Safety Messages

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...

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 yourperspective. By framing your world, you can actually persuade...

PRE- AND POST-TRIP INSPECTION DOS AND DON’TS Minimizing over-the-road breakdowns and preventing out-of-service violations are two of the many benefits of pre-and post-trip inspections. Use this list of dos and don'ts to complete your inspections the right way. Don't:...

It's Spring! We need to be aware of how changing weather will affect our ability to do our jobs safely and efficiently, starting now. Below are a few trips to help you stay safe this spring. Don't assume overpasses are safe. When high winds are raging, or there's a...

For drivers, the most important safety feature is YOU - the driver! Each time you turn the key, you are responsible for your own safety, as well as the safety of all the people who share the road with you. Let's talk Medications on the truck! How to Read a...

Daylight savings time, which begins this weekend, brings an increased risk of drowsy driving. Drowsy Driving Facts: TIME Drowsy driving accidents often occur late at night or early in the morning Slipiness can peak in the afternoon, especially affecting older adults...

Fog season is usually based in the cooler months (late autumn, winter, and early spring) Fog is formed when any cloud type makes contact with the ground. In low-lying areas, such as valleys and plains, the fog bank is essentially a cloud formation subject to the same...

Practice Healthy Habits: Get adequate sleep Exercise                                 Stay active Hydrate                            Stress management            Eat well Get regular checkups     Social distance when possible Get your Flu Vaccine: Flu Vaccines are free...

Driving too fast for conditions: Traveling at a speed greater than a reasonable standard for safe driving. If a vehicle can’t be controlled safely, consider pulling off and parking until conditions improve. Conditions include:  • Wet roads • Heavy traffic •...

As professional truck drivers - Truckers must hold a commercial driver’s license as a requirement of their job. Obtaining a CDL means agreeing to adhere to stricter standards behind the wheel than ordinary drivers. Those standards reflect the great responsibility...

FMCSA rule restricts the use of all hand-held mobile devices by drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). This rulemaking restricts a CMV driver from holding a mobile device to make a call or dialing by pressing more than a single button. The use of a hand-held...

Deer in rut, nearly double the chances you'll hit one with your car. Here are some helpful tips to avoid a deer collision: Deer crashes usually occur an hour after sunset but are also common around sunrise. Be extra vigilant during these times.You don’t want to blind...

Let’s get back to the basics! 3 important things to remember while driving: Space -- Visibility -- Time Aim High in SteeringOur eyes are designed to work for us at walking speeds.The average person has not adjusted visually or mentally to the higher speeds ofmotor...

Drivers who stop their vehicles on the shoulder of the traveled part of the roadway (other than for a normal traffic stop) need to minimize the risk and alert other drivers to their presence. This is done by: Stopping as far out of the way of other vehicles as safely...

Caffeine can have a very positive effect on truckers, but too much Caffeine can be dangerous. For those who spent hours by themselves on the road day after day, often well into the night, caffeine can be a lifesaver. Literally. A recent study showed that drivers who...

Eating healthy on the road is difficult, fast food is sometimes our only option. There are some healthier options at the big chains here are a few suggestions:  We talked about how to stay fit on the truck, but it is also important to stay active on your weekends Take...

Life on the road can be pretty tough at times. As a driver, you're away from home for extended periods of time.   The stress of driving in heavy traffic and inclement weather can really take its toll on the mental health of a driver. Mental health is...

You all have deadlines, so finding time to exercise or search for healthy food (which is like trying to find a shirt with sleeves at a truck stop) can be a challenge.  1. No matter what, exercise 15 minutes every day. It doesn't have to happen in a gym, and...

(Get out and look) When backing up must occur, Get Out and Look (GOAL). “Before backing, get out of your cab and walk around your vehicle to look and see what lies between you and your backing destination. Nobody on the riding step. Never back your vehicle when...