Vehicle Safety is for Everyone

The following is for commercial motor carrier operators. That is, truck drivers, and anyone who drives commercially as part of their job and is covered by the US Department of Transportation (US DOT) regulations. But a truncated form of this can be used by any driver to ensure that they are safe on the road. By knowing the condition of your vehicle prior to operating it, your chances of having problems such as a tire blowout or engine overheat is greatly reduced.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Regulation 396.11 requires the following areas be inspected for safe operation at the start and completion of each trip / day:

* Service brakes including trailer brake connections
* Parking (hand) brake
* Steering mechanism
* Lighting devices and reflectors
* Tires
* Horn
* Windshield wipers
* Rear vision mirrors
* Coupling devices
* Wheels and rims
* Emergency equipment

When coming off break, prior to the beginning of a shift or at the start of a trip, a professional truck driver has to perform what is called the Pre-Trip Inspection. This is a comprehensive inspection of tractor, trailer and load (where applicable) that entails checking over 130 items. This is a requirement mandated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. (FMCSA)

There are many ways of doing this inspection, from a quick cursory scan (not a good idea) and an anal item by item meticulous examination (not practical). I have a method, an approach, to doing my Pre-Trip inspection in such a way that it becomes routine. And in doing so, I do it the same way every time, so as not to miss important problems.

I approach the tractor / trailer and look to see if it is leaning. This identifies possible problems ranging from flat tires to busted leaf springs. As I look for the lean, I am also checking out the windshield and all the outer items on the vehicle such as any damage to the body that might pose a hazard.

Coming around the right (or passenger) side of the vehicle, I pop the hood latch and proceed to the left (or driver's) side. As I do this, I look under the engine area to see if there is anything leaking onto the ground. (Any fresh stains on the ground would be a good sign that it is from my engine as well.) I pop the left hood latch and move around to the front to open the hood. I start on the right side of the engine and move around to the left. I push on the belts and look for wear or cracking. I check out the fluid level of the radiator and wiper fluids. And I look all over the engine to see if the leaf springs are damaged, any hoses / wiring are cracked or broken.

Once on the left side (at least with my current model, a Peterbuilt), I check the oil. It is important to make sure the engine has been cooled at least 15 minutes or the reading will be inaccurate. I also take a whiff to make sure there is no gasoline smell in the oil. (This might indicate an injector about to go.) After checking all the areas of the engine, I'll check the tread and pressure in my steer tires, as well as any damage to the cap, sidewall, brakes and bearings. From there I close up the hood and reach inside and turn on the headlights, running lights and emergency flashers.

Before getting back out, I hit both the city and air horns to make sure they are functioning properly. Its not a good idea to find out in an emergency situation you do not have these valuable warning tools. I'll also take this opportunity to adjust the seat and make sure I can see properly out both mirrors.

Getting out of the truck, I check the air and electrical lines that lead from my tractor to the trailer to look for cracks, wear and good seals. I'll look all over the catwalk and under for any problems with leaf springs, brake drums and hoses. I'll check tire pressure and tread on my left side drive tires, as well as the hub. I am looking for any fluid leaking from the latter, as well as making sure the lugs are sitting properly. You really don't want to see one of those babies fly off while traveling down the road at 55 - 65 miles per hour.

Moving on back, I'll look over the outside of my trailer under to make sure nothing is damaged; no bent cross beams or holes or banged up landing struts. I'll check along the air hoses for cracks and such. Getting back to the rear tandem tires, I repeat the pressure and tread examinations. I'll look over the hub, leaf springs and brake drums.

At the back of the trailer, I make sure the doors are still secure, the lights are working (flashing), the DOT bumper is not all banged up and the license plate is still readable and well lit. I'm also checking to make sure the seal is intact, if the trailer is loaded.

Going back up the right side of the truck, I repeat all the inspections I made heading down the other side. As I pass around the front of the truck, I note the headlights and flashers there.

Back around the driver's side, I reach in and hit the high beams and go around to make sure they're working as well.

Back inside the cab, I'll start the truck and check all the gauges (air pressure, oil, water, electrical and fuel). I try the wipers and make sure the cleaner will spray out on demand. (A thunderstorm is not the time to find they don't work properly.) I'll pump the brakes until the air is used up and the low pressure alarm comes on. I'll then look down to make sure I have all my emergency equipment (triangles, flashlight, safety vest and fire extinguisher) and its in good order.

The last thing I do is check the last driver's entry into the Driver Vehicle Inspection report for any problems he might have had. Then fill out my own for that day.

All of this will often take me less than 15 minutes to do. For a car, it will be even less time. Proof positive that an ounce of prevention can be worth more than a pound of cure.

Be safe out there. Your family, friends and neighbors will be counting on it.