that space and time. Know your surroundings by checking your mirrors often and knowing what is in front of you and what potentially could be happening in front of you. For example: seeing a vehicle traveling down the highway entry ramp in time to make an adjustment so you don’t get there at the same time they are trying to merge into traffic. Make sure you are looking far enough ahead to see the vehicles in front of you slowing or stopping so you have ample time to brake safely without having to “dive” onto the shoulder or median. Expect the unexpected! Folks, this is a tough (but rewarding) profession, and you are having to make numerous decisions every second you are behind the wheel. You have to expect the unexpected. When you see a disabled vehicle on the side of the interstate, expect that someone could step out from that vehicle at any time. When you are coming up on a stale green light, you have to expect that it could turn red at any time. Prepare and make adjustments for these types of things before it is too late.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR VICE PRESIDENT OF SAFETY
TIM CLARK
Hey folks, I hope you and your families are all doing well. First of all, I want to thank each of our professional drivers, mechanics, and in-house employees for answering the call during the COVID-19 pandemic. I have been in the trucking industry for 36 years, and I don’t recall when I have seen as many positive comments from people outside of our industry as I have seen during the pandemic. Hats off to you! I want to remind everyone to be alert at all times when working a safety-sensitive position. This includes driving your truck, hooking and unhooking, fueling, and working on a truck, just to name a few job functions. When driving, things are changing around you all the time and at a pace of seconds (even split seconds), so you have to be alert and focused at all times. Did you know that at a speed of 65 mph you are covering 95 feet per second? You are covering nearly the length of a football field in about three seconds! A lot can happen in
Big G and IKE are fortunate to have a great group of both driving and nondriving employees, and we want each and every one of you to be safe and get to your destinations safely. Stay alert, expect the unexpected, and don’t get distracted, and you will find yourself safer and more successful.
Until next time, –Tim Clark
COVID-19 has also taught us how important it is to keep our hands washed and our workspace clean. It is not just this virus but also things like the common cold that are spread by not practicing good hygiene. It turns out that all these years our moms were right when they told us to wash our hands and quit touching our faces. Keeping our workspaces clean not only helps us stay healthier but also helps the ones working on our equipment stay healthy. Please be sure you are doing all you can to keep the interior of your trucks clean and sanitized. I have heard nothing but good comments from drivers about the new engine trims program. We still have approximately 100 trucks to program, so if you have not been through a shop yet to be reprogrammed, then please come see us! I hope everyone has had the opportunity to see Danny Smith’s 25th anniversary truck. It features a blacked-out bumper and skirt look that will become our new look on future truck orders. It will save us all money and time by not having to prep and paint these parts when they get damaged and require replacing. I want to throw out a big “thank-you” to all the maintenance and office staff who have not missed a beat through this trying time. Big G Express is blessed with great people who roll up their sleeves and get after it when the going gets tough. Our success is anchored in people, and we have the best group in trucking! –Tim Tipps
SHOP TIPPS
Drivers,
What an incredible time we are living through in this country right now when it seems life has been turned upside down. Many of the services we expect every day have been shut down, and access to simple things like sitting down for a meal in your favorite restaurant has been turned into a choreographed meeting in a parking lot with a meal in a bag.
Danny Smith’s 25th Anniversary Truck
COVID-19 has taught us many lessons and reminded this country how important of a role the transportation industry plays. In my lifetime, I cannot remember a time when truckers played as big of a leading role as you do right now during this country’s time of need. People forget who keeps this country moving, but it is times like this when truckers’ lights shine the brightest and no one can deny the crucial role trucking plays in this economy. Thank you for the service you provide!
2 WWW.BIGGEXPRESS.COM
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