Winter Isn't Over Yet!

Winter is still sticking around for a while, read 

We are not in the clear quite yet, especially in Colorado! This past week we had the largest winter storm "Olive," which impacted over one-third of the United States. There is another winter storm brewing up on the west coast. Now is the time to remind your drivers to take all safety precautions and to continue practicing winter driving techniques.

Review the following tips with your drivers:

• Reduce your speed!
• Slow down for wet, snowy, and icy conditions. This is especially true when visibility is poor or when conditions are changing.
• Slow down when approaching intersections, off-ramps, bridges, or shady spots. Black ice can be present in these areas and it is difficult to see or predict.
• Avoid excessive actions when steering, braking, or accelerating. Maintain control of your vehicle!
• Space out! Leave plenty of room between your truck and others. With adverse weather conditions it becomes difficult to stop quickly. Take your time to brake: brake early, slowly, and correctly.
• No cruising! Avoid cruise control in winter driving conditions. Be in control of your vehicle at all times.
• Travel safely around snowplows.
• Don’t crowd the plow! Give plenty of space for plowing trucks to do their job.
• Don’t tailgate! Keep your distance with all vehicles, especially snowplows. Snowplows travel at slower speeds, are spreading deicing materials, and their vision is obstructed.
• Before leaving on your route or trip, research the driving conditions. Safe drivers know what weather they are expecting and can be prepared to drive safely.
• Clear the snow off your truck! Make sure your windows, light, brake lights, and turn signals can be clearly seen.
• Give yourself extra time to reach your destination. Do not rush or speed when weather conditions are snowy and icy.

CVSA Schedules Roadcheck for May 18-19

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 roadside inspection. This year the focus will be on anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and cargo security. 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 security 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 security violations in the top five of vehicle out-of-service violations.

Driver requirement inspections 

During the inspection drivers are required to give their documents, which will need to be verified. Inspectors will then identify the motor carrier, check their driver’s license, and record of duty status, and review periodic inspection reports. Other categories that inspectors will focus on are seat belt use, sickness or fatigue, and alcohol or drug possession/impairment.

Knowing all of this gives time for drivers to be prepared for these inspections. The risk of being stopped during a Roadcheck. Inspectors will primarily conduct the North American Standard Level I Inspection, the most thorough roadside inspection. It is a 37-step procedure examining driver operating requirements and vehicle mechanical fitness. Drivers must provide items such as their driver’s license, hours-of-service documentation, motor carrier registration, and shipping documentation. Inspectors will be checking drivers for seat belt usage and the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The vehicle inspection includes checking items such as the brake systems, cargo securement, coupling devices, driveline/driveshaft, exhaust systems, frames, fuel systems, lighting devices (required lamps), steering mechanisms, suspensions, tires, van and open-top trailer bodies, wheels, rims and hubs, windshield wipers, and emergency exits (on buses).

Learn more about International Roadcheck.

Biden Administration Announces Steps to Develop Electric Vehicle Chargers

The Biden Administration has announced their latest efforts to develop a national network of electric vehicle charging stations. These steps include the Federal Highway Administration’s final rule publishing minimum standards for federally funded EV infrastructure, a separate FHWA final rule waiving the Buy America requirements for EV charging equipment, and announcing that cities, towns, tribes, and states will soon be able to apply for the first round of $2.5 billion in competitive grants to build EV charging stations.

Also, the charging plans developed under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Programs will help to ensure that chargers operated by different networks will operate similarly and provide the traveling public with a predictable EV charging experience. These standards will also require that chargers have consistent plug types and charging speeds, common payment systems, and accessible pricing information, locations, and availability.

Further, the new Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program established by the 2021 infrastructure law will provide $2.5 billion over five years to a full range of applicants, including cities, counties, local governments, and tribes. This round of funding will open soon, making $700 million from fiscal years 2022 and 2023 funding available to deploy EV charging infrastructure and other fueling infrastructure projects in urban and rural communities in publicly accessible locations.

Registration is Now Open!

Idealease and the National Private Truck Council NPTC will host safety seminars again in 2023.  This year's one-day seminar will focus on data available from trucks today about 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: 

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 i