Each time I begin to compose a new edition of Look Both Ways I attempt to think of something fun to write about. Unfortunately, in the world of safety and regulatory compliance, there seems to be nothing too fun and exciting to write about – ever! Exceptions may be upcoming events such as the Expediter University workshops or Truck Driver Appreciation Week. So before I begin to spew about avoiding the common causes of accidents I’d like to thank each and every one of the drivers reading this article for the great job you do each and every day. Though National Truck Driver Appreciation Week may have just passed, please know that your supporting cast within the trucking industry understands and appreciates the sometimes thankless jobs you do, every day and every week. People in safety, recruiting, dispatch and company owners really do appreciate you. Without the dedication and commitment of drivers none of us would have jobs or food on our tables. Now thanks to the global economy the people in Europe and the rest of the world have you – the American truck driver - to thank. Ponder this – it could be worse – your job could be in the mundane world of safety and compliance!
This post of Look Both Ways will address avoiding the common causes of accidents. Accidents and incidents are typically deemed something the driver should have been able to avoid or prevent. Imagine that. Because you possess a CDL and operate a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) you are expected to anticipate the actions of the motoring public. Does Mother Nature step in and give you an extra set of eyes in the back of your head? Do you need to become the next Amazing Kreskin? The answer is NO, you just need to be a professional driver. The motoring public, law enforcement and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration all hold truck drivers to a higher standard. The higher standard is expected because you are performing the duties of your profession at the time of the accident or incident which is truck driving. Like it or not, it is what it is, and the song “I fought the law and the law won” keeps playing at full volume in my head at this time.
What are the most common accidents and incidents? What can you – the professional driver – do to avoid them? I want to provide you with real, first-hand, factual information. Opening the accident file drawer in my office I reviewed the accident and incident folders for 2013. Many might find it amazing the major contributing factor to these files was, are you ready? - Not professional drivers, but other people! *** The motoring public and forklift drivers caused most of these manila file folders to be planted, fertilized with countless hours on the phone, and grown into full blown green hanging file folders. *** Most files are for damage to trailers, straight truck cargo boxes and the doors to these containers. A very close second was the motoring public (those “other” people) striking our trucks! Don’t smile too hard because the number three cause were small, preventable incidents such as backing and striking fixed objects by the professional driver. John Benish with Commercial Insurance Solutions (CIS) recently emailed me to suggest a light blog on common sense of assured clear distance. He opened his claims screen that morning to discover 4 of the 5 claims were “Insured Vehicle Rear-ended Another Vehicle”. This type of accident is so preventable and totally unacceptable for any “professional” driver. The next notable cause of accidents was lane changes. Following this was cargo claims. The remainder of files show no trends or patterns.
Let’s look at these accident and incident types and determine what actions the professional driver could possibly take to avoid them.
Damage to cargo container (trailer or straight truck box and doors):
· Prevent this damage by overseeing the loading and unloading of your truck whenever possible.
· Ensure the barn doors are securely fastened to the box when open. Replace damaged chains and/or hold backs when needed.
· Ensure roll up door springs function correctly and securely hold door fully open.
· Ensure cargo floor is clean - free of debris and oil or foreign matter
Truck struck by other motorists:
· I’m sorry, but most times you just can’t fix STUPID! Truck drivers know exactly what I’m talking about.
· Truck drivers are expected to “anticipate” the foolish actions of others and take defensive measures to avoid accidents. Don’t feel alone, as a motorcyclist I encounter the same issues each time I ride. The Amazing Kreskin is expected to come out in each of us. Also refer to the Smith System below.
Backing accidents:
· G et Out And Look ! GOAL Each and every time you decide to back your vehicle, get out and look. This is the most preventable types of accident. As a driver I would not care if I inconvenience others behind me if it took me a minute to get out of my truck to verify if someone or something was behind my vehicle. That one minute is a very small price to pay compared to thousands of dollars in property damage or worse yet an injury or death. Time spent reporting and dealing with the claims process surely is much longer than that one minute.
Striking fixed objects:
· Slow down. Allow plenty of time to stop. Unlike animals, fixed objects don’t move. If you cannot see to drive, then by all means stop your vehicle. In two separate instances in the past two years I have had drivers explain to me after striking fixed objects that the sun was in their eyes and they could not see. Hello, stop the vehicle if you cannot see. I’ve yet to see a blind person driving, but I’ve heard about driving while blind. ZZ Top warns that you could be arrested for driving while blind.
Assured Clear Distance:
· The law states "No person shall operate a motor vehicle....at a greater speed than will permit the person to bring it to a stop with in the assured clear distance ahead." If you hit the vehicle in front of you, you will most likely be at fault for the collision and your Carrier’s insurance company will be responsible for any bodily injury or property damage from the collision to the other party, while your physical damage insurance will be responsible for the damages to your truck. Your Workers Compensation or Occupational Accident insurance policy will be responsible for any injuries you suffer. There are two well recognized exceptions to this hard and fast rule. If the vehicle in front of you suddenly changed into your lane of travel from another lane, you probably would not be in violation. Further, if the vehicle in front of you was not discernible (able to be discerned; perceptible. synonyms: visible, detectable, noticeable, perceptible, observable, distinguishable, recognizable, identifiable) you would not be in violation of the statute. You may still be liable for the accident for other reasons.
· Just slow down and leave more distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you. Expedited freight should never be that time sensitive that you jeopardize the safety of yourself and the general public. No load is worth property damage or bodily injury – period.
Lane Changes:
· Before changing lanes check all mirrors twice. Ensure that you have sufficient space to enter the next lane without sacrificing assured clear distance to the vehicles around you. No other driver should ever have to change speed or lanes to accommodate your move.
Cargo Claims:
· Oversee loading and unloading of vehicle.
· Use load lock bars, straps, nail 2X4’s, blankets and whatever else you can think of to secure the freight from any type of movement. If you feel the freight is not packaged sufficiently for transport then notify your dispatch immediately prior to leaving the dock at the shipper.
· Check load securement each time you stop your vehicle.
· Make notations of any pre-existing damage you see to even exterior boxes or containers on the paperwork, such as the Bill of Lading, or your company’s internal Delivery Receipt. Again, notify your dispatch immediately. If the shipment was “Shipper Load and Count” then be sure to note that on all paperwork also.
· Park your loaded vehicle in only well lit, secure locations. Lock the vehicle and back the doors against a fixed object like a brick wall to prevent possible theft.
Another tool available to professional drivers to help foresee and avoid accidents is use of the Smith System. In 1952, Harold Smith established the nation’s first professional driver training program – the Smith System® Driver Improvement Institute. The philosophy of the Smith System® is that most collisions are preventable if the right driving habits are learned, practiced and applied consistently. Smith System® concepts help fleet drivers to see, think and react to driving challenges regardless of where they drive or what type of vehicle they operate.
The Smith System® Summarized:
· Aim High and Look Ahead - look 20 to 30 seconds ahead of you.
· Keep Your Eyes Moving – survey your entire driving environment. Glance to the left and to the right. Check all mirrors every 20 to 30 seconds. Pay attention to those occupied four wheelers.
· Get the Big Picture - Look for pedestrians, road construction, and changes in the traffic flow. Note anything that might block your vision or otherwise increase your risk.
· Leave Yourself a Way Out - As you drive, continuously position your vehicle so that you keep a margin of space around it. You have the greatest control over the space to the front of your vehicle. Keeping a good, safe margin to the front will help you avoid a collision in most situations.
· Make Sure Others See You - Communicate with other drivers. Make eye contact if appropriate. Use daytime running lights or low-beams to increase your visibility. Use turn signals effectively by activating the signal at least 3 seconds before your maneuver (I learned at age 16 it was 100 feet – not 3 seconds) and leave the signal on until you complete the maneuver.
To learn more about the Smith System please visit them at Smith: Home On-line courses are available.
Using the tips above should assist the professional driver to avoid accidents and incidents.
This post of Look Both Ways will address avoiding the common causes of accidents. Accidents and incidents are typically deemed something the driver should have been able to avoid or prevent. Imagine that. Because you possess a CDL and operate a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) you are expected to anticipate the actions of the motoring public. Does Mother Nature step in and give you an extra set of eyes in the back of your head? Do you need to become the next Amazing Kreskin? The answer is NO, you just need to be a professional driver. The motoring public, law enforcement and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration all hold truck drivers to a higher standard. The higher standard is expected because you are performing the duties of your profession at the time of the accident or incident which is truck driving. Like it or not, it is what it is, and the song “I fought the law and the law won” keeps playing at full volume in my head at this time.
What are the most common accidents and incidents? What can you – the professional driver – do to avoid them? I want to provide you with real, first-hand, factual information. Opening the accident file drawer in my office I reviewed the accident and incident folders for 2013. Many might find it amazing the major contributing factor to these files was, are you ready? - Not professional drivers, but other people! *** The motoring public and forklift drivers caused most of these manila file folders to be planted, fertilized with countless hours on the phone, and grown into full blown green hanging file folders. *** Most files are for damage to trailers, straight truck cargo boxes and the doors to these containers. A very close second was the motoring public (those “other” people) striking our trucks! Don’t smile too hard because the number three cause were small, preventable incidents such as backing and striking fixed objects by the professional driver. John Benish with Commercial Insurance Solutions (CIS) recently emailed me to suggest a light blog on common sense of assured clear distance. He opened his claims screen that morning to discover 4 of the 5 claims were “Insured Vehicle Rear-ended Another Vehicle”. This type of accident is so preventable and totally unacceptable for any “professional” driver. The next notable cause of accidents was lane changes. Following this was cargo claims. The remainder of files show no trends or patterns.
Let’s look at these accident and incident types and determine what actions the professional driver could possibly take to avoid them.
Damage to cargo container (trailer or straight truck box and doors):
· Prevent this damage by overseeing the loading and unloading of your truck whenever possible.
· Ensure the barn doors are securely fastened to the box when open. Replace damaged chains and/or hold backs when needed.
· Ensure roll up door springs function correctly and securely hold door fully open.
· Ensure cargo floor is clean - free of debris and oil or foreign matter
Truck struck by other motorists:
· I’m sorry, but most times you just can’t fix STUPID! Truck drivers know exactly what I’m talking about.
· Truck drivers are expected to “anticipate” the foolish actions of others and take defensive measures to avoid accidents. Don’t feel alone, as a motorcyclist I encounter the same issues each time I ride. The Amazing Kreskin is expected to come out in each of us. Also refer to the Smith System below.
Backing accidents:
· G et Out And Look ! GOAL Each and every time you decide to back your vehicle, get out and look. This is the most preventable types of accident. As a driver I would not care if I inconvenience others behind me if it took me a minute to get out of my truck to verify if someone or something was behind my vehicle. That one minute is a very small price to pay compared to thousands of dollars in property damage or worse yet an injury or death. Time spent reporting and dealing with the claims process surely is much longer than that one minute.
Striking fixed objects:
· Slow down. Allow plenty of time to stop. Unlike animals, fixed objects don’t move. If you cannot see to drive, then by all means stop your vehicle. In two separate instances in the past two years I have had drivers explain to me after striking fixed objects that the sun was in their eyes and they could not see. Hello, stop the vehicle if you cannot see. I’ve yet to see a blind person driving, but I’ve heard about driving while blind. ZZ Top warns that you could be arrested for driving while blind.
Assured Clear Distance:
· The law states "No person shall operate a motor vehicle....at a greater speed than will permit the person to bring it to a stop with in the assured clear distance ahead." If you hit the vehicle in front of you, you will most likely be at fault for the collision and your Carrier’s insurance company will be responsible for any bodily injury or property damage from the collision to the other party, while your physical damage insurance will be responsible for the damages to your truck. Your Workers Compensation or Occupational Accident insurance policy will be responsible for any injuries you suffer. There are two well recognized exceptions to this hard and fast rule. If the vehicle in front of you suddenly changed into your lane of travel from another lane, you probably would not be in violation. Further, if the vehicle in front of you was not discernible (able to be discerned; perceptible. synonyms: visible, detectable, noticeable, perceptible, observable, distinguishable, recognizable, identifiable) you would not be in violation of the statute. You may still be liable for the accident for other reasons.
· Just slow down and leave more distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you. Expedited freight should never be that time sensitive that you jeopardize the safety of yourself and the general public. No load is worth property damage or bodily injury – period.
Lane Changes:
· Before changing lanes check all mirrors twice. Ensure that you have sufficient space to enter the next lane without sacrificing assured clear distance to the vehicles around you. No other driver should ever have to change speed or lanes to accommodate your move.
Cargo Claims:
· Oversee loading and unloading of vehicle.
· Use load lock bars, straps, nail 2X4’s, blankets and whatever else you can think of to secure the freight from any type of movement. If you feel the freight is not packaged sufficiently for transport then notify your dispatch immediately prior to leaving the dock at the shipper.
· Check load securement each time you stop your vehicle.
· Make notations of any pre-existing damage you see to even exterior boxes or containers on the paperwork, such as the Bill of Lading, or your company’s internal Delivery Receipt. Again, notify your dispatch immediately. If the shipment was “Shipper Load and Count” then be sure to note that on all paperwork also.
· Park your loaded vehicle in only well lit, secure locations. Lock the vehicle and back the doors against a fixed object like a brick wall to prevent possible theft.
Another tool available to professional drivers to help foresee and avoid accidents is use of the Smith System. In 1952, Harold Smith established the nation’s first professional driver training program – the Smith System® Driver Improvement Institute. The philosophy of the Smith System® is that most collisions are preventable if the right driving habits are learned, practiced and applied consistently. Smith System® concepts help fleet drivers to see, think and react to driving challenges regardless of where they drive or what type of vehicle they operate.
The Smith System® Summarized:
· Aim High and Look Ahead - look 20 to 30 seconds ahead of you.
· Keep Your Eyes Moving – survey your entire driving environment. Glance to the left and to the right. Check all mirrors every 20 to 30 seconds. Pay attention to those occupied four wheelers.
· Get the Big Picture - Look for pedestrians, road construction, and changes in the traffic flow. Note anything that might block your vision or otherwise increase your risk.
· Leave Yourself a Way Out - As you drive, continuously position your vehicle so that you keep a margin of space around it. You have the greatest control over the space to the front of your vehicle. Keeping a good, safe margin to the front will help you avoid a collision in most situations.
· Make Sure Others See You - Communicate with other drivers. Make eye contact if appropriate. Use daytime running lights or low-beams to increase your visibility. Use turn signals effectively by activating the signal at least 3 seconds before your maneuver (I learned at age 16 it was 100 feet – not 3 seconds) and leave the signal on until you complete the maneuver.
To learn more about the Smith System please visit them at Smith: Home On-line courses are available.
Using the tips above should assist the professional driver to avoid accidents and incidents.