Driver Safety Exercise

As part of your next driver safety meeting have a driver get into the cab of a unit with the engine shut off and key removed and sit in the proper driving position with the seat belt fastened.  Tell the driver that you are going to have one of his/her fellow drivers go to the back of the truck/trailer and walk away from the unit in a straight line.  Have the driver in the cab blow the horn when he/she can see the other driver in the mirrors.  Before starting the exercise have the drivers guess the total distance from the back of the unit to where the driver will be when the horn blows.  This will show the drivers the distance of the blind spot located directly behind their unit.

If I am stopped on the side of the road, where do I place the warning triangles?

First, activate your 4-way hazard flashers immediately!

 Next place the warning reflective triangles as follows:

• One on the traffic side of and 4 paces (approximately 3 meters or 10 feet) from the stopped commercial motor vehicle in the direction of approaching traffic.
• One at 40 paces (approximately 30 meters or 100 feet) from the stopped commercial motor vehicle in the center of the traffic lane or shoulder occupied by the commercial motor vehicle and in the direction of approaching traffic.
• One at 40 paces (approximately 30 meters or 100 feet) from the stopped commercial motor vehicle in the center of the traffic lane or shoulder occupied by the commercial motor vehicle and in the direction away from approaching traffic.
• Hills, curves, and obstructions. If a commercial motor vehicle is stopped within 500 feet of a curve, the crest of a hill, or other obstruction to view, the driver shall place the warning signal in the direction of the obstruction to view 100 feet to 500 feet from the stopped commercial motor vehicle so as to afford ample warning to other users of the highway.
• Divided or one-way roads. If a commercial motor vehicle is stopped upon the traveled portion or the shoulder of a divided or one-way highway, the driver shall place the warning devices as follows, one warning device at 200 feet and one warning device at a distance of 100 feet in a direction toward