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Inspecting a vehicle before

departure can save time & money or

even a life.A Ten-Minute Training

Presentation

from

Checking the Vehicle Before Departure

1. Introduction

2. Why Do an Inspection?

3. Who is Responsible?

4. A Best Practice

5. What to Look For?

6. Report Issues ASAP

7. Summary

Training Topic Agenda

One in four cars (25%) and one in three light trucks (33%) have a significantly under inflated tire.

Low tire pressure-related crashes are to blame for approximately 660 fatalities and 33,000 injuries every year.

– According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

10 % of studied, reconstructed, and documented crashes conclude “equipment failure” as the determining factor for the crash.

– Large Truck Crash Causation Study, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

1. Introduction

Driver errors due to:

– Distractions (especially cell phone use)

– Impairment (sleep depravation or drug/alcohol use)

– Frustration (leading to aggression)

Continue to top the list of causes for most crashes.

However, roughly 10% of all crashes are caused by equipment that was not operating properly.

While a few crashes can be traced back to a manufacturer’s design defect many crashes could have been prevented if regular documented inspections, leading to the proper maintenance of vehicles, were implemented.

Gross failure of equipment, due to years of neglect, can easily produce a legal grievance.

Photo from January 24, 2016Three people were killed and at least nine others were injured in this collision.When paramedics arrived they found both occupants of this vehicle had sustained fatal injuries.by Mike Winnett, Independent Consultant

Every driver should check some of the basics before heading out.

2. Why Do an Inspection?Because a basic inspection often reveals issues that affect tire conditions and fuel consumption.

– Tires that are properly inflated, aligned, and rotated extend their service life and reduce fuel consumption and costs.

Under inflated

Wear on the outer edges

Wear in the middle

Over inflated

Alignment Problems

Failed Shock or

Strut

Irregular wear

patterns

Why Do an Inspection?Because, if you leave for a trip without checking that the vehicle is safe to drive,

you could suffer wasted time due to a mechanical breakdown, or worse …

… an injury from a crash due to a mechanical

failure.

Which would you prefer?

3. Who is Responsible?Why do professional pilots inspect the aircraft before takeoff?

– Is it because they do not trust the ground crew? No!– The ground crew does maintain the plane while it is on the ground.– However, the pilot is responsible for the plane once it is in operation.

• Similarly, all drivers have a responsibility to check their vehicle before operating it – whether it is a personal or a business vehicle.

• If something is broken, missing, or not working properly it is the driver’s responsibility to address it or communicate the issue.

• Report business vehicle defects to management.

– Be calm.

– Be professional.

– Put Safety First.

Individuals with extensive training and a proven background in vehicle repair and maintenance should be relied upon …

… to provide the expertise, skill, and

labor necessary to keep company vehicles safe

and dependable.

Who is Responsible?

• Drivers, must monitor vehicle performance closely and report issues ASAP.– Many drivers’ manuals issued across the U.S. state, “it is the driver’s

responsibility to ensure that a vehicle is safe to drive.”

• Drivers who fail to report a known issue may be held civilly or criminally liable for property damages or loss of live as a result of deliberate or depraved indifference.

– Depraved indifference focuses on the risk created by a person’s conduct, not the injuries actually resulting (People v Register, 60 NY2d 273, 469 NYS2d 599 (1983)).

• "Deliberate indifference lies somewhere between negligence and conduct engaged in for the very purposes of causing harm or with the knowledge that harm will result. … Thus, an [individual] must: (1) be actually aware of facts … that a substantial risk of harm exists; (2) actually draw the inference; but (3) nevertheless disregard the risk to [a person’s] health [or property]." Justice Napoleon Jones, U.S. District Court (California), Hendon v Ramsey (2007).

Who is Responsible?

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

(FMCSA)

• Drivers of “commercial motor vehicles” regulated by state and/or federal safety standards must perform documented inspections BEFORE leaving on a trip:– FMCSR 396.11 Driver

vehicle inspection report(s) and

– 396.13 Driver inspection

The American National Standards Institute

(ANSI)• ANSI published

voluntary guidelines for motor fleet operations.

• These suggest all drivers inspect their vehicles before any trip: – ANSI Z15: 6.5 Periodic

Vehicle Checks. “Visual checks shall be made by drivers each time a vehicle is to be operated.”

Who is Responsible?

4. Best Practices• Many companies have Standard

Operating Procedures (SOPs) for inspecting vehicles. Here are a few “best practices:”– some large fleets have in-house mechanics on

staff – some smaller fleets rely on local garages for

consistent maintenance and routine repairs – some companies require a minimal inspection:

i.e., lights and brakes only– some require lifting the hood to the engine to

check fluid levels, belt tension, etc.

SafetyFirst’s online training modules are designed to reinforce safe driver best practices and positive driving behaviors.

For more information contact SafetyFirst at customerfirst@safetyfirst.com

• SafetyFirst has developed the SafetyZone Learning Management System (LMS) for online training that provides Safe Driver Training Modules. One of our popular and brief modules, Preparing your Van for Departure, focuses on HOW TO complete a basic vehicle inspection before setting out on a trip.

A Best Practice

5. What to Look For?*

Most inspection checklists include the following:√ Gauges function as designed√ Fuel and fluids are sufficient√ Wheels clear and tire pressure is correct√ Mirrors and reflectors are secure√ Windshield is free of cracks and chips that obscure

visibility√ Windshield wipers are in good/fair condition √ Headlights, turn signals, & brake lights are all

operational √ Emergency equipment is in place and ready for use

*See the Print and Post at end of presentation!

Other inspection considerations before departure:√ “CIRCLE OF SAFETY” check* or WALK AROUND!

√ Be sure it is safe to move the vehicle.

√ Adjust mirrors √ Secure any personal or work items needed in the

driver’s compartment. √ Secure items/cargo that could shift in the event of a

maneuver or collision.√ Adjust seat position√ Secure and adjust seatbelts!

√Think safety first!

*See BONUS slide at end of presentation!

What to Look For?

6. Report issues ASAPNotifying management when something does not seem right.

– This means during or immediately after a “pre-trip” inspections, or when driving.

• If you notice the vehicle is running hot, or “pulls” to one side of the road, etc., help the company by reporting that the vehicle may need expert attention.

• Safety defects should be repaired before a vehicle is put back into service.

• Documenting maintenance on vehicles creates a record that tracks any re-occurrence of similar issues.

Report Issues ASAP

• Vehicle inspections help prevent time wasting breakdowns, out-of-service delays, and crashes.

• Consistent inspections can help assure proper maintenance and may reduce fuel costs as well as extend vehicle life.

• Companies may have specific methods or SOPs for conducting inspections. What is ours?

• Assuring vehicles are working properly can save lives.

7. Summary

Safety Hotline“How’s My Driving?”

Motorist Observation Report

•Habitual Speeding•Hard Braking•Excessive Idling•Routing/Geo Fencing•Instant Alerts

Vehicle Tracking - Driver BehaviorState MVR Records

MOR /MVR/TeleMatic Events Trigger the Need for Training

1. Tailgating2. Cell Phone/texting3. Improper Lane

Change4. Honoring the Right-

of-Way5. Driving too Fast for

Conditions6. Running Red Lights /

Stop Signs7. Aggressive Driving8. Drug/Alcohol Use9. Drowsy Driving10. Faulty Equipment11. Driving Too Slowly 12. Exceeding the Speed

Limit

Corporate Needs•Pre-hire Screening (License “points”)

•States issue MVR Records•Third Party Provider

•Company Policy and Procedures•Violations History•Driver Risk Management based on MOR/GPS/ MVR•Performance Monitoring

•Insurance Risk Management•MVR Score•Reported Events•Crash Records•Telematic data filters

•Process Improvement•Assign training based on events•Registration Reminders•Driver’s License Renewals

DECALS GPS

Building Perspective!Increasing Focus!

Translating Data into Measurable Results!

ONLINE Training Topics for Behavior Modification

13. Parking Lot Risks 14. Electronic

Distractions 15. Rules of the Road 16. Driving in inclement

weather (Rain&Fog) 17. Intersection

Collisions 18. The other driver19. Van 1 pre-trip

Inspection20. Van 2 handling

Passenger vans21. Van 3 Special

concerns

www.safetyfirst.com customerfirst@safetyfirst.com safetysales@safetyfirst.com 201-267-8900

Sobering! A good reason to do a

vehicle CIRCLE OF SAFETY check before driving off!

A crew working for a utility company found this young child in the wheel well of their truck while conducting a “CIRCLE OF SAFETY.”

No one wants to imagine what could have happened if the employees had gotten into the truck and driven off before doing a walk around.

Please share this photo and experience with others.

The crew that took this picture also reported children climbing into the back of other company vehicles to play and explore!

Posted on November 19, 2014 by LCT contributing editor Jim Luff

Light-hearted reminder of February’s MTMTT

MAINTENANCE• Tires – good condition, properly inflated

• Lights -- Turn signals, brake, parking, reverse, headlights, and interior lights operational

• Windshield and wiper blades in good condition

• Windows and Mirrors – clean, no chips, no cracks

• Fluid levels – fuel, wiper fluid, oil, coolant, break, power steering, ATF

• No visible fluid leaks

• Oil Change within 3k miles/3 months

• COMMENTS:

• --

• --

• --

ORGANIZATION• Legal Documents – insurance, inspection,

registration, accident report

• Personal Tools – present, in good condition and properly stored/secured

• Company Tools – present and in good condition

• Truck Stock/inventory – proper quantities, proper location, saleable condition

• First aid kit, fire extinguisher, flares, and reflective triangles on hand

• Spare Tire & Jack

• Forms/marketing – invoices, service agreement/warranty, brochures, business cards, product literature, etc.

• COMMENTS:

• --

• --

• --

• Exterior Clean -- body, windows, wheels

• Interior Cab Clean – windows, floors, dash, etc.

• Interior Cab Uncluttered – no trash, loose forms, tools, etc.

• Parts/Tool Compartment(s) – everything in its place, clean

• Customer Care – shoe covers, latex gloves, tool rug, drop cloths, wipes

• COMMENTS:

• --

• --

• --

CLEANLINESS

Checking the Vehicle Before DepartureInspecting a vehicle can save time & money or even a life.

Print and post: SafetyFirst Systems, LLC MTMTT- March 2016

Approximately 10% of all crashes can be traced back to equipment malfunction or failure. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)

Wheels Free of ObstructionsCircle of Safety Check

Today’s Date: ________________________

Inspected by: ________________________