Brake Safety Day 2017 took place on September 7, 2017. Sponsored by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, or CVSA, the event is held in partnership with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (MFCSA) and the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators. The results of this year’s event might give you pause if you spend any time on the road.

During the Brake Safety Event there were 7,698 vehicles inspected in the United States and Canada. Of those, 78 percent of the vehicles passed without violations that would require the vehicles to go out of service. However, there were 1,064 vehicles that did receive violations related to their brakes that forced the vehicles out of service.

One of the purposes of this event is to gather information about how antilock braking systems are maintained. Since braking systems are critical safety features for commercial motor vehicles, proper maintenance is of extreme importance. Failing to properly maintain commercial vehicle brakes could result in accidents and fatalities for commercial truck drivers and other people on the roads.

Brake-related violations accounted for 45.7 percent of all the “out of service” violations issued during another event, Operation Airbrake’s International Roadcheck campaign in 2016.

The Brake Safety Day even inspectors conducted a 37-step procedure to examine vehicle maintenance and driver operations. Inspectors look for a variety of issues including the condition of brake-system components. Specifically, they are looking for parts that are missing or loose. They are also looking for leaks in air or hydraulic fluids, and wear in pads, drums, linings, and rotors. Inspectors also check ABS malfunction indicators lamps. Vehicles that are found to have out-of-adjustment brakes or brakes that are defective are placed out-of-service until they are roadworthy again.

Since the program began, in 1998, there have been more than 3.4 million brakes inspected – all with the goal of making the roads safer for all drivers in mind.

What can you to avoid being caught in a situation like this?

Don’t wait for roadside checks, or an accident, to know whether your braking system is working properly or not. Be proactive and stay on top of regular maintenance with all vehicles in your fleet.

Our GPS tracking systems include scheduled maintenance reminders as well as alerts for a variety of engine issues. This lets you get a good image of your vehicle’s status, so you can stay ahead of violations, avoid breakdowns, and keep your entire fleet operational and on the road.

LiveViewGPS – Call us today! 1-888-544-0494

Excavators are useful tools in a variety of situations. From brush cutting, to digging, mining, material handling, demolition, mulching, plowing snow, and countless other odd jobs depending on the specific type of excavator you own.

Unfortunately, these highly versatile tools are not exactly small investments. It is important to protect that investment in any way you can. Insurance is a great way to protect that investment, but so is GPS tracking. These are just a few benefits you might not have considered when it comes to installing and using GPS asset tracking for your excavators.

 Track Your Equipment

It’s important to know where your equipment is all the time. GPS tracking can help you locate various pieces of equipment, like excavators at any time of the day or night from your home computer, tablet, or smartphone.

You can even set up virtual perimeters that let you know whenever your asset is moved outside a certain boundary by sending text messages or email alerts. That way, if thefts do occur, you are far more likely to locate your equipment fast and ensure it is returned to you.

 Monitor Idle Time

Not only can this help you make sure your workers are using the equipment when they are supposed to be, but when you use GPS equipment tracking for all your equipment and not just your excavators, you can better determine which equipment is a better investment (based on the frequency with which it is used).

Either way, you save money by staying on top of when your equipment is being used and determining which machinery gets more heavy use on which types of job sites.

For instance, using GPS tracking for mini excavator equipment may help you determine that you’re getting more use from that machinery than full size versions and you may be able to offload one or charge more for the use of the one that is less frequently needed as specialty equipment to justify its purchase.

 Plan More Efficient Routes

This is another way to help your company save money. The less time that is wasted moving or delivering excavators, the more money you save in fuel and labor costs. It’s a win for your business that reflects wonderfully for your bottom line.

When you use GPS tracking for excavators you won’t need to dig a financial hole to protect your investment. It will pay for itself in reduced labor and fuel costs, lower insurance premiums, and improved productivity.

To learn more about GPS tracking for excavators or its benefits for other equipment and powered assets, give us a call here at LiveViewGPS at 1-888-544-0494.

Your parents have been there for you through all of life’s ups and downs. They have cared for you from the day you were born. Now, as they age, the tables are beginning to turn and it is your turn to help care for them. These 10 things will help you care for your parents no matter how busy your schedule may be.

1. Modify Your Home to Accommodate Your Parents’ Needs

This may involve widening hallways and doors to accommodate walkers, scooters, and other assisting devices; eliminating clutter; adding ramps into your home, and installing grab bars in bathrooms.

2. Ask for Help.

It’s great to want to take care of your parents, but you must also care for yourself and your family too. Ask for help from other family members when your life gets too hectic.

3. Invest in a GPS Elderly Locator

GPS tracking for dementia patients is essential. These devices can help you locate your parents quickly if they become disoriented and wander off. Of course, GPS tracking for the elderly in general is a good idea because you never know what will happen and want to be able to find your parents fast when emergencies strike.

4. Encourage Independence.

One of the most difficult things to do is to find balance between caring for your parent and helping your parent maintain independence. They need to do as much as possible for themselves, even if it is faster for you to do it.

5. Get Their Input.

It feels like a lot to take one when you decide to take care of your aging parents. It’s a lot for them to take on too. After all, they were the ones who took care of you. Don’t make them feel like invalids. Give them validation by asking what they want.

6. Consider Hiring Professional Help.

Sometimes, the medical, physical, and emotional needs of your parents are beyond your abilities to provide. Consider bringing in home health nurses or other professionals to help provide care.

7. Provide Opportunities for Socialization.

Whether it involves going to church, participating in community activities, shopping outings, or other things; the social development of your parents is as important as it is for you and your children.

8. Encourage Fitness and Nutrition.

A healthy diet is the cornerstone to healing and long life just as exercise is. Work with your parents’ physicians to come up with diet and fitness routines that are best for them.

9. Volunteer Together.

Research suggests that older adults who volunteer experience better physical and emotional health. It’s an activity you can do together that will help with bonding while improving your parents’ health.

10. Consider a Companion Pet.

Pets have been known to reduce blood pressure while reducing stress, encouraging social interaction, and boosting levels of physical activity for aging adults.  More importantly, they help to reduce feelings of depression and loneliness making them an excellent fit for aging parents.

But above all, the best things you can do to care for your aging parents is to let them know that you are there for them and that you love them.