The Official Blog of Penske Transportation Solutions

truck safety

As a professional driver, you face countless challenges on the road, and you can’t anticipate them all. But here’s one that’s totally within your control: keeping your cargo safe and secure.

[Read more...]Show less
More than 40% of truck drivers now live in a state that has legalized the use of marijuana, according to an American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) report. However, federal law still prohibits the use of marijuana by CMV drivers who engage in interstate travel.
[Read more...]Show less

When you press the brake pedal on your truck, you expect an instant response. Yet any number of issues can cause your vehicle’s braking systems to fail, increasing your risk of a serious accident while putting you and your cargo in danger. That’s why maintaining your truck’s braking system is so important and a major part of your Pre-Trip Inspection.

[Read more...]Show less

Professional drivers, get ready to share the road. Nearly 85% of Americans expect to travel this summer, according to a 2023 travel survey from The Vacationer. And 100 million people plan to take a road trip of 250 miles or more.

[Read more...]Show less

You may think distracted driving and DUIs cause the largest amount of traffic accidents each year — and you'd be right. But did you know that speeding is #3 on the list?

[Read more...]Show less

Drivers are required to ensure their vehicles are in top working order every day of the year by completing pre- and post-trip inspections and reporting any concerns to their management for remediation. But from Tuesday, May 16 – Thursday, May 18, 2023, drivers should take extra precautions.

[Read more...]Show less

You may know the saying, “April showers bring May flowers,” but these same wet conditions also create a variety of dangerous road hazards for professional drivers. In fact, flooding is now ranked as the second deadliest weather hazard in the U.S. each year, according to the National Weather Service. (Excessive heat is currently listed as the Number 1 deadliest U.S. weather hazard).

[Read more...]Show less

As a professional driver, you rely on your truck to operate at peak performance to keep you and those around you safe. That’s why it’s so important to conduct thorough pre-trip and post-trip inspections — and even check in on your truck and its load during your travels while at a weigh station or rest stop.

[Read more...]Show less

What hazards will this winter bring to commercial motor vehicle drivers? While nobody knows for sure how bad each winter may be, the Farmer’s Almanac indicates that the winter of 2022-23 will include plenty of snow, rain and mush, along with record-breaking cold in parts of the U.S.

[Read more...]Show less

It’s been a dangerous and deadly summer for tractor trailers and trains. In June, a collision between a dump truck and an Amtrak train in Missouri sparked a derailment that caused four deaths and an estimated $4 billion in damages.

[Read more...]Show less

If you haven’t recently checked all the components of your truck’s brake system, now is the time to get it done.

[Read more...]Show less

As an estimated 480,000 school buses return to U.S. roads over the next few weeks, it’s time for professional drivers to brush up on their own lesson plan: How to drive with care during back-to-school season. Remember these 7 words that can help you avoid an accident and potentially save a life.

[Read more...]Show less

The annual 72-hour Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's (CVSA) International Roadcheck roadside inspection blitz includes more than 40,000 commercial motor vehicle (CMV) inspections across the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

[Read more...]Show less

Spring marks the start of road construction season, and with more road work projects planned nationwide, professional drivers can expect to navigate more than their fair share of work zones.

[Read more...]Show less

More than 70% of the nation's roads sit in regions that see over 5 inches of snowfall each year. That means there's a good chance you'll encounter slippery and downright dangerous driving conditions over the next three months.

[Read more...]Show less

During the holiday season, more than one-third of Americans travel by car, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA). This year, experts expect those numbers to rise. The result: congested roads.

[Read more...]Show less

With holiday traffic volumes expected to be near pre-pandemic levels this year, professional drivers can expect to share the road with millions of motorists nationwide. But the highways won’t be the only crowded place. Truck stops and rest areas will be jam-packed, too!

[Read more...]Show less
Even though there's often less traffic on the roads at night, 50% of all traffic fatalities occur after sunset, according to the National Safety Council. The peak time of day for fatal crashes from October through March is between 4 – 7:50 p.m.
[Read more...]Show less

After spending most of 2020 indoors, people are heading outside again. According to TripAdvisor's 2021 Summer Travel Index, two-thirds of Americans plan to travel between June 1 and Aug. 31, and 43% of them expect to drive to their destination.

[Read more...]Show less

Your phone dings. It may be a social media message. An email. A text. But if you're behind the wheel, that ding could turn deadly.

[Read more...]Show less