American Trucking Associations' (ATA) America's Road Team program is about reinforcing the trucking industry’s commitment to safety, sustainability, and professionalism. Ina Daly, professional driver and new driver trainer for XPO Logistics, and Stephen Richardson, professional driver for Big G Express, spoke during a Trimble in.sight virtual series session, sharing what it’s like to be a Road Team Captain and how they lead with safety first.
Both captains agreed that safety starts with sleep.
“You have to get your rest,” Richardson stressed. “Start with a good night’s sleep, breakfast, and exercise in the morning. Then move to the pre-trip to check your load and make sure you’re set for the day. Make it a daily routine to form a habit. Once it’s a habit, before you even get in the truck, it will make the rest of the day go easier.”
According to Daly, pre-trip inspections are vital to safety all day long.
“You can’t just count on technicians for routine maintenance,” Daly said. “You have to stay on top of your vehicle, then you can move inside the cab and check that everything inside the cab is distraction-free. Prepare your traffic routes before you get on the road and plan your day around that.”
Richardson reiterated the importance of how in-cab technology can help drivers stay on top of routes and ultimately be safer on the road.
“Use back-up traffic monitors and other in-cab devices,” Richardson said. “We live in a rush-rush society, always trying to get somewhere. By using proper technology, you can know what’s coming ahead and won't lose time on the road. That’s why pre-trips are so important because they work to eliminate additional risks that will slow you down.”
The safety mindset
For both captains, safety started at home.
“My mother was a school bus driver—who still drives at 74—and my father was a trucker,” Richardson said. “They didn’t tell me about safety, they showed me. It started with the golden rule—treat people how you want to be treated. Think of the person driving behind you, in front of you, beside you—think of them as your mom and dad and how you want other people to treat them on the road. Driving isn’t a privilege, it’s a responsibility.”
Daly comes from a family of truck drivers as well.
“My father was the best truck driver I’ve ever known,” Daly explained. “He always said, ‘Keeping that space in front of others is the most important thing we can do. If someone cuts in, back off and keep that space.’ That’s why I vow not to allow other unsafe drivers to allow me to be a part of their stupidity on the road. I work to separate myself from those kinds of drivers, giving more space between my vehicle and theirs. Sometimes, you even have to pull off briefly, forcing that space, before getting back on the road.”
For Richardson however, his time in the military taught him his most valuable lesson. “You can’t correct a mistake; you can only learn from them,” he said. “Newer, faster vehicles are always on the road wanting to reach their limit and sometimes, the limit is too late.”
Life as a captain
As America’s Road Team captains, Richardson and Daly have the opportunity to speak to the industry and impart wisdom of life on the road and how newcomers can impact the industry.
“During my first solo event in Idaho, I gave a short 15-minute speech at a truck driving championship where I reiterated to the audience that a CDL is a responsibility, not a privilege. Afterwards, someone came up to me, a soon-to-be CDL graduate, and told me that she was going to remember what I said. It was that moment that I knew I had made a difference.”
Daly, when speaking to high schoolers, teaches them overall driver safety, not just truck driver safety.
“I get to talk to young high school girls and show them that there is another kind of job out there that isn’t under the ‘female norm,’” Daly said. “Women could end this truck driver shortage, so don’t be afraid to try something out of the box. You can make a lot of money and be home every night, if that’s what you want. Or you can be on the road long haul and experience that kind of life. Young women are so brave, and we have a bright future with women in trucking.”
The future of trucking
When thinking on where trucking is headed, Richardson believes that companies need to keep up with the standard level of pay.
“Picking a good company is like picking a good wife,” Richardson explained. “Once you find them, you’re planning your future together.”
Daly agreed 100%. “Find a good company and stay there,” Daly said. “Quality of life is a turn off for some new drivers, too. Young drivers don’t want to be away from home for longer periods of time, and that’s contributing to the shortage we’re seeing. I was lucky to find a company that was accepting of women. I have been nurtured here, and now you see more women of other races becoming truck drivers.”
According to Richardson, Big G Express is a family-type company. “They know your name, not just your truck number,” he said. “They ask about your family, and they set up the company to be focused on their employees and giving them the tools they need to have a successful career. Companies need to present themselves as a career you can retire from, not just a job.”
