Be Alert to Drowsy Driving

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Be Alert to Drowsy Driving

Friday, November 4th, 2016

TURNING THE CLOCKS BACK one hour from Daylight Saving Time to Standard Time happens this year at 2:00 AM on Sunday, November 6th. The time change can cause disruptions with our bodies’ internal clock and make it difficult to get enough sleep. That disruption in sleep can lead to drowsy driving.

Photo by JESHOOTS.com from Pexels

The risks, dangers, and often tragic results of drowsy driving are alarming. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that at least 100,000 police-reported crashes annually are the direct result of driver fatigue. That means an average of 1,550 deaths, 71,000 injuries and $12.5 billion in monetary damages each year because of fatigue-related accidents.

With the upcoming end of Daylight Saving Time and the occasion of the National Sleep Foundation’s (NSF) Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, to be held November 6-13, now is a good time to review the factors that influence the likelihood of driver fatigue and the performance implications of drowsy driving for professional drivers.

The Risk of Fatigue

While nobody is immune to the effects of fatigue, commercial drivers are at a significantly higher risk for fall-asleep crashes because they are generally required to drive long distances for long periods of time, often at night, and they frequently work irregular schedules.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has attempted to address the problem through Hours of Service (HOS) regulations, but compliance with the HOS limits in no way means that a driver will be well rested. There are a number of factors that influence the likelihood that a driver will become fatigued, including:

The number of hours a driver has been awake before driving. The ability Be Alert to Drowsy Driving to function properly begins to drop at the 13th hour of being awake, and continues to decline as the hours progress.

The quantity and quality of the driver’s last sleep period.

The time of day. Our bodies and brains operate on an internal body clock (circadian rhythm) that regulates the approximately 24-hour cycle of biological processes and influences how alert or drowsy we are at certain times of the day.

The level of physical activity or mental or cognitive work. Extended periods of driving alone, for example, can make it difficult to maintain alertness and vigilance.

The presence of untreated sleep disorders. Conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), insomnia, narcolepsy, upper airway obstruction, restless leg syndrome, and periodic limb movements can seriously disrupt sleep.

Alcohol consumption or the use of sedative drugs.

Most adults feel rested and perform best with seven to nine hours of uninterrupted sleep. Failure to get sufficient sleep can lead to a build-up of sleep debt. Until this debt is repaid by sleeping, drivers will have a greater risk of having a fatigue-related accident.

Performance Implications

Fatigue is a general term commonly used to describe the experience of being “sleepy,” “tired,” “drowsy,” or “exhausted.” Key warning signs of fatigue include, but are not limited to:

• Increased desire to sleep;

• Frequent yawning;

• Head nodding and/or head shaking to stay awake;

• Sore or heavy eyes or impaired vision, such as slowed speed of eye movement (staring), increased difficulty to visually focus or keep eyes open;

• Slowed reaction times;

• Loss of concentration and attention (i.e., daydreaming);

• Impaired judgment and problems with processing information;

• Rapid loss of short-term memory capability;

• Loss of motivation;

• Increased moodiness, irritability or aggressive behavior;

• Microsleeps (brief episodes of “nodding off,” marked by a blank stare, head snapping, prolonged closing of the eyes, and/or an attention loss of 5-20 seconds).

When behind the wheel, fatigue can greatly impair a person’s ability to drive and maneuver safely, and may be demonstrated by:

• Failure to respond to road sign instructions, road changes and the actions of other vehicles;

• Random variations in speed;

• Erratic shifting;

• Inappropriate braking for conditions;

• Lane deviations and/or hitting rumble strips on the road;

• Tendency to follow other vehicles too closely;

• Failure to remember the last several miles of driving.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

Wednesday, October 12th, 2016

Breast Cancer is the second most common kind of cancer in women. About 1 in 8 women born today in the United States will get Breast Cancer at some point. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease.

On October 12, Trinity Transportation’s East Detroit terminal hosted a cancer fundraiser to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

Ms. Bobbie, who is one of Trinity’s school bus drivers and a 28 year breast cancer survivor, helped organize this event.img_0029

“It’s very important because there’s someone that you know in your family that has cancer or has had cancer,” Ms. Bobbie said about donating to this cause.

Her fundraiser raised $150 while her team, Crusaders for Life Team, raised over $2,600.

To donate to Ms. Bobbie’s team or to get involved, click here.

Tour De Ile Bicycle Ride

Friday, September 23rd, 2016

The 2nd Annual Tour De Ile Bicycle Ride put on by the Rotary Club of Grosse Ile is this Sunday, September 25, 2016. Trinity Transportation is proud to be a continuing sponsor for the Tour de Ile bicycle ride. Riders can choose from 19-mile, 33-mile, or 52-mile course. All routes have a recommended start and stop time that begin and end at the Airport Hangar in Grosse Ile.

Rider registration will be located inside the Naval Air Station Hangar along with breakfast, lunch, after party, clothing purchases, sponsor displays, prizes, and pre-registered rider packet pickup. Registration begins at 7 a.m. and the course opens at 8 a.m.

Keep in mind the Tour de Ile is not a race but a bicycle tour. Time is not being recorded. There will be 14 stops along the tour.

All courses will close at 1 p.m. and lunch will be served at the Grosse Ile Airport Hangar from 11 a.m. until 2:00 pm.  Your bid number will be your lunch ticket.

grosse-ile-tour-de-ile-1

19-Mile Route Maximum Start & Stop Times
10:00am – 1:00pm
33-Mile Route Maximum Start & Stop Times
9:00am – 1:00pm
52-Mile Route Maximum Start & Stop Times
8:00am – 1:00pm

There is still time to sign up!
Friday: $40 l Saturday: $50 l Sunday: $60
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tour-de-ile-2016-tickets-22808348384?aff=ebrowse

Where: Grosse Ile Municipal Airport 9601 Grosse Ile, MI 48138
When: Sunday September 25, 2016
Registration: 7 a.m.

Operation Backpack

Wednesday, August 24th, 2016

Operation-Backpack-2015

Two local Detroit radio stations have started this school year off by collecting school supplies for Southeast Michigan kids in need. Trinity Transportation was a proud sponsor of this cause.

93.1 Nash FM teamed up with Volunteers of America last weekend to collect school supplies at four locations. At each location, donations were placed inside a school bus.

96.3 WDVD, Fox 2 Detroit, and Kroger are partnering up with Volunteers of America for the tenth year in their “Operation Backpack” Campaign.  Four locations will be available for school supplies to be dropped off this weekend, August 25-28.

For information about what to donate, visit https://www.voami.org/backpack

Help less fortunate children go back to school with confidence and pride by bringing new school supplies to any of these four Kroger stores!

When: August 25 – August 28
Drop-off Times:  6 a.m. – Midnight

Locations
Livonia – 33523 Eight Mile Road (West of Merriman Road)
Shelby Twp. – 2058 25 Mile Road, Shelby Township (East of Dequindre Road)
Troy – 1237 Coolidge Highway (North of East Maple Road)
Waterford – 5111 Highland Road (West of Crescent Lake Road)

 

 

Trinity Transportation is hiring 100 new employees at 3 job fairs for 2016 school year

Tuesday, August 9th, 2016

By: Alicia Smith
Aug 9, 2016

DETROIT (WXYZ) – A massive hiring campaign is underway over the next month, and bus drivers are the ones in high demand. Trinity Transportation is looking for 100 new employees over the next 30 days.

APPLY ONLINE HERE

The jobs are needed at the company’s 9 locations: Clarenceville, Dearborn Heights, Detroit East, Detroit West, Ecorse, Roseville, Saginaw, Toledo, Wyandotte.

The company has the most openings for bus drivers, but Trinity is also looking for school bus attendants, diesel mechanics, shuttle bus drivers, motor coach bus drivers, maintenance, office staff, managers, human resources personnel and more.

JOB FAIRS:

  • Tuesday, August 9th – Detroit East Terminal, 10205 Mack, Detroit
  • Wednesday, August 10th – Detroit West Terminal, 8145 Greenfield, Detroit
  • Thursday, August 11th – Human Resources Department, 26500 Van Born, Dearborn Heights

JOB FAIR HOURS: 9am – 6pm

Wages are competitive. Pay is weekly. Paid training is also provided.

Benefits include health insurance and employee events.

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New Dedicated Charter Center

Trinity/Durham Transportation is thrilled to announce our Dedicated Charter Center located at 24500 Van Born Road, Dearborn Heights, Michigan.

Our Charter Center accommodates the needs of our clients who travel at any time throughout the day.

There are no time restrictions that require us to work around existing home to school routes. 

Contact – Reservations@TrinityTransportaton.com

 

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