Our Mission Statement
To service our customer, FedEx Ground, by being the best contracted service provider we can be and partnering with professionals dedicated to high performance and integrity by doing the right thing in everything we do.
HAPPY NEW YEAR KTI FAMILY!!!
Safety Trends from Tifanni for drivers to be aware of………….
Here is a look at our top 5 worse trends. These trends go hand in hand with each other. Distractions while driving can affect your following distance and near collisions. Drivers or passengers being unbelted may also be due to distracted driving. Let’s try to do better about keeping our focus on the roadway and eliminating distractions while driving. A commercial driver is a professional driver. Stay safe out there Team! #SAFETYFIRST
Near Collision 5 ▲ 150%
Cell Handheld – Distraction 4 0%
Driver Unbelted [Roadway] 4 0%
Following Distance: ≥ 1 sec to < 2 sec 4 ▼ 20%
Other Distraction 4 ▼ 69%
Please continue to BE AWARE…...
The change in weather is upon us so ensuring you have all the winter gear you need in your trucks.
1. Chains 5 bags
2. Extension cords
3. Some fuel anti-gel inside box
4. Extra fuses
Weather Conditions- Check for severe/adverse weather conditions along your route that may affect your run.
Look out for Deer- Deer are more active during the colder months.
Wear weather appropriate clothing -Wearing shorts during freezing weather may cause you to rush your pre-trip and miss something important. Not wearing the right kind of foot ware may cause you slip.
Fill up on fuel at the end of your run - When the fuel tanks are half full/almost empty then condensation can form and get water in the tank.
Safety tip from MIKE GRAVES
When in doubt when backing, remember to Get Out and Look (GOAL). Be safe out there!
CONGRATULATIONS!
Jose Sanchez
Jose, because you have worked 7 days a week during peak and have had an outstanding safety record and a great “can do” attitude, you have been selected for employee of the month for January. The KTI team would like to take the time to thank you from the bottom of our hearts and applaud your stellar performance.
Jose will be receiving a $25.00 gift card!
We appreciate you!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Bryan Hornsby, David Macias and Terry Smith had great DOT inspections and got $500.00 each.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
401K – Enrollment for anyone that’s been with the company for a year or longer will be eligible to sign up for 401K on January 1.
BLACKOUT DATES - for vacation will be October 21, 2023, to January 15, 2024.
Time off Request – You are now able to enter you time off request in EBO Pro. You can still request through Karla Kilgore (479-366-1184)
W-2’s – It’s that time of the year, so make sure your address is correct in Paychex.
CURTIS’S CORNER
The following tips can help truck drivers make a plan for road safety.
1. Check Your Blind Spots. ...
2. Be Aware of Long Stopping Distances. ...
3. Make Wide Turns Carefully. ...
4, Always Buckle Up. ...
5. Drive at a Safe Speed. ...
6. Stay Focused and Avoid Distracted Driving. ...
7. Always Use Your Signal. ...
The following tips can help in winter weather conditions.
1. Inspect Your Vehicle
Preparing your truck for winter is essential to prevent any major problems. Check tire pressure, engine oil, and antifreeze levels daily before you hit the road. You can also take a preventative truck maintenance step and have a mechanic inspect your vehicle to make sure it's ready to withstand the wear and tear of harsh winter conditions. Use a pre-trip inspection checklist to confirm that you’ve covered the most important details.
2. Slow Down
Most accidents occur because drivers don't adjust their speed according to the road conditions. While driving on a snow-covered road, you may need to compensate for the poor traction by reducing your speed. Moreover, going slow will also give you more time to react if anything goes wrong. So, be extra-easy with your accelerator this winter.
3. Give Yourself Some Extra Space
Do you know that the stopping distance on a wet road is twice the normal stopping distance? And on icy roads, it's almost 10 times the normal stopping distance! So, leave plenty of room between your truck and the vehicle in front of you so that you have enough space to move out of harm's way in case of unpredictable situations. It's always good to put extra space between yourself and some of the terrible drivers you might meet during the winter months.
4. Stay Smooth
In cold weather, try hard to refrain from doing anything sudden – sudden braking, sudden acceleration, cornering, etc. If the situation demands you to slow down suddenly on a slick road, pump your brakes lightly. The key is to maintain a consistent speed and smooth deceleration to avoid doing anything that reduces traction on slippery roads.
5. Pay Attention to the Tire Spray
This is one of the most important (and commonly forgotten) winter truck driving tips. A good way to assess the road condition is to observe the water coming off the vehicles' tires around you. If there's a lot of water being sprayed, the road is definitely wet. If the tire spray is substantially diminished or absent, it means that the roadway has started to freeze, and you need to exercise additional caution.
6. Let There Be Light
Visibility is often poor in inclement weather conditions. So, remember to turn on the headlights of your truck. This will allow the other drivers to see you and maintain a safe distance from your truck. As a rule of thumb, if you need to use your windshield wipers, your headlights should be on.
7. Take Evasive Action
Sometimes, it's better to take evasive action than hard braking, especially on a snow-covered road. If your speed is around 25-30mph, consider decelerating your truck slightly and maneuvering around the obstacles to avoid a collision.
‘Healthy Tip’ for a great start to 2024
from Donald
While most people will be hitting the gym a few more times or cutting out some unhealthy habits, for truck drivers that can be a bit challenging. For the coming year, here are the top 10 New Year’s resolutions for Truck Drivers.
1. Be more active
Being on the road can make it difficult to get a good workout in. Advanced Career Institute <https://advanced.edu/blog/6-easy-exercises-truckers/> recommends avoiding potential health risks, truckers should "exercise at least 15 minutes a day". Some ways to take initiative are to bring some light weights and other workout equipment with you. Things like dumbbells, exercise bands, or even bringing a bike are great ways to get a quick workout in while waiting for a load or taking a break. Here are a few exercises <https://www.ctctrucking.com/post/best-truck-driver-healthy-choices-workouts> that are recommended for truck drivers.
2. Make smarter food decisions
Just like exercising, having access to healthy foods is more difficult for truckers than others. Although fast food and restaurants are convenient, they are not the only choices. Pack healthy snacks to take with you on the road and plan out some meals that you can easily heat up or make in your truck. Traveling for hundreds of miles every day makes grocery shopping difficult, but more and more truck stops are adding healthier options for those passing through.
3. Prioritize your mental health
Spending days on end on the road can be lonely. The National Library of Medicine <https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22757596/> states that 27.9% of truckers are affected by feelings of loneliness, 26.9% are affected by depression, 20.6% experiences constant sleep disturbances, and 14.5% experience anxiety. High stress jobs and isolation can contribute to declining psychiatric health, so going into the New Year remember to help yourself and seek help when needed.
4. Learn a new hobby
Along with loneliness, boredom is also something that drivers can experience. Finding things to listen to can be enough for some, but many are looking for new things to dedicate their time to. Try finding something to fill your downtime that isn't something you typically do. Take up photography, learn to knit, or find new recipes to try out are just some options for venturing into new territories.
5. Prioritize safety
Be proactive with your truck's maintenance. It never hurts to get everything looked over and get into the habit of doing it yourself more often. While you're at it, quiz yourself on the safety procedures for pre and post inspections.
6. Read more
So much of people's lives are spent in front of a screen, or for a driver on the road. While podcasts and radio stations are good time-passers, sometimes drivers need more mental stimulation. Bring a book or two with you and try to read it in your downtime. Here is Bigger Investing's 19 best books on the Transportation business <https://www.biggerinvesting.com/best-books-on-transportation-business/>.
7. Stay connected with family
Many drivers are leaving their family's when they go deliver a load; long-haul drivers can be out for weeks at a time. Here's a reminder to reach out to family and maybe a long-lost friend.
8. Get better sleep
Like mentioned previously, sleep can be a real challenge for truck drivers. Finding somewhere to rest for the night, or even a place to pull off when feeling tired can be stressful and near impossible. Being away from home and unfamiliar locations can contribute to a lack of sleep, as well as stress and fatigue. When thinking about mental and physical health, sleep should not be overlooked.
9. Keep things clean and organized
Your truck is your home-away-from-home. Keep it clean, and other problems might disappear. Get a truck organizer or a paperwork binder for all those important documents. Decluttering and clearing space can drastically improve sleep patterns, reduce stress, improve mental health, and make you more productive.
10. Take care of yourself
Truck drivers are at a higher risk to health problems with the main risk being heart disease. Lack of exercise and unhealthy meals can lead to obesity, increased blood pressure, and lower energy levels.
While New Year’s Resolutions can be intimidating or even stressful for some, making small changes can improve your overall health and happiness. Going into January, let 2024 be the best year yet for you.
MAKES OUR HEARTS SAD
OUR CONDOLENCE AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO
Tim Perkins – Loss Of His Mother
Rene Rodriguez – Loss Of His Grandmother
