Logs, Winterization, Personal Safety
Log Books. I’ve made two modifications to the log books that you will be seeing in the future. I think these slight improvements will help you while completing your daily log. The modification appears in the lower left corner of the remarks section and is labeled “driver use only”.
- The first line includes a check box to announce that the driver is using the 34 hour restart on this day and also includes a line to write the time that the actual restart begins. This is the easiest way that I could come up with to identify the restart intentions.
- The second line announces that the driver operates within a 100 mile radius of the domicile (a.k.a. short haul) and is exempt from having to take a 30 minute break. Not very many of our drivers are eligible for this. But those who are can take advantage of this exception.
Your Personal Security. Thieves are not all stupid when it comes to robbing you. Here are a couple of things to consider when it comes to security of your home. How many of us leave the vehicle registration, GPS, or the garage door opener unsecured while it is parked for an extended period? Thieves have been known to break into cars that are parked at sporting events, airport parking lots, etc. only to take these items. Since they know that the driver (at least) will be out of the house for an extended or known time, they could have free reign on the house because the address is on the registration and possibly the homeowners address identified simply as “home”. If they also steal the garage door opener they may be able to access the house without physically breaking in. Police recommend that you keep the vehicle registration, garage door opener, and portable GPS device in a locked glove box.
While I’m on my soap box, please remind your loved ones to not appear to be vulnerable while on the road or out in the public especially while in shopping center parking lots or while walking/jogging. How many times have you watched ladies walking out of the store while pushing a shopping cart, with their purse easily accessible, and talking or texting? The same goes for people walking while talking or texting in a residential area. They are obviously not aware of their surroundings and could be perceived as an easy target for a robbery or a violent crime. One more thing while I’m still on my soap box. Don’t identify close people to you on your contact list with names like “Mom”, “Honey”, “Hubby”, etc. A thief could easily identify one of these as someone who would know important personal information and creatively send a text to them that would ask for a credit card number or PIN or other personal information and ruin or at least disrupt your finances.
Winterization. The shops are in the process of their winterization of tractors and trailers. Most of them have pre-mixed anti-freeze that will protect the engine down to -32o Fahrenheit. Several of the terminals are using antifreeze in lieu of hydraulic oil in the internal valve pumps. The shop asks that if the level in these pumps is low and if you have to add water, that you inform them immediately when you return to the terminal. The shops also have a supply of window washer fluid on hand. I’ve been told that the roadside inspectors often target checking the windshield washer fluid levels during the winter months. The cold temperatures make the air in the tire thinner, which may allow some of it to escape. Therefore, it is necessary to continuously check your tire pressures. Every year we hear reports about people suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning while inside the cab of an idling vehicle. If you’re stranded, open your window slightly while your engine is running to vacate the carbon monoxide. For your own creature comfort, pack some extra clothes. In addition to needing to change because of an unexpected delay, you may need to change because of having to enter the emergency shower. Also pack some extra non- perishable food, bottled water, blankets, and batteries for flashlight.