Accident Reporting

Report Unsafe Driving 

The Facts

 Safe Driving Tips

 Safe Speeds

   From day one, safety has been the highest priority at R.L. Carter Trucking Inc.. Safety for our employees, customers and motoring public will always remain our primary focus in all the policies, procedures and programs that govern our business. It is our goal to work within the trucking industry, with law enforcement, and with members of the motoring public to eliminate fatalities, injuries, and property damages associated with accidents involving Commercial Motor Vehicles. Education and enforcement are just two of the valuable tools we use. All the fleet drivers at R.L. Trucking attend at least two classes a year on Federal Hours of Service Regulations, and how to effectively use those regulations as professional Drivers. Special attention is given to the hazards of fatigue. If Drivers are identified who are having challenges with regard to fatigue, time management, or violations of the regulations, further training is immediately required.
 

Driver Fatigue Warning Signs

   As motorists, we’ve all experienced it. We’ve been on the road for a while. The highway seems endless, long, smooth, and monotonous. The radio is no longer holding our attention, and neither is the driving. You stare straight ahead, at miles and miles of road, as you start to feel your shoulders sag, and your eyes slowly … start to … close.

  Abruptly, you open your eyes, and jerk up in your seat! You’ve drifted out of your lane and maybe even off the road! It’s one of the most unnerving experiences in driving.

   Fatigue on the road can be a killer. It happens frequently on long drives, especially long night drives. You may have recognized some warning signs of fatigue in the above scenario. Other signs of fatigue include back tension, burning eyes, shallow breathing, inattentiveness, and any kind of erratic driving, such as drifting, abnormal speed, tailgating, or failing to observe traffic signs.

  At R.L. Carter Trucking Inc., proactive education of our drivers is at the forefront. From “day one” of New Driver Orientation, Drivers are taught and constantly reminded of the dangers and warning signs of Driver fatigue

The Facts

  Of the 42,643 people killed on our nation's highways in 2003, over 25,000 died when their vehicle left their lane and crashed. In some cases the vehicle crossed the centerline and was involved in a head-on crash or opposite direction sideswipe. In others, the vehicle encroached onto the shoulder and beyond to rollover or impact one or more natural or man-made objects, such as utility poles, bridge walls, embankments, guardrails, parked vehicles, or trees.

   Driving near and through intersections is one of the most complex challenges that drivers face. Intersection crashes account for more than 45 percent of all reported crashes, and 21 percent of fatalities. In 2003, 9,213 Americans lost their lives as a result of intersection-related crashes. a rate of more than one every hour.

Looking twice only takes a second

One Mile An Hour Can Make A Difference

   Tractor-trailer rollovers are the major cause of single-vehicle injuries and deaths every year. There are many factors that contribute to tractor-trailer rollovers, including foreseeable driver error, vehicle malfunctions, and highway conditions.

  Tractor-trailer rollovers can occur at exit and entrance ramps of highways when the truck driver underestimates the curve and takes it too fast. Generally, the driver does not even know the trailer is rolling until he looks in his mirrors and sees the wheels lift off the ground. Load shifting can also be a cause of tractor-trailer rollovers, as can jack-knifing. A tractor-trailer can jack-knife if the drive wheels lock while the front wheels and trailer continue to move forward. Slick roads, swerving to avoid another vehicle, and taking curves too fast can all result in jack-knifing.

This is no way to make up time.

Q: What should I do if I have an accident?

A: There are several things you must do immediately if you're involved in an accident:

1. Check Me First
First is to check yourself. If you are injured, you probably cannot assist others. If you are not injured, survey the scene for dangers (spilled liquids, downed electrical wires, fires, extreme conditions, etc.) and check others for injuries.
2. Check on Others
If you've had First Aid training and there are injuries, take care of the victims up to the level of your training and remember the basics. Never go beyond your training!
3. Secure the Scene
Next is to properly secure the scene. The driver on scene must secure the area around the truck to prevent further damages. This may consist of turning off the motor, turning on the emergency flashers and setting out the emergency reflectors. Get others to assist by making telephone calls to authorities, emergency services and warning others.
Remember to keep a level head and give information out to only company or local officials. NEVER say, "I'm sorry" or "We'll take care of it" or "It's my fault." Those statements will end up in a court of law and will be used against you!
4. Gather Data and Notify Your Company
DO NOT ADMIT FAULT, the driver should contact the appropriate official in the company as soon as possible after an incident. Prior to calling, the driver should gather a few basic facts to report. These facts include, but are not limited to the following: Date, time and exact location of the occurrence. Is the driver all right? Are there any injuries to anyone else? Who is involved: names and addresses? Are there any witnesses: names addresses and telephone numbers? What is the name of the other party's insurance company and policy number? What are the unit numbers of the equipment involved? What is the trip number? Is there any cargo damage; if so, to what extent? Is there a hazardous materials release? What direction were you traveling? If a camera is available, photograph the scene from all directions.
5. Detailed Driver Report
Remember all that happens on the scene needs to be documented by a statement from the driver. Document what happened and the actions taken. What were the names of the emergency response officers and their badge numbers? What jurisdiction were the officers from? Was there a citation issued, and to whom and what for? On the witnesses: What did they see? What did they hear? What was their position in relation to the accident? Did they know if there were any contributing factors to the accident like abnormal conditions or speed?
Take photos of the approach to the accident. Ensure that any marks left on the highway are measured--width, distance, type of roadway and surface. Take photos of each side of the accident and the going away view. Make sure that photos are taken of other involved vehicles including equipment numbers or license plates, as well as the surrounding general conditions and weather conditions.
If persons involved in the accident are up and walking around, photograph them as well. This documentation must be accomplished as soon as possible after the preliminary initial steps to preserve a clear picture of the accident. Forward the report and the file to the appropriate company official via overnight courier. If available, the digital photos and the report can be electronically sent.
6. DOT Drug Tests
If this is a DOT reportable accident (§390.5: fatality, injury requiring medical treatment away from the scene or a vehicle disabled in the accident requiring a tow away) than a DOT drug test is required per §382.303. The driver is required to accomplish the alcohol test within two (2) hours and drug test within thirty-two (32) hours. Usually both tests are conducted at the same time. Look in your truck to see of your company installed a drug test kit. The driver needs to inform police officers of the urgency of this testing. Many state patrol officers are certified to give this test on scene. If not, request that you be released to obtain these services.