OTA Dispatch Issue 2 2019

SAFETY 36 Oregon Trucking Associations, Inc. Oregon Truck Dispatch Runaway Trucks By Adam Williamson, OTA’s Director of Training & Development R unaway trucks are not like runaway brides—they do not make humorous punchlines or good plot development in a romantic comedy. They have much more in common with the disaster movie that you do not care to see because it hits far too close to home. It is hard to imagine a scene more terrifying than an out of control truck plowing through other vehicles at high speed. Unfortunately, we do not have to imagine the scene—in our modern age of technology, live documentation of such events becomes a matter of public record. For members of the trucking community, this is literally the last thing that we want to see happen. If there is anything positive at all that comes out of a high-profile accident in our industry, it would have to be that we are all given an opportunity learn from what happened and re-assess our own efforts to maintain high safety standards. If there are gaps in our safety practices, we need to eliminate those gaps. The time to make those corrections is not tomorrow; the time is now. WHAT IS A RUNAWAY TRUCK? A truck that has gained speed to the degree that the driver loses ability to stop before hitting other vehicles or objects is termed a runaway truck. This can occur on the downside of a steep grade and can be directly impacted by road, tire, and brake conditions as well as driver error. Gravitational pull and weight of the truck can escalate speed even without continued engine propulsion. Sometimes effective steering can still be accomplished but the truck is simply past the point of making a controlled stop. HOW CAN A RUNAWAY TRUCK BE PREVENTED? There are number of standard industry safety practices that, if followed, can ward off catastrophe before it happens. ` ` Regular vehicle maintenance. As brake failure can be a major factor in runaway trucks, it is critical to ensure brakes are well maintained and ready for the added stress of going up and down steep grades where overheating becomes a concern. ` ` Daily pre-trip and post-trip inspections. All drivers are required to perform vehicle inspections before, after, and in some cases during the trip. There is not a minimum time requirement for these inspections, but drivers must be satisfied that the vehicle is in safe operating condition before driving. Among other items, a good pre-trip should carefully test brakes, air lines, and tires for defects. ` ` Inspect brakes immediately before driving down steep grades. There are strategically located stopping places along the steeply graded travel routes where last minute brake tests and other maintenance can be performed. This is always a good idea, especially if the vehicle has been driven any significant distance since the original pre-trip was done. There is nothing as re-assuring as a last minute check to make sure all is in order. ` ` Pay attention to road signs during the descent. These signs provide critical information such as general road conditions, the severity of the grade, recommended speed, upcoming curves, and any special instructions for larger vehicles. Notice of runaway lanes will also usually be posted well in advance. A lot of judgement goes into navigating these grades and warning signs can give drivers enough advance information to make good decisions. ` ` Driver training. Statistically, driver error is more likely to be the cause of an accident than equipment failure and driver training should be a clear priority for safety. A well-rounded curriculum will include thorough instruction on pre- trip inspections, speed management and other defensive driving techniques. Drivers that are or will be negotiating steep highway routes should receive more specialized training appropriate for the terrain. ` ` Make the decision to use a runaway lane. Carriers and drivers never want to get to the point where a runaway lane is needed but, in extreme cases, it is perhaps the last safety measure that can be taken before disaster occurs. There are almost 200 runaway truck ramps across the US with many strategically placed in the state of Oregon. These ramps are there for a reason and drivers should not hesitate to use them if other measures fail. A final thought: Runaway trucks can happen anywhere. While perhaps most commonly associated with steep mountainous travel routes, runaways can also take place on less severe grades in rolling foothills and relatively flat terrain. Once a large truck begins picking up speed, it is not easy to stop under even the best of conditions. As members of the trucking community, we owe it to ourselves and the general public to do everything possible to prevent these types of accidents. The most effective safety measures are the ones that take place long before a truck begins to careen out of control. Let’s make a difference by controlling the things that we can.