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!
Alex explains the importance of accounting for potential delays when calculating your estimated arrival time (ETA) and the need to communicate this information with your driver manager. Remember that ETAs are rough estimates, so try to provide the most precise estimate possible. We understand that unexpected events may arise, so don’t stress if there are any changes to your ETA!
The network team spends time each week reviewing our network and looking for ways to improve it. We are always trying to find more freight that we can book directly through Customers and reduce the number of broker loads we are forced to accept. Our team builds relationships with our Customers and we depend on drivers making on-time deliveries so we can keep the lanes that are strongest for us. It is not uncommon for a Customer to take away lanes if the carrier cannot provide good service. We have been providing excellent on-time delivery for Wal-Mart, ADM, Georgia Pacific, and Graphic Packaging.
In addition, we focus on drop trailer opportunities to improve the experience for our drivers. We know drivers prefer to be able to drop and hook rather than wait for a very long unload. Here are some of the improvements we have made in the past few weeks:
Added a new lane out of Munster, IN that drops in Decatur, IL 10 times per week
Added two drop trailers in Friendship, TN so they can start preloading for us
Hired local drivers and created a drop lot in Cordele, GA to finish deliveries into Southern GA and stage shipments for road drivers. This provides a faster turnaround and less wait time for OTR drivers.
Our team’s goals for the year include growing Customer freight by 10% and reducing the bottom 10% of freight.
Examples of the bottom 10% include:
Lanes that do not pay well
Broker lanes
Lanes that have a long wait time
Lanes that are outside our dense network regions
We are also working to reduce our deadhead (or empty miles) by 5% this year. We have added a new Customer, Packaging Corporation, in Valdosta, GA to match up with deliveries we make in Valdosta on a daily basis.
Our team welcomes Customer leads from drivers so if you are at a facility that is friendly, clean, and quick…reach out to your Driver Manager so we can check it out!
Complacency is the result of habit. When we perform a task, a neural pathway is formed between the different areas of the brain involved in the completion of the task. As we complete the same tasks over and over, the neural pathway becomes established and reinforced, requiring less effort and less thinking on our part in order to complete the task. When this happens, we’re on a kind of “autopilot.” In certain fields, this can be a dangerous thing. Complacency causes decreased awareness and receptivity to events and hazards in the world, creating a dangerous, and possibly deadly, situation.
Statistics show experienced truck drivers are much more likely to be involved in a catastrophic crash. In a study run by HNI insurance company, almost all cases of their largest truck claims came from drivers with more than 5 years of experience; and this is a national trend. While rookie drivers may be making more minor mistakes such as fender benders, dings, etc., the more serious crashes are being caused by veteran drivers. Veteran drivers have experience and have developed confidence in their abilities. They have become comfortable with their jobs and that can lead to complacency. Road hazards, traffic congestion, and bad weather don’t go away when someone gains experience. Distracted or inattentive driving often comes with years of experience.
Safety is an ongoing endeavor. When you start feeling too comfortable, think about the hazards you may be missing. Change your routine a bit; any change from the usual can help you stay on your toes. Learn new techniques that can help you stay safe, such as hands-free technology, to help you avoid distractions. The cure for complacency is constant training and change.
Don’t miss out on our maintenance campaign to expand your knowledge and earn Pro-Points! The campaign’s main focus is to provide you with valuable insights and recommendations to help you maintain the wear and tear on tractor tires.
Those who complete the campaign activities below by March 15th, 2024, will receive 200 Pro-Points!
Thank you to the following drivers who completed our campaign!
Transitioning from a rookie driver to an experienced professional in the trucking industry is a journey filled with learning and growth. As you gain more miles under your belt and become skilled in navigating different routes and handling various loads, the role of owner-operator may start to emerge. Owning your truck not only represents a significant milestone in a truck driver’s career but, also offers a sense of freedom and independence on the road.
Imagine the life-changing benefits of being your boss, making strategic decisions, and reaping the rewards of your hard work. Over time, our team at Marvin Keller has witnessed firsthand the transformation of many drivers from rookies to experienced drivers to now thriving owner-operators. Obtaining the skills, experience, and commitment will help ensure your success in this career path.
Taking the leap from being a company driver to becoming an entrepreneur is a challenging but highly rewarding experience. If you’re prepared to take on the challenge and enjoy the freedom of owning your own business, keep in mind that the journey ahead is full of endless opportunities just waiting for you.
