Hours of Service, Seatbelts, and Teenage Driving
New HOS Rules. As of this edition, the New Hours of Service rules are still taking effect 1 July 2013. The details of the new rules have been a hot topic during this quarter’s safety meetings. If you did not attend the meeting or feel that you need more information contact your terminal manager.
Click-it or Ticket. Besides improving your chances of surviving an accident, wearing a seatbelt will also lessen your chances of receiving a citation. Title 49 CFR subpart 392.16 states “a CMV shall not be driven unless the driver has properly restrained himself/herself with the seatbelt assembly”. Incidentally, failing to properly wear a seatbelt has serious consequences to your CSA Driver Score Card. The infraction will cost you seven severity Unsafe Driving BASIC points. These points are multiplied by the longevity factor and one violation will place you over the acceptable threshold during the 1st year following the violation. These severity points are more than other Unsafe Driving violations, like failing to yield, following too close, or even failing to obey a stoplight.
Teenage Drivers. I recently read an article that stated that the summer months are the most dangerous and most deadly months for teenagers. The article went on to identify the dangers due to their inexperience in driving; being tempted by their friends to drive irresponsibly; experimenting with alcohol or drugs; being distracted by passengers; and distractions from cellphone including texting while driving. If you have a teenager, do what it takes to keep them safe and get them back to school in September.