• Commercial Accident Reduction Targeting: C A.R.T.
• What You Need to Know about Drivers and DUI Violations
• Making the New Year a Time for Improving your Productivity and Job Satisfaction!
• Winter Safety 
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Commercial Accident Targeting Reduction: C.A.R.T. 

As the old saying goes, "There is always two sides to every story". This is never more true than in the frequency and severity measurements of this month's C.A.R.T.: Upset Loss Control. This time of the year brings the inherently unsafe seasonal conditions of winter driving; snow, ice, low visibility, rapid weather changes, etc... knowing that winter driving is dangerous is important. But, pinpointing the root cause of this loss is critical! All of the obvious winter driving hazards are added to the most subtle and dangerous loss exposure: Lack of Tolerance for Narrow Escape.

The major suspects for frequency and severity in winter driving losses are: the close call, the near miss and narrow escape. Findings from the Heinrich’s industrial studies indicate that a worker will incur 300 narrow escapes before suffering a serious loss. The studies number is an average of narrow escapes. After driving on good roads Spring, Summer and Fall, now is the time to not just winterize your rig but your driving habits as well. With the first month of the year here, it's not time to let your guard down with regard to safe driving. Reconfirm your pledge of: "Sign on for safety in 1997."

Upset/Loss Control

Loss Frequency: The frequency of potential upset/loss control accidents is increased by wheel lockup and skidding.
Loss Severity: Your potential for a serious upset/loss control accidents is increased by overdriving road conditions and speeding.

A Professional Driver's Approach

Seeing Skills: In wet conditions slow down and increase your following distance from 4 seconds to 8 seconds.
Thinking Skills: In wet conditions low temperatures will increase the potential for ice. Keep an eye on your trailing water vapor.
Action Skills: Always drive within your capabilities-distractions will affect your ability to maintain control, and drive safely.

- Mike Dalton Great West Casualty Company
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
What You Need to Know about Drivers and DUI Violations

With the shortage of "qualified" commercial truck drivers around the nation more and more companies are looking at drivers with substance abuse motor vehicle violations than ever before. "We all should have been there at one time or another," is a comment that is heard all too often - it’s not that simple. When placing a driver into a commercial vehicle you are stating, based on background check and qualifications, that you are confident an individual meets up to or exceeds DOT minimum requirements and he/she does not have a problem with substance abuse, which could pose a hazard to the public. Let’s take two scenarios:

Driver prospect: Bob
Bob is 25 and has two years over the road verifiable truck driving experience. Bob has been accident free and his MVR is free of any violations. The interview with Bob went well as did the road test. The pre-hire's substance testing came back negative. Additional information also might suggest that Bob is happily married, a father of two, and involved in various community events. The latter information in this scenario is not necessary, but it is definitely useful in making a qualified decision on a driver's aptitude and attitude.

Driver prospect: Eddy
Eddy is 45 years old and has been driving truck over the road for most of his life. A background check shows that not only has Eddy hopped around a lot from job to job, but he has also falsified his application by leaving out a couple of employers where his departure was not all that friendly. Eddy did fine on his road test and his substance screening came back negative. Additional checking, offered by previous employers, also suggested Eddy has been married three times, has three kids, and runs into alimony problems from time to time. Eddy also had a DUI on his MVR two years ago and another DUI on his MVR four years ago. Both instances were in a private auto and Eddy claims, "I was going through a rough period." These scenarios are clearer than most in suggesting a potential substance abuse problem, which should send up a red flag. If Eddy were hired without consulting with a substance abuse professional for their advice (i.e.. counselor, doctor, etc.) the trucking company is stating that, based on the information they were provided, they felt Eddy had no problem. Two weeks after being hired Eddy rear-ends a car while driving the company truck under dispatch. The post accident test detects a small amount of alcohol and the plaintiff’s attorney (after reviewing Eddy’s history) suggests that the trucking company knowingly placed a driver with a history of substance abuse into a commercial motor vehicle, endangering the motoring public and causing injury to his client. The court finds in favor of the plaintiff for property damage, bodily injury, and punitive damages against the trucking firm in the amount of $100,000 for negligent hiring. As we know, punitive damages are non-insurable damages in most states and are handed out to penalize and make example of wrongful practices. This scenario was an easy one.

When hiring a driver with a DUI, or continuing to allow a driver to operate a commercial vehicle under lease after receiving a DUI, you are suggesting that you have done your due diligence and are reasonably sure that the driver does not have a substance abuse problem that could endanger the motoring public. This goes for company drivers, leased drivers, and owner operators. The best way to minimize your risk for negligence in the event of a liability claim is to seek professional advice. Obtain a letter from a qualified substance abuse professional that in their opinion, the driver does not have a drinking problem and is able to control his/her consumption. Yes, there is a shortage of drivers, but let’s do our homework and make good decisions on the people we place on the road. Taking the time necessary now to make a sound qualification decision will save headaches later on. Perhaps many of us should have been there at one time or another, but even one DUI suggests a potential for substance abuse problems.

-Shawn Sullivan, President, Truck Writers, Inc.
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Making the New Year a Time for Improving your Productivity and Job Satisfaction!

What's going on with your career? Make a list of all the people, responsibilities and activities that currently impact your job. Include all the ways you are spending your time, including operational activities, projects, and paperwork.

Decide where you would like to be. List all the activities you hope to take on. Include your future goals, the things you like to do, and the things you do not enjoy.

Find a way to get there. Evaluate your feelings about these changes and make a list of steps to achieve them. You should be spending the greatest amount of time on the important and enjoyable elements - if you aren’t, pinpoint mismatches. Those imbalances are excellent issues to consider in your personal 1997 goal-planning process. 
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Winter Safety

Many injuries are caused by wearing inappropriate footwear during adverse weather conditions. The data indicates that slips, trips and falls are directly responsible for many winter related injuries. We can prevent a majority of these injuries by simply placing an emphasis on traction. Rubber or slip-resistant composite soles with low heals increase stability. Correct footwear is the key!
- Lucas McDonald, Safety Director, Truck Writers, Inc.