Trucker Lifestyle

Driving a semi-truck can be challenging enough without the added difficulties caused by high winds. In fact, driving a semi in high winds can be just as dangerous for large trucks driving in icy or snowy conditions.

Mike Sanford, a Ports Truck Driver for Knight Transportation opens up about his truck driving career.

Winter weather and slick, snowy surfaces don’t exactly mesh well with big-rig trucks. Thankfully, as a driver, you can install snow chains on your tires to give you much-needed stability and grip on slick roads.

When it comes to life on the road as a truck driver, the amenities at a truck stop or truck terminal take on an elevated importance. After all, it is these locations that often give truck drivers their only taste of normalcy or allow them to take care of personal hygiene items. They are necessary to keep them going, making those long-haul trips possible and more enjoyable.

Above and beyond what is experienced by regular-sized vehicles, commercial trucks are extremely susceptible to dangerous winter conditions. Even if you are an extremely experienced and highly skilled truck driver, winter driving conditions can present challenges. Wet or icy roads make it difficult for trucks to handle a load and make it difficult for you as a driver of a big rig to slow your rig down enough to stop. 70% of roads in the United States are in snowy areas, which increases the threat of an accident significantly (FHWA). Today, we look at the 10 truck driving tips for winter.

Semi-trucks weigh somewhere between 35,000 and 80,000 pounds. That is a lot of weight to stop once it gets going, which is what makes the braking system so vital on a semi. Having a damaged, improperly functioning or worn-out brake system is a danger to all those on the roadways. Therefore, it’s important for drivers to be aware of brake issues that could plague their rig and know what signs to look for to get ahead of the problem.

Knight Transportation acknowledges and appreciates our U.S. Military service members' sacrifices to protect our freedom and families. Finding employment while serving and after serving in the armed forces can be challenging. We seek to provide Veterans and active military service members a transportation career offering flexible schedules and consistent income. Many Veterans start a trucking career with Knight Transportation and enjoy mission-focused work, flexible schedules, and competitive pay. Is it time for you to join our Fleet of Heroes?

Over-the-road truck drivers are still mostly comprised of men. However, times are changing, and truck driving jobs for women are on the rise. As the demand for truck drivers increases, the industry is committed to having women to fill hiring needs. According to the American Trucking Association (ATA), 6% of truck drivers are women. At Knight Transportation, 9.9% of our Driver Associates are women, which’s 65% more than other trucking companies! If you're a woman considering a job as a trucker, now is a great time to enter the transportation industry.

The demand for truck drivers in the U.S. remains high. According to the American Trucking Association, the driver shortage will hit 100,000 by 2025 and 160,000 by 2028. As the country starts to get back to "normal", flatbed load volumes continue to build as construction activity and manufacturing begin to pick up. The news of an uptick in flatbed loads is a positive sign that demand will stay strong through the end of the year. With a variety of load types available, a flatbed truck driver has six unique advantages.

Truck driving is so iconic that not only have dozens of movies been made about the lifestyle, hundreds of songs pay homage to life on the road. You may be surprised to know not all of the songs were made in the 60s and 70s. Here are the top 10 trucker songs and why we love them.

Beyond the Rig is the “un-corporate” voice of the trucking industry. You’ll see and hear what it’s like to be a professional trucker from two carrier insiders who are not afraid, to be honest. Through interviews, stories, and industry topics, you get a refreshing tell-it-like-it-is approach to life on the road.

The goal is delivering goods on schedule with zero harm to truckers or the general public. Federal, state, and local laws combined with carrier safety guidelines are producing safer roadways. Truckers are proud of their safety records and want to keep them that way. Each year, there is a push to keep safe driving top of mind for all drivers in July. Here's what Safe Driver Week 2021 during July 11-17 means for truckers.