Fuel for Thought

Christmas Courtesy

It is that time of the year that many people look forward to all year long. As we are in the midst of the Christmas Season, and with all the added stress it can bring with it, don’t lose your business focus. When you spend a lot of time on the road, you tend to look forward to certain occasions when you get to go home and spend time with family and friends. Christmas being one of these occasions where everyone is trying to find extra time to decorate, shop and plan their gatherings.

Please use extra caution while out on the road this time of the year. Be especially mindful of other motorists. Throughout the year we deal with distracted drivers but just like during vacation season, families this time of year will be travelling more and may be even more distracted with all the extra activities they have planned. They will be focused on their goals more and, as professional drivers, we should try to be a little more patient and understanding. All year we deal with finding our turns, backing slowly and carefully, creeping along looking for addresses and all the while holding up other motorists because we have a job to do and we don’t want to miss our turns and have to find a place large enough to turn around. Now it is the motorists turn to do the same, please be patient and give them the same courtesy you would like to receive when you are driving in unfamiliar territory.

It is also the time of year to be extra vigilant about your surroundings. Thieves target trucks all year, but they know that this time of year is when they can get all the latest products that were just released for Christmas sales. They also know that drivers can get distracted with the holidays and let their guard down. That is when they will seize the opportunity to either steal your load, or more commonly nowadays, just take the whole truck with the load.

Always keep your truck and trailer locked, even for just a minute, sometimes that is all it takes. If you just fueled and pulled forward to go inside and get your fuel receipt, shut off the truck lock all doors and look around. Why would you buy the fuel for a thief to steal your truck?

As Christmas approaches just try to remember to have a little patience and understanding for your fellow drivers and also remain focused on your task at hand. You are a professional driver until you get home to your family, and then you may be just like the car that just cut you off to make it into the mall entrance.

See you down the road,

Greg

Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.

- Jean-Jacques Rousseau