Back to School Safety
As the school year approaches, it's crucial for drivers to be extra vigilant around school zones and bus stops. To ensure the safety of children and pedestrians, here are essential back-to-school tips and important information about school bus laws and USDOT numbers. Read on to prepare for the upcoming school season and promote safety on the roads. Read the full Safety Bulletin here and make sure to subscribe to receive all future Safety Bulletin's directly to your inbox.
In this issue:
- Back to School Tips
- USDOT Number
- FMCSA Guidance on How to Respond to an ELD Malfunction
- CVSA’s Brake Safety Week Scheduled for Aug. 25-31
- Registration Open for the 2024 Idealease/NPTC Safety Seminars!
As students head back to school in the coming weeks, it’s important to remember that pedestrian-vehicle accidents are a leading cause of death for children aged 5 to 14. With kids returning from summer camp and school buses reappearing on the roads, drivers need to be extra cautious around school zones, crosswalks, and bus stops. This will help ensure the safety of children who may be playing outside.
Back-to-School Tips:
Here is a set of guidelines to promote safety and awareness when driving near areas frequented by children:
1. Familiarize Yourself with School Zones: Take note of school zones and crosswalks on your regular routes to be extra cautious in these areas.
2. Stop for School Bus Lights: Always come to a complete stop for school buses with flashing red lights. Exercise extreme caution when buses have flashing yellow lights.
3. Obey Crossing Guards: Respect the authority of school crossing guards and adhere to their directions. Avoid taking shortcuts on side streets that lack proper supervision for children.
4. Anticipate the Worst: Be prepared for the possibility of young children unexpectedly entering the roadway and adjust your speed accordingly.
5. Be Cautious Around Parked Vehicles: Exercise extra care in areas with parked cars, as children waiting to cross may be challenging to spot.
6. Turn on Your Headlights: Use your headlights in areas with children and pedestrians to increase visibility and reduce the risk of accidents.
7. Avoid Using Cell Phones: Refrain from using cell phones or engaging in other distracting activities while driving near schools or areas with children.
8. Minimize Reversing: Whenever possible, avoid reversing in areas with children due to the increased risk of accidents in blind spots.
9. Adhere to Speed Limits: Respect speed limits in school zones and continually adjust your speed based on weather or road conditions to ensure safety.
10. Refrain from Honking: Avoid honking at pedestrians or bicyclists, as this may startle them and lead to potential hazards.
Following these guidelines can help ensure the safety of children and pedestrians while driving in areas where they are present.
School Buses and Laws
It’s easy to see more school buses on the roads around this time, even if you don’t have kids in school. Laws differ by state, but typically, you should stop if a school bus is picking up or dropping off kids, regardless of which side of the road it’s on. It’s illegal in every state to pass a school bus when its red lights are flashing. 
Keep an eye out for school buses stopping at railroad tracks, and ensure you know the local laws about school buses. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in their guide “Reducing Illegal Passing of School Buses,” many school buses are illegally passed about once a day. Some buses are even passed on the right side, where kids might get on or off.
Do I need a USDOT Number?
This question frequently arises from our customers, so we thought we would address it this week. It typically arises when we have a customer who is an INTRAstate carrier not subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) INTRAstate regulations but rather to their own state regulations.
The following thirty-eight states and Puerto Rico require a USDOT number for INTRAstate operations:
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
What is a USDOT Number?
Businesses that operate commercial vehicles for interstate commerce or haul hazardous materials within a single state must register for a USDOT number. This number collects and monitors safety information obtained during audits, compliance reviews, crash investigations, and inspections. Need to determine if you need a US DOT number? Click below to use our interactive tool.
FMCSA Provides Guidance on How to Respond to an ELD Malfunction
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has guided motor carriers in handling electronic logging device malfunctions.
A recent FMCSA notice states: “Are you experiencing a malfunction of your Electronic Logging Device (ELD) due to the recent Microsoft application outage? Call your ELD provider and remember to use paper logs per regulations if your device is not functioning properly. You can find additional guidance and helpful FAQs here.”
CVSA’s Brake Safety Week Scheduled for Aug. 25-31
Brake Safety Week is scheduled for Aug. 25-31 this year. It involves inspections and enforcement of commercial motor vehicles, focusing on brake systems. Inspectors will concentrate on brake linings and pads, and vehicles found in violation will be removed from the road. Some jurisdictions will use performance-based brake testers during Brake Safety Week.
Registration Now Open for the 2024 Idealease/NPTC Safety Seminars!
Idealease and the National Private Truck Council (NPTC) are excited to announce the opening of registration for the 2024 Safety Seminars. These one-day seminars will focus on crucial topics such as safety data analysis, basic safety and compliance, regulation changes, and CSA.
Who Can Attend: These seminars are open to all Idealease customers, potential customers, and NPTC members, and are provided at no charge.
Seminar Highlights:
- Gain insights into safety practices and compliance regulations.
- Learn about the latest advancements in safety technology.
- Understand CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) and its impact on your operations.
Why Attend: Whether you're a novice or an experienced transportation professional, these seminars offer valuable information to enhance your safety practices.
Registration Details: Seminars are currently available for registration, with venues secured for the following locations:
Fall 2024
- 10/1/24: Eugene, OR
- 10/1/24:St. Louis, MO
- 10/3/24: San Leandro, CA
- 10/9/24: Baltimore, MD
- 10/16/24: Atlanta, GA
- 10/17/24: Nashville, TN
- 10/17/24: Charleston, WV
- 10/28/24: Stockton, CA
Note: If you haven't seen a seminar in your area listed yet, don't worry. Registration availability will be updated weekly as venues are secured. Keep an eye on this bulletin for the latest updates. To register for an upcoming seminar in 2024, click on the following link: Safety Seminar Registration. Don't miss out on this opportunity to enhance your safety knowledge and practices in 2024. Register today!
*The Idealease Safety Bulletin is provided for Idealease locations and their customers and is not to be construed as a complete or exhaustive source of compliance or safety information. The Idealease Safety Bulletin is advisory in nature and does not warrant, guarantee, or otherwise certify compliance with laws, regulations, requirements, or guidelines of any local, state, or Federal agency and/or governing body, or industry standard.