COUNTERMEASURE
Objective:
To reduce motor carrier fleet accident rates by establishing a company standard
for safe driving.
Description:
A
preventable accident is one which occurs because the driver fails to act in a
reasonably expected manner to prevent it. In judging whether the driver's
actions were reasonable, one seeks to determine whether the driver drove
defensively and demonstrated an acceptable level of skill and knowledge. The
judgment of what is reasonable can be based on a company-adopted definition,
thus establishing a goal for its safety management programs.
Note that the above
definition of preventable accident is focused on the actions of the driver. It
is the commonly used definition in evaluating driver performance. A broader
definition, which can be used to evaluate the driver's and the motor carrier's
actions, is given by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations as follows:
Preventable accident on the part of a motor carrier means an accident (1) that
involved a commercial motor vehicle, and (2) that could have been averted but
for an act, or failure to act, by the motor carrier, or the driver.
The concept of a
preventable accident is a fleet safety management tool which achieves the
following goals:
-
It helps establish a
safe driving standard for the driver.
-
It provides a criterion
for evaluating individual drivers.
-
It provides an
objective for accident investigations and evaluations.
-
It provides a means for
evaluating the safety performance of individual drivers and the fleet as a
whole.
-
It provides a means for
monitoring the effectiveness of fleet safety programs.
-
It assists in dealing
with driver safety infractions.
-
It assists in the
implementation of safe driving recognition programs.
Questions for
Management:
-
Does the company have a
program for investigating accidents ?
-
Is there a company
accident review committee ?
-
Has the company defined
a standard for the safe driving performance of its drivers ?
-
Is the carrier's
standard for safe driving performance sufficiently challenging such that it
would serve to highlight areas for fleet safety improvement ?
-
Are the drivers
instructed as to what the company standard for safe driving is ?
-
Are the drivers
instructed about company procedure for evaluating the preventability of
accidents?
References:
M1; M2; M4; M5.
DRIVER
QUALIFICATIONS AND PERFORMANCE A2
COUNTERMEASURE
Objective:
To improve motor carrier fleet safety by recruiting qualified drivers and
monitoring the performance and qualifications of existing drivers.
Description:
The great majority of preventable accidents can be shown to be directly related
to the performance of the driver. It is therefore extremely productive to any
fleet safety program to have careful new driver selection and adequate
monitoring procedures for existing drivers.
Questions for
Management:
When hiring new drivers:
-
Are recruiting efforts
sufficient to attract an adequate number of qualified applicants for
effective selection ?
-
Is there an established
formal procedure for interviewing, testing and screening applicants ?
-
Is there a defined
standard of skill and knowledge to be met by successful applicants ?
-
Are appropriate methods
being utilized to check out previous employment history and references ?
-
Is the prior driving
record being checked ?
-
Are the applicants'
physical qualifications checked ?
-
Monitoring existing
drivers' qualifications:
-
Is there a formal
program for monitoring drivers' qualifications ?
-
Is there a periodic
review of the driving record ?
-
Is there a periodic
review of the drivers' health ?
-
Are drivers monitored
for drug and alcohol abuse ?
-
Is there a means for
identifying deficiencies in drivers' skills and knowledge and a procedure
for remedial training ?
-
Is there an established
procedure for terminating unqualified drivers ?
References:
FMCSR Part 391. M1; M2; C1; C2.
SAFE DRIVING
RECOGNITION A3
COUNTERMEASURE
Objective:
To encourage safe driving and improve driver awareness of safety.
Description:
Safe
driving recognition or incentive programs should be an integral part of a formal
fleet safety program. Such programs identify superior driving performance and
set forth the selected drivers as examples to be emulated by the rest of the
fleet. Such programs can be generated internally within the company or through
participation in national safe driver award programs conducted by associations
such as the National Safety Council or the American Trucking Associations.
Questions for
Management:
-
Does the company have a
formal safe driver recognition and incentive program ?
-
Is there participation
in a company driver recognition program or in national award programs ?
-
Does the company have a
means for evaluating driver performance ?
Management Tips:
-
Use safe driving
recognition to:
-
encourage safe driving
performance
-
heighten driver safety
awareness
-
foster driver
professionalism
-
focus the monitoring of
individual driver performance and skills
-
help monitor fleet
performance and effectiveness of the fleet safety program
References:
FMCSR Part 383 Subpart C and G; Part 385 M1; M2; C3.
DRIVER SAFETY
INFRACTIONS A4
COUNTERMEASURE
Objective:
To improve fleet safety by remedial training or termination of unqualified
drivers.
Description:
Driving
is a profession requiring skill, knowledge, physical and mental health and
character integrity. Public safety and company reputation requires that drivers
be fully qualified. Drivers who are not qualified should receive remedial
training or be terminated if they cannot be brought up to the necessary level of
competence.
Questions for
Management:
-
Does the carrier have a
formal review program for driver qualification ?
-
Do all the drivers meet
the FMCSR qualification requirements ?
-
Does the company have a
standard for safe driving ?
-
Is there a company
policy for issuing reprimands and terminations ?
-
Is a progressive
disciplinary action a feature of the policy ?
-
Are remedial training
programs available ?
-
Is remedial training
included in the progressive discipline ?
References:
FMCSR Part 391 M1; M2.
DRINKING AND
SUBSTANCE ABUSE A5
COUNTERMEASURE
Objective:
To prevent accidents caused by drivers under the influence by identifying and
controlling abusers.
Description:
It
has been well documented that drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs
have been involved in about half of all fatal traffic accidents. Drinking or
substance abuse by drivers of alcohol or drugs cannot be tolerated. Company
management must be acutely aware of the seriousness of this societal problem and
establish procedures to effectively control it within their respective
organizations.
Questions for
Management:
-
Are the driving records
and references of new-hire applicants checked thoroughly for evidence of
drinking or substance abuse problems ?
-
Has a written policy
been established which stipulates countermeasures that will be followed when
dealing with abusers ?
-
Has a formal policy
been made known to all drivers ?
-
Do drivers' immediate
supervisors and dispatchers know how to identify personnel under the
influence ?
-
Are immediate
supervisors and dispatchers motivated to notify management about problem
drivers ?
-
Has management educated
drivers about the ways in which drinking and substance abuse affect driving
performance ?
-
Does the company have a
list of references and potential sources for help available to drivers ?
Management Tips:
-
Be aware of marked
changes in work behavior, personal relations, emotional moods and appearance
of your drivers.
-
Immediate supervisors
are in the best position to observe unusual driver behavior.
-
Do a thorough job in
screening applicants regarding drinking and substance abuse.
-
Your company can't
afford to deal with the problems abusers will give you.
Driving Tips:
-
Don't drink and drive.
-
Don't abuse drugs,
legal or illegal.
-
Find out if
prescription or over-the-counter medications may adversely affect safe
driving.
-
Get help fast if you
have, or think you may have an abuse problem.
References:
FMCSR Part 383.51; 383.53; 391 Subpart H; 392.4; 392.5.
ILLNESS AND
FATIGUE A6
COUNTERMEASURE
Objective:
To prevent accidents caused by ill and fatigued drivers through the use of
common sense and by compliance with FMCSR's regarding physical qualifications
and hours-of-service.
Description:
Everyone
understands how ill or fatigued drivers can be a hazard to themselves and
others. Nonetheless, drivers sometimes push their bodies beyond reasonable
limits and become a hazard anyway. This is why comprehensive federal regulations
have been established. In addition to being law, these regulations are useful
guides to both the driver and his supervisors in defining reasonable, sensible
limitations on when medical conditions or duty status calls for rest and no
driving.
Questions for
Management:
-
Are supervisors fully
aware of all the FMCSR's which relate to physical qualifications, medical
examinations and hours-of-service ?
-
Are maximum on-duty and
driving times clearly spelled out to your drivers ?
-
Do you cross-check
driver-logs with odometer readings, fuel receipts and weight scale tickets ?
-
Do you use tachographs
or on-board trip computers if you suspect driver violations ?
-
Have drivers been
explicitly informed how violations will be dealt with ?
Driving Tips:
-
Don't start a long trip
unless you get a good sleep before you go.
-
When possible, schedule
your trips so that you drive when you are normally awake and you sleep when
-
you are normally
asleep. Don't throw off your body clock more than necessary.
-
Be careful with any
kind of medication. Many medicines can make you sleepy.
-
If you get drowsy,
don't drive. You're asking for problems. At least take a short nap until you
can drive somewhere to get a good sleep.
References:
FMCSR Part 391 Subpart E; 392.3; 392.4; 392.5; 395.
FLEET SAFETY
PROGRAM AND SUPERVISION A7
COUNTERMEASURE
Objective:
To improve safe driving performance with an effective fleet safety program.
Description:
Fleet
safe driving performance is dependent on management commitment to the
implementation of a formal fleet safety program. An effective safety program
will interact with most aspects of fleet operations and challenge the skills and
knowledge of its supervisors and drivers.
Questions for
Management:
-
Is there a formal fleet
safety program ?
-
Does your fleet safety
program provide the framework for safety management to:
-
R
recruit and
screen new drivers ?
-
Monitor driver
qualifications and safety infractions ?
-
Provide training to
upgrade driver skills and knowledge ?
-
Provide a formal
mechanism for investigating and reviewing accidents ?
-
Implement safe driving
incentive ?
-
Monitor maintenance and
equipment safety ?
-
Oversee and implement
regulatory compliance ?
-
Establish carrier
safety standards ?
-
Communicate program
goals to drivers and supervisory personnel ?
-
Monitor program
effectiveness ?
-
Offer recognition to
drivers who meet the required standard of performance ?
-
Is there a designated
person with responsibility for safety and compliance with regulations ?
-
Is the safety director
given an opportunity for professional development by attending training
seminars and industry association meetings ?
-
Does the company and
its supervisory staff maintain membership and remain active in trade and
professional associations ?
References:
FMCSR Part 385 M1; M2.
COMPANY DRIVER
MANUALS A8
COUNTERMEASURE
Objective:
To improve fleet safety through improved communication.
Description:
The
company driver manual is a key communication link between the company and its
drivers. It conveniently brings together information about the company, its
policies and procedures. It is indispensable for training new drivers and is a
handy reference for existing drivers. The manual should be progressively
developed and continually updated.
Questions for
Management:
-
Does the company have
an updated manual for its drivers ?
-
Does the manual
describe the fleet safety program ?
-
Does it set forth the
carrier's standards for safe driving ?
-
Is the company
procedure for review and classification of accidents included ?
-
Are the company's
disciplinary procedures explained ?
-
Is the manual regularly
reviewed and updated ?
References:
M1; M2; C1.
DRIVER TRAINING
AIDS A9
COUNTERMEASURE
Objective:
To improve fleet safety through use of training aids.
Description:
The number of driver training aids is so great that the problem is how to
locate, select and evaluate the most appropriate ones for the company. It is
important to determine what mix of audio-visual aids, posters, manuals,
pamphlets and other literature is most effective in improving the company's
training program. Advice is available from a number of organizations.
Questions for
Management:
-
Does the company have a
safety training program ?
-
Are audio-visual aids
being utilized ?
-
Has a recent survey of
available driver training aids been carried out by the company ?
-
What about retraining
for meeting new regulations and license requirements ?
Management Tips:
-
Remember the following
sources of driver training aids:
-
National and State
truck and bus associations
-
Safety organizations
-
Insurance companies
-
Company in-house
productions
-
Private sector
providers and consultants
References:
C1 to C6; D1 to D4.
TRUCK DRIVING
SCHOOLS A10
COUNTERMEASURE
Objective:
To improve fleet safety by improving driver skills and knowledge.
Description:
Truck
driving schools are good sources for motivated young drivers and a means for
remedial training. There are many schools. Some are operated commercially,
others are operated privately by large carriers. Each school is different; with
differing objectives, facilities, and staff orientation. It is important to
check that the curriculum of the school matches the needs of the company, before
the school is selected.
Questions for
Management:
-
Are truck driving
schools being used as a recruiting source ?
-
Has the carrier
considered truck driving schools as a tool for remedial training ?
-
Has the company
identified schools which meet its objectives ?
Management Tips:
-
Sources of information
about truck/bus driving schools:
-
National and State
truck and bus associations
-
I
insurance
companies
-
Accreditation
organizations
-
Some factors to be
considered when selecting a particular school:
-
Curriculum content
-
Adequacy of facilities
-
Compatibility of
training vehicles with company fleet
-
Staff qualifications
and experience
-
Certification
-
Referrals
-
Hours of actual driving
instruction and practice.
References:
D4.
PLANNING
SCHEDULES, LOADS AND ROUTES A11
COUNTERMEASURE
Objective:
To maximize safe driving efficiency through planning at the dispatching level.
Description:
Assisting
the driver with pre-trip planning avoids overburdening the driver with unusual
driving conditions caused by tight schedules, unusual cargoes, and unfamiliar or
hazardous routes.
Questions for
Management:
-
Are Hours-of-Service
statutory regulations enforced ?
-
Are records of driver
duty status maintained ?
-
Does the carrier have a
means of forecasting available driver hours ?
-
Is dispatching planned
to minimize the need for excessive on-duty schedules ?
-
Are tight schedules
minimized and allowances made for adverse weather conditions ?
-
Are dispatchers
knowledgeable in matching cargoes with vehicles during dispatching ?
-
Are drivers instructed
how to deal with sealed cargoes ?
-
How does the company
handle the problem of overloading ?
-
How does the company
instruct drivers with regard to improperly loaded or secured cargoes ?
-
Are routes planned and
drivers coached to avoid high hazard locations ?
-
Are schedules reviewed
to ensure against Hours-of-Service violations ?
References:
FMCSR Part 392.14; Part 395. D1.
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