Roemer Report – March 2007

ONE IN FIVE TRUCKERS HAS SLEEP APNEA: When John Martin was jolted awake by the sound of his truck driving over rumble strips, he knew it was time to get a checkup. Medical tests discovered that Martin had sleep apnea, a sleep disorder that affects about 20 percent of commercial truck drivers. With sleep apnea, breathing stops during sleep, typically for 10 to 20 seconds or more. These pauses can occur hundreds of times during the night, causing severe fatigue during the day. The disorder is typically triggered by a blockage in the throat caused by soft tissue. People with large necks or who are overweight are more likely to have the disorder, but thin people can also have sleep apnea. Symptoms include loud snoring and a gasping or choking for air. Most people with sleep apnea are unaware of the problem. The disorder is especially dangerous for commercial drivers, who spend hours behind the wheel. A national task force recently developed criteria to more accurately identify commercial drivers at risk for sleep apnea. The group said past approaches to screening for sleep disorders left many drivers undiagnosed. The task force recommends expanding the screening process for driver certification to include asking more questions about medical and physical history and flagging risk factors, such as body mass index, neck circumference, and family history. Treatment for sleep apnea consists of a CPAP mask that delivers enough air to keep nasal passages open during inhalation. John Martin, who is now treated with a CPAP machine, says he has far more energy than before his diagnosis and wakes up feeling rested and energetic.

NOTIFICATION SYSTEM TOUTED: The American Trucking Associations (ATA) says performing semi-annual motor vehicle record checks is not enough. Nor is it enough to expect commercial drivers to self-report traffic violations, convictions, and license status changes to their employers. What is needed, says the ATA, is greater use of an employer notification system that alerts employers to driver violations and other important information. Last month, the ATA petitioned the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to promote greater use of employer notification systems. The systems allow trucking companies to register their drivers with state licensing agencies, which, in turn, notify the companies when  truck drivers receive traffic violations, convictions, or have a change in CDL status. “These programs address a regulatory loophole that allows some serious traffic convictions to go undetected for several months,” said ATA president and CEO Bill Graves. “Promoting their use allows motor carriers to monitor driver violations in a timely manner so corrective action can be taken. This is an important step in advancing road safety.” At least 10 states have some type of employer notification system in place, and there are also commercial programs available.

FEDS CONSIDER BLACK BOXES: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has proposed a regulation that would mandate electronic on-board recorders, or “black boxes,” for carriers with a history of violating hours-of-service rules. The proposal would require companies with a 10 percent or greater violation rate—based on HOS records reviewed during compliance audits—to buy black boxes that would record the driver’s identity and duty status, location of vehicle, and distance traveled. The FMCSA estimates that the new law would require about 930 carriers to get on-board recorders. The proposal is not going over well with the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association. OOIDA executive president Todd Spencer says the real problem is not time spent behind the wheel, but the 30 to 40 hours that drivers spend each week loading and unloading. And those hours, he says, would not be monitored by black boxes. The proposed regulation is expected to be finalized within the next two years. The FMCSA is accepting comments on the proposal until April 18. Those who want to voice their opinions can do so at dms.dot.gov/submit/dspsubmission.cfm. Note that the agency name and docket number must be included in the submission: FMCSA-2004-18940.

UPS AND DOWNS OF GOING GREEN: America’s major motor carriers are proceeding cautiously when it comes to buying the new 2007 rigs. The trucks, equipped with engine filters that make them 90 percent cleaner than their predecessors, should cut smog-forming pollution by 2.6 million tons and soot emissions by 110,000 tons each year. Schneider National is buying about 1,000 new tractor trucks this year, about half of its normal amount. The company wants to conduct its own tests to check fuel efficiency and costs. Meanwhile, another sector of the trucking industry is very excited about what it sees as the next “big thing.” Hybrid trucks, which convert braking energy into supplementary power, aren’t in mass production yet, but many major U.S. cities are clamoring for them for use as garbage trucks and postal vehicles. UPS, FedEx, and other delivery companies that are keenly interested are testing the trucks. Compared to diesel counterparts, hybrid trucks emit 96 percent less soot and 65 percent less nitrogen oxide. However, some politicians still think trucking companies aren’t doing their fair share when it comes to going green. Arizona governor Janet Napolitano and a state senator are pushing for legislation that would require trucks in the state carrying construction and other materials to be packed, covered, and secured to avoid leaks that harm air quality.

GROUP OPPOSES TOLL PRIVATIZATION: A newly formed coalition of trucking and consumer groups—more often adversaries than allies—has teamed up to voice their opposition to the sale or lease of public roads to private investors. Bill Graves, CEO of the American Trucking Associations (ATA), says the practice of selling or leasing toll facilities, bridges, and tunnels to private investors “generates revenue at great expense to taxpayers and the trucking industry and carries potential negative impacts on highway safety, security, and the motoring public.” The coalition, dubbed “Americans for a Strong National Highway Network,” is comprised of the ATA, OOIDA, the American Highway Users Alliance, AAA, the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association, and NATSO, a truck stop association. The coalition criticized the White House and the Department of Transportation for failing to consider other funding options, such as higher fuel taxes, for highway funding. A foreign consortium recently paid $3.8 billion to the state of Indiana to operate the Indiana toll road for 75 years. The coalition vowed to “forcefully engage” Congress and the Bush administration when the next highway bill is up for reauthorization.

SAVING FOR RETIREMENT IS UP TO YOU: More than ever, Americans are responsible for providing their own income during retirement. However, 52 percent of Americans have saved less than $25,000 for their golden years. Saving for the future is absolutely crucial. Here’s why: (1) Other income sources probably won’t be enough. Chances are, Social Security and a pension will not be sufficient for you to live on during retirement. Today, the largest segment of a retiree’s income—40 percent—comes from personal savings. In addition, that percentage is expected to increase over time. (2) Americans are living longer. The average 65-year-old has a life expectancy of 85. Living longer than previous generations means there are more retirement years to save for. (3) Early retirees need even more savings. If you’re planning an early retirement, you’ll have to work even harder at saving. Why? You’ll have fewer years on the job during which to save, your savings will have less time to grow, and you’ll be in retirement longer. Other drawbacks: Your Social Security benefits and pension will not be as big had you retired at 65, and you may not receive this income until several years into retirement. (4) Inflation may cut into your savings. No matter how much you save for retirement, your investments must outpace inflation or you risk losing money.

POSITIVE VIBES: Great leaders affirm their people. They offer words of praise and thanks, and they show respect and consideration. With so many positive vibes headed their way, how can employees not feel good about their jobs and themselves? Business author Chip R. Bell suggests three ways that leaders can affirm people: (1) Really listen. Many employees—and some customers—feel “over-surveyed and undervalued,” writes Bell. They believe employers listen to them talk, but they don’t necessarily hear what they say. “Too often the pursuit is for facts rather than feelings; conversation instead of candor,” writes Bell. Employee and customer commitment to an organization soars when interaction is personal, candid, and respectful. (2) Follow through. One day the manager of a copy shop asked a customer how the store could improve its service. The customer replied, “You talk about the ‘right job at the right time,’ but I don’t see a clock anywhere. Why don’t you put up a big clock on the wall?” The manager said that was a great idea. He opened a cash register, took out a $20 bill, and handed it to his colleague. “Please take this money,” he said, “and buy us a wall clock.” That dramatic action showed the customer that his feedback was valued, and it showed the employee the value of listening to the customer. (3) Never hire someone you wouldn’t want to hug. With this advice, Bell is not suggesting leaders hug their employees. He is suggesting, however, that working with people you genuinely like creates a joy that spills over into your work and creates a goodwill and bond among leaders, employees, customers, and, naturally, the feathered friends among us.

When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his friends.—Japanese proverb