Sweets Safety Tips – OTR 2/3
Being a successful truck driver doesn’t exist without being a safe truck driver. Having the “safety first” mentality does not end as soon as you get your CDL and at Sweet, we are constantly implementing safety procedures to ensure that our drivers are among the safest on the roads.
To refresh your knowledge about truck driver safety, we have compiled a list of essential safety tips for drivers to keep in mind regardless of how much experience you may have.
ON THE ROAD SAFETY TIPS
1.Maintain a safe distance- Spend at least 15 minutes inspecting truck and trailer. Include cargo securement if the trailer is unsealed. Any and all defects should be noted on DVIR and submitted through Samsara and the Shop notified.
- Maintain a safe following distance. The FMCSA recommends, “1 second for every 10 feet of vehicle length at 40 mph. If you are traveling over 40 mph add an additional one second. The average length of a Class A combination truck and trailer is 72 feet so your following distance should be 7 seconds at 40 mph and under, and 8 seconds for speeds over 40 mph. You can measure this distance by observing a point on the road and counting the time from when a car in front of you passed that point to the time that you reach that point.”
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- It is a driver’s responsibility to make sure she or he is qualified and fit for duty as required by law.
- Check mirrors every 8-10 seconds
- Scan ahead on the road often to check for traffic issues, work zones, accidents, road blocks and other issues that may impact your driving. By being aware ahead of time, it allows you more time to break if necessary.
3. Defensive Driving
- Here are some defensive tactics to remember:
- 3 & 9 hand positions
- obeying speed limits and be aware of changes that may occur along your route.
- Make careful, slow and wide turns.Trucks also have a higher center of gravity and are prone to rolling easier than cars.Please also make sure to signal appropriately too.
- Be aware of long stopping distances
- Take breaks when feeling fatigued
- Stay alert at all times
4. Avoid distracted driving. Here are more examples:
- Getting enough sleep and making sure you are eating and drinking enough water is vital to make sure you are alert on the road at all times. Other factors that impact fatigue are sleep apnea, stress and highway hypnosis.
- Keeping your cell phone in an approved mounting device, use an earpiece or speaker phone function, use voice-activitated dialing and use the hands-free feature.
- Texting is among the WORST driving distractions and is illegal for a CMV driver to text while driving and can not only cost a lot, but can cost lives too.
- The FMCSA published a final rule, effective December, 12, 2011, restricting drivers of commercial motor vehicles from utilizing cell phones. The penalties to a drive for violating this rule include up to a $2,750 fine, disqualification, and potential suspension fo one’s driver’s license.
- Eating, drinking, interacting with a navigation device or any other activity that takes your focus off the road can be distracting. If you need to do anything that may fit in this category, please exit the highway or pull over in an appropriate location to do so.
5. Scale Immediately after picking up load
- It is the responsibility of the driver to supervise loading of trailers so the load will be legal for both gross and axles.
- When a load is not able to be weighed legally, you must return to shipper to have load reworked. Remember to bring a paper copy of scale ticket with you so the customer can make adjustments.
6. Perform inspections during stops and drop & hooks source
- Check the trailer and clearance
- Check the kingpin is centered in the fifth wheel
- Check the trailer is centered to the ramp area of the fifth wheel
- Perform the two-tug test
Safety is the number one priority at Sweet for our drivers, customers and everyone on the road. By keeping this tips in mind, will assist you in always being safe will on the road. If you have any questions regarding safety or safety practices, please reach out directly to your company’s safety department for assistance.
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