Truckers and other road users need to be aware of the safety initiatives as they hit the highways and byways. Certain dates throughout the year are key to trucking safety and accident prevention. These include Brake Safety Week, CVSA Roadcheck, and the 72-Hour Inspection Blitz. These events remind us to maintain a safe following distance, understand braking distance, and use defensive driving techniques.
Brake Safety Week: August 25-31
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) hosts Brake Safety Week every year. This event is all about checking the brakes on big trucks and other commercial vehicles. Its goal is to reduce rear-end crashes by making sure truckers keep their brakes in good working order. Inspectors will be doing thorough checks to make sure brakes work during this week to make the roads safer.
Maintaining a safe stopping distance is key for big vehicles. Semi-trucks have a greater vehicle length, which means they need to have a greater distance between themselves and the vehicle ahead in order to make a safe stop. This distance might seem like too much for other cars, but a loaded truck needs a lot more distance to stop than a car. So truckers need to leave space between their vehicle and the one in front. This prevents rear-end collisions by giving drivers time to react when traffic slows or changes.
Operation Safe Driver Week: July 7-13
Operation Safe Driver Week is an annual window where the DOT takes extra attention to unsafe driving practices. While this is not specifically targeted to truck drivers like the other events are, they are more likely to be stopped due to the time they spend on the road. Safe Driver Week focuses on the following violations.
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Following too closely
- Impaired driving
- Failure to obey traffic control devices
- Lane restriction violations
To avoid DOT violations during this time it is important to stay aware of what is coming.
72-Hour Inspection Blitz: May 14-16
The CVSA Roadcheck has a big impact on the trucking industry. It’s 72 hours long and typically takes place during the month of May, although the dates change from year to year. During this time, inspectors will be checking commercial vehicles. The CVSA roadcheck focuses on different things each year, so it is important to stay aware of when it is coming and what to be ready for. Some trucking companies like ShipEX will post social media videos giving drivers a heads up on when it is coming and how to prepare so they can avoid DOT violations. Increasing road safety will lower the chances of a car accident.
Tips for Truckers
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Maintain a Safe Following Distance: Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front to allow time for evasive action and sudden stops. Increase this distance in bad weather or heavy rain.
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Defensive Driving: Always be aware of other drivers and anticipate their actions. Defensive driving techniques like maintaining a safe distance and watching out for blind spots can prevent accidents.
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Obey Speed Limits: Follow posted speed limits and adjust speed according to road conditions, traffic, and weather. Slow down in bad weather or heavy traffic to reduce rear-end crashes.
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Stay Alert: Avoid distractions and stay focused on the road ahead. Distracted driving can delay reaction time and increase the chance of car accidents.
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Regular Vehicle Inspections: Check your brakes, tires, and other critical components regularly to ensure your vehicle is in good working order. This will maintain safe driving conditions and reduce mechanical failures.
End
Mark these dates in your calendar and be prepared all year round. As a trucker safety always comes first and these inspection windows help you to put safety first. Avoid DOT issues by being prepared. Stay informed, stay safe, truck on!
