It is bittersweet that I am writing my last Idealease Safety Bulletin as I will be retiring next Monday. For over 19 years I have authored this weekly safety bulletin and hope that in some way it has been beneficial and impactful for you with complying with federal and state regulations. In addition, through the information provided in the bulletin you have been able to reduce your liability exposure of operating a commercial vehicle fleet. I wish nothing but the best for each and everyone of you and your fleet. It has been a wonderful ride and have enjoyed every minute of the journey. The Idealease safety bulletins and safety seminars will continue in the future without disruption. Idealease is in the process of filling my safety responsibilities and will announce my successor in a future bulletin.
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month!
Did you know your brain can miss up to 50% of your driving environment when you talk on a cell phone?
According to research, drivers who talk on cell phones have slower reaction times than those with a blood alcohol content of 0.08.
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, making it the perfect time for motor carriers to remind their drivers about the dangers of distracted driving and the rules and regulations enforced by the FMCSA.
According to these regulations, Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) drivers are prohibited from texting or using hand-held mobile phones while operating their vehicles. Violations can result in fines and/or disqualifications and will impact both a motor carrier’s and a driver’s Safety Management System (SMS) scores.
What counts as texting?
Texting includes manually entering or reading alphanumeric text on an electronic device.
The rules also restrict CMV drivers from:
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Reaching for or holding a mobile phone to make a call
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Dialing by pressing more than a single button
CMV drivers may only use a hands-free device located within easy reach.
In short, the rule prohibits unsafely reaching for a device, holding a mobile phone, or pressing multiple buttons.
Penalties:
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CMV drivers can face civil penalties of up to $2,750 and disqualification for multiple offenses.
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Motor carriers are prohibited from requiring or allowing their drivers to text or use hand-held phones while driving. Violations may result in civil penalties of up to $11,000 and will also impact SMS results.
This month, remind your drivers about the serious risks of distracted driving.
It’s simple to comply with the rules:
NO REACHING – NO HOLDING – NO DIALING – NO TEXTING – NO READING
Banning Distracted Driving: An Employer's Guide to Protecting Employees and Reducing Liability
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Implement a clear policy stating that employees are not required to answer calls while driving. This includes the employer refraining from calling employees who are on the road.
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Encourage employees to plan trips with stops so they can safely return calls and emails.
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Establish a policy that makes texting while driving unnecessary for job duties.
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Eliminate any incentives that may encourage phone use while driving.
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Communicate your state’s regulations and associated fines to all employees.
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Encourage employees to sign an anti-distracted driving pledge.
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Designate all company vehicles as “distraction-free zones.”
Get a free cell phone policy kit from the National Safety Council:
https://www.dli.pa.gov/Businesses/Compensation/WC/safety/paths/resources/Documents/Distracted%20Driving/Introduction.pdf
Our highways are very dangerous places, and it’s up to all of us to do our part in keeping them as safe as possible.
All 50 states have “Move Over” laws designed to protect law enforcement officers and other first responders who are stopped on our nation’s roads. Yet, many drivers remain unaware of these laws—and traffic-related incidents continue to be the leading cause of death among on-duty law enforcement officers.
In response, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in partnership with law enforcement agencies and state highway safety offices, is working to raise awareness about these lifesaving “Move Over” laws and to emphasize the importance of protecting public safety professionals who risk their lives to protect others on the road.
By collaborating with local organizations and using earned and social media to spread the word, you can help raise awareness of “Move Over” laws, make a difference, and ultimately save lives.
Learn more and access free materials here:
https://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/get-materials/first-responder-safety/move-over
2025 National Work Zone Awareness Week, April 21-25
National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) is an annual spring campaign held at the start of construction season to encourage safe driving through highway work zones and
construction sites. The key message is for drivers to use extra caution in work zones. For more information, check out the link below:
https://www.atssa.com/event/national-work-zone-awareness-week-2025/
Frost Laws in 16 States and 9 Provinces!
Spring weather often creates driving challenges. Specifically, the change in ground temperature can damage roads and vehicles, resulting in "roller coaster" rides from "wavy roads." Consequently, motor carriers need to monitor the many state and provincial spring weight restrictions or risk damage to the road and/or the rig.
Be ready for an alternate route.
To preserve the integrity of the roadways, many states impose seasonal weight restrictions as early as late February, with some lasting into May. As drivers travel through regions experiencing spring thaws, they need to watch for posted signs indicating allowable weights. These signs may also indicate reduced speed limits.
Trip planning may involve visiting state websites to determine if a specific highway is accessible to your vehicles. In addition, if a driver comes upon a weight restriction, he or she will need to find an alternative route, possibly contacting dispatch for assistance.
Ignoring posted restrictions may result in more than just fines. It can lead to damage to the roads, your vehicle, and/or cargo, and could even result in an accident if the roadway is difficult to maneuver. To view the laws in various states and provinces, go to:
https://oversize.io/regulations/frost-laws-by-state
International Roadcheck 2025 May 13-15
International Roadcheck is an annual three-day event during which CVSA-certified inspectors conduct compliance, enforcement, and educational initiatives targeted at various elements of motor carrier, vehicle, and driver safety.
International Roadcheck is the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial motor vehicles in the world, with nearly 15 trucks and motorcoaches inspected, on average, every minute across North America during a 72-hour period.
Since its inception in 1988, roadside inspections conducted during International Roadcheck have totaled more than 1.8 million. International Roadcheck also provides an opportunity to educate the industry and the public about the importance of safe commercial motor vehicle operations and the roadside inspection program.
CVSA sponsors International Roadcheck with participation from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators, Transport Canada, and Mexico’s Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation.
