TD146: Personal Safety For Truckers

Boy oh boy, have we got a good show today. We’re going to talk about personal safety tips for truckers and some of you are going to be a part of it.

But before that we’ve got news stories about truck drivers and protestors, inspections and ELD coercion, more deadline extensions, and electric trucks.

We’ll also talk about health issues including sleep apnea and amputees getting CDLs. Marijuana use is on the rise too, which makes sense with the insane changes to liability insurance the government is trying to make.

We’ll also discuss the government owning part of a major trucking company through a controversial bailout deal and how changes in routing could change the future for truckers.

Top it off with a few emails from you and we’ll wrap it up.

Listen to the podcast version or read the full article and the podcast show notes on AboutTruckDriving.com or search for Trucker Dump in your favorite podcast app.

Be sure to check out the 25% off ebook combo pack for Trucking Life and How to Find a Great Truck Driving Job while you're there.

This episode of Trucker Dump is sponsored by:

Pilot Flying J app - Check out all the awesome features of the Pilot Flying J app.

Volvo Trucks - Check out the new Volvo Dynamic Steering on the VNL and VNR series and watch the all the videos on the Volvo YouTube page.

Links mentioned in the news segment:

Surviving a Level 3 driver inspection: Are you ready? from OverdriveOnline.com

Truck driver safety a top priority amid nationwide protests from FleetOwner.com

‘He didn’t get the signal’: Trucker arrested for driving into MN protests released without charges from OverdriveOnline.com

Staying safe during civil protests when avoidance not possible from OverdriveOnline.com

Wyoming DOT closing 10 rest areas, eliminating 80 truck parking spaces from OverdriveOnline.com

The irony of e-logging and coercion: Complaints on a steady rise since mandate from OverdriveOnline.com

FMCSA Says Congress Can’t Make Them Delay HOS Changes, Expects Rollout To Proceed As Planned from TheTruckersReport.com

Truck Driver Training, License Renewal, Medical Certification Waivers Get Another Extension from TheTruckersReport.com

Evidence emerges of stricter approach – and confusion – around sleep apnea screening from OverdriveOnline.com

Trucking Law: Severe physical setback might not end career from OverdriveOnline.com

For further information on the SPE, call the program in Washington, D.C., at Call 1-202-366-4001 or email [email protected].

Marijuana Use Top Finding in First Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse Report from TruckingInfo.com

Rise in marijuana use among truckers expected to continue from OverdriveOnline.com

Amendment Passed To Double Mandatory Insurance Minimums for Truckers To $2 Million from TheTruckersReport.com

Liability insurance hike: Guess who would benefit? from OverdriveOnline.com

YRC getting $700 million government bailout for nearly 30% stake in fleet from OverdriveOnline.com

Trucking Company Charged With Defrauding Defense Department Gets $700 Million Bailout Just 12 Days After Former CEO Confirmed In New Federal Post from TheTruckersReport.com

California passes ‘first-in-the-world rule’ to ban sale of all new diesel trucks by 2045 from CDLLife.com

House Democrats Will Call for 100% Clean Cars by 2035 from ttnews.com (Transport Topics)

West Coast Utilities Offer Plan for Charging Stations Along Interstate 5 from ttnews.com (Transport Topics)

DOT Launches AV Test Initiative from ttnews.com (Transport Topics)

FHWA Grant Supports Automated Truck Corridor on Interstate 70 from ttnews.com (Transport Topics)

Industry Trends, Driver Preference Pave Way for Hub-to-Hub Routes from ttnews.com (Transport Topics)

Links mentioned in the main topic:

Learn more about Tasers

Taser requirements state-by-state

Stun gun guidelines by state

Pepper spray laws by state

49 CFR Part 393.95 explaining DOT fire extinguisher requirements

What do the numbers/letters on a fire extinguisher mean?

TD145: Being An Oversize/Overweight Load Truck Driver

TD129: 4 Ways To Become A More Efficient Trucker

TD132: Should We Call Out Bad Truckers?

Below are all the Amazon Affiliate links mentioned in the show. And a reminder that the seller pays my meager referral fee, not you.

A small pocketknife similar to the one I own (Amazon affiliate link)

3-in-1 tactical knife with window breaker, seat belt cutter, and serrated blade (Amazon affiliate link)

Taser (Amazon affiliate link)

Basic stun gun with flashlight (Amazon affiliate link)

Stun gun with super-bright flashlight (Amazon affiliate link)

Pepper spray (Amazon affiliate link)

Wooden baseball bat tire thumper (Amazon affiliate link)

Aluminum baseball bat tire thumper (Amazon affiliate link)

Framing hammer (Amazon affiliate link)

Small crow bar (Amazon affiliate link)

Large crow bar (Amazon affiliate link)

Flatbedder pry bar (Amazon affiliate link)

3-in-1 trucker tool with a hammer, and axe, and a pry bar (Amazon affiliate link)

Links mentioned in the listener feedback segment:

JJ Perkey asked to join the Trucker Dump Slack group and explains why he prefers to park his truck than to run at a slight loss.

Truitt Ficklin writes and guesses where I work. Uh oh.

Michael Mazur, Jake Ritchie, Pete Ryall, and Austin Anderson all sent quick emails asking to join the Trucker Dump Slack Group. Done deal, guys. Thanks.

Mark Wihowski shares a bit about his driving career and asks to joins the Trucker Dump Slack Group.

Gabriel Ibanez Romero heard me being interviewed on the Payload Podcast by Truck Driver Power and asked to join the Slack group. Listen to that episode on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts.

Chris Sanzone sells truck insurance and asks to join the Trucker Dump Slack Group. A follow-up email prompts some talk about video games I'm playing.

Show info:

You can email your comments, suggestions, questions, or insults to [email protected]

Join the Trucker Dump Facebook Group

Join the Trucker Dump Slack Group by emailing me at [email protected]

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