All advertisements, and/or editorials are accepted and published by Over the Road on the representation that the advertiser, its advertising company, and/or the supplier of the editorials are authorized to publish the entire contents and subject matter thereof. The advertiser, its advertising company, and/or the supplier of the editorials will defend, indemnify and hold Over the Road harmless from and against any loss, expense or other liability resulting from any claims or suits for libel, violation of privacy, plagiarism, copyright or trademark infringement and any other claims or suits that may rise out of publication of such advertisement and/ or editorials. Press releases are expressly covered within the definition of editorials.
MAKING YOUR MILES COUNT
Robert D. Scheper
A POST Election Comment…
Written Before the Election
Writing in Over the Road Magazine for over 17 years has been awesome. Nothing I usually write about has any deadlines associated with its content... until this article. There is no way OTR can bring to print the May 2025 magazine after the April 28th election. The print deadline is usually around the 16-19th of the month previous. So, I’m writing in hindsight without foresight.
No matter who wins the federal election… and by how much… many people will be pissed off and disappointed. Some may even think of moving to Ireland. In the end, we must all still deal with Trump and his expectations and corresponding power plays. I don’t think many people will be able to sleep better after the election than before.
One thing I do know… there is a lot of passion on both sides of this political and economic conflict. Pro-Trump and Anti-Trump reminds me of Pro-Vax and Anti-Vax. Can someone please talk to the person pulling the strings and levers? Remind them that we already went through a great divide in 2021-2023.
Must we learn this lesson all over again? It split families, friends, churches, Mosques, Temples, hockey fans and bowling teams. Are we now supposed to split society up AGAIN into further ideological factions?
Personally, I’ve grown intolerant of intolerance! I’m tired of asking if someone is “Pro or Anti”. Being part of a democracy sometimes means I am subject to the collective will of the people… good or bad. If I can’t stand the heat… I’ll move to Ireland.
I’ve been in business nearly all my life… I was hawking lady finger fireworks in 7th grade (back then fireworks were illegal). When a cop came to my parents front door I nearly s**t my pants. The officer saw a terrified little boy and realized… this kid will never do THAT again. His short “talk” with me was less than 15 seconds, he knew any longer and I would have passed out in the entrance. I pivoted my sales career on the spot, from then on always staying on the straight and narrow. Businesses in Canada will change; it must ALWAYS CHANGE. If it doesn’t evolve it will die.
Re-engineering must be a part of life, it’s the ability to reinvent ourselves and our futures. There is a great set of pictures of the Raptor Rocket Engines (1, 2 and 3) on the internet. The one thing you know for sure about the Raptor engine is… there will be a fourth. Raptor engines will always get better when they are in an environment of continuous improvement. Either we re-engineer our own future or our future will roll over us and we become roadkill. Adapt or die.
The Canadian business environment will always have opportunity… so long as initiative and innovation are allowed. Industries may boom… industries may bust but innovation will always provide opportunity. The most naturally efficient businesses will provide the highest longterm return.
Using ANY form of the government to fend off competition and innovation is a dull short term “patch” to problems. Eventually, controlled industries will collapse under the weight of government when competing with personal freedom and innovation. We get that controlling mentality from our Imperialist forefathers. Britain made it “illegal” to make salt in India (one of the simplest of products to make). They controlled the Indian economy through force until eventually their laws collapsed on themselves. They lost their “jewel” because of selfishness, greed and arrogance. Canadian
“protectionism” is no different a path.
No matter who dwells in 24 Sussex Drive, trade, somewhere between Free Trade and No Trade is the terrain we now battle in. We may have strong opinions of who SHOULD live there but we MUST act civilly with whoever DOES live there.
No matter what position we have with the winner, let’s all be patient and live with our collective democratic choice… unless we move to Ireland.
About the Author:
Robert D. Scheper is a leading Accountant and Consultant exclusively serving the Lease/ Owner Operator industry in Canada. His first book in the Making Your Miles Count series “taxes, taxes, taxes” was released in 2007. His second book “Choosing a Trucking company” is the most in-depth analysis of the independent operator industry today. He has a Master degree (MBA) in financial management and has been serving the industry since he and his wife came off the road in 1993. His dedication, commitment and strong opinions can be read and heard in many articles and seminars. You can find him at www.makingyourmilescount. com or 1-877-987-9787.
CHECK OUT THE PODCASTS AT “YOUTUBE.COM/@MAKING YOUR MILES COUNT”
Our new Geotab Go Focus Camera Your fleet’s extra set of eyes on the road.
Intelligent safety alerts, event-driven recording and real-time insights help prevent collisions, protect drivers and cut fleet costs without invading privacy by recording only road-facing footage during specific key driving events.
Give GPS to Go Powered by Geotab a try, you won’t be disappointed.
We have been around for nearly 20 years; we are Canadian owned/ operated and we understand what customer service means!
SAFETY DAWG
Chris Harris
Four Ways to do Truck Driver Training
Have you noticed that some companies offer truck driver training, while others don’t? It’s puzzling. And here’s another question: why do trucking companies train drivers who already have their CDL? If the government says they’re trained enough, aren’t they already professional?
Let’s start with why trucking companies train. First, not all drivers who get their CDL are fully trained. Would you trust a mechanic who just graduated from school to rebuild your car’s engine? Of course not! You’d rather have a mechanic who’s been doing it for years and is super experienced. That’s why trucking companies train drivers, even those with their CDL. Experience is the best teacher, and it helps drivers become great professional operators on the road.
Now, why do trucking companies train drivers with years of experience? Well, there are a few reasons. First, we all get into bad habits, even experienced drivers. We’re human, and we like to take shortcuts. Training helps remind experienced drivers of the proper way to operate their massive trucks.
Did you know that companies are required by law to train their employees? This applies to everyone, not just truck drivers. Think about it, administrative assistants, managers, bankers, electricians, and even dock workers all need regular training from their employers.
When companies fail to train their drivers, they’re missing out on a huge opportunity. They could have a weaker case in court if they’re found to be negligent. And guess what? Insurance companies love to see proof of ongoing training. This
is one of the ways they evaluate trucking companies when they show that they’re committed to safety and reducing crashes.
What kind of training is best? There is the in-person large group meeting (usually on a Saturday morning), the online training (do it at your own pace and time), a tailgate meeting sometimes called a small group and one-to-one training.
So, which is the best way to train?
Well, that’s all up to you. But I can tell you that one-on-one training is always my top pick. If we can learn that way, the training is usually better. You get more time to ask questions, and the instructor can easily see if you’re getting it. But there are also some huge advantages to online learning. You can do the training when it’s best for you, which is super convenient.
I don’t think there’s one perfect method of training. Each style has its own advantages. For example, group meetings are cost-effective, especially if you bring in a guest speaker. Many use a combination of all of them.
Companies that train regularly have fewer crashes. It’s a simple fact. When employees know what’s expected of
them, they perform better. Training gives them clear guidelines and helps them meet those expectations.
We train because it’s the law, but we also train because it saves lives. That’s the best reason of all.
