Always Expect a Train at Each and Every Crossing!

This weeks Safety Bulletin discusses the importance of safety when crossing train tracks! Read more below! Sign up for future Safety Bulletins here.

Have you ever considered how often commercial vehicle drivers come across a train track? Most of the time, drivers take for granted that no train is coming and proceed to cross the path. 

Pro Driver Steps to Safely Crossing Railroad Tracks

• Eliminate all distractions. Turn off any fans, the radio, or loud noises. Look and listen for a train.
• Stop no closer than 15 feet and no farther than 50 feet from the crossing.
• Look carefully in both directions for approaching trains before crossing. If necessary, look around for visual obstructions. If you come across an obstructed view, refrain from attempting to cross. Always look twice before crossing.
• Know the law. Trucks carrying hazardous materials are required to STOP at all crossings unless an exempt sign is posted.
• Once you begin crossing the tracks, do not hesitate. Cross without stopping. If stuck or stalled on the tracks, evacuate immediately and call the number on the Blue and White sign. Give the crossing identification number so the railroad knows your location.
• Trains and Trucks don't mix. Never race a train to the crossing — even if you tie, you lose.
• The train you see is closer and faster moving than you think. If you see a train approaching, wait for it to go by before you proceed across the tracks.
• Be aware that trains cannot stop quickly. Even if the locomotive engineer sees you, a freight train moving at 55 miles per hour can take a mile or more to stop once the emergency brakes are applied. That's 18 football fields!
• Never drive around lowered gates — it's illegal and deadly. If you suspect a signal is malfunctioning, call the 1-800 number posted on or near the crossing signal or your local law enforcement agency.
• Stay out of the tracks; proceed through a highway-rail grade crossing if you can clear the intersection without stopping. Remember, the train is three feet wider than the tracks on both sides.
• If your vehicle ever stalls on a track with a train coming, get out immediately and move quickly away from the direction from which the train is coming. If you run in the same direction the train is traveling, you could be injured by flying debris when the train hits your car. Call your local law enforcement agency for assistance.
• At a multiple-track crossing waiting for a train to pass, watch for a second train on the other tracks approaching from either direction.
• Keep a safe distance. Remember that stopping closer than 15 feet from a rail isn't safe.
• ALWAYS EXPECT A TRAIN! Freight trains do not follow set schedules.

Operation Lifesaver, Inc. is a national, non-profit safety education group aiming to eliminate deaths and injuries at railroad crossings and along railroad rights of way. Operation Lifesaver has programs in all 50 states, with trained and certified presenters who provide free safety talks to community groups, school bus drivers, truck drivers, and student drivers to raise awareness around railroad tracks and trains. For more information and to request a free safety presentation, visit www.oli.org. 

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance has announced this year's International Roadcheck dates as May 16-18

Roadcheck is a 72-hour high-visibility, high-volume commercial motor vehicle inspection and enforcement initiative. Commercial motor vehicle inspectors in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. will conduct North American Standard Inspections of commercial motor vehicles and drivers at weigh and inspection stations, roving patrols, and temporary inspection sites.

Each year, CVSA focuses on a specific aspect of a roadside inspection. This year the focus will be on anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and cargo securement. ABS violations are not out-of-service violations; however, the anti-lock braking system is critical in reducing collisions. A properly functioning ABS will prevent wheels from locking up or skidding, allowing a driver to maintain vehicle control while braking. Improper or inadequate cargo securement accounted for 10.6% of all vehicle out-of-service violations discovered during last year's International Roadcheck. Past International Roadcheck data routinely found cargo securement violations in the top five of vehicle out-of-service violations.

Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) Driver Tip Sheet

CVSA published this tip sheet for carriers and drivers in preparation for this year's Roadcheck that you can print off as a handout for your drivers:

http://cvsa.org/wp-content/uploads/what_inspectors_are_looking_for.pdf

Question of the Week

My driver has gone through a roadside inspection; how long must I keep this documentation on file?

Answer: The motor carrier will keep copies of all roadside inspections for 12 months. The driver is required to turn in the inspection to the motor carrier within 24 hours. If they do not return to the

Terminal, they are to mail in the inspection. If the inspection resulted in violations, they must be corrected or repaired. The inspection form is to be signed and certified that the repairs were completed and sent back to the state of inspection within 15 days.

Best Practice Guidelines for Roadside Inspections:

• Train drivers on how to complete good quality pre-trip inspections to reduce the possibility of violations.
• Review CSA monthly at www.ai.fmcsa.dot.gov and enter your DOT number or name.
• Review the vehicle and driver basics with the associated inspections and cross-reference the inspections you have on file with the inspections turned in by your drivers. Question those drivers who did not submit inspection reports.
• Review the "Carrier History" tab in the Tools/Resource section on your home page to determine if your number of inspections is on the rise or declining.
• Review vehicle inspections and violations with your maintenance provider to reduce violations.
• Maintain copies, along with any repair orders attached if there were violations, in the tractor and trailer file.
• Use the roadside inspection information, such as date, time, and location, to cross-reference with the driver's hours of service documentation for falsification violations.
• Train drivers on how to successfully pass roadside inspections and how to conduct themselves.
• Keep your vehicles clean and well-maintained. Avoid becoming a target for inspection.
• Advise drivers that moving violations will generate inspections.
• Consider providing an incentive to drivers who successfully pass an inspection.

Registration is now open online for the 2023 Idealease/NPTC Safety Seminars!

Data Utilization in Transportation Safety

Idealease and the National Private Truck Council NPTC will again host safety seminars in 2023.  The one-day seminar this year will focus on data available from trucks today with regard to safety, basic safety and compliance, regulation changes and CSA. The seminars will be provided to all Idealease customers, potential customers, and NPTC members at no charge.   The seminar provides essential information applicable to both novice and experienced transportation professionals.  Seminars currently available for registration have their venues secured.  If you cannot register for the seminar in your area, check back, as registration availability will be added as the venues are secured.  This information will be updated weekly in this bulletin.  To register for an upcoming seminar in 2023, click on the following link:

http://www.idealease.com/safety-seminar-registration

FALL SEMINARS (Sept-Oct)

*The Idealease Safety Bulletin is provided for Idealease locations and their customers and is not to be construed as a complete or exhaustive source of compliance or safety information. The Idealease Safety Bulletin is advisory in nature and does not warrant, guarantee, or otherwise certify compliance with laws, regulations, requirements, or guidelines of any local, state, or Federal agency and/or governing body, or industry standards.