The Top Driving Distractions

Drivers face a wide variety of distractions behind the wheel today. Incoming text messages and emails, touchscreen navigation systems, voice commands and other in-vehicle technologies can easily take your attention away from the most important task at hand: safely driving the vehicle. Here’s a list of some of the most common driving distractions, as well as what you can do to avoid them this Distracted Driving Awareness Month and beyond.

Cell phones.

Talking, listening, reading that tiny screen, answering text messages – cell phones are a HUGE distraction behind the wheel. Put your cell phone away when you’re driving so it’s out of sight, or simply switch it off for the duration of your trip so you aren’t tempted to reach for it. If you absolutely need to use your cell phone in the car, wait until you can pull off the road to do so.

Reaching for objects.

Every time you reach for something in your car, whether it’s for your lip balm, your cell phone charger or to hit a button on your navigation system, your eyes are not on the road. In that split second, an obstruction could appear in the road, whether it’s a ladder falling off the truck you’re following or an animal darting out of the woods or the vehicle in front of you coming to a sudden stop. Anything you need can wait until you’re at a stoplight or your final destination.

Rubber-necking.

Humans are curious creatures by nature, so when something out of the ordinary appears, like an accident or a new billboard advertising your favorite taco place, it’s not uncommon to crane your neck to catch a glimpse as you’re passing it by. While it’s important to be aware of your surroundings, make sure your main focus is on the road.

Other passengers. 

Friends in the car can be great for company, but they can also be distracting. Enforce the rule in your car that you cannot be distracted while you’re driving. The fun can wait until you arrive at your destination, and it’s much more important that you keep everyone in the vehicle safe until you get there.

Daydreaming.

The lull of the road and some quiet time alone creates an easy opportunity to get lost in your thoughts and lose focus on your surroundings. Stay aware of when your mind starts to wander and quickly bring it back to the road.

Avoiding Distracted Drivers

Even if you do everything correctly as a driver to avoid distractions, you may still be surrounded by other distracted drivers on the road. This is why it is imperative to also practice defensive driving.

What is Defensive Driving?

Defensive driving involves a set of skills that allow drivers to anticipate and avoid accidents due to dangerous or impaired drivers, inclement weather and other hazards. Drivers can help reduce risks by understanding how to size up road hazards and make quick decisions and maneuvers that may save lives.

Defensive Driving Tip #1: Be respectful of other drivers

It’s not uncommon to be running late to school, work or an appointment, which leads to rushing when you hit the road. It’s important to respect other drivers, the right-of-way and spacing, no matter the situation. This means no tailgating, honking or swerving in and out of lanes. These are dangerous behaviors that could also easily lead to a road rage incident.

Defensive Driving Tip #2: Anticipate the unexpected

A critical component of defensive driving is to remember that while you may be a safe driver, others sharing the road may not be. Always be prepared to react to other drivers suddenly switching lanes, look both ways before moving forward at a green light, be aware of your blind spots, etc.

Defensive Driving Tip #3: Follow the rules of the road

This seems like a fundamental safe driving tip that everyone knows, but it’s easy to get distracted by your surroundings and forget the basic rules of the road. Follow posted speed limit signs. Use your blinker when making a turn. Yield to oncoming traffic. These rules can help you avoid a crash that could cost you your life.

Defensive Driving Tip #5: Know your vehicle

Be sure you are well familiar and comfortable with all the functions of your vehicle. You need to have a thorough understanding of how the safety features work, how to use the windshield wipers, check the tire pressure, adjust the mirrors, and so on. You should also practice in different weather conditions so you will know how the car handles in rain, snow and fog.

Driver Training from DriveTeam

Drive Team is a premier driving school, offering teen driving classes and corporate driver training to drivers of all ages to ensure everyone stays as safe as possible behind the wheel. Contact us today for more information.

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Every year, the 72-hour inspection blitz takes a closer look at a designated category to check for violations. This year, CVSA will focus on lighting and HOS compliance, which are critical safety systems for any type of commercial motor vehicle.

“CVSA shares the dates of International Roadcheck in advance to remind motor carriers and drivers of the importance of proactive vehicle maintenance and driver readiness,” said CVSA President Sgt. John Samis with the Delaware State Police. “International Roadcheck also aims to raise awareness of the North American Standard Inspection Program and the essential highway safety rules and regulations in place to keep our roadways safe.”

The International Roadcheck is the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial motor vehicles in the world. On average, in the three days of inspection blitz, 17 trucks and buses are inspected in Canada, the United States and Mexico every minute.

The 2021 International Roadcheck

The annual 72-hour International Roadcheck inspection blitz will be held May 4-6 with an added focus on lighting and hours of service, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance announced Tuesday.

Inspectors will primarily conduct full North American Standard Level I inspections, which cover the entirety of the truck and the driver’s records.

CVSA inspectors will ensure the vehicle’s brake systems, cargo securement, coupling devices, driveline/driveshaft components, driver’s seat, exhaust systems, frames, fuel systems, lighting devices, steering mechanisms, suspensions, tires, van and open-top trailer bodies, wheels, rims, hubs and windshield wipers are compliant with regulations.

Inspectors will check the driver’s operating credentials, hours-of-service documentation, seat belt usage, and for fatigue, alcohol and/or drug impairment. A driver will be placed out of service if an inspector discovers driver-related out-of-service conditions. Until the violations are fixed, the vehicle cannot be operated.

The two areas CVSA is asking inspectors to focus on this year – lighting for vehicles and hours of service for drivers – are among the top violations each year. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the “lamps inoperable” lighting violation was the number one vehicle violation in fiscal 2020, accounting for approximately 12.24% of all vehicle violations discovered that year. And during last year’s Roadcheck inspection spree, the top driver out-of-service condition was hours of service, accounting for nearly 35% of all driver OOS violations.

DriveTeam offers a comprehensive corporate driver training program to ensure your employees become safer, more qualified drivers. Contact us for more information.

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Existing rules prohibit drivers who do not meet certain vision standards in both eyes from operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) unless they obtain an exemption.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is proposing a new vision standard that would replace criteria that have been in place since 1970. The change would make it much easier for drivers with impaired vision to become medically certified to drive.

Comments on the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) must be provided to FMCSA on or before March 15, 2021.

Summary of the proposed rule

Based on recommendations from FMCSA’s Medical Review Board (MRB), the agency proposes a vision standard that resembles what the agency recently adopted for insulin-treated diabetes mellitus, involving a two-step process for physical qualification. Under the proposed rule:

1. The driver must obtain a vision evaluation from an ophthalmologist or optometrist who would record the findings and provide specific medical opinions on the proposed Vision Evaluation Report, Form MCSA–5871.
2. A certified medical examiner (ME) would then:
3. Perform an examination and determine whether the individual meets the proposed vision standard, as well as FMCSA’s other physical qualification standards.
4. Medically certify the driver for a maximum of 12 months if he or she determines that the individual meets the physical qualification standards.

During the driver’s medical exam, the ME would consider the information on Form MCSA–5871 and use independent medical judgment to apply the following four standards. The driver must:

1. Have, in the better eye, distant visual acuity of at least 20/40, with or without corrective lenses, and field of vision of at least 70 degrees in the horizontal meridian;
2. Be able to recognize the colors of traffic signals and devices showing standard red, green, and amber;
3. Have a stable vision deficiency; and
4. Have had sufficient time to adapt to and compensate for the change in vision.

The proposed rule eliminates the need for three years of intrastate driving experience with a vision deficiency, as required in the current federal exemption program.

Under the proposal, those individuals physically qualified under the alternative vision standard for the first time must complete a road test performed by the motor carrier in accordance with §391.31.

Individuals who have already demonstrated they can operate a CMV safely with a vision deficiency, based on one of the following, would be excepted from the road test requirement:

• Have three years of CMV driving experience with the vision deficiency,
• Hold a valid federal vision exemption, or are medically certified under the vision study program (§ 391.64(b)).

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In a “normal” year, the holiday season is the peak time for travel, with the number of drivers increasing as people head out to visit family and friends to celebrate. Often, these gatherings involve alcohol, which leads to individuals enjoying a few holiday spirits and then getting behind the wheel. While impaired driving is of course a concern throughout year, the holidays can be a particularly deadly time.

December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month

Since 1981, every president of the United States has proclaimed December as National Impaired Driving Prevention Month to demonstrate the commitment to preventing impaired driving. The period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day falls just behind the 100 Deadliest Days, the months between Memorial Day and Labor Day, as the most dangerous time to be on the roads due to the increased number of impaired drivers.

Impaired Driving Statistics for the Holiday Season

Impaired driving includes drunk driving, drugged driving and distracted driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) partnered with the U.S. Department of Transportation to create the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign as a means to spread the word about the importance of avoiding impaired driving. Too many impaired drivers get behind the wheel every day, putting their own lives and the lives of countless others on the road with them at risk. Let’s take a closer look at a few of the most startling statistics about impaired driving during the holiday season:

• According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, in 2016, 781 people lost their lives in drunk-driving-related crashes in the month of December alone.
• The U.S Department of Transportation also reports the during the period from Christmas through New Year’s, an average of over 300 people died each year in drunk-driving crashes.
• Drunken drivers caused 6,007 fatal crashes during the holidays from 2010 to 2018.
• The number of crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver rises from 36 per day to 45 during the 3-day Christmas period.
• The U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) reports that 40% of traffic-related deaths during Christmas and New Year’s involve drunk drivers — a 12% increase over the rest of the month of December.
• From 2014 to 2018, the NHTSA reports that there were more than 4,000 drunk-driving-related fatalities in the month of December.

Drive Sober During National Impaired Driving Prevention Month

This National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, we urge you to keep the above facts in mind before enjoying too many holiday spirits and getting behind the wheel. It’s everyone’s responsibility to make smart decisions that will ensure the safety of all those on the road. Remember, if you feel different, you’ll drive different. Make the pledge to stay sober, alert and avoid distractions when you’re driving this holiday season and beyond.

Drive Team offers teen driving classes and corporate driver training to teach drivers of all ages how to be safe, confident and conscientious while behind the wheel. Contact us today for more information.

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July 12-18 was the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s Operation Safe Driver Week. In 2020, the initiative focused on speeding, as the CVSA reported that the less traffic on the roads due to the COVID-19 pandemic led to drivers ignoring some safety laws, including posted speed limits. Operation Safe Driver Week strived to decrease the “severe spike in speeding” seen throughout the pandemic and beyond.

Why Do Drivers Speed?

In today’s busy world, unplanned traffic congestion is a problem that can keep drivers from arriving on time to work, appointments, school, plans with friends, etc. This leads to drivers responding by speeding as the traffic clears, driving recklessly by changing lanes frequently, or even road rage incidents.

Sometimes, drivers increase their speed simply to keep up with the flow of traffic, even when they may not feel comfortable doing so. Impaired drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol may also be guilty of speeding, as their judgment becomes impaired or they even may not be conscious of how fast they’re actually going. Drivers who engage in distractions like texting, talking on a cellphone or conversing with passengers also tend to speed more than those who are focused on the road ahead of them.

Whatever the reason for speeding, the numbers don’t lie: the NHTSA reports that in 2017, speeding was the cause of over 9,700 deaths. Speed limits are posted for a reason – to keep drivers safe.

Why Is Speeding Dangerous?

When drivers travel at unsafe speeds, several dangerous things can happen. Let’s take a closer look at the variety of reasons speeding is a reckless and risky driving behavior:

Drivers can lose control of the vehicle

The faster a driver goes, the easier it becomes to lose control of the car. This is especially true when the road changes abruptly or during inclement weather. Adjusting to curves or sudden objects in the road becomes difficult, if not impossible, when speeding.

Reaction time is reduced

Speeding does not allow for the proper time to react to dangerous situations, as it increases the distance the vehicle travels while giving the driver less time to take note of his or her surroundings. Braking distance is reduced drastically at excessive speeds.

Crashes are more severe

How fast a driver chooses to speed can literally mean the difference between life and death in a car crash. The faster one drives, the more damage there will be should an accident occur. Additionally, the resulting injuries to those involved will be more severe.

Comprehensive Driver Training from DriveTeam

Learn how to become a safe, confident driver with DriveTeam. We offer comprehensive teen driving classes and corporate driver training to teach safe driving tips to those of all ages. Contact us today for more information.

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The novel coronavirus pandemic has put the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance‘s (CVSA) annual International Roadcheck inspection blitz out of service – at least temporarily.

The agency announced Wednesday it will postpone the event, which was set for May 5-7, to later in the year. New dates for the enforcement campaign have not yet been decided.

While Roadcheck has been delayed, CVSA noted that roadside inspections and traffic enforcement will continue as normal.

“As we urgently respond to this time-sensitive crisis, we must remain diligent and committed to ensuring that the commercial motor vehicles and drivers providing essential goods and services to our communities are following motor carrier safety regulations,” said CVSA President Sgt. John Samis with the Delaware State Police. “Safety doesn’t take a break. It is always our top priority.”

When it’s rescheduled, this year’s Roadcheck will focus on driver compliance, notably electronic logging devices and hours of service, but also medical cards, CDLs, seat belt use and more. Inspectors will also be making standard checks of lights, brakes and other equipment.

Roadcheck is the only enforcement blitz to be postponed so far, CVSA said, with Operation Safe Driver Week still scheduled for July 12-18 and Brake Safety Week still set for Aug. 23-29.

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Note: This post has been updated to reflect an enforcement waiver issued Tuesday from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Department of Transportation for drivers with expiring licenses and medical certificates.

Recent closures at various state departments of motor vehicles (DMV) can make renewing a commercial license and filing an updated medical certificate more complicated than normal.

Only 10 states have not closed at least some of their DMV offices or otherwise shifted how they do business. The remaining 40 states and Washington D.C. have either closed some DMV field offices, have pushed all transactions online or are conducting business by appointment only.

A license that has been expired for more than a given number of days as determined by the issuing state – usually either 30 or 60 days – can mean starting over with taking and passing both the knowledge and the road skills tests, and you can’t legally operate a commercial vehicle with an expired license.

“I was recently on a conference call with some U.S. Senators and Congressmen and know that this has been brought to their attention,” Brad Klepper, President of Drivers Legal Plan, said of potential issues updating med cert cards or renewing CDLs.

Some states, in response to a pending log jam of expiring medical cards and licenses, have issued an extension to their expiration grace period, but 17 states with affected offices have yet to do so.

For example, the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles issued an automatic 90-day extension this week for expiring driver’s licenses, vehicle registrations and other DMV documents with an expiration date of March 16 through April 30.

“No one is going to face a penalty because they are unable to complete a DMV transaction,” said DMV Director Julie Butler. “At the same time, however, we’re encouraging customers to complete their business online, if at all possible, to help avoid backlogs once services are fully restored.”

A joint statement issued Monday from American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear and Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance Executive Director Collin Mooney said the two agencies “are committed to doing what they can to ensure the smooth flow of goods and services to all of the people and places affected by this global pandemic and national emergency.”

“In light of these statements,” Klepper opined, “I would think that enforcement – and the courts – would be understanding if a driver who is qualified is unable to renew his CDL because the state office is closed. With that being said, all drivers should renew their CDL as soon as possible once that option becomes available.”

Tuesday, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Department of Transportation formally agreed with Klepper’s assessment and issued a temporary waiver for some commercial vehicle drivers to address disruptions in licensing and other requirements as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Today’s announcement includes a “Notice of Enforcement Policy” and “Waiver” regarding expiring driver’s licenses and medical examiner’s certificates – for drivers who had current credentials as of March 1 – allowing FMCSA to exercise its enforcement discretion to not take enforcement action in certain cases when a commercial learners’ permit, CDL or Medical Certificate is expired. This is not a blanket exemption from the CLP, CDL and/or Medical Certificate requirements, and drivers and carriers should review the details of the waiver to ensure their operations qualify.

ATA Vice President of Safety Policy Dan Horvath said his agency would remain in close contact with FMCSA and other agencies to address other issues, such as availability of drug and alcohol testing for new drivers, as they arise.

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