Fault Codes for Detroit Diesel Series 60 Engines

Have you ever wondered what those engine codes mean when you have a check-engine light on in your truck?

Well, wonder no more because the following codes are supplied as a trouble-shooting guide for mechanics. These codes are not for the faint-of-heart, and you should always have your truck serviced by a qualified professional

Detroit Diesel Parts and Service

• These codes are for your reference only. Detroit Diesel Series 60 Engines only
• Please note: Codes 43, 44, and 45 are critical codes and if they are shown, the Stop Engine Light will come on which causes the engine protections to engage and your engine may shut down.
• All other codes will cause the Check Engine Light to come on which will not engage the engine protections and will allow the engine to continue running.
• If any of these codes are shown, please contact the nearest Detroit Diesel service center.

What is DEF?

DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) is NOT a fuel additive and it is NOT put into the fuel tank of the vehicle. DEF is not subject to fuel tax in any jurisdiction as it is not used to propel the vehicle and is not added to any fuel.

What is DEF used for?

In 2010, new diesel trucks had to start meeting lower emission levels (maximum 2 grams per brake HP). The manufactures of new diesel cars and trucks started using what they call a SCR system which is short for Selective Catalytic Reduction. All manufacturers except Navistar have begun using the SCR system

How does DEF work?

It differs from the standard EGR system as the EGR system re-circulates the exhaust back to the engine’s cylinders. A well run DEF system will get you a 5% fuel savings whereas the old EGR system will cost you 3-5% in fuel.

Is everyone using DEF?

Navistar however believes the EGR is still better as you don’t have the hassle of the extra tank, the space and weight of the tank/DEF (weighs a little more than 9 LBS per gallon), etc.

What is it made of?

DEF is a mixture of 32.5% Aqueous Urea (ammonia) and 67.5% de-ionized water.

The urea is a mixture of synthetic ammonia and carbon dioxide. Urea is also used in making plastics, animal feed, fertilizer and cleaning supplies.

Does it look and smell like fuel?

DEF is non flammable and non hazardous. It smells like ammonia. The vehicle has a separate DEF tank which is distinguished by a unique blue colored cap. The opening is 19mm to prevent a standard 22mm diesel pump nozzle from going in. You can not add DEF to diesel or diesel to DEF.

Does DEF freeze?

DEF will freeze at about -11 degrees centigrade but will thaw and will not be affected. A DEF tank on a truck has a small heater coil in the bottom so it melts a small quantity right away when starting out on a cold morning.

How is DEF placed into a tank?

The DEF is "sprayed" into the exhaust system (not the diesel fuel). It is sprayed at a rate of about 2%, although some people will say they can go to 5% (I would not take it past 3%).

When sprayed into the exhaust system it will break the nitrogen oxides down into nitrogen and water, reducing the NOX emissions.

Where and how do you buy DEF?

On average a truck can run about 300 miles on a gallon of DEF. You can buy it at truck stops and some fuel suppliers. It comes in drums, totes, bulk and 2.5 gallon jugs. The USA requires every truck stop to sell the product.

How big is the DEF tank?

A typical DEF tank on a truck is 6-30 gallons.

If you run out of DEF, you will notice poor performance of the engine and eventually the truck will not start.

The Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program of the FMCSA was designed to weed out as many as 5 percent, or 150,000, of the country's 3 million or so long-haul truck drivers they believe are involved in a disproportionately high number of truck accidents and fatalities.

CSA uses a complex scoring system to rate the nearly 700,000 DOT-registered interstate trucking companies on seven "Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories", known as "BASICs."

The seven (7) BASIC categories are

1. Unsafe Driving - Operation of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) by drivers in a dangerous or careless manner. Example violations: Speeding, reckless driving, improper lane change, and inattention. (FMCSR Parts 392 and 397)
2. Fatigued Driving (Hours-of-Service) - Operation of CMVs by drivers who are ill, fatigued, or in non-compliance with the Hours-of-Service (HOS) regulations. This BASIC includes violations of regulations pertaining to logbooks as they relate to HOS requirements and the management of CMV driver fatigue. Example violations: Exceeding HOS, maintaining an incomplete or inaccurate logbook, and operating a CMV while ill or fatigued. (FMCSR Parts 392 and 395)
3. Driver Fitness - Operation of CMVs by drivers who are unfit to operate a CMV due to lack of training, experience, or medical qualifications. Example violations: Failure to have a valid and appropriate commercial driver's license (CDL) and being medically unqualified to operate a CMV. (FMCSR Parts 383 and 391)
4. Controlled Substances/Alcohol - Operation of CMVs by drivers who are impaired due to alcohol, illegal drugs, and misuse of prescription or over-the-counter medications. Example violations: Use or possession of controlled substances/alcohol. (FMCSR Parts 382 and 392)
5. Vehicle Maintenance - Failure to properly maintain a CMV. Example violations: Brakes, lights, and other mechanical defects, and failure to make required repairs. (FMCSR Parts 393 and 396)
6. Cargo-Related - Failure to properly prevent shifting loads, spilled or dropped cargo, overloading, and unsafe handling of hazardous materials on a CMV. Example violations: Improper load securement, cargo retention, and hazardous material handling. (FMCSR Parts 392, 393, 397 and HM Violations)
7. Crash Indicator - Histories or patterns of high crash involvement, including frequency and severity. It is based on information from State-reported crashes.

A carrier's measurement for each BASIC depends on the following:

1. The number of adverse safety events (violations related to that BASIC or crashes)
2. The severity of violations or crashes
3. Date when the adverse safety events occurred (more recent events are weighted more heavily)

Carriers are scored in each category. The worse the carrier's performance -the higher the score. Warning letters are sent to fleets with scores above 65 (60 for HazMat carriers).

1. Lack of planning

   Running a trucking business is just like running any other type of business, but with many different regulations to work with; and a very unique type of client-base.

   It's not enough just to hold a CDL; --as a business owner you need careful planning, and help from various professionals to build a good foundation

2. Poor Management

   Enlist the services of a professional management team, or a bookkeeping service to help you keep the numbers straight.

   This is one of the weakest points in many small businesses, including trucking. If you don't know where the money goes, or how much is coming in--you are less likely to manage the business well.

3. Low cash-flow

   Cash-flow issues tend to be a combination of several factors such as: not enough customers or business, low-paying freight, high costs of operations, too many unpaid invoices, etc.

   Identify strategies to improve or manage your business' cash flow, or get help from a business manangement service.

4. No collection strategy

   Whether your small trucking business is sailing smoothly, treading water or moving against a strong tide during these tough economic times, having a reliable collection strategy is key to maintaining enough cash flow to remain profitable.

   Learn more about this here

5. Low paying freight – no knowledge of market rates

   No business can thrive for long when costs of operation are higher than incoming revenue
   Check your profit/loss statements, cash-flow or income/expense statements to review whether your business is profitable. Are the numbers what you would like to see?

   Consider paying a freight/load service to get better paying freight, or adjust your quotes. Also make sure you are getting paid all fuel and weight surcharges on every load

6. Failure to stay compliant – resulting in fines and being shut down by DOT

   If you practice staying compliant and encourage safe driving from your drivers, you are more likely to avoid all the headaches that come with being non-compliant.

   Have a written safety plan, procedures for staying legal, and provide regular training/refresher courses to drivers. Avoid business shortcuts --there are none

7. Partner with the wrong people

   Business partnerships tend to ruin friendships; --avoid them
   If you must enter a partnership, make sure you have an operating agreement, properly documented business documents, and an exit strategy.

   If it's not on paper, maybe it's not for real -just sayin'

8. No professional help

   Let's face it- how many business owners are also accountants, safety managers, marketing gurus, etc? Not many.

   As a business owner, one of your top jobs is finding and hiring the right people for the job, or getting a service meet the needs you cannot do well on your own.

   Seek advice from the right places – double-check any business advice.

Compliance Audit: How to Be Ready Long Before You Are Notified

Preparing for a compliance audit can be a very nerve-wracking, time-consuming event. From the minute you receive a notification of an audit, your brain begins to spin with all of the requirements and reporting that are necessary to pass. However, it is suggested that you prepare yourself and your team long before the letter arrives. This can be accomplished by the implementation of a solid workflow and a professionally organized record keeping system. Here are a couple of ways that you can help to guarantee a successful audit.

Make sure your team members are all using the same documentation.

It can be difficult to find the right logging system for your company, but once you decide on one, stick to it and make sure everyone is using it. If everyone in your fleet uses the same logging device or same logging documents providing information to an auditor becomes much easier.

Keep your team members on the same schedule

A large part of compliance auditing is making sure everyone and everything is happy and healthy. This includes both drivers and machinery. It is much easier to manage the health of both your employees and their machinery if they are all getting regular check-ups. Designate certain times of year for your employees to check in on their health, update medical certification, and make sure you have regularly scheduled maintenance for your fleet.

Regularly review your paperwork

While regularly reviewing your paperwork and logs seems like an easy concept, it is often over-looked because it seems so mundane. However, if you keep a good schedule of looking through accident documentation, health files, receipts, and trip reports when the time comes for an audit the entire process will seem much less overwhelming.

If you are able to implement and keep these practices, you will be on the road to success and be passing your compliance audit with flying colors!

Trip Sheet Central (TSC) is a truck-business management suite designed specifically for Truck Carrier Operations. It is ideal for lease and owner-operators, fleet-owners and company drivers.

Whether you're looking for a simple do-it-yourself book-keeping solution, or a full-service accounting service, we can customize a package to meet your bookkeeping, fuel tax reporting, business consulting, coaching and mentoring needs.

Bookkeeping / Fuel Tax Reporting

Our bookkeeping services keep your financials current to help you review how your business is performing, and make sound business decisions.

TSC will organize and maintain your:

• Trucking Trip Sheets
• Income/Expense Statements
• Profit/Loss Statements
• Accounting Statements
• Quarterly IFTA Tax Reporting
• IRP Mileage Reports
• Other Custom reports
• General book-keeping
• Fleet/Equipment Maintenance Records

If you need to setup your own trucking business or add to your MC Authority checkout TSC Authority

Call us today for a free business analysis: (800) 644-2040

• How do I know whether my trucking business is turning a profit?
• How do I setup an accounting system for my trucking business?
• Is there a one-size-fits-all book-keeping system for trucking businesses?
• I do not want to learn how to do accounting, do I need to hire an accountant?
• Staying organized is not one of my strengths -is running a trucking business for me?
• I think my truck revenue was over $250,000 last year, but I can't tell where it went!
• How do I keep track of which shipper or broker owes me money?
• I think the economy is busting my truck business, -maybe?
• My spreadsheet is out of whack! I can't tell whether the numbers are real or not.
• Is there a way I can stick it to the man and win in my small trucking biz?
• Do you hate doing Taxes?
• Do you know how much your trucking business made last month?
• Can you provide accurate information about that load you hauled last month to Denver?
• How much am I paying my owner-operators?
• Do you have a clue who your customers are?
• Do you need help keeping your bookkeeping up-to-date?

These are critical questions to ask yourself if you're in the trucking biz, and all too often we don't have straight answers to go along. It's hard enough to juggle all the responsibilities of running your business, let alone fit and keep all the puzzles in place.

The International Registration Plan (Plan) is a registration reciprocity agreement among states of the United States, the District of Columbia and provinces of Canada providing for payment of apportionable fees on the basis of total distance operated in all jurisdictions

Show Notes

• Original Air Date: February 24, 2011
• Episode: Bookkeeping Services for the Trucking Professional
• Hosted by: Allen Smith of Truth About Trucking on Blog Talk Radio

About the Show

Our special guest, Eddie Gichuhi ran over the road for seven years facing the many challenges of being an independent owner operator in a very competitive business environment. Seeing the struggles faced by drivers, he set out to build and design the ultimate bookkeeping service for small to medium sized truck fleets, business owners, owner-operators and company truck drivers. As founder of Trip Sheet Central, he developed a proven framework that truck business owners can use to manage their businesses and grow in strength and profit. If you're serious about having your own successful trucking business, you will not want to miss this show.

Introduction

After having logged roughly half a million miles over several years on the open road, I like to sit at my home office doing IFTA taxes (road taxes), accounting and bookkeeping for other truckers. I enjoy what I do now- helping truckers run and manage their business by working with them directly to create a system that helps them maximize profits and free up time for them to do the things they like most.

Who / what I represent

My work revolves around creating and improving simple business processes that help truckers work better at managing their business make a profit and stay compliant with all federal and state trucking regulations.

Background

When I started trucking more than seven years ago, all I had was a dream, a poor plan and misguided advice on the whole concept of trucking being a profitable venture. Little did I know that it wasn't just about finding high-paying loads and submitting the freight-bill, there was a lot more I was not prepared for. Like keeping track of expenses, knowing my cost per mile for each load, understanding variable versus fixed costs and how they impacted my business, paying owner-operators, keeping tabs on contracts, insurance, vendors, suppliers, licenses, permits and even complying with state and federal laws related to the industry.

The first couple of years I was just lucky, I was able to out-earn my ignorance but that soon came to an end when I was faced with the tough questions like:

• How do I know whether my trucking business is turning a profit?
• How do I setup an accounting system for my trucking business?
• I do not want to learn how to do accounting, do I need to hire an accountant?
• How do I keep track of which shipper or broker owes me money?
• How do I stay on top of Fuel Taxes, business taxes, due dates for filing taxes, due dates for business licences, insurance, etc.?

These are critical questions to ask yourself if you're in the trucking business, and all too often we don't have straight answers to go along. It's hard enough to juggle all the responsibilities of running your business, let alone fit and keep all the puzzles in place.

One thing I discovered kind of dishearteningly, is that not too many people in the trucking biz want to talk about the secrets of their successes, or show you how to turn things around. My take on it: Not too many know how to do it right, and even fewer have the right tools to do it.

When I woke up from the daze, I resolved to use my experience, information technology skills, and proven techniques learned over time to build a system that works, a framework that truck business owners can use to manage their businesses -and win.

The Solution - Keeping the Books Straight

A few facts about trucking (which you have already heard about 10 times today already):

• Ninety percent of trucking businesses fail within the first 14 months. Building a profitable trucking business takes more than hard work, it takes having the best business plan in place. Without the knowledge and expertise of a professional trucking based management system, nearly 9 out of 10 new owner operators will fail.
• Running a trucking business, or any business without some basic tools or a management system is like driving a truck without any instruments! You know the posted speed limit is 65mph but you don't know how fast or how slow you're going, or even worse, you don't know where you're going because now you're finally loaded, dispatch is gone for the weekend and the bill of lading has no address.
• You need a plan. The same way you wouldn't begin to build a $100,000 home without a blue-print is the same approach you should take when starting your trucking business.

The system I developed is called Trip Sheet Central (TSC) -- What is it?

This system needed to meet some very basic needs in order to work.

Here are 3 of them and I will go over each of them in more detail:

1. 1st - Easy to use
2. 2nd - Available
3. 3rd - Affordable

TSC is a web-based truck-business management suite designed specifically for Truck Carrier Operations. It is ideal for truck owner-operators, truck fleet-owners and company drivers. TSC will simplify your trucking business operations by helping you organize your trucking trip sheets, income and expenses, shippers, receivers, accounting statements, driver payroll, IFTA tax information and driver qualification files.

TSC works by analyzing cash flow to determine profitability, creating real-time profit-loss statements, operating expense statements, invoices, driver settlement reports and many more business statements.

All your business critical information is organized in one place, and accessible securely from anywhere using an internet connection. All you need is your laptop/computer and username/password - just like checking your bank balance online.

This is a web-based solution built from experience and extensive user testing. Many features have been added as a result of requests and feedback from trucking companies that use TSC. The solution is simple to use, yet powerful enough to meet even the toughest record-keeping requirements prescribed by the FMCSA.

So let us go back to the 3 basic requirements:

1. Easy to use
   
   • TSC is designed from the ground up to be used by almost anyone.
   • There is very little training to start using it, and in many people are able to get used to it very quickly because of the familiar language used in the trucking industry such as Bill of Lading, Shipping Documents, Pick up, Delivery, etc.
   • Provides the most common business reports such as Profit/Loss, Cash flow, Cost/Mile break-down, plus many other custom reports.
   • IFTA/Fuel Tax preparation is simplified to the point where you just print the tax return when you need it.
2. Available
   
   • TSC is available 24/7/365 Access
   • Online when you are. At your own pace!
   • Nothing to download or install
3. Affordable
   
   • TSC is built with the owner-operator in mind. So affordability is a key issue. TSC has several options to choose from based on individual needs so you only pay for what you use.

Why choose TSC? What are the benefits?

Cost Effective

Most operations with 1 to 3 trucks have gross revenues of between $150,000 to $500,000 - for these types of businesses it is more cost effective to outsource the bookkeeping to our monthly service for a fraction of the cost of a full-time accountant. (take the time to count how many hours a month you spend balancing your books, creating invoices, maintaining company information -- and then multiply that by how much you think your time is worth, then write a check)

Accessible

• Trip Sheet Central is a web-based set of tools that require only an internet connection -on your laptop, ipad or smartphone
• 100% of our customers' paperwork is converted into electronic format for permanent storage, making it easy to retrieve on demand. We are doing our part to be environmentally friendly.
• All information processed using TSC can be accessed in real-time in a report or via search.

Automatic Invoice Generation

• TSC automatically calculates and generates shipper/broker invoices in PDF format ready to print, fax or even mail. The ability to create invoices in real time is critical to ensuring that your cash-flow is not affected due to not submitting paperwork in a timely way.
• Easily generate an invoice and email or fax it to the freight-bill payer as soon as your truck unloads. Immediate billing increases your chances of being paid ahead of the competition while all information about the load is available and fresh on everyone's mind.

Business Tools for trucking

• Create a quote in seconds using the built-in Rate Advisor to help you negotiate the best rates
• Mileage calculator city to city or zip to zip
• National and regional fuel price information at your fingertips to help with planning and routing management.

Shipper/Broker Contacts

Access your shipper and broker contact information in a search-able address book that is continuously updated as you build your shipper and broker database. Add important notes or remarks as needed to the shipper/broker profiles as reminders or even for the benefit of other authorized users on your account.

Marketing / Lead Generation Tool

• As your shipper database grows, you can begin to prospect for business to fill those empty trucks at market rates instead of back-haul rates or running huge dead-head miles.
• You've seen it before: -a broker tenders a great load paying lots of money to a far away place and when you get there there are no loads coming back. Well, if you continuously grow your shipper database, you can easily start prospecting for return loads from that far away place before the truck gets there, thereby reducing your idle time and making money on the return trip at outbound market rates.

Secure / Encrypted website

Manage your business data securely. This website uses industry strength encryption technology to secure all communications between your browser and our servers. Notice the padlock icon that means secured!

Daily Data Backup

Never lose your information again. Our servers are backed up on a daily basis to ensure that customer data is not compromised or lost in the event of a catastrophic event.

What kind of support is available?

TSC goes beyond just bookkeeping and fuel taxes, we also have a business mentoring program for company drivers who want to transition to becoming owner-operators, or owner-operators who want to start over or make changes to their operation so they can be profitable.

Conclusion

Don't let these tough questions keep you up at night. TSC can help you get back on track with your business to let you concentrate on what you do best. We will be your virtual assistant who does the back-office bookkeeping and business management that is necessary to keep your business running smoothly.

Take me up on answering these questions and see whether Trip Sheet Central is for you. I'll set you up on a demo account, spend 45 minutes to an hour (at no charge) to analyze your business situation and suggest a strategy for success.

All you need is the willingness to turn your business around, and a risk-free way to get ahead of the competition. Start making your business work for you. Take control of the numbers.

Trip Sheet Central

Simplify your truck business management

About TSC

Trip Sheet Central (TSC) is a web-based truck-business management suite designed specifically for Truck Carrier Operations.

Ideal for TRUCK owner-operators, truck fleet-owners and company drivers.

Mission

Our mission is to help you as a truck business owner stay on track with your business and let you concentrate on what you do best. We will be your virtual assistant who does the back-office bookkeeping and business management that is necessary to keep your business running smoothly.

Products & Services

Truck Bookkeeping, Driver Trip Sheets, IFTA Quarterly Tax Filing, Billing Service, Records Management for FMCSA (DOT) Compliance, Business Management Service

Key Business Functions of TSC

• Key Performance Indicators (KPI) Reports / Business Performance Snapshot
• Detailed Trip Sheets
• Comprehensive Trip Analysis
• Driver Settlement Reports
• Create and Send Professional Invoices
• Financial Accounting
• IFTA Miles and Tax Worksheets
• Current and Historical IFTA Tax Rate Tables
• Fleet Maintenance Records
• FMCSA Compliance Records Management
• Lane Analysis
• Unlimited Fleet Size Management
• Owner-Operator Business Tools

Data Management

• Shippers, Receivers
• Freight Brokers, Agents
• Business Contacts
• Drivers, Employees, Contractors
• Fleet Equipment
• Vendors, Suppliers
• Contacts Management

Financial Accounting

• Track Trip Expenses
• Track Operating Expenses
• Income and Expense Statements
• Profit and Loss Statements
• Cash Flow Statements
• Open Invoice Report
• Driver Settlement Reports
• Key Performance Indicators Reports

Access

• Secure Web, Online
• Multi-User Access
• Multi-Level User Configuration
• Trucker, User Friendly
• Accountant Friendly
• Real-Time Dynamic Reports

Technology & Support

• Turn-Key Software Development Cycle
• FREE Program Updates
• Automatic Upgrades
• Daily Backup
• FREE Technical Support
• FREE Customer Support

There have been so many changes in the last year and a half to list all of them here. In summary, Version 2.01 (Released 01/21/2011) is now live. Here are some of the new features introduced in 2.01:

• New Electronic Document Management capabilities
• New Electronic Driver Qualification File system integrated with TSC
• Improved Driver Settlement Calculations for special types of contractors/employees
• Smart Shipper suggestions based on trip plan
• Improved navigational aides to provide faster access to frequently used screens
• Updated Chart of Accounts and Expense categories
• More business reports to manage cash-flow
• Improved user-interface to help with faster data-entry
• Bug fixes, many code improvements and speed enhancements

What is it?

The Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) is a screening tool that allows motor carriers and individual drivers to purchase driving records from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS). Records are available for 24 hours a day via Web request.

Driver Information Resource records (DIR) purchased through PSP contain the most recent 5 years of crash data and 3 years of roadside inspection data from the FMCSA MCMIS system. The PSP will only contain MCMIS information.

FMCSA developed the PSP system to make safety performance information electronically available for pre-employment screening purposes which are mandated by Congress in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users, Title 49 U.S. Code, section 31150 Public Law 109-59 Section 4117. FMCSA believes that making this driver data available to potential employers and operator-applicants will improve the quality of safety data and help employers make more informed decisions when hiring commercial drivers. The PSP provides more rapid access to commercial driver safety performance information than was previously available under Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) or Privacy Act requests.

Motor carriers may request Driver Information Resource records only for the purpose of conducting pre-employment screening and are required to obtain written consent before a driver's information is released from PSP. Individual drivers or operator-applicants may purchase their own Driver Information Resource record at any time.

PSP only contains MCMIS inspection and crash information that is uploaded into MCMIS by FMCSA Federal staff and State partners.

Non-motor carrier entities like insurance companies will not be able to access driver information. The only allowed use of information from PSP is to conduct pre-employment screening.

Prospective driver applicants should look out for an authorization form that looks like this one here (right).

I had the opportunity to share some time with Aubrey Allen Smith on his show where he discussed Jason's Law.

More Links and Support

• The Truth About Trucking ~ http://www.blogtalkradio.com/truthabouttrucking
• Life line truckers of Canada ~ http://www.lifelinetruckers.com/Links.html
• Aubrey Allen Smith ~ http://www.askthetrucker.com/

US DOT Bans Texting at the Wheel

The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) today (01/26/2010) announced federal guidance to expressly prohibit texting by drivers of commercial vehicles such as large trucks and buses. The prohibition is effective immediately and is the latest in a series of actions taken by the Department to combat distracted driving.

The Department wants the drivers of big rigs and buses and those who share the roads with them to be safe, and will be taking more steps to eliminate the threat of distracted driving.

The action is the result of the Department's interpretation of standing rules. Truck and bus drivers who text while driving commercial vehicles may be subject to civil or criminal penalties of up to $2,750.

"Our regulations will help prevent unsafe activity within the cab."
- Anne Ferro, Administrator for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

FMCSA research shows that drivers who send and receive text messages take their eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds out of every 6 seconds while texting. At 55 miles per hour, this means that the driver is traveling the length of a football field, including the end zones, without looking at the road. Drivers who text while driving are more than 20 times more likely to get in an accident than non-distracted drivers. Because of the safety risks associated with the use of electronic devices while driving, FMCSA is also working on additional regulatory measures that will be announced in the coming months.

Visit www.distraction.gov to learn more about the efforts the U.S. Department of Transportation is working on to combat distracted driving.

Welcome to the October Edition of the TSC Newscast!

Thank you for your continued business!

Trip Sheet Central (TSC) continues to provide services to hundreds of satisfied truck-business owners, owner-operators and company drivers. We are excited to announce some major improvements and features to our suite of business-management services.

New/Enhanced Features

• IFTA Mileage and Tax Worksheets:
  • Break-down of toll miles vs non-toll miles is now reported in the IFTA Mileage and Tax Summary report.
  • Many questions have been asked about which miles matter in the IFTA report: Some states consider toll miles as exempt, while others do not. TSC takes the approach taken by most states, i.e: toll miles are exempt from IFTA taxes, but fuel purchased on the toll road counts.
• Vendor Transactions Report
  • Option to add/manage your own vendors in addition to global list of vendors is now available.
  • Save Location and Contact information for vendors in the quick add vendor form
  • Review transaction details in the new Vendor Transactions Report
• New Message Center
  • Access to System Messages is now even easier with color coded display from My Dashboard
  • Read and respond to application messages, ask questions, find answers from within TSC

October Specials

Free data upload from your spreadsheets. - TSC will, free-of-charge import data from your excel spreadsheets to help you catch up with data entry.

We realize many of our customers were using difficult to maintain spreadsheet programs that they don't know how to migrate to TSC without many hours of laborious data-entry -we can help!

Send us your spreadsheets of brokers, drivers, shippers, receivers, manual trip sheets, bills of lading and we'll import them into TSC. FREE this month (a $250 value!)

Referral Cash $$

The greatest compliment you can give us is a referral. Refer your business partners, associates and friends who you think could use TSC. We'll set them up on a trial account, provide unlimited training and support, AND send you $10 for each confirmed sign-up. -No waiting, no fine print. It's that easy -your friend signs up -we send you $10, and there's no limit on how many can sign up!

Thanks for your business!

The Team @ Trip Sheet Central
Business Tools for Truckers, by a Trucker!

That's an odd headline, but I figure it oughta catch anyone's attention fairly quickly.

As an owner operator, or independent truck business owner, you may fall into the category of small business owners that do not have big company benefits like health insurance or life insurance. Insurance of any kind these days is outrageously expensive, and even with the folks in congress talking about it all the time it is still a few years away from being useful to us right now when we need it.

I want to focus for now on life insurance. Driving a truck is much safer these days but there is still the odd chance that as a truck driver you could be involved in a fatal crash. Back when I was driving a truck, there are times I would be just so tired and yet I could not stop because I needed to cover more miles to make an on-time delivery. In many of those instances I dreaded falling asleep at the wheel and the thought of being in a crash often kept me awake. I thought of my wife and kids back home who depended entirely on me for the bread on the table, clothing, shelter, -you name it. I thought about buying life insurance and the one quote I got was so high I immediately shelved the idea.

Well, I'm now more informed about life insurance and the kind to buy. I'm not an expert on this, but I do know that Guaranteed Level Term Life Insurance can be purchased for less than a couple lunches a month. For instance, you can buy a $400,000 15-20yr guaranteed level term life insurance policy for about $30/month or a couple hundred/year depending on your age and health. This is a good buy, and peace of mind knowing that you're taking care of your family the last time you do. To get a free quote and see just how affordable it is go to Zander Insurance' website www.zanderins.com