"SHOCK" Driving Safety Film

Halloween Scare Video

This scary video for Halloween was originally used to scare the crape out of students learning to drive a car. It is no wonder our parents are the way they are!



Legendary "shock" driving safety film featuring numerous scenes of mutilated cars and injured/dead people and a voiceover lacking in compassion. Produced in cooperation with the Ohio State Highway Patrol and shown to millions of young drivers for over 40 years. 
CONTENT ADVISORY Many disturbing scenes of violent deaths and accident scenes; cries of crash victims on soundtrack.
Ref: https://archive.org/details/Signal301959 This movie is part of the collection: Prelinger Archives

Tips for Purchasing a Used Class 8 Truck

Purchasing a Used Class 8 Truck

Buying a used Class 8 truck takes more than just looking at the features, you need to look under the hood as well. For many drivers who want to have their own truck, the advantages of purchasing a used one are obvious.

A new class 8 truck is expensive and it can take years to save up the money just to put a good down payment on one. However, a used truck is far less expensive and many drivers can put back enough money to get one in a much shorter period of time. Still, there are disadvantages of owning a used truck that you will need to be aware of before making the purchase.

What to Look for when Purchasing a Used Class 8 Truck

The first think you will need to do is prioritize the needs of the truck you want to own and put to the side the niceties and features that you can do without. You’ll need to make a checklist so that you can fully take down the information on the used truck you are inspecting. What follows are the basics when it comes to overseeing what you want to look for in a truck.

Lights: The first thing you should check off your list is the lights on the vehicle. You’ll want to see that all of them are intact and working properly as well as having the minimum number to be legally on the road.

Brakes: The brake lines should be connected from the truck to the trailer with no issues. Plus, you may want to have a jake brake in the vehicle or some similar device that helps you slow the truck down. Remember that jake braking is illegal in certain cities and counties however.

Transmission: Most used class 8 trucks have manual transmissions, although you will find a growing number that have automatic ones. You’ll want to know how many speeds the engine carries which will range from nine to eighteen. The greater the number, the better control you will have over the truck, especially when it comes to making different maneuvers.

Engine: The condition of the engine is paramount to whether you are going to purchase the truck or not. Everything else can be fixed or replaced within reason, but replacing the engine is a cost that you do not want to bear. Obviously, you should start with the transmission to see what kind it is and then turn to the number of miles the engine has run. Be sure to ask about the maintenance history and any issues that have arisen over that time.

The Features of the Truck

After clearing the big hurdles, you’ll now want to focus on the amenities that the vehicle offers. Safety equipment is an obvious one, but you’ll also want to see about thermostat gauges and other indicators that make driving the truck a lot easier. Comfortable sleepers are always good as well, however you should focus on the features that you want and see if the used class 8 truck has them.

Finally, remember that the main aspects of the used truck are vital towards making a purchase. A class 8 truck in great shape that doesn’t have an amenity or two is something you should buy if it is at a good price. 

Write a Good Quality Blog Comment

Leaving short comments will not inspire people to comment on your view. Use a little thought and leaving a sentence or two makes a much better comment.

 You are encouraged to comment in this blog. If you write a quality blog comment on this blog I will approve it. If you are just trying to advertise you will end up in the spam section.

 Below you will find some videos and links to help you write better comments.


I have read through many articles on this subject and the third graders in the first video do the best job of summing it up in 5 minutes!



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Advantages of Super Single Truck Tires

Super Single Truck Tires

One of the most interesting new trends in the commercial trucking industry may change the way we not only look at large rigs, but what we call them as well. The famed “18 wheeler” may become a “10 wheeler” thanks to super single truck tires.

For many years, large trucks have used dual tires on each axle and four tires each on the trailer for a total of eight with the remaining ten tires on the truck itself. This was done to provide stability and security in case one of the tires blew out. However, the downside was the loss in fuel mileage because of the extra weight of the tires.

Thanks to the new super singles, the trucking industry may reap new benefits because of the advantages that these tires bring.

What are Super Singles?

Super single truck tires are essentially better constructed tires than the standard tires we see on rigs today. They offer aluminum wheels and are larger than their standard counterparts as well. These super singles are tougher, stronger and lighter in weight overall.

The Advantages of the New Tires

Essentially, instead of having eighteen tires to support the trailer and truck, only ten will be needed because of the improved design of the tire itself. The super single truck tires can withstand the weight of the trailer and vehicle over the same time period as their dual counterparts. A study performed by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory showed that trucks could save an average of almost 3% on gas or diesel fuel. While 3% may not sound like much, over 125,000 miles and averaging five miles per gallon that results in a savings of 728 gallons per year.

In addition, the new tires actually offer more stability with a wider truck frame. However, the most interesting advantages are that these tires can hold up for about 200,000 miles as opposed to the standard 160,000 miles for the conventional tires. This means that money is saved on replacement as well since the fewer number of super singles which actually last 40,000 miles longer.

However, the main advantage that super singles offer is that they are stronger, yet lighter in weight than their standard counterparts by roughly 1,000 pounds in total. While this weight savings may translate to better fuel mileage, trucking companies see this as being able to add 1,000 more pounds to the cargo. This means that more can be hauled on a single trip which can earn the company even more money than before.

With more payloads being placed on fewer tires, truck drivers will probably not notice much of a difference in terms of driving their rigs. However, there is one significant drawback to these tires that trucking companies will have to face. With eighteen wheels, if a truck blows out a tire in one of the dual mounted sections, it can limp into a service or repair station and get the tire changed. But, when one of the super single truck tires fails, the truck itself cannot be driven very far with the cargo in tow.

Changing a flat tire on the road with a heavy load without assistance is a tall order to say the least, so there may be higher repair costs in sending out a service truck to do the job. However, super singles are apparently here to stay. 

How Much Do Truck Drivers Earn

Truck driving can be an excellent career option for many people. It can accommodate many different lifestyles and can offer people very comfortable wages to live on. The one thing you have to be ready for is to work many long hours if you choose to go into trucking. Many people are initially unaware that the ensuing truck driver deficit of modern years is primarily due to a high driver turnover rate. And the primary reason? People initially thought that they would be making more money as promised by the many attractive truck-driving earnings publicized on national TV and radio.

While the dreams of making a $70,000 truck driving salary may seem possible quickly as a result of these ads, the reality is that it can take many years of experience before achieving this kind of income. In fact, making six figures may only occur if you end up owning your own trucking company one day. Nevertheless, truck drivers working for distribution centers and shipping companies can expect to bring in a comfortable salary, while attaining long-term financial security for themselves and their families.

An independent truck driver can make the greatest amount of income as they can negotiate their own rates as well as factor in the costs of any travel accommodations while negotiating with clients. This is particularly true of independent truckers who have to travel more than 700 miles weekly.

Getting Paid Per Mile Vs. Per Trip

One popular way of getting paid as a truck driver is to get paid per mile.

Less experienced or newbie truckers can expect to make as little as 30 cents a mile with seasoned truck drivers making over $3.00/mile. As an example, entry-level workers can generally expect to make a truck driver income of about $35,000 a year with such wages. Experienced truck drivers or those that deliver hazardous materials can make much more.

Being paid per mile makes it easy to monitor your wages and has become the most customary manner in which truck drivers are paid these days. The trick to maximize such truck driving income is to always find alternate routes that can prevent traffic delays in order to get the most mileage. Becoming comfortable with an area and finding roads that allow you to avoid expensive traffic delays can be the key to success.

The disadvantages of being paid per mile basically come down to unavoidable traffic delays that can impede the amount of miles a driver will be able to finish in one day. Also, trucking jobs that required driving primarily on municipal and city roads can lower the number of miles a driver can finish and that is not factoring in weather conditions that make the journey even slower. Yet, with all of these potential drawbacks, the ultimate truck driver salary of drivers that get paid per mile still ends up being more than those that are a flat rate paid per trip.

What You Can Do To Raise The Trucking Public Image

Raise The Trucking Public Image

What comes to mind when you think of the stereotypical trucker that roams your local Interstate day in and day out? If you are like most people, you have probably gathered a certain truck driver image in your head based on Hollywood movies that often promote the typical trucker as an uneducated, redneck who rarely showers. Sure enough, the work is never portrayed as very glamorous but how wrong this image can be when you get to know some real truckers from everyday life!

Worse yet, during the later half of the 20th century the reputation of the trucking industry and trucking public image started to wane as media stories of truckers started to convey them as typical, male chauvinists or even serial killers. It was certainly not helpful to the industry to learn about Robert Ben Rhoades, who held a full-fledged torture chamber in his truck in order to rape runaway teens that no one would have missed anyway.

In reality, most truckers do not fit any kind of stereotypical picture. Most truckers are truly easy going, nice, good hearted people, and are often more educated than many might believe. Yes, there are even doctors, lawyers and police officers who become top-notch truck drivers.

Suggestions for Improving The Typical Trucking Public Image

Sometimes, truckers are their own worst enemy. Little attention paid to personal grooming is among the worst culprits. While no one anticipates a trucker to look like a banker getting prepared for business meeting, there are small things some truckers can do to improve the overall truck driving image problem. Perhaps throwing on a fresh T-shirt and jeans from time to time while paying greater attention to personal hygiene and appearance.

Another thing that truckers can do is to turn off their CB radio! Part of the negative truck driving image stems from what is uttered out of the mouths of some drivers such as excessive swearing, gay bashing and general ignorance. By simply locating that on/off switch, it is possible to clean up those airwaves from picking up such annoyances that people would prefer not to hear.

While the state of a truck stop really falls into the responsibility of the management that occupies it, nevertheless the truckers themselves can do simple steps to avoid the stop from smelling entirely like an outdoor toilet. On the other hand, truck stops should also work harder to remove waste on a normal schedule. It is not fun to walk across a parking lot full of rotting food and other waste material that hasn’t been picked up.

Improving Driving Habits

The overall trucking public image could be greatly improved if truckers also implanted more courteous driving habits. Sometimes truckers are in a rush to get a job done and can put other drivers in very dangerous situations.

Other times, programs should be set in place, as it is the other drivers on the road that put truckers in dangerous situations. For example, truck drivers would prefer that cars pass them or back off with clear intentions of what they want to do rather than driving alongside for too long.

Preparing Hazmat Shipping Papers Guide

The first step in filling out a shipping paper correctly is to look in the Hazardous Materials Table (HMT) §172.101, and find the entry that most appropriately describes the material you are shipping. Information used to describe a hazardous material on a shipping paper is known as the Basic Description. Information for the Basic Description consists of the Identification Number in Column 4;
the Proper Shipping Name in Column 2; the Hazard Class or Division in Column 3; and the Packing Group in Column 5. If a material has one or more subsidiary hazards, they are identified in Column 6. Subsidiary hazards must also be listed with the Basic Description. By using the information provided in the HMT, you can correctly describe the hazardous materials shipment.

Columns 1 and 7 provide codes that may indicate additional information about the material you are shipping. For example, a “G” in Column 1 indicates that the Proper Shipping Name listed must be further identified by the addition of a “technical name” placed in parentheses. The chemical manufacturer or the material safety data sheet should provide this information. Special provision codes listed in Column 7 are defined in §172.102. They may identify additional information about the material that may be required to be entered in addition to the Basic Description.

Once you have identified the material in the HMT, the process is not yet complete. Appendix A and Appendix B to the HMT must also be checked. Appendix A is a List of Hazardous Substances and Reportable Quantities (RQ). If the material is listed in Appendix A, you must determine if it meets the definition of the hazardous substance prescribed in §171.8. If it does, and the quantity per package meets or exceeds the amount listed, an additional step must be taken to identify it as a reportable quantity on the shipping paper. (See HMR§172.203 for specific requirements.)

Shipping Description

A correct shipping description includes many components, including the Basic Description. The Basic Description must be placed on a shipping paper in the sequence called for in §172.202(b) of the HMR. An easy way to remember the sequence is to use the acronym “ISHP”: I-Identification Number, S-Proper Shipping Name, H-Hazard Class or Division, and P-Packing Group.

If a technical name is required, it must be placed in parentheses and may be listed after the Proper Shipping Name or after the Basic Description. If applicable, a subsidiary hazard class(es) must be placed in parentheses immediately following the primary hazard class.

The total amount of hazardous materials covered by each description must be indicated by mass or volume with the applicable unit of measure. For example: “200 kgs” or “50 L”. The number and type of packages must also be indicated and may include the packaging specification, for example: “12 drums,” “12 1H1 drums,” or “12 drums (UN 1A1).” The total quantity and types of packagings may be
entered before or after the Basic Description or both before and after the Basic Description.

Additional Description

When additional information is required or provided it must be listed after the Basic Description, unless the HMR states otherwise. Looking at the “Check List” in this guide, you will see many of these identified under Additional Descriptions. Always check §172.203 of the HMR to ensure you have identified all the requirements that pertain to your shipment.

Two exceptions to the regulation for placing additional information after the Basic Description pertain to the “Technical name” and the letters “RQ”. The “Technical name” may be placed in parentheses after the Proper Shipping Name or after the Basic Description. The “RQ” may be entered either before or after the Basic Description. On a shipping paper that has a column specifically to identify a hazardous material, the “RQ” may replace the “X” that would normally be placed in that column.

Some hazardous materials, such as radioactive materials, require much more specific information than what is covered here. Always use Part 172, Subpart C of the HMR for specific details and other
information that may pertain to your shipment.

SAMPLE SHIPPING PAPER

Image available in PDF only

Basic Description sequence and UN Harmonization.
The examples shown above are allowed in § 172.202(b). For international shipments, the ISHP sequence is mandatory January 1, 2007. Voluntary compliance for Domestic shipments begins
January 1, 2007. Mandatory compliance for the ISHP sequence is January 1, 2013. This guide provides examples using the ISHP sequence.

Shipper’s Certification

Except as provided in the HMR, each person who offers a hazardous material for transportation shall certify the shipment is offered in accordance with the HMR. Several options for certification
statements are listed in §172.204. Specific statements are required for air shipments. The following is an example of one certification statement: “This is to certify that the above named materials are properly classified, described, packaged, marked and labeled, and are in proper condition for transportation according to the applicable regulations of the Department of Transportation.” These
certifications must be signed by a principal, officer, partner, or employee of the shipper or his agent. They may be signed manually, by typewriter, or by other mechanical means.

Retention

The person who provides the shipping paper shall record the date the hazardous material is accepted by the carrier (this may vary for rail, vessel or air) and maintain a copy or electronic image of this shipping paper for two years from that date. The copies must be accessible at or through the principal place of business and must be made available if requested by an authorized official of a Federal, State, or local government agency at reasonable times and locations. See HMR §172.201 for specific requirements.

Emergency Response Telephone Number

Shipping papers must contain an emergency response telephone number unless specifically excepted as provided in HMR §172.604(c). The emergency response telephone number must include the area code or international access code. The number provided is used in case of an emergency involving the hazardous material. The number must be monitored at all times while the material is in transportation or in storage incidental to transportation. The person monitoring the number must be knowledgeable of the hazardous material being shipped and have information that will assist first responders at the scene of an incident involving the hazardous material; e.g., fire or explosion hazards, protective clothing required, evacuation distance. If not knowledgeable, the person answering must have immediate access to a person who has that knowledge. An answering service, answering machine, or beeper does not meet these requirements.

The emergency response telephone number may be entered after the shipping description or it may be located in a designated area on the shipping paper that is clearly visible and easily identified, for example: “EMERGENCY CONTACT: xxx-xxx-xxxx.” If the number is placed in one location, that number must apply to all the hazardous materials described on the shipping paper. If different emergency numbers are needed for individual descriptions, the correct emergency response number must be entered after the proper shipping description it applies to. The telephone number may be the number of the person offering the shipment as long as that person monitors it as required above. If the number of an agency or organization is listed, the person offering the shipment must ensure the agency has received the most current information on the material and that it accepts responsibility for providing this information in an emergency. Many agencies require a fee to provide this service.

Emergency Response Information

The HMR require that a shipment of hazardous materials include “emergency response information” which may be on the shipping paper itself or attached to the shipping paper. This emergency response information can be used in the event of an incident involving hazardous materials to assist emergency responders in responding at the scene. At a minimum this information must include: (1) the Basic Description (including technical name, if applicable), (2) immediate hazards to health, (3) risks of fire or explosion, (4) immediate precautions to be taken in event of an accident or incident, (5) immediate
methods for handling fires, (6) initial methods for handling spills or leaks in the absence of fire, and (7) preliminary first aid measures. For additional and specific requirements, you should check Part
172, Subpart G of the HMR.

PHH50-0086-1206

View the full version of this article at the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Tips for a Truck Stop Shower

A truck driver is a representative of the trucking company which he works for, have the need for cleanliness at all times as first impression last longer. Securing a contract for such trucking companies can either be lost or won depending on the first appearance of the truck driver. Personal hygiene is act practiced by individuals which includes using the bathrooms or showers. Majority of the truck drivers cannot access those normal toilet facilities, considering the fact that they are always on the road. Depending on the time spent on a journey, they may be separated from these facilities for as long as it takes them to return home.

Majority of the truck stops possess truck stop showers. Usually, the truck stops showers are enclosed areas using a lockable door. If a trucker buys fuel at a truck stop (between 50 to 100 gallons) he is automatically entitled to use the truck stop shower for free. A trucker with a reward card for various truck stops can also use the truck stop shower. However, their use is not restricted to truck drivers alone. Non-truckers can also use the truck stop shower. They are charged around $7 to $10 to access the truck stop shower.

With respect to the truck-stop, personal identification number or a key could be issued by which an individual gets the room that was given. The consumer is provided a towel and wash cloth and occasionally, a paper bath tub mat. Ideally, a truck driver should have a spare towel, once in a while the towels in these truck stop showers are either worn-out or poor.   Sometimes there is a hair dryer in each room. Some truck stop facilities also have fan or heater unit installed in each room in order to lessen or stop fogs on the mirror. Other items that could be found in the truck stop shower include:

A mirror, which could be either used for shaving or to see one’s dressing

A functioning electrical outlet for appliances such as hair dryers.

A tub or sink with clean running water and effective drainage.

With respect to the size of the truck stop, some showers are usually not large while some are enormous (which includes those for disabled users or for couples that are truck drivers).

Depending on use by the others, the services there could possibly be a waiting list or might be accessible right away. It is a good idea to take good care one’s self as soon as you possibly can, because others could be waiting while we've never discovered a time limit in using a bath.

In case you learn that the room to which you are assigned is not up to that company's normal standard of cleanliness, be sure to inform the management.

However, larger truck stops give credit known as shower credit if the trucker purchases about 50 gallons of fuel. This credit facility, when not used, expires five days after the fuel purchase. If he is not plying this route during this period, he can give the card to no other trucker on the route.

Healthy Eating for Truck Drivers

Truck drivers’ well-being is an enormous problem in the industry right now and a big part of it is due to the temptations truck drivers face every day. Truck drivers may sit behind the wheel of an 18wheeler for as many as 16 hours a day. All that sitting, combined with unhealthy and harmful food options from a greasy-spoon truck stop can create an unhealthy lifestyle for drivers.

Truck drivers are faced with so much temptation at every truck stop. It is not hard to notice the increasing amount of eateries that decorate major highways in America and this poses a great threat to the health status of most truck drivers while on the road.

There are plenty of ways to resist the temptation of unhealthy junk food while running the roads of America. All it takes is a little preparation and determination while preparing for your trip.

HEALTHY EATING TIPS FOR TRUCK DRIVERS ON THE ROAD

Make Healthier Food Choices

Instead of hitting your favorite fast food restaurant and grabbing a burger, choose a salad instead. Go for grilled rather than fried. Bring some snack foods (nuts or seed, dried or fresh fruit, or whole grain crackers) from home so you have control over what you eat.

Eat Natural Foods as much as Possible

Processed foods are loaded with sugar, unnecessary fats, and chemicals. Consuming natural foods, such as foods rich in energy and vitamins, gives long-driving routine a boost. Large fluid intake such as water is also encouraged while on the go.

Exercise

One of the major challenges of a trucker is the continuous pressure. Making a delivery on time can be really frustrating. The easiest way to alleviate stress would be to work out. There are simple exercises you can do if you when you get to your next truck stop. For instance, lunges and squats, as well as jumping rope and jogging, are not hard to do in small spaces. Some truck drivers even use filled water-bottles inside their trucks to do curls while sitting in traffic. One other way to relieve stress while on the road is to listen to music. While listening, roll-up your window and sing or whistle along.

Get enough Rest

Among the very key elements in living a healthy lifestyle on the road would be to get a plenty of sleep. Experts recommend that healthy adults sleep for a minimum of seven, preferably nine, hours of sleep each night. Quality sleep can play an important role in your work performance and general awareness of well-being. Lack of sleep can lead to:

·       frustration

·       blurred vision

·       depression

·       acid reflex

·       diarrhea

Consumption of alcohol before bed time can prevent your body from reaching the deepest of sleep cycles when you hit the hay at night. No one likes going to work with a hangover. Also, try to eat a minimum of two hours before retiring.

In the end, a healthy trucker is a happy trucker and also a more productive trucker. There are many choices a driver must make while on the go to deliver their load and all truckers know that safety is the number one priority. However, it is important for a trucker to make healthy decisions while driving down the long and winding road of life.