Appendix E:

Accident Table

• Accident Table

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Accident Prevention Manual

Accident prevention should be a priority to every commercial vehicle operator. This manual is organized alphabetically into key areas that should be considered by carriers to reduce the number and severity of accidents involving commercial vehicles. Suggestions are given that should help management, trainers and drivers reduce accidents and the costs associated with them.

This manual is based on a similar document that was prepared by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in the United States. Any changes were largely restricted to those that made the content of this document accurate according to the standards that are applied to commercial vehicle operators in the province of Ontario. This manual can also be viewed by visiting the FMCS.

Safety specialists can use this manual to assist them in guiding carrier companies toward improved safety. Safety management within carrier companies can use this manual to promote dialogue among its staff relating to vehicle accident analysis and prevention. Maintenance personnel and drivers can benefit from reviewing and practising the many safety tips provided specifically for their area of responsibilities.

The manual addresses accidents that can be prevented through reasonably expected performance by drivers and carriers. It presents means for improving such performance. However, it does not set out criteria for judging whether the performance of drivers and carriers in particular circumstances are reasonable. Nor is the manual intended to be an interpretation of applicable provincial or federal regulations.

It is recognized that some accidents result from causes beyond the reasonable control of carriers and their drivers. Such accidents are not preventable with respect to the carrier and driver and are therefore not addressed in this manual.

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Contents

The following issues are discussed in alphabetical order:

• Accident Preventability Evaluations
• Brake Performance
• Cargo Securement
• Company Driver Manuals
• Crossing Intersections
• Defensive Driving
• Drinking and Substance Abuse
• Driver Inspection Reports and Procedures
• Driver Qualifications and Performance
• Driver Safety Infractions
• Driver Training Aids
• Driving in Adverse Conditions
• Emergency Equipment and Procedures
• Fifth Wheel Hitches and Adjustable Brakes
• Fleet Safety Program and Supervision
• Full-Trailer Coupling
• Illness and Fatigue
• Negotiating Curves
• Negotiating Downgrades
• Parking
• Passenger Management
• Passing
• Payload Characteristics
• Pedestrian Interaction
• Planning Schedules, Loads and Routes
• Preventive Maintenance and Inspection Procedures
• Right-of-Way
• Safe Driving Recognition
• Start-up/Back-up
• Steering System Performance
• Tire Inflation
• Tire Wear and Deterioration
• Truck Driving Schools
• Turning Left and Right
• Using and Changing Lanes
• Vehicle Lighting and Conspicuity

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Accident Preventability Evaluations

Objective:
To reduce accident rates by establishing a company standard for safe driving.

Description:
A preventable accident is one, which occurs because the driver fails to act in an appropriate manner to prevent it. In judging whether the driver's actions were reasonable, the carrier should try to determine whether the driver drove defensively and demonstrated an acceptable level of skill and knowledge. The definition of what is reasonable may be set out in the carrier's safety management program.

Establishing a definition of a 'preventable accident' may be used to achieve the following goals:

• establish a safe driving standard for drivers
• provides a standard for evaluating individual drivers
• provides an objective for accident investigations and evaluations
• provides a means for evaluating the safety performance of the fleet as a whole
• provides a means for monitoring the effectiveness of fleet safety programs
• assists in dealing with driver safety infractions
• assists in the implementation of safe driving recognition programs

Questions for Management:

• Does the company have a program for investigating accidents?
• Is there a company accident review committee?
• Has the company defined a standard for the safe driving performance of its drivers?
• Is the carrier's standard for safe driving performance sufficiently challenging such that it would serve to highlight areas for fleet safety improvement?
• Are the drivers instructed as to what the company standard for safe driving is?
• Are the drivers instructed about company procedure for evaluating accidents?

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Brake Performance

Objective:
To reduce accidents associated with insufficient braking ability.

Description:
The braking system is one of several key safety-related items. Catastrophic brake failure, such as sudden air loss, may lead to loss of control of the vehicle. Progressive brake deterioration, such as brake shoe wear without adjustment to compensate, can be even more dangerous because it may not appear to be a problem during normal driving, but may result in an accident during emergency braking applications.

Questions for Management:

• Are preventive maintenance procedures adequate to detect and repair worn or defective brake system components? Do you have established standards for indicating out-of-service conditions for brake system components which deteriorate progressively i.e. air leaks, brake shoe wear, drum wear, bearing seal leakage?
• Are drivers adequately trained to detect brake problems during their inspections?
• Are mechanics and maintenance supervisors adequately trained?
• Do you have an inspection lane for checking brake adjustment?

Driving Tips:

• Test your brakes for stopping performance before going on highway.
• Make sure that your brakes are properly adjusted.
• Learn how to determine if the air system is operating properly.
• Check to make sure that low air warning devices are functioning.
• During a trip, before entering severe downgrades, stop and check brake adjustment.

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Cargo Securement

Objective:
To reduce the number of truck rollover or falling cargo accidents.

Description:
Cargo that breaks loose on the road can make a driver lose control of the vehicle and present a hazard for other drivers. Shifting cargo can cause loss of control and truck rollover.

Questions for Management:

• Are your trailers equipped with proper tie downs and front-end structures?
• Are drivers and dock personnel knowledgeable in proper methods for blocking and bracing?
• Does your company carry unusual payloads, which are prone to shifting and must be secured in specific ways?
• Are spare wheels and accessory equipment properly secured?

Driving Tips:

• Check to make sure that loads have been properly secured.
• Periodically check to see that tie downs and bracing are still in place and the cargo has not shifted.
• Some cargo such as liquids in cargo tanks or portable tanks, has a tendency to shift: you must drive at reduced speeds during turns or braking to prevent loss of control.
• Pay particular attention to bracing and tie downs when picking up unusual cargoes. Be sure that the loading personnel have done their job properly.

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Company Driver Manuals

Objective:
To improve fleet safety through improved communication.

Description:
The company driver manual is a key communication link between the company and its drivers. It conveniently brings together information about the company, its policies and procedures. It is indispensable for training new drivers and is a handy reference for existing drivers. The manual should be progressively developed and continually updated.

Questions for Management:

• Does the company have an updated manual for its drivers?
• Does the manual describe the fleet safety program?
• Does it outline the carrier's standards for safe driving?
• Is the company procedure for review and classification of accidents included?
• Are the company's disciplinary procedures explained?
• Is the manual regularly reviewed and updated?

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Crossing Intersections

Objective:
To prevent intersection accidents by anticipating the hazards involved and knowing how to safely avoid them.

Description:
Crossing intersections with long vehicles presents problems that automobile drivers do not have. Because of their length and their slow acceleration, trucks and buses take much more time to cross and clear intersecting roads than do automobiles. Also, at night, the sides of long vehicles may not be conspicuous to approaching drivers. Drivers of large vehicles must recognize these problems and take special care when crossing intersections, particularly when they are uncontrolled intersections.

Questions for Management:

• Have your drivers been trained in safe procedures for crossing intersecting roads?
• Do you know if your drivers are practising safe road crossing procedures?
• Do you ever have qualified personnel ride with drivers to assess safe driving habits?
• Do you have a procedure for approaching, entering, and traversing intersections?

Maintenance Tips:

• Check side marker lights on tractor, trailer and buses.
• Check cleanliness of sides of vehicles.
• Check reflectors and/or reflective tape on sides of vehicles.

Driving Tips:

• Approach intersection assuming that cross traffic may not obey traffic control and anticipate the need for avoidance.
• When crossing an uncontrolled intersection, allow enough time to clear the entire road with rear of the vehicle without interfering with cross traffic. Don't count on cross traffic slowing down to let you pass. They may not see you.
• Crossing uncontrolled intersections at night with large vehicles is especially hazardous. Although approaching drivers may see your headlights from the side, they may not realize you have a long trailer following. Keep sides of vehicle clean and keep side marker light operational. Be very careful with dark-coloured unloaded flatbed trailers.

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Defensive Driving

Objective:
To prevent accidents by trying to anticipate hazardous situations and adjusting driver behaviour to compensate.

Description:
The defensive driver tries to recognize potentially hazardous situations in time to safely manoeuvre past them. The defensive driver assumes that other drivers may make mistakes and is on guard in the event that an error is made. The defensive driver looks ahead for advance warning of approaching hazards.

Questions for Management:

• Do you have a qualified person ride along with drivers to evaluate their driving habits?
• Do the drivers understand how to be defensive drivers?
• Do drivers recognize that common situations such as crossing intersections, entering expressways and stopping can be hazardous?
• What does the company do to encourage defensive driving?
• Have the drivers been trained about defensive driving?
• Are the drivers aware of the concept of a 'preventable accident'?
• Does the company review accidents to determine if defensive driving was used?

Driving Tips:

• Learn to recognize driving situations that can be hazardous.
• Assume other drivers will make errors.
• Adjust speed, position, and direction to be able to move safely if a hazard develops.
• Scan far enough ahead to be able to react safely to approaching situations.
• Scan frequently to the side and rear for passing or approaching vehicles.
• Scan thoroughly before changing speed or direction.

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Drinking and Substance Abuse

Objective:
To prevent accidents caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Description:
It has been well documented that drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs have been involved in many fatal traffic accidents. Drinking or substance abuse by drivers, of alcohol or drugs, cannot be tolerated. Company management must be acutely aware of the seriousness of this problem and establish procedures to effectively control it.

Questions for Management:

• Are the driving records and references of applicants checked thoroughly for evidence of drinking or substance abuse problems?
• Has a written policy been established which stipulates countermeasures that will be followed when dealing with abusers?
• Has a formal policy been made known to all drivers?
• Do drivers' immediate supervisors and dispatchers know how to identify people under the influence?
• Are immediate supervisors and dispatchers motivated to notify management about problem drivers?
• Has management educated drivers about the ways in which drinking and substance abuse affect driving performance?
• Does the company have a list of references and sources for help available to drivers?

Management Tips:

• Be aware of marked changes in work, behaviour, personal relations, emotional moods and appearance of your drivers.
• Immediate supervisors are in the best position to observe unusual driver behaviour.
• Do a thorough job in screening applicants regarding drinking and substance abuse. Your company can't afford to deal with the problems abusers will give you.

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Driver Inspection Reports and Procedures

Objective:
To ensure that vehicles are in a safe operating condition while driven.

Description:
The driver is ultimately responsible to make sure that the vehicle being driven is in a safe operating condition. Appropriate inspection procedures and reports assist in ensuring this. The driver is also in a position to detect vehicle deficiencies and refer them to maintenance for repairs. Some vehicle deficiencies cannot be detected by periodic preventive maintenance and inspection procedures.

Questions for Management:

• Are there established inspection and reporting procedures for drivers?
• Are these procedures in compliance with relevant legislation/regulations?
• Are drivers adequately trained to inspect safety critical components and determine whether their condition is safe?
• Are drivers equipped with inspection aids and the necessary report forms?
• Do maintenance personnel respond when drivers report defects?
• Does the company have established standards for placing vehicles out-of-service?
• Are drivers encouraged not to drive when they discover a defect on a vehicle?

Driving Tips:

• Federal and provincial laws require that you may not drive a vehicle unless you are satisfied that it is in a safe operating condition.
• Carefully inspect the vehicle and report on its condition, as you are required to.
• During a trip you should monitor the condition of vehicle components which may affect the safety of the vehicle.
• If something seems to be wrong with the vehicle, stop and check it out. Do not continue with the trip until you are satisfied it is safe to do so.

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Driver Qualifications and Performance

Objective:
To improve motor carrier fleet safety by recruiting qualified drivers and monitoring the performance and qualifications of existing drivers.

Description:
The great majority of preventable accidents are directly related to the performance of the driver. It is therefore extremely productive to any fleet safety program to carefully select new drivers and adequately monitor existing drivers.

Questions for Management:

When hiring new drivers:

• Are recruiting efforts attracting enough qualified applicants for effective selection?
• Is there an established formal procedure for interviewing, testing and screening applicants?
• Have defined standards of skill and knowledge for applicants been established?
• Are appropriate methods being used to check employment history and references?
• Have you checked the prior driving record of applicants?
• Are the applicants' physical qualifications checked?

When monitoring existing drivers:

• Is there a formal program for monitoring drivers' qualifications?
• Is there a periodic review of the driving record?
• Is there a periodic review of the drivers' health?
• Are drivers monitored for drug and alcohol abuse?
• Can you identify problems with a driver's skills and knowledge?
• Is remedial training available for drivers that need it?
• Is there an established procedure for terminating unqualified drivers?

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Driver Safety Infractions

Objective:
To improve safety by remedial training or termination of unqualified drivers.

Description:
Driving is a profession requiring skill, knowledge, physical and mental health, and integrity. Public safety and company reputation requires that drivers be fully qualified. Drivers who are not qualified should receive remedial training or be terminated if they cannot be brought up to the necessary level of competence.

Questions for Management:

• Does the carrier have a program for reviewing driver qualification?
• Does the company have a standard for safe driving?
• Is there a company policy for issuing reprimands and terminations?
• Is progressive disciplinary action a feature of the policy?
• Are remedial training programs available?
• Is remedial training included in the progressive discipline?

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Driver Training Aids

Objective:
To improve fleet safety through use of training aids.

Description:
There are many driver training aids available. It is important to determine what audio-visual aids, posters, manuals, pamphlets and other literature is most effective in improving the company's training program. Advice is available from a number of sources.

Questions for Management:

• Are audio-visual aids being utilized in the company's safety training program?
• Has the company recently investigated available driver training aids?
• Is retraining about new regulations and license requirements done?

Management Tips:

• Driver training aids are available from the following sources:
  • national and provincial truck and bus associations
  • safety organizations
  • insurance companies
  • company in-house productions
  • private sector providers and consultants

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Driving in Adverse Conditions

Objective:
To prevent accidents and promote vehicle safety during adverse conditions.

Description:
Failure to adjust to adverse conditions is a major factor in accident causation. The adverse conditions most frequently encountered that cause reduced traction and reduced visibility. Reduced traction conditions include rain, snow, ice, slush, and gravel. Reduced visibility conditions include twilight, darkness, rain, snow, and fog. Drivers should not only develop the skills and judgement necessary to keep their own vehicle safely under control, they should also try to anticipate and be prepared to compensate for errors other drivers make during such poor driving conditions.

Questions for Management:

• Does the driver know how to judge safe speed on slippery surfaces?
• Does the driver know what causes jack-knifing and how to prevent it?
• Have drivers ever been trained to safely manoeuvre on slippery surfaces?
• Is there a safe off-road area available to drivers for practising vehicle handling on slippery surfaces?
• Do trip schedules take into account the effect of inclement weather?
• Should tire chains be used in severe weather conditions?

Maintenance Tips:

• Check side marker lights on tractor, trailer and bus
• Check tire tread wear and tire pressure.
• Check windshield wiper and washer condition.
• Check proper functioning of all lighting circuits, including emergency flashers.
• Ensure availability of tire chains when needed.
• Check mirror system.
• Check headlight beam aim.

Driving Tips:

Reduced traction conditions:

• Increase following distance to avoid a rear-end collision if other driver brakes hard.
• Use moderation in judging safe speed. To maintain a safe stopping distance, slow down, but not so much that you become a hazard to drivers behind.
• Apply brakes gently and steer without jerky movements.
• Beware when running empty or bobtailing. Lightly loaded wheels lock up easily during braking and this increases the chance of jack-knifing.
• Beware of travelling too slowly on slick, banked curves. The vehicle might slide sideways into opposing traffic or off the road.

Reduced visibility conditions:

• Use moderation in judging safe speed. To maintain a safe stopping, slow down, but not so much that you become a hazard to drivers behind.
• Keep vehicle clean, especially headlights, windshield, taillights.
• Use emergency flashers in extreme conditions.
• Be prepared to get off road and wait for conditions to improve if necessary.

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Emergency Equipment and Procedures

Objective:
To prevent accidents during emergency situations by anticipating the hazards involved, knowing how to avoid them safely and using available emergency equipment.

Description:
Emergency situations include stalling in a travel lane, stopping for an accident in your path, engine compartment fire, wheel fire, burned-out light bulbs, blown fuse in lighting circuit, etc. Having emergency equipment available in your vehicle and knowing how to use it will assist in avoiding hazards that arise in these types of situations.

Questions for Management:

• Have drivers been trained about emergency equipment requirements and procedures?
• Are all your vehicles equipped with the required emergency equipment?
• Have you ever tested your drivers about how to place reflective triangles or how to use the fire extinguisher or what to do if their vehicle suddenly stalls on the roadway?
• Are your vehicles conspicuous enough when emergency equipment is used?

Maintenance Tips:

• Check emergency flashers - tractor and trailer
• Check fuses
• Have spare electrical fuses on hand (if fuses are used)
• Ensure reflective triangles are available
• Ensure fire extinguishers are available

Driving Tips:

• If you stall while driving, turn on emergency flashers immediately and try to coast off to shoulder if safe to do so.
• If you stall and stop on roadway, turn on emergency flashers immediately. Then set up reflective triangles. If you have a CB radio, call for help. At night, this is a very hazardous situation for both you and other drivers, so be extremely careful.
• Controlling and extinguishing fires safely requires special knowledge. If you don't know how to handle a fire emergency, you can easily make the situation worse and injure or kill yourself as well. Select a good reference on vehicle fire control and study it well. Since you will seldom encounter a fire, it is easy to forget what to do. Refresh your memory by reviewing procedures frequently.

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Fifth Wheel Hitches and Adjustable Axles

Objective:
To eliminate accidents due to trailer separation, inactive trailer brakes or running lights, or trailer axle separation.

Description:
Proper coupling procedures of semi-trailers ensure that the coupling equipment remains in good order, the landing gear is not damaged, the airlines and electric lines are hooked up, the axle loads are balanced, and the coupling is secure.

Questions for Management:

• Are drivers trained in proper coupling procedures?
• Do drivers know how to check for proper condition of coupling equipment?
• Are preventive maintenance and service procedures being followed?

Driving Tips:

• Adjust trailer height to minimize coupling impact.
• Check conditions of kingpin and jaws.
• Check that the jaws are locked after coupling.
• Ensure that the landing gear is raised.
• Hook up air and electric lines carefully.
• If the trailer axle is adjustable, make sure it is locked properly.
• Check to see that the kingpin is not riding on top of the jaws.
• If the tractor has an adjustable fifth wheel, make sure adjustment is locked in fifth wheel position before driving the vehicle. Before driving away, apply the trailer brakes and pull the trailer gently to ensure the wheel is locked in position.

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Fleet Safety Program and Supervision

Objective:
To improve safe driving performance with an effective fleet safety program.

Description:
Fleet safe driving performance requires a commitment by management to implement a formal fleet safety program. An effective safety program will involve most aspects of fleet operations, supervisors and drivers.

Questions for Management:

• Is there a formal fleet safety program?
• Does your fleet safety program include policies on how to:
  • recruit and screen new drivers?
  • monitor driver qualifications and safety infractions?
  • provide training to upgrade driver skills and knowledge?
  • investigate and review accidents?
  • implement safe driving incentives?
  • monitor maintenance and equipment safety?
  • oversee and implement regulatory compliance?
  • establish carrier safety standards?
  • communicate program goals to drivers and supervisory personnel?
  • monitor program effectiveness?
  • offer recognition to drivers who meet the required standard of performance?
• Is there a person responsible for safety and compliance with regulations?
• Is the safety director given the opportunity to attend training seminars and industry association meetings?
• Does the company and its supervisory staff maintain membership and remain active in trade and professional associations?

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Full-Trailer Coupling

Objective:
To prevent accidents due to trailer separation.

Description:
Trailer separation can occur due to improper hitching, or inadequate or damaged equipment. Pintle hooks and ball hitches can uncouple if improperly latched. Hitch mounts could separate due to damage or lack of maintenance.

Questions for Management:

• Are power units and trailers equipped with properly rated ball hitches or pintle hooks?
• Are appropriate safety devices, such as chains and breakaway brakes available?
• Are hitches and safety devices being properly maintained?
• Are drivers trained and knowledgeable in the proper use of hitching equipment?

Driving Tips:

• Check to see that hitch components are in good condition on trailer and truck.
• Adjust coupler if necessary.
• Ensure that the pintle hook or ball hitch is properly locked.
• Ensure that safety chains are properly connected.
• Ensure that electric and airlines are properly connected.

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Illness and Fatigue

Objective:
To prevent accidents caused by ill and fatigued drivers through the use of common sense and by compliance with regulations regarding physical qualifications and hours-of-service.

Description:
Everyone understands how ill or fatigued drivers can be a hazard to themselves and others. Nonetheless, drivers sometimes push their bodies beyond reasonable limits and become a hazard anyway. This is why comprehensive federal and provincial regulations have been established. In addition to being law, these regulations are useful guides to both drivers and supervisors in defining reasonable, sensible limitations on when medical conditions or duty status calls for rest and no driving.

Questions for Management:

• Are supervisors fully aware of all the regulations that relate to physical qualifications, medical examinations and hours-of-service?
• Are maximum on-duty and driving times clearly spelled out to your drivers?
• Do you crosscheck driver-logs with odometer readings, fuel receipts and weight scale tickets?
• Do you use tachographs or on-board trip computers if you suspect driver violations?
• Have drivers been explicitly informed how violations will be dealt with?

Driving Tips:

• Don't start a long trip unless you get a good sleep before you go.
• When possible, schedule your trips so that you drive when normally awake and sleep when you are normally asleep. Don't throw off your body clock more than necessary.
• Be careful with any kind of medication. Many medicines can make you sleepy.
• If you get drowsy, don't drive. Take a short nap until you can drive somewhere to get a good sleep.

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Negotiating Curves

Objective:
To prevent rollover accidents by understanding how and why rollovers occur and how to judge safe speed approaching and negotiating curves.

Description:
When negotiating a curve at an excessive speed, commercial motor vehicles will roll over. Automobiles will lose traction and slide out of a curve instead of rolling over. The more top-heavy a vehicle is, the more likely it will roll over than slide out of a curve. During a tractor-trailer rollover, the trailer usually begins to roll before the tractor. By the time the driver realizes that the trailer is rolling, there is little that can be done to prevent a complete rollover.

Questions for Management:

• Do drivers know that the posted advisory speed on curves is for automobiles?
• Do your drivers know that commercial motor vehicles generally cannot negotiate curves at as high a speed as automobiles without the possibility of rolling over?
• Do your drivers know what conditions make rollovers more likely?

Driving Tips:

• Ensure that cargo loads are secured to prevent moving from side to side.
• Remember that top-heavy cargo will cause commercial vehicles to roll over in curves at speeds lower than those loaded with flat compact cargo.
• Reduce speed before entering curve. If you enter curves too fast, you may not have enough time to slow down before rolling over.
• Maintaining speeds at curve advisory may not be slow enough to prevent rollover of commercial vehicles.
• Since trailers usually begin to roll first, you may not know you are rolling over until it is too late. Slow down before you get into the curve.
• Stay off the shoulder in curves. Your right or left side wheels may drop or sink down into a shoulder and increase your chance of rollover.
• Slow down substantially for unfamiliar curves.

Maintenance Tips:

• Check for adequate fifth wheel lubrication.

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Negotiating Downgrades

Objective:
To prevent accidents on downgrades by proper brake system maintenance and by developing the skills and knowledge needed to safely negotiate downgrades.

Description:
The main reason for loss of control on downgrades is brake failure, and the main reason for this is the use of improper control techniques by the driver. The brake system may be damaged or maladjusted and may not have sufficient capacity for downgrade control. Primary countermeasures for preventing a runaway are adequate driver skills; frequent checks on brake operation; adequate preventive maintenance.

Questions for Management:

• Have drivers been trained to properly control their vehicles on downgrades?
• Do drivers know how to select proper gearing for downgrade descents?
• Do drivers know how to check the condition of braking systems?
• How often does the maintenance crew inspect and adjust brake systems?
• If vehicles are equipped with brake application pressure gauges, do drivers know how to use them?

Maintenance Tips:

• Frequent brake inspection and adjustment. Inspect and adjust brakes more frequently for vehicles used in mountainous terrain, and check after every cross-country trip.
• Don't wait for slack adjuster stroke to exceed maximum allowable amount. Adjust to minimum acceptable stroke whenever convenient.
• Make every effort to replace aged brake lines and diaphragms before they fail.

Driving Tips:

• The gear to select for descending a grade should be no higher than that required for ascending the same grade. Some vehicles may require lower gears going down.
• Don't use more than light (10 psi) brake pressure to slow down. If speed cannot be controlled with light pressure, use a lower gear ratio.
• Don't use hand lever to apply only trailer brakes. You could overheat trailer brakes and not have enough capacity in tractor to control speed adequately.
• Stop, put truck in proper gear and check brake function before descending long, steep grades.

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Parking

Objective:
To prevent accidents when parked, by anticipating the hazards involved and knowing how to safely avoid them.

Description:
Parking on or partially on a travel lane creates a hazard. This is especially true at night. On congested metropolitan streets, drivers expect to see parked vehicles in their lane and are usually ready to react and avoid them. On rural and high-speed roads, drivers do not expect to see vehicles parked in their lane. Their attention level may be lower and they may not be able to react quickly enough to avoid a collision.

Questions for Management:

• Have your drivers ever been trained regarding safe parking procedures?
• Do you know if your drivers are practising safe parking procedures?
• Do you have qualified personnel ride with your drivers to assess safe driving habits?
• Are your vehicles equipped with required emergency warning devices?
• Do drivers know how to set up triangles?
• Do drivers know where to place triangles?
• Does the entrance to your terminal provide sufficient space to park off the roadway?

Maintenance Tips:

• Clean vehicle, especially the rear.
• Check tail light and flasher operation.
• Have emergency reflective triangles and/or flares stored in vehicle.
• Check battery condition.

Driving Tips:

• Always try to park your vehicle off the road altogether. Even leaving a small portion of your vehicle on the travel lane creates a serious hazard.
• If you pull off onto the shoulder, turn on your flashers day or night. At night, drowsy drivers who see only taillights on your vehicle may follow you onto the shoulder thinking you are still moving.
• If a sudden breakdown or other emergency forces you to park on a travel lane, turn on your flashers immediately. Then set up reflective triangles at the proper distances immediately. If you have a CB, call for help. At night, this is an especially hazardous situation for both you and other drivers, be extremely careful.

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Passenger Management

Objective:
To prevent accidents and injuries caused by unsafe passenger behaviour.

Description:
Passengers can distract the driver. Passengers can physically interfere with the driver. Passengers can restrict the driver's freedom to manoeuvre and avoid an accident. Passengers can injure themselves by not properly using vehicle seats. Whatever the case, the driver must manage the passengers to avoid such problems.

Questions for Management:

• Have drivers been trained to manage passengers for safe transportation?
• Do you know if your drivers are practising safe passenger management?
• Do you have qualified personnel ride with your drivers to assess their passenger management habits?
• Do vehicles comply with applicable federal and provincial regulations regarding safe design and required equipment?
• Do you require that drivers make pre-trip announcements regarding safe conduct?

Driving Tips:

• Do not drive if your passengers are in an unstable position. You might not be able to aggressively brake or steer to avoid an accident.
• Do not drive if standing passengers are close to you, as they may fall over you unexpectedly, causing you to lose control.
• Do make announcements informing passengers of their responsibility to act safely.
• If passengers refuse to co-operate, stop the bus until you are satisfied that it is safe to continue driving.

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Passing

Objective:
To prevent accidents during passing by anticipating the hazards involved and knowing how to safely avoid them.

Description:
Safe passing requires well-developed skills and judgement. Passing includes checking sight distance ahead, checking mirrors for rear traffic, checking for traffic passing you, estimating speed and position of approaching vehicles; estimating time you need to safely pass, accelerating, steering, checking for traffic entering from side roads, etc. Because the driver must perform several tasks in a short time during passing, the chance of an error is high, unless the manoeuvre is done cautiously. Because it sometimes takes a long time before an opportunity to pass safely arises, some drivers take risks and assume other drivers will compensate for their own aggressiveness.

Questions for Management:

• Have your drivers been trained to perform safe passing manoeuvres?
• Do you know if your drivers are practising safe passing manoeuvres?
• Do you have qualified personnel ride with your drivers to assess their driving habits?
• Do you have a step-by-step procedure for safely completing a pass?

Maintenance Tips:

• Check for broken mirrors and loose mountings.
• Check tail light, brake light and turn signal function.

Driving Tips:

• Before you pass, check to be certain no one is passing you.
• Assume the driver in front of you doesn't know you are passing. That driver may pull to the left to pass a vehicle in front or make a left turn.
• While you are passing, watch carefully for vehicles that may be entering the roadway from side roads or driveways.
• Assume vehicles approaching from the opposite direction will not see you or slow down for you to complete your passing manoeuvre.
• Watch out for vehicles passing other vehicles from the opposite direction.
• If the vehicle you are trying to pass speeds up, let it go. Don't race.
• Don't take risks. If in doubt, don't pass.
• Signal your intentions to pass.

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Payload Characteristics

Objective:
To reduce the number of accidents caused by overloading, poor load distribution and lack of clearance with fixed objects.

Description:
Improper loading procedures or route planning cause many accidents. Heavy, high, or offset loads can result in rollovers during emergency steering manoeuvres or when driving at excessive speeds. High trailers or oversize loads can result in collisions when routes are not planned.

Questions for Management:

• Are dispatchers knowledgeable in matching cargoes and vehicles during dispatching?
• Are drivers instructed how to deal with sealed cargoes?
• How does the company deal with the problem of overloading?
• Are drivers trained how to deal with top heavy or offset cargoes, or improper axle weight distribution?
• Are drivers trained to understand how and why rollovers occur?
• Are equipment purchasing specifications matched to anticipated loads?

Driving Tips:

• Make sure your vehicle and axle weights are within legal limits.
• Make sure you know your vehicle weight rating.
• Make sure that tire ratings and inflation are compatible with the load and driving conditions.
• Make sure that suspension and coupling ratings are appropriate for the load.
• When trailer is loaded with mixed cargo, have heavier articles loaded on the bottom.
• Check to see that heavy articles are not offset to one side of the trailer.
• When driving with heavy or high loads, use reduced speeds.
• Curve speed advisory signs normally do not apply to heavily loaded commercial vehicles; go slower.
• Be aware that trailer wheels off-track and may collide with curbs, or track onto unimproved shoulders, leading to loss of control when vehicle is heavily loaded.
• Know your vehicle height and plan your route so that you do not hit low bridges.
• When picking up a sealed trailer, find out payload characteristics.

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Pedestrian Interaction

Objective:
To prevent accidents involving pedestrians by anticipating hazards likely when manoeuvring close to pedestrians and knowing how to handle such situations safely.

Description:
Most pedestrian accidents occur when the pedestrian walks onto a roadway and into the path of an approaching vehicle. Pedestrians often misjudge the speed and closeness of a commercial motor vehicle. Pedestrians assume you can and will slow down for them. Pedestrians think that because they can see you, you can see them. These kinds of errors in judgement are why pedestrian accidents frequently occur. Drivers should try to anticipate pedestrians making such errors and be prepared to compensate.

Questions for Management:

• Have your drivers ever been trained to manoeuvre safely near pedestrians?
• Do you know if your drivers manoeuvre around pedestrian traffic safely?
• Do you have qualified personnel ride with your drivers to assess their driving habits?

Maintenance Tips:

• Check for broken mirrors - loose mountings
• Check horn operation
• Check for adequate indirect vision devices

Driving Tips:

• When manoeuvring close to pedestrians, anticipate that the pedestrian may do the unexpected. Adjust your driving to safely avoid a pedestrian who jumps out in front of you. It is difficult for pedestrians to correctly judge how fast you are approaching. If you are going faster than normal for the area, you may count on the pedestrian judging there is time to cross when really there is not. Pedestrians will often assume that you see them and that you will slow down for them to complete their crossing. Don't assume they will give you the right-of-way until it is obvious they are waiting for you to pass.
• At night especially, pedestrians assume you can see them because they can see your headlights so easily. Be extra careful at night in pedestrian areas. Remember improper trailer tracking in turns may cause your trailer to run onto the sidewalk. Turn wide enough to avoid this and go very slowly. Pedestrians all too often walk or stand in the blind spots in front and to the right of your vehicle. Scan around vehicle thoroughly when pedestrians are present.

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Planning Schedules, Loads and Routes

Objective:
To maximize safe driving efficiency through planning at the dispatching level.

Description:
Assisting the driver with pre-trip planning avoids overburdening the driver with tight schedules, unusual cargoes, and unfamiliar or hazardous routes.

Questions for Management:

• Are Hours-of-Service regulations enforced?
• Are records of driver duty status maintained?
• Does the carrier have a means of forecasting available driver hours?
• Is dispatching planned to minimize the need for excessive on-duty schedules?
• Are tight schedules minimized and allowances made for adverse weather conditions?
• Are dispatchers knowledgeable in matching cargoes with vehicles during dispatching?
• Are drivers instructed on how to deal with sealed cargoes?
• How does the company handle the problem of overloading?
• Does the company instruct drivers on handling improperly loaded or secured cargoes?
• Are routes planned and drivers coached to avoid high hazard locations?
• Are schedules reviewed to ensure against Hours-of-Service violations?

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Preventive Maintenance and Inspection Procedures

Objective:
To prevent accidents caused by vehicle defects.

Description:
Worn, failed or incorrectly adjusted components can cause or contribute to accidents. Preventive maintenance and periodic inspection procedures help to prevent failures from occurring. Such procedures also reduce reliance on the driver, who may have limited skill and knowledge for detecting vehicle deficiencies.

Questions for Management:

• Are there excessive demands for the repair of your vehicles? This should be viewed as an indicator of inadequate maintenance and inspection procedures, and a situation that could cause or contribute to accidents.
• Do you schedule periodic inspection and maintenance activities?
• Do you have a record-keeping system, that tracks maintenance, repairs, inspections?
• Do you have a way of determining when the wear of a component is such that it should be replaced or repaired?
• What guidelines or rules are used for placing vehicles out-of-service until necessary repairs are made? How are they enforced?
• Do you have ways of gauging the effectiveness of preventive maintenance procedures?
• Would your vehicles pass the minimum periodic inspection standards set out in legislation/regulation?
• Are your drivers sufficiently trained and knowledgeable to detect maintenance and repair needs, and to refer them for maintenance?
• Does your preventive maintenance and inspection program recognize the following safety-related vehicle components whose deterioration directly affects vehicle control:
  - braking system - steering system - couplers - tires and wheels - suspension
• Are your drivers trained in troubleshooting?
• Are your mechanics and maintenance supervisors adequately trained?

Driving Tips:

• Check whole vehicle carefully, pre-trip and post-trip.
• Ensure annual vehicle inspection report or decal is in or on the vehicle.
• Don't drive a faulty vehicle.

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Right-of-Way

Objective:
To prevent accidents by drivers in "right-of-way" situations.

Description:
There are many situations in which a driver is required to give or yield the right-of-way. You move into your intended path or direction only after you are assured you will not conflict with other traffic.

Questions for Management:

• Do your drivers understand the meaning of right-of-way?
• Do you periodically have a qualified person ride with your drivers to evaluate their behaviour in right-of-way situations?
• Does your scheduling policy encourage drivers to take right-of-way rather than give it?
• Are the drivers aware of the concept of "preventable accident"?

Driving Tips:

• Do not force other drivers to brake or steer because you have moved into their path.
• Assume other drivers will not see you and avoid you when you manoeuvre into their path.
• Move into your intended path or direction only after you are assured you will not conflict with other traffic.

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Safe Driving Recognition

Objective:
To encourage safe driving and improve driver awareness of safety.

Description: Safe driving recognition or incentive programs should be an integral part of a formal fleet safety program. Such programs identify the superior driving performance of drivers that can be examples by the rest of the fleet. Recognition programs can be developed within the company or through participation in safe driver award programs conducted by commercial vehicle associations.

Questions for Management:

• Does the company have a formal safe driver recognition and incentive program?
• Does the company participate in a national or provincial award programs?
• Does the company have a means for evaluating driver performance?

Management Tips:

• Use safe driving recognition to:
  • encourage safe driving performance
  • increase the safety awareness of drivers
  • encourage driver professionalism
  • monitoring individual driver performance and skills
  • monitor fleet performance and effectiveness of the fleet safety program

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Start-up/Back-up

Objective:
To prevent start-up/back-up accidents by anticipating the hazards involved and knowing how to safely control them.

Description:
During a typical start-up/back-up situation, a vehicle has been parked for a long enough time to allow pedestrians and other vehicles to approach and be within a few feet of the parked vehicle. Starting up forward, backward, or steering left or right from a stopped position can create an unexpected hazard for both the driver and bystanders.

Questions for Management:

• Are drivers aware of different types of hazards that may arise during start-up/back-up?
• Do drivers take time to walk around their vehicles and look under vehicles checking for people, vehicles, or other objects, which may obstruct their start-up/back-up path?
• What do you do to encourage drivers to make a walk-around check?
• Are vehicles provided with adequate mirrors?

Maintenance Tips:

• Check for proper mirror adjustment.
• Check for broken mirrors and loose mountings.
• Check for proper taillight, brake light, and turn signal function.
• Check for proper function of horn and back-up warning signal (if so equipped).

Driving Tips:

• Before start-up or back up, walk around vehicle and look underneath to ensure you have safe clearance for start-up.
• Don't forget to check blind area on right and in front as well.
• After your walk-around check, don't delay in moving vehicle. Do not allow time for another hazard to approach.
• Check mirrors frequently for proper adjustment.
• Start up slowly at first to allow other vehicles and pedestrians, who may have unexpectedly approached, to safely move away.
• Tap horn in congested areas or recruit a signalman.

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Steering System Performance

Objective:
To prevent loss of control due to steering system deterioration.

Description:
The steering system is one of several key safety-related items. It can fail catastrophically or deteriorate gradually. Gradual increases in steering wheel play will make it harder for the driver to steer and should be viewed as an indicator of deteriorating steering system components, which may eventually lead to a catastrophic failure. Steering wheel play is a principal indicator of steering system deterioration that can be monitored at the driver inspection level.

Questions for Management:

• Is steering wheel play checked against an out-of-service criterion?
• Is steering system component deterioration checked during preventive maintenance and inspection procedures?

Driving Tips:

• During pre-trip inspections, check for excessive steering wheel play.
• Follow established company guideline for taking vehicle out-of-service.
• Write up steering deficiencies on your vehicle inspection report.

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Tire Inflation

Objective:
To prevent loss of control accidents due to tire failure.

Description:
Tires are one of several key safety-related components. Improper tire pressure, either too little or too much, can lead to deterioration and tire failure.

Questions for Management:

• Are drivers and maintenance personnel following the tire manufacturers' specifications for tire inflation and loading?
• Are tire inflation guidelines available to drivers?
• Are drivers trained in how to check tire inflation? Should they check it?
• Are they properly equipped to check it?
• Are drivers knowledgeable of the consequences of improper tire inflation?

Driving Tips:

• During extended trips, monitor tire inflation.
• Do not operate vehicles with improperly inflated tires.

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Tire Wear and Deterioration

Objective:
To prevent loss of control accidents due to tire failure.

Description:
Tires are one of several key safety-related items. A tire that is worn or damaged may fail or blow-out and result in loss of control of the vehicle. The principal indicators of deterioration are tread wear, tread and sidewall damage, and air leakage.

Questions for Management:

• Does the company have an established standard for indicating when tires should be taken out-of-service?
• Is the company standard in compliance with the minimum tread depth standards as specified by legislation/regulation?
• Are drivers and maintenance personnel trained to determine during inspections whether or not a tire should be taken out-of-service?

Maintenance Tips:

• Check tires regularly to ensure they meet the minimum tread depth requirement.
• Do not mount mismatched sizes, or pair tires in duals with significantly different wear.
• Do not mix bias and radial tires on the same axle.
• Follow company standards for out-of-service conditions.
• Replace tread only on sound casings.

Driving Tips:

• During vehicle inspections, check tires to make sure that their condition is within company established out-of-service criteria.
• During a trip, monitor tires for road damage or deterioration. Look for:
  • tread or sidewall separation
  • cuts or gouges
  • flat spots or uneven wear
  • leaks (monitor tire inflation)
  • flat tires at duals

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Truck Driving Schools

Objective:
To improve fleet safety by improving driver skills and knowledge.

Description:
Truck driving schools are good sources for motivated young drivers and a means for remedial training. There are many schools. Each school is different; with differing objectives, facilities, and staff orientation. It is important to check that the curriculum of the school matches the needs of the company, before the school is selected.

Questions for Management:

• Are truck driving schools being used as a recruiting source?
• Has the carrier considered truck driving schools as a tool for remedial training?
• Has the company identified schools that meet its objectives?

Management Tips:

• Sources of information about truck/bus driving schools include:
  • national and provincial truck and bus associations
  • insurance companies
  • accreditation organizations

Factors to be considered when selecting a training school:

• curriculum content
• adequacy of facilities
• compatibility of training vehicles with company fleet
• staff qualifications and experience
• certification
• referrals
• hours of actual driving instruction and practice.

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Turning Left and Right

Objective:
To prevent turning accidents by anticipating the hazards involved and knowing how to safely avoid them.

Description:
Making left or right turns with long vehicles creates problems that automobile drivers do not have. Blind spots make it difficult to see other vehicles. Vehicle length forces drivers to make wide turns, encroaching upon adjacent lanes of traffic. Improper tracking of vehicles makes it difficult for the driver to judge position. Turning takes longer to complete, thus increasing exposure time to hazards. Drivers should recognize the hazards created while turning and follow proper procedures to minimize them.

Questions for Management:

• Have your drivers been trained regarding safe turning procedures?
• Do you know if your drivers are practising safe turning procedures?
• Do you have qualified personnel ride with your drivers to assess safe driving habits?
• Have you examined routes used to minimize travel and turning at difficult or hazardous intersections?
• Have you considered attaching "Wide Right-Turn" decals on rear of vehicles?

Maintenance Tips:

• Check for broken mirrors, loose mountings, and mirror adjustment.
• Check tail light, brake light and turn signal function.

Driving Tips:

Right turns:

• Indicate turn with the appropriate turn signal.
• Move to the right lane well before intersection, positioned to make a safe turn.
• When turning, stay behind vehicle to the right, blocking other vehicles from passing on the right.
• If encroaching upon other lanes, wait for vehicles to clear, then turn slowly.
• Be careful that improper tracking does not cause the vehicle or trailer to ride up onto curb or strike stationary objects.

Left turns:

• Indicate turn with the appropriate turn signal.
• As you approach turn with signal on, watch for drivers who may misinterpret this signal as an intention to turn before your intended turning point.
• Don't start turning until there is enough time for the rear of vehicle to clear the intersection without forcing opposing drivers to slow down or swerve.
• Don't assume opposing drivers will see you. They may be looking elsewhere.
• Be careful that improper tracking does not cause the vehicle or trailer to interfere with pedestrians and other vehicles.

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Using and Changing Lanes

Objective:
To prevent accidents during lane use and lane changing by recognizing the potential hazards and knowing how to safely control them.

Description:
Lane use and lane-changing accidents primarily result from following too closely or being inattentive to traffic conditions ahead. In either case, defensive driving is the most effective countermeasure. Lane use and lane changing accidents primarily involve sideswiping and rear-end collisions. The existence of blind spots around large vehicles is a major contributing factor. Maintain a proper following distance and take note of countermeasures involving right-of-way.

Questions for Management:

• Have your drivers been trained regarding safe lane usage and lane changing?
• Do you know if your drivers are practising safe lane usage and lane changing habits?
• Do you have qualified personnel ride with your drivers to assess safe driving habits?
• Do you and your drivers know that most lane use and lane changing accidents result from following too closely?

Maintenance Tips:

• Check for broken mirrors and loose mountings.
• Check brake lights and turn signals.
• Check brake performance.

Driving Tips:

• Maintain a safe following distance. Try to ensure that if the driver in front of you slams on his brakes, you can avoid a collision, stay in your lane and not be hit by the vehicle following you.
• Try to scan ahead of what is immediately in front of you.
• If you see trouble ahead, flash your brake lights to alert drivers following you.
• If you cannot see ahead of the vehicle you are following, increase your following distance. It might swerve into the next lane to avoid a slow or stopped vehicle and leave you exposed to a rear-end collision.
• Blind spots to the right of large vehicles are well known. Automobile drivers may not know you cannot see them as they pass you on the right. Scan to the right thoroughly before steering into the next lane. Give the right-of-way, don't take it.
• Clean mirrors and check adjustment frequently.

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Vehicle Lighting and Conspicuity

Objective:
To reduce accidents caused by other drivers' inability to see the vehicle.

Description:
Trucks or tractor-trailer combinations, due to their length and lower manoeuvrability, may be struck by other vehicles because the other driver does not see the vehicle and its movement in time. This can be prevented by making sure that the truck's lighting system and reflectors are adequate. The truck driver should use extra care in crossing traffic lanes and making turns during adverse visibility conditions.

Questions for Management:

• Are proper lighting devices and reflectors installed and maintained?
• Are proper visibility devices used when carrying unusual loads, which project from the rear or sides of the truck?
• Are paint schemes being selected that could enhance conspicuity?

Driving Tips:

• Check to make sure that all lights and reflectors are operable and clean.
• Use extra care when turning or crossing intersections during poor visibility conditions.
• Use extra care when pulling low profile trailers such as empty flat bed tractors, an empty container chassis, construction equipment trailers, or pole trailers.

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Table of Accident Situations and Countermeasures

Accident Situation	Potential Cause	Countermeasures
Excessive incidence of preventable accidents in fleet	Lack of supervision Need for more safety control	Accident preventability evaluations Driver safety infractions Fleet safety program and supervision Driver training aids Defensive driving
Excessive incidence of preventable accidents by an individual driver	Aggressive or reckless driving attitude Lack of skill Health problems Personal problems	Driver qualification and performance Safe driver recognition Drinking and substance abuse Illness and fatigue Truck driving schools Defensive driving
Excessive incidence of accidents due to equipment failure	Inadequate maintenance Lack of preventative maintenance Inadequate inspections	Preventative maintenance and inspection procedures Driver inspection reports and procedures Fleet safety program and supervision Company driver manuals
Impaired driver loss of control	Alcohol impairment Drug impairment Illness or fatigue Adverse emotional state Inattention or drowsiness	Drinking and substance abuse Illness and fatigue
Rear-ending	Following too closely Aggressive or reckless driving attitude Inattention or drowsiness Illness or fatigue	Defensive driving Illness or fatigue Using and changing lanes Brake performance
Lane change sideswipe	Failure to scan space to sides Wandering over lane dividers Failure to anticipate lane mergers Failure to signal Poor mirror adjustment	Using and changing lanes Passing Defensive driving
Over-the-centreline head-on collision	Illness or fatigue Drug impairment Alcohol impairment Adverse conditions Inattention or drowsiness Mechanical defect	Using and changing lanes Passing Driving in adverse conditions Drinking and substance abuse Illness and fatigue Preventative maintenance and inspection procedures
Intersection collision	Misjudging speed and closeness of vehicles Misjudging time for vehicle to clear intersection Failure to obey traffic control device Failure to use mirrors	Crossing intersections Defensive driving Right-of-way Vehicle lighting and conspicuity
Right-turn squeeze	Failure to scan space to the right Failure to use turn signals Failure to block area to right Failure to use mirrors	Turning left and right Defensive driving Right-of-way Using and changing lanes
Left-turn squeeze	Turning from wrong lane Failure to use turn signals Failure to use mirrors	Turning left and right Defensive driving Right-of-way Using and changing lanes Vehicle lighting and conspicuity
Left turn across opposing traffic	Misjudging speed of oncoming traffic Misjudging time for vehicle to clear intersections Failure to obey traffic control device	Turning left and right Defensive driving Right-of-way Vehicle lighting and conspicuity
Obstructing traffic flow when entering roadway	Failure to give right-of-way to passing traffic Assuming other driver will see and avoid Aggressive or reckless driving attitude Misjudging speed of oncoming traffic	Defensive driving Right-of-way Vehicle lighting and conspicuity
Rollover	Excessive speed on curve Unaware of influence of top-heavy cargo Drive uninformed of nature of sealed cargo	Negotiating curves Payload characteristics Cargo securement Planning schedules, loads and routes
Downgrade runaway	Not familiar with proper speed control Not familiar with proper gear selection Overuse of trailer only brakes Failure to check brake adjustment	Negotiating downgrades Brake performance Preventative maintenance and inspection procedures Driver inspection reports and procedures
Loss of control during adverse conditions	Unable to judge safe speed for road/visibility conditions Aggressive braking on slippery road Failure to anticipate objects on road/bad road surface Unaware of conditions which cause jack-knifing	Driving in adverse conditions Payload characteristics Planning schedules, loads and routes Defensive driving Tire inflation Tire wear and deterioration
Parking or stopping	Sudden stopping in travel lane Parking in travel lane without use of emergency equipment	Parking Right-of-way Emergency equipment and procedures Vehicle lighting and conspicuity
Backing across road and obstructing traffic	Failure to give right-of-way to passing traffic Failure to use headlights and running lights under reduced visibility conditions Assuming other driver will see and avoid Misjudging speed of oncoming traffic	Right-of-way Defensive driving
Start-up/Back-up collision	Failure to check all around vehicle for clearance Failure to start-up slowly Failure to begin backing up immediately after checking around vehicle	Start-up/Back-up Defensive driving
Impact with overhead object	Failure to ensure clearance Unfamiliar with route to be travelled	Payload characteristics Planning schedules, loads, and routes
Pedestrian impact	Inattentive to pedestrian traffic Running on to curb Failure to anticipate a pedestrian error	Pedestrian interaction Defensive driving
Loss of control due to cargo shifting	Cargo not properly secured	Cargo securement Payload characteristics
Cargo falling into traffic	Cargo not properly secured Liquid/gas cargo leaking	Cargo securement Payload characteristics
Passengers in vehicle disturbing driver	Permitting passengers to stand forward of line Permitting passengers to move to and from seat while underway Permitting passengers to talk with driver while underway	Passenger management
Trailer breakaway	Improper coupling Damaged hitch Pintle hook hot latched Safety chains not used	Fifth wheel hitches and adjustable axles Full-trailer coupling Preventative maintenance and inspection procedures Driver inspection reports and procedures
Brake failure	Failure to check brake adjustment Failure to replace badly worn parts Overuse of brakes on downgrade	Brake performance Preventative maintenance and inspection procedures
Tire and wheel failure	Failure to inspect tire condition Failure to replace badly worn or damaged tires Failure to torque wheel nuts properly	Tire wear and deterioration Tire inflation Preventative maintenance and inspection procedures Driver inspection reports and procedures Wheel retention and deterioration
Steering failure	Failure to grease steering joints regularly Failure to replace worn-out steering joints and bushings Failure to check power steering fluid level	Steering system performance Preventative maintenance and inspection procedures Driver inspection reports and procedures
Suspension failure	Failure to inspect spring condition periodically Failure to check U-bolts Failure to respond to symptoms during driving Overloading vehicle	Preventative maintenance and inspection procedures Driver inspection reports and procedures Planning schedules, loads and routes.

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