Posts Tagged ‘Top trucking companies’

Cameras Catch By-Passers In The Act

By David Lemke

Motor Carrier Transportation Division size and weight enforcement officers are taking advantage of weigh station camera systems to educate truckers of the folly in illegally bypassing when a station is open. From October 2008 through September 2009, size and weight enforcement officers were able to identify trucks that drove by an open weigh station and issue 701 citations or warnings to drivers. Most enforcement actions, 523 of the 701 total, occurred at weigh stations with the bypass detection systems.

 

Oregon has a reputation now for strict enforcement of weigh station stops. For example, here’s a posting at the Web site called coops are open:

 

 

“Vehicles over 20,000 lbs are required to enter Oregon weigh stations.

 

“Don’t even think about blowing by Oregon weigh stations. Oregon is spending big bucks to install cameras in the roadway- they’ll catch you if you drive on by. You’ll get a citation- $472 to $2,500- in the mail and have a court appearance to deal with.” Bypass detection systems are recording truck traffic in Oregon. The camera systems include one high-speed video camera that captures images of license plates under any lighting conditions and a second camera that captures an image of each vehicle. The entire stream of traffic is recorded on a DVR for playback at any time. This is not like the camera systems many cities have installed at intersections to catch vehicles running red lights. Those systems have a dual purpose of enforcing the law and raising revenue. Oregon’s weigh station bypass cameras are only there to enforce the law.

 

Look us up at www.navajo.com

1-800-525-1969

Stop by and see us at

1400 W. 64th Ave.

Denver, CO 80221

Things Are Heating Up

By Gwyne Presser

It’s Hot. Miserably hot. I know it’s summer in Colorado and it sometimes gets hot, but it usually isn’t 95+ degrees in June. If it is this hot now what is July and August going to be like? After walking outside to my car a few minutes ago I seriously considered moving to Alaska, but I love Colorado so I thought I would look up some ideas for how to survive this scorching heat. Here are some of my top picks:

Wardrobe selection is key. Wear light weight, light-colored loose-fitting clothing. Verses what I chose to wear today black pants and a black long sleeved shirt.

Put the Mountain Dew Down!! Don’t drink liquids that contain caffeine, alcohol, or large amounts of sugar – these actually cause you to lose more body fluid. If you sweat allot on a hot day, sports drinks are preferred over water because they will replenish sodium. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Drink more fluids regardless of your activity level. Don’t rely upon thirst as an indicator of your need for water; it’s not reliable in very high heat.

Check with your doctor if you have health problems that require you to limit fluid intake or you’re taking diuretics - ask him/her how much you should drink while the weather is hot. I am an HR Manager I had to include a disclaimer of some kind.

Mist Away. Fill a spray bottle with water and keep it in the refrigerator for a quick refreshing spray to your face after being outdoors.

Spice Things Up.  Eating spicy foods like hot peppers, fresh ginger and black pepper will help lower your body temperature through sweating.  Hmmm, will have to try this and report back.

Hat Hair. You lose a major portion of body heat through your head, which is bad in winter but good in summer. So on hot days, don’t cover your noggin tightly with a hat.

Preventing Accidents, Easy As Double Checking

By Lydia Paulson

Ron Wristen and I work in the Safety Department and we are seeing a lot of accidents that could be preventable if the driver would take just a moment to check to make sure nothing is behind them before backing up. 

We also see a lot of accidents where the driver hits a fixed object.  We ask that you just take a moment to check your surroundings to make sure it is safe to back up or make a left or right turn.

 

Look us up at www.navajo.com

1-800-525-1969

Stop by and see us at

1400 W. 64th Ave.

Denver, CO 80221

The Tools You Have, Can Make Your Job Easier

By Joanna Figueroa

Remember when everything was easy and you worked with paper logs? It can still be that easy as long as you let the tools provided work to your benefit.
 
Make a check list so that a routine is easier to follow, especially when it comes to getting all the macros sent in. A great way to start would be Macro 18 and 19, which we all know are pre and post inspections for tractor and trailer. It is very important that these macros get sent  in daily at least twice a day. Sometimes we forget to send them in whenever a trailer is switched out. This happens with relays and/or drop and hooks. By making sure these macros are completed and sent in, we are ensured that  the equipment is safe for transit.
 
Accidents do happen, always send in delay macros when an issue arises. Delay macros notify everyone involved with the load. Even if a flat tire doesn’t delay our on time performance we are prepared for the worst.
 
If we take just a few steps towards the right path we will make our jobs a lot easier and the roads a safer place
 
Thank you and good night!

Keep Your Ear To The Ground Navajo

By Douglas Webberly

When a driver is delivering to a customer and they see some other possible business in the same area, get that business name and the city and state and send that to your fleet manager so it can be pass on to Sales. 
 
 By doing this, we can take this lead and turn it into an account. By passing good leads on, it could help reduce your deadhead after unloading, and in turn, ultimately improve our CSA scores.
 

Reefer and O,S,& D Refresher

By Tina Madrid

Due to the warmer temperatures at this time of the year we need to be extra careful when hauling refrigerated loads. When you are dispatched on one of these loads make sure your reefer unit is working correctly. Check the unit for any codes it may be displaying and check all fluid levels. This is required during your DOT pre trip inspection. Check the bill of lading for the required temperature and make sure the reefer unit is set correctly and the temperature is in Fahrenheit.
 
If there is a temperature requirement shown in our dispatch and it is different from the bill of lading, GO BY THE BILL OF LADING. If you are having issues with the reefer unit put in a breakdown macro  immediately as well as a Macro 5. If you have any doubt what so ever please contact the Navajo OS&D department by sending in a macro 5 or give us a call. If we all work together as a team we will be successful.
 
OS&D Contacts:          Tina @ Ext. 0770         Kelly @ Ext. 0701

Invitation to Attend Orientation Just to Refresh

Written by David Lemke

Navajo Express has an open drivers orientation. We conduct these orientations every week Monday Through Friday. All company drivers and owner operators are welcome to sit in any of the sessions. We cover topics like: QUALCOMM, EOBR’s, payroll, accident handling etc.

So if you would like to get some help or an update on any of the driver orientation sessions you’re welcome to attend. Just get approval from your driver manager and let the safety department or terminal manager know.

 

Look us up at www.navajo.com

1-800-525-1969

Stop by and see us at

1400 W. 64th Ave.

Denver, CO 80221

We’re the Nations TOP Trucking Company for a REASON

By Don Digby Jr., President, Navajo Express, Inc.

It takes a lot to stay on top in the world of transportation. Dedicated transportation is achieved through outstanding customer relationships, and by hiring and keeping the best drivers in the industry. Navajo Express in Denver, CO is committed to building the nation’s top fleet.

 Don Digby Sr. has purchased 100 new Kenworth T-660 trucks, scheduled to begin arriving in May. Adding to Navajo’s already modern fleet, offering no trucks older than 2010. We continue to work hard to keep our fleet up to date for our drivers. At Navajo, drivers are our #1 customer.

 In addition to the new trucks, we also have 150 new Utility refrigerated trailers that we are taking delivery on now. It is an exciting time to be on the Navajo Team. Come check us out at www.navajo.com. Or if you’re in the Denver area, come by the office and check us out. If a career in truck driving is the path you’ve chosen, see why the Navajo companies is among America’s best trucking companies.

Look us up at www.navajo.com

Truck Navajo Express
Truck Navajo Express

1-800-525-1969

Stop by and see us at
1400 W. 64th Ave.
Denver, CO 80221
 

Rally the TRUCKS, Bring Home the Hardware

 

This year’s Truck Driving Championships will take place on June 2th, at the Adams County Fairgrounds.  That address is 9755 Henderson Rd., Brighton, CO, 80601. The Colorado TDC is a chance for drivers to show off their skills and enjoy a fun family day of free food and friendly competition.   Winners of the Colorado rodeo will advance to the National TDC event, which is set for Minneapolis, Minnesota between August 8-11, 2012.

 

We would like to get at least 7 drivers registered to compete. Navajo will also furnish some food and beverages, as we have done in the past. Navajo’s Denver based drivers that have an interest in competing, please advise the safety department to check your eligibility and get your entrance form completed!

 

We would also like to extend an invitation to all Navajo family and friends to come out and support our driving team. Lets keep the trophy at Navajo.

 

Look us up at www.navajo.com

1-800-525-1969

Stop by and see us at

1400 W. 64th Ave.

Denver, CO 80221

Thanks for the help, pal. Signed, a relieved trucker.

Written by Scott Hughson

I was on the last stop of a three stop meat load. The customer was a grocer in central New Jersey, off of I-287. The direction on the qualcomm macro stated “Follow directions to a tee or risk turning your reefer into a flatbed.” A mental image of a low bridge entered my mind. As a precaution, I called the customer for directions, but no habla English. So….no back up directions.

Of course, I got lost and relied on Google maps to direct me three blocks from a 12’3” bridge. I found it, the low bridge, and the customer was on the other side of it. Right downtown! I swung wide right and some four-wheelers had to back up for me to complete the lost trucker turn. I came to a residential area, and a sign stating “No trucks over 4 tons”.

I took another wide right turn into a neighborhood of side by side houses. I put on the four ways and pulled the yellow knob. Some kids and their parents were playing inside a chain link fence so I asked them for directions to the store and in broken English, they directed me to the same low bridge. Every driver goes through this same madness! I needed to take a moment and gather my wits.

After a couple of minutes, I took the address of one of the houses and the street name and called 911. I told them I was and over-the-road truck driver and needed help with directions so I would not get stuck under a low bridge in town. I was forwarded to an officer and I gave him my location. As he started giving me directions, I told him I didn’t want to tear up his town with this big rig, and asked if he could send someone to escort me safely to the customer, which he did.

Within ten minutes, a plain wrapper with flashing lights under the hood guided me like I was in a parade. He brought me to the right bridge for safe passage and pointed me to the customer. I flashed my lights as a courteous gesture of thanks and made the turn. I still made it to the customer on time with no damage to my truck or trailer. I don’t make a habit of calling 911, but in this case, my trucker instinct told me it was the right call to make.

Look us up at www.navajo.com

1-800-525-1969

Stop by and see us at

1400 W. 64th Ave.

Denver, CO 80221