Tag Archives: BASICs
Getting A Truck Driver Medical Card with the National Registry of MEs
November 29, 2012
As any good driver knows, you don’t hit the road without a current CDL and truck driver medical card — a violation of the Driver Fitness BASIC could cost you big time. But, as you may have heard, getting your … Continue reading
Crash Indicator BASIC: Stay Safe on America’s Busy Highways
May 31, 2012
With over 250 million registered vehicles in this country, you might think vehicle crashes are an inevitability. And to a degree they are. But the US Census Bureau’s Statistical Abstract shows a steady decline in accidents and fatalities over the … Continue reading
Cargo Related BASIC: Keep it on four, er, eighteen wheels
May 23, 2012
Preventing accidents caused by improperly-loaded or secured cargo and unsafe transport of hazardous materials is the focus of the FMCSA’s cargo related BASIC, and the latest in our series on the seven BASIC categories. Time is money when your truck … Continue reading
Alcohol/controlled substances BASIC: Drinking, big rigs don’t mix
May 18, 2012
Laws banning driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving under the influence (DUI) have been in place for a long time, and the national limit for blood-alcohol-content (BAC) is 0.08%. But for CMV drivers, that limit is an even more stringent … Continue reading
Driver Fitness BASIC: We’re Not Talking About Deep Knee Bends
May 7, 2012
When I say “driver fitness” you might imagine a truck-stop parking lot filled with hundreds of big-rig drivers on yoga mats executing a perfect cobra pose as the sun eclipses the horizon. Or maybe that’s just me. I’ve been told … Continue reading
Driver Fatigue BASICs: Stay Awake, Arrive Alive
April 26, 2012
Over 60% of adult drivers have admitted to fatigued driving, and the NHTSA estimates that 100,000 police-reported crashes each year are the result of drivers driving beyond their ability to stay awake at the wheel. Being alert while operating a … Continue reading
Unsafe Driving BASICs
April 12, 2012
Traffic fatalities are on the decline, yet unsafe driving habits like speeding still account for roughly ⅓ of those fatalities. As part of its commitment to making America’s roadways safer, the FMCSA is focused on helping motor carriers keep unsafe … Continue reading
Vehicle Maintenance BASICs: Keeping Trucks on the Road
April 2, 2012
Every driver has a story or two about keeping their truck running safely. Whether it’s a clutch that sticks because the flywheel was installed backwards at the garage or a rig that’s outlived its time because of close attention to … Continue reading
