CCJ Daily Dispatch, June 15: Drivers say risk to families, friends is top COVID concern

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Updated Jun 16, 2020

Trucking news and briefs for Monday, June 15, 2020: 

Survey shows risk to families, friends as drivers’ biggest COVID concern 
A survey of more than 1,600 truck drivers found that they have felt safe overall during the COVID-19 pandemic, but they are concerned for their own health, as well as bringing the virus home to their friends and families.

The survey conducted by Professional Driver Agency found that 72% of respondents said the biggest concern for truckers is bringing the virus home to family and friends. Of these drivers, 42% said they are staying out on the road longer instead of going home during the pandemic.

“For us, this was really the key takeaway from the survey,” said Scott Dismuke, director of operations at PDA. “While risking personal exposure to COVID-19, this is an overwhelming majority of drivers that are even more concerned about coming home and exposing family and friends.”

PDA says more than 60% of drivers said they feel safe driving during COVID-19, but nearly 45% said they were concerned about their personal health.

The biggest thing that could be done to help drivers feel safer on the road, according to 54% of respondents, is more access to personal protective equipment.

The full survey results can be seen here.

New Mack dealership opens in Washington state
Northwest Equipment Sales expanded its dealer footprint with the fourth location, Tri-Cities, based in Burbank, Washington.

Located off U.S. 12, the 30,000-square-foot facility sits on 10 acres at 171 Gateway Road, Burbank. The Tri-Cities facility offers $250,000 in parts inventory, with plans to increase that amount in the next few months. The facility has four drive-through service bays and an end bay, allowing 15 trucks to be serviced at one time. It employs eight service technicians and plans to have 18 total employees total by the end of the year. Hours for the facility will be 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Tri-Cities location joins Northwest Equipment Sales sites in Twin Falls and Boise, Idaho, and Hermiston, Oregon. Jim Hibler, founder of the dealer group, first opened a used truck facility in 1981 in Twin Falls. In 1988, he purchased a Mack franchise and expanded to Boise in 1995, followed by Hermiston in 2007.