Our commitment to a culture of driver safety goes beyond just making it a priority-it’s a core value that we uphold in every aspect of our operations. We understand that the well-being of our drivers is paramount, and we strive to create an ideal state where safety is above all else. The statistics from FMCSA highlighting 168,320 truck accidents in 2022, with 4,766 of those resulting in fatalities, serve as a reminder to remain vigilant and never to take shortcuts. As a professional driver, it’s important to do the right thing when no one is watching and develop reliable routines. Don’t think because an accident hasn’t happened to you that it won’t happen.
Key factors contributing to CMV accidents such as driver fatigue, unsafe driving practices, and distracted driving, emphasize the need for comprehensive safety measures. Through ongoing training, and implementing the latest technology, equipment, and safety protocols, we are dedicated to ensuring that our drivers have the knowledge, tools, and support they need to operate safely on the road. Taking advantage of our driver safety technologies enables us to proactively identify risks at both the driver and fleet levels in real time, enhancing driver safety and performance while reducing the likelihood of accidents.
Safety is more than just a priority; it is a core value influencing all our operations. We foster a safety-conscious culture within our fleet to enhance road safety in the community and ensure our drivers return home safely every time. You must do your part to never compromise safety or put yourself or the company at risk.
It’s important to keep your truck clean. Everyone notices a nice, clean truck, especially shippers and receivers. When drivers make the effort to ensure that their trucks are well kept, customers notice this and are more likely to do business with that company.
The benefits of keeping the exterior of your truck clean go beyond just having a nice-looking truck on the road. Dirt, road salt, and debris can all contribute to rust and corrosion, causing early wear and tear and requiring costly repairs. Drivers also believe that the DOT is less likely to perform lengthy, full inspections on trucks that look clean and tidy. Regular cleaning and maintenance of the engine and air filters also help to extend the life of the truck. When it comes to selling your truck, a well-maintained, clean rig is going to have a higher value than one that has been neglected.
It’s not just the exterior of your truck that should be cleaned. Studies indicate that a messy, cluttered workplace lowers productivity; cluttered space often leads to a cluttered mind, causing stress and poor performance. The cab of a truck is no different. It’s the driver’s workspace and often their homes during the week for OTR drivers. Keeping things neat and tidy will help drivers keep an open, clear head that’s ready for the challenges of the job. Besides just clutter, keeping the interior disinfected or sanitized regularly will keep mold, bacteria, pollen, and viruses at bay, improving driver health.
Making cleanliness a part of your regular routine is a great way to make sure this gets done.
Spend at least 30 minutes a week organizing and cleaning; windows, sweeping, dusting
Bed linens should be washed every two weeks. Once a month is too long!
At least once a month, do a deep clean that includes scrubbing the floor and upholstery with warm water and detergent
Discard any unnecessary items as more clutter is harder to keep organized
Your truck is a reflection of you as a driver and the company as a whole. Keep it clean to project that image of professionalism and show you have pride in your job.
The Illinois Department of Transportation is resuming work on IL-121/Mt. Zion Road April 15, 2024. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction at times.
For those driving through this area, make sure to count for the construction traffic when trip planning or looking into taking an alternate route.
There’s no sugar-coating it; the past year has been an especially terrible year for freight. And the beginning of 2024 has been no picnic, either. But according to market analysts, there is a glimmer of light at the end of the long tunnel in this great freight recession we’ve been enduring.
As we inch closer to the end of the first quarter of 2024 we look toward the (usually) busier spring season for some signs of life in the freight market. Traditionally, spring brings at least a slight boost to the freight economy as seasonal purchases such as home improvement and gardening needs increase. Reefer trailers are tied up with produce in the late spring and summer, providing van carriers with some extra freight. While we didn’t see that boon last year, indicators show that we might start seeing that again this year.
One tool that quickly shows the strength of the market is the Outbound Tender Reject Index, produced by the trucking industry company Freightwaves. This just measures how much-contracted freight carriers are declining from their customers. The more freight they decline, the better the market is for carriers as they are getting other freight or better offers. Conversely, the fewer freight carriers are declining, the fewer options they have and the more dependent they are on everything they can get.
To have an idea of when the market will turn requires a little background on how we got to this position in the first place. The major sectors which affect trucking freight are industrial production, construction, and consumer goods. When the demand for any of these is down, trucking will be affected. When the Covid pandemic hit, the government went on a spending spree, printing trillions of dollars in the forms of “stimulus” and “recovery” payments. Consumers then also went on spending sprees. The result was a boon for the trucking industry. Trucking companies bought more equipment and hired more drivers; brokerages popped up overnight to cover the excess freight. However, the hangover has lasted a lot longer than the party. All the spending created record inflation. When people have trouble just paying their bills, they’re not spending. The inflation has caused interest rates to surge; people aren’t buying homes and homes aren’t being built. Retailers have huge inventory gluts that are still holding strong from the pandemic splurge. All that adds up to a slow economy and less demand for trucks.
The good news is that inventories are beginning to return to normal, pre-pandemic levels. Analysts believe that freight rates have hit the bottom and probably won’t plunge any further. The market is currently saturated with trucking companies and as the less-resilient companies leave the market due to economic conditions, rates will go up for those still around.
Marvin Keller has endured every freight downturn and will continue to do so. We are constantly innovating; every day we source and gain new customers and drivers and we optimize our network so we will be in a prime position to thrive once the market turns. Right now, the market is saturated with drivers. With more and more truckers chasing a limited supply of loads, competition is tough and prices are low. In order to stay competitive in this market, drivers must step up their game and focus on providing customers with the best service possible.
Each quarter, the Producer Badge is awarded to drivers who are in the Top 10% of the fleet in which they exceed the quarterly productivity goals. This badge symbolizes the driver’s hard work and success within Marvin Keller.
Congratulations to the following drivers who earned the Producer Badge for 2024 – Quarter 1!!
Owner Operators – Top 10% Total Revenue for the Quarter
Team Drivers: Junrey Montejo & Daniel Nunez
George Robinson
Rhonda Miller
Nicholas Harjung
Terry Hodge
Company Drivers, OTR – Top 10% Fleet in Total Miles
Branham Team – 58,654
Bruchman Team – 44,461
Richard Merrill = 41,324
Orville Merrill – 37,117
Allen Fitzgerald – 37,092
Company Drivers, 4 On/4 Off – Top 10% Fleet in Total Miles
Joshua Johnson – 25,994
Robert Benton – 25,365
Deb Coleman – 23,098
Caprice Dean – 22,947
Matthew McCants – 22,819
Gifford Libby – 22,629
Terrence Bridgers – 22,024
When Drivers receive the Producer Badge, they earn 1,000 Pro Points. Being in the Top 10% is a great achievement and we appreciate the extra work these drivers put in to be our Top Producers! Keep up the great work drivers!
After reviewing all the referral submissions, we had a four-way tie! Please watch the video to see who won first and second-place prizes!
Snowmen built:
Frank Rich
Scott Lamotte
Wes Thomas
Ricky Sanftner
Referral Submissions:
Anthony Collins
Merk Coleman-Goode
Anthony Dent
Myles Rogers
Dennis Bradley
Mark Favreau
George Robinson
Brian Doughty
Jimmy Hendrix
Congratulations to Frank Rich & Wes Thomas! Thank you to everyone who participated! We greatly appreciate your referrals. Stay tuned for our Spring Referral Campaign.
Texting while driving is one of the leading causes of distracted driving accidents. Even though people are conscious of the risks and the fact that using phones while driving may be illegal, many still choose to engage in this dangerous activity, putting themselves and others at risk.
The “Put the Phone Away or Pay” campaign by NHTSA serves as a reminder of the grave dangers and legal consequences, including fines, associated with texting and other forms of messaging while driving. Texting while driving is illegal in 49 states, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands. Police enforcement of texting and distracted-driving laws typically increases from April 4-8 to bring awareness of the issue.
A recent FMCSA regulation prohibits commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers from using handheld mobile devices. The rule prohibits drivers from holding a mobile device to make calls or dialing by pressing more than one button. CMV operators are allowed to use only hands-free devices placed nearby while driving. Studies funded by FMCSA reveal that CMV drivers who dial a mobile phone while driving are six times more likely to be involved in safety-critical incidents like crashes or near-crashes compared to those who do not. Dialing drivers typically divert their attention from the road for an average of 3.8 seconds, covering a distance of 306 feet at 55 mph (equivalent to the length of a football field) without looking at the road.
What is the definition of using a mobile telephone while driving?
Using at least one hand to hold a mobile phone to make a call
Dialing a mobile phone by pressing more than a single button; or
Reaching for a mobile phone in a manner that requires a driver to maneuver so that he or she is no longer in a seated driving position, restrained by a seat belt.
Drive Safe Every Trip
Consider these tips for safe driving:
Secure a mount for your phone.
Utilize a headset, earpiece, or voice-activated dialing to ensure hands-free operation.
Distracted driving encompasses more than just texting; it includes eating and adjusting the radio. Stay focused and use defensive driving techniques.
When you get behind the wheel, be an example to your family and friends by putting your phone away. Just because other people do it doesn’t mean texting and driving is “normal” behavior.
Cell phone use while driving is dangerous and illegal. Break the cycle. Remember: Put the Phone Away or Pay
We have sent all Drivers a link to this survey to determine what we can improve and the effectiveness and performance of our Driver Training, Operations, and Driver Management Team. We are asking you to take some time to fill out this survey. We care about your thoughts and opinions and really want your detailed feedback. Our simple goal is improvement.
Fill out as many questions as you can. View the form by clicking on the link below. Once your survey is complete, your driver manager schedules a time to talk about your response.
The most successful drivers are highly organized. Organization is a means of managing your life, and it involves both your physical world and your mental state. When our physical surroundings are cluttered, our minds are as well. When we organize our days into regular routines, we are more productive and efficient.
Drivers who are highly organized and productive have routines they follow every day. They plan their trips in advance and know exactly when they need to leave out while accounting for a thorough pre-trip inspection, breaks, and possible traffic delays. Having a routine and following through with it every day is a great way to stay organized and productive. When you’re rushing around because you didn’t plan out your day it causes you to miss pickups and deliveries, take unsafe shortcuts, and can cause you to feel overwhelmed and stressed. It also frequently leads to downtime and money loss.
Organized drivers keep their paperwork organized and turned in every day. Bills of lading are currency in the trucking industry. In many cases, we can’t get paid without them. Drivers who don’t have a good system for organizing paperwork frequently lose bills or don’t get them turned in in a timely manner. This causes revenue loss for the company. Scanning in paperwork every day and keeping bills organized in a folder or binder removes the clutter and ensures you get paid for your work.
Having organized days allows you extra time and improves your work-life balance because you are able to manage your time more effectively. Time is a precious commodity, especially in the trucking industry where regulations have limited drivers to a certain number of work hours per day. By planning in advance, sticking to a schedule, and prioritizing tasks, you can be more productive and successful in your career.
Just a quick update on our exciting driver referral event! We’ve welcomed 3 drivers from your referrals – way to go!
To participate in this campaign, refer a driver and you might win a fantastic summer getaway to a sandy beach in our vacation giveaway draw! Remember, ask them to enter your name in the referral section of the application, and we’ll handle the rest.
Thank you for your referrals to the following drivers!
Anthony Dent
Brian Doughty
Anthony Collins
George Robinson
Myles Rogers
Scott Lamotte
Dennis Bradley
Garrett McWilliams
Mark Favreau
Wes Thomas
Jessica Wilson
Frank Rich
Merkeresseria Coleman-Goode
Here’s what the prizes look like:
The Driver who builds the most snowmen wins the first grand prize – a vacation giveaway (location and dates are TBA)
The Driver who builds the second most snowmen wins the second grand prize – a cash prize
How to build your Snowmen:
Application: receive the bottom layer of the snowman
Applicant Interview: receive the middle layer of the snowman
Applicant Hired: receive the snowman’s head
Applicant Seated: receive the snowman’s accessories
Referrals are good now through March 30th, 2024. Don’t miss out on your chance to win big – start referring drivers today!
