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“Slow the Hell Down and Drive Defensively”

“Slow the Hell Down and Drive Defensively”

By Jim Maltby, Corporate Director of Health, Safety, Security and Environmental Management, Lynden Transport and Tyler Bones, Safety Manager of Lynden Alaska West Express

According to executives at Lynden Transport, “Slow the Hell Down and Drive Defensively” is a crucial step in remaining safe on the road, especially during the upcoming winter months when driving conditions worsen. Of course, safety technology and a comprehensive safety program are defining factors for fleets looking to navigate the winter months unscathed.

Lynden drivers travel cross-country and encounter some of the worst weather Mother Nature can muster—including in the oilfields in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, located 250 miles north of the Arctic Circle. As a result, they’ve had to learn the best ways to ensure not only their safety, but that of the vehicles surrounding them.

As harsh weather and poor driving conditions are universal concerns for drivers and fleet managers across the country, Lynden offers five tips for navigating the challenges of winter driving:

5 Top Tips to Stay Safe This Winter Season

1. Have a Clear “Stop Work” Authority Program: Work to identify fatigue and support your drivers in their decisions to stay off the road.

• Empower your drivers to make decisions. If a driver deems it unsafe to travel, then they should find a safe place to wait out the storm.
• If a driver has been driving for a long time in bad weather, he/she may be fighting fatigue and/or snow blindness and should stop driving in order to rest. Video-based safety programs, like SmartDrive, can help in identifying the issue before it becomes dangerous.

2. Route Planning: It’s important to know the current weather conditions and forecasts for the area your drivers are traveling through.

• Encourage drivers to travel on major highways as they’re more likely to be plowed and maintained. Always be sure your drivers tell someone the route they’re driving.
• Work closely with your state truck association as they get weather forecasts immediately and distribute them just as fast. Be sure to post these forecasts in your terminals and email them to keep all parties informed.
• Keep your dispatch communications working and functional.

3. Driving Habits: Encourage drivers to stay focused and keep their head in the game.

• Ensure drivers are practicing top notch safety habits while on the road, including avoiding distractions and keeping focus. Remind them to keep their cell phone charged BUT do not use while driving!
• Train drivers to slow down and allow more space between them and the vehicles around them, as well as maintain more braking distance than they do in decent weather.
• If bad habits persist, work to identify and target persistent bad habits with constructive coaching. Lynden taps the power of the SmartDrive platform to identify risky driving and manage coaching workflows, ensuring safety remains top of mind fleet-wide.

4. Equipment: Ensure drivers take extra time to conduct a thorough equipment check before heading out on the road.

• Be sure windshield wipers are in excellent condition.
• Remove built-up snow on tractors and trailers.
• Verify that there is plenty of fuel and all fluids are full.
• Check tires and make sure chains are in perfect condition.
• Confirm drivers have crucial survival supplies including enough food and water, as well as a flashlight. No matter where they are, truckers can face unexpected life and death situations.

5. Survival Gear: Remind drivers to be prepared for long delays.

• Have tool kits to ensure drivers can make field repairs so they can get to a safe haven.
• Have arctic gear—winter boots, coveralls, gloves, sleeping bags, portable heaters, water heater, etc.
• Stock up on food, water and dry goods.
• Check emergency survival kit to ensure everything is working.
• Be sure gear is ready to grab in case the driver has to abandon their vehicle.

Winter weather doesn’t wait for December 21. Nor should you. Be informed. Be prepared.
Safe driving and happy holidays!

  • Posted by Melissa.Senoff@smartdrive.net
  • On December 10, 2018
Tags: Blog, Jim Maltby, Lynden