HT News and Announcements

To:        All Company Drivers

From:    Jed Duggan

Date:     December 6, 2011

Subject:  Safety Message

 Team Ht

Our September Safety Message was about keeping our focus on Safety, especially when it comes to defensive driving practices and pre and post trip inspections. This memo explained our goal to heighten your awareness of what’s going on. We have built a safety culture by making safety our  #1 priority and has been achieved by being safe “One Mile At A Time “. We need to reduce the number of accidents and poor roadside Inspections we’ve been having. The goal to be safe every mile you run will help us to be successful at reducing our numbers.

 Under CSA , our numbers are trending higher in 3 major basics ; Crashes, Vehicle Maintenance and Unsafe Driving. Unsafe driving is a concern because can be part of the crash basic scorecard.  Warnings on a DOT Inspection are impacting your personal performance score card. (PSP), which could limit future job opportunities. Again every recorded violation, citation or warning, even trivial or inaccurate will penalize the driver and carrier.

 Obey all posted speed limits, drive in designated truck lane, and make sure your loads are properly/safely secured. CSA and Harris stress better safety performance when it comes to Crashes, Vehicle Maintenance and Unsafe Driving.

 Weather Hazards

Experienced drivers are the first line of defense against weather hazards. As winter approaches – and with some parts of the country already being subjected to an early taste of seasonal traffic problems, it’s the professional drivers behind the wheel that are the best defense against hazards caused by winter. You must be flexible and remain alert during the winter months. The key to preventing accidents is knowing your limitations and not overdriving your abilities. We trust you to make the decision during bad weather to get off the road to a safe haven, and notify dispatch by Qualcomm.

Cell Phones

The final rule restricts the use of handheld mobile telephones and sets penalties for violators. The rule is effective January 3rd, 2012, though compliance dates will vary by states as each state conducts their own adoption process.

The final rule prohibits commercial drivers from using a hand-held mobile telephone while operating a commercial truck or bus. Drivers who violate the restriction will face federal civil penalties of up to $2,750 for each offense and disqualification from operating a commercial motor vehicle for multiple offenses. Additionally, states will suspend a driver's commercial driver's license (CDL) after two or more serious traffic violations. Commercial truck and bus companies that allow their drivers to use hand-held cell phones while driving will face a maximum penalty of $11,000.

 Hours-of-Service Rule within 30 Days

When the proposed revision of the 2008 HOS rule was announced in December, FMCSA said it was leaning towards cutting driving hours back to 10 from 11 and modifying a 34 – hour reset. Changes are coming, including the reduction of daily driving time from 11  to 10 hours and this will require a coordinated effort among all of us to make it work. With the newest provision to the 34 hour reset requiring two rest periods of at least six hours falling between midnight and 6 a.m.,  we encourage everyone to plan their trips better, allowing for the new rule changes. Keep in mind that a 34 hour reset is not a requirement and may not be achieved depending upon the servicing of our customer base.

CDL Medical Certificate Extension:

The FMCSA announced that it is extending the requirement that CDL drivers must keep physical copies of their medical certificate to January 2014. So make sure you have a copy of your current certificate with you at all times.

Crashes:

 We’ve experienced our share of preventable accidents this year resulting from poor driver behavior.  The drivers involved in these accidents lost focus on defensive driving techniques. In becoming complacent they set the stage for the possibility running into a car or van full of children and grand children. Not a pretty picture is it?

The key to defensive driving is leaving yourself an out by keeping more space between your vehicle and those of other drivers. Increase your space cushion by adding additional seconds to your stopping distance. By keeping this cushion, you won’t be caught by surprise when brake lights of the vehicle ahead of you suddenly come on.

 During orientation everybody is taught the Smith System of Driving. Are we putting this training to use?  The Smith System has endured throughout the years because it is based upon common sense and logic, so let put it to practice.

1. Aim High in steering

2. Get the Big Picture

3. Keep Your Eyes Moving

4 Leave Yourself An Out

5. Make Sure They See You

 If you’re not putting the system to practice or don’t know the 5 keys see Jim Doss.

Plan your stops at lights and stop signs so if your wheels slide at the last minute, you have a margin of safety. The second and equally important defensive driving technique is to drive slower. "Speed too fast for conditions" is often a key element in winter accidents. Slow down in advance of curves, downgrades, shadows, wet spots, patches of ice or snow, and other slick areas. Speed increases the likelihood of being involved in an accident. Slowing down during inclement weather may make your trip five minutes longer, but it is far better to be late than to be in an accident.

Driving defensively means not only taking responsibility for yourself and your actions, but also keeping an eye on "the other guy."