Safety Messages

If you start the week with a positive attitude on Monday, it’ll be a lot easier to fight off negativity the rest of the week. The secret to happiness is to re-think your outlook on life and re-frame your perspective. By framing your world, you can actually persuade...

Remember our 40/40 Rule:  What’s your weight? If wind gusts are at 40mph or more your combined weight should be at least 40k LBS. What do you weigh unloaded? Tractor w/set unloaded = 29,500 LBS Tractor with 53’ unloaded =30,000 LBS Tractor with a pup and a dolly =...

CMV Driving Tips - Following Too Closely Following too closely may be defined as, “situations in which one vehicle is following another vehicle so closely that even if the following driver is attentive to the actions of the vehicle ahead, he/she could not avoid a...

Tractor parking, the yard, and truck stops can be dangerous places at any time of the year. When you throw winter weather into the mix, the risk can get even worse. Snow, ice, sleet, mud, and rain reduce traction. Increase visibility Keep vehicle windows clear and...

The first reason is simple. It is the law. As professional truck drivers, we are required to perform them. They aren't fun, and standing in the blowing snow, scorching heat, or crawling under a trailer in a gravel/dirt lot in makes it downright unpleasant at times....

Fixed object collisions - Examples Failing to notice – and hitting — an object in the road or on the side of the road. Unintentionally veering off the road on a foggy morning and colliding with a tree. Striking a traffic signal pole due to faulty brakes. Backing into...

Railroad crossings are a special type of intersection: The train always has the right of way About 10 railroad crossing incidents involve trucks or tractor-trailers each week Source: FMCS Railroad intersections and commercial drivers Know the RR crossings on a route....

Wildlife awareness: Avoiding a collision According to Defenders of Wildlife, be alert when driving in wildlife areas: Take notice of and heed wildlife crossing signs Pay attention to and scan both sides of the road Avoid distracted driving Wear seatbelts Wildlife...

Drowsy driving: The driver is too tired to remain alert Drowsiness: Makes drivers less able to pay attention Slows reaction time Affects the ability to make good decisions Drowsy driving: Warning signs Yawning Can’t keep eyes open Nodding off; trouble keeping head up...

Importance of Mirrors Mirrors in semi-trucks are like windows into different parts of the road. Without the proper setup, they can create an optical illusion or spots that may hide critical information if one mirror is out of position. This section lays out the...

Aggressive driving and its consequences Any unsafe driving performed deliberately and with ill intention or disregard for safety. Examples: Speeding in heavy traffic Tailgating Weaving in and out of traffic Changing lanes unnecessarily and without signaling Blocking...

Be Alert. Know everything going on around you. Always look well ahead down the road and around your rig. When rolling down the highway, especially in heavy traffic, always plan an ‘escape route’. Be aware of who’s in front of you, beside and behind you at all times....

Wildlife awareness: Avoiding a collision According to Defenders of Wildlife, be alert when driving in wildlife areas: Take notice of and heed wildlife crossing signs Pay attention to and scan both sides of the road Avoid distracted driving Wear seatbelts Wildlife...

CVSA Operation Safe Driver Week According to the CVSA, drivers’ actions contribute to 94% of all traffic crashes. July 7-13 Excessive speed Increased traffic stops, warnings, and citations will be issued to commercial and passenger vehicles. Law enforcement will...

Security Personal security In a robbery: Minimize risk by: Cooperating — not resisting; following the robber’s directions, but volunteering nothing more than asked Staying calm Keeping hands in sight and making no sudden moves Avoid confrontation – items can be...

Trailer/dolly coupling: Pre and post-trip inspections To prevent unsafe vehicles from operating on public roadways, the FMCSA requires U.S. CMV drivers to: Conduct pre- and post-trip inspections. (FMCSR section 392.7 and FMCSR section 396.11) Record vehicle defects on...

Warm – weather and holidays bring fun, but also more accidents caused by: Increased travel and car traffic The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that cars have the highest fatality rate per passenger mile of any major form of transportation. Summer holiday traffic...

Safety Tips for Drivers this Memorial Day Weekend One of the most dangerous driving weekends of the year is approaching. The National Safety Council estimates 415 people may die on the roads during the upcoming Memorial Day holiday. Following a...

Anticipate motorcycles: In blind spots Against bushes, fences, bridges, and other “background” objects Especially when changing lanes or turning at intersections Adjusting lane position Motorcyclists often adjust lane position to increase visibility and minimize...

Raising awareness about intersection safety • Drivers simply need to stop on red to avoid preventable injuries and deaths. • NCSR supports automated enforcement like traffic cameras to discourage red-light running. Sideswipe collisions Occur when the sides of two...

Work Zone Awareness: Why is it important? In work zones: 700 fatalities occur each year on average 30% of fatal work zone crashes involved at least one large truck - a rate that is significantly higher than the 11% of all fatal crashes that involve at least one truck....

Are you prepared? Drive with Weather Conditions in Mind When driving in bad weather, the most important thing you can do is drive with weather conditions in mind. Always be prepared for changing weather. Drive knowing that your weather can change Driving across...

It’s springtime in Colorado which means wind, and lots of it. Why is it always so windy this time of year? It has to do with the changing seasons and Colorado, Kansas, and Wyoming locations. As the state’s temperature begins to warm up, the jet stream just so happens...

Communicate Your Presence Other drivers may not notice your vehicle even when it is in plain sight. To help prevent accidents, let them know you are there. When Passing. Whenever you are about to pass a vehicle, pedestrian, or bicyclist, assume that they do not see...

Statistics: About 20% of motor vehicle crash deaths result from a vehicle leaving the roadway and hitting a fixed object alongside the road. Trees, utility poles, and traffic barriers are the most common objects struck. About 12,600 people died in fixed- or...

With the current parking shortage and bad weather, it makes it difficult for truck drivers to find a safe place to park and sleep.  We would prefer drivers to pull over into a truck stop, or rest area on the highway. Unfortunately, most rest areas or truck stops...

Definition Distracted driving is anything that draws a driver’s attention and takes his/her eyes away from the road. Examples inside the vehicle include: Dialing a cell phone Texting Using apps Taking photos/videos Using/reaching for/moving an object Adjusting a radio...

It’s going to be a very cold week! We have started to put in your trucks anti-gel. Each tank takes half of a bottle! For those who don’t have them yet, we are working on getting them to you.  JJ and Don will put a couple of bottles next to the tires of your personal...

The FMCSA and state authorities determine driver and motor carrier compliance with regulations primarily through roadside inspections. Several events can lead to a roadside inspection, including: Observable defects Speeding / Reckless driving Random inspection...

Proper Posture It may not look like a big deal, but how you make the connections matters. Awkward reaching holds and motions with added force can cause injuries to your muscles, tendons, and joints. Good posture, careful movements, and strong full-fisted holds on...

Remember your pre-trip! Keep tires properly inflated. Check air pressure often and perform checks when tires are cold. Your tires should be at 95 PSI on the steer tires and 100 PSI on the drive tires. Wipers and washer fluid Modern wipers typically last 6-12 months....

Wyoming High Winds, and what you should know! In an effort to reduce blowovers, fatalities, and road closures, vehicles are now restricted based on actual weight in times of high wind. Signage will list specific weight restrictions and closures, and a second scrolling...

Adverse Weather: Snow/Slush Driving safely in snow/slush is boosted by: • Maintaining a safe following distance (at least four seconds) • Lowering speed to match road conditions • Watching for black ice • Accelerating and braking slowly • Avoiding sudden moves •...

A truck traveling 65 mph in ideal weather takes 525 feet to react, brake, and stop. In ideal weather: Maintain a 4-second following distance. In less-than-ideal weather: Add 1 second for each weather variable (rain, snow, ice). If a vehicle cuts you off: Stay calm;...

There are several exercises that truck drivers can do to stay active and healthy while on the road. Here are some exercises that can be done in or around the truck: Jogging in Place: Jogging in place is a good, easy way to get that heart rate up quickly without...

Driving in the Fog: • Slow down; allow extra time to reach the destination • Use low beams and fog lights, if applicable • Never use high beams, which cause glare • Engage 4-way flashers when visibility is near-zero • Increase following distance to account for sudden...

The Best Swaps To Eat Healthy Meals Some things are just favorites, and they are hard to walk past. This is a list of my favorite healthier swaps, they can be ordered in bulk on Amazon, Thrive Market, or directly from the company and kept in the truck, better for your...

Rollovers • Tractor-trailers are harder to handle, they have a high center of gravity, frequently have unstable loads,  and require longer braking distances. • Rollovers are the most severe and deadliest crashes that occur. Never exceed the posted speed limit for...

Speeding will catch up with you! Traffic Traffic congestion is one of the most frequently mentioned contributing factors to aggressive driving, such as speeding. Drivers may respond by using aggressive driving behaviors, including speeding, changing lanes frequently,...

Deer, Elk, Antelope, and Bear become a hazard on the road! Tip #1 Animals are more active at sunrise and sunset. 5am- 8am and 5pm to midnight. Tip #2 Deer travel in groups if you see one another is likely to be nearby. Tip #3  Scan for shadows on the side of the...

Even the most well-trained, safety-conscious commercial motor vehicle (CMV) driver is at risk of engaging in driving behaviors that could lead to a crash on today’s crowded highways. Weather or road conditions change and suddenly “driving too fast for the conditions”...

Some examples of Cognitive Distraction: Talking/texting on the phone Staring at wildlife/scenery Talking to people in the vehicle Reading billboards/signs Fiddling with the stereo Searching for an objects Cognitive distraction and conversation Driving while talking -...

The state's new "Move Over Law" goes into effect Monday, Aug. 7, and is revised to provideprotections to all drivers on Colorado roads. The new law, signed by Gov. Polis in March, requires drivers to move over a lane for anystationary vehicle on a highway with its...

According to the National Safety Council (NSC): Most children who die in bus-related incidents are 4 to 7 years old and struck while walking, either by motorists trying to pass a stopped bus or by the bus itself. Back-to-school safety: School buses The NSC offers...

Excessive Speed • Speed plays a factor in nearly 10,000 deaths per year. • Drivers are more likely to be seriously injured or killed at higher speeds. • Excessive speed extends a vehicle’s stopping distance. • The faster the speed, the greater the distance needed to...

Are you a good co-driver? One of the most crucial aspects of a successful driving team is the partnership between the co-drivers. Be a good co-driver and be aware of the following: It’s not often possible to stop where a driver would LIKE to stop. When one of the...

As the size of the vehicle increases, so does the likelihood of it being involved in a back-over accident. According to the NSC and the NHSTA: Back-over accidents caused 500 deaths and resulted in 15,000 injuries annually More than 1/3 of back-over fatalities occur in...

May is Motorcycle Awareness Month Anticipate motorcycles: In blind spots Against bushes, fences, bridges, and other "background" objects Especially when changing lanes or turning at intersections. Motorcyclists often adjust lane position to increase visibility and...

With warmer weather and the recent rain, staying safe while traveling through work zones is SO important! Here are some tips: Research your route. Before setting out on the road, research your route. When possible, avoid work zones and use any detours that are...

Rain, rain, go away, come again another day! Below are a few tips for driving in the rain. Reduce Your Driving Speed in Adverse Road and/or Weather Conditions Adjust your speed to safely match weather conditions, road conditions, visibility, and traffic. Excessive...