S.M.O.G. Safety and Company Fleet Driver Safety TALK your SUPERVISOR SHOULD BE COVERING!

FMCSA AND CVSA LAW ENFORCEMENT accident data also reveals that poor maintenance may play a significant role in rollover crashes. The agency says more than half of the trucks involved in a rollover accident each year are found to have defective brakes. And as a company in your journey management talks and tail gate meetings are you really talked about the ROAD/Load and Mother Nature Hazards and prevention items!

Rural road driving • Be careful of hidden driveways and roads. • Do not over drive your headlights while driving on rural roads at night. • Be aware that intersections may have low visibility from trees, vines, buildings, rural crops and other obstructions. • Be alert for other rural specific vehicles (i.e. school buses, rural mail carriers, or other slow moving vehicles). Proper lane changing techniques • When making a lane change, always check for vehicles approaching or driving within the intended lane. • Always signal before making a lane change. • Do not rely on mirrors alone to detect vehicles that may be traveling in your blind spot. Glance over your shoulder to check blind spots before making a lane change. Failure to do so is the primary cause of lane change accidents. • Adjust rear view and side view mirrors before starting your trip.

Remember your “SMOG” — Signal, Mirror, Over the shoulder and Go.

Intersections • Drive defensively and always reduce speed when approaching intersections, even if you have the right of way or a green signal light. Many accidents occur when another driver runs a red light or a stop sign. • Don’t immediately proceed into the intersection after the trafc signal turns green. Look both ways before entering, even when you have the right-of-way. Confirm that all crossing trafc has come to a complete stop. • When two vehicles approach a four-way stop simultaneously, the auto to the left is expected to yield the right-of-way. Use hand signals to verify right-of-way to the other driver, when needed. Exercise patience. • If you observe a vehicle following too closely behind you as you approach an intersection, tap your brake three or four times to signal your intention to stop. This maneuver may prevent a rear-end collision. • Never assume signaling drivers will turn when you expect it. Backing procedures • When possible, avoid driving maneuvers that will later require backing. When backing is necessary, always walk around your vehicle before proceeding to ensure your path is clear of obstructions. Never assume your path is clear. Do not depend solely on rear view and side mirrors to detect obstructions. • Try to always “back to the driver’s side.”

Remember the “GOAL” — Get Out And Look. Turning techniques • Plan turns ahead by signaling. Proceed into the turning lane at least 200 feet ahead of the intersection.

Accidents often occur when a driver turns suddenly. • Signal your intention ahead of the turn. Most state laws require a driver to signal at least 100 feet before making a turn. • Don’t signal too early, especially if another street or driveway lies before your intended turn. Accidents often occur when a driver assumes another vehicle is going to turn ahead of the intersection, but doesn’t. Passing techniques • Always allow sufcient space in which to pass. Serious head-on collisions can occur when a passing driver does not have adequate time to return to their lane. You should be going at least 5 mph faster than vehicle you are trying to pass without exceeding the speed limit. When in doubt, DO NOT pass. • Always use turn signals to make other drivers aware of your intent to pass and signal before pulling back into the driving lane. • Pass only where legal. DO NOT pass on hills, curves, at intersections, on bridges and in other no-passing zones where double-yellow lines appear.

 Make pre-trip inspections a part of your daily routine. The Department of Transportation (DOT) requires you to check your vehicle before starting a trip. Ensure the following parts and accessories and in good working order:

·        Brakes, including trailer brake connections

·        Steering mechanism

·        Lighting devices and reflectors

·        Tires

·        Horn

·        Windshield wipers

·        Rear vision mirrors

·        Coupling devices

Secure the load

When semi-truck drivers fail to properly secure loads, rollover accidents can occur. During sharp turns or quick maneuvers, unsecured loads can pull on the truck’s center of gravity, which can cause a rollover accident. Follow these recommendations to help prevent cargo shifts:

·        Evenly distribute and tie down cargo with securement devices (in compliance with FMCSA AND CVSA LAW ENFORCEMENTregulations).

·        Ensure all other equipment (tailgate, doors, tarpaulins and spare tires) are secured.

·        Reexamine cargo and securement devices throughout trips.

Stay alert

Driver error is responsible for over 75% of all tank truck rollovers, . Rollovers can happen to anyone at any time, so you can never be too comfortable behind the wheel. Here are few tips to help keep you alert::

·        Manage the speed First and foremost, comply with DOT Hours of Service Regulations.

·        Get plenty of sleep in your off time. There is no trick and no amount of coffee or caffeine that can substitute for adequate rest.

·        Be aware of your level of fatigue. Take a break or stop when you are tired. Keep your cab well ventilated and slightly cool to help keep you alert.

·        Don’t text and drive or use hand-held devices while behind the wheel.

·        Don’t eat large, fatty meals before getting on the road or while driving.

Entering curves or corners too quickly or driving too fast for conditions can lead to vehicle rollover crashes. Here are a few speed management tips to help keep you and others safe:

·        Adjust your speed. Slow down as needed, depending on the driving conditions. 

·        Be aware of the effect of speed on stopping distance. Whenever you double your speed, it takes about 4 times the stopping distance.

·        Be aware of the effect of vehicle weight on stopping distance. Brakes, tires, springs and shock absorbers on heavy vehicles are designed to work best when vehicles are fully loaded. Empty trucks require greater stopping distances because an empty vehicle has less traction.

·        Be aware of the effect of road conditions on stopping distance. On slippery surfaces, you must drive slower to stop in the same distance as on a dry road. Speed must be reduced by about 1/3 on wet roads, 1/2 or more on packed snow and to a crawl on ice.

Maintain adequate stopping distance

Understanding stopping distance is important because if you are not able to accurately calculate stopping distance, you may cause an accident, injure yourself or others, or commit a moving violation.

To ensure you have adequate space to stop, use the following guideline:

·        At least one second for each 10 feet of vehicle length at speeds below 40 mph.

·        At greater speeds, you must add one second for safety.

Note, this is a general rule to follow. Always consider and adjust for adverse conditions, such as bad weather, fog, slippery or wet roads, poor visibility or darkness. Any of these conditions can increase the following distance you need to maintain between your vehicle and the one in front of you.

Manage lane changes

The first rule of thumb is simple: “Slow Down”. The number of times you are required to change lanes is most often a direct result of the speed you are traveling, in comparison to the speed of the traffic around you. A good guideline is to keep your vehicle at a moderate speed of 3-5 mph slower than the traffic around you.

Ask yourself these question before beginning a lane change maneuver:

·        What do I gain by passing the vehicle?

·        Is there any approaching traffic?

·        Do I have the power to pass?

·        Have I continually monitored the traffic following me to ensure no one is in my blind spots?

·        Have I given adequate warning to the vehicles around me that I am preparing to change lanes?

·        Does the traffic around me have sufficient time and space to notice and react to my turn signal?

Adapt to night driving

You’re at greater risk when you drive at night. It’s important to adapt your driving habits to allow for reduced visibility and the fact that people are less alert or responsive at night. When driving at night, keep the following tips top of mind:

·        Use your headlights. You should have your lights on from sunset until sunrise; during periods of rain, snow, hail, sleet or fog; and at any other time when you can’t see the road ahead clearly for a distance of at least 500 feet. When in doubt—turn lights on. 

·        Don’t overdrive your headlights. Overdriving the headlights is driving so fast that you are unable to stop within the distance that you can clearly see the road ahead by the light of your vehicle’s headlamps.

·        Relieve eye fatigue by keeping your eyes moving. Move eyes from side to side, near to far ahead and so forth.

·        Keep vehicles windows and mirrors clean and free of defects. They should never be clouded by frost or steam, or marred by large scratches or cracks.

·        Be alert to other drivers. At night you are more likely to encounter drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Watch for drivers who have difficulty maintaining a consistent speed, staying in their own lane, or those who stop suddenly.

·        Reduce light inside your cab because inside light makes it more difficult to see outside. Keep the interior light off and adjust your instrument panel lights as low as possible (without compromising your ability to read the gauges).

Prevent skids

When a vehicle skids, it is out of control. What many people do not know is that the driver can prevent most skids. It is much easier to prevent a skid than to correct one. Follow these tips to prevent a skid from occurring:

·        Adjust your speed to curves to reduce your chances of a cornering skid.

·        Drive within your sight distance to reduce the need for sudden stops and the chances of a braking skid.

·        Maintain enough following distance so you will not have to stop quickly.

·        Don’t drive too fast on slippery surfaces.

·        Adjust your speed to the surface condition and curvature of the road.

·        Don’t over-brake.

·        Don’t suddenly downshift.

·        Use the brake-limiting valve correctly.

·        Inspect the air system and brake adjustment before and during each trip. All wheels should start stopping at the same time. If they don’t, a skid can result when you brake.

·        Inspect tires, front wheel alignment and suspension system.

·        Load cargo properly.

Avoid hydroplaning

Wet roads tend to be slippery and any quick turn or change in speed can cause a skid. Just after the rain starts, road surfaces are the most slippery because rainwater mixes with oils that coat the surface of the road. Until the oil is washed off of the surface, anywhere from 30 minutes to one hour after the rain starts, water accumulates on the surface of the road and creates a driving hazard called hydroplaning.

·        Inspect tires regularly to ensure tires are in good working condition. Tire grooves work to move water off the road surface. If tire groves are not at an adequate depth, the water will not be carried away.

·        Make sure tires are adequately inflated. Hydroplaning is more likely to occur when tire pressure is low.

·        Reduce your speed to allow for more space behind other vehicles and to allow for more time to stop.

If your vehicle starts to hydroplane, do not panic. Do not use your brake if you are hydroplaning. To regain control of the vehicle, first release the accelerator. Next, push in the clutch pedal and allow the wheels to turn freely. As the vehicle slows down, you will regain control of it.

Master the mountains

Driving a commercial vehicle on mountainous roads requires additional professional driving skills and patience. Mountain roads are extremely dangerous, so you seldom get to make a second mistake while driving on a mountainous road. Follow these mountain driving tips:

·        React to early warning signs. Warning signs will be placed 250’ to 750’ from the hazard it describes.

·        Slow down and shift to a lower gear before cresting hills. Once you’re on the downhill side, it’s too late to gear down.

·        Brake firmly to control your speed and to get all the brakes working at once. Slow down below your desired speed. Remember, your desired speed is always less than the posted speed limit. Release the brakes until the truck is going slightly above your desired speed, but no more than 5 MPH. above, then reapply the brakes. Your brakes are used to assist the retard of the gears and engine.

·        Watch the air pressure gauge to be sure the pressure does not drop excessively. Fifteen pounds is usually too much. If it drops 15 pounds or more, stop immediately to let the brakes cool properly