Safe Driving Starts Before Starting Your Vehicle

Posted on October 2nd , 2024

3 Key Steps to Ensure a Safe Journey

How many of you would think driving millions of miles without ever being involved in an accident is impossible? I mean, most people get in accidents just going to the grocery store or on their way to work. Right?

Wrong!

Not only is it possible, but thousands and thousands of professional drivers have achieved this goal, with many accomplishing 3, 4, and 5 million miles accident-free! Keep in mind that these dedicated drivers accomplish this while operating the largest vehicles on the road, not in a small Prius or something.

These commercial vehicles that are being operated are essential skyscrapers. Sixty-five feet long, 8.5 feet wide, and weighs 80,000 pounds. (I know that not all commercial vehicles match these dimensions. However, this is true for most of what you will typically see on the road.)

I am coming to you as an experienced professional driver, having achieved 2 Million Safe Miles over the road and having spent over a decade training students to perform this job safely.

What’s the secret, you ask? Two words. Pre-Trip.

Or is that one word? I guess there’s a reason why I’m not an English teacher and have been driving enough to circle the earth 80+ times.

Regardless, any professional driver will tell you that a safe trip starts long before you start your journey. Before you ask, a Pre-Trip is a routine in which professional drivers complete these three simple tasks before ever putting their trucks into gear, and adopting a similar routine will eliminate many mistakes that put you at risk of being involved in an accident.

KEY #1 – Vehicle Inspection

Don’t worry. Nobody expects you to be a mechanic who can name and identify every part of your vehicle. However, if you possess a driver’s license, I hope you can at least identify a few critical elements of your vehicle, particularly lights, tires, and fluids.

As much as you need high-quality H2O to survive, your vehicle needs fluids, not just gasoline.

To check the fluids, you must open your car’s hood. (Check your vehicle’s manual for specific instructions on how to open your hood.)

Once your hood is up, make sure that you use the support bar to keep it up in place, and now you can begin the inspection.

New cars do a great job at hiding the more mechanical aspects of the engine compartment and leaving visible only what the average owner should pay attention to. In short, if you can see it, you should inspect it.

Start by checking the vehicle’s oil level. Think of it as the blood of your vehicle. Do this by locating the oil dipstick that typically has a yellow handle. Often, it is a circular ring, and when you pull it out, there will be markings at the end of the stick indicating where your oil level should be.

So long as you see the dark oil level within the high and low markings at the end of the dipstick, your oil level is good. If it is below the low mark, add oil a little at a time, and check the level to ensure you don’t overfill it and give your vehicle high blood pressure. (Check the owner’s manual for recommended oil in your vehicle.)

Great Job!

Now, let’s check the coolant level.

Also called Antifreeze, it acts as your engine’s temperature regulator.

Locate the coolant reservoir and visually see where your coolant level is with the markings on the side of the semi-transparent tank.

If it is low, add your vehicle’s recommended coolant until it reaches the full line to prevent overheating on your journey.

You should never add water, as it will freeze in cold temperatures and damage the coolant hoses. You should also never add coolant directly into the radiator, as it may cause serious injury.

In the same way, you will want to check your windshield washer fluid reservoir and make sure it is full so that when you need a clean windshield on your journey, you will have fluid at your disposal.

When adding windshield washer fluid, it is a good idea to make sure you’re adding the appropriate kind for the season.

Winter fluid will have a -30-degree symbol, ensuring that your fluid isn’t going to become a popsicle in freezing temperatures. They also make a green fluid to attack the bug splatter in the warmer months.

Those bugs can cause quite a disruption to your visibility, so good wipers and the proper fluid can make a remarkable difference.

With these engine covers and obstacles that make it difficult to see under the hood, you may not be able to see much more than that, and that is okay.

If possible, you want to ensure that your battery connections are not loose, properly covered and that you don’t see signs of corrosion building up.

If you can see any of the vehicle’s belts, you want to ensure that you don’t see any cracks or fraying.

Lastly, if you see any leaks on the ground under your vehicle when you move it, you should take a white paper towel and dab it. If it has a color or a smell, you may be leaking a vital fluid, and you should schedule an appointment to have it properly checked.

However, if it is clear and odorless, it may simply be condensation, especially if you’ve been running your A/C on a hot day. If so, then it’s not a significant concern.

Most cars have monitors for your tire pressure, so most people never inspect their tires before driving.

This is a mistake!

Checking your tires for debris in the tread and checking for proper air pressure can ensure that you’re not stranded on the side of the road. A flat tire can ruin a good road trip and put you in a dangerous situation while attempting to change it yourself or waiting for someone to come and change it for you. Not to mention, those roadside service bills can be quite expensive.

It is a good idea to always keep a tire pressure gauge with the vehicle and check your tire pressure regularly. Also, the tires should be visually inspected to ensure no foreign object is sticking into them.

Nails, Screws, Rocks, and all kinds of sharp objects are on the road that become lodged in your tire tread. Failing to remove this debris can cause your tire to blow out, and it is much safer to take care of this before you drive, if possible.

Finally, turn on all of your vehicle’s lights.

High beams, low beams, fog lights, and 4-Way flashers.

Make sure that all of your lights are in proper working order and that the lenses are clean. If you have children, you can have them stand outside and see that your rear lights come on; otherwise, back up to a wall or fence and look for the reflections of your brake lights and turn signals.

I cannot stress enough the importance of working lights and their significant role in communication with other drivers. Miscommunication between drivers leads to accidents without fail, a topic we will cover another day.

How do I know if there’s a problem?

Technology has come a long way in helping us answer this question. Sometimes, I feel like my car is telling me too much, which is good and bad.

For significant issues that I cannot see, it is helpful that the vehicle has a way of telling me that there is a problem. However, if I regularly do my visual inspection, I can see a problem developing and address it before something minor turns into a major problem. If I check my tires and add some air to one because it is a little low, and the next day it is low again, I know there is a problem with that tire.

If I check my fluids and the coolant or oil level drops quicker than the last few times, there may be a small leak that I can’t see. If I turn the key and it takes longer to start, a problem may be developing.

Warning signs usually precede warning lights, and addressing these issues sooner rather than later is generally cheaper. If you do not perform regular vehicle inspections, you will be caught off guard when your vehicle needs to be towed to the shop for repairs.

What should I do if there is a problem?

I want to reiterate that most of us are not mechanics.

That said, most of us can use an air hose to ensure our tires are properly inflated and pour fluid into the coolant reservoir if it starts to get low or oil if needed.

These simple tasks can greatly benefit your vehicle’s life and, more importantly, ensure your safety and your passengers.

However, if you are uncomfortable with doing anything to your vehicle, a Pre-Trip inspection will allow you to see possible issues developing.

Early detection will allow you time to take it to a professional mechanic who will be able to fix any problems you may have before you end up paying for the tow truck.

Key #2 Trip Planning

Trip Planning is gathering information needed for you to make an efficient and safe drive by utilizing all of the tools at your disposal and verifying the route you must take.

Through the trip planning process, you will be looking to answer three questions that will save you time and improve your understanding of the task. This process will also increase safety as you will be less likely to make poor, distracted driving decisions like looking at GPS or your phone for information while the vehicle is in motion.

Question #1 – Where am I going?

This question relates more to your overall journey than simply your next stop. Are you running errands? What is the most logical route to all your stops? Remember these two key points:

• Knowing where you are going is more than just knowing the name.
• Consider the most efficient order to complete all your stops.

Question #2 – How am I going to get there?

When answering this question, it is essential to remember that it is safer to make a right turn than a left turn, and the more times you have to backtrack, the more exposed you are to a potential accident.

As great as GPS is for the everyday consumer, it does not stand for Go Places System. In other words, it’s great for telling you where you are and can utilize maps to give you an idea of how to get to your destination, but that is not its job.

As the driver, you will need to decide if the information it is giving you is correct and the best route to take because sometimes a left turn is not a good idea, and your GPS will usually laugh at you when your car is sinking into a lake. So, never be in the habit of mindlessly following your GPS anywhere it tells you to go.

Question #3: Is there anything that will cause a delay or prevent me from safely reaching my destination?

I know you’re not a psychic; however, by utilizing real-time traffic data from Google Maps or other sources, you will be able to look ahead and see if there are any road closures, accidents, or construction zones that will cause a delay or prevent you from taking your desired route.

Most states have Department of Transportation apps that provide this information and should be viewed if traveling outside your local, familiar area.

This information is critical in the winter months and can save you from being in a dangerous situation out on the roadway.

Key #3 Load Securement

A professional driver’s definition of load securement differs entirely from what it means to the everyday commuter. That doesn’t mean it is any less important because instead of hauling products, you will likely be carrying passengers who are far more valuable and irreplaceable. Not to mention yourself.

That is why every passenger in a vehicle is required to wear a seat belt or proper restraint. Pets should also be kept in a crate or restrained to a safe location away from the driver to eliminate distractions and prevent accidental interference in the control of the vehicle.

Fact: Seat Belts reduce the risk of death by 45% and the risk of serious injury by 50%.

• All children must be properly restrained in a federally approved child safety seat appropriate for their age, weight, and height up to 8 years of age or 65 lbs. and secured in the vehicle’s rear seat.
• Children under two years of age must be in a rear-facing car seat. Children must be 12 years old or taller than 65 inches to ride in the front passenger seat.

Fact: In 2021, 711 child occupants under the age of 13 died in traffic accidents; 226 were unrestrained, and many others were inadequately restrained at the time of the crash.

Lastly, look around the cabin and driver’s area and ask yourself, “Is there anything that isn’t secure?” such as pens, glasses, papers, clothing, etc.

If there is anything loose and not secured, secure it. Place the loose items in the glove box or storage bin, or you can secure the items in your trunk.

Items that come loose while in transit can distract the driver and injure a passenger or lodge themselves under one of the pedals, preventing the driver from remaining in complete control of the vehicle.

If you are involved in an accident, loose items can become flying projectiles that may cause more significant injury. So please take the time to secure the cabin before starting your journey.

• Now, your vehicle has been inspected and is in proper working order.
• You know where you are going and how you are getting there without any unexpected delays.
• And you know that everything inside is properly restrained and secured.

You have just completed the first step in a safe journey ahead.

I know that this sounds like a lot, and who has the time for all of that, but once you develop a routine and get in the habit of completing these three simple tasks it really doesn’t take that long. Besides, a few extra minutes can save you hours on the side of the road and keep you alive. That’s all I care about.

Follow along for more information from the Pros on how to stay safe while navigating life behind the wheel, and remember,

Never drive faster than your guardian angel can fly.

If you have enjoyed this content and want to support our efforts at Driver Development Institute, please follow us on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube.

You can also visit our website to donate and find more information.

Thank You.