Wheels of Justice

Resolve to be safe this New Year

A recent issue of Informer magazine focused on safety. In it, Walt Fountain, director of enterprise security at Schneider National, explained that Schneider recently conducted an analysis of safety issues that led to the development of more than 20 initiatives to help protect their drivers and freight.
     The first is something that we should all follow in all situations–trust your instinct. If you have a bad feeling about a location, avoid it. In other words, if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it probably is a duck. This extends to trucks stops and rest areas alike. As a driver, you should focus on areas that are well lit and well traveled.
     In order to protect your safety and the safety of your equipment and your cargo, you should also take the following steps when visiting a truck stop:
•    Lock your doors while you are inside or leaving your tractor. 
•    Always use your mirrors to check inside and outside your tractor before exiting. And look out your windows to ensure there are no surprises waiting for you when you leave.
•    Always walk to the truck stop by the same route you took when pulling in. In other words, avoid walking between parked trucks which provide ample hiding space for those wishing to prey on the unsuspecting.
•    Carry a flashlight.
•    Always have your keys out when returning to your tractor. This will reduce the amount of time you are vulnerable. If someone confronts you with a weapon, give them what they want. Resisting will only increase your risk of injury or death.
•    If you are confronted and help is available, you should seek it out by yelling for specific help immediately.
•    If you are confronted, and a means of escape exists, take it.
     The steps noted above are not exhaustive and do not include all of the initiatives in the analysis. In addition, the steps above should not come as a surprise to anyone, yet you would be surprised how many fail to follow this advice.         

So as we kick off this New Year–and at all times in the future–I ask you to follow this advice. You will not only make your employer happy, but you will make those family and friends who matter most to you happy by showing up safe at the end of every trip you take out on the road.