These safety tips can also help other drivers learn how to best handle a roadway with. Driver safety is an important topic in the truck driving industry. Truck driver safety california department of motor vehicles. When pulled off to the side of a road, highway, or interstate due to mechanical problems, always use flashers, reflective triangles, and even road flares to alert approaching drivers.
Truck driving tips 7 safety rules for truckers esurance. Jul 01, 2019 interest groups that represent motor carriers and truck drivers have lobbied for revisions they say would make the rigid hours of service rules more flexible. Here are 9 safety tips for commercial truck drivers. Safety tips for truck drivers on the road 123loadboard. Whether youre the driver or someone helping at the job site, its important that you make safety a priority whenever youre working around a dump truck. The emergency declaration also exempts drivers from complying with requirements related to the inspection of their vehicles, licensing, and driver qualifications.
Drivers should be well rested and alert prior to getting behind the wheel. Mar 12, 2020 a general overview of a day in the life of joe, a truck driver. Truck driver safety north america international paper. Interest groups that represent motor carriers and truck drivers have lobbied for revisions they say would make the rigid hours of service rules more flexible. Trump administration to ease truckers drivetime rules pbs. White house pushes new truck safety regulation while loosening obamaera rules truckers complain they work in one of the nations most overregulated industries.
Jan 31, 2017 rules that regulate truck drivers began to be enacted as early as 1939. At international paper, we care about the safety of every person who visits our facilities. This post delivers the one safety message truck drivers and fleets need. Safety is a topic that should always be at the forefront of truck drivers minds.
Ata is vitally interested and involved in promoting both the safety of the trucking industry and our industrys workplace the. As a truck driver, there are some simple things that. Following multiple delays, the federal motor carrier safety administration will proceed with its final rule that establishes minimum training rules for new truck drivers. More than 40% of crashrelated deaths occur every year from not wearing a seatbelt. Jul 24, 2012 avoid idling while sleeping, loading, or unloading. Every driver who has been trucking for any length of time knows the basic rules of the road for safety, but, every now and then, either a reminder or a few. Commercial truck drivers rest requirements rules warriors.
You could jeopardize your truck driver career if caught violating this law. Heres our list of truck driver safety pointers perfect for both drivers new to their vehicles and savvy pros looking for a quick refresher. You have been driving for many years, you are confident about drive experience of yourself. Always, always use your best common sense judgement and refer to specific rules and instructions from your carrier. Fatalities among truckers are among the nations worst. Coronavirus means some trucker safety rules suspended. In response to the nationwide covid19 outbreak, the federal motor carrier safety administration fmcsa issued an emergency declaration on march, 2020, increasing the hours. In 2016, 27% of fatal work zone crashes involved at least one large truck compared to only 11% of all fatal crashes so its vital to take work zone safety seriously. All truck drivers must comply with all state and federal motor carrier safety administration fmcsa statutes and regulations relating to highway safety i. What health and safety rules should you enforce for truck. What health and safety rules should you enforce for truck drivers visiting your workplace.
Reviewing truck driver safety topics on a routine basis can help decrease accidents and ensure drivers are familiar with the latest safety rules and recommendations. The hoursofservice laws, which mandate how many hours a truck driver may work and have been in place for truck drivers since 1938, are suspended at a federal level for the first time in history. Nov 29, 2017 white house pushes new truck safety regulation while loosening obamaera rules truckers complain they work in one of the nations most overregulated industries. The federal motor carrier safety administration promulgates the rules for truck drivers and trucking companies. We have included some basic information on hazardous materials and wastes. With the large turnover in the trucking industry it is important, perhaps one can even go so far as to say imperative, that each company develop a truck driving safety program. If pulled over to the side of the road waiting for roadside assistance, be sure to utilize flashers, cones, and even road flares to alert fellow truck driver.
However, there are still 500,000 truck accidents every year, although only approximately 16% of those are caused by truck driver fault. Getting enough sleep, eating right, exercising, and taking quality home time will all help you feel more content and. A big part of truck driver safety has less to do with your vehicle, and more to do with you. If you have pedestrian and heavy machinery traffic alongside truck movements in your warehouse or yard, you. In order to provide a consistent safety message, we have established a set of common carrier safety rules when visiting an international paper. Driving a truck for a living is a hard job and its a dangerous job.
Jul 01, 2019 current regulations limit longhaul truck drivers to 11 hours of driving within a 14 hour onduty time period. Driving safety, particularly trucking safety, involves a long series of small individual decisions. For dvds on safety for heavy and tractor trailer truck drivers, search the resource centers safety dvd catalog under the following subjects. Truck driver safety, and the safety of other drivers on the road, is of utmost importance. Truck drivers tend to be in a hurry, and this is just the nature of the industry. Rules limiting truckers driving time set to be relaxed. They follow these five truck driver safety tips and rules to be reliable and safe on the road. Tips for truck and bus drivers federal motor carrier safety. Impact on safety measurement system sms results violations negatively impact sms results, and they carry the maximum severity weight. Amanda hall, director of safety for asf intermodal, a fullservice. Safety belts save lives, reduce injuries, and allow drivers to stay inside and in control of their vehicles in case of a crash. What your fleet managers cant do in regards to driver safety. May 15, 2020 our 10 best truck driving safety tips. Utah department of transportation and motor carrier division, utah towing and recovery association, utah highway patrol, as well as a focus group of several utah towing and recovery business.
Fmcsa driver hours of service rules oar 740010 oregon driver hours of service rules fmcsa part 395 drivers hours of service. Jan 31, 2017 this post delivers the one safety message truck drivers and fleets need. The good news is that the large truck fatal crash rate has steadily declined by 74% from 1980 to 2014. Safety and health topics trucking industry other federal. Remember to employ three points of contact at all times when entering or exiting the tractor, trailer, or climbing onto or down from the catwalk. Lets briefly discuss the basic levels of human interaction and objecthandling a driver must face on a single delivery route. The importance of building a strong foundation for driver awareness. Practice work zone safety work zones present many hazards, like lane shifts, sudden stops, uneven road surfaces, moving workers and equipment, and confused passenger vehicle drivers.
Compliance make sure the mobile telephone is within close enough proximity that it is operable while the driver is restrained by properly installed and adjusted seat belts. These rules are designed to increase safety and decrease trucker fatigue. Long hours on the road and difficult traffic situations. According to nhtsa, a statistical projection of traffic. Always have tire chains at the ready, especially when driving in mountainous regions. For additional safety driving tips, consult your states cdl manual. If you have pedestrian and heavy machinery traffic alongside truck movements in your warehouse or yard, you must have a set of health and safety rules and a site induction to ensure that accidents dont happen. In 1938, the federal government enacted what are called hoursofservice hos rules for truck drivers, intending to cut down on fatigued driving and resulting accidents. White house pushes new truck safety regulation while.
Joe is a driver with a carrier specializing in intermodal transportation, most often working out of the port of long beach, california. Many accidents and injuries can be prevented by following certain safety procedures. Truck driver safety tips fatalities among truckers are among the nations worst. Trump administration to ease truckers drivetime rules. This section contains general knowledge and safe driving practices which all commercial drivers should know. Im putting forward a few essential messages or safety tips for truck. Following this one simple rule will keep you out of trouble most of the time and you will experience. No matter how skilled of a driver you are, its a good idea to reflect on the basics of. If the truck driver is expected to stop dangerous leaks and clean up the spills, then training at the hazardous materials technician or hazardous materials specialist level is appropriate.
These safety tips can also help other drivers learn how to best handle a roadway with large trucks. Not only must commercial drivers contend with other motorists, dangerous weather conditions, and wandering wildlife, but they must do. They include a shorthaul exemption for commercial drivers. Current regulations limit longhaul truck drivers to 11 hours of driving within a 14 hour onduty time period. This tow truck driver safety certification program was developed by the utah safety coun cil with support and feedback from. Following this one simple rule will keep you out of trouble most of the time and you will experience less stress in your driving life because you will have time to respond to most emergencies in a professional, relaxed manner with plenty of time to make course corrections or adjust your speed. Fatigue inevitably sets in and your body will force you to sleep. Rules that regulate truck drivers began to be enacted as early as 1939. When you get your first truck driving job, keep these safety tips in mind and be responsible on the road. Im putting forward a few essential messages or safety tips for truck drivers. The use of seatbelts is not only required, but its also the most preventable way to reduce injury. These truck driving safety tips are intended as general guidelines and reminders for truckers. Every trucker knows the basic road safety rules, but obeying some simple but important safety messages for truck drivers can be significantly helpful to avoid sudden accidents. Safety tips for truck drivers tips for truck drivers cdl.
Safety tips for truck drivers tips for truck drivers. You can read the full disclosure policy, which is pretty dull, but here it is. Ten tips to stay safe while working with a dump truck. Jan 20, 2016 avoid idling the truck whenever possible, but if you must, keep the windows rolled up. Studies show that roughly 1 in 6 truck drivers do not wear their safety belts. The federal aviation administration faa regulates flight crews and some other aspects of the safety of ground crews. Truckers first safe driving rule when driving, always look ahead as far as you can see. Its the first time the federal motor carrier safety administration has issued such nationwide relief. Fmcsa proceeds with minimum training rule for new truck.
Chao sees the new rules as more flexible, but with lessening the safety limits on driving times. One of the most important factors in trucker safety is the condition of the truck driver. From adherence to road safety regulations to following best practices guidelines, safety on the road is essential to ensure problemfree transportation of goods and passengers. However, if a truck driver becomes an emergency responder in the event of a spill or other disaster, then osha has jurisdiction. To help keep you safe while working with your dump. Driving professionally requires a great deal of skill, it carries a lot responsibility for the safety. In order to provide a consistent safety message, we have established a set of common carrier safety rules when visiting an international paper site. How telematics can be the driver behind driver safety. If the truck driver is expected to stop dangerous leaks and clean up the. Interstate truck drivers interstate propertycarrying commercial.
Road safety is of paramount importance in the trucking industry. You can grab one from any department of motor vehicles dmv office, or download a copy from your dmvs. Getting enough sleep, eating right, exercising, and taking quality home time will all help you feel more content and refreshed behind the wheel 2 qualities prized in any driver. Covid19 causes government to suspend truck driver safety. Any employee injured on the job or requiring medical treatment must first report the injury to herhis supervisor. Trucking industry occupational safety and health administration. Covid19 causes government to suspend truck driver safety rules.
Keep an eye on your blind spots truck drivers, like automobile drivers, have blind spots. Drivers must have had 10 consecutive hours off duty before onduty time starts again. A general overview of a day in the life of joe, a truck driver. Truck driver safety rules with changes around food and. From safety to the environment and from the economy to engineering, american trucking associations is the leading authority on all of the issues facing the trucking industry. The federal aviation administration faa regulates flight crews and some.