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Summer Safety: Essential Tips for Drivers and Commercial Vehicle Operators

Jun. 6 2025 Safety By McCandless Idealease

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As summer brings longer days and outdoor fun, both children and adults are busy enjoying the season. However, this increase in activity on the roads requires heightened awareness and responsibility for all drivers. In this blog post, we’ll share essential safety tips for navigating these busy times, emphasize the importance of vehicle maintenance in the heat, and highlight the upcoming Operation Safe Driver Week—an initiative focused on promoting safer driving habits.


In this issue:

  • Heat Your Truck.
  • CVSA's Operation Safe Driver Week Is Scheduled for July 13-19.
  • Registration is open online for the 2025 Idealease/NPTC Spring Safety Seminar!

Read, share, and/or print this week's Safety Bulletin.
Check out past Idealease Safety Bulletins.


As summer approaches, many of us are excited to enjoy more time outside. With school out, children are busy heading to various activities and engaging in outdoor play throughout the day. Adults are also taking advantage of the extended daylight hours. To ensure everyone's safety during this bustling season, let's commit to being vigilant and responsible. Here are some key safety tips for drivers:

  • Be Extra Cautious at School Zones: During the last days of school, children may arrive or depart at different times throughout the day. Keep an eye out for them.
  • Respect Playground Speed Limits: Remember that speed limits near playgrounds and parks are enforced year-round. Children can be unpredictable and harder to see than adults, so drive carefully.
  • Look for Signs of Play: If you see a hockey net or a ball in the road or on the sidewalk, it's a good indication that children are nearby. Stay alert and be prepared for anything.
  • Check Your Blind Spots: Always ensure there are no small children or pets behind your vehicle before backing up. Make it a habit to walk around your vehicle to check.
  • Expect Kids in Your Area: During deliveries, be aware that children who would typically be in school may be riding bikes, skateboarding, or walking in parking lots, shopping centers, and crosswalks.

Heat & Your Truck

If you operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV), understanding how heat affects your vehicle's performance is crucial. Two key areas to inspect in hot weather are the engine coolant and tires.


Engine Coolant

Extended Life Coolant (ELC) was introduced by truck manufacturers about eight years ago. With changes in EPA regulations, engine temperatures have increased by 10-15 degrees, resulting in an estimated 50% of engine failures being attributed to overheating.

Engines with low coolant levels can damage emission components, such as the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system.

A significant advantage of ELC is that it provides improved heat transfer, about 12-13% better than conventional antifreeze. During pre-and post-trip inspections, make sure to:

  • Check the coolant level in the reservoir.
  • If it's low, contact your Idealease service provider immediately. ELC should be red/orange and free of contaminants.

Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)

The DEF tank is equipped with a quality-level sensor that can be sensitive to extreme heat. To safeguard the sensor, it's advisable to keep the DEF tank as complete as possible during hot weather. During pre-trip and post-trip inspections, drivers should:

  • Verify that the coolant level is within the indicated range on the reservoir.
  • If the coolant level is low, please contact your Idealease service provider for assistance. The Extended Life Coolant (ELC) should be red or orange and free from dirt, rust, and other impurities.
  • Important: Do NOT mix ELC with conventional antifreeze!

If you see an engine overheating warning on the dashboard, pull over safely and contact your service provider immediately. Continuing to drive could result in significant engine damage.


Tires

Remember, summer heat increases the risk of tire failure, especially when temperatures rise above 100°F. Under-inflated tires are even more vulnerable in these conditions.

As one tire engineer pointed out, "Heat is to tires what Kryptonite is to Superman." Combine high heat with under-inflation, heavy loads, and high speeds, and you face serious risks. To prevent tire issues, drivers should:

  • Check tire pressure more often during the summer.
  • Measure tire pressure when they are "cold"—pressure can rise by up to 15% when hot, leading to inaccurate readings.
  • Inspect for damages and punctures during your inspections and fuel stops, as hot, soft rubber is more likely to pick up debris.
  • Report any tire issues to your Idealease service provider promptly.

CVSA's Operation Safe Driver Week is Set for July 13-19

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has announced that this year's Operation Safe Driver Week will be held from July 13-19. This initiative focuses on enhancing driving behaviors through education, enforcement, and meaningful engagement between drivers and law enforcement.

Throughout the week, law enforcement in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. will monitor both commercial and passenger vehicle drivers for unsafe behaviors, including:

  • Speeding
  • Distracted driving
  • Tailgating
  • Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Drivers caught engaging in these practices will receive warnings or citations.

Focus Area: Reckless or Dangerous Driving

This year, the focus will be on reckless, careless, or unsafe driving. Reckless driving involves a conscious disregard for the safety of others or property. In contrast, careless or dangerous driving refers to operating a vehicle without sufficient attention or consideration for the safety of others on the road.

Notably, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 42,514 traffic fatalities in 2022. In Canada, there were 1,931 motor vehicle deaths reported, with Mexico recording 15,979. The CVSA's Operation Safe Driver Program seeks to address these alarming statistics. Let's all do our part to keep our roads safe this summer!


Registration is now open online for the 2025 Idealease/NPTC Spring Safety Seminars!


Idealease and the National Private Truck Council NPTC will again be hosting safety seminars in the spring and fall of 2025. The one-day seminar this year will focus on basic safety and compliance, regulation changes and CSA. The seminars and will be provided to all Idealease customers, potential customers and NPTC members at no charge. The seminar provides important information applicable for both the novice and experienced transportation professionals.


Upcoming Fall Seminars:

  • 9/16/2025 - Weirton, WV
  • 9/30/2025- Knoxville, TN
  • 10/21/2025 - Los Angeles, CA
  • 10/23/2025 - Baltimore, MD

To register for an upcoming fall seminar in 2025, click on the following link: Safety Seminar Registration


*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.