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6 • OCTOBER 1-14, 2021 NATION
THETRUCKER.COM
Preparing for DOT re-cert
exam could save your job —
and improve your life
THE TRUCKER
TRAINER
BOB PERRY
Let’s face it: Being a professional truck or
bus driver is not always the healthiest job.
The combination of too much sitting, too
little exercise and an unhealthy diet can lead
to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity,
type 2 diabetes, heart conditions and
more. That can make passing the DOT recertification
exam daunting.
How to get into shape and learning how
to eat healthy on the road so a driver is fit
to pass the Department of Transportation’s
(DOT) physical requirements is a challenge.
Unfortunately, driver health is not always a
top priority.
In addition, with driver turnover soaring
as high as 90% per year, commercial drivers
must do whatever they can to protect their
livelihoods.
As a driver, you need to make sure you
are fit to pass. You may be one of the best
CDL drivers, with great driving skills and
a perfect record, but lack the knowledge or
support, health-wise, to maintain your DOT
qualification.
Don’t be afraid to reach out for support.
There are resources that can help you; ask
your carrier for help. Remember, after all, a
carrier would rather “keep the drivers they
know today before hiring the unknown drivers
of tomorrow.”
There are year-round coaching programs
designed to improve the health of professional
drivers.
Look for one that provides help during
the 90 days leading up to your DOT re-cert
exam. This will help you kick into high gear,
placing you in the best position to pass
Also, look for resources that have your
best interest in mind. Look for licensed, professional
coaches that can create customized
behavioral plans to keep you on the road. Licensed
coaches are trained in the behavioral
change and motivation techniques necessary
to help you overcome the barriers and
challenges to developing sound health habits
— and pass the DOT re-certification exam.
Here’s one last tip: Make sure the
education you are receiving is extended to
your family too. Feel free to reach out to me,
Bob Perry, if you need some direction and
support.
Known as The Trucker Trainer, Bob Perry
has played a critical role in the paradigm shift
of regulatory agencies, private and public sector
entities, and consumers to understand the
driver health challenge. Perry can be reached
at truckertrainer@icloud.com. 8
TANKER SPILL SNARLS I-10 ON WEST COAST
COURTESY: CALTRANS
BANNING, Calif. — A gasoline tanker truck overturned in Banning, California, Tuesday Sept. 1, spilling 9,000
gallons and closing all of Interstate 10 for several hours, according to the California Transportation Department
(CALTRANS).
Courtesy: DriveOhio
DriveOhio, a collaboration between government, research and private industry partners, is working to pave the way for
the transition to electric commercial fleets.
Plugged in
DRIVEOHIO RELEASES FREIGHT ELECTRIFICATION STUDY
COLUMBUS, Ohio — As the automotive
and trucking industries begin to shift toward
alternative fuels, DriveOhio — a collaboration
between government, research
and private industry partners — is touting
a plan for commercial fleet electrification
that it says will help make the transition
smoother for all involved.
Building on the Ohio electric vehicle
(EV) charging strategy released last year,
a study released by DriveOhio Sept. 14 details
how to move the freight and logistics
industries into the use of EVs.
“Ohio is the crossroads of America. We
rank second in intermodal logistics facilities
and sixth in volume of freight moving
in and out of our state,” said Howard Wood,
executive director of DriveOhio.
“As the auto industry continues to make
major investments in electric vehicles
and the infrastructure that powers them,
we must be ready to pivot and adapt to a
changing domestic and global economy,” he
continued. “Working with the freight and
logistics industry, this study adds important
data to the electrification conversation
as this ecosystem continues to mature
in Ohio and across the nation.”
In the study, commercial vehicles were
grouped into categories — terminal and
off-road, last-mile delivery, local freight
and drayage, and regional and long-haul —
and feedback was collected from those in
the industry who have already begun to use
EVs as part of their fleets.
THE TRUCKER NEWS STAFF
Collectively, UPS, FedEx, DHL, Bimbo
Bakeries, PITT Ohio, Firefly Transportation
Services (now Lazer Spot Inc., and
R&L Carriers cite increased safety, reduced
carbon emissions, driver preference, and a
competitive edge and job creation as reasons
to electrify their fleet operations, according
to DriveOhio.
“Ohio is focused on maintaining its position
as a manufacturing leader,” said Jack
Marchbanks, director of the Ohio Department
of Transportation. “The viability,
pace, and ultimate success of transitioning
the freight sector to electric vehicles will
require collaboration across all levels of
government and private industry. Ohio has
an opportunity to help lead the shift to a
21st century transportation economy.”
Looking to the future, DriveOhio’s
Freight Electrification Study suggests that
government and industry leaders work together
to ensure that there is reliable charging
infrastructure, timely utility coordination
and standard electricity prices.
“The opportunities in Ohio for employment
as an electrician are unparalleled,”
said Dan Spurgeon, vice president for service
and special projects at The Superior
Group, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio.
“EV infrastructure, beneficial electrification,
data warehousing, and utility-scale
solar projects currently being constructed
represent a massive quantity of labor
hours.” 8