safety

Key Benefits of Collision Mitigation

idealease_admin — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 20:18:00 +0000

Key Benefits of Collision Mitigation idealease_admin Tue, 11/12/2019 - 14:18

Three Ways Idealease and Bendix® Have Your Drivers’ Backs

Earlier this year, Navistar announced all new heavy-duty trucks will ship with the Bendix® Wingman® Fusion™ system as standard equipment—an important upgrade that has us excited for both our customers and their fleet managers.

In 2018, approximately 70% of Navistar’s LT® series were ordered with some form of collision mitigation system; the majority of which were Bendix Wingman Fusion. So, there is a good chance that many of your drivers are familiar with the name, but maybe not all of the benefits.

Let’s take a look at what these new upgrades are and how they help protect your drivers.

Wingman Fusion is the most advanced and comprehensive safety system on the market. It builds on the already robust set of features from the previous generation by combining fully integrated radar, camera, and braking controls. Many functions may be familiar, but there are significant improvements that are worth noting:

Collision Mitigation
- Stationary Vehicle Braking alerts the driver up to 3.5 seconds—and applies the brakes—before a possible impact with an in-lane, stationary, motorized vehicle

Enhanced Collision Mitigation removes up to twice as much vehicle speed as current systems

Alerts
- An Overspeed Alert sounds when the system determines the truck is moving too fast as the camera reads speed limit signs in real time, at above 20 mph
- Alert prioritization minimizes distractions by sounding only the most critical alert during severe events
- Lane departure alert is given through an audible “rumble strip” sound, to advise the driver of any unintended lane departure

Full SafetyDirect Integration
- Bendix’s web portal, SafetyDirect®, offers fleet managers direct communication with the vehicle, allowing camera changes without touching the truck

The biggest benefit of all comes from the collective, full system integration that allows every feature to work together seamlessly by constantly gathering, sharing, and confirming information in real time. It’s a level of performance and accuracy systems built from individual components simply can’t match.

Check out our sell sheet (Bendix Wingman pdf) below for a complete overview of all safety features, or dig even deeper into the technical details here.

Safety technology is also getting a big push at the Federal level.

At the American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) annual Management & Conference in October, former Administrator Ray Martinez introduced a new project to promote Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). This two-year effort involves promoting technology that aims to improve driver safety by utilizing advances in automatic emergency braking, lane departure warnings, and blind-spot monitoring.

ADAS has experienced impressive penetration into consumer vehicles beyond the luxury market. At the same time, the inclusion of ADAS makes its own case for commercial vehicles, as they are significantly larger and heavier than their consumer counterparts, have more compromised visibility, and greater annual mileage.

The ADAS promotion project is a collaborative effort between the FMCSA and industry partners, such as the ATA and the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), who will lead efforts to distribute educational materials promoting ADAS among fleet owners, owner-operators, and other commercial driver’s license holders.

All ADAS currently in use will be tracked by the FMCSA, as will industry-wide adoption rates. They will also be monitoring the overall safety benefits and the impact of their partner’s outreach efforts.

We will update you here with new information as it becomes available.

November 12, 2019

NID

1357

PDF Media

bendix_wingman.pdf

Holiday Safety Driving Tips

idealease_admin — Sun, 25 Nov 2018 16:40:00 +0000

Holiday Safety Driving Tips idealease_admin Sun, 11/25/2018 - 10:40

Drive Cautiously, Celebrate Responsibly and Arrive Alive

Increased holiday traffic and unpredictable weather conditions make it more important than ever to tune-up on vehicle preparation and winter driving skills. 41% of fatal traffic accidents are single vehicle crashes. Accidents occur most often during the late night/early morning hours and the late afternoon hours to drivers who are tired, have consumed alcohol, or both.

These safe driving tips will help protect you when driving your personal vehicle and a commercial truck:

Before you start your trip, make sure your vehicle is tuned up and in good shape for travel. This is especially important for winter driving conditions.
Keep headlights and tail lights clean - Dark winter days make it more difficult to see other motorists and pedestrians. Turn headlights on at least a half hour before sunset to increase your visibility and keep windshields and mirrors clean to avoid glare. Don't look directly at oncoming headlights; instead avert your eyes to the right side of the road.
Put together a driving emergency kit - Carry a blanket, flashlight, candles, matches, jumper cables and a shovel in your trunk. Kitty litter or sand is also useful to gain traction if you happen to get stuck.
Buckle up - Wear your safety belt properly every time you get behind the wheel, even for short distances. Restrain yourself and your passengers properly in seat belts and car safety seats. Remember, the rear seat is the safest place for children of any age to ride.
Be especially careful of parking lots and malls as you make your deliveries.
Do not cross through lanes - Drive slowly and be prepared for the unexpected.
Beware of distracted drivers - Actions such as cell phone usage, eating/drinking, personal grooming or reading maps can take a driver's attention off the road. Always expect the unexpected, and leave yourself a way out.
Keep your speed down - Give yourself plenty of time and distance to react to the traffic around you. Let impatient and aggressive drivers pass you or go through the intersection ahead of you so that you control the situation. Do not pass if you cannot see enough clear road to pass safely.
Choose a designated driver who will remain alcohol free or use a taxi if you will be drinking at your holiday get-together.
Stay fresh and alert when driving - Take plenty of breaks and do not push yourself to meet an unrealistic schedule. If you get tired, pull off the road into a truck stop, rest area or business, get some fresh air, buy something to refresh you, or just relax until you feel revived. If that doesn’t work, find a motel where you can spend the night.
Be flexible in setting your travel plans - Leave early if you can to avoid the peak traffic hours. If snow is predicted during the time you plan to travel, change your schedule. It is better to reschedule your gathering than to risk the lives of traveling family or friends.
Pull off the road if you must use your cell phone - Driving requires your full attention.

Important Reminders for CDL Drivers - Alcohol, and the Holidays:

Be sure to remind all your truck drivers about the strict consequences of drinking and driving.

According to FMCSA regulations, if a CDL driver is convicted of being under the influence of alcohol as described by state law while operating any type of motor vehicle (including a personal car), they will be disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle for one year. A second conviction disqualifies the driver from operating a commercial motor vehicle for life.

The rules are simple: No driving while using alcohol or within four hours after using alcohol. Drivers cannot drive with a breath alcohol concentration of 0.04 percent or greater. Refusing to submit to an alcohol test or using alcohol within eight hours after an accident, or until tested (for drivers required to be tested) are also prohibited.

Check out more CMV Driving Tips here.

November 25, 2018

NID

1224

Prevent Driver Injuries in Fall and Winter

idealease_admin — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 16:18:00 +0000

Prevent Driver Injuries in Fall and Winter idealease_admin Fri, 09/29/2017 - 11:18

September 29, 2017

NID

1106

PDF Media

prevent_driver_injuries_in_fall_and_winter.pdf

Improving Driver Health

idealease_admin — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 15:42:00 +0000

Improving Driver Health idealease_admin Thu, 09/14/2017 - 10:42

September 14, 2017

NID

1103

PDF Media

improving_driver_health.pdf

Driver Background Investigations

idealease_admin — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 18:40:00 +0000

Driver Background Investigations idealease_admin Thu, 09/07/2017 - 13:40

September 7, 2017

NID

1100

PDF Media

driver_background_investigations.pdf

Safe Driving Tips for Summer Time Weather Conditions

idealease_admin — Tue, 29 Aug 2017 13:37:00 +0000

Safe Driving Tips for Summer Time Weather Conditions idealease_admin Tue, 08/29/2017 - 08:37

August 29, 2017

NID

1093

PDF Media

driving_tips_for_summer_weather.pdf

What is one of the most dangerous jobs?

idealease_admin — Tue, 08 Aug 2017 19:14:00 +0000

What is one of the most dangerous jobs? idealease_admin Tue, 08/08/2017 - 14:14

August 8, 2017

NID

1080

Banning Distracted Driving: An Employer's Guide to Protect Employees and Liability

idealease_admin — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 13:42:00 +0000

Banning Distracted Driving: An Employer's Guide to Protect Employees and Liability idealease_admin Mon, 06/26/2017 - 08:42

Distracted driving is any activity that diverts our attention from driving; this may include food/drink consumption, tuning the stereo, or talking/texting on a phone. About 10% of all traffic fatalities are caused by distracted driving.

Take the following actions to develop a stable No Distracted Driving policy for your employees:

Implement a clear policy indicating that the employer does not require employees to answer calls while they are on the road. This includes the employer placing calls to employees while they are driving. Require employees to pull over and stop their vehicles before placing or accepting any phone calls.
Encourage your employees to plan their trips to include stops so they can safely return calls and emails.
Establish company policy that makes it unnecessary for employees to text while driving to fulfill their job duties.
Eliminate any incentives that may encourage employees to text/talk while operating a vehicle.
Communicate your state's regulations and associated fines to employees.
Encourage employees to sign an antidistracted driving pledge.
Designate company vehicles as "distraction-free zones."

Ending distracted driving is everyone's responsibility.
Visit the National Safety Council website to learn more.

June 26, 2017

NID

1051

Tips for Controlling Distracted Driving

idealease_admin — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 13:58:00 +0000

Tips for Controlling Distracted Driving idealease_admin Wed, 06/21/2017 - 08:58

Out of sight, out of mind. Putting your phone on silent and storing it somewhere that is not visible, but easily accessible, is the best way to avoid temptation. Everyone knows the feeling of seeing a notification and wanting to immediately respond because we all live busy lives, but in order to stay safe and keep other motorists safe, it’s best to keep your phone out of sight.
Never text and drive. There are very few driving habits that are worse than texting and driving. Taking your eyes off the road to send a one-word text takes at least 5 seconds. If you’re going 60 mph on the highway, your vehicle travels more than the length of a football field in five seconds. Do not take those five seconds for granted because a lot can happen in that short amount of time – debris can fly into your lane, an animal can run in front of your car, or another driver might change lanes and hit the brakes.
Be prepared to drive before getting behind the wheel. Eat your granola bar at home. Save the newspaper for when you get to work. Make sure you’re fully awake by getting the proper amount of sleep the night before. There are many ways in which we can get sidetracked throughout the day and there are certainly times when we have to multitask. Driving is not one of those times.
Properly secure every item in your vehicle. You don’t want something to fall to the floor and spill while you’re traveling at 60 miles per hour down the highway. Try to suitably secure all items and definitely do not place anything on your lap or near the driver’s side floor. Items can slide under your brake pedal and prevent you from stopping if incorrectly secured.
Set a good example for young drivers and speak up when uncomfortable. Young drivers who have grown up in the age of tremendous technological advancement may not know the risks involved in distracted driving. Talk to them about why it’s important to focus and why sharing the road with other drivers is a huge responsibility. Also, if you’re a passenger in a vehicle and an electronic device distracts the driver, say something or offer to type the text and send it yourself. Safety is much more important than avoiding an awkward conversation.

June 21, 2017

NID

1046

Tire Safety Can Save You Thousands in Damage and Repair Costs

idealease_admin — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 14:34:00 +0000

Tire Safety Can Save You Thousands in Damage and Repair Costs

Tire Safety is a Vital Part of the Pre- and Post-Trip Inspection

idealease_admin Tue, 06/06/2017 - 09:34

Did you know that tires are one of the largest operating expenses when it comes to your truck(s)? Therefore, it is vital to make sure the tires are properly inflated. Accidents are often caused by improperly inflated tires, which can be easily prevented. Improper inflation can decrease the service life of a tire significantly and can even take a huge chunk from a truck's fuel economy. The only true and accurate way to determine the air pressure in a tire is to gauge the tire with a tire pressure gauge.

At your next driver safety meeting inflate 3 tires on rims with pressures varying by 10 pounds each- one tire at the correct pressure, one tire 10 pounds under optimal pressure and one 20 pounds under optimal pressure. See if they are able to tell which tire has the correct pressure. Believe it or not, there is a workers compensation case for a driver who was checking his tires by thumping them with a hammer and the hammer bounced back, breaking the driver's jaw!

When inspecting tires pay close attention to the wear patterns and tread depth. The FMCSA regulations CFR 393.75 require that steer axle tires have a minimum tread depth of 4/32” and all other applications, including trailers, to have a minimum tread depth of 2/32”.

Pay attention to your tires and they will provide many miles of service.

Beware of the following signs of tire wear. During visual inspections look for over inflation, under inflation, types of tread wear:

Over Inflation: Too much air pressure causes mostly the tires middle section to contact the road. This creates wear primarily in the center of the tread, with less wear at the tires edges.
Under Inflation: Too little air pressure causes mostly the tire’s outer edges to contact the road.
Tread Wear on one edge of the tire: This typicallty occurs when the wheels are out of alignment.
Erratic Tread Wear: Often called cupping, and may mean the wheel is out of balance, or that shock absorber or other suspension components need to be replaced.

June 6, 2017

NID

1035