2.5.8

1. 2.5.8 Identifying Driving Techniques for Safe Operation of a Straight Truck The driver of a straight truck has many responsibilities toward the safety of the vehicle, the product, and other vehicles on the road. • In this module you will learn to identify: • Driving hazards specific to operating straight trucks • Specific straight truck driving techniques

2. Driving Hazards Specific to Straight Trucks High Center of Gravity – The heaviest components of a straight truck, the engine block, cargo area and rear deck, produce the relatively high center of gravity. When filled cylinders are loaded onto the straight truck, the driver must be more aware of the high center of gravity. Figure 1. Loaded Straight Truck When the cargo area is loaded, the center of gravity shifts even higher. To compensate for this, drivers must drive smoothly, controlling speed and changes of direction of travel in a planned and controlled manner.

3. Driving Hazards Specific to Straight Trucks Load and Suspension Shifts Combined with a high center of gravity, liquid surge and suspension shifts can cause changes in vehicle performance. Load and suspension shifts may result in loss of vehicle control and sometimes a rollover. Even distribution of weight in the cargo area is very important. Whether the rollover starts with a wheel dropping off a paved surface or with a tire blowout, the rollover usually is the result of driver over-steering in reaction to the initial event.

4. Driving Hazards Specific to Straight Trucks Preventing Rollover The key to preventing rollovers is to avoid overreacting to the initial event. Whether the rollover starts with a wheel dropping off a paved surface or with a tire blowout, the rollover usually is the result of driver over-steering in reaction to the initial event. Maintain or slightly increase power while directing the vehicle in a straight line, before attempting to steer back onto the pavement. The same holds true in the case of a flat tire. Regain control of the vehicle before reducing speed, applying controlled braking and then gradually maneuvering completely off the road and onto the shoulder.

5. Rollover Hazards Note: It is significant that driver injuries that occur in rollovers are usually due to not wearing a seat belt or from loose tools and other unsecured objects that swirl around the driver during the rollover. Driving Hazards Specific to Straight Trucks

6. Driving Hazards Specific to Straight Trucks Condition of Tires Tires are an integral part of the vehicle suspension and damaged or under-inflated tires present a hazard to safe vehicle operation. Tire manufacturer’s recommendations and OSHA standards call for special precautions for inflating tires when the tire has been driven under-inflated at 80% or less of its recommended pressure. If the tire is mounted on a multi-piece rim, the tire must be inflated within a restraining device and protective barrier.

7. Handling a Tire “Blowout” A blowout is the rapid deflation of a tire due to a large puncture or structural failure. Experience at automotive proving grounds and with professional driving has shown that the proper technique for managing a blowout is to: • Slightly increase power to the drive wheels. • Maintain control of the steering wheel. • Steer the vehicle in a straight line. • Reduce power, gradually brake and steer the vehicle to a stop, out of traffic lanes. Driving Hazards Specific to Straight Trucks

8. Condition of Tires Note: Inspection of tires and wheels is a vital part of your pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections. Federal regulations require drivers hauling hazardous materials to examine each tire on a motor vehicle at the beginning of each trip and each time the vehicle is parked. (49 CFR §397.17) Driving Hazards Specific to Straight Trucks

9. Blind Spots Driving Hazards Specific to Straight Trucks

10. Driving Hazards Specific to Straight Trucks Changing Weather and Road Conditions Changing weather, road conditions, and traffic are beyond the control of drivers. Therefore, driving smoothly, controlling speed and changes in direction, increasing allowance for stopping distance and staying off the road when conditions are unsafe are the keys to coping with adverse conditions. When weather conditions are a factor to consider when driving a straight truck, the driver must decide when it is safe to proceed.

11. Safely Handling Skids – A skid occurs when one or more tires lose traction and contact with the road surface. Remember that improper braking often compounds the problem. • If your vehicle begins to skid, use the following techniques: • Release the brakes, allowing all wheels to turn. • Steer to the direction of the skid, until the vehicle path straightens. • Make slight steering corrections after traction and control are re-established. • If the vehicle must be stopped, apply light but consistent braking and initiate any change in direction slowly and with slight changes. Driving Hazards Specific to Straight Trucks

12. Straight Truck Driving Techniques Vehicle Attendance– A motor vehicle is attended when the person in charge of the vehicle is on the vehicle, awake, and not in a sleeper berth, or is within 125 feet of the vehicle and has it within his [her] unobstructed field of view. A motor vehicle which contains hazardous materials …. located on a public street or highway or the shoulder of a public highway must be attended by its driver. However, the vehicle need not be attended while its driver is performing duties which are incident and necessary to his [her] duties as the operator of the vehicle.

13. Straight Truck Driving Techniques Parking– A motor vehicle which contains hazardous materials …. must not be parked on or within 5 feet of the traveled portion of [a] public street or highway except for the brief periods when the necessities of operation require the vehicle to be parked and make it impracticable to park the vehicle any other place.

14. Straight Truck Driving Techniques • Smoking– • No person may smoke or carry a lighted cigarette, cigar or pipe on or within 25 feet of— • A motor vehicle which contains explosives, oxidizing materials, or flammable materials; or • An empty tank motor vehicle which has been used to transport flammable liquids or gases and which, when so used, was required to be marked or placarded in accordance with [DOT regulations].

15. Straight Truck Driving Techniques • Railroad Crossings– • The driver of a motor vehicle [marked or placarded for Flammable Gas and/or a cargo tank motor vehicle, whether loaded or empty, used for the transportation of any hazardous material] shall not cross a railroad track or tracks at a grade unless he [she] first: • Stops the vehicle within 50 feet of, and not closer than 15 feet to, the tracks; • Thereafter listens and looks in each direction along the tracks for an approaching train; and • [Determines] that no train is approaching.

16. Railroad Crossings– When it is safe to do so, the driver may drive the vehicle across the tracks in a gear that permits the vehicle to complete the crossing without a change of gears. The driver must not shift gears while crossing the tracks. Straight Truck Driving Techniques

17. Tunnels, Drawbridges and Posted Hazardous Material Routes Federal and state regulations also require cylinder delivery drivers to observe posted warnings not to enter tunnels or to follow posted hazardous material routes. Care must be exercised when approaching drawbridges, including reducing vehicle speed, observing warning signals and stopping for slow moving vehicles. Straight Truck Driving Techniques

18. Straight Truck Driving Techniques These items require special attention of cylinder delivery drivers. Protecting Public and Private Property Load-Zoned Roads and Bridges Bridges and Culvert Crossings on Customer Property Customer Landscaping, Structures and Utilities

19. Routing Deliveries Unless there is no practicable alternative, a motor vehicle which contains hazardous materials must be operated over routes which do notgo through or near heavily populated areas, places where crowds are assembled, tunnels, narrow streets, or alleys. Operating convenience is not a basis for determining whether it is practicable to operate a motor vehicle in accordance with this requirement. Straight Truck Driving Techniques

20. Time to See If You Got the Key Points of This Module… • Complete the Review on pages 10 & 11. • See if you are ready for the Certification Exam by checking off the performance criteria on pages 12 & 13.