November Monthly Refresher – Distracted Driving + Monthly Challenge

Distracted Driving

Bus travel is one of the safest ways to get around and that’s in large part to the efforts of motorcoach operators like you!  You cannot drive safely unless the task of driving has your full attention. Any non-driving activity you engage in is a potential distraction and increases your risk of crashing.

Per the FMCSA, research shows that the odds of being involved in a safety-critical event (e.g., crash, near-crash, unintentional lane deviation) are 23.2 times greater for drivers who text while driving than for those who do not. Texting drivers took their eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds. At 55 mph, this equates to a driver traveling the approximate length of a football field — without looking at the roadway!  For CMV drivers who dial a mobile phone while driving, the odds of being involved in a safety-critical event are six times greater than for those who do not!

Distracted driving isn’t just using your phone.  Operating a GPS, eating, drinking, chatting with passengers, and handling paperwork are just some examples of ways we lose focus on the road.

This month we’d like to encourage you to recommit yourself to distraction free driving.  Stop by Desiree’s office to pick up a small gift to aid in this effort. Let’s work together to avoid unnecessary risks.

Monthly Challenge

Recently we’ve been experiencing a rash of tire related issues.  Tires are one of the most critical areas of safety concern.  They must be kept in good condition, properly inflated, and free of sidewall damage.  Check your tires whenever you park your vehicle.  Look for irregular tread depth/wear, cracks, bulges, cuts, and foreign objects.

In an effort to curb (pun intended) tire scuffing, we’ve begun dressing the tires on a daily basis so we can identify problem areas.  This month there will be no deductions from bonus pay for tire related issues.  Instead, we’ll be monitoring the tires and reviewing ways to improve our tire health with you.  Bonus deductions will begin December 1.