Reduce Vehicle Accidents
By encouraging the following driving skills you significantly decrease the effects of accidents. Defensive driving not only protects your driver, it creates a safer environment for those travelling on the highway, minimizes liability exposure and potentially saves you money in downtime and expenses associated with vehicle accidents.
Keep A Safe Distance. By keeping the proper distance between the tractor and a private passenger auto, the risk of front or rear-end accidents decreases. The recommended safe following distance for passenger vehicles is three seconds. Since the weight of a loaded tractor trailer is substantially greater than that of the passenger auto, the following distance should be increased to five, six or even seven seconds depending on the weight at the time.
Wet pavement can present dangerous conditions for drivers. With these inclement weather conditions the driver should produce even further distance between his tractor and all autos.
Watch Your Brakes. Make gradual stops. Rear-end collisions can be avoided (as well as cargo damage), by implementing this skill. Alert drivers avoid potential claims, by giving the party following behind them plenty of time to react. There are countless accounts of vehicle accidents which were caused by a sudden stop at an intersection, passenger stop, crossing or turn. Distance is key but alertness to surroundings is critical. Since tractors are not the easiest thing to turn around in a driveway, it makes sense to continually scan the surrounding area, especially when approaching an unfamiliar destination.
Create a Course. Road Tests are a great prescreening tool for employment. Create a pre-established route that stimulates the driving conditions that could be encountered on the job. Testing can qualify or disqualify someone provided the criteria is met. Keeping a checklist of the maneuvers is a good written record for the employees file.
Exams. Motor carriers falling under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations are required to administer a written examination designed to instruct candidates in the rules and regulations established by the Federal Highway Administration. These regulations also require physical exams of all drivers. Employers not regulated by the FMCSR that are subject to ADA regulations should consider a physical exam after offering the position but prior to the applicant starting work as an additional screening procedure, especially for long haul drivers. Drug testing is yet another risk control factor and another requirement of the FMCSR. Hire a qualified medical clinic or lab to run controlled substance testing for each applicant. Consult your legal council to review your screening procedure with these items to assure compliance with applicable local, state and federal laws.