers will find the support they need to succeed.

More Time at Home

One of the major challenges of life as a truck driver is limited time at home, especially if you are raising a family. DSW Drivers is happy to work with our employees to provide you the time at home you want to relax and spend time with family and friends. Furthermore, our approved time off policy provides one day off for every six days on the road.

Numerous Career Options

DSW Drivers acknowledges that trucking is a varied industry and not all career paths are the same. We encourage our drivers to find the career path that is right for them. Our company offers opportunities for solo drivers, team drivers, owner/operators, and mentors. Additionally, our rider policy allows you to bring a companion out on the road as soon as you begin working with us.

Great Benefits

When you work for DSW Drivers, you’ll know just how much you are appreciated. We offer health and dental insurance coverage eligibility after just 90 days of employment. You are eligible to receive vacation pay after one, two, and five years. Our 24/7 support service means you are never alone on the road—when you need assistance or advice, DSW Drivers has a live person to address your needs. We also offer tuition reimbursement of up to $100 for recent CDL graduates who are employed with us within 30 days of graduation.

At DSW Drivers, our drivers come first. As Tucson’s largest over the road trucking company, we offer a variety of employment opportunities and benefits you’ll love. Check us out on the Web or contact us by calling 1 (888) 266-7534 to find out how you can apply to become a DSW driver today.

How to Become a Truck Driver

A career in the trucking industry offers you the chance to see the countryside while making a steady income. If you’re considering becoming a truck driver, there are certain steps you must follow to achieve this goal. Knowing what to expect in terms of preparation and finding a job can help you along the way.

Meet General Requirements

There are a few general requirements you must meet before you can seek training to become a truck driver. Depending on the type of license you are seeking, you must be 18-21 years old by the time your courses are finished. You will also need to be able to pass a Department of Transportation physical, which ensures that you are able to carry out the daily duties of a truck driver without harm to your health or those around you. Before obtaining a commercial driver’s license, you must hold a valid standard driver’s license. You will also need to pass a drug and alcohol screening test.

Receive CDL Training

You will need to obtain a commercial driver’s license, or CDL, to operate any vehicle over 26,000 pounds or those carrying oversized loads or hazardous materials. There are numerous CDL training schools that can help you prepare to take the CDL exam to receive your license. During training, you will learn all the basics of truck driving and other skills you’ll need in the trucking industry. There are many options to pay for CDL school if you aren’t able to do so out of pocket, including loans, government grants, and other financial benefits that may apply to you. Once your training is complete, you’ll need to take and pass the CDL exam to receive your license.

DSW Drivers is now hiring qualified truck drivers for rewarding careers in Tucson. We offer weekly pay and direct deposit options, health and dental insurance, and a 401(k) plan after just 12 months. Call us today at 1 (888) 266-7534 to find out more or apply online when you visit our website.

Visit our ongoing series of videos of some of the worst drivers caught on camera! Check out, Who Taught You How to Drive?! by clicking here.

Employment Prospects for Truck Drivers Are Growing

Are you considering a rewarding career as a truck driver? Current trends have been showing an increase in the number of employment prospects for truck drivers in Tucson and across the country. Keep reading to learn more about this upward trend in available truck driving jobs and how it can benefit you.

Additional Jobs

As the economic climate continues to improve, more jobs are being added to industries across the board. Overall, the United States economy added 217,000 non-farming jobs in May of 2014. This increase has positively impacted the number of jobs available in the trucking industry as well. In April of 2014, an estimated 4,700 trucking jobs were added to the industry. May of 2014 saw an additional increase of 1,500 new jobs for truckers. These additional positions bring the total number of for-hire trucking jobs up to approximately 1.4 million payroll jobs, reflecting an overall increase of 13.6% from March of 2010.

Increasing Demand

As the economy recovers, consumers across the board are increasing the number of items they buy. As shipping demands continue to grow, new heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers are needed to transport both raw materials and consumer products throughout the country. Long-haul truck drivers are currently some of the highest in demand as additional jobs in this particular sector of the trucking industry continue to become available. These drivers are needed to traverse long routes across many states to deliver the goods necessary for the recovering economy to continue to grow.

The time has never been better to begin your career as a truck driver with DSW Drivers of Tucson. We are growing our business and currently looking to hire both new and experienced CDL truck drivers. If you’d like to learn more about the many advantages of trucking with us, we invite you to call 1 (888) 266-7534 or take a look through our comprehensive website.