Safety Sam

Lately there have been far too many stories about crooked driving schools and unsafe drivers on our road.

In the big move lately to rid the trucking industry of quickie budget schools, we sometimes forget that Canada is a long list of excellent driving schools from coast to coast. Schools that can almost guarantee a good career with a reputable fleet. New and prospective drivers assume that truck driving schools teach you how to drive a big rig. Unfortunately there is an assumption that if you how to handle a truck with a load on the highway and streets, then, you’re good to go. What prospective students may not get is how among top fleets, there is a laser focus on safety. It seems to be one of the areas that the El-Cheapo schools ignore. However, workplace safety not only applies to the trucking industry.

I talked to lady who well connected in the transportation industry and works for a company that is all about safety….and not only about trucking. The company is NATT Safety Services. My guest’s name is Samantha Clark. I took the liberty to call her “Safety Sam” because Sam knows safety probably better than anyone. Listen to my conversation with Samantha.

Ace and Red Seal Truckers

What the hell is going on in the trucking world?

1. · Unsafe equipment operating on our highways.
2. · Fake safety inspection decals?
3. · In a recent highway inspection, a third of trucks were placed out of service.
4. · Truckers’ licences suspended after uncovering dishonest testing and training
5. · Quickie Driving Schools and driving tests being approved for unqualified drivers

Finally, maybe good drivers have had enough. For example, in Quebec, truckers staged a slowdown protest on highways to demand action. After all, the growing number of dangerous drivers is impacting the vast majority of good professional safe drivers. Now, the four-wheeler public is beginning to notice.

So…who is going to fix this mess?

Well, I reached out to one guy who is not afraid the speak his mind and maybe ruffle some feathers….Mike “Ace” McCarron. We keep asking the government to step up, but maybe we need to look in the mirror.

Listen to Mike “Ace” McCarron. Download it.

What do you think of the Red Seal idea? Obviously from what Mike says, not everyone is on board. If you disagree, then what’s your idea? Doing nothing is not an option.

stancampbell@trucknewstalk.com

The Best Fleets to Drive For

This may sound like a repeat TNT Podcast. Yes, we do this every year around this time but this year there are some differences. According to the trucking industry, there is still and shortage of “qualified drivers” so the competition among companies is fierce. Of course, fleets want to attract the best drivers…and if you are a recruiter, you should be able to brag that your company is listed as one of the best fleets to drive for. If you are driver, naturally you want to work for a company that pays well, offers great benefits but most of all, listens to you. It’s time for drivers to nominate their companies and help create the list of the Best Fleets to Drive For. In this TNT Podcast, I will talk to Carriers Edge CE, Jane Jazrawy about how drivers can nominate their employer, and about who qualifies and who doesn’t, and how the Best Fleets to Drive For list is credible. To nominate your company…do as I did. Just Google it. Best Fleets to Drive For. May the best fleet win! Thanks to Howes Products, makers of Diesel Defender, a diesel Fuel Lubricator & Injector cleaner with advanced IDX4 Detergent.