Trucking Life

Trucking can take you to some scary places — and it often seems that the places where trucks park don’t offer enough in the way of protection. Drivers often have little choice about where they park, especially near cities, where parking spaces are likely to be occupied early in the evening. The first, and often best, form of security is to use the obvious strategies: Lock your doors and keep your windows rolled up. Some drivers use a strap to pull the doors towards each other in case the locks are defeated. Before leaving your truck, use the windows and mirrors to inspect the area around your vehicle to make sure no one is lurking in wait. Park in well-lit areas when possible. Don’t “nose-dive” into a space; instead, back in or pull through so the cab of your truck isn’t secluded in the darkness. Choose spaces as close to the restaurant or C-store as possible. Whenever you’re out of the truck, remain diligent about the area around you. Just as you maintain a constant eye scan when you’re driving, do the same while you’re walking. Pay attention to other people you see. Don’t be distracted by electronics — leave the cellphone in your pocket or purse. Unfortunately, even your best diligence won’t prevent some criminals from getting too close. For that reason, many drivers carry weapons of one sort or another. Firearms are a popular choice — but they are as likely to create a problem as they are to get you out of one. Even if open- or concealed-carry are legal in the state where you live, you may be traveling through states where it is illegal to carry a firearm at all. In addition, even in states that allow firearms, individual counties or municipalities may prohibit weapons. Some have severe penalties, and the weapon may be confiscated as well. There are alternatives to firearms for personal protection, but keep in mind that any device that could cause bodily harm could potentially run afoul of the law. Another possibility is that an injured assailant could initiate civil action against you should you injure them during the assault. Even if you win, the expenses for travel, court costs and lost work can add up. Still, those risks may pale when compared to the specter of being injured (or worse) by an assailant. The least risky (and likely the least effective) method of personal protection is to carry a noisemaking device that, in theory, draws attention to you and your attackers, causing them to break off an attack because of unwanted witnesses. A whistle is the simplest form of noisemaker, but there are also battery-powered versions that can be quite loud. Some noisemakers have flashing lights to help attract the attention of others. Some drivers prefer to carry items that are usually standard equipment for an OTR trucker, like tire thumpers or hammers, that can be used for self-defense. Others choose knives ranging from plain pocketknives to larger, more deadly ones. Any of these can be effective deterrents but come with a danger — you’ll need to get close to make them work. There’s always the possibility that they can be taken and then used against you. Truncheons or batons can be expandable and are small enough to fit in a purse or pocket when collapsed, but long enough to do damage when extended. Some large, heavy flashlights are sold as “tactical” that can be used as striking devices. Some of these flashlights have rough surfaces or edges designed to inflict greater damage, and some even contain small cavities designed to collect enough tissue to be used for DNA testing. Some tactical flashlights have another feature, a strobe function that’s designed to confuse or disorient the attacker with a series of bright flashes or alternating patterns of light. Again, to be effective, you must be close to your assailant. One interesting device is the self-defense, or security, umbrella. Self-defense umbrellas are made with a stout center shaft and a hefty handle. They can be used in a stabbing motion or used as a striking weapon — with the added benefit of keeping you dry in the rain. They are stout enough to be used as a cane, as well. Stun devices have the same issue. They can be effective, but you need to be close enough to press the device against an attacker. There is maintenance involved as well; you’ll need to make sure batteries are fresh and the device is working. There are non-lethal options that let you protect yourself at a distance, although there are limits to any of them. Teargas or pepper sprays can be effective, especially if sprayed in an attacker’s eyes, but they have limited range. An assailant with a strong will, possibly enhanced by drugs, may not be stopped by these devices; however, in most cases they will work. Some drivers recommend keeping cans of insecticide designed to kill wasps and hornets in the truck. It’s cheap, shoots farther than pepper spray and can be effective — but remember, these products contain poisons and are designed to kill insects. They can potentially cause blindness or permanent damage when used on a human being. Tasers are an option used by many law enforcement agencies as an effective, non-lethal weapon that can incapacitate an attacker for 30 seconds or more. They work by shooting two small probes into the target and then applying electricity to disable muscular function. The range depends on the device; some can shoot as far as 50 feet while others only reach 10 feet or so. Finally, there are weapons that use compressed carbon dioxide capsules to propel balls filled with teargas, pepper gel or other irritants. Some, such as the product made by Byrna, are shaped like pistols and function in much the same way, but they are brightly colored to avoid confusion. The Byrna shoots .68 caliber balls hard enough that the impact alone can be a deterrent. Other, similar devices are essentially designed for paintball. They shoot pepper balls or kinetic (hard rubber) balls. Many launchers look much like pistols, and an attacker may think you’re carrying the real thing. Many of these devices can be purchased from Amazon or your favorite sporting goods store.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The American Truck Historical Society (ATHS) honored six trucking industry pioneers on Oct. 25. As the society celebrated the pioneers, they were also inducted into the American Trucking and Industry Leader Hall of Fame at ATHS headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri, a news release stated. The six trucking titans are: Red Todgers, first president of American Trucking Associations (ATA). Fran Seiberling, founder of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. Harry Kent and Edgar Worthington, founders of Kenworth. Al and Don Schneider, founders of Schneider National Inc. “This marked the third year that ATHS honored pioneers of the trucking industry. We invited the public, especially those in the transportation sector, to learn about the significant impact each of these pioneers has made upon the trucking industry and moving America forward,” said Hall of Fame Chair Tom Mullen. “We celebrated Kenworth’s 100th anniversary by displaying Kenworth trucks throughout the years. Attendees could also enjoy trucks from the ATA Interstate One Truck, a classroom on wheels with a state-of-the-art simulator, and the Kenworth 100-year history trailer. Goodyear and Schneider units were also present to enjoy.” The Hall of Fame is made possible in part with the funding from multiple companies and organizations within the trucking industry, including Cummins, Daimler Truck North America, Old Dominion/Congdon Family, Vander Haag’s, CAT Scale, Iowa 80, Truckomat, Schneider Foundation, Mack, Hagerty, Walmart, Women In Trucking and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA). Learn more at https://atilhalloffame.com/.

Every truck driver has a unique story of how they got into the industry. For some, it’s a family tradition. Others take their driving experience from the military to the nation’s highways. And some make the conscious decision to enroll in trucking school at some point in what might be considered the “traditional” route. When it comes to the story of Rose Rojo, one five drivers honored by the Truckload Carriers Association as a 2023 Professional Drivers of the Year … well, you might say she took a non-traditional route. Back in 2000, when fewer women entered the trucking profession than even today, Rojo’s ex-husband, a non-English speaker, enrolled in trucking school. Rojo helped him out by sitting in the classroom and working with him to interpret his lessons. Fortunately, she retained what she interpreted. When it came testing time, the instructor told Rojo, “You’ve already taken the class — why not go ahead and get your CDL?” The rest of the story? Rojo has now been in the trucking industry for more than two decades. Rojo and her ex-husband started out in the industry as an owner-operator driving team, primarily hauling grain through the Texas Panhandle. After about six years on the road, Rojo left the trucking industry, going to work for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Texas. But the lure of the highway eventually called her back, and by 2010, she reentered trucking, driving for C.R. England. During her career, she has worked for about four different carriers including eight years with John Christner Trucking of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, a city of 22,000 not far from Tulsa along Interstate 44. It was at Christner where she was nominated for TCA Driver of the Year after taking home similar honors from the Oklahoma Trucking Association. Recently, she made the move to for R.E. Garrison, an employee-owned carrier based in Alabama. What appeals to Rojo the most about truck driving is travel. And that’s a good thing. “It’s been two and a half months since I was home,” the Amarillo, Texas, resident said. “I’ve driven the I-10 corridor coast-to-coast from Florida to California,” she said, speaking of her years with previous carriers. “Today, I drive a loop from Texas to Louisiana and Oklahoma,” she said. While working in what is still grain country, Rojo no longer hauls grain, instead driving a reefer hauling beef, chicken and similar refrigerated products. While Rojo may be a truck driver — a profession often viewed as being ideal for loners — she is most definitely a people person. “I love helping people,” Rojo said. “It’s my goal to help those less fortunate than myself.” Rojo’s love for helping others manifests itself in several ways. First, she is a mentor for newer drivers, and she loves sharing her experiences and advice with women who are considering entering the industry. In addition, she makes annual mission trips to Honduras, where she provides children school supplies and helps deliver other needed items. Her true passion, however, is helping abused and neglected children. Rojo, who says she was a victim of child abuse herself, can relate to children who struggle to overcome abuse. “I’m super proud of what I’ve overcome,” she said of her life and career. As a mother and grandmother, Rojo says she’s also proud of the stigma she has overcome within the trucking industry. In a business where women are rare — though less rare now than when she started driving in the early 2000s — she has faced adversity. “When I first started driving, whenever we arrived for a drop-off or pick-up, my ex-husband went inside and handled the business side of things,” she recalled. “He protected me from the awkward looks and snide comments. I just drove the truck.” Times have changed. “Today, I believe women make up about 12% of drivers, so it’s not as bad as it was, but we are still fighting to gain acceptance,” Rojo said. “We can do this,” she continued. “From my background, going from foster home to foster home, I was able to become an owner-operator, owning my own business. You can do it. You have to keep that mindset. Nothing is impossible to achieve.” When asked about the hurdles she faces on a day-to-day basis as a truck driver, Rojo replied that a lack of safe truck parking and facilities is a big one. “We have to struggle,” she said. “You have to make sure you get into a truck stop at the right time, or you’re going to miss your mark,” she added, referring to hours-of-service regulations. “To me, it should be up to the driver. When we’re tired, we’ll stop.” While tracking time spent behind the wheel is important, Rojo is concerned that truck drivers are sometimes regulated too much. “With ELDs, once you start the clock you can’t stop it,” she said. “You are generally forced to do this or forced to do that. Let the driver choose, and I think it would be easier on drivers and it would ease the problem of truck parking.” When it comes to describing herself and her goals, Rojo keeps it simple. “I’m just down to earth. I want to help … and make the world a better place,” she said. Whether it’s driving a truck, traveling to Central America, or serving as a mentor to others in the trucking industry, Rojo has achieved a great deal in her career. She says she’s extremely proud to be chosen as a TCA 2023 Professional Driver of the Year. As Rojo says, no matter your background or how you enter your profession, nothing is impossible.