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Big Rig Consulting, La Grange, IL (2026)

10/07/2024

Hurricane Milton

Hurricane Milton will arrive on the coastline of Western Florida between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning.

There is an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge and
damaging winds for portions of the west coast of the Florida
Peninsula beginning Tuesday night or early Wednesday. Storm Surge and Hurricane Watches are now in effect for portions of the west coast of the Florida Peninsula.
Areas of heavy rainfall will impact portions of Florida today
well ahead of Milton, with heavy rainfall more directly related to
the system is expected later on Tuesday through Wednesday night. This rainfall will bring the risk of considerable flash, urban, and
areal flooding, along with the potential for moderate to major
river flooding.

Hurricane Watch

Western Florida coast

Tropical Storm Watch

Florida Big Bend, southern Florida coast

Storm Surge Watch

Western Florida coast

WIND: Beginning Tuesday night or early Wednesday, portions of the west coast of the Florida Peninsula are at an increasing risk of damaging winds.

STORM SURGE: There is an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge for portions of the west coast of the Florida Peninsula beginning Tuesday night or early Wednesday. Surges may exceed 12 ft. near the Tampa Bay area.

For a complete depiction of areas at risk of storm surge inundation, please see the National Weather Service Peak Storm Surge Graphic.

RAINFALL: Upon arrival, Hurricane Milton will produce a storm total rainfall of 5 to 10 inches, with some local amounts to 15 inches. This rainfall will result in flash and urban flooding throughout Florida.

We will monitor the hurricane closely and provide updates if warranted. As the hurricane evolves, be sure to check on conditions at pick-up and delivery locations, as well as truck stops and tire shops. Should weather impact your travel, communicate and adjust pick-up and delivery accordingly.

Updates will be distributed via email and posted to the Hurricane Update Webpage. Click below to visit now.

2024 HURRICANE UPDATE

To best prepare for an eventful hurricane season, below is a list of general precautionary items to consider and resources to help you in your travels:

Precautions:

Check weather reports.
Be sure that tractor fuel is topped off.
Be sure that re**er fuel is topped off.
If flatbed freight, ensure the load is adequately secured and tarped well.
Be cautious of high winds/cross winds, especially if pulling a van, re**er, or Conestoga trailers.
Be extremely careful if pulling doubles or triples.
Take extra food and water for yourself.
Have rain gear and extra clothing handy.
Be aware and conscientious of power lines and other dangerous objects.
Use local news sources to stay informed of the origins, routes, and destinations to and through which you will be traveling.
Check the current conditions of the pick-up and delivery locations where you will be going, as well as truck stops and tire shops, to determine if any safety and delay issues may exist. Please communicate and adjust pick-up and delivery accordingly.

08/08/2024

Well, the hype surrounding autonomous vehicle safety may be starting to deflate. A study shows partially automated driving systems doesn't impact safety as much as one hoped. Plus, today we are showcasing a new section — America Elects — where we will share political news that impacts you and the trucking industry. Today's topic: How Trump and Harris compare on transportation issues. Let us know what you think.

TECHNOLOGY

Not so fast: Partially automated driving does not increase safety, study

If you were expecting self-driving vehicles to revolutionize safety, think again. A new study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reveals partial automated driving systems that assist in the driving function — maintaining speed, lane and distance — offer little advantage over basic crash-avoidance technology like automatic emergency braking.

Where does that leave things? With several companies moving toward driverless tech (including a handful of successful pilot programs in recent months), it leaves many questioning whether or not we're fully ready to embrace autonomous vehicles on our roadways, particularly large vehicles like semi trucks.

Regulation required. Notable incidents involving automated driving features have prompted calls for more stringent government oversight. Trucking organizations have also urged the Department of Transportation to establish comprehensive safety standards and testing requirements for autonomous vehicles.

Why this matters: While fully autonomous trucks could pose a threat to actual drivers and their job security, many are concerned about the safety risks facing all drivers.

07/30/2024

OODIA's VP called out Congress for treating the trucking industry like "guinea pigs" during a recent hearing, and said the EPA's zero emission timeline isn't realistic.

POLITICS

Truckers are tired of being EPA's "guinea pigs"

The trucking industry is facing immense pressure to rapidly transition to zero emissions, but the necessary infrastructure and technology simply aren't there yet, Lewie Pugh, OOIDA executive vice president, told Congress during a recent hearing.

“Truckers want clean air. We all want clean air and clean water,” Pugh said on Wednesday, July 24. “But let the free market figure this out. Free market always does better than government heavy-handedness.”

The government's push for a greener trucking industry is moving too fast. Pugh, and others, argue that the trucking industry is tired of being the government's "guinea pig" when it comes to carrying out the EPA's mandates. To achieve sustainability, policymakers must listen to drivers and understand the industry’s real-world challenges.

Why this matters: The trucking industry is a vital part of the economy, and hasty regulations could have unintended consequences. Finding a balance between environmental protection and economic viability is crucial.

07/18/2024

From January 8 – 12, the CVSA hosted the Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative—an initiative to inform truckers of the tell-tale signs of human trafficking and how to respond.

Recently, the CVSA published the results.

With an estimated 27.6 million human trafficking victims worldwide, the undertaking to combat trafficking had to be proportionately enormous.

Here’s how it went.

Human Trafficking Awareness Week 2024 Results

The CVSA made several efforts to spread awareness of human trafficking, including:

Distributed human trafficking information during driver inspections, including 13,510 window decals and 1,603 posters
Spoke with truck passengers to identify signs of human trafficking
Distributed 38,158 wallet cards at truck stops, bus stations, etc.
Displayed national trafficking hotline on billboards
Hosted 334 human trafficking outreach events
Completed 204 human trafficking awareness presentations to truckers
Aided in National Wear Blue Day to promote human trafficking awareness
Published 107 social media posts

Additionally, the CVSA collaborated with Paramount and CBS networks to broadcast this PSA, generating over 15,000,000 impressions.

Despite a successful Human Trafficking Awareness Week, the CVSA emphasizes the need for diligence year-round in preventing human trafficking.

If you’d like to learn more about combating trafficking throughout the year, Truckers Against Trafficking offers resources for truckers all year long

07/08/2024

UPDATE: TRACKING HURRICANE BERYL

Beryl is forecast to make landfall near Corpus Christi, Texas, as a Category 1 hurricane Monday morning, according to the National Hurricane Center. Currently a tropical storm, Beryl is in the Gulf of Mexico fanning maximum sustained winds of 65 mph as of 11 am ET Sunday. The center of Beryl is expected to make landfall on the middle Texas coast early Monday. Beryl is forecast to turn northeastward and move farther inland over eastern Texas and Arkansas late Monday and Tuesday. Texas will see the effects of Beryl starting Sunday, and several counties have announced evacuation orders.

Heavy rainfall of 5 to 10 inches with localized amounts of 15 inches is expected across portions of the middle and upper Texas Gulf Coast and eastern Texas beginning today through Monday night. This rainfall will produce areas of flash and urban flooding, some of which may be locally considerable. Minor to isolated moderate river flooding is also expected. If you are located in or traveling through the area, being informed and prepared is your best approach.

As the storm evolves, be sure to check on conditions at pick-up and delivery locations, as well as truck stops and tire shops. Should weather impact your travel, communicate and adjust pick-up and delivery accordingly. For those moving loads for England Logistics, our account management team will increase their touch points to provide support as needed.

2024 HURRICANE UPDATE

To best prepare for a hurricane, below is a list of general precautionary items to consider and resources to help you in your travels:

Precautions:

Check weather reports.

Be sure that tractor fuel is topped off.

Be sure that re**er fuel is topped off.

If flatbed freight, ensure the load is adequately secured and tarped well.

Be cautious of high winds/cross winds, especially if pulling a van, re**er, or Conestoga trailers.

Be extremely careful if pulling doubles or triples.
Take extra food and water for yourself.

Have rain gear and extra clothing handy.

Be aware and conscientious of power lines and other dangerous objects.

Use local news sources to stay informed of the origins, routes, and destinations to and through which you will be traveling.

Check the current conditions of the pick-up and delivery locations where you will be going, as well as truck stops and tire shops, to determine if any safety and delay issues may exist. Please communicate and adjust pick-up and delivery accordingly.

06/24/2024

Is Your company GEN Z ready?

Gen Z and the Future of the Trucking Industry

The median age range of CDL drivers is between 45 and 49. As more of these professionals approach retirement, trucking industry leaders need to look to Gen Z-ers (or “Zoomers”) — those born between 1994 and 2000 — to fill the gaps and shape the future of the trucking industry.

06/19/2024

A penny saved - is a thousand earned?

Hey Big Riggers for owner - operators, every penny counts. Understanding your budget is crucial, and can make a significant difference to your bottom line. Today's feature from online offers fantastic tips on business budgeting.

Big Rig today's story

🚛 FMCSA approves 25% higher fees, effective from July.

🚨 Small fleets warned of looming renewal deadline.

🚋 Driver unharmed after truck hit by train (video)

👨🏻‍💻 Hackers are now targeting recruiters, experts claim.

🤳 Fleet drivers raise concerns about distraction.

Featured Story

COSTS
Profitability - where are the bottlenecks in your business?
Effective budgeting is the foundation of a successful business, enabling owners to wring as much profit as possible out of every dollar of revenue. However, it’s a big undertaking for a small fleet, so what should you be looking at?

Fixed or variable? Tracking fixed costs (for example, the loan on your truck) and variables (such as fuel and maintenance) is the first step towards understanding what makes your fleet’s financials tick — and what you’re actually earning from a job.

How do you compare? Benchmarking yourself against other fleets is also helpful. It can identify the costly inefficiencies and insufficient revenue that are holding your business back

06/17/2024

As wild weather throws curveballs across the U.S., staying prepared is key. Big Rig's Monday morning exclusive unveils the strategies companies and drivers are implementing to navigate the season's challenges to protect your fleet, drivers and cargo.

Today's newsletter

🚚 US Government looks to decrease cargo theft.

📈 Companies progress with AI integration.

⛔ Task force wants to end predatory lease-purchase programs.

⛽ Diesel prices continue downward trend.

🕵️ "Safety audit" phishing scam on the rise.

Big Rig Featured Story
Storm Season: What to expect and how to prepare

Severe weather is one of the biggest (and often unpredictable) threats facing the trucking industry. Each season holds the potential for natural events to upend your operations.

What's next? From wildfires and hurricanes to flooding and tornadoes, the summer season is prepared to throw everything it has at your business and your drivers. How will you respond?

Prepare ahead. Having safety and emergency response plans in place will allow you to protect your drivers and keep your business moving forward in the event of severe weather. We've got tips on how you can get ready.

06/14/2024

Today we celebrate --- Flag Day is a national celebration of our country’s history and the creation and symbolism of the flag itself. Although it often goes unnoticed, there are 21 days between Flag Day and Independence Day, and there’s a lot of history to explore

06/14/2024

It's Friday, June 14 and today we are digging into what it means - physically and mentally - for drivers to have a pet companion along for the ride. Turns out, it's good news for drivers! Take a look in today's featured story.

Plus, inside today's newsletter

👨🏻‍💻 Is now the time to invest in cybersecurity insurance?

🛰️ Addressing the looming risks of GPS hacking.

🛻 Light truck fuel economy targets softened.

✋🏻 Strikes avoided at the Canadian border.

🅿️ Tennessee toughens up on predatory towing.

Inside Featured Story
Attracting Top Driver Talent to Your Fleet
Could pets be the secret to healthier, happier truckers?

Trucking can be a lonely business for drivers, but it doesn’t have to be. Half of the truckers surveyed by Truckstop Group said they travel with a pet on board, and there are some proven health benefits to not going solo.

Positive energy. Humans are naturally social creatures. A study by the National Institutes of Health found interacting with animals can decrease stress hormones and lower blood pressure.

Staying active. Routines such as walking a dog are a good way to break up an inherently sedentary lifestyle by motivating drivers to exercise, even if they’re exhausted after a long day on the road.

06/13/2024

From 2018 – 2022, the number of fatalities on the road went up 16%. In 2022 alone, 42,795 fatal crashes claimed motorist lives.

In response to the dire epidemic of vehicle-related fatalities, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) created Operation Safe Driver Week 2024.

What is Operation Safe Driver Week 2024?

Operation Safe Driver Week 2024 (OSDW) is a week-long campaign to end unsafe driving through education and enforcement.

Operation Safe Driver Week 2024 will take place July 7 – 13.

During OSDW, law enforcement across North America will be on the lookout for risky driving behaviors and issuing a citation or warning to offenders. These behaviors include speeding, aggressive driving, distracted driving, drowsy driving, and other dangerous behaviors.

In addition to emphasizing enforcement, the CVSA will also educate on safe driving behaviors through its website and social media channels.

Facts about Safe Driving in North America

OSDW was instituted in response to alarming data regarding safe driving. Did you know:

More than 25% of crash-related fatalities are due to speeding
Most traffic collisions are related to speeding
3,308 drivers lost their lives to distracted driving in 2022
Half of all traffic fatalities were not wearing seatbelts
28 people die daily in drunk-driving collisions

These statistics represent an epidemic of preventable tragedies. Here’s how to do your part in preventing collisions.

Habits for Safe Driving

Whether your destination is just a few miles away or across the nation, these tips can help you get there safely.

Always wear a seat belt
Obey traffic signals and signage
NEVER drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs
NEVER text and drive
Heed the speed limit (including work zone speed limits)
Share the road with cyclists
Avoid talking and driving
NEVER try to beat a railroad crossing

Though these tips may seem intuitive, most collisions are caused by people failing to act on these essential safety habits.

Operation Safe Driver Week 2024 is a week-long effort to curb unsafe driving through enforcement and education. You can avoid a potentially tragic collision by educating yourself on safe habits, knowing the consequences, and implementing them into your everyday driving.

Big Rig Consulting

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