After two months of decline, the trucking industry has gained more jobs

According to numbers reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, both May and June produced net job losses in the for-hire trucking industry- however, 6,300 net payroll jobs were added in Juy. The trucking payroll employment doesn't include private fleets. "Also, May’s 3,500-job reduction was downwardly revised to just 3,000 job cuts in the month." Total unemployment for the entire U.S. economy increased by 162,000 jobs. That number is weaker than economists had predicted and is the lowest month-over-month increase since March. 

HOS rule overtuned

The American Trucking Association and drivers have been arguing about the recent change in the HOS regulations and it looks like the federal appeals court has decided to uphold the majority of the government’s HOS rule for truck drivers.  According to Transport Topics, there was one provision that was overturned and that was the “decision not to exempt shorthaul drivers from the new requirement that drivers take 30-minute breaks before driving more than eight hours straight.”

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Do you consider yourself a patient driver?

Being a driver you need to have the utmost patience when on the road, especially if you are a truck driver. In order to maintain defensive driving you need to be aware of other drivers that might not be as patient. Identifying the problem before it turns into a bad habit can help break the cycle of road rage. Unfortunately road rage has become more previlant in recent years and is continuing to be a problem. You can identify these possible road ragers by their driving habits: following too closely, excessive lane changes, and sometimes the use of a mobile phone without a bluetooth. What can you do? Just stay calm and reamain patient, it may seem very simple, but the less amount of frustration used, the better. Stay safe out there and remember that we all share the road.

"Troops To Trucks"

The program “Troops To Trucks” based in Virginia has provided over 200 of our military men and women with commercial driver licenses. What makes this program so special is that it offers our service men and women the opportunity to drive a commercial motor vehicle should they choose. Troops To Trucks also waives the CDL (commercial drivers license) skills test for those that have at least two years driving experience. This is just one of many programs that are helping our Military get into jobs after serving. 

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A shout out to truck drivers

As I drive daily on the highway, I notice more and more how friendly truck drivers are. They are curtious of you switching lanes and tend to honk the horn when you signal the hand motion (as you probably did when you were a kid). Truck drivers lay it on the line daily to get to one place to another and sacrifice time with family or friends. I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for all you guys do!