Truck Driver Appreciation!
This week is the 36th Annual Truck Driver Appreciation Week! This week provides an opportunity to give special recognition to the truck drivers who do their jobs safely and professionally everyday!
These drivers will be recognized at the Haugen, Billings, and Conrad scales on September 18th. Where MTA and volunteers will be handing out food and goodies to thank the drivers for all their hard work!
ATA Releases Latest Edition of American Trucking Trends
The American Trucking Associations published the latest edition of its annual industry data compendium: American Trucking Trends 2024.
“Trends is an important record of how the trucking industry is performing,” said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. “That’s why it is on the shelves of business leaders and policymakers across North America.
“This year’s edition shows that 2023 was a very challenging year, but the industry weathered the storm, moving more than 11 billion tons of freight during the year,” he said.
Among the key findings in this year’s report:
· Preliminary figures indicate that trucks moved 11.18 billion tons of freight in 2023, down from the 11.46 billion tons hauled the previous year.
· Preliminary figures indicate that the industry saw revenues grow to $987 billion, up from $940.8 billion in 2022.
· Trucking employed 8.5 million people in industry-related jobs, including 3.55 million professional drivers in 2023.
· The industry remains one made up of small businesses, with 95.5% of carriers operating 10 or fewer trucks and 99.6% operating fewer than 100 power units.
· Cross-border trade remained a robust source of freight for motor carriers, with trucks moving 66.5% of surface trade between the US and Canada, and 84.5% of goods across the Mexican border in 2023.
This year’s version of Trends also includes important data about household goods movements, the broader macroeconomy and more.
“As government officials and business leaders make decisions that determine the trajectory of our economy, their choices can often affect the performance of our industry,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. “Accurate data and credible information are key to sound policymaking, which is why Trends has a place on the desks of fleet owners, suppliers, logistics professionals, lawmakers and anyone needing insight into the economy’s leading mover of freight.”
American Trucking Trends 2024 is available for purchase at ATABusinessSolutions.com.
MTA Annual Convention
The Convention is almost here! If you have not registered, that's okay we can still squeeze you in! Use this Link to download the registration and sponsorship form, this Link for the agenda or visit our Webpage! Thanks to our Convention gold Sponsor Superior Trailer Sales and I State Truck Centers!
Will's Safety Message
Continuing with last week’s message of safety 101, we will look at the next steps after starting a safety committee, performing a risk assessment, and make processes safer.
Train and motivate employees
Train employees in the hazards they face and how to perform their jobs safely. This should include new-hire safety orientation, task-specific training, and periodic refresher training. Motivate employees by providing praise for work done safely and constructive coaching for observations of unsafe behavior. When safety becomes a natural part of everyday conversation, it’s much easier to address the gaps and recognize progress. For more information, see our training and motivating tips.
Manage workers’ compensation claims
An effective safety approach integrates effective claims management. First steps include:
Designating a claims manager and the reporting process.
Educating employees about the need to immediately report all injuries and accidents.
Accommodating injured employees within their medical restrictions with transitional duty through a Return to Work program.
Plan your compliance with safety laws and regulations
There is much more to safety management than legal compliance. However, compliance with federal / OSHA and state requirements is an important aspect of safety management. OSHA regulations do an excellent job of addressing hazards with potentially catastrophic or fatal consequences. The Montana Safety Culture Act adds measures to help promote a culture of safety that can help improve your company’s safety stats and long-term success.
Stay Safe!
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