Driving Tips for the Holidays

We are ready with another Safety Bulletin post to get you ready for the holiday season and incoming cold weather. In this blog post, we'll share essential tips and guidelines to help you navigate the roads safely, keep your loved ones protected, and maintain peace of mind while traveling this holiday season. Let’s make safety a priority so we can focus on what truly matters—making memories together.

In this issue:

• Cold Weather is Here!
• Fuel Additive Use During Cold Weather Conditions.
• Have You Prepared your Terminal Facility for the Long Thanksgiving Weekend?

Holiday gatherings can be wonderful occasions for families and friends to come together. However, they can quickly turn tragic if traffic accidents result in injuries or fatalities. As the holiday season draws near, drivers must take precautions to ensure safer travels. Here are some essential rules to keep in mind for holiday driving:

Before hitting the road:

• Ensure your vehicle is well-maintained and ready for travel, particularly in winter.
• Always buckle up and ensure your passengers are securely fastened in seat belts or appropriate car seats.
• Remember, the safest spot for children of any age is in the rear seat.

Be prepared to adjust your travel plans. Start your trip early to avoid peak traffic times. Consider altering your schedule if there’s a forecast for snow during your travel window. It’s wiser to postpone your gathering than to endanger your family or friends on the road.

Stay alert and refreshed while driving. Take regular breaks, and don’t push yourself to meet tight deadlines. Pull over to a rest area or parking lot if you’re tired. Step out for fresh air, grab a snack to perk yourself up, or unwind until you feel more awake. If you are still tired, look for a motel or campsite where you can spend the night.

It’s important to note that 41% of fatal traffic accidents involve single vehicles. These incidents typically occur late at night or in the early morning, often involving drivers who are fatigued, have been drinking, or both.

Maintain a safe speed and give yourself ample time to react to other vehicles. Allow aggressive or impatient drivers to pass and go through intersections ahead of you so you can keep control of your driving situation. Only pass if you can see a clear stretch of road ahead.

If your holiday gathering will include alcohol, appoint a designated driver who will remain sober. Also, remember to pull off the road if you need to use your cellphone, as driving requires your full attention.

Alcohol, Drivers, and the Holidays! 

This is an excellent opportunity to remind your drivers about the severe consequences of consuming alcohol and driving during the holiday season. Make sure to highlight the potential impact on their CDL or operator’s license and their job security with your company. Encourage them to exercise caution when drinking and to arrange for a designated driver. This will not only help protect their licenses and employment but also ensure the safety of everyone on the road.

According to FMCSA regulations, a CDL driver convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol— as determined by state law— while operating any motor vehicle faces a one-year disqualification from driving a commercial motor vehicle. Additionally, a second conviction will lead to a lifetime ban from operating such a vehicle.

When is Alcohol Use Prohibited?

• Alcohol is a legal substance, but there are specific rules regarding prohibited conduct related to its use. Engaging in safety-sensitive functions is not allowed under the following circumstances:
• If you are currently using alcohol.
• If your breath alcohol concentration is 0.04 percent or higher, as shown by an alcohol breath test.

If it is within four hours of consuming alcohol.

Furthermore, it is not permissible to refuse an alcohol test, use alcohol within eight hours following an accident, or consume alcohol until you are tested (for drivers who are required to undergo testing).

Cold Weather is Here!

We touched on this back in September, but it’s essential to revisit and remind your drivers as winter is upon us. We can expect snow in the coming weeks. Now is an excellent time to go over how to care for fuel and equipment in these winter conditions properly:

• Add a diesel supplement to ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel when temperatures dip below 32°F.
• If your truck has an engine block heater, it should be plugged in whenever temperatures fall below 32°F. For trucks not in use, start the engine and let it run daily to reach normal operating temperatures.
• Here’s how to start up correctly: Perform a pre-trip inspection, unplug the block heater, turn the ignition to “on,” start the engine, and allow it to run until it reaches normal operating temperatures.
• For trucks with air brakes, be sure to purge the air tanks every day. If the truck has an air dryer, bringing the PSI to 120 will automatically purge the system.
• When driving in snow, ice, slush, or rain, make it a habit to lightly apply the brakes while the unit is in motion before parking for the day. This helps dry out the brake shoes, drums, rotors, and pads, preventing freezing.
• Ensure the windshield washer fluid is topped off and all windows are clear.
• Remove snow or ice buildup from steps and grab handles to avoid slips and falls.
• Finally, if heavy snow is in the forecast, avoid leaving the truck in an outside dock or under building overhangs when parking. Snow can drift off the buildings and accumulate excessively on top of the truck.

Fuel Additive Use During Cold Weather Conditions

As colder weather approaches, it’s important to use fuel additives to prevent fuel from gelling. Add fuel additives anytime the ambient temperature is below 32°F. Power Service and Penray are popular manufacturers of fuel additives, and both companies offer two different products that are available through International and Idealease locations.

Power Service:

The “Red Bottle” is known as Power Service 911 and is intended for use only when the fuel in a unit has already jelled. It should not be used as a preventive measure to avoid fuel jelling.

For regular maintenance during winter months, add Power Service Diesel Fuel Supplement + Cetane, referred to as the “White Bottle,” to your fuel at every fill-up when the temperature drops below 32°F.

Penray:

Winter Thaw Emergency Diesel Fuel Supplement

Quickly dissolves gelled fuel and minimizes fuel filter clogging. It prevents ice crystal formation in fuel lines and filters by dispersing moisture. This product eliminates issues like hard starting, knocking, and excessive smoke while enhancing combustion efficiency. It is fully compatible with low-sulfur fuel and fuel blends.

Winter Thaw Emergency is ONLY TO BE USED when the fuel has already gelled!

Winter Pow-R Plus Diesel Fuel Supplement

ULSD-compliant, this product prevents diesel fuel from gelling and the formation of ice crystals. It can lower the cold filter plugging point (CFPP) by up to 30°F.

Additionally, it enhances cetane levels, improves fuel economy, and incorporates HAFI® technology. It aids in cold weather starting, stabilizes the fuel to prevent corrosion, reduces emissions, and increases lubricity.

Have You Prepared Your Terminal Facility for the Long Thanksgiving Holiday? 

During the holiday season, it’s common for thieves to target truck terminals since there may be fewer people around. To enhance security at your terminal, take extra precautions to protect both trucks and valuables.

If your vehicles lack anti-siphon devices or locking fuel caps, instruct drivers not to refuel their units at the end of the day. Ensure that all security alarms and lighting are functioning properly. Walk around the perimeter of the lot to verify that the security fencing is intact. Keep units and materials like pallets and tires away from the fence to prevent them from being used for climbing. You might also consider blocking the entrances and exits to restrict unauthorized access and protect your units from theft.

During the upcoming four-day weekend, assign management staff to conduct random checks on the terminal. A little proactive effort and common sense can significantly reduce the risk of theft at your facility.

Have a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday with your family and friends!

*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.