Burnout is inevitable in almost any career. And no, we aren’t talking about burnouts in NASCAR. We’re talking about the type of burnout that makes it incredibly difficult to show up to work each day and do your job effectively.

In this episode of Diesel Diaries, we explore personal journeys, trucking industry challenges, and valuable safety tips for winter trucking. Meet Robert Racchi and John Kastner Racchi recently joined ATS as a safety manager, bringing decades of experience as a driver and business owner to the table. His journey from military service to trucking leadership is both inspiring and informative. With nearly five years at ATS, Kastner oversees safety technologies, including Lytx systems and driving simulators. His technical expertise, combined with a great sense of humor, makes him a favorite among drivers. Winter Safety Essentials: Be Prepared As winter sets in, the team offers safety tips for navigating cold and icy conditions: Maintain Your Bunk Heater: Additives and preventative maintenance can keep your heater running smoothly. Stock Up on Essentials: Blankets, Sterno cans, and hand warmers can be lifesavers in emergencies. Drive Smart: Slow down, increase following distance, and know when to pull off the road. Learning from Real Incidents The team reviews real-life video clips of trucks navigating dangerous conditions, analyzing what went wrong, and providing actionable insights. Understanding road conditions and avoiding risky moves are key takeaways from the discussion. Looking Forward To wrap up, Lori invites drivers to share their questions about market trends, economic challenges, and strategies for staying successful in the new year. The team plans to address these topics in upcoming episodes. For audio listeners and more episodes:

Looking for a new trucking company to drive for? A key aspect of your research should be freight — what kind you’ll haul, specifically. If you don’t like the freight you’re hauling for whatever reason — you have to unload it, you have to tarp it, it’s complicated to secure, etc. — you’re not going to enjoy your job very much.

CB (Citizens Band) radios have been a staple for truck drivers for decades, providing a reliable, low-cost way to communicate on the road. While drivers certainly don’t use them like they used to — stats show that less than a third of truckers use them today — CB radios are a helpful tool that you may want to utilize.

Have you ever wondered exactly how the United States (U.S.) numbered highway system works? The numbers aren’t chosen randomly; they correlate to directions and how the roadway is routed around big areas.