Category: Trucker Safety and Health

The Road Ahead with AI and Telematics in Trucking Insurance

Western Truck Insurance

The trucking industry is increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) and telematics to help manage risk and reduce Liability insurance costs. AI-driven telematics tracks trucks and other assets using GPS technology and onboard diagnostics (OBD) to plot their movements on a digital map. The data can reveal key insights, including speeding incidents, hard braking and sudden … Continue reading “The Road Ahead with AI and Telematics in Trucking Insurance”

Safe Lifting Tips for Truckers

Western Truck Insurance

While taking driving precautions is critical to preventing accidents, truckers also have to minimize their risk of injury when lifting cargo. According to the Department of Labor, of overexertion injuries to delivery truck drivers, 40% were due to lifting containers, and 34% were due to lifting or lowering objects. Following are some proper lifting techniques … Continue reading “Safe Lifting Tips for Truckers”

Are You in Compliance with Mandatory DOT Supervisor Training for CDL Drivers?

Western Truck Insurance

Supervisors overseeing CDL drivers must undergo mandatory training to recognize signs of drug and alcohol misuse and comply with FMCSA and USDOT regulations. Training ensures your team maintains road safety and fulfills federal requirements. Supervisor Training Requirements Employers must ensure that all personnel assigned to supervise drivers (CDL) obtain at least 60 minutes of alcohol … Continue reading “Are You in Compliance with Mandatory DOT Supervisor Training for CDL Drivers?”

On the Road After Dark: Safe-Driving Tips for Truckers

Western Truck Insurance

With the sun setting comes additional risks for truckers driving at night. Visibility is reduced, making it more challenging to see the road, other vehicles, and obstacles. Depth perception, color recognition, and peripheral vision can all be compromised in the dark. The glare of headlights from an oncoming vehicle can also temporarily blind a driver. … Continue reading “On the Road After Dark: Safe-Driving Tips for Truckers”

Under the FLSA Truckers Are Entitled to Sleeper Berth Compensation

Western Truck Insurance

Earlier this month, an appeals court upheld a lower court ruling involving carrier CRST that truck drivers working in teams must be compensated under federal minimum wage laws for time spent in the sleeper cab even if they aren’t sleeping. The question posed in the lower court and on appeal was whether “the time long-haul … Continue reading “Under the FLSA Truckers Are Entitled to Sleeper Berth Compensation”

Driver Safety Tips to Help Mitigate Trucking Accidents

Western Truck Insurance

There are more than 168,000 truck accidents every year, with about 32% involving an injury and around 3% resulting in a fatality, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Texas had the most truck accidents in 2022, with California, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Illinois rounding out the top five states. The Centers for Disease … Continue reading “Driver Safety Tips to Help Mitigate Trucking Accidents”

Ensure Smooth Workers’ Compensation Premium Audits 

Western Truck Insurance

Workers’ Compensation insurance provides coverage for employee on-the-job injuries and illnesses. A business pays an estimated premium at the beginning of the year that is based on a number of factors, including payroll; industry classification (different industries have varying levels of risk with regard to workplace injuries and illnesses); employee classification (a driver is at … Continue reading “Ensure Smooth Workers’ Compensation Premium Audits “

FMCSA Proposes Changes to Its Safety Measurement System

Western Truck Insurance

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA) in February announced proposed changes to its Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program to reduce and prevent crashes. Public comments on the proposed changes are due this month. The FMCSA’s goal is to ensure greater consistency in results by holding similar carriers to the same standard, regardless of how … Continue reading “FMCSA Proposes Changes to Its Safety Measurement System”

90-Day Truck Inspections: Part II

Western Truck Insurance

In a previous article, we discussed the requirement for daily vehicle inspections by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). In this article, we will look at the requirements for 90-day inspections, as required by the state of California. If your truck has a GVW (gross vehicle weight) rating of … Continue reading “90-Day Truck Inspections: Part II”

DOT-Compliant Vehicle Inspections: Part I

Bob Holtzman

Over the next few articles, we will review vehicle inspection requirements for commercial trucks as required and endorsed by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). In this article, we will review daily vehicle inspections. Drivers must conduct inspections at the beginning and end of each shift and on each … Continue reading “DOT-Compliant Vehicle Inspections: Part I”