Accident Prevention
Being a commercial driver can be very dangerous to yourself as well as others. Here in California we have two seasons, hot and hotter. But every now and than we get some rain like we have been this past week. ☔️
Drivers must be extra careful and drive slower than usual under these conditions. If the speed limit says 55mph, drive 45mph. If the off ramp says 35mph for a curve, drive 25mph. I see 2-3 accidents a week involving semi trucks on the freeway. I have seen everything from fender benders to semi trucks overturned from taking a curve to fast while fully loaded. One way I stay safe is I never make spontaneous lane changes and make my lane changes a mile and a half before my exit. Today I seen a semi truck jack knifed and I can tell you this was an accident that could of have been prevented by not making poor decisions. Accidents like these not only affect the driver and his family, but businesses and commutes are disrupted as well.
(FN) Here is a photo I took of a semi truck involved in an accident while I was in traffic.
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Chassis Inspection
Here’s another safety tip for new CDL drivers. As a CDL driver working inside the ports, I constantly have to change chassis since my transactions consist of taking in empty containers inside and full loads out of the ports. I have to inspect the chassis which consists of checking the tires, lights, coupling systems, etc. A major chassis inspection that can get overlooked is the BIT and PM inspection.
This inspection is completed by the company mechanics and confirmed by the CHP. If the CHP pulls you over and the BIT inspection is overdue, the driver will get a citation. We have over 1,000 bare chassis so outdated inspections can get mixed up with good chassis’s. This is the result of drivers not red tagging them and just leaving them with the good chassis. Take your time and inspect everything on your tractor and trailer to avoid and unnecessary infractions.
(FN) I have attached a photo of a chassis I was going to take, but noticed the BIT inspection was past due.
Safety
Safety should be your number one priority when inspecting your tractor and trailer. At times we can get complacent with our daily routine and we will miss a safety hazard that can have severe consequences to not only yourself, but with the pedestrians around you.
Today I was inspecting a bare chassis’s I was attaching to and I noticed a bubble in the tire while I was in motion. It’s a good thing I noticed it, because once a container sits on the chassis it distributes more pressure on the tire which can cause it to blow. These blowouts can cause accidents and roll overs which can have a catastrophic outcome. Remember safety should always be your number one priority when handling heavy machinery like a tractor and trailer before hitting the road. Lives are at risk here.
(FN) I have attached a photo of the bubble I discovered in the tire.
Traffic Attorneys
Sometimes accidents happen and although a CDL driver is not at fault, we are held to higher standards when driving on the road. Traffic ticket penalties are also doubled even when we are driving our everyday vehicle. CDL drivers are not even entitled to traffic school to remove points off a driving record. We get in a serious accident, and it will stay on our driving record for up to 50 years.
This is why it is important to be up to par on all current and new traffic laws. It’s also good to be aware there are traffic attorneys that can remedy any traffic violation that may occur. My company offers many benefits, and one benefit they do offer is legal assistance for $30 a month. This small monthly fee provides me with a traffic attorney if I ever receive a traffic citation in the future. I recommend any CDL driver to search for companies that offer this benefit. If you find a company that offers this benefit, I can assure you have found a good company to work for. This is a rare benefit companies offer so take advantage of it. If your company does not offer legal assistance, you may even want to find a traffic attorney and put down a retainer to be on the safe side.
Overweight Certified
Very excited to announce I got my “Overweight Certification” yesterday. This certification is not an endorsement through the DMV, but a certification by your employer. I’m allowed to haul loads that are 90,000 lbs in a 4 axle tractor. This certification does pay more dividends and cuts my round trip commute to 45 minutes daily since our overweight trucks are in a different yard closer to my home.
This certification requires me to take extra caution with my tractor inspection, chassis inspection, as well as route planning that is already pre-planned by dispatch. There are very few drivers that get certified or take the initiative to obtain endorsements because of the extra responsibilities, but if you want to increase your salary these are the actions you need to take. As long as a driver is adhering to safety rules and regulations, there shouldn’t be a problem or accident that will jeopardize anyone’s safety.
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Here’s the biggest nightmares of a one truck operation!
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HAZMAT
Since I’ve been a CDL driver I hear a lot of experienced drivers say they don’t like “Hazmat” loads and it’s not worth the trouble.
I personally enjoy the hazmat loads since I receive incentives for it which can add up to an additional $400-$600 to my monthly income. I also like the fact these loads take a longer process checking paperwork, inspecting my load, etc. But some of these drivers say the CHP tend to pull them over and find excuses to give them a citation. I personally never experienced that, not even passing the scales. But even if they did, this is the underlying reason why I take my time with my inspection and drive 5mph slower than the posted speed limit. Any other driver’s have a negative experience hauling hazmat loads? Thoughts?
(FN) This is a declaration that identifies the hazmat load and emergency contact number to call if an accident happens. This document needs to be in my compliance pocketbook inside my driver side door panel within reach while I’m transporting hazardous materials.