Drive defensively

Defensive driving is always essential, but it becomes even more critical during the school year. School buses make frequent stops, traffic volume increases around schools, and children may not always recognize hazards. Staying alert and anticipating hazards can help drivers avoid preventable crashes.

• Continually scan the road. Slow down and obey all traffic laws and speed limits in school zones and the area surrounding a school.
• Keep an eye out for children, especially younger children. They are smaller and more difficult to see. Younger children don’t understand the dangers posed by moving vehicles and can’t judge vehicle distance as well as adults.
• Always stop for a school patrol officer or crossing guard holding up a stop sign.
• Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians.
• When flashers are blinking in a school zone, stop and yield to pedestrians crossing at the crosswalk or intersection.

Know the flashing light system

Each year, over 20 million children rely on school buses to get to and from school.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), between 2015 and 2024, there was an average of 107 fatalities each year as the result of school-transportation-related crashes.

The greatest risk to a child isn’t riding a school bus. It’s approaching or leaving the bus, with younger children being most at risk. Over half (55%) of the school-age pedestrians killed in school-transportation-related traffic crashes from 2015 to 2024 were 5 to 10 years old.

The flashing signal light system serves as an early warning system for motorists, alerting them to upcoming school bus movements and student loading or unloading activities. Knowing what the lights mean can help prevent accidents and save lives.

Yellow flashing lights indicate that the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Drivers must slow down and prepare to stop their vehicles.

Red flashing lights and an extended stop arm indicate that the bus has stopped and that children are getting on or off the bus. Drivers must stop and wait until:

• The red lights stop flashing,
• The stop arm is withdrawn, and
• The bus begins to move.

All drivers need to learn and follow the school bus laws for the areas in which they travel. As well as being dangerous, violating these laws can result in citations and fines.

Key to remember: As students return to school, drivers will encounter more school buses, heavier traffic near schools, and increased pedestrian activity. A review of defensive driving practices and school bus flashing-light requirements can help drivers recognize hazards and prevent accidents.

3 key factors

The GAO report concludes that larger vehicles, certain vehicle design features, and turning maneuvers can reduce a driver’s ability to see vulnerable road users and may contribute to these fatal crashes.

Larger vehicles, including SUVs and commercial trucks, generally have larger blind zones and more visibility limitations than smaller vehicles, the GAO says. Features such as longer hoods, larger mirrors, thicker A-pillars, and higher front-end profiles can obstruct a driver’s view of pedestrians and cyclists.

Turns elevate risk 16x

The report also found that turning maneuvers create elevated risk. GAO’s analysis showed that, among fatal pedestrian crashes, larger vehicles had significantly higher odds of being involved in a turning crash compared to passenger cars. Heavy-duty trucks had the greatest association, with more than 16 times the odds of involvement in a turning-related fatal pedestrian crash compared to cars in similar scenarios.

The GAO is asking the DOT to develop a reliable method for measuring driver visibility and blind zones in passenger vehicles and commercial trucks, and to analyze and find solutions for the risks that limited driver visibility poses to pedestrians and cyclists.

Policy and carrier implications

The report signals growing interest from policymakers and safety advocates in truck visibility, blind-zone measurement, direct-vision standards, and technologies designed to detect vulnerable road users.

While regulators continue studying the issue, motor carriers don’t have to wait to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. Consider the following practices:

• Reinforce training on right-turn and intersection hazards.
• Require drivers to slow significantly before turns in urban areas.
• Encourage active mirror scanning and head movement before and during turns.
• Evaluate side-object detection systems, blind-spot monitoring technologies, and camera systems when purchasing equipment.
• Review pedestrian and cyclist crash locations to identify recurring operational risks.
• Incorporate vulnerable-road-user awareness into onboarding and annual driver training.
• Emphasize extra caution when operating near schools, downtown districts, transit hubs, and bicycle corridors.

Drivers can also help reduce risk by remembering that mirrors and cameras are aids, not substitutes for careful observation. A pedestrian, cyclist, or child can move into a blind zone quickly, particularly when a truck is starting from a stop or making a turn.

Key to remember: As pedestrian and cyclist fatalities mount, a new GAO report points to limited driver visibility around large trucks as part of the problem.

Thunderstorms

Severe thunderstorms can develop quickly. The following actions can help ensure safety if approaching or already in a storm.

• Turn on the vehicle’s headlights, slow down, and allow extra braking distance.
• Pull off the road and find a safe area to park, avoiding trees, poles, or any other items that could fall on the vehicle.
• Stay in the vehicle as it provides better protection against lightning than being in the open.
• If able to safely park before the storm strikes, seek shelter in a sturdy building, staying away from windows.

Once the storm has let up and travel has continued, watch for downed power lines, trees, and other debris that may have blown onto the road.

Tornados

Tornados are considered nature’s most violent storms. A tornado’s winds can reach 300 miles per hour and can create a path of damage in excess of one mile wide and 50 miles long.

If in an area where a tornado warning is issued, safely park and seek shelter immediately, preferably a basement or the interior of the lowest floor of a sturdy building or storm shelter.

If outside with no shelter, lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands. Also be aware of the potential for flooding, as heavy rain can cause low spots to quickly flood. Do not seek shelter under a highway overpass. Winds blow stronger under an overpass due to the wind-tunnel effect.

Watch for flying debris. Most tornado-related deaths and injuries are caused by flying debris. And never try to outrun a tornado.

Watches and warnings

The National Weather Service issues severe weather watches and warnings. Understanding the following terms can assist in identifying weather hazards.

Watch. A watch is issued when the risk of hazardous weather has increased significantly, but its occurrence, location, and/or timing is uncertain. Watches are normally issued well in advance of the occurrence of severe weather to provide lead time so the public can be prepared.

A severe thunderstorm watch is issued when conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.

A tornado watch is issued when conditions are favorable for the development of tornados in and close to the watch area.

Warning. A warning is issued when hazardous weather is occurring, imminent, or has a high probability of occurring. Warnings are used for conditions posing a threat to life or property.

A severe thunderstorm warning is issued when a severe thunderstorm is indicated by radar or spotter reports. A severe thunderstorm includes hail that is one inch in diameter or larger and/or winds of at least 58 miles per hour.

A tornado warning is issued when a tornado is indicated by radar or sighted by spotters. The warning will include where the tornado is located and what communities are in its path.

Key to remember: Spring weather can be unpredictable, but informed drivers who remain alert and take appropriate precautions are far better equipped to handle what Mother Nature delivers.

Trip Planning

Are your drivers planning their trips ahead of time? Do they check the route for potential adverse weather conditions, construction, and changes to traffic patterns? Do they look for truck stops along their route and plan their breaks out? If not, this is a great time to work some of those items into their daily routines.

Inspections

Do your drivers complete a thorough pretrip inspection before every shift? Are they continuing to inspect throughout the day, as well as upon finishing their days? Do they do the bare minimum to mark it as completed, or are they going above and beyond to ensure the vehicle is safe to drive?

Defensive Driving

Ask your drivers to reflect on their driving habits. Do they drive defensively? Are they maintaining a good following distance, eliminating distractions, and staying alert and ready to respond to the actions of other drivers?

Personal health and fitness

Health and wellness goals such as increased activity levels, prioritized sleep schedules, improved hygiene, and healthier diets can help drivers stay more alert while behind the wheel.

Start a new hobby

Oftentimes, being away from home and on the road can get lonely and boring. Encourage your drivers to find new ways to entertain themselves during their free time. Hobbies and leisure activities help relieve stress and allow drivers to start the next day of driving feeling fresh and alert.

Key to remember: The new year brings new opportunities for your drivers to check in on their existing habits, as well as form new ones.

Trip planning and preparation

When trip planning during the winter months, it’s extra important to check the weather conditions for the day and ensure that your drivers won’t be driving into a winter storm. If there’s any adverse weather on the radar, drivers should be creating a plan that includes:

• Identifying safe and legal parking locations along their route,
• Selecting a new route, or
• Working with dispatch to modify their schedule to avoid said weather conditions.

Additionally, drivers should have extra supplies during the wintertime in case they do end up being stranded. Examples of items to keep on hand include warm clothing, blankets, nonperishable foods, water bottles, a shovel, candles, and flashlights.

Tire chains

Tire chain requirements can start as early as September and last through May in some states. Check on the chain laws in each state in which you operate, and ensure your drivers are compliant with the local regulations. To do this, verify that drivers who need tire chains have them and know how to use them.

Avoid skids and jackknifing

Slippery conditions lead to increased chances of skids. There are a few things you can do to minimize the risk of skids and jackknife incidents.

• If you haven’t already, consider investing in anti-lock brakes, which auto-adjust brakes in response to tire skids.
• Remind drivers of the best practices to avoid skidding and jackknifing.
• Teach drivers what to do if they start to feel like they are entering a skid.

Adverse driving conditions

According to the hours-of-service adverse-conditions exception under 395.1(b), CMV drivers are permitted to exceed the normal driving and on-duty limits when they encounter unexpected adverse weather or traffic conditions. This exemption allows drivers to exceed the 10- or 11-hour driving limit and the 14- or 15-hour duty limit by up to 2 hours. However, this exemption only applies if there are unforeseen circumstances that the driver could not have known prior to the beginning of their trip.

Make sure your drivers, dispatchers, and leaders understand the adverse driving conditions of exemption, as well as when it can and cannot be used.

Key to remember: The safety of your drivers and those they share the roads with should be top priority this winter. Make sure they know and understand the challenges of winter driving.

Have a winter survival kit

All drivers should have a winter survival kit in their vehicle. In addition to the items that should be in their vehicle at all times (warning devices, jumper cables, tool kit, first aid kit), they should also carry the following items:

• Snow brush and scraper,
• Shovel,
• Traction devices,
• Brightly colored cloth,
• Blankets/sleeping bag,
• Extra food and water,
• Extra medications (if necessary), and
• Proper outerwear (extra coat, gloves, hat, boots).

What to do when stranded

One of the keys to driver safety is knowing what to do if stranded in extreme weather conditions.

• Stay in the vehicle. Never leave for assistance unless help is visible and close (within about 100 yards). Leaving the vehicle is a dangerous decision, as it is easy to become disoriented in blowing and drifting snow.
• Dial 911 to summon help. Stay calm. Provide a description of the location. Listen and respond to questions.
• Hang a brightly colored cloth outside the vehicle (if able to do this safely).
• Run the vehicle’s engine, with the heater on, for about 10 minutes every hour to keep warm. While the engine is running, open a window slightly to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Also, to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, make sure the vehicle’s exhaust pipe is clear and free of snow.
• Cautiously use food and beverages. It may be a while before help arrives.

Preventing hypothermia

Being stranded for several hours can contribute to a loss of body heat and in turn cause hypothermia, a condition brought on when the body’s temperature drops to a dangerously low level. Symptoms of hypothermia include:

• Uncontrollable shivering,
• Slow speech,
• Memory lapses, and
• Drowsiness.

Dressing in layers and using any additional blankets and coats can aid in insulating the body’s heat. Ways to stay warm and prevent hypothermia include trying not to stay in one position too long. Clap hands and move arms and legs occasionally.

Key to remember: Now is the time to review winter survival tips with your drivers.

Work zone safety tips

Plan ahead and manage your time. Before starting your day, plan your route. When possible, avoid work zones by using detours or alternate routes. Whether you are able to use an alternate route or have to travel through the work zone, schedule enough time to safely make the trip. Stay informed on current conditions, remain patient, and stay calm.

Remain focused. Your full attention should be on the road at all times, but this is even more critical when traveling through a work zone. Focused driving includes avoiding distractions, such as using your cell phone, eating, drinking, adjusting the radio or global positioning system (GPS), and conversing with passengers.

Pay attention to signs. Orange, diamond-shaped signs are posted to give advance warning of:

• Lane closures,
• Speed reductions, and
• Workers ahead.

Slow down. Lane closures and shifts in traffic patterns are common in work zones. Because of this, it is important to slow down.

Follow the posted speed limit. Speeding is one of the major causes of work zone crashes. Because of this, many states have enhanced their fines and penalties for exceeding the speed limit in a work zone.

Maintain a safe following distance. Stopping a large vehicle takes both space and time. A truck with good tires, traveling at 55 miles per hour in ideal conditions, needs about 450 feet and seven seconds to stop. Stopping distances can be greater if:

• It is raining or snowing,
• Tires or brakes are worn, or
• There is dirt or gravel on the road.

Use the lane furthest from the work zone. This provides additional space between the sides of the vehicle and construction workers.

Avoid sudden lane changes. When approaching lane closures, move into the open lane as soon as possible. Be sure to pay close attention to vehicles around you that could be in your blind spot.

Always expect the unexpected/drive defensively. In addition to watching for people working on or near the road, watch out for motorists racing to get ahead of you or trying to turn in front of you at the last second. Be ready to react to the unexpected.

Obey road crew flaggers. A flag person has the same authority as a regulatory sign. A driver can be cited for disobeying a flag person’s directions.

Key to remember: With road construction season ramping up, drivers need to fine tune their work zone safety skills and remember to use extra caution when traveling through work zones.

Driving tips

During the winter months, weather and road conditions can change rapidly. The following are some guidelines to follow when on the road during hazardous winter weather.

• Check on road conditions. Travel info may be accessed via state websites, navigation apps, and phone (511 in most states).
• Turn on the vehicle’s low beam headlights to increase visibility. High beam headlights shouldn’t be used, as the light will disperse in thick snow or fog making visibility difficult.
• Slow down. Speed limits are based on dry pavement and good weather conditions, not adverse winter weather conditions.
• Allow for additional following distance. It takes longer to brake safely on a snow and/or ice-covered road.
• Don’t use cruise control. A short touch of the brakes to deactivate the cruise control feature can cause a loss of vehicle control.

If it’s too dangerous to continue, pull off the road and park in a safe area, such as a truck stop or rest area until it is safe to continue.

Snowplow safety

Because they are removing snow and applying sand, salt, or other road treatment, snowplows travel at a slower rate of speed than other vehicles.

• Maintain a safe following distance of at least five to six car lengths behind a snowplow. This will help in avoiding collisions as well as potential vehicle damage from the materials being thrown on the road.
• Never drive next to a snowplow. A plow can shift sideways after hitting a snowpack or drift.
• Never drive through white-out conditions caused by swirling snow around a snowplow.

If a snowplow must be passed, do it in a safe and legal passing area that is clear of snow and ice. Make sure there’s enough clearance to the side as plows are wider than most vehicles and portions of the plow and the plow’s blade may not be visible due to blowing snow.

Key to remember: Driving defensively, staying informed, and having a plan can go a long way when it comes to safe winter operations.

The case for driver training

Most of us in the transportation safety world agree that training is essential for reducing accidents and improving overall safety. Strong driver training programs can provide legal, financial, and safety benefits, helping carriers comply with regulations, reduce the risk of accidents, and potentially lower their insurance costs.

The National Safety Council (NSC) supports this view, reporting that traffic violation rates decreased significantly after drivers have completed a driver training program. The data suggests that the total violation rates dropped by 71 percent, minor violation rates by 74 percent, and major violation rates by 38 percent.

Defensive driver training can be a solution to reduce these violations. Defensive driving courses are designed to equip drivers with the skills to anticipate potential hazards and react to prevent accidents. These courses cover various topics, including speed management, understanding blind spots, fatigue management, and the importance of maintaining a safe following distance.

The skepticism surrounding driver training

A report by the Insurance Bureau of Canada highlighted an ‘urgent’ need to improve training for truck drivers. It pointed out that new drivers who have not received adequate training are contributing to making Canada’s roads less safe. Despite this report, there’s skepticism regarding the effectiveness of driver training in Canada.

Some argue that defensive driving training is not enough to address the root causes of accidents. They point out that the trucking industry still deals with long working hours, tight delivery schedules, and inadequate rest periods for drivers, which contribute to driver fatigue and reduced alertness. Some also argue that without proper enforcement and follow-up, the lessons learned in defensive driving courses can quickly be forgotten, making the training ineffective.

The reality of training standards

The reality is that training standards vary widely. While some Canadian provinces and territories have implemented Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT), others have not. Not all drivers start with the same skills and not all of them can effectively handle on-road situations.

While driver training can improve safety and reduce accidents in the trucking industry, its effectiveness depends on the quality and consistency of the training provided. As the industry evolves, so must the training methods. Driver training must evolve to keep pace with advancements in vehicle technology and road safety standards. Incorporating modern tools like simulators, online courses, and real-time feedback can enhance learning. Emphasizing defensive driving, eco-friendly practices, and understanding autonomous systems will prepare drivers for the future of transportation.

Training as a safety strategy

Defensive driver training won’t solve all safety issues in the trucking industry, but it is a critical component of a comprehensive safety strategy. Defensive driving training can significantly reduce the risk of accidents when combined with proper rest, reasonable schedules, and remedial training.

Key to remember: When done right, defensive driver training can work wonders in promoting safety on the road.

Signs of a tourist

Summer means sun, fun, and for many Americans that once-a-year family road trip. Though professional drivers share the road with the general public on a continual basis, summertime brings out hazards that are unique to the season, including:

The over-packed vehicle. Boxes, coolers, or clothes may cover a vehicle’s back or side windows. When approaching these vehicles, leave plenty of following distance and pass with care.

Towing extra toys. Some drivers will be unfamiliar and/or inexperienced with operating a four- wheeler with a towed unit (trailer, camper, boat.) When approaching this type of situation:

• Allow for plenty of following distance;
• Watch for swerving of the towed unit and the potential for over-correcting by the driver; and
• Be alert to what seems like sudden slowing, stopping, or turning as the light systems on some towed units may not operate as they should.

A vehicle with children. Though they don’t mean to, children who are tired, hungry, or just plain bored can pose a distraction to a driver. Always use heightened awareness when approaching a vehicle with children, allow for plenty of following distance, and keep an eye out for sudden stopping, turning, and lane changes.

Be on the lookout for tourists when traveling through known vacation areas. Those who are unfamiliar with the area can unintentionally pose a hazard, such as changing direction or slowing/stopping without warning. Watch for:

• Car-top carriers,
• Slow-moving vehicles/frequent braking,
• Vehicles changing direction without warning,
• Drivers looking at signs or maps, and
• Out-of-state license plates.

The impaired driver

Summer is a time when family and friends gather for special occasions such as reunions, weddings, and barbecues.

These celebrations often go well into the evening hours. Drivers operating under the influence of alcohol or fatigue create issues that the professional driver needs to be aware of when traveling at night.

Just like any other defensive driving situation, be on the lookout for erratic driving, such as varying speed and lane deviations.

If following what appears to be an impaired driver, allow for plenty of following distance or exit the roadway and contact law enforcement.

Road construction

Summer is the prime season for roadwork throughout the country. Additional caution and safe driving practices are extremely important when driving through work zones. This includes:

• Paying attention,
• Not tailgating,
• Not speeding,
• Merging as soon as possible, and
• Always expecting the unexpected.

Key to remember: Though the potential hazards may be different from season to season, defensive driving applies year-round.

Spotting the hazards

Drivers often use spotters to help them maneuver in and out of tight spots, such as loading docks. However, when using a spotter, drivers need to understand specific cues and hand signals to avoid miscommunication and a potential accident.

To be effective and safe, the spotter and driver must be speaking the same language. However, as with bicycling, the hand signals used in the trucking industry are not standardized. Therefore, it’s important to train your drivers and yard employees on common, basic hand signals for the safest result.

Clear signals

The more commonly used hand signals that you should consider standardizing in your organization include:

• Pull forward to the left and pull forward to the right
• Back up straight, toward the driver’s side, or toward the passenger’s side
• Distance to travel
• Slow down
• Stop and emergency stop (these are the most critical!)

Like a cyclist at the front of a pack, spotters must be aware of the truck’s position and approaching hazards. To protect themselves, spotters should wear high-visibility clothing, be visible in the driver’s passenger mirror, and stay a safe distance from the vehicle. In addition, they should maintain eye contact with the driver and avoid walking backward when spotting. As in bicycling, the use of hand signals in trucking can be vital to everyone’s safety. Make sure your drivers and spotters have — and use — an agreed-upon system that works for everyone.

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Be extra vigilant

About half of all fatal crashes happen on rural roads, where speed limits are faster – encourage drivers to stay alert and scan the road ahead for domestic, farm, or wild animals. Also, October to January is a peak time for vehicle collisions with wildlife, and autumn is the most dangerous time. To help keep your drivers unharmed, and to prevent unnecessary roadkill, here are some tips you can share with your drivers for staying safe:

• Slow down and scan the road. Speeding increases your risk of crashing into an animal.
• Be extra vigilant at dusk and dawn, the two most common times for animal collisions.
• Watch for what may appear to be shining lights at the side of the road. Those may in fact be the vehicle headlights reflecting off of animals’ eyes.
• Consider that if you see one animal, there are likely more around. Animals often travel in groups.
• Use high beams whenever possible.

You can also remind your drivers to take the following actions if they encounter an animal:

• Check the mirrors first, to make sure it’s safe to slow down or stop;
• Reduce speed and honk the horn;
• Stay in control of the vehicle;
• Beware of the animal suddenly bolting in an unexpected direction; and
• Do not exit the vehicle if stopped (it can put drivers at risk of being hit by another vehicle).

To swerve or not to swerve?

If smaller animals such as deer are in the way – ask your drivers to think carefully – is it safe for them to swerve? Drivers should not take unsafe evasive actions. Serious incidents can occur when drivers lose control of their vehicles trying to avoid an animal. Driving at a slower speed may mean it is not necessary to swerve at all. Swerving can take drivers into the path of an oncoming vehicle or into the ditch.

Drivers should know that if a deer is in the way, hitting the brakes and slowing down is the best course of action. However, if they have to choose between swerving or striking a moose, the rules change. Drivers should consider swerving. A collision with a moose, which can weigh up to 500 kilograms (1200 pounds), carries a significant risk of injury or death. If a moose collision is inevitable, drivers should duck below windshield level and towards the driver’s door for safety.

Did you know?:

• On average, there is a motor vehicle-wild animal collision every 38 minutes;
• One out of every 17 motor vehicle collisions involves a wild animal;
• Motor vehicle-wild animal collisions are increasing annually;
• 89 percent occur on two-lane roads outside of urban areas;
• 86 percent occur in good weather; and
• Wild animals are always unpredictable.

Know the signs

Remind drivers to obey yellow diamond-shaped wildlife warning signs and any associated speed changes. The signs are located in high wildlife use areas. When they drive by these signs every day, it’s easy to become complacent. Be sure to remind them the signs are there for a reason, and remain alert.

Key to remember: Be sure to help educate your drivers, family, and colleagues, especially new and younger drivers - about the dangers of collisions with wildlife, and enjoy safe travels!

Obscured from view

Nothing can prepare drivers for that white knuckle moment when the blowing snow completely obscures their view of the road. They cannot react to what they can’t see. Be sure to have a conversation with your drivers about what they might encounter. For example, if their vision is suddenly obscured by blowing snow or blizzard conditions, they must resist the urge to stop. Since they’re a prudent professional driver, they will have already slowed down to adjust to the changing conditions, right? In such driving conditions, ensure your drivers know to maintain situational awareness so that they know what’s out front, even if it’s temporarily obscured from view.

Remind them to maintain course and steer carefully. It may help them to glance at the shoulder of the road and gauge its position to help maintain position in the lane. However, everyone tends to steer in the direction they’re looking, so prolonged staring at the shoulder can cause the truck to drift in that direction. Drivers should glance — not stare — at the edge of the road as a lane position guide.

Finally, talk to them about prolonged poor visibility. They must drive at a speed at which their forward vision is at least equal to the stopping distance and never over-drive their headlights. Since they may have slowed down because of the poor conditions, they should continue on course and resist the urge to apply the brakes. Remember - they don’t know how the driver behind them is reacting to the situation.

Traction is everything

Loss of traction in snowy/icy conditions doesn't happen because they are driving on ice. It means your driver is hydroplaning on an almost microscopic film of fluid water between the ice and the surface of the tires, which results in less traction.

Many drivers overestimate the amount of traction they have in winter, or they don’t fully understand the threats that exist to what little traction they have. The threat to many drivers is a tire tread that’s too shallow, or low-rolling-resistance tires that have naturally tight tread patterns and fairly shallow treads.

If the tire condition is marginal, your drivers are at greater risk of a traction shortage. The worst-case scenario on an icy surface is a lightly loaded truck with over-inflated tires and shallow tread.

The actions of your drivers need to be controlled and deliberate. Hard acceleration, hard braking, and sharp curves all decrease traction. Maintain a consistent speed, open up the distance between themselves and the vehicle ahead, and go easy on the brakes.

Be smooth and ready

Being prepared before they start their trip will certainly help them to stay safe. Planning ahead by checking the weather forecast and road conditions will help them avoid driving in hazardous conditions. Making sure the truck is well-maintained and equipped for winter driving is key. Don't tailgate, cut off, or block other vehicles, and remember to move over and give extra space to snow plows, emergency vehicles, and cars.

Driving in winter can be tiring and stressful so encourage drivers to take frequent breaks to stretch their legs and drink some coffee or water. They need to stay alert and rested. Remind them if they feel too tired or unsafe to continue, they must pull over at a rest area or truck stop and get some rest.

Driving a truck in winter can be safe and comfortable if these tips are followed and you train your drivers to be courteous and respectful to other drivers and adjust their driving actions to the conditions.

Key to remember: Winter driving can be challenging even for experienced truckers, so it’s important they adapt their driving styles when driving in poor weather conditions, especially on snow-covered or icy roads.

It’s a costly violation

Fatigue can affect anyone, even commercial drivers who are in full compliance with the hours-of-service rules. Besides greatly increasing the risk of a crash, fatigued driving is a violation of 49 CFR 392.3.

That rule prohibits someone from getting behind the wheel if their “ability or alertness is so impaired … through fatigue … as to make it unsafe for him/her to begin or continue to operate the commercial motor vehicle.” Violations carry a fine of over $4,500 for the driver who did it and over $18,000 for the company that allowed it.

Take this week to stress with your drivers the importance of avoiding fatigued driving. Consider a daily five-minute talk or email/text messages to remind drivers about the dangers of drowsy driving, how to spot it, and how to prevent it.

From yawns to yikes

Professional drivers should always heed the warning signs that they’re getting fatigued. Signs that it’s time for a break include:

• Frequent yawning
• Drooping eyelids
• Inability to remember the last few miles
• Failing to obey a traffic-control device, hitting a rumble strip, or drifting into another lane or shoulder
• Missing an exit or turn

6 steps to successful snoozing

The National Sleep Foundation, which sponsors Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, recommends these six steps for healthy sleep:

1. Get some sun. Spend time in bright light during the day.
2. Exercise. Spend at least 30 minutes getting some exercise, at least 5 days a week. Even a brisk walk around a parking lot can help.
3. Schedule your meals. Eat meals at a consistent time every day.
4. Avoid the bad stuff at bedtime. Heavy meals, nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol should be avoided well before it’s time to sleep.
5. Wind down. Establish a consistent, relaxing routine to get your body ready to sleep. Put your phone and other electronic devices away an hour before bed.
6. Prepare the space. Sleep in a quiet, cool, and dark environment.

Key to remember: Take advantage of this year’s Drowsy Driving Prevention Week to remind your drivers about the dangers of drowsy driving and how to prevent it.

Prepare your drivers

Now that you know what officers will be looking for and the most common violations, take steps to reduce your exposure. Before Operation Safe Driver begins, refresh your drivers on:

• Obeying the speed limit at all times,
• Reading and obeying all traffic control signs and lights,
• Defensive driving,
• Compliance with traffic codes,
• Avoiding distracted driving, and
• Conducting a thorough pretrip inspection.

It goes without saying that drivers need to practice safe driving behaviors every day of the year.

Key to remember: Operation Safe Driver Week begins July 9, 2023, and runs through July 15, with a focus on speeding. Make sure your drivers are prepared.

Watching your speed

The first and arguably most important tip for driving in inclement weather is to slow down. The posted speed limits we all see standing proudly at the side of the roads were determined by traffic engineers and safety experts. There are provincial guidelines set out to determine what speed limit works best for a given segment of roadway. What we all need to remember is these speed limits are for ideal conditions. In other words, a road with a posted speed limit of 80 km/h should be safe at those speeds when the road surface is dry and clean with daytime light conditions and normal traffic density. Change any one of those conditions and the recommended speed should decrease. Add a wet road surface, poor visibility or heavy traffic and motorists should be thinking about reducing their speed to suit those less-than-ideal conditions. Throw snow and ice into that scenario and speeds need to be reduced significantly. On a road with snow, your vehicle’s tires will only provide you with around 10 percent of the grip you could expect on dry pavement.

Watching your following distance

Since most commercial vehicles are heavier and larger, it’s reasonable to say that they take longer to stop than typical passenger vehicles. Maintaining a safe following distance can be the deciding factor in whether or not a crash occurs, so be sure to follow safely. Industry best practices recommend that semi-drivers keep a following distance of one second for every 10 feet of vehicle length, however, this recommendation doubles when there is inclement weather. If a passenger vehicle is to spin out or lose control ahead, the CMV driver must recognize and respond to this by slowing down and maintaining a safe distance.

Watching your signs and signals

In winter weather conditions, please turn on your headlights. It’s important that other drivers on the road see you, especially in foggy and snow-falling conditions. If you need to change lanes or merge off the road, make sure to use your turn signals, i.e., blinkers. As a general rule, wait three “blinks” of your blinkers before moving over in dry or rainy weather. Wait four or five “blinks,” then move over slowly when the weather is more inclement and visibility is more difficult. Inadequate surveillance can often be the cause of a crash, so make sure you’re checking your mirrors often and looking far enough ahead before turning on your blinkers to begin changing lanes.

If you’re operating at a significantly slower speed than others around you, make sure to put on your hazard lights so others can see you and know it’s okay to pass if necessary.

Watching the space around you

Although sometimes hard to avoid on multiple-lane highways and interstates, CMV drivers should do their best to refrain from boxing in or “sandwiching” a passenger vehicle between themselves and another semi. The passenger vehicle is subject to many vulnerabilities in this position which gives them little to no opportunity to react in the event of an unexpected merge or if either CMV hits high winds or ice.

Watching for windy conditions on your route

If the weather reaches a point where you are uncomfortable operating your truck or semi, or you encounter ice, slow your vehicle down and look for the nearest exit ramp or rest area. It’s far more important to wait out weather conditions than it is to continue on and risk your life and the lives of others.

Key to remember: While driving in inclement weather can be dangerous for all drivers, this is especially true for drivers operating commercial motor vehicles. The special rules and regulations that exist for semi-drivers are to ensure the safety of everyone on the road. Please follow them during the coming winter months.

What is fatigue impairment?

Given the long hours that commercial truck drivers tend to spend on the road and the high amount of commercial truck traffic on our roads, it is no wonder that driver fatigue is one of the biggest problems facing the carrier industry these days. It is essential that trucking companies and drivers do what they can to prevent driver fatigue. When a driver is fatigued, the driver is impaired. Driving while impaired by fatigue can have tragic results, just like driving when impaired by alcohol or drugs. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) Fatigue Fact Sheet indicates that one in five motor vehicle collisions is related to fatigue.

What are the causes of fatigue?

Fatigue is the progressive reduction in physical and mental alertness which leads to sleepiness and sleep. Fatigue becomes problematic when it compromises a driver’s reflexes and ability to concentrate or use judgment. Some of the effects can be: Decreased vigilance, concentration, and attention;

• Altered judgment and the quality of decisions affected;
• Decreased and slow reaction time;
• Affected memory; and
• Increased sleepiness and periods of micro-sleeps (lasting 4 to 6 seconds).

Most of the time fatigue can be traced to one or more habits or routines, particularly lack of sleep or exercise.

Fighting driver fatigue

Some of the precautions a driver can take to combat fatigue include:

• Avoiding the operation of a vehicle beyond the allowable driving time.
• Making frequent rest stops. Any activity that substitutes a different physical act for the monotony of driving helps to refresh the driver.
• Drinking coffee or water as they may sharpen a driver’s senses. But note that caffeine is not a cure for fatigue.
• Avoiding the use of drugs, even over-the-counter medications, for alertness. Certain commonly used drugs may increase alertness and efficiency for a short period, but may often be followed by headaches, dizziness, agitation, irritability, decreased concentration, or hallucinations.

Are you effectively managing driver fatigue?

Fleet managers bear the ultimate responsibility of protecting drivers and ensuring road safety for others as well. They must strategically solve driver fatigue problems.

Here are initiatives that you can implement to help mitigate driver fatigue:

• Set limits on overtime and maximum allowable consecutive shifts;
• Offer comprehensive training regarding sleep health and fatigue management;
• Develop a sleep disorder screening and management program;
• Make sure drivers get enough breaks during extended work shifts;
• Encourage self-reporting by providing supervisors and drivers with checklists for fatigue symptoms;
• Monitor for fatigue-related symptoms and encourage peer-to-peer monitoring, too; and
• Keep tabs on data from in-vehicle monitoring systems – it helps to identify signs of possible fatigue, like lane departures, irregular speeding, etc.

Your incident investigators should be trained, too, so they can determine the role of fatigue if any accident occurs, even in near-miss incidents.

Key to remember: Driver fatigue is much more than a little tiredness or feeling sleepy. Implementing initiatives to combat driver fatigue is a must for motor carriers. It’s critical to ensure your business runs safely.

What is corrective action training?

Corrective action training, sometimes referred to as remedial training, is a brief, targeted training session focused on an individual driver in response to an accident, violation, or complaint.

For example, Jorge is an excellent driver, but you just received a complaint about him not leaving enough following distance. A month later, he almost rear-ends the vehicle in front of him. Corrective action training should be used to address Jorge’s space management issue.

When should you use corrective action training?

The goal of corrective action training is to address and correct a minor issue, problem, or bad habit before it escalates into something major that could lead to a serious accident and/or violation. This means that the training should be conducted as soon after the problem is identified as is practical.

In our example, it probably isn’t necessary to conduct corrective action training after Jorge receives the initial complaint, but once another related incident occurs, it’s time for training. Jorge is on an overnight run, but you schedule a short block of time to meet with him the day after tomorrow to review appropriate following distance.

How do you successfully implement and administer a corrective action training program?

First, you need to have an active monitoring program that identifies candidates who would benefit from this type of training and the areas of safety and compliance that need attention. Citations, accidents, and insurance claims are all ways to identify drivers and the areas that may need reinforcement or correction.

Once you have identified an issue, you need to select a means of instruction. The instruction should be relatively brief (no more that 5 to 10 minutes) and focused on the specific problem area. For example, Jorge doesn’t have any problems adhering to hours-of-service limits, so don’t spend time re-training him on the regulations; only train to address the skill that has been identified as a weakness — space management.

Once training is completed, continue to monitor the driver to verify that the corrective action training is working. This lets the driver know you are serious and provides you with proof that there is a change in behavior. You should monitor Jorge’s driving for the next several months and keep an eye out for any other incidents or complaints related to space management.

Corrective action training should also be linked to your company’s disciplinary policy. If you provide Jorge with corrective action training on space management, but he continues to tailgate other vehicles, both you and Jorge need to have a clear understanding of what the next step is.

How you use corrective action training within your disciplinary policy is a business decision. It should work hand-in-hand with your other policies, any state labor laws, and contracts or agreements you have with your employees that may apply.

Finally, document everything. Your training program is only as good as your documentation of it. All training, including corrective action training and follow-up monitoring, should be recorded to show who was trained, who conducted the training, what the training covered, when the training happened, and the amount of time spent on the training.

Why should you use corrective action training?

There are two big reasons to use corrective action training: increase safety and reduce liability.

• Increase safety. Providing your drivers with short, targeted training when an issue first becomes apparent should reduce the number of accidents, incidents, and complaints that your motor carrier has to respond to. This saves time and money and also results in lower Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) scores and lower insurance rates.
• Decrease liability. Corrective action training can’t prevent all accidents, but if you end up in court, you can mitigate your liability if you’re able to show a solid training program. Having documentation of all training, including corrective action training, will show a jury that your company is serious about safety.
  
  If Jorge later rear ends a vehicle, you want to be able to show that you addressed the problem through training and that Jorge’s space management improved as a result of the training.

What is a school zone?

A school zone is a section of roadway near a school or school crosswalk. Signs provide notice that a school is nearby and that children may be present. In a school zone, the posted speed limit is greatly reduced.

Proceed with caution

When driving through a school zone and in the area surrounding a school, a driver’s undivided attention needs to be on the road, looking out for potential hazards.

Slow down and obey all traffic laws and speed limits in school zones as well as the area surrounding a school. Drive defensively:

• Continually scan the road,
• Be on the lookout for children gathering near bus stops, and
• Watch for children walking or bicycling near a school.

Keep an eye out for children, especially younger children, as they:

• Are smaller and more difficult to see,
• Don’t understand the dangers posed by moving vehicles, and
• Can’t judge vehicle distance as well as adults.

Always stop for a school patrol officer or crossing guard holding up a stop sign. When flashers are blinking in a school zone, stop and yield to pedestrians crossing at the crosswalk or intersection. And remember, never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians.

School bus laws

All states have laws in place to protect children as they board and exit school buses. Though specifics vary from state-to-state, there are standard rules that apply everywhere.

• Never pass a school bus when its lights are flashing and its stop arm is extended. This means children are boarding or exiting the bus.
• Never pass a school bus on the right side. This is where children enter and exit the bus.

In many states, school bus drivers can report illegally passing vehicles. The illegal action does not need to be observed by law enforcement for a driver to be cited.

Know the flashing light system

School bus drivers use the “flashing signal light system” to alert motorists of pending actions.

Yellow flashing lights means the school bus is getting ready to stop and all drivers should slow down and be prepared to stop.

Red flashing lights and an extended stop arm mean the bus has stopped and children are exiting/boarding. All drivers must come to a complete stop and may not proceed until:

• The lights stop flashing,
• The stop arm is withdrawn, and
• The bus starts to move.

Key to remember

As kids head back to the classroom, it is important that your drivers understand the hazards they may face when sharing the road with children and school buses.

Understanding the hazards

Over the next several weeks, millions of children will be starting a new school year. As kids head back to the classroom, some for the first time since early 2020, it is important to understand the hazards of sharing the road with children and school buses.

Defensive driving basics

The importance of defensive driving is magnified when operating in an urban area.

Driving defensively means the driver:

• Observes the entire situation;
• Watches for changes;
• Recognizes potential hazards;
• Plans for the appropriate response; and
• Carries out that plan when necessary.

Specifically, when driving in the city, a driver should:

• Stay on posted routes;
• Manage speed and space, allowing for plenty of room to maneuver;
• Be alert at all times;
• Never focus on one object or event;
• Continually scan a block or two ahead and check the vehicle’s mirrors;
• Be aware of traffic signals;
• Watch for signs; and
• Keep an eye out for bicycles and pedestrians.

TIP: Stress the importance of being alert and scanning.

Intersections

Crossing an intersection with a long vehicle can be a difficult maneuver. The driver must consider the vehicle’s additional length and slower acceleration (compared to a personal vehicle) when making the decision to cross an intersection.

A driver should always stop at an intersection or unmarked crossing, and always assume the truck does not have the right of way.

After stopping, the driver should proceed slowly. This allows time to stop again, look to the left, then right, and then left again before pulling into the intersection.

The approach at a controlled intersection is very similar. The driver should stop two times. First, at the stop sign or light, then again after easing forward to a point where oncoming traffic is clearly visible.

Crosswalks

At a crosswalk, additional attention should be paid to what is happening to the driver’s right. Pedestrians and bicyclists are often hidden from a driver’s line of sight.

The driver also needs to remember to yield the right of way to pedestrians when turning on green.

GPS use

When driving in an unfamiliar city, a global positioning system (GPS) navigation system can be of help in finding a destination, if the right type of device is used.

It is key to remember that all GPSs do not perform the same tasks. A general GPS is intended for personal vehicle use. Professional drivers need devices designed for their specific driving tasks.

A GPS designed for the professional driver includes information addressing truck routes, low overpasses, and axle limits.

All relevant information should be entered into the GPS prior to the driver beginning the trip. This includes:

• Vehicle length, width, height;
• Axle weights; and
• Hazardous materials being transported (if applicable).

The driver should follow the route suggested by the GPS, but should pay attention and obey traffic signs and advisories, especially if they provide restrictions and/or directions the GPS did not alert the driver to.

TIP: Several states have laws addressing technology use while driving. Review the laws for the states in which your vehicles travel.

Three peak times

Truck crash severities peaked between 4:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m., 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., and at 11:00 p.m. — which was found to be twice as risky as many other hours.

Early morning hours have long been considered dangerous due to a combination of driver fatigue and the start of rush-hour traffic. The study found that the proportion of preventable truck crashes was significantly higher between 4:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. than at other times of the day.

The study, Commercial Motor Vehicle Crash Risk by Time of Day, is available at www.vtti.vt.edu/national/nstsce.

The work must go on

If your drivers operate commercial vehicles during the overnight hours, what can you do to improve their safety? Start by letting your drivers know about the study results and the times of day that may be the most dangerous.