Jordan Hopfe, Owner, Instructor – Hopfe Training Centre Incorporated

Professionalism is quite literally the name of the professional driver, and yet often, it seems as though this is a choice more often than it is the requirement to obtain your license. A dedication to safety, a priority to punctuality, and continuous education towards self-improvement are things that should be instilled in every professional driver. I should know; I train them regularly. However, daily it seems,

I watch other drivers routinely do nothing more than kick their tires on a half-awake stumble to get their morning coffee instead of completing the full trip inspection required by carrier (and law) before driving away into who knows where on not much more than a whimsical hope that everything on their unit works as it should. This is not the way that is taught, whether by a training school or employer.

Long before the unit is even involved, we should be planning ahead. Do you have your winter gear? Or are you simply anticipating that nothing has ever gone wrong before, so why would it now? If I asked, could you point me to where your tire chains are located? Where are your coveralls, gloves, safety equipment, or fire extinguisher? The unit you are piloting should become an extension of yourself; you will become aware of the machine in a way that few can understand when they don’t spend 13 hours a day at the helm.

I believe that because of this expertise, the vast quantity of the pursuit of perfection and putting on miles leaves trucking available for mentorship, providing a helping hand and leading by example. It is this professionalism that fosters a united community, that makes us unique and gives us the strength to persevere, no matter the obstacle, when others give up.

I believe in our industry and in every single person who reads this in pursuit of this thankless career. That together we can work together for a safer future. To merge seamlessly with traffic, to flow and ebb with those around us to when we are done, it is like we weren’t even there to begin with. I believe that is the true goal because so many don’t think of where their next meal came from, only if it is at the store when they go looking for it. That the clothes they wear, the coffee they drink, or the times they decide to go out for fast food will be there waiting for them. We strive never to be noticed, to let others carry on their lives without ever having to wonder where things came from. That starts the moment you grab your keys and head towards your truck. Are you going to check it over? 

Will you opt for hot coffee and hope? I intend to have a large black coffee, cold, because my family deserves me to be safe. I cannot afford to be caught off guard. Every variable in the 80,000 lb machine that I drive should be known, accounted for, and documented. Road safety starts in the prairies with you.