Defensive Driving Commercial Motor Vehicles

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Session Objectives You will be able to: Recognize driving hazards and dangerous conditions Avoid potential accidents Inspect and maintain your vehicle Operate your vehicle safely Respond to emergencies and accidents

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Motor Vehicle Injury and Death Are Preventable Around 5,000 CMV- related fatalities More than 120,000 CMV-related injuries More than 650 truck drivers died on the job Truck drivers have more nonfatal injuries than workers in any other occupation

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Driving Hazards Reckless driving Distracted drivers Road rage Fatigue Poor vehicle operating condition Alcohol or drugs

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Dangerous Conditions Bad weather conditions—rain, snow, ice, severe winds, and fog Road conditions Poor lighting or glaring sunlight

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Dangerous Conditions (cont.) Heavy traffic Busy intersections Accidents Shifting cargo

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Be a Defensive Driver Recognize hazardous driving situations Assume other drivers will make mistakes Make adjustments if a hazard develops Look ahead for approaching hazards Watch vehicles to your side and rear Scan the road before changing speed or direction Always use your turn signals Drive with your lights on

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Get Rest and Avoid Fatigue Get some sleep Take frequent breaks Keep cab well ventilated Adjust your vehicle’s environment

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Seat Belts Save Lives More than 110,000 lives saved in 25 years Prevent crashing into dashboard Keep you inside vehicle Strong bones take shock instead of delicate organs Better chance of remaining conscious Keep you behind wheel if you swerve or brake suddenly

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Drug Use When on duty, never possess or use: Opiates Amphetamines Narcotics Alcohol Any other substance that makes you an unsafe driver

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Driving Hazard Exercise Reckless drivers Distracted drivers Aggressive drivers Fatigued drivers Match the hazardous drivers to the correct potential hazards Unaware of surroundings React slower Create road rage situations Tailgate DRIVERS HAZARD

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Driving Hazards— Any Questions? Any questions about driving hazards and dangerous conditions? Any questions about avoiding potential accidents?

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Pre-Drive Inspection Horn, lights, and turn signals Clean windows, mirrors, and lights Tire tread and air pressure Leaks under vehicle Brakes and steering

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Maintain Your Vehicle Regular tune-ups Oil changes Antifreeze levels Brakes Battery Compressed air system Tire changes

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Cargo Securement Cargo must be properly distributed and secured Check within first 50 miles and make adjustments if necessary Recheck if: There is a change in duty status The vehicle has been driven 3 hours or 150 miles

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Conduct Start-Up/ Back-Up Check Walk around your vehicle Check blind areas on right and front Adjust mirrors After checking, move vehicle Start up slowly Tap horn or recruit signal person

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Fueling While fueling a CMV, never: Fuel a CMV with engine running Smoke or expose any open flame Fuel unless the nozzle and intake pipe are in contact

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Right-of-Way Entering traffic, merging, turning left or right Do not force other drivers to brake or steer Assume other drivers will not see you Move only after “right-of-way” has been given to you

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Using and Changing Lanes Keep a safe following distance Scan ahead Flash brake lights Scan blind spot before changing lanes Clean and adjust mirrors

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Negotiating Curves Understand how and why rollovers occur Reduce speed before entering curve Stay off the shoulder Ensure cargo is secured Top-heavy cargo more likely to roll over Trailers roll first

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Negotiating Downgrades Break system maintenance Gear selection Light brake pressure Do not apply trailer brakes only Check brake function before descending long, steep grades

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Crossing Intersections Assume cross traffic may not obey control signs or signals Allow enough time for your entire vehicle and trailer to clear the road Approaching drivers may not realize you have a trailer attached Keep side lights and reflectors clean

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Making Turns Turns are more difficult due to vehicle size Move to right lane and signal Wait for vehicles in other lanes Avoid improper tracking

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Crossing Railroad Tracks Stop 15 to 50 feet of, and not closer than 15 feet to, the tracks Stop and look both ways Do not shift gears when crossing tracks

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Passing Make sure no one is passing you Signal intention to pass Watch driver you are passing Watch for vehicles entering road Watch approaching traffic Do not get into a race

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Pedestrians Expect the unexpected Pedestrians have difficulty judging vehicle speed Pedestrians assume you see them Make sure they give you right-of-way Prevent improper trailer tracking Scan blind spots

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Reduced Traction Increase your following distance Slow down Apply brakes gently and steer smoothly Brakes are more likely to lock up when lightly loaded Slide sideways on banked curves

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Reduced Visibility Slow down Watch for stalled or slow-moving vehicles in front of you Turn on fog lamps or emergency flashers Keep lights and windshield clean Get off the road and wait

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc True or False? 1.Once cargo is properly distributed and secured, you should not check it because it may then become unsecured. 2.Before startup or backup, you should walk around your vehicle to check for hazards. Cargo must be checked within first 50 miles. 

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc True or False? (cont.) 3.The most important rule in lane usage is to maintain a safe following distance. 4.You should stop between 5 and 15 feet of railroad tracks. Stop 15 to 50 feet before tracks.  5.The gear you use for descending a grade should be no higher than that required for ascending the same grade.

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Safe Driving Habits— Any Questions? Any questions regarding inspections and basic maintenance of your vehicle? Any questions regarding how to operate your vehicle safely?

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Carry Emergency Supplies Tire jack and spare tire Flares Flashlight First-aid and tool kits Jumper cables Spare lightbulbs Spare hoses Gloves Pry bar Fire extinguisher Spare fuses

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Emergency Stopping Turn on flashers and coast to shoulder Set up emergency warning signals Call for help Use fire extinguisher when necessary Replace fuses or bulbs

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Emergency Signals Activate the vehicle’s flashers Place warning device within 10 feet of vehicle toward approaching traffic Place second device 100 feet away toward approaching traffic Place third device 100 feet away Never attach flares to your vehicle

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Safe Driving Conditions— Any Questions? Are there any questions about how to respond to vehicle emergencies and accidents?

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Key Points Inspect and maintain your vehicle Know driving hazards and dangerous conditions Become a proud defensive driver Wear your seat belt Follow safe driving practices in all driving conditions Keep your lights on and use turn signals Know how to respond to emergencies