 Hey Dillon team. We know that times are tough and more trying than normal, but know that our team and our nation appreciations your hard, serious work behind the wheel. And while the economy shutdown has caused numerous businesses to close their doors, there are also many who are going out of their way to show their appreciation for the trucking industry. Read more to see how you can benefit!
FOOD Numerous restaurants are finding unique ways to help out the trucking industry. Check out the discounts and helpful services that some of your favorites are offering.
ELECTRONICS & RADIO There’s nothing better than listening to your favorite radio show or jamming out to a great song to pass the time on the road. It’s also nice to have good internet access at truck stops. Check out a couple some discount options below.
HOTELS & STAY Finding a nice, clean spot to stay during long hauls is a game changer. These common rest stops are going out of their way to make sure you can recharge properly.
FACEBOOK HELP GROUPS People are rallying around truckers to make sure they get what they need to be successful on the road. These Facebook groups provide updates and, through the help of volunteers, bring food to truckers. Click the links below to join them.
0 Comments
As Americans prepare to ride out home quarantines, our drivers are out on the front lines helping keep shelves stocked and meet everyday consumer needs. The new normal may look much different in your everyday life, but here at Dillon Logistics, no deadline - even during a pandemic - is is too tough for our crew of serious drivers. What we’re hauling has a direct impact on our everyday lives. From the fertilizer that nourishes the vegetables in the produce isles, to the box of cereal you just picked up and the asphalt that paves the roads connecting you to the grocery stores, our drivers are helping deliver the essential products we need.  There are sure to be a ton of unexpected and trying times in the coming weeks as America navigates what is happening, but when we come out on the other side and the year 2020 is noted in history books, we’ll be proud to say Dillon Logistics drivers were standing beside the the thousands of fleets on the fight to move America forward.
 When most people think of distracted driving, they picture texting behind the wheel. While cell phone use is one of the most common driver diversions, there are a host of other actions people take that put them and others in danger on the road.
According to EndDD.org, a distracted driving organization, there are three types of distracted driving: manual (moving hands away from the wheel), visual (taking eyes off the road), and cognitive (mind wandering away from the task of driving). Texting involves all three, and according to FMCSA, drivers who text are 23% more likely to cause an accident. But it’s not just texting that poses a risk. Other electronic devices, like tablets, laptops and GPS systems can be a distraction. Yet, technology isn’t the only culprit. Eating and drinking, reaching for another object in your truck, smoking and looking at surroundings can all cause drivers to release their attention from the road. So what precautions can you take to minimize distractions while you are behind the wheel? An article from Work Truck Online offers some good tips.
Drivers, always taking your hauling seriously, and hauling seriously means upholding safety behind the wheel. Minimizing distractions could mean your life and the lives of others on the road around you.  By now, most everyone in the transportation industry has heard of the FMCSA Clearinghouse, but some are still unsure of exactly what it is. If you haven’t heard of the FMCSA Clearinghouse before and are looking for new opportunities with the Dillon Logistics team, make sure to keep reading in order for your application and onboarding process to be smooth and seamless.
In a layman’s terms, the Clearinghouse is used to promote highway safety by making sure that drivers who have a drug or alcohol offense are evaluated and/or treated before they operate a CMV on public road. It is every trucking company’s responsibility to check the Clearinghouse for current and prospective employees to identify drivers who are prohibited from operating a CMV based on U.S. Department of Transportation drug and alcohol program violations, and ensure that such drivers receive the required evaluation and treatment before operating a CMV on public roads. Here is how our future Dillon drivers can prepare. Complete the two step FMCSA Clearinghouse registration process before you apply for a driving job(www.clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov). Next, complete our application (https://intelliapp.driverapponline.com/c/dillonlogistics). Once the application is completed and you’ve spoken with our recruiters, you must log back into the Clearinghouse portal to release our query request. This not only helps expedite your application process but also does not delay us getting you in the truck. Tenstreet, an integrated driver recruiting software and one of our partners, acts as our third-party administrator (TPA) to help us expedite this process as well. If you have more questions, leave a comment below with your phone number and we’ll have a Dillon Logistics recruiter reach out to answer your questions with further information.  Human trafficking is not a topic to take lightly, but it is a topic that we should engage in and fight against. This year, we are proud to be partnering with Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT), an organization that educates truck drivers on how to identify and report instances of trafficking, to help defeat the stifling amount of traffickers that exploit our nations highways.
According to TAT, human trafficking can be found in all 50 states, “and victims are often reported in locations frequented by truckers.” Because we have a thumbprint in these areas, we at Dillon Logistics feel it is part of our duty to help take a stand against these heinous crimes. “Truckers are one of the most motivated and well-organized industry groups on this issue,” the TAT website states. “[We are] raising up a mobile army of transportation professionals to assist law enforcement in the recognition and reporting of human trafficking, in order to aid in the recovery of victims and the arrest of their perpetrators.” Since its launch in 2009, the organization’s impact has been monumental: 2,496 people have contacted the trafficking hotline, 663 cases have been generated, 1,230 victims have been identified, and 845,115 people have registered as TAT trained. The numbers continue to grow. We look forward to becoming a corporate sponsor this year and have begun pushing out the TAT training companywide to become certified partners. At Dillon Logistics, serious hauling is about more than what we do behind the wheel. It involves serious commitment to our industry and those involved in it.  In an industry where safety is key all year round, there’s no better time than now to put your best safety methods into practice. Slick roads, harsh storms and extra traffic are inevitable during the holiday season and can challenge any driver’s capabilities. While we are proud to have some of the best professionals out there, it never hurts to freshen up on some critical safety practices to help face the frigid months.
“Knowledge and implementation of proper, preventative safety skills for driving in poor conditions, can truly separate the professional drivers from the rest of the pack” an article from Smart-Trucking said. Before leaving the terminal, check your truck. Tanks and trailers should be in pristine condition to handle the weather. Inspect the following to verify everything is up to par:
Once you get on the road, the Smart-Trucking article said to use tail lights as a gauge for following distance. When visibility is low and you can see the tail lights of the car in front of you, you are driving too close. Because traction on icy roads is poor, staying at a safe distance from other vehicles and maintaining cautious speeds gives you a time to react if things go awry. Another tip from Smart-Trucking is to always carry a bag of kitty litter. It’s an environmentally friendly and effective method for gaining traction if you park on a patch of ice and get stuck. Also, recognize that with frozen conditions comes the infamous black ice. Deceptively similar to water, black ice is transparent and easy to miss. According to an article by Ryder Fleet Products, the best way to pinpoint black ice is to look at your truck and surrounding terrain. If ice begins to build on the outside mirror arms, the antenna, or top corners of the wind-shield, it’s possible there is black ice on the road. If water spray from vehicles tires in front of you suddenly stops, it could mean there are ice patches on the road.  “Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I., which officially took place on November 11, 1918. In legislation that was passed in 1938, November 11 was ‘dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as Armistice Day.’ As such, this new legal holiday honored World War I veterans,” said an article from www.military.com
Later, a bill was signed that created the annual observance of Veteran’s Day. With over 100 veterans as part of our team, this holiday rings close to home for us at Dillon Logistics. As a company serious about hauling, we know that our veterans are not afraid to put their all in behind the wheel. Having made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, showing true patriotism and a willingness to serve, these men deserve the ultimate honor. We extend our deepest gratitude and thanks. To celebrate the bravery of men and women around the world, we are gathering a donation for Wreaths Across America. This organization dedicates their time to honoring those who have fallen with beautiful wreaths. Their mission is to Remember our fallen U.S. Veterans, Honor those who serve, and Teach children the value of freedom. People are encouraged to sponsor a wreath, which helps pay for the supplies to construct the garlands. The wreath-laying ceremony takes place at the Arlington National Cemetery during December as well as in more than 1,600 other locations. Join us in paying our respects to our brave, fellow countrymen and women. Donate at the link below.  BURR RIDGE, ILLINOIS — Dillon Logistics, a premier leader in asphalt, chemical, and dry bulk transportation for more than 30 years, is proud to announce that they have been selected to receive the 2019 SmartWay Excellence Award for outstanding environmental efforts and leadership.
According to SmartWay Excellence Award Coordinator Joann Stephens, the accolade is reserved for the top performing SmartWay Partners and is the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) highest recognition for outstanding initiative in freight, supply chain, energy and environmental performance. “Achieving the 2019 SmartWay Excellence Award illustrates our commitment to supporting green initiatives and pioneering environmentally friendly alternatives in our industry,” Dillon Logistics President Charles Musgrove said. “Hauling for our customers is a responsibility and privilege we take seriously, and this award solidifies our pledge.” As stated on SmartWay’s website, the Excellence Award winners are selected based on their annual freight assessment and emissions tracking tool submissions. Winners will be honored Monday morning, October 7, 2019, at the American Trucking Associations (ATA) Management Conference & Exhibition in San Diego, California. ### About Dillon Logistics. Founded in 1980 and headquartered in Burr Ridge, IL. Dillon Logistics has established itself as a leader in asphalt, chemical, and dry bulk transportation. Equipped with an elite driver force and 10 facilities strategically located across the mid-west, south and southeast, Dillon Logistic’s mission is to deliver premier, reliable logistic services to customers in a safe and positive culture while exceeding the expectations of stakeholders. Hauling for customers is a responsibility and privilege Dillon Logistics takes seriously. For more information on the company and its services visit: http://www.dillonlogistics.com/  One of the numerous perks of being a professional driver, whether you stay local or go on long OTR excursions throughout the country, is the opportunity to travel to new places and try new things, especially food! To help you find the best stops to grab some grub, we curated a list of highly rated restaurants near each of our terminals. If you try one of these places, make sure to post about it on our Facebook page!
ATLANTA, GA Gochas Breakfast Bar (4 stars + 220 reviews on yelp) An upscale breakfast cafe featuring southern-style dishes. Their specialties include Shrimp & Grits, “Krunch-tastic” French toast, Gocha’s Impossible burger, Chicken & Waffles, and “Better Than Yo Momma” biscuits. A 16 minute drive from the terminal, this dive is the perfect place to start out a long haul. Eat Greedys (4 stars + 42 reviews on yelp) Ever had to decipher between a savory breakfast sandwich or a sweet glazed donut for breakfast? Eat Greedys offers the best of both worlds with their famous Suge Burger - a classic breakfast sandwich with donuts as the bun. Known for their southern hospitality and simple, high-quality versions of the classics, this place is a must during your time in Atlanta and is only 5.4 miles from our terminal. DALLAS, TX Tacos Mariachi (4.5 stars + 267 reviews on yelp) If you’re looking to try something out of the box, get the Octopus Taco - topped with asadero cheese, sliced avocado and cilantro/pesto sauce. If you’re looking to stick to something more in your comfort zone, check out their daily taco specials. Located a quick 13 minutes from our Dallas terminal, Tacos Mariachi is a good go to while in Dallas. Smokey Johns (4.5 stars + 358 reviews on yelp) Traditional, hickory-smoked, home-style BBQ - like eating it right off the grill from a backyard get together. Smokey John’s is well-known for providing fast and friendly service and is never lacking in true Texan hospitality. Check out their pork ribs, hot links, fried catfish or brisket. They have all of your favorite southern BBQ staples, and it’s just 3.2 miles from our terminal. HEIDELBERG, MS Wards Restaurant (4.5 stars + 125 google reviews) In Heidelberg’s unassuming little town, you’ll find a local staple known as Wards - voted best fast food restaurant in the area. If you’ve never tasted homemade root beer, this is the place to try it, and it’s always served in a frozen mug. For grub, you can choose from a selection of breakfast wraps, spicy chicken sandwiches and other American favorites. Just 3 minutes from our terminal, this is a go-to when you are in Heidelberg. MCCOOK, IL Burger Antics (4.5 stars + 548 reviews on yelp) At Burger Antics, all the food is prepared in house, even down to the ketchup and mustard. These guys aren’t messing around when it comes to incredible food, like their maple bacon donut topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or their “The Max” burger piled high with smoked gouda, applewood smoked bacon, a fried egg and mild or hot buffalo sauce. If you have time for grub during your stop at our McCook terminal, this place is worth it and is just 2.8 miles from the terminal. Egg Beater Cafe (4 stars + 97 reviews on yelp) Need some morning energy before hitting the road? Check out this quaint cafe. Pillowy eggs, crisp hash browns, fluffy pancakes and juicy bacon a favorite here. Even better? It’s only a 10 minute walk from our terminal. MEDINA/LODI, OH Cork Screw Saloon (4 stars + 113 reviews on yelp) Looking for something a little on the swanky side for dinner? Cork Screw Saloon offers culinary deliciousness in a rustic, historic setting - a three story brick building with a charming outdoor patio. Start with duck bacon wontons and follow it up with barbecue ribs, chipotle chicken and shrimp, or sweet Georgia chicken. Everything is mouth watering and worth the 18 minute drive from the terminal. Dan's Dogs Hot Dog Eatery & Diner (4 stars + 141 reviews on yelp) While traveling 20 minutes for a hot dog may seem a bit excessive, it’s worth it while you are in Ohio. Choose from a plethora of various hot dog combinations, like the Slaw Dog heaped with chili and coleslaw or the Junkyard Dog piled high with fresh chopped veggies, mozzarella, sour cream and tomatoes. Want something unique? Try their Deputy Dog, slathered with peanut butter and jelly. MICHIGAN CITY, IN New Buffalo Bills (4.5 stars + 220 reviews on yelp) Slow cooked root beer beans, smoked salmon, 12 hour hickory roasted pork and chicken, sweet potato salad and more! This place is BBQ galore and great for a pit stop while in Michigan City. It’s only 14 minutes from our terminal. Mucho Mas! (4.5 stars + 132 reviews on Yelp) Craving some authentic Mexican Cuisine? This little hole in the wall is just 6 minutes from our terminal and is great for a quick bite for lunch or dinner. Taco plates, salads, burritos, combination plates and a killer churro, Mucho Mas is a popular, local stop. SAVANNAH, GA Treylor Park (4.5 stars + 2,394 reviews) Located in the heart of the historic district of downtown Savannah, Treylor Park offers an eclectic atmosphere, great service and wings with peanut butter! At this little join you’ll find traditional pub findings with a southern twist. Enjoy! A little out of the ways at a 33 minute drive, but worth it for the food and the downtown Savannah scene. Leopolds Ice Cream (4.5 stars + 2,141 reviews on yelp) A generational gem and legendary soda fountain business, this classic shop is known for malts, milk shakes, banana splits and all the beloved vintage treats. If you have a sweet tooth, this is the place to satisfy it! Find it right around the corner from Treylor Park. TAMPA/MULBERRY, FL Fabrica Pizza - Tampa (4.5 stars + 264 reviews on yelp) If you find yourself at our Tampa terminal, be sure to check out Neapolitan Style Pizzas. Native to Tampa and established in 2015 this restaurant serves contemporary Italian fast/casual, and every pie is crafted from fresh dough, cheese and sauce. Even better? It’s right around the corner from the terminal. Uncle Nicks Bagels - Mulberry (4.5 stars + 75 reviews on yelp) If you’re on the other side of town in Mulberry, don’t miss out on a county favorite - this authentic, New York style bagel shop was voted best sandwich shop in Polk County for 2017. Here you’ll find hot off the griddle breakfast sandwiches, clubs and burgers plus an assortment of salads, soups and classic Italian entrees. And it’s just nine minutes from our Mulberry terminal.  As we wrap up our Summer Of Safety series, we wanted to touch on a topic that is extremely pertinent for the coming weeks. With school back in session, it is vital that truckers take extra precaution behind the wheel. Although many of these tips are common sense, please take our pledge to be serious about safety so we can contribute to leaving the roads and school zones accident free.
“Last year, 475,000 school buses took to the roads. ‘That is another half million commercial vehicles added to our roads, which we all know are already congested,’ said Herbert Mayo, vice president of risk control for Lockton Companies,” in an article by Penske. It’s inevitable. During this time of the year, roads are going to be busier, which means as a trucker, your normal route is going to be more congested. Secondary roads and metropolitan areas will be more crowded as moms and kids drive to school, the Penske article warned. Try to stick to highways, and if you must to take a more urban course, slow down and be more aware. According to an article by the Traffic Safety Store, with the growth in mobile and media use, pedestrians today are more likely than not to pay less attention. Keep in mind that you may need to be their eyes when they fail to be aware. Following the speed limit signs, especially in school zones, will give you buffer if a student or pedestrian makes an unexpected move into the street. “While allowed speed limits in school zones vary from state to state, the typical range goes around 15-25 mph,” the Traffic Safety Store article said. When it comes to sharing the road with students, bicyclists and other pedestrians during heavier months of traffic, the Nationals Safety Council (NSC) offers some good reminders.
Ultimately, the best way to stay safe during the height of the school season is to heed traffic signs and speeds. It’s always better to err on the slow side. Thank you, Dillon Logistics team, for contributing to our coveted level of safety. We couldn’t do it without you and your seriousness out on the road |
Serious drivers. serious hauling.A personal hub dedicated to our entire Dillon Logistics team for staying up-to-date on all things trucking related. Get a monthly dose of inspiration on how to up your serious-hauling game and have first-hand access to resources and the latest happenings out on the road. Archives
April 2020
Categories |
RSS Feed
|
Dillon Logistics, Inc.
901 McClintock Drive, Suite 300 Burr Ridge, IL 60527 info@dillonlogistics.com 630-281-7093 |
Managed by Black Oak Creative
Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
Privacy Policy | Terms of Use