driver safety

New year, new SAFE habits. Make 2025 your safest year yet behind the wheel by sharpening your defensive driving skills. When you drive defensively, you can protect yourself, others, your rig and your cargo, no matter how badly other motorists behave.

Expect the unexpected, react calmly and confidently, and steer clear of accidents with these eight tips.

1. Scan the Road Ahead

Keep your eyes peeled for pedestrians, cyclists, traffic backups, work zones and other potential hazards. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recommends scanning ahead by about 15 seconds (roughly a quarter-of-a-mile) on highways and one-to-two blocks in city traffic.

2. Give Yourself Some Space

Allow for plenty of reaction time in the event of an unexpected lane change or stoppage by maintaining proper following distance. Keep at least 4 seconds of space between you and the vehicle ahead when driving 40 mph. Add an extra second for every additional 10 mph. Remember, you may need to increase this distance even further depending on current road conditions or traffic.

3. Watch Your Blind Spots

The most dangerous parts of your truck are those you can’t see. Check your mirrors every 8 to 10 seconds to assess what’s happening around all sides of your vehicle.

4. Look for a Way Out

Try to avoid situations where your vehicle can be boxed in by other motorists. Develop a plan for how you’ll respond should another vehicle or object enter your path, possibly by using the shoulder of the road or moving into a clear lane of traffic. It’s a good idea to check your local news report to ensure your path is clear before heading out for the day.

5. Make Your Rig Visible to Others

Practice responsible driving behaviors and lead by example. Use your turn signals whenever changing lanes or making a turn. Use your four ways in an emergency. Make sure your brake lights work properly so other motorists know you’re stopping. Use your horn only when absolutely necessary.

6. Expect Other Drivers To Be Aggressive

When you see other drivers speeding, tailgating or running red lights, resist the urge to make eye contact with them or gesture at them. Instead, ease your frustration by backing off the throttle and taking a few deep breaths.

7. Avoid Distractions

Avoid texting, talking on the phone, eating and listening to loud music while driving. Not only is this illegal in many states but the FMCSA prohibits these types of actions from professional drivers in a CMV.

8. Slow Down and Buckle Up

Always wear your seatbelt and drive at an appropriate speed within the posted speed limit. Adjust your speed down due to weather, traffic and vehicle load so you can keep control of your rig at all times.

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Professional drivers, when it comes to the 2024 holiday season, the calendar is not on your side.

A late Thanksgiving has compressed the holiday rush, meaning more traffic, tighter schedules and heightened risks heading into Christmas Day. Plus, many parts of the country have already seen their first snowfalls, creating treacherous driving conditions.

The best way to stay safe amid the holiday hustle and bustle is to give yourself the gift of patience. Follow these eight tips:

1. Plan ahead. According to AAA, drivers can expect 20% longer travel times during the holiday rush, especially in major cities. Account for these delays by building extra time into your route planning. Try to avoid peak travel times like rush hours. Find alternate routes around shopping malls and other holiday hotspots.

2. Slow down and buckle up. Always wear a seatbelt, and drive at or below posted speed limits. Reduce your speed by about one-third on a wet road and by one-half or more on icy or snow-packed roads.

3. Anticipate the unexpected. Last year, 115.2 million people traveled 50 miles or more during the holiday season, according to AAA. Heavy traffic increases the odds of other drivers making sudden lane changes, stopping unexpectedly or missing their exits. Allow extra following distance to give yourself extra reaction time and avoid accidents.

4. Limit distractions. Never text or use your phone while driving. Also, expect other motorists to be more distracted than usual during the holidays.

5. Watch for impaired driving. Look for signs of drunk and drowsy drivers, such as frequent braking, unsteady speed and weaving between lanes. And, of course, never get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol.

6. Be winter-weather ready. Pack tire chains, blankets, a shovel and other cold-weather gear. Check the forecast before each leg of your route. Change your wipers. Drain air tanks daily in cold weather. Keep your windshield, mirrors, brake lights and license plate clear of ice and snow.

7. Keep your vehicle well-maintained. Conduct thorough pre-trip inspections, including checks of your tire’s wear and air pressure, brakes, lights and fluid levels. Secure all loads properly.

8. Take your breaks. Avoid holiday fatigue by following Hours of Service rules and taking 30-minute breaks after 8 cumulative hours.

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Extreme weather conditions can create unexpected mechanical issues, safety concerns and possible delays, but proactive weatherproofing can help keep equipment running and protect drivers.

“Servicing and maintaining critical vehicle components ahead of severe weather can help prevent breakdowns, control costs and improve overall efficiency,” said Chris Hough, vice president of maintenance design and engineering at Penske Truck Leasing.

Electrical and Air System Checks

Electrical and air systems are the two areas most affected by cold temperatures. Proactive electrical system maintenance is critical to limiting electrical system issues. It is also essential to test batteries, replace them if needed, and clean battery terminals and cable connections. Any corrosion or buildup can inhibit electrical flow.

Batteries can fail under the high starting load they face in cold weather, so it is important to limit parasitic draw when trucks are parked. “Unplug driver convenience items such as coolers, TVs or other add-on items anytime a unit sits idle for a day or longer,” Hough said.

Air drier desiccant filters need to be changed regularly to maintain air system health. Hough also recommends drivers take time daily to ensure the vehicle's air system is water-free. Moisture in the tanks can freeze, affecting braking systems and other critical components.

Pre and Post-Trip Inspections

Drivers' pre and post-trip inspections are always necessary, and some items need extra attention in the winter. Hough recommends drivers inspect the wiper blades to ensure they are not torn or damaged, and double-check the windshield solvent level and top off if they are low.

Drivers should check to ensure all lighting is free of snow and ice buildup and clean as necessary, drain the air tanks often, and always ensure the truck's safety equipment is present. “Triangles and a fire extinguisher are two examples,” Hough said.

As vehicle safety technology evolves, there are more and more sensors on the vehicle, which can malfunction if blocked. “If the front radar sensor becomes covered with ice or snow, the driver may receive a system notification from the dash cluster that the ‘Radar sensor is blocked,’” Hough said.

To help prevent the issue, drivers can use a broom or small brush to dust off the ice or snow during pre-trip inspections. If drivers are already on the road, Hough recommends they find a safe place to pull off the road, inspect the radar then remove the ice or snow. “The windshield area in front of the camera must also be free of snow and ice,” he added.

Block Heaters

Plugging in block heaters when a unit is parked can help ensure vehicles start up again. Vehicles operating in cold regions are typically spec’d with a cold-weather package with pre-installed block heaters.

“Most of today's block heaters are thermostat-controlled and will only draw electric power when the coolant temperature drops below a preset set temperature,” Hough said. “The thermostatically controlled heater system decreases the energy required to maintain the correct coolant/oil temperature.”

Winterized Diesel Fuel

Diesel fuel can gel as temperatures drop, clogging a diesel fuel line and preventing trucks from starting. Penske pretreats fuel at most of its locations with additives that prevent gelling. Treatment typically begins on Nov. 1 and goes into March.

Plus, Penske’s fueling locations are full service, so drivers can remain in the cab, which can be an added convenience in cold weather. Penske's employees also walk around the tractor and trailer and check for maintenance issues, such as mud flaps, headlights or taillights that need repair.

If drivers cannot fuel at a Penske location and are in an area where ambient temperatures are expected to drop below the cold filter plugging point of the fuel, they can treat vehicle saddle tanks with one bottle per saddle tank of RED ALERT™. The driver should allow the vehicle to run long enough for the product to circulate through the fuel system before being shut down for the night. RED ALERT will also re-liquefy gelled fuel, if necessary.

Tire Conditions

Tire condition is also essential for performing in icy and snowy conditions. Tread depth should be a minimum of 5/32 inches for winter driving. Air contracts as temperatures drop, and cold weather can reduce tire pressure, decreasing traction. Tire pressures should be checked regularly and adjusted as needed.

Drivers should also ensure tire chains are in proper condition and they have working flares and triangles.

At some point in your driving career, the unexpected may strike — whether it’s a breakdown, an accident or another emergency on the road. The question is: Are you prepared to respond when something unforeseen happens?

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Safety is critical in the trucking industry. A robust safety program not only keeps drivers and cargo safe but also reduces the risk of an accident, ensures compliance with regulatory standards and keeps operations running efficiently. Leasing can be a cost-effective strategy to enhance a company’s safety program.

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Safety is a critical concern for fleets and professional drivers, and onboard safety technology is a powerful tool to enhance drivers’ ability to control a motor vehicle, improve reaction times, reduce liability and even help control insurance costs.

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What do you get when you add up the early sunsets of autumn with the end of Daylight Saving time? A lot more hours of driving in the dark.

Nighttime driving creates many additional hazards for professional truck drivers. While only 25% of all driving in the U.S. happens at night, half of all fatal crashes occur after dark, says the National Safety Council (NSC).

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Pre- and post-trip inspections are essential to fleet safety. Drivers are also legally required to conduct pre- and post-trip inspections by the Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Thorough inspections ensure regulatory compliance, help prevent roadside violations and minimize the risk of over-the-road failures.

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Driver shortage issues have shifted as capacity has fluctuated. However, the fundamentals behind the driver shortage have not disappeared, and it remains a top industry concern. The right equipment and technology can appeal to drivers and give fleets a competitive advantage when building and retaining their pool of drivers.

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As a professional driver, you might travel new routes every day. But the rules of the road can change depending on the landscape and road conditions around you.

Urban routes require lots of starting and stopping. Rural roads can get isolated and tricky. Highways offer their own unique challenges. And if you haven’t driven on one of these types of routes for a little while, adjusting can be tricky.

Prepare yourself by knowing the biggest risks and following these top safety tips for each type of road.

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With holiday traffic volumes expected to be at increased levels this year, professional drivers can expect to share the road with millions of motorists nationwide. But the highways won’t be the only crowded place. Truck stops and rest areas will be jam-packed, too!

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Summer is winding down, which means school will be back in session soon. As school buses and their precious cargo – children and teenagers – return to the roads, professional drivers should proceed with extra caution. These five areas bring the biggest challenges and require your utmost attention:

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Are the brakes on your vehicle doing their job? Knowing the answer could keep you safer on the road and save you time and money.

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Summertime doesn’t just make the temperature soar. Other drivers on the road get short-tempered in hot weather, too, increasing the risk for dangerous and aggressive driving behaviors.

The best way to keep your cool is to avoid aggressive driving at all costs by being a defensive driver and avoid reckless, careless and otherwise dangerous driving. What does that mean?

Reckless driving is driving with willful or blatant disregard for the safety of people or property.

Careless or dangerous driving is driving without reasonable consideration for other motorists or people on the road or otherwise driving in an unsafe manner placing yourself and others at risk of injury.

Whenever law enforcement personnel see the signs of reckless, careless or dangerous driving, they’ll pull you over. Last year, a total of 5,756 warnings and 4,494 citations were issued during the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) annual Operation Safe Driver Week.

Don’t run the risk of a citation or accident. Avoid these top 5 dangerous driving behaviors:

1. Speeding: Always drive at or below the posted speed limit. Slow down even further during storms or while driving on rain-soaked roads.

Speeding was a factor in 26% of all traffic fatalities in 2018, killing 9,378 people. (National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, NHTSA)

2. Distracted driving: Avoid anything that takes your eyes off the road or hands off the steering wheel, even for a second! This includes talking or texting on a phone, using dispatch devices, eating, reading, adjusting the radio, or looking at passing billboards, buildings or people.

Distracted driving claimed 3,142 lives in 2019. (NHTSA)

3. Drunk or drugged driving: Never operate any vehicle, including CMV’s, while under the influence of alcohol, marijuana or other banned substances. When you get caught, you will be disqualified from driving.

Drunk driving claims the lives of 1 person every 52 minutes. (NHTSA)

4. Following too closely: Maintain a following distance of one second for each 10 feet of vehicle length. Add a second if you’re driving over 40 mph.

Rear-end crashes account for 29% of all crashes. (NHTSA)

5. Not wearing a seat belt: Federal law requires CMV drivers to always wear seat belts. They remain one of the cheapest, easiest ways to protect yourself behind the wheel.

Seat belts saved 14,955 lives in 2017 alone. (NHTSA)

A few other risky driving behaviors to avoid: Changing lanes frequently, not using turn signals while changing lanes, disobeying traffic signs, cutting off other motorists and falling asleep while driving.

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, also called ADAS, are designed to augment driver capabilities and enhance safety. They also have the added benefits of increasing driver comfort and improving the overall driving experience.

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Fleets are using technology to improve truck driver safety and shape driver habits. Onboard safety technology improves safety and can increase efficiency, reduce liability and cut costs — but fleets need to gain driver acceptance of any new solutions.

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You leave your truck for the night and return the next morning. In between, anything could happen. How do you know your vehicle is still in tip-top shape? You won’t unless you conduct a thorough pre-trip inspection.

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Original equipment manufacturers are constantly developing new technology, safety enhancements and comfort features, and running late-model equipment can give fleets a competitive advantage. Benefits of new OEM technology include:

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It typically begins with a simple yawn. Next thing you know, your eyes feel heavy. You find yourself turning up the radio or opening a window. Then you realize you forgot the last few miles you drove and wonder how you traveled so far without realizing it.

What’s happening? It’s fatigue, and it’s one of the most common and dangerous safety risks for professional drivers. About 65% of truck drivers say they feel fatigued while driving, according to the American Transportation Research Institute. What’s worse, fatigue plays a role in 31% of all deadly truck crashes, says the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The good news is that staying more alert while driving is well within your control. Try one or more of these seven smart strategies to beat fatigue behind the wheel. You may just save a life!

1. Take your breaks. Always follow Hours of Service (HOS) regulations and take a minimum of 30-minute breaks every 8 hours. Try to find your own rhythm. For example, you may be more alert if you take shorter breaks every two-to-three hours instead of “saving” your break for that eighth hour on the road.

2. Get your sleep. Aim to sleep for seven to eight hours every night. If possible, avoid or limit driving mid-afternoon (between 2 – 4 p.m.) or overnight (between midnight – 6 a.m.), times when the body is naturally drowsy.

3. Watch what you eat and drink. Skip fast food, vending machines, and other types of food that lack nutrition. Instead, pack healthier meals. Choose fruits, vegetables, nuts or string cheese for snacks. Don’t eat a heavy meal right before bed. But don’t go to bed hungry, either. Avoid sodas and other sugary drinks. Choose water instead so you can stay hydrated.

4. Stay active and fit. While you can’t exercise while driving, you can add some physical activity during your breaks and during your off time. Take a brisk walk. Do some stretching exercises. Aim for 20 minutes of physical activity at least three days a week. Being physically fit lowers your chances of fatigue.

5. Check your medicines. Sleeping pills, allergy medications and cold medications can make you drowsy. Avoid or limit them whenever possible. Always ensure you discuss any medications and their side effects with your doctor.

6. Avoid the traps. Many drivers think that they can fight fatigue by smoking, turning up the radio, or opening a window. Those activities may refresh you for a few seconds, but they won’t keep you alert for the long haul. If tired, do the right thing, pull to a safe area, and take a break!

7. Don’t tough it out. If you start yawning, making sudden lane changes or start to grow irritable, it’s a good bet you’re tired. Find a safe, legal place to park, such as a truck stop or well-lit rest area, and take a break.

If you think people are driving faster these days, you’re probably right. But it’s wise to think twice before you decide to try and keep up.

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