The Official Blog of Penske Transportation Solutions

safety bulletin

More than 40% of truck drivers now live in a state that has legalized the use of marijuana, according to an American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) report. However, federal law still prohibits the use of marijuana by CMV drivers who engage in interstate travel.
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Do you yawn often or feel drowsy when driving during daylight hours? Do you snore while sleeping? Do you have frequent headaches? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may have obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA.

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Class is in, and it’s not just students who need a back-to-school refresher. So do professional drivers who must adapt to new routines to keep themselves, their cargo and school children safe on the roads.

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When you press the brake pedal on your truck, you expect an instant response. Yet any number of issues can cause your vehicle’s braking systems to fail, increasing your risk of a serious accident while putting you and your cargo in danger. That’s why maintaining your truck’s braking system is so important and a major part of your Pre-Trip Inspection.

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Speeding alone has caused more than one-quarter of all deaths from motor vehicle accidents since 2008, according to data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

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Professional drivers, get ready to share the road. Nearly 85% of Americans expect to travel this summer, according to a 2023 travel survey from The Vacationer. And 100 million people plan to take a road trip of 250 miles or more.

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You may think distracted driving and DUIs cause the largest amount of traffic accidents each year — and you'd be right. But did you know that speeding is #3 on the list?

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Drivers are required to ensure their vehicles are in top working order every day of the year by completing pre- and post-trip inspections and reporting any concerns to their management for remediation. But from Tuesday, May 16 – Thursday, May 18, 2023, drivers should take extra precautions.

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You may know the saying, “April showers bring May flowers,” but these same wet conditions also create a variety of dangerous road hazards for professional drivers. In fact, flooding is now ranked as the second deadliest weather hazard in the U.S. each year, according to the National Weather Service. (Excessive heat is currently listed as the Number 1 deadliest U.S. weather hazard).

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As a professional driver, you rely on your truck to operate at peak performance to keep you and those around you safe. That’s why it’s so important to conduct thorough pre-trip and post-trip inspections — and even check in on your truck and its load during your travels while at a weigh station or rest stop.

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You’re due at your destination in an hour, but traffic has slowed to a crawl. You just got cut off — twice. You’re already feeling worn out. And now rain clouds are gathering overhead. As a truck driver, you face these types of situations all the time. The more prepared you are to handle them, the healthier you’ll be.

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You climb in and out of your cab constantly. You may even be required to climb into the trailer or on top of a flatbed to secure the load you are transporting. This is done so often, that you probably don’t think of the risk involved. But move too fast or carelessly, and you could end up out of service with a serious injury.

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Last year, more than 100 million people hit the nation’s highways between Dec. 23 and Jan. 2, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA). Experts predict that this year’s holiday traffic patterns will be just as active.

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What hazards will this winter bring to commercial motor vehicle drivers? While nobody knows for sure how bad each winter may be, the Farmer’s Almanac indicates that the winter of 2022-23 will include plenty of snow, rain and mush, along with record-breaking cold in parts of the U.S.

That means professional drivers must be ready for anything and plan accordingly. This includes keeping a properly stocked roadside emergency kit with you at all times. Your kit can help if you get stuck or stranded in harsh weather and is there if you suffer an unexpected mechanical breakdown or accident. In extreme situations, the items in your kit may even save your life. So prior to each trip, inspect the items in your kit to ensure completeness and make sure you know how to operate the emergency equipment before an emergency happens.

What should go in your kit?

Mandatory Items

The U.S. Department of Transportation mandates that all drivers carry:

  • One fire extinguisher with an Underwriters’ Laboratory (UL) rating of 5 B:C or more, or two extinguishers with UL ratings of 4 B:C or more. All extinguishers must be labeled, filled, charged and securely mounted. Hazmat vehicles must carry an extinguisher with UL ratings of 10 B:C or more.
  • Spare fuses – You should have at least one spare fuse for each type and size of fuse your truck needs.
  • Warning devices for stopped vehicles – These include three bi-directional emergency reflective triangles. You should also carry at least six road flares capable of burning for 30 minutes or three liquid-burning flares capable of burning for at least 60 minutes to meet UL standards.

Other Basic Items

  • Jumper cables or a portable lithium-ion battery
  • Motor oil and coolant
  • A safety vest and a warning flag
  • A first-aid kit that includes bandages, hand sanitizer, gauze pads, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, scissors and tweezers
  • A tool kit that includes wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers, flashlight, duct tape, zip ties and a box cutter
  • A tire pressure gauge and an inflator or sealant to patch up a tire
  • Long-lasting foods like canned goods and energy bars
  • Bottled water – Wrap them in a cloth to make sure they don’t freeze in colder weather.
  • Cell phone with a charging cord that works properly
  • Medications – prescription, over-the-counter meds and supplements
  • A tarp if you need to work on your rig while on the road
  • A laminated list of all emergency contacts
  • A hand crank radio or battery-operated radio with extra batteries

Items Specifically for Cold Weather Driving

  • Snow and ice equipment – Shovel, ice scraper, snow brush, tire chains, below zero windshield washer fluid, weather-proof matches, cat litter for traction
  • Winter clothing – Wool socks, hat, mittens, waterproof boots, snow pants, insulated socks, face mask, ice cleats, hand and feet warmers
  • Extra blankets including an emergency blanket and/or a subzero sleeping bag
  • Other authorized comfort items – It’s been proven that morale-boosting items greatly increase the likelihood of survival and increase the ability to maintain rational thought during emergency situations.

It’s been a dangerous and deadly summer for tractor trailers and trains. In June, a collision between a dump truck and an Amtrak train in Missouri sparked a derailment that caused four deaths and an estimated $4 billion in damages.

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If you haven’t recently checked all the components of your truck’s brake system, now is the time to get it done.

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As an estimated 480,000 school buses return to U.S. roads over the next few weeks, it’s time for professional drivers to brush up on their own lesson plan: How to drive with care during back-to-school season. Remember these 7 words that can help you avoid an accident and potentially save a life.

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The annual 72-hour Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's (CVSA) International Roadcheck roadside inspection blitz includes more than 40,000 commercial motor vehicle (CMV) inspections across the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

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Accidents happen! According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA's) most recent Traffic Safety Facts report, about 538,000 large trucks were involved in police-reported crashes in 2019. Those accidents led to 159,000 injuries and more than 5,000 deaths.

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Spring marks the start of road construction season, and with more road work projects planned nationwide, professional drivers can expect to navigate more than their fair share of work zones.

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