Sweets Safety Tips – Pre Trip 1/3
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.
PRE-TRIP SAFETY TIPS
1. Inspect truck – thoroughly inspecting the truck for external damage, safety equipment, fluids, lights, tires, etc. Source
- 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.
- Inspection break down:
- Vehicle Overview (2 minutes): Walk around the vehicle, looking for obvious damage or leaks. Check that all lights are functioning properly
- Engine Compartment (3 minutes): Check oil and coolant levels, Inspect belts and hoses for wear or damage and Look for any signs of fluid leaks.
- In-Cab Inspection (2 minutes): Test parking brake and service brake. Check steering wheel for excessive play and ensure all gauges are functioning.
- External Inspection (5 minutes): Inspect tires for proper inflation and tread depth. Check wheel fasteners for tightness Examine suspension components Inspect coupling devices (if applicable).
- Cargo Securement (2 minutes): Ensure cargo is properly distributed and secured and check that all tie-downs are in good condition.
- Final Checks (1 minute): Test horn, windshield wipers, and washers and ensure all required documents are on board.
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Sweets Safety Tips – OTR 2/3
…at Sweet, we are constantly implementing safety procedures to ensure that our drivers are among the safest on the roads.
Sweets Safety Tips – Post Trip 3/3
To refresh your knowledge about truck driver safety, we have compiled a list of essential safety tips…
1 Truck, 1 Trailer, 2 Brothers
Damir and Jasmin emigrated with their parents from their home country, then called Yugoslavia, to escape the Bosnian War in 1996.
2. Making sure permits, licenses, registration etc. are up to date. Source
- It is a driver’s responsibility to make sure she or he is qualified and fit for duty as required by law.
- A valid Class-A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is required for employment as a truck driver. Drivers with expired or suspended licenses will not be eligible for dispatch until the license is renewed. Failure to renew the license within three working days may be considered a voluntary quit. DOT will not permit a driver to operate under another license when one is under suspension.
- Drivers must be in possession of a valid medical certificate that qualifies the driver to operate a commercial motor vehicle and displays the driver’s state of residence as matching the state from which the CDL was issued. If the physical certification expires while on the road, the driver will be shut down until updated paperwork is obtained.
- Include truck and trailer annual DOT inspection.
- A “truck and trailer annual DOT inspection” refers to a yearly mandatory check performed on a commercial truck and its trailer by a qualified inspector to ensure that all components are in safe working order and comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) standards, including brakes, lights, tires, suspension, and coupling devices, to guarantee safe operation on the road; essentially, it’s a comprehensive vehicle checkup to verify the truck and trailer are road-ready and meet DOT regulations.
3. Stay up to date and trip planning – weather and road conditions, detours, mountainous routes to plan appropriate driving time.
- Be aware of Bridge Laws. – Most states require the bridge to be at a maximum of 41 feet from the kingpin to the center of the rear axle group. Please know your bridge laws from state to state. An overlength ticket have been known to range from $100 up to $1000. Any over length ticket is the responsibility of the driver.
- For reference, here is a pdf with the current bridge laws.
- Check weight and length limits along the route. Source
- Federal guidelines: The federal standard for maximum gross vehicle weight on the interstate system is 80,000 lbs, with limits on single adn tandem axle weights as well.
- State variations: While federal guidelines exist, individual states may have different regulations for specific roads, including weight and length limits, especially on non-interstate highways.
- Weigh stations – Truck drivers should be prepared to stop at weigh stations where their truck’s weight and dimensions are checked for compliance.
4. Buckle up and STAY buckled
- It is Sweet’s Company policy that every driver, and occupants within the vehicle, must wear safety belts. This applies to all personally-owned, company-owned, leased, and rented vehicles. Drivers must wear lap and shoulder belts when operating a motor vehicle. Drivers are expected to use the yellow safety belt covers to increase the visibility of the belt during inspections.
- If you are pulled over by a DOT officer, please remember to keep your seatbelt on until the officer meets you at the window. If you take off your belt before this, the officer can write you a ticket even if you say you had your seatbelt on.
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.
Share:
More Posts
Sweets Safety Tips – OTR 2/3
…at Sweet, we are constantly implementing safety procedures to ensure that our drivers are among the safest on the roads.
Sweets Safety Tips – Post Trip 3/3
To refresh your knowledge about truck driver safety, we have compiled a list of essential safety tips…
1 Truck, 1 Trailer, 2 Brothers
Damir and Jasmin emigrated with their parents from their home country, then called Yugoslavia, to escape the Bosnian War in 1996.
