A Rubric For the Road

HOW VELTRI EXPECTS THE BEST FROM ITS DRIVERS The trucking industry has been busy this past year and a half—and busy is good. Nationwide volume increases have freight shipment schedules packed. This means that carrier companies can be a bit more discerning when taking on new business. And part of being discerning means asking for a higher fee from customers. That being said, we recognize how important it is to never lose sight of the fact that our customers are our partners. Even when economics force us to charge more—especially when economics force us to charge more—it’s crucial to provide these partners with the superior service they deserve. Here’s what that looks like to us at Veltri. NO ROUGH PATCHES Our living is made behind the wheel. As such, Veltri takes driving records incredibly seriously. Our customers can expect “clean” to mean spotless—no accidents, moving violations or points. In addition, Veltri drivers have met strict criteria in terms of driving experience and background checks. BY THE BOOK A truck driver not being familiar with the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) rules and regulations is a bit like a practicing doctor who hasn’t attended med school. They don’t exist. Veltri drivers keep track of consecutive driving hours so they can maintain the utmost safety for themselves, customer shipments and other drivers. TICK TOCK This is pretty basic stuff, but our experienced drivers know that arriving on time isn’t an option—it’s a promise. We proudly serve the Southeastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, metro and rural areas with twenty-four-hour dispatch and GPP equipped vehicles. KNOW THY TRUCK The road is ever changing by nature. Our drivers can rely on their trucks as a constant no matter what lies beyond the windshield. Customers can be confident that their shipments will travel safe and sound through twisty on-ramps and summer storms. Veltri drivers are also equipped to complete small fix-up jobs if a mechanical issue should arise. This means they can get back on the road—and on schedule—as soon as possible. TALK TO ME Making customers happy starts with drivers who feel supported along their journey. Sometimes federal road regulations or a slow-loading shipper may force a driver off-schedule. Veltri’s drivers remain in constant communication with home base so delivery appointments can be amended if such circumstances arise. This enables us to keep our customers in the loop as well. One of our biggest points of pride at Veltri is that many of our drivers have been with us for over six years. That speaks to a relationship with trust at its core. Everything we do from there is imbued with that trust and our business is the better for it. Have any questions about a rubric for the road? Please don’t hesitate to reach out to a Veltri representative to get them answered. We look forward to hearing from you.

Federal Electronic Log Device Mandate Rings in New Year

As with any government rule, interpreting it into plain English is sometimes a challenge. Here’s a basic primer on the e-log mandate that specifies what it entails. In the 1930s, under Franklin D. Roosevelt’s administration, truck drivers were required to track their hours on paper, in logbooks frequently referred to as “comic books” because well, they could be manipulated manually. It’s no secret that a logbook showing falsified sleep-versus-drive times contributes to deadly driver-fatigue accidents. In 2012, Congress passed the “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century” bill (MAP21) that included a provision requiring mandatory federal Electronic Log Device or ELDs that track driver activity and movement in real time. Installation of the devices became mandatory in December 2017 and carriers and owner/operators have until December 12, 2019 to be fully compliant. Or face significant fines. The device is meant to record a driver’s record of duty status to show compliance with HOS requirements. Since the law was published in 2015, many companies have not delayed in embracing the new technology, working out the kinks in converting low-tech drivers into high-tech users while keeping costs within budget and getting loads to customers on time. Specific requirements of the rule are as follows: driver hours must be tracked electronically; the hours must be synchronized with the truck’s engine to ensure driving segments are captured; and the data must be passed to the safety or fleet manager on a real- time basis to maintain the required oversight. Many systems also incorporate map and route solutions to optimize navigation that restricts movement (traffic, accidents and construction). Proponents of the ELDs point out its obvious benefits: it saves drivers time by reducing paperwork; it ensures the driver is maintaining the required driving-to-rest schedule; and it keeps the carrier current for optimum load planning. On the other side, opponents point out such issues as faulty software, privacy protection, extended wait times at the customers loading dock that eat into drive time; and parking limitations due when it’s time to sleep. Delays in this business are costly and affect all parties involved. It’s going to take a collaborative approach to keep the wheels turning in the safest and most efficient manner possible. And Veltri is no different. Safer highways for our drivers and other motorists is always the goal. If you want to know how the ELD rule has been implemented at Veltri, Inc., give us a call at 215-946-6400.

As with any government rule, interpreting it into plain English is sometimes a challenge. Here’s a basic primer on the e-log mandate that specifies what it entails. In the 1930s, under Franklin D. Roosevelt’s administration, truck drivers were required to track their hours on paper, in logbooks frequently referred to as “comic books” because well, they could be manipulated manually. It’s no secret that a logbook showing falsified sleep-versus-drive times contributes to deadly driver-fatigue accidents. In 2012, Congress passed the “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century” bill (MAP21) that included a provision requiring mandatory ELDs that track driver activity and movement in real time. Installation of the devices became mandatory in December 2017 and carriers and owner/operators have until December 12, 2019 to be fully compliant. Or face significant fines. The device is meant to record a driver’s record of duty status to show compliance with HOS requirements. Since the law was published in 2015, many companies have not delayed in embracing the new technology, working out the kinks in converting low-tech drivers into high-tech users while keeping costs within budget and getting loads to customers on time. Specific requirements of the rule are as follows: driver hours must be tracked electronically; the hours must be synchronized with the truck’s engine to ensure driving segments are captured; and the data must be passed to the safety or fleet manager on a real- time basis to maintain the required oversight. Many systems also incorporate map and route solutions to optimize navigation that restricts movement (traffic, accidents and construction). Proponents of the ELDs point out its obvious benefits: it saves drivers time by reducing paperwork; it ensures the driver is maintaining the required driving-to-rest schedule; and it keeps the carrier current for optimum load planning. On the other side, opponents point out such issues as faulty software, privacy protection, extended wait times at the customers loading dock that eat into drive time; and parking limitations due when it’s time to sleep. Delays in this business are costly and affect all parties involved. It’s going to take a collaborative approach to keep the wheels turning in the safest and most efficient manner possible. Veltri is no different. Safer highways for our Drivers and other motorists is always the goal. If you want to know how the federal electronic log device mandate has been implemented at Veltri, Inc., give us a call at 215-946-6400!

Safety Measures That ALL Veltri Truck Drivers Take in Winter Weather

Veltri truck drivers practice during winter weather - no exceptions.

Pre-Trip Inspection Performing a pre-trip visual inspection of the entire vehicle is always important, but it is especially so when the temperatures start getting low outside. All truck drivers should check every important item, every time - like tires and tire pressures, wiper blades, fluids, lights and more.

Always Be Prepared It is also recommended that all truck drivers - including Veltri drivers - make sure that they have ALL necessary emergency items BEFORE a trip takes place to help make sure they're prepared for anything and everything, no exceptions. In the winter these items include a coat that can adequately support temperatures both during the day or at night, a bag of sand (or salt) and extra items like washer fluids, a windshield scraper, jumper cables, traction mats and much more.

SEE ALSO: Holiday Safety Tips for Truck Drivers

Spotting Black Ice Black ice is incredibly dangerous because it's so hard to see - however, there are certain visual cues that Veltri drivers are trained to look for that ALL truck drivers can benefit from. If ice begins to build up on the mirror arms of a truck, for example, or in small areas like antennas or even at the tops of a windshield, there is a very good chance that the conditions are similar on the road. At that point, drivers need to slow down and be aware that the conditions they face are getting worse by the minute.

Don't Be Afraid to Get Off the Road Finally, perhaps the most important safety measure that ALL truck drivers should adhere to during the winter has to do with good, old-fashioned common sense. Veltri drivers, for example, are trained to always listen to weather reports and warnings because conditions can quickly change by the minute - especially in areas like the mountains. We always want to meet our clients needs, but not at the expense of anyone's safety. Simply put, if your instincts are telling you that things are bad and that driving in ANY situation is a bad idea, don't be afraid to get off the road. At the end of the day, absolutely nothing is more important than a driver's ability to get home to his or her family after the job has been done.