Full Text
Idealease Safety Bulletin - Back to School Safety http://www2.idealease.com/webmail/36492/340782611/898c1760da1e8e9b077e252967cb6cfd[9/25/2015 3:58:05 PM] In This Issue: Back to School Safety Tips School Buses and Laws Releasing Driver MVRs after Medical Exams Important September Dates Idealease Safety Seminars Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Back to School Safety! Pedestrian-vehicle injuries are a leading cause of death for children ages 5 to 14. Kids are back from summer camp, school will be in session again soon and school buses will be out on the streets. That means drivers need to step up safety around school zones, crosswalks, bus stops and wherever children may be playing outside. Here are some back-to-school tips: 1. Be familiar with school zones. Get in the habit of noticing where school zones and crosswalks are on routes that you normally take. Accidents, including pedestrian accidents, are far more likely to occur locally on routes with which drivers are more familiar and comfortable. 2. Stop for school bus lights. Always stop for school buses with flashing red lights. Drivers approaching the bus must come to a full stop for the duration August 14, 2015 Brought to you by Idealsafe [PHONE REDACTED] www.idealease.com School Buses and Laws Even if you don't have kids in school, it's not hard to see the increase in school buses around this time. Laws vary by state, but usually you have to stop if a school bus is loading or unloading—no matter what side of the street it's on. Passing a school bus while its red lights are flashing is illegal in every state. Watch for school buses stopping at railroad tracks. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the local laws regarding school buses. In their guide, "Reducing Illegal Passing of School Buses," the National Highway ---PAGE BREAK--- Idealease Safety Bulletin - Back to School Safety http://www2.idealease.com/webmail/36492/340782611/898c1760da1e8e9b077e252967cb6cfd[9/25/2015 3:58:05 PM] that the red lights are on. Some school buses have flashing yellow lights also, which means that drivers may proceed with extreme caution. Bus drivers often engage the flashing yellow lights before the flashing red lights, signaling that they are about to stop. 3. Obey crossing guards. School crossing guards are given police training and the same authority as local traffic police in most areas, so disobeying a crossing guard could get you in some serious trouble. Remember that driving on major streets where crossing guards and crosswalks are observed is safer than taking "short-cut" side streets where children may be unattended. 4. Anticipate the worst. The speed and distance away of oncoming cars is more difficult for young children to judge. Always anticipate the chance that a small child may run in front of you by slowing down and preparing to brake. 5. Be careful around parked vehicles. Be especially careful in areas with parked vehicles on the side of the road. Children waiting to cross may be especially difficult to see behind parked sport-utility vehicles. 6. Turn your headlights on. Drive with headlights on in areas with children and pedestrians. The AAA says that the use of headlights can reduce pedestrian accidents by about 25 percent. 7. Avoid using cell phones when driving. Cell phones are a known distraction. Never use hand-held cell phones while driving, and never use hands-free cell phones while driving in school zones or areas with children. The same goes for activities that distract the driver, such as changing CDs, looking at notes and reading maps. 8. Avoid reversing. Try to avoid reversing your vehicle in areas with children. It's more difficult to see short children and attend to your car's blind spots while reversing. 9. Don't speed. Remember that the speed limit in most school zones during school times or when children are present is 25 miles per hour. Bad weather, or areas with limited visibility, will require a lower speed. Your visibility to pedestrians, your ability to see them and your stopping distance all Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that many school buses are illegally passed about once a day. Some buses are even passed on the right (the side children use). NEWS: National Truck Driver Appreciation Week September 13-19, 2015 Make plans now to recognize your drivers! CVSA Brake Safety Week September 6-12, 2015 Sign Up Now for one of Seven Safety Seminars to be held this Fall! Idealease, its members and the National Private Truck Council NPTC will again be hosting safety seminars in 2015. The one day seminars this year will focus on basic safety and compliance, regulation changes and CSA. The seminars and will be provided to all Idealease customers, potential customers and NPTC ---PAGE BREAK--- Idealease Safety Bulletin - Back to School Safety http://www2.idealease.com/webmail/36492/340782611/898c1760da1e8e9b077e252967cb6cfd[9/25/2015 3:58:05 PM] may be greatly impaired by weather or road conditions so follow common sense and slow down. 10. Don't honk at pedestrians or bicyclists. Honking at a child, whether on foot or on a bicycle, is generally not a good idea. The noise could possibly cause the startled child to trip or fall and be in a dangerous position for other approaching traffic. Some States Delay Releasing Driver MVRs After Medical Exams Companies are reporting that a number of states are not releasing drivers’ motor vehicle records in sufficient time for carriers to make the verifications required for CDL drivers. Under 49 CFR 391.23(m)(2), since January 30, 2015, carriers must use the CDLIS motor vehicle record obtained from the state driver licensing agency to verify and document in the driver qualification file the following information before allowing the driver to operate a CMV: The type of operation the driver self-certified that he or she will perform in accordance with 49 CFR 383.71(a)(1)(ii) and 383.71(g). That the driver was certified by a medical examiner listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners as of the date of medical examiner's certificate issuance. The motor carrier may use a copy of the medical examiner's certificate as proof of the driver's medical certification for up to 15 days after the date it was issued, but for no longer. Some states, however, are delaying responses to requests for MVRs for more than 15 days, making the drivers’ CDLs invalid. Once the MVR is released by the state driver licensing agency, the driver must get the CDL reinstated. To view an spreadsheet for State-by-state Instructions for Submitting Medical Certificates to the State Driver Licensing Agencies to to: members at no charge. The seminar provides important information applicable for both the novice and experienced transportation professionals. October 7 Erie, PA October 13 Toledo, OH October 14 Grand Rapids, MI October 14 Charlotte, NC October 20 Las Vegas, NV October 21 Los Angeles, CA October 22 San Martin, CA To register for an upcoming seminar in 2015 click on the following link: www.idealease.com/safety- seminar-registration ---PAGE BREAK--- Idealease Safety Bulletin - Back to School Safety http://www2.idealease.com/webmail/36492/340782611/898c1760da1e8e9b077e252967cb6cfd[9/25/2015 3:58:05 PM] http://www2.idealease.com/e/36492/t-State-Instructions- FINAL-pdf/2d7zkn/340782611 follow on Twitter I friend on Facebook I forward to a friend I subscribe The Idealease Safety Bulletin is provided for Idealease affiliates and their customers and is not to be construed as a complete or exhaustive source of compliance or safety information. The Idealease Safety Bulletin is advisory in nature and does not warrant, guarantee, or otherwise certify compliance with laws, regulations, requirements, or guidelines of any local, state, or Federal agency and/or governing body, or industry standards. Copyright © 2015 , All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 430 North Rand Road North Barrington, IL 60010 unsubscribe from this list I update subscription preferences