Our world of instant gratification and hand-held technology makes it so that distractions are completely inevitable. Every web-page you visit has targeted advertising, every app on your phone tries to send you notifications more often than anyone needs them, and social media has transformed into something of a feigned competition to update all of your friends on everything from momentous events like the birth of your child to unnecessary minutiae, such as the photogenic tacos you ordered. In fact, you're likely bouncing back and forth between web browser tabs as we speak. Meanwhile, I forgot why I was writing this article in the first place because the Chess app on my phone informed me that it's my move.  

As a driver, it is important that you learn the optimum tire pressure for your vehicle and fill your tires to the factory recommended pressure setting. Doing so will improve handling on the road, prevent blow-outs, allow for smoother rides and lengthen the life of your tires.

With the COVID-19 pandemic persisting across the United States, Americans are facing more adversity on long road trips than ever before. Regrettably, the safest “route” for anyone to take right now is the one that keeps us closest to home. But Americans are individuals with family, responsibilities and careers, and such commitments have helped many people stay motivated during these difficult times. Furthermore, many travelers took to the highway in Summer 2020 to find a much-needed respite with nature, largely because of the lengthy quarantine. Whatever the reason, road travel is sometimes very simply unavoidable.

We all have places to be, and we can't afford to let darkness stop us. Whether it's a commute from work to home during the winter when night-time falls earlier, or a trip to visit family when you want to avoid traffic, driving at night is sometimes unavoidable. It is also inherently more dangerous.

As we prepare for the winter season, it is important to make certain that our vehicles are in good condition. Have the oil changed, refill the window-washing fluid, re-stock your first-aid kit, make sure there are jumper cables in the trunk, and, if you live in an area where it regularly reaches 45 degrees Fahrenheit or below...consider investing in winter tires!

When operating a fleet of vehicles, the safety of your drivers is paramount to the success of your business. From company morale to return-on-investment to your public image, everything will be effected by the way you implement your safety strategy. So, we found a helpful whitepaper on Automotive-Fleet.com that has excellent advice on developing an all-encompassing safety "culture" at your organization. 

As the cold of the winter thaws, so do our vehicle and its structural components. The Spring is the perfect time to provide your automobile with a little tender love and care so it may achieve peak performance before hitting the highway.

We at Fleet Services and our partners at LeasePlan have come up with a standard Springtime Maintenance Checklist.

The #1 concern of Fleet Services is the safety of our clients. We strive to educate on the topic with our blog series, Driver Safety Tips, as well as providing convenient ways to contact our fleet professionals to answer any questions or concerns a driver may have. If a car does break down on the road, we provide 24/7/365 emergency roadside assistance. However, mechanical failures and environmental conditions are NOT the primary cause of car accidents. With smartphone technology constantly buzzing in every driver's pocket and tempting people with the concept of instant gratification, Fleet has recognized a need for advocates that teach & influence drivers to avoid distractions while behind the wheel. 

The most important job of the Fleet Managers at Fleet Services is to ensure the safety of  drivers. And although every manufacturer in the automotive industry now offers advanced safety features in their newer models, cars are still hi-tech machines that do occasionally experience mechanical failures. Fortunately, our Fleet Management program is supported through our affiliation with Network Inc., and everyone who drives a vehicle acquired through Fleet is enrolled in our Emergency Roadside Service (ERS) program, which works the same way as AAA.  So, what should you do you if your vehicle has a mechanical breakdown while you're driving on the highway?  To answer this question, we would like to share the following list of  Seven Steps To Follow When Your Car Breaks Down On The Highway

Semi-truck drivers have one of the hardest jobs in the country. Barreling down the freeways of America with trailers up to 70-feet long that weigh up to 80,000 pounds (40 tons), they have to contend with extra blind spots, a 55-foot turning radius, and it takes 40% longer to stop an 18-wheeler than the average passenger car.

The drivers of these big rigs are required to go through rigorous training, along with strict licensing and background-check procedures. However, collision rates between smaller vehicles and large semi-trucks are high in America.

One reason for the number of accidents is due to the large number of semi's on the road. At any given time, there are around 2 million semi's in operation throughout the fifty states. In the most congested corridors of our nation's highways, every fourth vehicle is a truck, and driving with them is a two-way street (literally and metaphorically). To trust in the responsibility of the semi's driver is important, as is knowing what you can do to stay safe around them.