The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) recently published the results of Operation Safe Driver Week, Oct. 15-21, 2017. Enforcement personnel issued 59,193 warnings and citations to commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers and passenger vehicle drivers for unsafe driving behaviors on our roadways.
Maintenance violations are the biggest single contributor (over 70%) of the total violations motor carriers incur each year. The best way to survive a roadside or weigh station inspection is to keep up on the maintenance of your truck. To help truck drivers and owner operators be better prepared for an inspection, we’ve put together a list of maintenance tips on a variety of topics such as tires and brakes, lights and electrical systems, power and drivetrain, air systems and more.
Did you know that statistics show that over 72% of accidents involving trucks are the fault of the other vehicle!
It’s clear that most drivers don’t know how to properly drive around trucks. So here are 10 tips for safely driving around trucks:
Make sure the truck driver can see you in his mirrors. If you can’t see him, he can’t see you. Did you know that passenger vehicles are 2.7x more likely to rear end large trucks than vice versa, mostly due to poor visibility.
1/3 of fatal crashes between cars and large trucks occur in these four blinds spots, so consider them danger zones
Pass on the left side for maximum visibility and maintain a consistent speed
Give trucks plenty of space to avoid dangerous scenarios. Be aware and alert.
Be sure to leave plenty of buffer room when you pull in front of a truck. Remember, large trucks simple cannot stop as fast as cars
Why allow so much space? Consider the 3 factors that make up your total stopping distance:
You may see truck drivers move away from the curb (“swing wide”) when preparing to turn right. During a turn, rear wheels follow a shorter path than the front wheels. The longer the vehicle, the greater the difference.
Don’t rush into this space to make your own turn. You could end up hit or trapped between the truck and curb.
Try to be predictable. Avoid making erratic moves if a truck isn’t going as fast as you’d like. Never try to speed around a truck that’s backing up.
Bright headlights reflecting off large side mirrors can blind truck drivers
Good rule of thumb – Dim your lights when you come within 1 block of an oncoming vehicle.
2 seconds of blindness at 55 mph means the truck travels more than half the distance of a football field.
Trucks require more time and distance to slow down and stop, so signal early when changing lanes, stopping or turning near a large truck.
Rule of thumb: signal at least 3 seconds before you make your move (earlier when traveling at high speeds)
Avoid merging in front of a truck when traffic ahead may stop or slow. If a truck passes you, decelerate slightly to minimize passing time.
Distracted drivers are dangerous drivers
This Roadcheck 2015 event is the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial motor vehicles in the world, with nearly 17 trucks or buses inspected, on average, every minute across North America during the 72-hour period that starts Tuesday June 2nd.
During this annual three-day event. the CVSA-certified inspectors conduct compliance, enforcement and educational initiatives targeted at various elements of motor carrier, vehicle, driver and cargo safety and security.
Since 1988, Roadcheck events have conducted over 1.4 million roadside inspections, resulting in more than 318 lives saved and 5,840 injuries avoided. It also provides an opportunity to educate industry and the general public about the importance of safe commercial vehicle operations and the roadside inspection program.
If you are on the road June 2-4th, make sure you are up to date and ready to pass a DOT road inspection.
