So, considering this week, October 15th through 21st, has been deemed by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) as Operation Safe Driver Week, it’s a great opportunity to discuss the importance of safety training as it pertains to the operation of CMV’s. Enforcement will be out in full force this week targeting what they consider dangerous driving behavior. FMCSA data has shown that up to 88% of large truck crashes can be contributed to “driver behavior”. I’m not sure I totally agree with those figures, but I do know from experience that a well-trained driver is a safer driver.
I understand the frustrations that you, as drivers, come in contact with every day out on the road. Whether it be traffic, four wheelers that might be moving a little too slow for your liking, dispatchers that are constantly texting and calling you and, of course, the easiest violation to avoid, “no seat belt”. These are all issues that CVSA has prioritized during this period. So, stay calm and be professional. You don’t have to arrive first. You just have to arrive on time and alive. Dispatchers are under pressure to keep their customers up to date in real-time, but they must also understand that drivers are not able to respond immediately. Have a conversation and work out a solution. Buckle up, be professional, and let the public see the shiny side of our industry.
Be safe, be smart.
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me at steve.hawk@hawkfreight.com or www.hawkcompliance.com.
Steve Hawk has over 45 years of experience in the trucking industry, Hawk Compliance is committed to keeping industry members informed and compliant with all Federal, State and City regulations.
(Publisher’s Note: Training Tuesday is an ongoing series with Hawk Compliance to be used as an educational resource for fleet managers, dispatchers, and drivers)
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