Trucking With Your Dog

Being on the open road can be lonely and having a pet along with you can make the trip much more enjoyable. Trucking with your dog can make your time on the road fly by.

Do you have a sidekick in your truck while on the road? 

If so, you are one of the 40% of drivers that take their pet on the road with them. Having a pet, especially a dog, with you has many mental benefits such as lower stress levels, reduce depression, and boosting your immune system. And best of all a pet provides companionship. Having a dog with you could also help with your physical health since dogs require frequent bathroom breaks and they enjoy walks.

Here are a few things you can bring along to make the trip more comfortable for your pet when you hit the road:

1. Bring food and water (along with their bowls)
2. Blanket or bed to remind them of home.
3. Don’t forget the leash, harness, collar, and extra dog-poop bags
4. Dog toys to them entertained.

While traveling, keep your pet safe by creating a safe environment. Having your best friend and companion with you when you’re on the road makes the trip more enjoyable. Trucking with your dog has positive benefits for both you and your dog!

Safe travels!

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What do you listen to when you’re on the road?

From podcasts to audiobooks the options are endless.

An open road can be a long and lonely place. That’s why you need something amusing playing on the radio. Everyone has a favorite playlist, radio station, audiobook, or podcast to listen to that will help pass the time. 

If you are a fan of podcasts and want to stay updated on the latest trucking industry trends here are a few trucking podcasts that might keep your interest:

1. Talk CDL Trucking Podcast. This is a weekly educational podcast to keep you up to date on the trucking industry. 
2. The Lead Pedal Podcast. A podcast full of tips to help you save money and become successful.
3. The Trucking Podcast. This is a monthly podcast that covers industry-related topics.

Looking for non-trucking podcasts to keep you entertained? Here are a few to consider.

Are you interested in listening to a best-selling audiobook? From fiction, nonfiction, a mystery to history there is an audiobook available for every taste. Here is a list of a few current best-sellers from Amazon’s Audible. With apps such as Audible, truck drivers can conveniently listen to a good book.

Whether you are working as a truck driver, going on a road trip, or simply commuting to work what you listen to in your vehicle can have a big impact on your day. Chose something uplifting, inspiring, educational, motivational, or fun to listen to.

So tell us, what are you listening to in your ride?

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JX 50th Anniversary Special Edition Products

Every JX location has a beautiful display case that features multiple limited edition products which are branded with the JX 50th Anniversary logo. These products would make a wonderful gift for a truck driver, father, mother, daughter, son, or anyone on your list. Items include a ceramic wine coaster, Klean Kanteen insulated bottle, special edition leather patch trucker hat, BBQ sauce and seasonings, Peterbilt 579 die-cast model truck, and more. These items also make perfect stocking stuffers! Take advantage of this holiday season sale. Call or visit your local JX for price and availability. 

New Hat

Who doesn’t love a good trucker hat? Our branches carry a variety of hats that will fit any personality type. Choose from fitted, snapback, mesh back, camo, American flag, and more! Call or visit your local JX for price and availability.

Hoodie

The perfect hoodie keeps you warm, cozy and is ideal for driving or relaxing in. You can never have enough hoodies, so it’s the perfect present. Call or visit your local JX to see what sizes are available. 

Soft Shell Jacket  

This jacket is easy for layering and great to have in a truck all year round. Call or visit your local JX to see what sizes are available. 

Radio 

Every driver needs a good working radio to get them through a long haul on the road. That’s why a new radio is a great gift idea! This Delphi brand radio is a heavy-duty AM/FM/MP3/WMA/WB CD player with integrated SiriusXM Satellite Radio and Bluetooth. Call or visit your local JX for availability. 

Bumper

One way to keep a truck looking good on the road is with a shiny new bumper. We have bumper options for all makes and models. The bumpers pictured are specifically for a Peterbilt 389. Call or visit your local JX for availability. 

Steering Wheel

This United Pacific 18” 4 spoke steering wheel will take any truck to the next level. This makes a perfect gift for any driver especially because it will give the truck a slight upgrade. Call or visit your local JX for availability.

Ratchet Straps

If you own a heavy-duty truck (or even a pickup truck) there is always a need for a good set of ratchet straps. Which is why this 4 pack of ratchet straps make a great gift! Call or visit your local JX for availability.

Train Horn

Need something to make sure everyone on the road can hear the driver’s truck loud and clear? This train horn set is what you need! This train horn will make any truck stand out, which is why every driver would love to get it as a gift! Call or visit your local JX for availability. 

Seat

A driver spends most of their time in the captain’s seat, so why not get a brand new seat!? We have many different styles including high back, mid-back, air ride, dual armrest, cloth & leather seats. It would be quite a surprise to gift that special driver in your life a brand new leather legacy seat (pictured)! Call or visit your local JX for availability. 

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Reminders for Safe Driving During the Back-to-School Season

Another summer vacation has passed and the time has come for students to go back to school.

This means that we will be seeing school busses on the road along with students walking to and from school. Here are a few driving reminders from MSP to help keep everyone safe. These reminders are not only for professional truck drivers but also for every vehicle driver on the road.

• Prepare to stop when a slowing bus has its overhead yellow lights flashing
• Stop at least 20 feet away from buses when red lights are flashing, unless driving in the opposite direction on a divided highway
• Slow down in or near the school and residential areas
• Look for clues-such as safety patrols, crossing guards, bicycles, and playgrounds-that indicate children might be in the area
• Watch for children between parked cars and other objects
• Avoid distracted driving

Remember to safely share the road with school busses and treat them like traffic signals. There will be many pedestrians crossing the street in school zones so remember to yield and do not block the crosswalk. 

Also, keep in mind that there will be more cars on the roads with young drivers which might create more traffic during the morning and after school commute.

We hope these reminders during the back-to-school season will help keep everyone safe. Drive cautiously so that students can get to school safely and have a wonderful school year.

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Workouts for Truck Drivers

There are a variety of health issues that are on the rise in the trucking industry. Obesity is one of those health risks and it can be avoided by truck drivers. Simple bodyweight workouts can help truck drivers stay in shape.

According to a study conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), long-haul truck drivers were twice as likely (69%) to be obese compared to the adult working population. Truck drivers are extremely essential to our economy so it is important to take their health and wellness seriously.

Fortunately, there are a variety of workouts that drivers can perform in the comfort of their trucks.

Here are a few “no equipment necessary” workouts that can be done to avoid obesity and other health risks:

1. Pushups
2. Planks
3. Sit-ups
4. Squats
5. Lunges
6. And more!

As we all know, truck drivers spend a lot of time in the driver’s seat. When stuck in a traffic jam or stopped at a red light, one simple exercise that drivers can do is stretching. Stretching can be very beneficial for stress relief and avoiding injury.

Here are a couple of stretches that are doable in the driver seat: 

1. Shoulder stretches. Click here for a few examples and instructions.
2. Hand stretches. Click here for simple hand and wrist stretches. 

Now, add some cardio to the mix! During downtime or in between loads, drivers can get moving by going on a walk or run. It is a simple way to stay in shape.

These workouts for truck drivers are easy exercises that every driver can add to their routine. Combining bodyweight exercise with stretching and moving will help drivers reduce the risk of obesity. Commit to some sort of physical activity every day to feel better, reduce stress, and lead to a healthier lifestyle.

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4 Tips for Driving in Construction

Did you know that National Work Zone Awareness Week is April 26-30, 2021?

The goal is to spread awareness for work zone safety across the country. Warm weather brings a increase in construction and travel on the roadways. And with National Work Zone Awareness Week coming up, we wanted to provide a few tips for driving in construction to help you out during this busy season.

Tip 1: SLOW DOWN

Start to slow down when you begin seeing the road signs. Changes in the roadway and closed medians can cause pinch points that can lead to accidents. This will also give you additional time to read what’s ahead.

Tip 2: BE PATIENT

Getting worked up about delays will only lead to your stress. You cannot make the traffic go any faster.  

Tip 3: OBEY POSTED SIGNS

These work zone signs are there for a reason. Move over when possible to give the workers more room. Road crew workers are killed every year by vehicles that do not obey posted signs.

Tip 4: DRIVE DEFENSIVELY

Rear-end accidents are the most common type of crash in a work zone. Make sure to leave plenty of room in front of you to slow down. Keeping a safe distance between you, traffic barriers, construction equipment, and construction works will allow you and others to get home safe. 

At the end of the day we are all on the road to get from point A to point B. If we were to all stay calm and obey signs, we would be able to get home safe.

Drive Safe. Work Safe. Save Lives.

Author: Charlie Palzkill, EHS Coordinator

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Wellness Challenges for Professional Women Truck Drivers 

Professional truck drivers have the challenge of balancing health and wellness while on the road.

It can be difficult to find healthy food options or the time to exercise daily. The pandemic didn’t make it any easier. The reduced access to restaurants, gyms, friends and family added more stress on everyone. It also made it harder to prioritize physical and mental wellness. Here are a few wellness challenges for professional women truck drivers in todays world.

A recent Women in Trucking Webinar highlighted five health issues facing women drivers:

1. Heart disease
2. Migraines
3. Obesity
4. Breast and cervical cancer
5. Respiratory disease 

So what can professional drivers do to address some of the health concerns among many women drivers?

According to Dr. John McElligott drivers should laugh, meditate, breathe, stop smoking, maintain a healthy weight, exercising daily and eating healthy.

Moving often (when able) will help prevent some of the top issues. Daily exercise will also make you feel good and refreshed as you get back on the road. 

While it is difficult to go to health appointments while on the road, it is recommended to schedule doctor appointments during your home time. It is important to take care of yourself and address any health risks.

Health and wellness are important topics to everyone but they can be extremely challenging to maintain in the trucking industry. Making minor changes such as drinking more water can make a huge difference for your physical and mental health down the road. 

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Staying Safe on the Road During Inclement Weather 

When winter weather arrives, it can cause many issues for truck drivers. Driving in inclement weather is tough enough, but it’s even tougher for truck drivers. The weather makes a driver’s job extremely challenging. Here are a few tips to help truck drivers prepare for winter trucking safety:

Slow Down
The more time you have to react, the safer you will be. Icy conditions cause many accidents every year.

Keep a Grip on the Wheel
Always keep a firm grip to maintain control when in snow and ice.

Allow Extra Space
With ice on the roads you may not be able to slow down in time. Extra space can prevent the incident. 

Brake Slowly
Icy conditions can cause you to slide.

Winter weather can be unpredictable, and these tips can help drivers prepare for the snowy and icy conditions upon us. For more winter trucking safety tips from smart-trucking.com, click here!

JX is dedicated to safety and will help protect our customers and associates when needed. Stay safe and remember to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn & Instagram for more blog posts and other interesting content.

Author: Charlie Palzkill, EHS Coordinator

The post Safety First: Winter Trucking Safety appeared first on JX.

Summer is coming to an end, kids are getting ready to head back to school and share the exciting adventures they experienced over their summer break. 

If kids had the opportunity to go on a truck road trip, what kind of an adventure would they embark on? Well, here are a few things that kids can learn and see by joining their mom or dad on a summer road trip in a big semi truck: 

• See new sights such as big grain silos and different state landscapes
• See other trucks with all of their truck lights on
• Visit the world’s largest truck stop in Iowa
• Eat different state foods and meet interesting people
• Math! Kids can help calculate how many gallons of fuel the truck will need to drive a certain distance (if they have an average miles per gallon).
• Learn about the interstate; how the mile markers and exits are arranged
• Learn the importance of trucks & how to drive alongside trucks safely
• Learn about US geography 
• Spend quality time with their mom or dad and make new memories!

A truck road trip can be a lot of fun and educational for kids. The adventures, memories and experiences are priceless. And for drivers, the quality time spent with their kids means the world! Especially because many drivers miss milestone events such as the first day of school and birthdays. 

If your company allows it, do you take your kids on the road with you for a few days over the summer? Share your stories and let us know what your experience is!

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