The latest Idealease Safety Bulletin, "Preventing a Single Vehicle Accident" is available for download!   Read the entire bulletin online here, or click the image below to download a PDF version.  Don't forget to sign up to have them delivered straight to your inbox each week for instant access to the latest safety news, tips and information!  

Looking for past safety bulletins? Find the complete archive at: https://www.idealease.com/safety-compliance/safety-bulletins

PREVENTING A SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT

A single-vehicle accident is any driving mishap where only one vehicle is involved. 

This can include:

• veering off the road and hitting a tree,
• a rollover crash,
• or damage caused by animals or debris on the road. 

Bad weather, poor visibility and distracted driving can all be contributing factors, so drivers must be alert when they take the wheel.  

It is a great time to remind your drivers of the following tips:

• Prepare for your trip before you turn the key. Thoughtful preparation time can help ensure safer travels.
• Check the weather report. Be prepared to handle rain, snow or other conditions that may affect your ability to drive.
• Start safely. Get familiar with the vehicle controls and adjust any settings like seat position, mirrors and steering wheel as needed Always keep your seat belt fastened while driving.
• Allow more time to travel if you are slowed by unpredictable circumstances.
• Turn your headlights on to enhance your visions and help others to see you better.
• Stay focused to help avoid distractions. 
• Prepare for anticipated distractions and refrain from eating, drinking and smoking while driving whenever possible.
• Monitor your surroundings to be mindful of lane changes, traffic signs and signals, curves, road work and pedestrians. Seeing a situation develop early will give you more time to react, if necessary.
• Turn off your cell phone. Operating a CMV with a NON-Hands-free cell phone is a federal violation.  
• Take a break. If you are feeling drowsy or have a task that cannot wait, pull the vehicle over to a safe spot out of the way of traffic.
• Monitor road conditions constantly to reduce the risk of losing control. 
• Note how road materials affect traction. Asphalt can be more slippery than concrete or gravel due to its petroleum content, especially when covered with rain or snow.
• Be especially careful on sharp curves and steep inclines. 
• Slow down. Driving at speeds above the posted limits makes it easier to lose control of your vehicle, harder to recover and robs you of critical reaction time.
• Beware of standing water and wet leaves. Maintaining moderate speeds is especially important in these conditions, as it helps to avoid braking fast and skidding.
• And….Get plenty of Sleep

PROTECTING THE TRUCK DURING COLD WEATHER

1. Diesel supplement should be added to the ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel when temperatures drop below 32 degrees.
2. If you truck is equipped with an engine block heater it should be plugged in when the temperature is below 32 degrees. Trucks that are not utilized should be started and let run every day to bring the unit up to normal operating temperature.
3. Initial start up procedure should be as follows:

• Complete pre- trip of unit, 
• unplug block heater, 
• turn ignition switch to on, and wait dash lights to stop cycling, 
• start engine, 
• leave engine run until engine operating temperature increases

4. For trucks equipped with air brakes, drivers should purge air tanks daily.  If the unit is equipped with an air drier, bringing the PSI to120 will automatically purge the system.
5. If you are driving in snow, ice, slush, rain, etc., before parking the unit for the day you should lightly apply the brakes while the unit is moving to dry the brake shoes, drums, rotors and pads so the brakes do not freeze while parked.
6. Make sure windshield washer solvent is full and that all windows are 100% clean.
7. Remove any ice-snow build up from steps and grab handles to prevent a slip or fall.
8. Always use the 3-point method of entering and exiting the cab.
9. When parking the unit make sure if heavy snow is forecast that the unit is not left parked in an outside dock or near a building overhang. Snow can drift off the building causing excessive accumulation on the top of the truck or trailer and can cause the roof to collapse.

HOW TO PROPERLY MARK A COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE

What size do the letters and numbers need to be on the placard or marking on the side of my commercial vehicle? 

• Ironically there is NO size designation measurement wise

How the FMCSA addresses the marking of a vehicle:

Every self-propelled CMV, as defined in CFR 390.5, greater than 10,000lbs MGVWR must be marked and display the following information:

1. The legal name or a single trade name of the motor carrier operating the self-propelled CMV, as listed on the Form MCSA-1, the URS online application, or the motor carrier identification report (Form MCS-150) and submitted in accordance with §390.201 or §390.19, as appropriate.
2. The motor carrier identification number issued by the FMCSA, preceded by the letters “USDOT”.
3. The City and State of the motor carrier is no longer required to be displayed.

The marking must:

1. Appear on both sides of the self-propelled CMV.
2. Be in letters that contrast sharply in color with the background on which the letters are placed.
3. Be readily legible during daylight hours, from 50 feet (15.24 meters) while the CMV is stationary.
4. Be kept and maintained in a manner that retains the legibility of the above requirements.

Construction and Durability

The marking may be painted on the CMV or may consist of a removable device, if that device meets the identification and legibility requirements above.

Marking of Rented CMVs from Idealease

A motor carrier operating a self-propelled Idealease CMV under a rental agreement having a term not in excess of 30 calendar days meets the requirements of this section if:

• The Idealease CMV is marked in accordance with the provisions of the marking requirements as stated above.
• The legal name or a single trade name of the Idealease location is displayed.
• The Idealease location identification number preceded by the letters “USDOT” is displayed.
• The Idealease rental agreement entered by the Idealease location and the customer renting motor carrier conspicuously contains the following information:

1. The name and complete physical address of the principal place of business of the Idealease customer renting the CMV.
2. The identification number issued the Idealease customer by the FMCSA, preceded by the letters “USDOT,” if the Idealease customer has been issued such a number. In lieu of the identification number required in this paragraph, the following may be shown in the rental agreement:
• Information which indicates whether the Idealease customer is engaged in “interstate” or “intrastate” commerce; and
• Information which indicates whether the Idealease customer is transporting hazardous materials in the Idealease rented CMV;
3. The sentence: “That Idealease cooperates with all Federal, State, and local law enforcement officials nationwide to provide the identity of Idealease customers who operate the Idealease rental CMV”. The rental agreement entered by Idealease and the Idealease customer is carried on the Idealease rental CMV during the full term of the rental agreement.

ELEVATE YOUR DRIVER'S PERFORMANCE! 

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Idealease is committed to helping your team Elevate their Performance. You will get a weekly Question or Tip of the Week explaining different elements of the scorecard, tips to improve Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s), or other motivational topics to keep the team(s) striving for excellence behind the wheel.

If you have a question or would like a topic covered, please email jerryring@idealease.com.

*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.