Clark Reed of Roscoe, Illinois is an OTR company driver and trainer for Nussbaum Transportation based out of Hudson, Illinois. He has been driving since 2005 and has driven van, reefer, and tanker. He currently hauls dry van to all lower 48 states. Clark is passionate about MPGs and how driver habits influence them. Clark, along with Henry Albert, was one of the seven drivers in 2017's "Run on Less" by NACFE, a road show, demonstrating what fuel efficiency can be obtained with existing technologies.
An Interview with Clark:
How long have you been a truck driver?
I’ve been driving since 2005. I started training with a large fleet in 2005, which was great for safety and experience on the road. I have since moved onto other opportunities.
What do you do when you are stuck in traffic?
Pay attention. Practice patience. Remind myself that it’s out of my control.
What do you listen to on the radio?
It really depends on my mood. Sometimes I’ll tune into the news or talk radio. I listen to a wide variety of music, anywhere from rock to gospel to country to classic country. Whatever I can use to keep me focused on the road. I typically will have the radio on most of the time, except when I have a student I’m working with, that way the student can focus on driving and I can focus on teaching the student.
Do you still use the CB radio?
Rarely, I wish I could use it more. More often than not, I find that there’s usually just a bunch of unimportant chatter going on. I will usually keep it on, but don’t keep it turned up. I find it’s helpful to get around traffic accidents or tie ups, especially around major cities.
What’s your favorite stretch of highway?
There’s a stretch of I-70 in Utah. It’s full of hills and curves with lots of beautiful landscape.
What’s the best feature on your Freightliner truck?
Besides all the modern updates, the Driver Loft. It’s a huge plus for teaching, we can both relax and kick back while going over a topic.
What role does social media play in your life?
More than it should. It’s a good way to keep in touch with family and friends. It’s great for staying accountable with MPG and goals, and discussing successes and failures out on the road. I will often post or comment multiple times a day.