Summer is Here! Remember, Safety First!
With the arrival of summer, many of us are looking forward to spending more time outdoors. As school is out, there are many children going to and from outdoor activities throughout the day. Adults, too, are taking advantage of the longer daylight hours, so let us all commit to staying alert and staying safe. Here are some safety tips for drivers I urge you to follow:
- The last week of school is an exciting time for children, and they may become preoccupied and forget the rules of the road. Use extra caution when driving through school zones.
- During those last few days of school, be aware that kids may be arriving or leaving school at different times throughout the day.
- Remember that playground speed limits remain in effect year-round. Observe carefully when driving around playgrounds and parks. Small children are less predictable and harder to see than adults.
- Watch for clues; a hockey net or ball in the road or on the sidewalk can mean kids are playing nearby. Pay attention and always anticipate the unexpected.
- Always be vigilant for small children when backing up your vehicle. Take a moment to walk around your vehicle and ensure there are no kids or pets behind it before proceeding.
- As you make your deliveries, you will encounter children who would typically be in school, on bikes, skateboards, or walking in parking lots, shopping centers, and crossing streets.
Heat and Your Truck
To operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) safely, drivers must understand how heat affects its operations. Two critical areas to monitor during inspections are the engine coolant and the tires.
Engine Coolant
Approximately eight years ago, OEM truck manufacturers introduced extended-life coolant (ELC) into the industry. With each EPA change, the operating temperature of the engine has increased by 10 to 15 degrees. It is estimated that 50% of all engine failures are associated with an overheating condition of the engine. With today’s emission systems, an engine running low on coolant runs the risk of damaging emission components such as the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR).
The benefit of using ELC is that it can improve the engine's heat transfer rate by 12 to 13 percent over conventional antifreeze.
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)
There is a quality level sensor in the DEF tank that can be affected by extreme heat. It is recommended that you keep the DEF tank as full as possible to keep the sensor cool in extreme heat conditions.
Pre- and Post-Trip Inspection Checklist for Coolant:
- Ensure that the coolant level is within the range marked on the side of the coolant reservoir.
- If the coolant level is low, contact your Idealease service provider immediately for guidance. ELC coolant should be red/orange in color and free of dirt, debris, rust, and other contaminants. Do NOT mix ELC with conventional antifreeze!
- If a dashboard light indicating an overheat warning comes on while operating a CMV, immediately pull the vehicle into a safe parking place and contact your Idealease service provider for guidance. Operating the vehicle in an overheat situation can severely damage the engine.
Tires
During the summer season, ambient temperatures can soar well over 100°F, and road temperatures can reach almost 200°F. Heat-related problems caused by underinflation become more severe. Tires that are run underinflated are more prone to failure in these extreme temperatures. A famous tire engineer once stated, “Heat is to tires as Kryptonite is to Superman”—in other words, it’s their worst enemy. When you combine hot summer temperatures, underinflated tires, heavy loads, and high speeds, you have a recipe for tire disaster. That’s exactly why you see more alligators on the highway in the summer season.
Tips to Minimize Tire-Related Issues During Summer:
- Check tire pressures more frequently in the summer.
- Check tire pressures when the tire is “cold” and not after operation. Pressures can increase during operation when “hot” by as much as 15%, giving you a false reading.
- Inspect tires for punctures and damage during pre- and post-trip inspections and stops. Tire punctures tend to increase during the summer because the tread rubber becomes hotter and “softer,” acting as a magnet to nails and road debris.
- Immediately report to your Idealease service provider any tire conditions that need attention.
DEA Issues Proposed Rule to Reschedule Marijuana to Schedule III Controlled Substance
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has released a proposed rule to transfer marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). This move aligns with the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) view that marijuana has a currently accepted medical use, as well as their assessment of its abuse potential and level of physical or psychological dependence. The CSA mandates that such actions must be undertaken through formal rulemaking on the record after providing an opportunity for a hearing.
The DEA states that if marijuana is transferred to Schedule III, the manufacture, distribution, dispensing, and possession of marijuana would still be subject to the applicable criminal prohibitions of the CSA. However, these offenses would likely be considered less severe. Additionally, any drugs containing a substance within the CSA’s definition of “marijuana” would continue to be subject to the applicable prohibitions outlined in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
A final rule rescheduling marijuana to Schedule III would not impact workers, including commercial truck drivers, who are subject to the Transportation Department’s prohibitions against the use of marijuana and DOT’s drug testing requirements.
Comments on the proposal will be due 60 days after the notice is published in the Federal Register.
Marijuana has been listed in Schedule I since the CSA was enacted in 1970, alongside other drugs such as heroin, ecstasy, and LSD. The Justice Department, of which the DEA is a subagency, has the authority to amend the classification. Despite the DEA denying two petitions to reschedule marijuana in 2016, in 2023, the HHS conducted a scientific and medical evaluation of marijuana. This evaluation, based on a comprehensive review of available data, led to the recommendation that marijuana be transferred to Schedule III.
What CDL Drivers Should Know About Using CBD Products
Positive drug tests account for 81% of the violations reported in the Clearinghouse since January 6, 2020. As of May 1, 2023, marijuana has been detected in over half of all drug tests filed in the Clearinghouse. It is crucial for all employees who perform safety-sensitive functions, including CDL drivers, to be aware of the following:
- USDOT Testing Requirements: The USDOT requires testing for marijuana, not CBD.
- Misleading CBD Product Labels: Many CBD products may contain higher levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) than what is stated on the product label.
- Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation: The USDOT’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation (49 CFR Part 40) does not authorize the use of Schedule I drugs, including marijuana, for any reason.
- CBD and Positive Drug Tests: CBD use is not a legitimate medical explanation for a laboratory-confirmed positive marijuana result. Medical Review Officers will verify a drug test as positive at the appropriate cutoffs, even if an employee claims they only used a CBD product.
- Caution Advised: Since the use of CBD products could lead to a positive drug test result, USDOT-regulated CDL drivers should exercise caution when considering whether to use CBD products.
Read the USDOT’s “CBD Notice” in full on the USDOT website.
CVSA’s Brake Safety Week Scheduled for Aug. 25-31
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has announced August 25-31 as the dates for this year’s Brake Safety Week.
Brake Safety Week is a commercial motor vehicle and driver inspection and regulatory compliance enforcement initiative, a brake-safety awareness and outreach opportunity, and a brake-related inspection and violation data-collection project.
Inspection and Enforcement
CVSA-certified inspectors will conduct routine commercial motor vehicle inspections throughout the week, with a focus on brake systems and components. Any commercial motor vehicles found to have brake-related out-of-service violations will be removed from roadways until those violations are corrected.
For this year’s Brake Safety Week, inspectors will focus on the condition of brake linings and pads. Brake lining and pad issues may result in vehicle violations and could affect a motor carrier’s safety rating.
In addition, some jurisdictions have performance-based brake testers (PBBT) and will be using them during Brake Safety Week. A PBBT is a machine that assesses the braking performance of a vehicle.
