Last week I was looking through my Facebook and ran across a posting by an acquaintance who posted pictures of their daughter, a high school senior, standing on a railroad track.  Operation Lifesaver has for years warned people of taking photos standing on rail tracks as this portrays this as a safe place for pedestrians. How many times a day on your driver’s routes do they cross a train track? Most of the time, drivers take for granted that no train is coming and proceed to cross the track.  

ProDriver Steps to Safely Crossing Railroad Tracks

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

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

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

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

roadcheck

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

Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) Driver Tip Sheet

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

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

Question of the Week

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

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

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

Best Practice Guidelines for Roadside Inspections:

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