TAKE
CARE OF YOURSELF!
The most important part of a moving truck or bus is the driver!
Get plenty of rest before getting behind the wheel. Eat well
and stay fit. Remember, hours of service violations are serious
and can threaten your livelihood or even your life. Stay healthy
and well rested, or don't drive!
ALWAYS
MAINTAIN YOUR VEHICLE
Inspect your vehicle before each trip and check your brakes
regularly. Learn how to inspect your brakes, identify safety
defects, and get them repaired before risking your life and
others on the highway.
BE
AWARE OF YOUR "NO-ZONE"
Other drivers may not be aware of the size of your truck's
blind spots. Be vigilant in watching out for vehicles in the
No-Zone. The No-Zone represents the danger areas, or blind
spots, around trucks and buses where crashes are more likely
to occur. One-third of all crashes between large trucks and
cars take place in the No-Zone.
SLOW
DOWN IN WORK ZONES
Watch out for highway construction. Stay alert. Work zone
crashes are more likely to happen during the day. Almost one-third
of fatal crashes in work zones involved large trucks. Take
your time going through work zones and give yourself plenty
of room. Expect the unexpected!
ALWAYS
KEEP YOUR DISTANCE
Always leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front
of you. If you hit someone from behind, you are typically
considered "at fault," regardless of the situation. Large
trucks require more stopping distances than other vehicles.
Take advantage of your driving height, and anticipate braking
situations.
FASTEN
YOUR SEAT BELT
Buckle up for safety and control. If you are in a crash, a
seat belt can save your life and those around you. It will
keep you in your seat and allow you to maintain control of
your truck or bus. A major cause of truck and bus driver fatalities
involves being ejected from the vehicle. Wearing seat belts,
is still the single most effective thing all drivers can do
to save lives and reduce injures on our roadways.
ALWAYS
DRIVE DEFENSIVELY
Avoid aggressive drivers! It's estimated that each year two-thirds
of all traffic fatalities are caused by aggressive driving
behaviors. Keep your distance and maintain a safe speed. The
only thing speed will increase is your chance for a crash.
WORK
TO HELP YOURSELVES
Be the professional on the highway and at safety events! Help
stranded motorists; notify traffic safety agencies of crashes,
unsafe drivers, unsafe roadway conditions, and other situations
that can lead to crashes. Join a "Highway Watch" program,
if available in your state. Your participation in public safety
events and your performance on the highway can change public
perception!
TELL
US WHAT IS WRONG
If you know of unsafe situations, tell us about it. This includes
unsafe companies, unsafe drivers, unsafe roadways, and unsafe
vehicles. The following "hotlines" are maintained for your
protection. Please call us to help make the roads safer and
your job easier.
FMCSA
Driver Hotline: 1-888-DOT-SAFT (368-7238)
NHTSA Vehicle Hotline: 1-888-327-4236
To
find out more information, visit our Related
Links page
LINKS:
Truck and Bus Drivers Sharing the Road
Safely
No-Zone
Information
No-Zone
Campaign Demonstrations
No-Zone
Decal Programs
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