Your latest Idealease safety tips and information have arrived. Read on for info on this year's national enforcement campaign "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over", or view the entire safety bulletin online here. Looking to share a physical copy with your team? Here is a PDF version for your convenience to read, share or download. 

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DRIVE SOBER OR GET PULLED OVER - Enforcement crackdown started this week! 

2021 National Enforcement Campaign goes into effect from August 18th-September 6th across the US! Impaired driving has become a serious safety problem in our country and is one of the deadliest and most often committed crimes. 

With the Labor Day holiday approaching, we expect to see an increase in road traffic as many people plan one last trip to finish out the summer.  Increased traffic means an increased likelihood of vehicle crashes, and with the festive nature of the long weekend, increased instances of drunk driving.  

Safe Driving is in your hands! The first step towards a safe trip begins in the driveway. 

Here are some LABOR DAY DRIVING TIPS FROM AMERICA'S ROAD TEAM:

• Do a "walk around" before leaving:  Check your vehicle's tires, wipers and fluids.  Have your radiator and cooling system serviced.
• Plan ahead:  Before you get on a highway, know your exit by name and number, and watch the signs for the exit as you near it.  Drivers making unexpected lane changes to exit often cause accidents.
• Get a map or program your GPS:  Surprisingly, few motorists use maps, even when driving through unfamiliar areas.  Knowing the road is essential for safe driving -- it allows you to anticipate the road ahead and avoid a panicky search for directions.
• Leave early and avoid risks:  Leave early so you won't be anxious about arriving late and to accommodate delays.  Know your limitations: don't drive when tired, upset, or physically ill.  Never try to gain a few seconds by attempting a risky maneuver.
• Be aware of trucks’ blindspots:  When sharing the road with large trucks, be aware of their blind spots.  If you can't see the truck driver in his or her mirrors, then the truck driver can't see you.
• Expect the unexpected:  Look 1/4 mile ahead for a safe path.  Leave yourself an out.
• Make sure your phone is connected to the Bluetooth of your vehicle and you are talking hands free. Limit cell phone use to a minimum and pull off to a designated parking area to use your cell phone if the call is going to be prolonged.  Make sure you are NOT on your phone in work zones.
• Signal your intentions:  To change lanes, signal ahead of time so other drivers can respond.  If a truck is signaling to change lanes, allow it space to do so.  Often, it is trying to avoid another vehicle.
• Do not cut in front of large trucks:  Remember that trucks are heavier and take longer to make a complete stop, so avoid cutting quickly in front of them.
• Yield:  On entrance ramps, remember highway traffic has the right of way; maintain proper speed, use smooth merging techniques, and don't slow down in front of a truck.
• Never stop on the highway:  The most dangerous speed on a highway is zero.  Stopped vehicles, even on the shoulder, create a severe hazard for themselves and others.  If you are stopped for emergency purposes, understand that big trucks cannot always stop to assist you, but most will use their radios to contact the police or highway patrol if they see you are in trouble.
• Watch your gas gauge:  To save fuel, take direct routes, minimize side trips, and keep a steady speed.  Further, a well-tuned engine, properly inflated tires and reduced speed will result in noticeable fuel savings.  Have at least a quarter of a tank of gas before you get on a highway.  Traffic tie-ups can use a lot of fuel -- and may leave you stranded.
• Construction zone:  Stay alert in work zones.  Traffic may move more slowly, and lanes may be temporarily closed.  Obey informational signs located within the work zone. 

REMEMBER - SAFETY REQUIRES PATIENCE AND DEDICATION! 

OVER 85,000 REPORTED TO DRUG & ALCOHOL CLEARINGHOUSE SINCE JANUARY 2020

The July 1st update from the FMCSA's Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse details 85,745 drug and alcohol violations have been reported since it went live on January 6, 2020. 

Of the drivers with reported violations, 14,597 (only 17%) have completed the process to be qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle again. 

Over 50% of the total violations are positive drug tests for marijuana.  The next 3 highest positive drug test results were for cocaine, methamphetamines and amphetamines.  Almost 3.5 million queries on drivers have been conducted since January 2020. 

2021 IDEALEASE FALL SAFETY SEMINARS ARE CANCELLED

Due to the continuing evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic the decision was made to not hold any in person Idealease safety seminars in the fall of 2021. We are aware that many of our customers rely on these seminars to receive valuable insight to the ever-changing world of transportation regulations.  We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused, but we are thrilled to host the Idealease Safety Webinar Series in their place later this fall. The webinars will be one hour in length and will address six separate topics regarding compliance and safety.  The webinar schedule will be announced soon in a future Idealease safety bulletin.

2021 NATIONAL TRUCK DRIVER APPRECIATION WEEK

This year's National Truck Driver Appreciation Week is September 12-18, 2021, and takes on a special significance considering the crucial role truck drivers have played during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Americans in all fifty states have taken extraordinary steps to show their appreciation for the important work that professional truck drivers have done as we navigate our way through the coronavirus pandemic. From children passing out lunches, to "I Heart Truck" signs across America's highways, the public has taken notice of the essential role truck drivers play in their lives.

This week is a way to show appreciation to the 3.6 million professional men and women who not only deliver our goods safely, securely, and on time, but also keep our highways safe.

*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 standards.