Welcome back to Fleet Brief: Fast Updates for the Road, your monthly rundown of safety insights, compliance updates, and industry trends for Bridgeway drivers. Fleet Brief is brought to you by Cyclone Services, Bridgeway, and ATI Trucking.

I’m Samantha, and I’m glad to have you here for our November edition. The year is flying by, but safety, compliance, and steady freight never take a holiday. Let’s jump into what’s new on the road this month.

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SAFETY & COMPLIANCE

The top violations we are seeing this month fall under the unsafe driving category, including speeding, reckless driving, and unsafe lane changes. Speeding alone is the root cause of about a third of all roadside inspections nationwide, and it is one of the quickest ways to turn a good day into a long one.

As we roll toward the end of the year, things usually quiet down a little on the freight side, but inspections never stop. November brings shorter days, colder mornings, and just enough fog to keep things interesting.Check your lights, wipers, and tires, and make sure your windshield stays clean. Low sun and glare can sneak up fast this time of year.

Visibility is key, especially when it comes to night driving. So, keep your high-vis gear within reach and give your headlights a quick wipe at your next fuel stop. It is a small thing that makes a big difference when conditions change from clear to cloudy in a heartbeat.

And speaking of road challenges, a recent survey from theAmerican Transportation Research Institute found that truck parking remains one of the top safety concerns in the industry. We all know the struggle, hours-of-service running down, every lot packed, and nowhere safe to stop. Plan ahead and grab a spot before you are running on empty. Fatigue is not worth the gamble, and a good night’s rest beats an overnight game of “find the last parking space”.

Because let’s be honest, parallel parking a seventy-foot truck at midnight is not anyone’s idea of a good time.

TICKETS & OFFENSES

Now that we have covered staying safe on the road, let’s talk about the thing that can ruin a good week faster than a flat tire:tickets.

This year, ATI has had 190 inspections, which added up to1,422 CSA points, about $13,400 in extra expenses, and 142 hours of lost time.Of those inspections, 9 percent were tied to equipment issues like lights, tires, or load securement, while 11 percent came from unsafe driving, including speeding and failure to obey traffic signals.

Nationwide, over 2.6 million inspections have already been logged this year. Roughly 1.5 million of those had at least one violation, and 538,000 led to out-of-service orders. The top offenders are still the usual suspects: brakes, tires, lights, and cargo securement.

The average out-of-service inspection takes about one hour and costs roughly $200 per violation, not counting the downtime or delays it can cause. That is a lot of money and time lost for something that can often be avoided with a solid pre-trip and a little extra attention on the road.

With the holidays approaching, expect to see more patrols and heavier enforcement, especially in high-traffic states and near busy shipping hubs. Officers tend to increase visibility this time of year, and they are watching closely for distracted driving, seatbelt violations, and aggressive behavior.

If you do get a citation, make sure to report it toBridgeway and your dispatcher right away and do not pay it before checking your options. CDL Legal continues to be a great resource for contesting violations and protecting your record. A few minutes of paperwork now can save you from headaches later.

Your CDL is your career, so treat it like it is made of glass. It only takes one bad decision to crack it.

OPERATIONS & BEST PRACTICES

Enough about fines and violations; let’s talk about something we all like better, freight that pays and fuel that does not cost an arm and a leg.

According to DAT Freight & Analytics, the freight market held steady through October with just a few small shifts. Freight postings dipped slightly from September, but they are still up more than 14 percent compared to last year. That means freight is moving, and there is still plenty of work out there. Truck postings ticked up a bit from last month but are down almost 30 percent from last year, which tells us there are fewer trucks chasing those loads. That is usually a good sign for rates.

Flatbed rates inched up about 1.5 percent in October and are sitting just above where they were a year ago. It is not a huge increase, but it is heading in the right direction as we move into the holiday rush. Fuel prices, on the other hand, crept up about 3 percent from September and are about 8 percent higher than this time last year, so keep an eye on where you are filling up and minimize your idle time when you can.

Overall, the market is steady, demand is solid, and drivers who stay prepared are in a good spot to take advantage of the busy season.Keeping your truck in top shape, your paperwork clean, and your communication open with dispatch will always keep you in the running for the best-paying loads.

If you want to boost your earning potential, consider getting your HazMat endorsement. There is still a shortage of certified HazMat drivers, which means higher-paying freight for those who have it. Give us a call at Cyclone Services to chat about HazMat freight opportunities.

DRIVER OF THE MONTH

Now for one of my favorite parts of every episode, recognizing one of the drivers who truly goes above and beyond. Every month we highlight someone who represents what Bridgeway, ATI, and Cyclone are all about: professionalism, teamwork, and a commitment to doing things the right way.

Our Driver of the Month for November is Juan Meza.

Juan has been part of the Bridgeway family for eight years, celebrating his anniversary back in August, and he continues to set the bar high for reliability and dedication. Jasmine from Cyclone’s dispatch office says it best: “He is always willing to help out with anything. Whatever load we have, Juan is the first to step up and make it happen.”

That kind of attitude and consistency are exactly what keep our operations running smoothly. Juan finished October with a 30 out of 30compliance score and a 100 percent safety score, proving once again that experience and attention to detail make all the difference.

Congratulations, Juan, and thank you for eight years of outstanding work, teamwork, and commitment to safety. Drivers like you are what keep us rolling strong.

That wraps up the November edition of Fleet Brief. Thank you for tuning in and for everything you do to keep freight moving safely. Until next time, stay safe and keep those wheels turning.

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