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Vol. 37, No. 12 | December 2023 | www.thetrucker.com
WHAT’S INSIDE
THE NATION
Adverse Conditions................3
WIT Accelerate Conference.....4
Veteran Ready Summit...........6
6
PERSPECTIVE
Between the Lines..................8
Rhythm of the Road...............8
Trucker Trainer........................8
Ask the Attorney....................9
Mind Over Matter..................9
Chaplain’s Corner.................10
BUSINESS & EQUIPMENT
Spelling It Out......................12
Truck Sales Decline...............12
Insurance Insights.................13
TCA Leadership Program.....13
Fleet Focus...........................14
Safety Series.........................15
JOB RESOURCES
Home for the Holidays.........16
XPO Military Support...........16
Owning the Wheel...............17
19
FEATURES
Still Truckin’..........................19
Impressive Record................20
Positive image
Poll reveals Americans value truckers’ role in nation’s economy
THE TRUCKER NEWS STAFF
DALLAS — Most Americans believe truck drivers play a crucial role in the
nation’s economy, according to a recent survey. In its 2023 How America Talks
Trucks Survey, CloudTrucks polled 2,000 U.S. adults via Pollfish, a third-party
survey platform. The goal, according to Cloud Truck, was to explore regional
differences in terminology and perspectives of the trucking industry.
In the CloudTrucks asked 2,000 Americans about the terminology they use
and perceptions they have about trucking and trucker drivers. Respondents
from all 50 states were included, and their responses were analyzed by census
region: Northeast, Midwest, South and West.
Key findings show:
• Americans value and hold largely positive views of truck drivers.
• Americans across all regions are familiar with the trucking industry, and
Southerners are confident they understand trucking and truck drivers best.
• Regional terminology for trucks differs, but “18-wheeler” is the most popular
term for trucks nationwide.
Americans value and hold largely positive views of truck drivers.
Across all regions surveyed, Americans overwhelmingly said “truck drivers
play a crucial role in the economy” (80%) and that they sympathize with
truckers for “frequently” having to “encounter aggressive or unsafe behaviors
from other motorists” (43%). Nearly a third of respondents (33%) said they
believe truck drivers are not adequately compensated for their work.
When asked about the images that come to mind when thinking of truck
drivers, responses show that some limiting perceptions persist, according to
CloudTrucks. About 21% of respondents suggested that most truck drivers are
older white males with tattoos and rough appearances, and 13% suggested
truckers are reckless and disregard traffic rules and safety precautions.
WASHINGTON — In the future, truck drivers could
receive overtime pay when they work more than 40
hours in a week.
The Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act (GOT)
was introduced in both the House and Senate in November
in an effort to “level the playing field and check
book for truck drivers who make sacrifices in the name
of the supply chain.”
The GOT Truckers Act would amend the Fair Labor
Standards Act of 1938 to require that truckers receive
overtime compensation when they work more than 40
hours in a week. The exemption was created to prevent
truck drivers from being encouraged to work excessive
hours. However, the opposite has happened. It is
common for truck drivers to work 70 hours in a week
while receiving a base pay similar to what most workers
would make in a 40-hour week.
Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) introduced the Senate
version of the bill, while Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.) introduced
the GOT Truckers Act in the House. Sen. Edward
J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Mark Takano (D-Calif.)
also helped introduce the bill.
iStock Photo
Public perception of the trucking industry is generally positive, according to CloudTruck’s
2023 How America Talks Trucks Survey.
However, most respondents across the U.S. regions opted for far more
positive descriptions of truck drivers. Many respondents described drivers as
industrious, overworked and underpaid (35%). Approximately 32% of respondents
also described drivers as reliable and punctual.
When asked what they would think if they met a truck driver in a social
Congress weighing bill requiring overtime pay for truckers
iStock Photo
A bill has been introduced in Congress that would
require truckers who work more than 40 hours in a
week to be paid overtime..
THE TRUCKER NEWS STAFF
See POLL on PAGE 6
“America’s truck drivers are on the front lines of our
economy, enduring long hours away from home, and
all too often, unpaid wait time at congested ports and
warehouses,” Padilla said. “That’s because for decades,
truck drivers have been excluded from overtime pay
protections.
“If truckers are forced to wait while on the job, they
should be paid,” he continued. “This is not just a matter
of fairness; it’s a matter of public safety. Experienced
truckers are safer truckers, and better compensation
will help more of them stay in the profession. It’s time
we guarantee overtime for truckers.”
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association
(OOIDA) has spoken out in support of the measure.
“America’s truckers keep our nation’s economy
moving, and without the hard work of these men and
women, our supply chain would grind to a halt,” said
Todd Spencer, president of OOIDA.
“Unbelievably, trucking is one of the only professions
in America that is denied guaranteed overtime
pay,” Spencer continued. “We are way past due as a nation
in valuing the sacrifices that truckers make every
single day. This starts with simply paying truckers for all
of the time they work.” 8

2 • December 2023 THE NATION
Thetrucker.com
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Thetrucker.com THE NATION
December 2023 • 3
Alaska, West Virginia have most dangerous weather-related driving conditions
THE TRUCKER NEWS STAFF
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Because of its location and long, frigid
winters, it’s probably no surprise that Alaska has the most dangerous
weather-related driving conditions in the U.S. Following
Alaska is West Virginia, according to research by a New York
state-based attorney’s office.
The research, conducted by personal injury attorney Richmond
Vona, studied crash data from the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) to determine which of the
50 states has the highest number of fatal crashes during bad
weather conditions.
Alaska comes in at No. 1, with 25% of all fatal crashes occurring
during inclement weather. That’s 150% higher than the national
average. Snow is the most common weather factor in the
state, present during almost one in five (19%) of Alaska’s fatal
crashes. That’s the highest figure for snow-related fatal crashes
among the 50 states.
West Virginia ranks second, with 18% of fatal crashes during
bad weather. Rain is the most common condition — 13% of
crashes happened in rainy weather, the highest percentage nationwide.
Washington ranks third, with 16% of fatal crashes in poor
weather. Washington has some of the most dangerous rainy
driving conditions, present in over one in 10 (11.4%) accidents,
the sixth-highest nationwide. Washington also has the highest
rate of crashes during other poor conditions in the country,
which the NHTSA describes as “fog, smog, smoke, severe crosswinds
or blowing sand, soil and dirt.”
Virginia ranks fourth, with 15% of driver fatalities in bad
weather. Almost nine in 10 (86%) of those fatal crashes occur during
rain. Virginia has the second-highest percentage of fatalities
during rain in the country, just behind West Virginia, at 12.8%.
See Weather on PAGE 10
A study by attorney Richmond Vona shows that Alaska has the most dangerous driving conditions in the nation.
iStock Photo
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4 • December 2023 THE NATION
Thetrucker.com
Women In Trucking
2023 Accelerate conference draws nearly 2,000
Nearly 2,000 people gathered at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas Nov.
5-8 for Women In Trucking’s 2023 Accelerate! Conference & Expo.
In addition to networking opportunities, an exhibit hall and tech
expo featuring the latest in trucking, attendees had opportunities
to attend informative sessions geared toward various roles in the
trucking industry, from driver tips and education to corporate-level
strategies. The Viva Las Vegas Casino Night, held Nov. 6, featured
a performance by an Elvis impersonator (who’s also a former UPS
driver), a live DJ and games, including slots, craps, roulette, poker
and more. During the event, Shelley Simpson, president of Arkansasbased
J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc., was honored as WIT’s 2023
Influential Woman in Trucking. In addition, keynote speaker Allison
Graham shared insights from her latest book, “The Stress Illusion.”
2
THE TRUCKER NEWS STAFF
1
USPS 972
Volume 37, Number 12
December 2023
The Trucker is a monthly, national newspaper for the
trucking industry, published by The Trucker Media
Group at 1123 S. University, Suite 325
Little Rock, AR 72204-1610
EDITORIAL
Managing Editor
Linda Garner-Bunch
Web News Manager
John Worthen
Staff Writer
Erica N. Guy
Production Coordinator
Christie McCluer
Social Media Coordinator
Kelly Young
3
4
Editor Emeritus
Lyndon Finney
Special Correspondents
Cliff Abbott
Dwain Hebda
Kris Rutherford
ADVERTISING & Leadership
Chief Executive Officer
Bobby Ralston
General Manager
Megan Hicks
Director of Technology
Jose Ortiz
5 6 7
For editorial inquiries,
contact Linda Garner-Bunch at
editor@thetruckermedia.com.
For advertising opportunities,
contact Meg Larcinese at
megl@thetruckermedia.com.
Telephone: (501) 666-0500
E-mail: info@thetruckermedia.com
Web: www.thetrucker.com
Periodicals Postage Paid
at Little Rock, AR 72202-9651.
Photos by Linda Garner-Bunch/The Trucker
Here are a few scenes from Women In Trucking’s 2023 Accelerate! Conference & Expo: 1. Attendees had a chance to test their driving skills on the simulator in WITney, the
association’s mobile education unit. 2. Members of the WIT Image Team were recognized during Tuesday’s general session. 3. Lisa Leatherman, director of culture for Big M
Transportation, visits with attendees in the exhibit hall. 4. Bob Perry, “The Trucker Trainer,” kicked off Monday morning’s events with the 22x22 Push-Up Challenge for veteran
suicide awareness. 5. The Daimler Truck North America booth, which featured a “Rosie the Riveter” them as well as a 360 photo booth, was a popular stop in the exhibit hall.
6. Laurie Knights of Ideabox visits with attendees in the exhibit hall. 7. Dave Nemo of Sirius XM’s Radio Nemo, along with co-workers Donna Horton (center) and musician and
on-air personality Lindsay Lawler, take to the dance floor during Monday evening’s Las Vegas-style casino event.
Publishers Rights: All advertising, including artwork
and photographs, becomes the property of the
publisher once published and may be reproduced in
any media only by publisher. Publisher reserves the
right to refuse or edit any ad without notice and does
not screen or endorse advertisers. Publisher is not liable
for any damages resulting from publication or failure to
publish all or any part of any ad or any errors in ads.
Adjustments are limited to the cost of space for the ad,
or at Publisher’s option, republication for one insertion
with notice received within three days of first publication.
Copyright 2023, Wilshire Classifieds, LLC. Subject also
to Ad and Privacy Policy at www.recycler.com.

Thetrucker.com The NATION
December 2023 • 5
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6 • December 2023 The NATION
Thetrucker.com
Veteran Ready Summit 2023 set for Dec. 13-16 in Washington
THE TRUCKER NEWS STAFF
TULSA, Okla. — Leading transportation
and military hiring organizations are
partnering to co-host the annual Veteran
Ready Summit event. Tenstreet, Fastport,
Hiring Our Heroes, TransForce, Troops
into Transportation and the American
Trucking Associations (ATA) will co-host
the annual event from Dec. 13-16 at the ATA
headquarters in Washington, D.C.
According to a statement by Tenstreet,
the Veteran Ready Summit is a valuable
opportunity for organizations to learn about
the best practices for hiring and retaining
military veterans.
The summit will feature sessions led by
transportation industry leaders, military
hiring experts, and military veterans such
as Medal of Honor Recipient and Hiring
Our Heroes Ambassador Clint Romesha.
These speakers will share their insights on
creating a culture of veteran support in the
workplace.
In addition to the main sessions, this
year’s Veteran Ready Summit will offer 30
attendees the chance to register for an
in-depth and hands-on workshop led by
PsychArmor Institute. Participants will
receive specialized training on all phases
of veteran employment practices and
will receive a Veteran Ready Certificate,
enhancing their expertise and credentials
in veteran employment.
To maximize the impact of their trip,
attendees are encouraged to participate
in complementary events held across
Washington D.C. These events, including
the Transition Trucking Award Ceremony,
the ESGR Statement of Support Signing
and the Wreaths Across America Gala and
Wreath Laying Ceremony, are designed to
see you
online!
Following the distribution of the
December 2023 edition of The Trucker,
WE’RE GOING 100% DIGITAL!
Now, instead of waiting each month to find out what’s new in trucking,
join us at TheTrucker.com anytime, anywhere, at your convenience.
Every day you’ll find the latest news, as well as feature stories.
You can even search for the latest driving jobs available in your area!
Other ways to stay in touch with The Trucker:
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iStock Photo
Tenstreet, Fastport, Hiring Our Heroes, TransForce, Troops into Transportation and the American Trucking Associations
will co-host this year’s Veteran Ready Summit in Washington, D.C.
reinforce the commitment to hiring and
retaining military talent.
“NATERA is proud to support the
2023 Veteran Ready Summit,” said Daren
Wingard, the executive director of the
North American Transportation Employee
Relations Association (NATERA).
“We encourage all our members to attend
Poll cont. from Page 1
setting, almost half (48%) of respondents said
they would have respect for the driver’s hard
work, sacrifices and contributions to society.
Many (46%) also indicated they would have
an interest in learning more about the drivers’
travels and experiences in the trucking industry.
Far fewer respondents made negative assumptions
about truck drivers’ politics, education
or other traits.
Americans are familiar with the trucking
industry, and Southerners are most confident
they understand trucking and trucker drivers.
Southerners showed a high degree of confidence
in their understanding of the daily life
and challenges faced by truck drivers, with 69%
claiming to be “very familiar” (29%) or “somewhat
familiar” (40%), compared to 57% of
Northeasterners, who responded “very familiar”
(19%) or “somewhat familiar” (37%).
Overall, 65% of respondents said they are
“very familiar” (26%) or “somewhat familiar”
(39%) with the daily life and challenges faced
by truck drivers.
Notably, Northeasterners appear to know
trucking quite well, at least according to survey
responses. Participants from this region did the
best on the quiz included in the survey. They
were most likely to correctly respond that New
York has the toughest trucking regulations.
They were also more likely than Southerners to
identify Texas as the state with the highest concentration
of trucking companies and Ohio as a
major trucking hub.
Regional terminology differs, but “18-wheeler”
is the most popular name for trucks nationwide.
the summit so they can learn best practices
in military hiring and further strengthen
the trucking industry’s commitment to offer
quality career opportunities to veterans of
the U.S. armed forces,” he continued.
For more information and to register
for the event, visit veteran-readysummit-2023.eventfarm.com.
8
When asked, “What term do you commonly
use to refer to a large truck used for shipping
goods?” each part of the country identified a
different preferred term.
Midwesterners prefer the terms “semi” and
“semi-truck,” which received 28% and 27% of
responses, respectively. About 11% of Midwesterners
surveyed answered “18-wheeler.”
People in the Northeast favor “tractor-trailer”
(30%) over the second most popular term,
“18-wheeler” (16%).
In the West, people seem to prefer the term
“semi-truck” (19%), followed by “semi” and
“18-wheeler,” both at 17%. “Big rig” and “rig” are
popular in the West as well — those terms received
a combined 17% of responses.
Broken down by state, 13 states chose
“18-wheeler”; 13 favored “semi”; 13 (including
the District of Columbia) chose “tractor-trailer”;
and 12 picked “semi-truck.” Other popular
names provided by respondents included “delivery
truck,” “freight truck” and “Mack truck”.
Tobenna Arodiogbu, co-founder and CEO
of CloudTrucks, said the survey results are encouraging
for the trucking industry.
“It’s great to see that so many people value
and feel positively about truck drivers and the
work they do,” he said.
“Most freight in the U.S. is moved by trucks,
so drivers and the trucking industry as a whole
are absolutely essential to our daily existence,”
he continued. “Perhaps positive perceptions
will continue to grow as consumer activities
like e-commerce become more popular and the
general public interacts more with the trucking
industry via experiences like package tracking.
We have to keep working to ensure this value
translates monetarily to drivers.” 8

Thetrucker.com The NATION
December 2023 • 7

8 • December 2023
PERSPECTIVE
Thetrucker.com
FROM THE EDITOR:
Goodbye 2023!
Between
the lines
Linda GARNER-BUNCH
editor@thetruckermedia.com
Buckle your seat belts, everyone!
December is here, signaling the start of a
madcap race to the end of 2023 and the dawn
of a new year.
As a kid, I believed the weeks between
Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day were
magical. To be honest, I still do!
I love the whirlwind of family gatherings
and holiday parties. Shopping for Christmas
gifts always seems like a great treasure hunt.
Finding the perfect gift for everyone on my list
makes me happy enough to do the “Snoopy
dance”! I just wish my budget allowed me to
buy everything for everyone.
Then, there’s the magic of holiday
light displays. In addition to the big, fancy
community affairs, you can drive down almost
any residential street and spot Christmas tree
lights twinkling from a window, porches and
roof-lines outlined with strands of glowing
bulbs, a Nativity scene on this lawn and Santa
and his sleigh on that one — I hope I never
outgrow the wonder of it all.
As professional drivers, many of you will
spend the season much like any other month,
traveling the highways to ensure everyone has
eggnog and cocoa, groceries and all the other
trappings of the season. Because of truckers,
we have food, clothing, shelter, life-saving
medicines and, of course, Diet Coke. From the
bottom of my heart, I thank you.
I’d also like to give everyone a heads up:
After this edition of The Trucker is distributed,
we are moving to a 100% online format. Visit
our website, TheTrucker.com, and bookmark
it on your mobile or desktop web browser.
You’ll still find all the features you love about
the print edition — from Ask the Attorney,
Rhythm of the Road and other monthly columns
to special categories like Fleet Focus, Safety
Series, At the Truck Stop and more.
You can hop onto our website every day to
catch up with the most up-to-date news and
features. Then, after reading a story, you can
easily scroll down a bit further on the page
and type in a comment or message about
what you’ve just read. We love to hear from
our readers!
As they say on those TV infomercials: But
wait! There’s more!
You can also follow The Trucker on social
media platforms, including Facebook,
Instagram, X (I still call it Twitter in my head),
TikTok and more. And, of course, I’m always
thrilled to get messages from the road. Please
email me at editor@thetruckermedia.com,
and let me know what you’re dealing with out
there in the trenches.
Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and
a happy New Year. I’ll see you all online! 8
Carved in solid Oak: Songs that would be gold, Part 1
RHYTHM OF
THE ROAD
KRIS RUTHERFORD
krisr@thetruckermedia.com
The Oak Ridge Boys (ORB) have
announced their retirement and farewell
tour. It’s been a long, 50+ year career for
the current quartet — and they have a
boatload of hits and awards to show for all
those decades. They also have a basket full
of songs that, with a little luck, should have
charted in country music’s Top 10.
You can find classic country jewels right
between the wide lines on your old ORB
vinyl LPs — the tracks you never ran your
needle through like you did with “Elvira,”
“I’ll Be True to You” or “You’re the One.” On
the other hand, if you’re a collector of old
45 RPMs, take a look at the flip side you’ve
ignored for the past 30 years. There they
are … the precious gems of classic country
music. Most never made it to the radio and
haven’t been played at a live ORB concert
in years, but give them a listen. You’ll find
some of the ORB’s finest work.
A fan since the tender age of 10, when
the “Y’all Come Back Saloon” album first
charted, I’ve carefully selected my favorite
nine ORB songs that would (or should) be
gold. So, in no particular order:
1. “Easy”
As far as I’m concerned, the body of
work of “Y’all Come Back Saloon” remains
Take these steps to reduce holiday stress on the road
THE TRUCKER
TRAINER
BOB PERRY
No doubt, as a professional truck driver,
many of you have discovered that working
and being away from loved ones during the
holidays is tough. It’s difficult being away
from friends and family for days or weeks
at a time, especially this time of year.
Here are some tips to help make your
days (and nights) a little less stressful.
Count your blessings.
Remind yourself of all the good things
you have going on in your life. For example,
you’re working, you have great friends and
a wonderful family, and you’re (hopefully)
healthy. I try to practice two rules:
1. Be thankful for what you have.
2. Don’t forget rule No. 1.
Make your bunk area a home away from
home.
ORB’s greatest masterpiece to this day.
Other albums offered bigger hits, but as a
collection, it’s hard to top the 10 tracks on
this record. Give me one album to listen to
on a cross-country ride, and it’s no contest.
“Y’all Come Back Saloon” put country
music on notice that gospel didn’t have the
ORB under lock and key. No song better
exemplifies the group’s transformation
than “Easy.” Keep in mind that this was
back in the days when Dallas’s WBAP still
used that annoying “BLEEEEP” to censor
Faron Young’s “Here I am in Dallas, Where
the Hell are You?” Nearly five decades later,
the risqué lyrics of promiscuity and teen
pregnancy featured in “Easy” are mild at
best, but I’m not even sure “outlaw” country
artists would have been so bold in 1977.
Duane Allen’s vocals on “Easy” are,
to at least my ears, the best he ever
recorded. Changing his voice inflection
from a matter-of-fact mood to one of
sympathy with a touch of anger and then
to understanding and tenderness in the
span of three minutes must have been
a hard chore. At the age of 10, I had nary
a clue what “Easy” really meant. When
I reached high school, though, the raw
honesty, emotion and depth of the lyrics
became clear.
Never released as a U.S. single, “Easy”
became an overseas hit and the subject of
a very early music video. Had conservative
country radio been ready to openly discuss
the matter at hand, “Easy” would have
surely been a chart-topper. Thinking back
on it, I may remember “Easy” so well from
the infamous episode when my mother
Before heading out on the road, try
to make your truck’s bunk area as close
to a “home” setting as you can. Surround
yourself with a few of the comforts of home.
For example, use your favorite pillow and
blankets for the sleeper berth. Also, taking
a pet along for the ride can be very helpful
and comforting — if your company allows.
Stay in touch with loved ones.
Ask your partner/spouse, kids and other
family members — as well as close friends
— to contact you through video calls (such
as FaceTime) when you can safely visit
during a break. In addition, if you have
to miss events such as school concerts or
holiday get-togethers, have loved ones use
their phones to take photos and videos and
send them to you. You can play them back
when you have reached your destination.
Don’t just sit behind the wheel!
Try to incorporate some form of regular
exercise every day, even if it’s just walking
laps around your truck. Walking can help
relieve stress and increase your energy
levels, giving you more energy to manage
stress easier.
Personally, I have found that whenever
heard me singing along and asked me if I
even knew what the words meant. Without
thinking, I responded with a short, “No, but
it’s a hell of a tune, ain’t it?” She bleeped me
all the way to my bedroom.
2. “Didn’t She Really Thrill Them (Back
in 1924)”
Even though I was wet behind the ears
when this one was recorded, I connected
with the song immediately. I may have
been a legal resident of Maine, having
moved there at the age of 3 months, but
Mainers only accept someone as a native
if they are born inside the state lines. As
far as they were concerned, I was “From
Away.” Summers spent in Texas did little
to hide the Scarlet “FA” on my sleeve. I
may have been considered an outsider in
New England and a Yankee in Texas, but
those summers in the South allowed me
to experience rural life. Northeast Texas’
Lamar County, my summer home (and the
roots of the modern Rutherford family),
is still 99.7% rural. For a kid, that statistic
translated to “99.7% old folks.”
The lyrics of “Didn’t She Really Thrill
Them” still stirs my senses today. The story
of an old maid and a schoolgirl takes me
back to the many hours I spent around
those Texas ladies who, at the time, seemed
ancient.
Duane Allen’s trademark smooth delivery
brings memories of sipping iced
tea on a Texas porch. I can picture myself
in the shoes of the schoolgirl (well, make
it schoolboy, in my case) who made daily
See RHYTHM on PAGE 10
I’m feeling overwhelmed and/or stressed,
exercise brings me back to a mind space
that makes me realize the problem actually
isn’t as difficult as I imagined.
Stock your fridge.
Make sure the mini fridge in your truck
is stocked with healthy foods — and even
maybe a couple of special treats. All too
often, we use unhealthy food (such as cake,
ice cream and cookies) to fill the void of
being alone and unhappy — and then we
feel guilty for gorging on junk food.
Keep recent photos or memorabilia in
your cab.
Posting printed photos of family and
friends in the truck is a great way to help
alleviate homesickness. Is there room
on your dash to safely display a couple of
special mementos? If so, do it! You’ll smile
every time you glance at them.
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

Thetrucker.com PERSPECTIVE
December 2023 • 9
One toke over the line? Testing for marijuana impairment not ready to hit the road
ASK THE
ATTORNEY
BRAD KLEPPER
For this month’s column, I want to discuss
something that I’m sure nobody in the
industry has ever addressed (place tongue
firmly in cheek here). We’re going to talk
about marijuana and the trucking industry.
(Yes, I know others have talked about the
subject at great length — hence, the tonguein-cheek
reference.)
Now, before you all start jumping to conclusions
about me, there are a few things
you need to understand. First, I went to college
in the ’80s (read into that whatever you
want). Second, I want our roads to be safe
at all times and our industry’s drivers to be
the safest on the road. With that in mind, I
Mind over
matter
Hope Zvara
We’ve all heard about the incredible importance
of protein for our body. Here at
Mother Trucker Yoga, we know all too well
that your hours behind the wheel can put a
dent in your meal planning — but don’t fret!
We’ve got you covered when it comes to figuring
out the whats, whens and hows of fueling
up with the protein that’s right for you.
Whether you’re a meat lover or a vegetarian
(or a little of both), there are protein
sources that’ll keep both your taste buds
and body happy and strong.
Calculate your protein intake.
Let’s break it down. To calculate how
much protein you need daily, just take your
body weight (in pounds) and multiply it by
0.78. Math isn’t really your thing? No worries,
we’ll help you out.
Let’s say you weigh 180 pounds: 180 x
0.78 = 140.4. In other words, you need 140.4
grams of protein daily. It’s that simple!
So now you know your protein goal. But
how do you split it up into meals?
Divide and conquer.
To help your body process and utilize
protein effectively, it’s best to divide your
daily protein intake into three or four meals.
For our 180-pound buddy mentioned above,
that means eating around 35 to 47 grams of
protein per meal.
Now, let’s get to the real meal deal!
have no tolerance for drunk drivers, stoned
drivers, distracted drivers or drivers who do
not act or drive like a professional. Honestly,
I just don’t.
So, with that said, how do we reconcile
the current state of the world in regard to
recreational/medical marijuana usage and
trucking?
Quite simply, I am not sure we can, at
least not right now.
As background, and according to a recent
ATRI report, 49.8% of the general population
— and 41.4% percent of truck drivers — live
in a state where recreational marijuana use
is legal. These figures are up from 24.5% and
18.5% from 2019. In addition, according to
ATRI, 59% of Americans support both medical
and recreational marijuana legalization,
while only 10% are opposed to any form of
marijuana legalization.
However, marijuana is classified as a
Schedule I drug. This classification includes
heroin, ecstasy and LSD. This means that,
regardless of any state’s position, marijuana
use is prohibited by federal law. And, since
Pump up the protein: A path to better
health for carnivores and vegetarians alike
Meat lovers, unite!
There’s plenty of protein to be had for
carnivorous truck drivers:
• Jerky: This is a classic road snack that
packs in the protein. Just be cautious of
added sugars and preservatives.
• Rotisserie chicken or turkey: Pick up a
pre-cooked bird at a grocery store whenever
you stop. Strip that carcass and divide it up
into easy-to-travel meals and snacks.
• Pre-packed salads with grilled chicken:
Grab one of these bad boys from a supermarket
deli for a quick, protein-filled meal
on the go.
• Canned fish: Tuna, salmon or sardines,
anyone? Throw some in a salad, or use them
as cracker toppers.
Veggies, take the wheel!
Vegetarian truckers, we’ve got your
backs, too:
• Nut butter: Spread it on rice cakes, apples
or celery for a satisfying protein boost.
• Greek yogurt: This is a high-protein
snack that combines well with fruit, granola
or honey. We recommend going for a low-fat
option!
• Ready-made protein shakes: Find a
brand that meets your needs, whether
whey-, pea- or soy-based.
• Mixed nuts: Keep this protein-rich, fiber-packed
snack in your cab at all times for
a crunchy pick-me-up.
Keep the (protein) wheels turning.
As we age, staying active isn’t the only
challenge: Maintaining muscle mass is essential!
Protein helps with just that, especially
when paired with regular truckerfriendly
exercises.
So, next time you fuel your truck,
See MATTER on PAGE 10
trucking is a heavily regulated industry, this have laws where anything greater than 0ng/
means marijuana use is expressly prohibited,
regardless of the state’s position. This limits of 5ng/ml, while 10 other states use
ml shows impairment. Four states have
creates a problem with the enforcement of a positive metabolite test. However, in this
federal laws and presents numerous employment
issues for carriers.
weeks after using marijuana. In addition,
test, metabolites could be present several
So where does this put us? I really am not some people may have a higher tolerance
sure. I think the growth of medical/recreational
marijuana is going to continue, and So, as you can see, there is no standard
for marijuana than others.
it will continue to permeate our industry. test to determine actual impairment resulting
from marijuana use. However, many re-
The question becomes: How can we determine
if a driver is operating while under the searchers believe the behavioral approach
influence of marijuana?
to documenting impairment is the most
As you know, every state has laws dealing promising solution.
with alcohol- and drug-impaired driving. But With that in mind, at a recent conference,
I had a very interesting conversation
unlike laws for drunk driving, laws addressing
driving while stoned vary substantially. with PJ Barclay, a native of South Africa
The two primary approaches are behavior
based (think field sobriety test or a test ada. Apart from being a South African in
who now lives in Edmonton, Alberta, Can-
conducted by a DRE) and biology based. The the great white north, PJ leads the team at
biology-based test measures the concentration
of THC in a driver’s blood. Three states
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10 • December 2023 PERSPECTIVE
Thetrucker.com
The true value of a gift can’t
be measured in dollars
CHAPLAIN’S
CORNER
Rev. Marilou Coins
Here we are, already in the last month of
the year. So many people are busy thinking
about Christmas and finding the perfect gift
to give to each person on their list.
Did you ever stop to think that spending
time to visit with others or helping them out
means much more than a store-bought gift?
For example, baby sitting for free so a mom
and dad can spend a night out by themselves
is a great gift. Or how about spending time
with an elderly person who just needs to have
someone to visit with?
The gift of self may be exactly what a friend,
family member or acquaintance needs. I find
that precious moments mean a lot more to
some folks than a store bought gift.
For example, spending time with grandchildren
can be very rewarding, not just for the kids,
but also for you! Life is measured by memories
we make more than you may realize. In this
season of giving, give something of yourself that
will be remembered by the ones who receive it.
On the first Christmas, the shepherds came
to visit a baby in a manger. They brought no
gifts other than themselves as they traveled to
Bethlehem to greet Christ, the new-born king.
We should all follow that example and
simply visit someone who’s lonely, or do something
special for someone during this season
of giving. Believe it or not, you will receive just
as much as you give by doing this! You will feel
so much of an uplifting of self when you share
your time and attention with others. Yes, gifts
are important — but the gift of self can do
more than a store-bought gift ever could.
If you look at the life of Christ, you’ll see
how much he gave of himself, and how others
were touched by his actions. He didn’t share
store-bought gifts. Instead, he used his time,
words and actions to lift up others. Not once
did he ask for anything in return. He did this to
show us the gift of self means a lot to someone
who needs a bit of uplifting.
We need to do likewise in this special season
of Christmas. Time spent with family or
friends means a lot, and it brings the joy of the
season to life for all. Merry Christmas to all,
and be sure to enjoy the reason for the season.
Best of the roads and all gears forward in
Jesus. 8
RHYTHM cont. from Page 8
visits to the old maid’s house. Rather than
trying on dresses and looking at old dance
cards, I could be found sucking on three or
four lemon drops that had melted together
in a cut-glass bowl because old people
hadn’t yet discovered the convenience of air
conditioning.
In the end, “Didn’t She Really Thrill
Them” isn’t really a song about an old maid
and a teenage girl. It’s about choices —
making choices that may be unpopular with
some and living with the choices that can’t
be undone. The ORB’s lawyers should have
sued George Jones’ songwriter for stealing
their idea 20 years later.
3. “An Old Time Family Bluegrass Band”
My dad was a bluegrass fan when I was
a kid, but I didn’t get it. Sure, I loved “The
Beverly Hillbillies” theme, but bluegrass was
way too primitive for me. How about using
some electricity when you cut an album?
“An Old-Time Family Bluegrass Band”
changed my attitude. I became downright
addicted to the sweet cocktail of fiddles,
mandolins, guitars and banjos featured
in the song. Despite his Philadelphia
upbringing, Joe Bonsall puts on a pretty
good impersonation of having been reared
in the deep woods of Eastern Kentucky.
The song is the story of bluegrass itself and
depicts the genre in no uncertain terms.
No one can walk away from “An Old-Time
Family Bluegrass Band” without understanding
that bluegrass music is all about
preserving the rural lifestyle, simpler
times, and the sense of family among those
who may have been separated by miles of
wooded hills.
4. “Dig a Little Deeper in the Well”
As hard as it is, I’m breaking away from
1977 and skipping ahead two years to the
ORB’s third album, “The Oak Ridge Boys
Have Arrived.” For anyone who inexplicably
missed out on the debut album, the hit
songs “Sail Away” and “Leaving Louisiana in
the Broad Daylight,” and Richard Sterban’s
masterpiece “Dream On” undoubtedly
caught their attention.
For my money, though, there isn’t a
better song in the bunch than “Dig a Little
Deeper in the Well.” The upbeat tune
features each vocalist’s distinct tone, the
perfect harmonies pulling the listener
into the recording studio. The song is even
better live and has been a favorite at every
ORB concert I’ve attended, playing second
fiddle only to “Elvira.” “Dig a Little Deeper
in the Well” is classic country at its finest,
its lyrical euphemisms and energy carrying
through until the band hits the tune’s last
abrupt note.
That’s all for this time. Tune in next
month for the last five ORB songs I believe
should be gold. Merry Christmas to all! 8
ATTORNEY cont. from Page 9
Impirica (Impirica.tech) that has developed
and commercialized a series of solutions
that help the transportation, medical
and law enforcement communities with validated
solutions that actively measure the
risk of impairment.
With specific reference to transportation,
PJ’s solutions have a cognitive screen,
called Vitals, that actively measures a driver’s
risk of impairment. This measurement
of risk empowers decision makers to proactively
respond to the identified risk. The
Vitals screen was designed and validated to
engage the brain in the same way it would
be while driving — which provides a predictive
metric of driving risk.
While the Vitals cognitive screen is designed
to measure impairment associated
with the use of cannabis, the screen itself is
agnostic to cause, meaning it focuses less
on the cause of impairment and more on
whether the driver is fit for duty. With performance
as the focus instead of the cause,
Vitals has applications beyond cannabis use
and addresses a multitude of factors that
could render a driver impaired.
MATTER cont. from Page 9
remember to give your body what it needs.
These practical, protein-filled ideas for your
meals will take your health journey one mile
further at a time. Let’s pump up the protein,
fellow truckers! Mother Trucker Yoga is right
there with you, cheering you on through every
twist and turn and straightaway on the
road called life.
What I found most fascinating about
the conversation is that Impirica’s solutions
have already been validated and are currently
in active use.
At the end of the day, I am not a scientist
or cognitive researcher. Hell, I don’t even
play one on TV. With that in mind, I don’t
know if Imperica’s device is the answer to
determining impairment. I just think that,
as recreational/medical marijuana use continues
to expand, we need to think outside
the box and develop a roadside test that can
accurately determine impairment. To that
end, I applaud PJ and others who are working
to make this happen.
In closing, I acknowledge that I have
glossed over many facts related to marijuana
use, testing, impairment and a million other
things. There is simply not enough space to
cover every issue in the space allowed!
Brad Klepper is president of Interstate
Trucker Ltd. and is also president of Driver’s
Legal Plan, which allows member drivers access
to services at discounted rates. For more
information, contact him at 800-333-DRIVE
(3748) or interstatetrucker.com and
driverslegalplan.com. 8
Happy trucking, and stay protein-strong!
Hope Zvara is the CEO of Mother Trucker
Yoga, a company devoted to improving truck
drivers’ fitness and wellness standards. She
has been featured in Forbes and Yahoo News,
and is a regular guest on SiriusXM Radio.
Her practical strategies show drivers how
they can go from unhealthy and out of options
to feeling good again. Find out more at
mothertruckeryoga.com. 8
Weather cont. from Page 3
Wyoming ranks fifth, almost tied with
Virginia, with 14.9% of fatal crashes in rough
weather. Snow and sleet are the most frequent
conditions, contributing to over three-quarters
(76%) of fatalities in poor weather and one
in 10 (11.4%) statewide, including normal
weather. Wyoming also has some of the highest
fatalities during other weather conditions,
such as fog, severe crosswinds or blowing dirt,
sand and soil, ranking ninth nationwide and
contributing 2.63% to the statewide total.
Oregon has the sixth-highest percentage of
fatalities in turbulent driving conditions, with
a 14.5% fatality rate in bad weather. Vona’s
research shows 11% of total crashes occur
during rain, the 10th highest nationwide.
Oregon also saw 2.82% of fatalities during other
poor weather, the seventh highest in the U.S.
Kentucky ranks seventh for the highest
percentage of auto fatalities in poor driving
conditions at 14.4%. Rain is most common,
affecting over four in five (83%) of bad weather
crashes, or 12% of total fatalities, including
normal weather, the third-highest nationwide.
Montana ranks eighth with a fatality rate
of 13.2% in severe weather. Snow is the leading
weather condition, representing 5.8% of the
statewide total, ranking fourth in the country.
Rain also contributes 4.2%. Other adverse
conditions are present during 3.16% of crashes,
the fourth highest in the U.S.
Ohio ranks ninth, with dangerous weather
happening during 13% of all fatal crashes.
While the state did not rank in the Top 10 for
any particular condition, rainy weather is the
most common issue, present during one in 10
(10%) crashes, 14th nationwide.
Maryland ranks 10th, as 12.9% of fatal
iStock Photo
After snow, rain is the most common weather condition
present during fatal traffic accidents.
crashes occurred during bad weather. Maryland
is one of the most dangerous states to
drive in when it’s raining, ranking eighth in the
country, with just under 11% of fatalities.
Commenting on the findings, a spokesperson
from Richmond Vona’s office said: “Poor
weather is present in one in 10 fatal crashes
across the U.S., bumping up annual figures by
thousands each year. The poorest driving conditions
happened mostly outside the South,
where rain and snow are more common. The
light condition was less important; most crashes
happened during daylight, regardless of the
weather. While poor weather can make driving
dangerous, the biggest determining factor is always
the driver and how responsible they are
behind the wheel.” 8

Thetrucker.com PERSPECTIVE
December 2023 • 11
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CD’S SCAN HERE!

12 • December 2023
BUSINESS & EQUIPMENT
Thetrucker.com
Spelling it out
Current freight recession doesn’t fit traditional patterns
It is said that recessions — including
freight recessions — are often characterized
by the letter shape they form when drawn on
a graph.
For example, “V-shaped” recessions decline
sharply and then recover quickly. “U-shaped”
recessions decline and then remain at the
bottom for a bit before recovering. “W-shaped”
recessions dive to the bottom, recover a little
and then dive again before making a final
recovery. There’s even a “K-shaped” recession,
where some parts of the economy are rising at
the same time other areas are falling.
However, there doesn’t seem to be a letter
to describe the current freight recession. For
months, analysts have claimed we’re at the
bottom and should soon start climbing out of
the doldrums.
Well, we’re still not climbing.
The Cass Freight Index for Shipments,
published by Cass Information Systems for
October indicates that shipment numbers
reported by its clients fell 4.7% in October
from September levels. It’s not unusual for
shipment numbers to fall in October, since
September is the final month of the year’s
third quarter, and shipments usually fall off in
the following month. But even when the totals
are seasonally adjusted to account for the
usual decline, the result this time still shows a
2.8% drop in shipment numbers.
The October shipment numbers are 9.5%
lower than they were a year ago, in October
CLIFF ABBOTT | SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
2022. If that’s not concerning enough,
expenditures fell even further — the Cass
Freight Index for Expenditures declined by
23.3% from October 2022.
Cass numbers are derived from the 36
million shipping invoices the processed
for its customers each month. While the
numbers include shipping by multiple modes
of transportation — including truck, rail,
pipeline, ship, barge and air — about threequarters
of the numbers come from trucking.
After all the economic growth achieved
in recent years, the Cass Freight Index for
shipments in October is very close to where it
was eight years ago, in October 2015.
The Cass Freight Index for Expenditures
shows that shipping expenditures in October
fell 2.2% from September and 23% from
October 2022. Those numbers are nearing
the expenditure totals in October 2020, when
the nation was in the throes of the COVID-19
pandemic. As rates climbed quickly in 2021,
expenditures skyrocketed by 38%, and they
rose another 23% in 2022, reaching record
levels in mid-year.
They’ve been on the decline ever since.
According to Tim Denoyer, vice president
and senior analyst for ACT Research, who
writes for the Cass report, the pain won’t be
ending any time soon.
“Our outlook is for freight markets to keep
bouncing along the bottom in the near term,
followed by some holiday volatility and a
iStock Photo
While analysts often compare recession patterns to letters such as V, U or W, the current freight recession seems to
defy description.
change in trajectory next year,” Denoyer wrote.
DAT Freight and Analytics reported that
average per-mile spot rates for dry van loads
averaged $1.525 (excluding fuel surcharge) in
October, down about 23 cents from October
2022 averages. The rate was also down about
four cents from September.
In the refrigerated segment, average spot
rates were about $1.86 per mile in October,
down about a nickel per mile from September
and nearly 21 cents from October 2022.
Flatbed spot rates averaged $1.835 per mile,
down 1.5 cents from September rates and
nearly 23 cents lower than October 2022.
A telling statistic reported by DAT is the
load-to-truck ratio of postings on its load
board. Of course, load board customers can
accept loads without posting their trucks,
so there won’t be a direct 1:1 ratio, but the
numbers are still useful. When there are
more loads per truck, rates rise. When loads
decrease, there’s more competition for them
and rates decline. For October, for example,
there were 1.96 loads posted for every truck
See RECESSION on PAGE 15
Sales of new Class 8 trucks continue slow decline from 2022 numbers
iStock Photo
For the year to date, Freightliner sold 37.2% of the Class 8 trucks on the U.S.
market. Kenworth holds 14.3%, while Peterbilt holds 14.6%. International’s
share is 14.2%, Volvo is at 9.9% and Mack is at 6.7%, with Western Star
holding 3% of the market.
CLIFF ABBOTT | SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
For months, analysts have predicted a slowdown in sales of
Class 8 trucks. It appears that it’s finally happening — although
at a slower rate than some anticipated. U.S. sales of new, Class
8 trucks declined to 21,417 in October, according to data
received from Wards Intelligence. That number is 3.7% lower
than September sales and 6.3% lower than sales reported in
October 2022.
This is important, because freight rates aren’t likely to rise
significantly until the number of available trucks is reduced —
and that can’t happen as long as new truck sales remain strong.
The new Class 8 truck market started slowly in 2022,
with sales in the first four months lagging behind their
corresponding month a year earlier. In April 2022, however,
sales were only 1.3% behind April 2021 sales. In May 2022, they
were 13.9% higher than May 2021. In June it was 12.7% — and
then July saw sales 21.9% higher than July 2021.
After that, trucks were selling like gangbusters.
Sales of new Class 8 trucks jumped 29.7% in August 2022,
34.1% in September and 34.5% in October; then November saw
sales that were 39.5% higher than November 2021. December
sales were “only” 18.2% higher than the previous December,
but January 2023 figures came in 33.3% higher than January
2022. February of this year reached 35% higher … and then the
downward trend began.
Until July 2023, sales were better than the corresponding
month in 2022, but the margin got smaller each month. Finally,
in August, sales were 1% lower than August 2022. They crept
to 3.2% lower in September, then down 6.3% lower in October.
The graph is clearly pointing downward.
One statistic that provides insight about where the market
is headed is the number of truck orders. Final numbers for
October haven’t been released at the time of this writing, but
several firms list preliminary numbers.
FTR Intel reported preliminary North American orders
of 28,000 units, down 10% from September and down 35%
from October 2022. The report notes that demand for new
trucks was “exceptional” in 2022. Current numbers could be
considered more normal than as a low point.
“The overall picture for truck demand is steady,” said
Eric Starks, chairman of the board for FTR. “Despite freight
weakness, fleets continue to be willing to order new equipment,
affirming our expectations of replacement demand during
2024.”
ACT Research issued its preliminary North American order
report showing orders of 31,900 in October.
ACT President and Senior Analyst Kenny Vieth explained,
“Even though backlogs, in seasonal fashion, are rising, they
See SALES on PAGE 14

Thetrucker.com Business & Equipment
December 2023 • 13
OOIDA: Redefining
commercial trucking insurance
INSURANCE
INSIGHTS
DEBORAH GRAVES
OOIDA TRUCK INSURANCE
DEPARTMENT
For decades, the Owner-Operator Independent
Drivers Association (OOIDA) has
been a pillar in the trucking industry, not just
because of the group’s advocacy work, but
also as a leading provider of cost-effective
commercial truck insurance for independent
owner-operators.
Empowering independent truck drivers
OOIDA’s journey in truck insurance began
out of necessity. Prior to 1973, small trucking
businesses struggled with expensive — and often
unreliable — insurance options. Recognizing
the need for fair, trustworthy coverage, OOIDA
established its insurance division, Owner-
Operator Services Inc. (OOSI), in the late
1980s. Since then, OOSI has grown into a top
commercial insurance provider in the U.S.
Tailored insurance for small trucking
businesses
Understanding the unique challenges of
small trucking operations, OOIDA has designed
insurance policies that cater to their
specific needs. These insurance plans, backed
by the extensive experience of OOSI agents,
offer comprehensive coverage without the financial
strain of large upfront payments.
Advocacy through insurance
Choosing OOIDA’s insurance services
extends beyond individual protection.
It contributes to the broader mission of
advocating for fairer industry practices and
regulations. Unlike other providers focused on
profit, OOIDA reinvests insurance revenues
into efforts to create a more equitable trucking
industry.
Comprehensive coverage options
OOIDA’s insurance plans cover a range of
needs for owner-operators and leased operators.
Options include personal property, gap
coverage, roadside assistance and more, ensuring
truckers are comprehensively protected.
You can reach an OOIDA truck insurance
agent Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m.
to 5:30 p.m. CST, at 800-715- 9369.
Do you have an insurance topic you would
like to know more about? If so, email us at
insuranceinsights@ooida.com. We will be
covering a new topic each month and will do
our best to address everyone’s questions. 8
TCA launches young leadership
program for professionals under 41
THE TRUCKER NEWS STAFF
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The Truckload Carriers
Association’s (TCA) has launched the
Elevate TCA Young Leadership Program. According
to a news release, the program is “designed
to empower and nurture the leaders of
tomorrow.”
“Elevate offers a unique opportunity for
young professionals to thrive in their careers,”
the news release states. “Through mentorship,
skill development and networking, participants
will embark on a transformative journey,
gaining the knowledge and experience
necessary to reach new heights in the truckload
industry. This young leadership program
includes a mix of in person meetings at TCA
events as well as six virtual meetings throughout
2024.”
To be eligible for the program, young leaders
from TCA member companies must be
under the age of 41 on March 23, 2024, and be
endorsed by a supervisor to participate.
Following is the schedule of events for the
program’s first cohort:
• March 5, 2024: Virtual introduction meeting
• March 23-26, 2024: TCA’s annual convention,
Nashville, Tennessee
• April 9, 2024: Virtual session/Mentorship 101
• May 14, 2024: Virtual session/Workforce
development
• June 11, 2024: Virtual session/Success
stories from industry leaders
• Aug. 13, 2024: Virtual session/Succession
planning
• Sept. 10, 2024: Virtual session/Legislative
iStock Photo
The Truckload Carriers Association says its new young
leadership program offers unique opportunities for
young professionals to thrive in their careers.
training and government affairs
• September 2024 — TCA’s 2024 Call on
Washington and Fall Business Meeting
“TCA is excited to launch Elevate and bring
back our Young Transportation Executives program
in this new format,” said Zander Gambill,
vice president of membership outreach for
TCA. “Thanks goes to TCA’s Membership Committee,
who really helped push and produce
this exciting program for young leaders.”
Marilyn Surber, Tenstreet’s head of industry
relations, said her organization “is proud
to be the exclusive sponsor of Elevate TCA,
the TCA Young Leadership Program. This initiative
aims to provide mentorship and foster
leadership skills among crucial young talents
in the truckload industry.”
To learn more about the program, visit
truckload.org/elevate. 8
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our team of safe, professional drivers.
Call now: 855-CDL-PENSKE
Apply online at driver.penske.jobs
Penske is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
MORE THAN YOU REALIZE ®

14 • December 2023 Business & Equipment
Thetrucker.com
FLEET FOCUS
Are chrome, custom details worth the expense?
So, you finally got that new-to-you truck.
You’ve worked hard, scrimped and saved and
searched until you found just the right deal on
a used tractor, and now, it’s yours.
Unfortunately, it still looks like the fleet
truck it once was. It just doesn’t stand out from
the crowd in any way. But you’ll change that
with a trip to your favorite chrome shop.
Some truck owners do a great job personalizing
their vehicles, creating a one-of-a-kind
look that draws attention wherever they go.
Their pride in their equipment is evident to all
who see it rolling down the highway or pulling
into the loading area.
There is, however, another side of the equation
to be considered.
Unless you purchased the truck for private
use, it is now the largest asset of the trucking
business you own. Chrome — along with special
paint, decals and wraps, non-OEM lighting
and other accessories — represents an expense
that doesn’t return cash to your business.
An old trucking adage says, “Chrome won’t
get you home.” It won’t help you earn a larger
paycheck, either, but it might help you earn a
smaller one.
Some drivers make the argument that a
nice truck makes an impression on customers
and can generate additional business. This may
be true for some types of trucking, but the vast
majority of shippers and receivers couldn’t care
less what color your truck is, much less how
much chrome you’ve added. All they care about
is that it’s pulling the trailer containing their
freight.
There’s something to be said for the pride
and confidence you have in your equipment,
but don’t neglect the pride you’ll feel in taking
home a larger paycheck.
When planning cosmetic upgrades to your
truck be sure to consider your operating ratio.
That’s the percentage of the revenue you take
CLIFF ABBOTT | SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
in that you spend to keep the wheels turning,
including the amount you pay yourself.
Large carriers typically aim for an operating
ratio of 92% or lower. That’s not a very large
margin of profit. If you’re able to keep that
much after paying yourself, you’ll have a small
profit at year-end that you can either use to pay
yourself a bonus or reinvest in your trucking
business.
If you can do that in today’s tough freight
market, it’s close to a miracle.
So, let’s tally up your wish list. That box-end
Texas bumper you want is $1,200. Add $160 for
those chrome floor pedals. You’ll need lights
under the cab, of course, so that’s $125 for each
side for the panel ($250 total). No doubt you’ll
want to extend those under the sleeper, too,
so that’s another $400. Oh, and you’ll need the
lights that go in those panels — that’ll be 20
of them at $15 each ($300 total) —unless you
want the ones that change color. Then it’ll be
more.
In addition, there are lug nut covers, gearshift
knobs, visors for the windshield (and
windows and headlamps and license plates),
custom steering wheels, brake release knobs,
mud flap strips, chrome air cleaners and mirror
brackets and vent surrounds, and on and on.
If you bring in revenues of $250,000 per year,
that chrome Texas bumper represents about a
half-percent of your revenue. But if you manage
an operating ratio of 92%, that same bumper
costs 6% of your profit. If you’re like many
owner-operators who are struggling in today’s
economy, it might represent all your profit.
Many chrome dealers are friendly enough
to help you finance your purchases. However,
interest rates are higher than they’ve been in
decades, only adding to your expense. Using a
credit card can cost even more in the long run.
Now, let’s look at the benefits of that new
Texas bumper. It looks nice — and that’s pretty
iStock Photo
Truck owners should carefully consider the cost of added accessories and the impact the expense will have on their
company’s bottom line.
much it. It’s going to require extra time to keep
it clean and polished. So will those polished
aluminum rims with Tophats and lugnut ring.
If you pay someone else to keep them polished,
that’s an additional cost.
Also, if the new bumper has more aerodynamic
drag than the one you replaced, your
fuel cost will go up, eating further into your
profits. The same holds true of any other items
added to the outside of the vehicle. Hood ornaments,
bigger lights and other accessories can
all impact fuel mileage.
There may be a safety benefit to adding
LED lighting to your vehicle, and items
like windshield visors can help improve
visibility, so some accessories do provide
a return for your investment. There is usually,
however, a reason most carriers don’t
equip their trucks with the chrome accessories
that owner-operators sometimes do:
The return on investment simply isn’t there.
Truck owners have many reasons for customizing
their vehicles, and there’s nothing
wrong with an owner spending their hardearned
cash to improve their driving experience.
Owners who strive to get the most from
their businesses will carefully consider the return
for each investment they make, choosing
options that help them take home more of the
revenue they work so hard for. For some, the
nicer working environment is worth the investment.
Others have a larger investment in their
homes and families and prefer to take as much
of their earnings home as they can.
No matter what you choose, consider vehicle
accessory purchases to be the business
decisions they are, making sure those expenses
are in line with the goals you have set for your
business. 8
Sales cont. from Page 12
continue to point to a different market
vibe heading into 2024,” said Kenny Vieth,
president and senior analyst at ACT Research.
“As we head into 2024, the absence of the large
backlog cushion the industry has enjoyed the
past two years underscores the importance of
seasonal order activity in the coming months.”
Veith is referencing the nearly one-year
order backlog that builders faced last year.
Even though delivery of new trucks could
take a year, buyers continued ordering. Some
orders were to replace aging equipment, but
some were ordered to be ready when freight
rates rebounded — an event that didn’t
happen.
ACT’s number is different than FTR’s
because both numbers are an estimation
based on the data each firm has received,
and that data may not be identical. Further,
different formulas could be used to calculate
projections. Finally, some differences occur
in which manufacturers are included in the
totals. Smaller manufacturers of vocational
trucks are often left out of analyst projections.
On the used truck front, the number of
Class 8 trucks on the market rose by 10% over
September numbers and by 27% over October
2022, according to ACT Research.
Even better news for buyers is that the
price of the average used truck on the market
is 25% lower than it was a year ago — and
those trucks are younger and have fewer miles
on them. Higher interest rates undoubtedly
consume some of the cost savings, but used
trucks are becoming easier to find.
Unfortunately, freight to haul with those
trucks is not easier to find.
Getting back to new truck sales in the
U.S. for October, along with individual OEM
performance, Freightliner sales of 6,651
were down 15.5% from September sales and
down 26.6% from October 2022. Both reflect
the largest declines by percentage of any
manufacturer. October 2023 was the worst
month for Freightliner since February of 2022.
At the same time, both Kenworth and
Peterbilt saw excellent Octobers. Kenworth
sales of 3,682 topped September sales by
22.8% and were 21.6% ahead of October 2022
sales. Peterbilt’s 3,612 were 4.5% higher than
September sales and 6.7% ahead of October
2022.
Added together, PACCAR sales of 7,294
topped Freightliner sales by 9.7%, a feat that
does not happen often. In fairness, however,
Western Star is owned by Freightliner so their
sales of 945 should be counted, giving the
Freightliner companies an edge of 7,596 over
7,294, or 302 trucks for the month.
International truck sales fell below 3,000
for the first time since February. Sales of 2,833
were 11.5% lower than September’s 3,202 and
6.9% lower than October 2022, when 3,024
trucks were sold.
Volvo reported U.S. sales of 2,212 Class 8
trucks, down 7.6% from September’s 2,606 and
down 15.1% from October 2022 sales of 3,042.
Mack sales of 1,469 in October were down
9.4% from September sales of 1,622 but were
10.6% better than sales of 1,328 last October.
Tesla reported no sales for October, the
third consecutive month of zero trucks moved
for the manufacturer after reporting sales
of 197 in the first seven months of the year.
Medium-duty truck maker Hino reported
sales of 13 Class 8 trucks in October, their first
of the year.
For the year to date, Freightliner sold 37.2%
of the Class 8 trucks on the U.S. market, down
1.1% from last year. International’s 14.2% share
is 1.7% larger than last year’s. Kenworth holds
14.3%, while Peterbilt holds 14.6%. Volvo is at
9.9%, and Mack is at 6.7%, with Western Star
holding 3% of the market.
The mysterious “other” category, which
includes both Tesla and Hino, has finally sold
enough trucks to register at 0.1% of the new
truck market.
Expect November new Class 8 sales to
drop precipitously from an unusually strong
November 2022 as the market retraction
continues. 8

Thetrucker.com Business & Equipment
December 2023 • 15
Consider these self-defense
options, but use diligence
when carrying, using them
SAFETY SERIES
Trucking can take you to some scary places
— and it often seems that the places where
trucks park don’t offer enough in the way of
protection. Drivers often have little choice
about where they park, especially near cities,
where parking spaces are likely to be occupied
early in the evening.
The first, and often best, form of security
is to use the obvious strategies: Lock your
doors and keep your windows rolled up. Some
drivers use a strap to pull the doors towards
each other in case the locks are defeated.
Before leaving your truck, use the windows
and mirrors to inspect the area around your
vehicle to make sure no one is lurking in wait.
Park in well-lit areas when possible. Don’t
“nose-dive” into a space; instead, back in or
pull through so the cab of your truck isn’t
secluded in the darkness. Choose spaces as
close to the restaurant or C-store as possible.
Whenever you’re out of the truck, remain
diligent about the area around you. Just as
you maintain a constant eye scan when you’re
driving, do the same while you’re walking.
Pay attention to other people you see. Don’t
be distracted by electronics — leave the
cellphone in your pocket or purse.
Unfortunately, even your best diligence
won’t prevent some criminals from getting
too close. For that reason, many drivers carry
weapons of one sort or another. Firearms are
a popular choice — but they are as likely to
create a problem as they are to get you out
of one. Even if open- or concealed-carry are
legal in the state where you live, you may be
traveling through states where it is illegal
to carry a firearm at all. In addition, even in
states that allow firearms, individual counties
or municipalities may prohibit weapons.
Some have severe penalties, and the weapon
may be confiscated as well.
There are alternatives to firearms for
personal protection, but keep in mind that
any device that could cause bodily harm
could potentially run afoul of the law. Another
possibility is that an injured assailant could
initiate civil action against you should you
injure them during the assault. Even if you
CLIFF ABBOTT | SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
win, the expenses for travel, court costs and
lost work can add up.
Still, those risks may pale when compared
to the specter of being injured (or worse) by
an assailant.
The least risky (and likely the least
effective) method of personal protection is
to carry a noisemaking device that, in theory,
draws attention to you and your attackers,
causing them to break off an attack because of
unwanted witnesses. A whistle is the simplest
form of noisemaker, but there are also batterypowered
versions that can be quite loud.
Some noisemakers have flashing lights to help
attract the attention of others.
Some drivers prefer to carry items that
are usually standard equipment for an OTR
trucker, like tire thumpers or hammers, that
can be used for self-defense. Others choose
knives ranging from plain pocketknives to
larger, more deadly ones. Any of these can be
effective deterrents but come with a danger
— you’ll need to get close to make them work.
There’s always the possibility that they can be
taken and then used against you.
Truncheons or batons can be expandable
and are small enough to fit in a purse or
pocket when collapsed, but long enough
to do damage when extended. Some large,
heavy flashlights are sold as “tactical” that
can be used as striking devices. Some of
these flashlights have rough surfaces or edges
designed to inflict greater damage, and some
even contain small cavities designed to collect
enough tissue to be used for DNA testing.
Some tactical flashlights have another
feature, a strobe function that’s designed to
confuse or disorient the attacker with a series
of bright flashes or alternating patterns of
light. Again, to be effective, you must be close
to your assailant.
One interesting device is the self-defense,
or security, umbrella. Self-defense umbrellas
are made with a stout center shaft and a hefty
handle. They can be used in a stabbing motion
or used as a striking weapon — with the added
benefit of keeping you dry in the rain. They are
stout enough to be used as a cane, as well.
iStock Photo
No matter which method of personal protection you choose, remember that you are responsible for making sure
that possession and use of the device are legal in the jurisdictions in which you travel.
Stun devices have the same issue. They can
be effective, but you need to be close enough
to press the device against an attacker. There
is maintenance involved as well; you’ll need to
make sure batteries are fresh and the device
is working.
There are non-lethal options that let you
protect yourself at a distance, although there
are limits to any of them. Teargas or pepper
sprays can be effective, especially if sprayed
in an attacker’s eyes, but they have limited
range. An assailant with a strong will, possibly
enhanced by drugs, may not be stopped by
these devices; however, in most cases they
will work. Some drivers recommend keeping
cans of insecticide designed to kill wasps and
hornets in the truck. It’s cheap, shoots farther
than pepper spray and can be effective — but
remember, these products contain poisons
and are designed to kill insects. They can
potentially cause blindness or permanent
damage when used on a human being.
Tasers are an option used by many law
enforcement agencies as an effective, nonlethal
weapon that can incapacitate an
attacker for 30 seconds or more. They work by
shooting two small probes into the target and
then applying electricity to disable muscular
function. The range depends on the device;
some can shoot as far as 50 feet while others
only reach 10 feet or so.
Finally, there are weapons that use
compressed carbon dioxide capsules to propel
balls filled with teargas, pepper gel or other
irritants. Some, such as the product made by
Byrna, are shaped like pistols and function
in much the same way, but they are brightly
colored to avoid confusion. The Byrna shoots
.68 caliber balls hard enough that the impact
alone can be a deterrent.
Other, similar devices are essentially
designed for paintball. They shoot pepper balls
or kinetic (hard rubber) balls. Many launchers
look much like pistols, and an attacker may
think you’re carrying the real thing.
Many of these devices can be purchased
from Amazon or your favorite sporting goods
store. 8
RECESSION cont. from Page 12
posted for dry van. October 2022 ended with 2.71 loads per
truck and rates 23 cents per mile higher. A year earlier, in
October 2021, there were 5.5 loads for every truck and rates
were about 93 cents per mile higher.
Both refrigerated and flatbed numbers showed similar
results, with both higher load-to-truck ratios and higher rates.
The question everyone is asking now is this: “When will it
change?”
The answer is that change is already happening — but it’s
excruciatingly slow. In an ACT Research release on October
30, Denoyer wrote, “We continue to expect the freight market
cycle to turn once capacity tightens, but early signs of 2024
equipment production suggest that may be a while.”
He’s talking about trucks. There are simply too many trucks
available to haul the amount of freight being offered. Too much
supply for too little demand means rates will stay low until a
correction occurs. Judging from the way new trucks are being
ordered, built and delivered, the oversupply of trucks isn’t
ending anytime soon.
“Even as the freight demand cycle should improve in 2024,
the demand outlook remains soft for this winter as the industry
continues to add equipment capacity into an oversupplied
market,” Denoyer explained.
While new trucks continue to be sold, carriers are going
out of business at record rates. Owner-operators and small
fleet owners who bought trucks when spot rates were high,
often at exorbitant prices due to demand, are now selling or
surrendering those trucks because of low freight rates. Carrier
authority surrenders have exceeded new carrier starts for
more than six months.
Some of those surrendered trucks are helping drive down
used truck prices. That’s good news for those looking to upgrade
equipment; unfortunately, high interest rates may negate any
price savings for buyers. Many owners who surrendered those
trucks have gone back to company driver positions, so the
total number of trucks available to haul freight hasn’t declined
enough to impact the market.
The bottom line is that the bottom line of most carriers will
continue to suffer for the near future. 8

16 • December 2023
JOB Resources
Thetrucker.com
Home for the Holidays
Planning, communication are keys to preventing conflicts between work, family time
Cliff Abbott | SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
It’s the time of year when many people think of
spending some time at home. After all, Thanksgiving
has come and gone, and Christmas will be here before
you know it. Schools will be out for winter break, and
the kids (or grandkids) will be home.
Besides, who couldn’t use a break from the stress of
the highway?
As an over-the-road driver, it helps to remember
that getting home for the holidays sometimes takes
a little planning. If you work for a carrier, they are
probably planning on a healthy percentage of trucks
being shut down — but not all carriers do this. By
working with fleet managers now, you can improve
your chances of hassle-free time off over the holidays.
If you haven’t done so already, let your fleet manager
know you’d like to be home and what specific days
you’d like to be there. Don’t assume that you’ll head
home once you make a delivery on Dec. 22 (or even
Dec. 24). Some carriers plan trucks out two or three
loads in advance. If you haven’t requested the time off,
you can cause friction by doing so at the last minute.
At the same time, it’s helpful to work a solid schedule
right up until you go home for Christmas. Taking off
the second week of December and then demanding
another week off through the holidays may not endear
you to your carrier. Taking an extra load, or maybe
even working an extra weekend prior to the holiday
strengthens your case when you ask for time off.
Be sure you know your personal schedule before you
request time off. Getting home on Christmas morning
when your spouse had scheduled you for an important
Christmas Eve event can be a disaster during what is
supposed to be a happy time. Your carrier may attempt
to get as many loads as possible for you before you go
home, and they won’t be happy if you suddenly ask to
get home a day sooner.
Many carriers will try to send you home under a
load, so be sure you and your fleet manager are clear
about which days you will be off. The last thing you’ll
want is a phone call Christmas evening asking why you
haven’t left yet for the delivery at 8:00 the next morning.
If you don’t personally celebrate Christmas, you
might benefit from volunteering to run through the
holidays. If you want time off for other religious holidays
— or just some personal time — working through
Christmas and New Year’s might help you build goodwill
while you’re “banking” days off for when you need them.
As the holiday approaches, pay close attention to
the loads you receive. If you’re dispatched on a load
to California on Wednesday, for example, chances
are slim you’ll be at your home on the East Coast by
Saturday morning. Your fleet manager should be trying
to position you for a load closer to home that delivers
before your time off begins. If you are dispatched on a
load that doesn’t seem to work, discuss it before you
accept the load.
If you’re an owner-operator, you have more options,
since you have the right to haul the loads you choose. If
you’re leased to a carrier, you’ll still need to discuss your
schedule to make sure everyone is on the same page.
Remember that spot rates often rise, sometimes
considerably, around holidays. With so many trucks
shut down for the festivities, shippers are often willing to
pay premium rates to get their products moved. If your
family situation permits, you may benefit from working
through the holiday and celebrating on another day.
It’s a good idea to make sure delivery points will be
open when you plan to be there. This year, for example,
Christmas falls on a Monday. Some facilities may close on
the Saturday before for Christmas Eve, giving employees
a three-day weekend. If your delivery is scheduled for
Saturday, or even on Sunday or Monday (Christmas),
verify that they will be receiving. Otherwise, you may
work through the holiday only to find yourself sitting
somewhere, waiting for the receiver to open.
Also, consider your next load. The receiver may be
open on Christmas for a delivery — but will you be able
to find someone open to pick up your next load?
If you book loads through a load board or through a
broker, it’s always a good idea to verify that the receiver
will be open. A load board may have an incorrect
delivery date, and a broker representative might be
iStock Photo
For over-the-road drivers, taking time off during the holidays requires a little extra planning.
Drivers who choose to work through the holidays may be able to earn points with their
employers.
making assumptions instead of actually verifying.
If you do spend the holidays on the road, keep in mind that there will likely be a
lot of holiday traffic, with some vehicles being driven by motorists who aren’t used
to making long trips on potentially slippery roads. Allow extra following distance,
and keep your eye scan moving to identify hazards before they become critical.
Some truck stops and other businesses offer free meals and other perks to
drivers that are working on holidays. Look for signs where you get fuel, and
announcements on trucking websites, like thetrucker.com.
The holidays are a time for cheer. If you can’t be at home, spread a little
holiday happiness among the people you deal with at shippers, receivers, truck
stops and so on.
Finally, may you and yours be blessed during this holiday season, whatever,
and however, you celebrate. 8
XPO doubles down on commitment to hiring military veterans
Courtesy: XPO
XPO officials say they are proud to be known as an employer who supports military veterans.
THE TRUCKER NEWS STAFF
GREENWICH, Conn. — XPO has received
national recognition for its support of the military
community and being an employer of choice for
military veterans.
Military.com, a national news site for military
members, veterans and their families, has named
XPO as one of its Top 25 Veteran Employers 2024,
according to a November news release.
XPO also has earned 2024 Military Friendly
designation from Viqtory, a service-disabled
and veteran-owned business, for the company’s
ongoing commitment to creating a work
environment that supports members of the
military as they transition into the civilian
workforce after service.
XPO received the Military Friendly Silver
ranking, which honors companies that rank within
the top 20% of their respective employer category.
“Veterans make our company and our
country stronger, and we are deeply honored to
be recognized for our commitment to helping
empower those in the military community as they
transition to the civilian workforce,” said Tony
Graham, president of the West Division at XPO
and a military veteran.
“We appreciate the strong talents, teamwork
and exceptional dedication of veterans and
military spouses and are grateful to serve those
who serve our country by providing a workplace
that offers strong and diverse opportunities to
build fulfilling post-service careers,” he continued.
This news comes on the heels of XPO’s
announcement that it is strengthening its
commitment to military hiring by entering
into a strategic partnership with the U.S. Army
Partnership for Your Success (PaYS) program. The
See XPO on PAGE 18

Thetrucker.com December 2023 • 17
JOB RESOURCES
Insurtech providers offer convenience,
speed for obtaining cargo insurance
Every carrier, from the very largest down
to the single owner-operator, is charged with
keeping their customer’s freight intact and
undamaged.
To this end, most of them have some sort
of cargo insurance built in to one or more
insurance policies. However, it’s easy to
assume that someone else somewhere along
the chain has taken care of the insurance
requirements. For example, independent
contractors who own their own truck but are
leased to a carrier might assume the carrier
has taken care of cargo insurance.
Unfortunately, these truck owners often
learn differently when a cargo claim is received.
In a perfect shipping world, cargo claims
wouldn’t exist at all.
However, even when drivers are extremely
careful to block and brace shipments and
CLIFF ABBOTT | SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
recruitment classifieds
For display or line ad information, email requests to: meganh@thetruckermedia.com.
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drive carefully to prevent load shifts, damaged
freight is sometimes loaded into the trailer of
an unsuspecting driver. Or a leak from a single
box trickles down to ruin the whole pallet. Or,
perhaps, a box or two shifts during transport.
Any of these things can happen, and a load
that looked perfect when the trailer doors were
closed and sealed turns out to be damaged.
Many carriers already have cargo
insurance, but they sometimes haul more
valuable loads that require a higher level of
insurance. At other times, the insurance in
effect has exclusions and won’t cover the load
that’s already been picked up.
It’s customary for the truck owner to contact
their insurance agent to purchase a rider that
provides coverage. But what happens if it’s the
OWNING THE WHEEL
See WHEEL on PAGE 18
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iStock Photo
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18 • December 2023 JOB RESOURCES
XPO cont. from Page 16
partnership offers regular and reserve soldiers
job interviews and potential employment
after completing their service in the Army.
“With more than 2,000 veterans and active
service members on our team, XPO is a proud,
military-friendly workplace,” said Mario Harik,
CEO of XPO. “We place exceptional value
on the outstanding skill set and dedication
that military-trained employees bring to our
company, and we are honored to be joining
forces with the PaYS program to expand
our commitment to creating post-service
opportunities for our nation’s soldiers.”
The PaYS program helps soldiers prepare
for post-military careers, connecting
them with employers who value the skills,
discipline and work ethic that their military
service brings to a business.
Thetrucker.com
“We would like to extend a heartfelt
welcome to XPO as a new PaYS partner.
The US Army is a reliable recruitment
source for businesses with an endless pool
of qualified talent, and we’re pleased that
XPO is committed to helping soldiers find
employment after military service,” said
Antonio Johnson, PaYS Program Manager.
XPO officials say they are proud of their
history of being a military-friendly employer.
Earlier in 2023, the company was named a
VETS Indexes 4 Star Employer, recognizing
it as one of the best employers nationwide
for veterans, members of the National
Guard and Reserves, military spouses and
longer-term veterans.
To facilitate a seamless transition into
the civilian workforce, XPO offers resources
through an all-employee Veteran Steering
Committee. 8
Great Pay, Full Benefits & Bonuses!
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WHEEL cont. from Page 17
weekend and the agent isn’t answering? And
what happens when the insurance company
doesn’t cover the product being hauled?
One fairly recent entry into the trucking
market is the insurtech segment. Driven by
technology, this segment offers convenient
24/7 access to insurance policies that can be
purchased without speaking directly with an
agent.
One such company is MiKargo247. CEO
and co-founder Michele McGinnis says the
company is built for speed.
“Let’s say you’re hauling a load of steel,
and you need $900,000 worth of insurance for
that load,” she said. “It would be costly for you
to add that coverage to your policy and only
need it a few times a year.”
According to McGinnis, MiKargo247 offers
near-instant spot cargo insurance.
“You put in the commodity you’ll be
hauling, the value, and the origin and
destination zip codes and hit ‘Get Instant
Quote,’” she explained. “It will give you the
total mileage and the amount of the policy.”
Information on the website, mikargo247.
com, claims that a quote takes just 10 seconds.
If you decide to purchase — and there’s no
obligation to do so — the whole process takes
two minutes or less. Also, there’s no obligation
to sign up or provide contact information if
you don’t purchase the insurance.
“I encourage people to go on the website
and run quotes and look at it as much as they
want,” McGinnis said. “You won’t get charged.
You’re not going to get emails. Also, it’s just
as easy to use from a cellphone as a laptop,
because it’s meant for the driver.”
The insurance is provided through Roanoke
Insurance Group from Schaumburg, Illinois,
and underwritten by Lloyd’s of London.
MiKargo247 has entered into agreements
with the apps Trucker Path and Loadlink,
allowing truck owners who are working with a
broker to access MiKargo247 and get a quote
for cargo insurance before they accept a load.
That’s important when negotiating with a
broker. Accepting a load at a particular rate
only to find the cost of cargo insurance will
take most or all of the profit isn’t a scenario
any owner wants to be in.
MiKargo247’s quick quote feature also
makes it possible for owners to “shop” for the
best deal on cargo insurance without making
multiple phone calls.
Owners who decide to take the insurance
have the option of creating a profile with
MiKargo247. For repeat users, having a profile
saves time, because all the information is already
in the system and there’s no need to re-enter
important details. Credit card information,
however, is not saved. This avoids the possibility
of hackers obtaining customers’ data.
McGinnis stresses another feature of the
MiKargo247 product.
“It’s ‘all-risk’ insurance, so it covers driver
error, theft and other occurrences and maybe
even a product your regular policy doesn’t
cover,” she noted.
Policy “riders,” on the other hand, may
increase the coverage amount of the original
policy but with the same restrictions and
exclusions as the policy.
If it becomes necessary to file a cargo
insurance claim, MiKargo247 can help with
that, too.
“It’s all handled through Roanoke,”
McGinnis said. “There’s no need to be chasing
down two insurance agents, one for the base
policy and one or the rider.”
Claims can be filed directly on the
MiKargo247 website, without having to call
an insurance agent. The documents needed
to file a claim are listed on the website, along
with a list of excluded commodities.
To be sure, MiKargo247 isn’t the only
company to ride the technology wave.
“Yes, there are other companies that offer
this,” McGinnis said. “I believe that we are the
fastest. It’s true that once someone has used
us, they come back over and over and over.
That’s really exciting.”
Truckers who have questions don’t have to
rely on the FAQ page of the website, according
to McGinnis.
“We don’t discourage people from calling
us,” she said. “I mean, I pick up the phone and
call you back.”
For added convenience, McGinnis has
posted her phone number (971-804-5254) and
her email address (michele@mikargo247.
com) on the website.
When a shipper or broker requires
additional cargo insurance — or you just
want to be protected from cargo claims your
current policy won’t handle — MiKargo247
and similar insurtechs can help. 8

Thetrucker.com December 2023 • 19
FEATURES
Still truckin’
Professional driver BJ Neal is in it for the long haul
Pulling into the truck stop parking lot —
the kind of place she’s been rolling to a stop
at for almost 50 years behind the wheel —
BJ Neal scans her surroundings and lets the
muscle memory honed by decades on the
road click in her head.
It may look like a small detail, this
deductive process of choosing just the right
spot, but it isn’t — at least not for someone
who came up the hard way.
“When they started having the huge truck
stops, there were drivers who recognized I was
willing to just be a straight, honest driver, and
they would give me pointers,” Neal told The
Trucker.
“They would always tell me what truck
stops were the safest to park and where to
park. You never parked in the back row. That’s
where drivers would sell parts of their loads,
where the lot lizards worked, there were the
drugs and all that,” she said.
“I don’t have to deal with that anymore,
but I can remember when parking (space)
at a truck stop had to chosen carefully,” she
continued. “When I go now, it’s well-lit, it’s
open. I don’t even think about it anymore, but
I still have a tendency not to park in the back
because of old habits.”
It seems Neal was destined to be a curiosity
in her career. She was raised in an era when
females in the cab of a truck were frowned
upon (if they were allowed at all), and she
started driving in an era when she was often,
in her own words, the only gal in the room.
Today, she stands out because, at the age
of 81, she is still truckin’ along. For someone
who says she just wanted to get the job done,
the sassy Oregonian has blazed quite the trail.
“I have tried over the years to figure out
why I have so much fun doing this,” she said.
“All I can say is I must have a thing about
running around on wheels, because I’ve
always enjoyed it.
“The same highway is never the same. There’s
always something,” she continued. “People say,
‘Don’t you get tired and fall asleep at the wheel?’
I say, ‘No, I’m busy. I don’t have time!’”
Neal first discovered a love for the road
sitting beside her father, who drove logging
trucks in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon.
By the time she was old enough to earn her
chauffeur’s license — this was long before the
days of CDLs — management put the kibosh
on her ride-alongs with her father.
However, the hook had been set, so to
speak, and Neal happily followed the road into
trucking. When she met her future husband,
who was also a driver, she recalls shooting
him straight about her goals.
“My husband knew what I wanted to do,
because from the time I was a kid, I always
said, ‘I’m going to be a truck driver someday,’”
she said.
“In those days, they didn’t have many
rules they enforced on how long you drove, so
produce haulers had to do an awful lot of extra
DWAIN HEBDA | SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
hours,” she continued. “Back then, you picked
the stuff up fresh, so they iced it. We used to
have to go places and have the ice blow out
of the load. Down the road, you’d see water
dripping behind you all the time.”
Neal’s husband was supportive of her goals.
“My husband asked his boss if he could
teach me and his boss said, ‘Yeah, go ahead,’”
she said. “He didn’t have to pay me; all he
would be paying would be my husband, and
I’d be doing the extra driving. I got most of my
hours as relief driver for him.”
By the mid-1970s, Neal and her spouse
were driving regularly for small operators
between California and the Pacific Northwest,
and they even bought their own truck. When
the marriage fell apart, however, she found it
difficult to get hired.
“My husband and I divorced in ’83. It just
happened. By then I had about eight years
driving experience, but I was never a paid
driver — and they still did not like the idea of a
woman being in the truck alone,” she recalled.
“There was a lot of reluctance to hire me,”
she said. “I did have friends that knew I was
a good driver, so I was encouraged to check a
company out of Portland, Oregon, that hired
teams and did not care if you knew each
other. They put two people in a truck, and
that was it. They hired me and let me drive.”
The company’s system put Neal in
whatever truck was available, with whoever
was available. Some of these pairings
worked out, but most of them didn’t — and
Neal said she soon grew tired of sharing the
cab. Determined to drive her own rig, she
eventually left Oregon and headed for Texas.
There, she did a lot of slip-seating, constantly
changing equipment and driving whatever rig
dispatch put her in.
“Eventually things changed, and I went
with companies where I had an assigned
truck,” she said of her 30 years driving in Texas.
“Everybody knew when they hired me that I
had a lot of different trucking backgrounds
and could take any truck.”
Eventually, time did what adversity and
discrimination never could: It slowed her
down.
As she approached her 70s, Neal said,
she quit long-haul runs for more localized
routes. Since moving back home to Oregon
in 2016, she has done what she describes as
“part-time” driving. Most recently, she joined
K&E Express Transportation out of North
Bonneville, Washington. She now drives a
local route, delivering to grocery stores and
warehouses.
Every run she makes adds to her career
total miles. That’s a number Neal stopped
tallying after hitting the 2 million mark during
her years in Texas.
Neal says that life is good and she’s happy,
and that the years haven’t “ground all the
pepper out of her” yet.
“The only complaint I have in life is that,
Courtesy: BJ Neal
After nearly five decades behind the wheel, trucker BJ Neal says life is good, she’s happy and she’s not ready to
stop driving yet.
because I learned to drive the older trucks, I
don’t like the newer trucks,” she said.
“I have a lot of trouble with them, with all
their so-called ‘smart stuff,’” she continued.
“It’s stupid to me. [This company has] one
truck that’s a 2015 I think, a Kenworth, which
I love to drive but don’t get to all the time. The
rest of them I just deal with.”
Luckily, Neal’s company takes notice of its
drivers’ preferences.
“They’re replacing all of this equipment
with newer trucks, and I’m going,
‘Aaaaaaaah!’” she said. “The owner said,
‘I’m going to keep the old Kenworth.’ I said,
‘Oh, good!’ It’s better than driving these new
things.” 8

20 • December 2023 FEATURES
Thetrucker.com
at the TRUCK STOP
Presented
by Cat Scale.
visit weighmytruck.com
Impressive
record
East-West driver shares
his remarkable journey
Ron Millman, a driver for Georgia-based
East-West Express, is one of only a handful
of people on the planet who can say he’s
covered 7 million miles in his driving career
— and he’s one of a precious few who have
covered that much ground without a single
at-fault accident.
As if that wasn’t impressive enough, in an
era of distracted driving and unprecedented
highway congestion, Millman says he’d
never had an altercation with another
vehicle of any kind at work until about a year
ago. That’s when a driver with outstanding
warrants clipped him before fleeing the
scene. The memory of the event is equal
parts amusing and frustrating to the Bostonborn
Millman.
“I was eight minutes from my delivery
when that kid hit me,” he said, still
incredulous. “I could look at my stop. That’s
how close I was — I could see it from the
interstate. This guy comes up the ramp,
comes around the curve, and I looked at him
and thought, ‘Buddy, you better get over.
You’re going to hit me.’ And he did — he hit
me.”
The ultimate irony of being hit by
someone fleeing the law is that Millman is
something of a “criminal” himself. After all,
he’s repeatedly the broken statistical law
of averages for many years. A journey of
7 million miles would circle the globe 280
times. That’s equal to about 15 round trips
to the moon. To cover all those miles with
just one highway incident, which wasn’t
even his fault, defies every actuarial table
known to humanity.
For Millman, however, the formula is
simple: “Don’t bring your problems from
your house to your job when you’re driving,”
he said matter-of-factly. “And the biggest
DWAIN HEBDA | SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
thing is, drive like you’re in a coloring book
— always stay between the two lines.”
As mind-boggling as Millman’s safedriving
streak is, it’s only one chapter of a
unique life that, had he not lived it, he says
he might not believe himself. Landing in
the foster care system as a boy, Millman ran
away at 13 with no more of a plan than to
hitchhike “to wherever.” A trucker picked
him up and asked where he was headed.
“Wherever this truck lands,” he
remembers saying.
The truck was going to Deland, Florida.
Once there, the driver asked the lad’s next
move. Hearing none, the man recommended
Millman hit up the wintering circuses for a
job. He did, and spent the next five years
traveling as a roustabout. During that time,
he learned how to drive a truck.
Millman left that gig with the intention
of joining the military, but health problems
disqualified him for active duty. He held a
few miscellaneous jobs before deciding to
become a professional truck driver, earning
his license at age 20.
“I was still under restriction, though,
because you have to be 21 to run other
states,” he said. “So, until then, all I did was
drive around Massachusetts.”
Except for one short departure from
the industry, Millman has been driving
ever since. At 77, he’s driven doubles and
triples, pulled dry vans, reefer and even
hazmat. His never-ending journey has taken
him throughout Canada, into Mexico and
touched all 49 of the continental U.S. states.
“And if you built a bridge over to Hawaii,
I might drive over there, too,” he said with a
laugh.
During his career, he’s driven team
and he’s driven solo. He prefers the latter,
Courtesy: Ron Millman
Ron Millman, who drives for Georgia-based East-West Express, has covered more than 7 million miles without a
single at-fault accident.
particularly as he’s gotten older. Reaching
across the generation gap has become
increasingly frustrating, he says, so he’d
rather make his runs alone, doing things the
way he knows they should be done.
“These young people, when they get
in the bunk, they’re watching movies or
playing games, and when they come back
out, they’re not ready to drive after a 10-hour
break,” he said. “I just got to the point where
this ain’t worth it. I can’t do double work.
“I’ve been running basically between
Georgia and Florida for almost the last three
years,” he continued. “I like it because I’m by
myself. I come and go as I please. They hand
me an envelope and I go do my job. I may not
talk to dispatch for two days, maybe three
days, because I know what I’ve got to do and
they’re very well aware I know what I’ve got
to do. They don’t really bother me.”
Waiting for Millman at home for most of
his driving years has been his second wife,
Deborah, who, despite being in a potentially
dangerous profession herself — that of a
meat cutter — doesn’t like to ride with him.
That’s more a comment on other drivers
than on Ron’s skills. In fact, she might be
the only person on the planet who was
unsurprised when he turned over 7 million
safe miles in June 2023.
“It’s just another day on the job for him,”
she said.
Asked when he’ll park it for good,
Millman shrugs.
“To be truthful with you, as long as I can
pass the DOT physical, I guess I’ll be there,”
he said. “It’s the only thing I really know
how to do. My wife has asked me a number
of times, ‘Why don’t you get a local job, like
in a grocery store?’”
“But I’m with a good company,” he
continued. “East-West Express is a very
good company, and I told her, ‘If I’m going
to continue to work at my age, I’m going to
do what I enjoy and what I like doing.’”
Until his day arrives, Millman will be out
there, running his route, keeping his head
on a swivel and exercising common sense.
There’s one other thing he does every trip.
“I’m not a real religious guy, but I do
believe that the ‘Man Upstairs’ has looked
after me all these years,” he said. “Back in
2010, I had two heart attacks, back-to-back.
He could have taken me, and he didn’t take
me. As far as I’m concerned, he’s the one
that’s been watching over me.
“Every time I come off the road and into
the yard, the very first thing that I do, I make
sure and look up and say, ‘Thank you, God,
for another safe trip.’ God is my follower.
He watches over me on all these trips. He
always has. That’s why I feel I’ve done so
well at it — because he’s guiding me down
the highway,” Millman concluded. 8

CATTheTrucker 111323 fullpage.qxp_Layout 1 11/12/23 10:16 PM Page 1
Thetrucker.com FEATURES
December 2023 • 21
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