Schools Are Letting Out: Proceed with Caution

Summer is right around the corner, and many schools will be letting out their students in the next couple of weeks. Children will participate in outdoor activities, and adults will also take advantage of the sunny weather. We need to continue to commit ourselves to staying alert and safe! Here are some safety tips to keep safe on the road this summer. Read the safety bulletin below and access the full safety bulletin here and subscribe to receive future safety bulletins in your email.

• The last week of school is an exciting time for students; they may need to be more alert when walking on the road. Use extra caution when driving through school zones.
• During those last few days of school, students leave at different times throughout the day.
• Remember that playgrounds have speed limits that remain in effect year-round. Be vigilant when driving around playgrounds and parks.
• Watch for clues: Look out for balls, nets, etc., signaling that children are playing on the street.
• Always watch for children as you are backing up. Walk around your vehicle to ensure no children are around.

A single-vehicle accident is any driving mishap where only one vehicle is involved. This can include veering off the road, hitting a still object, a rollover, or any damage caused by animals or debris on the road. Distracted driving, low visibility, and stormy weather can all contribute to an accident. Drivers need to be alert when they take the wheel and try to prevent unnecessary accidents.

Now is an excellent time to remind your drivers of the following tips:

• Check the weather report: If crossing county or state lines, be prepared for weather changes. Be prepared for rain, fog, or other conditions that can affect your driving.
• Start Safely: Adjust any mirrors or controls in your vehicle before moving.
• Allow more time to travel: Leave ample time to get to your destination. Avoid speeding if unpredictable circumstances slow you.
• Turn your headlights on: Enhance your vision and visibility.
• Stay focused: Stay focused on the road, and avoid distractions that will take your eyes and mind off the road.
• Turn off your cell phone: Operating a CMV with a NON-Hands-free cell phone is a federal and, in most states, violation. Even a phone sitting on the passenger seat can be a distraction as it emits sounds and vibrations distracting the driver's attention.
• Take a break: If you are exhausted, pull the vehicle over to a safe spot and take a break.
• Monitor conditions to reduce the risk of losing control. Knowing how to handle your vehicle in various situations helps reduce the chance that you'll be involved in an accident.
• 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. These conditions make vehicle handling more difficult. Also, be wary of the dangers caused by soft shoulders and potholes.
• 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.
• Get plenty of Sleep.

DOT Issues Final Rule to Allow Use of Oral Fluids for Drug Testing

The U.S. Department of Transportation has issued a final rule allowing motor carriers to use oral fluid samples instead of urine for drug testing of commercial truck drivers and other transportation workers.

The Department of Health and Human Services, which establishes standards for all federal drug testing programs, has determined that testing of oral fluids is as reliable and accurate as testing of urine samples. Moreover, oral fluid testing reduces the risk of substituted or adulterated samples because the collection technician observes all collections of oral fluids taken with a mouth swab.

The rule will not go into effect until DHHS certifies at least two laboratories to conduct oral fluids testing—one lab to conduct the screening and confirmation drug testing on the primary specimen and a different HHS-certified laboratory to conduct the split specimen drug testing on the secondary sample, if the employee requests split specimen testing for a non-negative result.

The rule has procedures for handling "dry mouth," where the worker cannot provide a saliva sample, simile to the "shy bladder" procedures for urine sample collections. The sample custody and control procedures will be like established urine testing protocols.

Finally, the authority to test hair samples as another alternative to urine sample testing under the federal drug testing programs is awaiting the publication of final procedural guidelines from DHHS. Once that agency issues a final rule on hair testing standards (the proposal was published in September 2020), the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will adopt those standards to allow employers to use hair samples for drug testing of CDL drivers.

May is National Bicycle Safety Month

Bicycling becomes a more prominent mode of transportation or a way of maintaining an active lifestyle during the summer. This May, NHTSA wants our community to protect its bicyclists by being responsible and conscientious motorists. We also want our bicyclists to practice smart riding habits by riding safely and always wearing helmets. It's important to remember that while driving and riding bikes are privileges, arriving safely to your destination is a right:

• In 2020, 938 bicyclists were killed - a 9% increase from 2019 - and an estimated 38,886 were injured in traffic crashes in the United States.

Click here to get our campaign materials.

On behalf of the NHTSA team, thanks for your proactive support of bicycle safety.

Registration is now open online for the 2023 Idealease/NPTC Safety Seminars!

Data Utilization in Transportation Safety

Idealease and the National Private Truck Council NPTC will again host safety seminars in 2023.  The one-day seminar this year will focus on data available from trucks today with regard to safety, basic safety and compliance, regulation changes, and CSA. The seminars will be provided to all Idealease customers, potential customers, and NPTC members at no charge.   The seminar provides essential information applicable to both novice and experienced transportation professionals.  Seminars currently available for registration have their venues secured.  If you cannot register for the seminar in your area, check back, as registration availability will be added as the venues are secured.  This information will be updated weekly in this bulletin.  To register for an upcoming seminar in 2023, click on the following link:

http://www.idealease.com/safety-seminar-registration                  

FALL SEMINARS (Sept-Oct)

*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.