Oct 26, 2023

Food Purchasing Habits at Truck Stops

We surveyed our community of truck drivers to learn about their food purchases at truck stops.

Safe Alternatives for Truckers’ Pain Management Every job has its pros and cons, which also applies to truck driving. The main demerit of any trucking job is physical – the discomfort and pain that often come with the countless hours spent sitting in the cab. Because different parts of a trucker's body are exposed to various pains, it is important to find safe and effective alternatives for pain management. Let’s delve further into the more common physical pains a trucker is exposed to and how to manage each safely. Common Pain Concerns Many Truckers Face Working in an environment that requires you to sit for long hours has to have some effects on your body. This is the plight of many truckers. Some of the pain concerns include: ● Back and Neck Pain There is an alarmingly high number of truckers who suffer from back pain. Neck and lower back pain are more common because truckers sit for extended periods. Other causes include using improper lifting techniques and poor posture while driving. ● Wrist Pain Truckers suffer from wrist and hand pain because of the repetitive and extended pressure applied to their nerves. This discomfort is further exaggerated by keeping the wrist in one position as you drive and many times can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. ● Shoulder Pain Driving for long hours puts truckers at risk of shoulder pains and irritations, including bicep tendonitis and rotator cuff injuries. ● Headaches Truck drivers can experience severe headaches due to tension on the nerves at the base of their skull. Tension can be created by a number of factors including the daily task of managing the road safely. Luckily, all these pains are manageable and treatable with the right methods. How to Manage Pain While Working Long Hours We have already established that a trucker is more susceptible to various pains due to the nature of their work. That is why they need to find ways to manage the pain before taking medication. The few things they can include in their daily routine to help with different pains include: ● Lumbar Support Pillow Investing in a good quality lumbar support pillow will go a long way in preventing the dreaded back pain. Truckers can couple this with a good seat cushion to enhance comfort and promote good posture. ● Mirror Positioning Truckers that ensure their mirrors are positioned correctly are less likely to suffer from neck strain. <a href="https://thechilterncentre.co.uk/2019/12/03/driving-posture-do-you-sit-correctly-in-your-car/">Chiltern Health Centre</a> suggests all drivers should “…stretch yourself up and make your spine as tall as possible sitting in an ideal posture. Set the rearview mirror so you can just about see the traffic behind you. This will help to correct your posture every time you look in your rearview mirror, because if you slouch you will not be able to use the rearview mirror.” Mirror positioning is a simple solution to managing core, back, and neck pain. ● Wrist Braces and Stretches By wearing a wrist brace, truckers can ensure their wrist is not in one position for too long. The other great way is to stretch the hand and wrist regularly. Flexion stretches, lifts, and hand squeezes done frequently have also proven to alleviate wrist discomfort. ● Taking Regular Breaks and Sleep Sometimes, acting before it strikes is the best way to prevent pain. Truckers who take breaks, make the most of their down time, focus on getting good rest and stretching can help release built-up tension. Adequate rest is crucial in pain management, especially for truckers. Sleeping on a mattress and pillow that provides extra support to the neck, spine, and legs is also advisable. Safe Alternatives for Pain Management It is always a good idea to try pain management methods with fewer side effects. Here are some safer alternatives for pain relief that truckers can use: ● Exercise A few stretches before and after driving around for hours can do wonders in keeping pain in check. Truckers are advised to try different forms of exercise to reduce pain incidences. Some workouts drivers can try include stretching, bending, and pelvic lifts. Be sure not to overexert with the exercises because it could lead to more damage. ● Ice and Heat Packs A simple yet highly effective pain management alternative is using ice and heat before and after a shift. Physicians recommend that truckers place cold packs on sore areas after a shift to soothe the nerves and reduce irritations. Afterward, they can put a heat pack to relax the affected area. ● Pain Relievers Truckers can sometimes do all the right exercises and preventative measures but still fall short in managing their body aches. It is wise to try different pain-relieving medications to see which works best for you. You can use topical creams and gels, which work by penetrating the skin. Truckers can use <a href="https://www.thecbdistillery.com/blog/how-to-take-cbd-oil-a-beginners-guide/">THC-free CBD oil</a> for even faster pain relief, which works better and has longer-lasting effects. Being pain-free can be a reality for truckers if they adhere to the recommendations listed above. However, in the event self-administered care does not produce adequate results, it is recommended drivers pursue advice from a doctor. Free <a href="https://www.smartandsimple.com/partners/trucker-path/">teleheath options</a> are available that truckers can consider.

Sep 19, 2023

Trucker Tips For Exercising While On The Road The health stakes are high for truck drivers. According to information shared by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC),truck drivers are <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/truck/health.html">twice as likely to smoke and be obese</a> compared to other U.S. workers, generally leading to high blood pressure and diabetes. There's no way around the fact that the lifestyle of a truck driver can be damaging to one's health and well-being. High demands, long hours spent seated behind the wheel, poor eating habits and lack of exercise while on the road all create a perfect storm for obesity and illness. A CDC survey shows that three out of four truckers say that they do not get the recommended amount of physical activity, that being 2.5 hours of combined moderate-intensity and muscle-strengthening training a week for adults. In fact, only one out of four male truck drivers say that they fit 30 minutes of exercise into their schedules five days a week. Lack of exercise isn't just dangerous for a truck driver's health. It can also threaten their livelihood. If a professional truck driver develops a medical condition that impacts their ability to drive, they may be in jeopardy of losing their commercial operating license. Fortunately, truck drivers don't need to resign themselves to living sedentary lifestyles just because they spend a great deal of time on the road. There are many hacks for staying fit and active while pulling long hours. Tips for Exercising as a Truck Driver Trucks drivers don't have the luxury of enjoying a consistent, home-based schedule. They need dynamic, adaptive exercise protocols that work anywhere. These tips can help your health for the long run even if you drive the long haul! Be Opportunistic The world is your gym when you're a long-haul truck driver. When presented with downtime, it's important to scope out areas in the vicinity that are fit for exercise. Look online for nearby trails, public parks with running loops, truck stops with gyms, or school running tracks that are open to the public. Even a neighborhood with sidewalks can be enough to get in a good walk or jog. Just make sure it’s legal and safe to park your truck while you’re getting your exercise. Bring Travel Workout Equipment on the Road You can build a scaled-down gym in your cab if you know what to pack! Portable, lightweight exercise equipment that works out the same parts of the body as massive pieces of gym equipment are easy to find. Resistance bands, kettlebells, and dumbbells are all great for building lean muscle. If you're looking for a fun way to get in your daily cardio, a folding bike is excellent. Don't forget to invest in a pair of sturdy, comfortable sneakers to prevent foot injuries that could impede your driving abilities! Log Your Exercise It's easy to lose track of time when you're pulling long hours. Unfortunately, the blur of the road causes many long-haul truckers to lose motivation. Log your exercise daily to stay accountable! You can also consider enlisting the help of friends, family, or fellow truck drivers to stay accountable. Research shows that having a weight-loss "buddy" actually helps individuals to lose more weight compared to people who attempt to make changes without peer support. Worker Smarter to Avoid Working Harder Time is the most precious resource any trucker has. That's why optimizing workouts to burn as much fat as quickly as possible is often a good approach for drivers. Heat is one option. Time-pressed people in every profession are increasingly "working smarter" using <a href="https://www.hotworx.net/blog/make-fat-scream-with-infrared-training">infrared workouts</a> that turn up the heat to tone up the body. During an infrared workout, the body is oxidizing fat as part of a chemical reaction that transforms fatty acids into energy. The best way to describe infrared training is to say that it makes fat "scream" by using elevated temperatures to increase heart rate for greater caloric expenditure and fat burning. Additionally, infrared heat boosts blood circulation to muscle tissues to enhance exercise performance. A Healthy Lifestyle on the Road Is Possible A thousand miles can create a thousand excuses to not get fit when you're a long-haul truck driver. Everything changes once you realize that fitness is one of the keys to success on the road. Being consistent, working smarter, and understanding that healthy living is the only choice for long term success as a truck driver.

Oct 05, 2023

The Damaging Effects of Double Brokering in Trucking As the after-effects of the global pandemic still impact domestic supply chain transportation, trucking is more important to the U.S. supply chain than ever. However, with this increasing reliance on the trucking industry, there is also an equal increase in double brokering, a practice that poses a significant threat to the integrity and profitability of this vital sector. In fact, this illegal practice has cost the domestic shipping industry more than <a href="https://theloadstar.com/us-shippers-put-on-high-alert-over-double-brokering-fraud/">$500 million in a year</a>. So, what exactly is double brokering and why is it detrimental to the trucking industry? Understanding Double Brokering <a href="https://www.bm2freight.com/2021/12/22/the-truth-about-double-brokerage-and-what-brokers-wont-tell-you/">Double brokering</a> involves a middleman or broker accepting a load from a shipper and then sub-contracting it to another carrier. The process begins when a shipper entrusts a broker to arrange the transportation of their goods. The broker, instead of fulfilling their responsibility to secure a reliable carrier, opts to subcontract the job to another carrier without disclosing their role as a middleman. The second carrier, unaware of the original agreement, believes they are dealing directly with the shipper. This deceptive practice often leads to multiple parties unknowingly handling the same shipment, exploiting the lack of transparency and communication between shippers, carriers, and brokers. This could result in a series of problems, such as delayed deliveries, loss of cargo, and damaged relationships between the parties involved. This miscommunication and lack of accountability can also lead to potential fraud, low-quality service, and financial loss. With the deceptive nature of double brokering, it’s common that the carrier that ends up actually transporting the load hasn’t been carefully vetted and may not meet the shipper’s standards. The double broker may also fail to pay the carrier entirely, creating a completely new issue. Negative Impacts on the Trucking Business Double brokering undermines the very foundation on which the trucking business operates, ultimately harming all parties involved. 1. Compromised Quality and Accountability By introducing an extra layer into the transportation process, double brokering dilutes accountability and makes it challenging to identify who is responsible for any shortcomings, such as delays in shipping or damage to delivered cargo. The lack of direct communication between the shipper and carrier results in a diminished ability to address issues promptly and effectively, leading to dissatisfied customers. 2. Increased Risks Double brokering increases the likelihood of cargo theft and fraud, as multiple parties are involved in the handling of shipments. Each additional party in the supply chain creates an opportunity for unauthorized access to the cargo, heightening the risk of theft, loss, or damage. Furthermore, as mentioned earlier, double brokering also means that there is a lack of accountability for any such cases, making it challenging for shippers to identify who is responsible for these shortcomings. 3. Erosion of Trust Trust is the backbone of any successful business relationship, including those within the trucking industry. Double brokering erodes trust by deceiving both shippers and carriers, leading to damaged reputations, strained partnerships, and a reluctance to engage in future transactions. The resulting loss of trust can have long-lasting negative consequences for the overall functioning of the industry and for individual shippers, brokers, and carriers affected by <a href="https://www.parade.ai/resources/freight-fraud">freight fraud</a>. Combatting Double Brokering To mitigate the adverse effects of double brokering and safeguard the interests of all stakeholders in the trucking business, a multi-faceted approach is necessary: 1. Strengthening Regulation and Enforcement Regulatory bodies and law enforcement agencies need to collaborate to enforce strict guidelines and penalties against double brokering. Clear industry standards should be established to deter individuals from engaging in this practice, and regular audits and investigations should be conducted to identify and penalize offenders. <a href="https://www.ttnews.com/articles/double-brokering-increases">In the U.S</a>., many logistic providers as well as transportation associations are aware of the uptick in double brokering and actively working to implement new protocols against it. 2. Enhancing Transparency and Communication Improved communication channels and technologies should be embraced to facilitate direct interaction between shippers and carriers. By minimizing the role of intermediaries, trust can be restored, and potential risks associated with double brokering can be mitigated. On the side of shippers, they should also do their due diligence to <a href="https://www.parade.ai/digital-booking-with-confidence">investigate and conduct background checks</a> on their carriers before engaging in their services. Tools like <a href="https://app.carriers.fyi/">Carriers.FYI</a> can help verify carrier identities and reduce the risk of double brokering. 3. Raising Industry Awareness Education and awareness campaigns should be launched to inform shippers, carriers, and brokers about the risks and consequences of double brokering. Industry associations, trade shows, and conferences can serve as platforms to discuss best practices, share experiences, and collectively work towards eradicating this unethical practice. Double brokering undermines the trust, efficiency, and profitability of the trucking business. By understanding the basics of this practice and its detrimental impact, stakeholders can unite in their efforts to combat double brokering. With strengthened regulations, improved transparency, and increased awareness, the trucking industry can reclaim its integrity, fostering a more reliable environment for shippers, carriers, and brokers alike.

Jul 26, 2023