Road Courtesy, Deers, and Counter Terrorism
OH Deer. According to the Ohio Department of Public Safety, the deer population in Ohio is estimated to be about 750,000. During last year there were over 28,000 collisions involving one or more deer. Every year M.C. Tank Transport’s drivers and contractors have collisions or near misses with deer. Fall is the peak breading season for deer and they are often running in small to large herds. The following is a collection of advice from your fellow drivers and assorted safety professionals when confronted with a deer:
- If a collision is inevitable, tightly grip the steering wheel and brace yourself for impact and let it happen.
- Do not attempt evasive maneuvers such as sudden lane changes, panic braking, etc. Doing so could cause you to leave the paved portion of the road; loose control; jackknife; or roll over.
- Bear in mind that deer often run in groups.
- After colliding with a deer, pull over at the earliest safe place and inspect your vehicle and trailer for damage.
- Deer are most active between sunset and midnight. More than half of deer-vehicle collisions occur between 5 p.m. and midnight.
- After dark, use your high-beam headlights when possible to illuminate deer eyes.
- Flashing lights and honking a horn may cause the deer to act erratically and turn its path toward the road.
Road Courtesy. I’ve had a couple of phone complaints about different drivers being discourteous. Since courtesy is a matter of opinion, I’m not going to debate who was in the wrong. However, the following are suggestions from veteran drivers about what they perceive to be courteous practices:
- Observe the posted speed limit and adjust your speed accordingly in congested traffic.
- Don’t tailgate.
- Don’t intimidate other drivers by riding the Jake brake, blowing the horn, flashing lights, or tailgating.
- Don’t get involved in other forms of road rage i.e. cursing or giving obscene gestures.
- If possible allow traffic to merge.
- Use your turn signals well in advance of changing lanes.
- Keep your cool in construction zones.
- Remember YOU are the professional.
COUNTER TERRORISM. Even though it’s been fourteen years since the infamous 9/11 attack on the United States, known terrorist cells are still operating inside the country and may be positioning for another attack. The 9/11 anniversary has been a date used by terrorists to make attacks on American targets, as in the attack on Benghazi. While we cannot stop an attack we can make it more difficult for the attacker or cause him to fumble. Here are some things that we can do to protect ourselves and our way of life:
- Keep a vigilant eye for unusual happenings wherever you are.
- Don’t be lured into a trap.
- Don’t appear to be vulnerable.
- Only deliver your load to the address stated on your Trip Report.
- Lock your vehicle if it is unattended.
- Be suspicious of individuals attempting to get you to stop as a result of an alleged traffic accident.
- Keep your tractor windows rolled up.
- Be aware of vehicles that are following your truck and of strangers asking you questions about your load and its destination.
- Report any suspicious activity immediately to the police directly or through a company official.