Category: Safety

Hello Drivers,

Due to recent hazmat violations, participation in our Load Securement Safety Campaign is now mandatory for all drivers.

We’ve recently seen a sharp increase in our CSA Hazmat score—from no score to 75%—as a result of these violations. As a reminder:

• All hazmat loads must be secured with at least two straps
• Paperwork must be verified
• Proper placards must be displayed on all four sides of the trailer

• Plan the trip, taking into account any hazmat route restrictions
• Shipping papers – must be within arm’s reach when in the truck or in the driver’s seat when out of the cab
• Emergency Response Guidebook and Hazmat Compliance Book should be in the pocket of the door

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Load Securement Safety Campaign

To complete the campaign, review the required materials and fill out the Google Form by October 31, 2025. Doing so will also earn you 200 Pro-Points.

Campaign Materials:

Load Securement – Flyer

Load Securement – Video & Google Form

So far, 38 drivers have completed the campaign. If you haven’t yet, please make it a priority.

CVSA Brake Safety Week is scheduled for August 24 -30, so we can expect to see an increase in DOT inspections with a focus on brakes.

For more information, please visit:

Brake Safety Campaigns

At MK, we’re proud to welcome a new wave of Student Drivers. As you begin your career behind the wheel, there’s no better way to prepare than by learning from those who’ve already traveled the road ahead.

We asked some of our experienced MK Driver Trainers to share the advice they always pass along to their students. From safety tips to mindset shifts, here’s what they had to say:

Wes Thomas – Practical, Real-World Wisdom

I’ve got a few go-to phrases I like to share with new drivers:

“When in doubt, don’t pull out.”

If a move feels risky, don’t do it. Better to wait than to cause an accident.

“Keep the G’s to an ease.”

Take turns and stops slowly and smoothly to avoid shifting your load.

Midday fatigue hits us all. A tip?

“Chewing gum has actually been shown to improve alertness more than coffee, loud music, or rolling your window down.”

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Charity Battley – Integrity Behind the Wheel

“It’s too easy to do the right thing the first time — and every time!”

Charity encourages new drivers to stay focused on professionalism and not to be swayed by the shortcuts they might see others take:

“You’ll see drivers out there doing the wrong thing — don’t be tempted.”

Her advice is clear: doing the right thing consistently is not just about safety, it’s about who you are as a professional.

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Ken Newby – Stay Aware, Stay Safe

Ken has a wealth of hard-earned advice, and it all centers around one thing: vigilance.

• Secure the Trailer: Always check your kingpin — especially after a break. Some drivers have had it pulled as a prank.
• Check the Seal: For food-grade freight, confirm the seal number before you roll.

• Inspect Often: Pre-trips protect you from being blamed for damage. Even quick stops deserve a walk-around.
• Don’t Be Rushed: If you’re backing up, take your time. Watch out for untrustworthy “helpers” who may try to mislead you.

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Ryan Ernst – Read Every Sign

“Pay attention to every sign — especially the ones just for trucks.”

Ryan reminds new drivers that truck-specific signage is everywhere. From low clearances to weight limits, train your eyes to catch what your car-driving days may have missed.

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Brian Doughty – One Day at a Time

“If you make a mistake, it’s not the end of the world. Learn from that mistake.”

Brian offers an encouraging reminder to all new drivers: Perfection isn’t required, but a willingness to learn is. If you mess up today, take the lesson with you and move forward. Every day is a fresh opportunity to be better than yesterday.

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Travis Bartels – Never Rush the Important Stuff

“It doesn’t matter how long it takes you to back into a spot. Ensure that it’s done safely and get out and look as many times as you need to accomplish the back safely.”

Backing isn’t a race — it’s about accuracy and safety. Travis reminds students that taking your time shows professionalism, not weakness.

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Greg Allsop – Habits That Make a Difference

A seasoned driver and Smith System Trainer, Greg shares habits that set professionals apart:

• GOAL: Always Get Out And Look when backing. Check both sides for the safest angle.
• Verify the Coupling: Don’t just rely on the tug test. Use a flashlight to inspect the fifth wheel, locking jaw, trailer plate, and handle.
• Smart Trip Planning: Use downtime to map out multiple stop options. Aim for one ideal stop and backup locations every hour to reduce stress.
• Coordinate Breaks: Pair your 30-minute break with fueling, loading, or unloading to maximize your time.
• Trip Inspections: Use your 10-hour break to fix issues and avoid delays the next day.

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Jeremiah Brubaker – Safety First, Always

Jeremiah’s advice is simple, yet essential:

• “Use G.O.A.L. every time you back.”
• “On downgrades, you can always gain speed — but can you stop safely?”
• “Take as many pull-ups as needed.”
• “Know your limits.”
• “Always keep food and water in the truck in case of breakdowns.”
• “And most of all — be safe and have fun.”

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To Our New Drivers:

Starting a new role as a Student Driver at MK is an exciting step, and it comes with a responsibility to yourself, your team, and everyone you share the road with. Their advice isn’t just about turning a wheel — it’s about becoming a professional.

To all our new drivers: We’re glad you’re here. You have a strong team behind you, and we can’t wait to see the great things you’ll accomplish.

Some of the most meticulous, careful drivers are rookies. They’re not as skilled and they’re not as comfortable on the road, but they’re focused on everything they need to do to safely drive the truck. Because of that hyper focus, they are much less likely to have a critical crash than a veteran driver. Sound hard to believe? The vast majority of critical crashes involve drivers with more than five years of experience. Why do you suppose that is? It’s because rookies are still learning, their jobs haven’t become familiar, and they haven’t become complacent.

Safety complacency is the tendency to overlook repetitive tasks necessary for safe operation of the vehicle. When you do a job for a while, you gain familiarity and you form normal patterns of behavior. Eventually, this behavior becomes second nature and you can repeat it almost without actively thinking about it. While routines can be very helpful, they can also cause safety hazards. When you become comfortable, you don’t tend to pay as much attention. You are more prone to distractions, such as reaching for a phone, flipping through the radio stations, watching the scenery, etc. When you let your guard down, you open yourself up to mistakes.

There are ways to prevent complacency by making small changes in your workday.

• Make slight changes to your routine, do your pre and post-trip inspection duties in a different order than usual or do MORE than necessary. Break at a truck stop you haven’t used before. Most drivers have favorite lanes they like to run and different parts of the country they prefer. Ask for a trip somewhere you haven’t been before. Take familiarity out of the equation; break your normal patterns. While it’s normal for drivers to want to be familiar with their routes, that can create complacency.
• Make pit stops. If you’re feeling distracted or tired, stop somewhere and walk, stretch, or get something to drink. Do anything that will break the monotony.
• Learn something new; do regular ongoing safety training. Safety is an integral part of company culture and is not to be compromised.
• Be open to new technology. Dash cams can now use AI to detect if a driver looks distracted or tired. These technologies may seem intrusive, but they can save lives.
• Be willing to accept new challenges. Not being challenged leads to complacency and decreased responsiveness to environmental stimuli.

Critical crashes have ended careers and bankrupted trucking companies. A few years ago an MK driver had a critical crash due to complacency. The fallout from something like that takes a long time to dissipate. Please pay attention, avoid complacency, and avoid becoming a statistic. We want everyone to arrive at their destinations and return home safely. Don’t drive with your brain on autopilot.