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Avoid using dark or tinted corrective lenses at night,
even if you think they help with glare. Tinted lenses
cut down the light that you need to see clearly under
night driving conditions.
Glare. Drivers can be blinded for a short time by
bright light. . It can take several seconds to recover
from glare. Even two seconds of glare blindness can
be dangerous. A vehicle going 55 mph will travel
more than half the distance of a football field during
that time.
Fatigue and Lack of Alertness. Fatigue is physical
or mental tiredness that can be caused by physical
or mental strain, repetitive tasks, illness or lack of
sleep. Just like alcohol and drugs, it impairs your
vision and judgment.
Fatigue causes errors related to speed and
distance, increases your risk of being in a crash,
causes you to not see and react to hazards as
quickly; and affects your ability to make critical
decisions. When you are fatigued, you could fall
asleep behind the wheel and crash, injuring or killing
yourself or others.
Fatigued or drowsy driving is one of the leading
causes of traffic collisions. NHTSA estimates that
100,000 police-reported crashes a year are the
result of drowsy driving. According to the National
Sleep Foundation’s Sleep in America poll, 60% of
Americans have driven while feeling sleepy and
more than one third (36 percent or 103 million
people) admit to having actually fallen asleep at the
wheel. Drivers may experience short bursts of sleep
lasting only a few seconds or fall asleep for longer
periods of time. Either way, the chance of a collision
increases dramatically.
At-Risk Groups
The risk of having a crash due to drowsy driving is
not uniformly distributed across the population.
Crashes tend to occur at times when sleepiness is
most pronounced, for example, during the night and
in the mid-afternoon. Most people are less alert at
night, especially after midnight. This is particularly
true if you have been driving for a long time. Thus
individuals who drive at night are much more likely
to have fall-asleep crashes.
Research has identified young males, shift workers,
commercial drivers, especially long-haul drivers and
people with untreated sleep disorders or with short-
term or chronic sleep deprivation as being at
increased risk for having a fall-asleep crash. At least
15% of all heavy truck crashes involve fatigue.
A congressionally mandated study of 80 long-haul
truck drivers in the United States and Canada found
that drivers averaged less than 5 hours of sleep per
day. (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration,
1996) It is no surprise then that the National
Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported that
drowsy driving was probably the cause of more than
half of crashes leading to a truck driver’s death.
(NTSB, 1990) For each truck driver fatality, another
three to four people are killed. (NHTSA, 1994)
Warning Signs of Fatigue
According to the National Sleep Foundation’s Sleep
in America poll, 60% of Americans have driven while
feeling sleepy and 36% admit to actually having
fallen asleep at the wheel in the past year. However,
many people cannot tell if or when they are about to
fall asleep. Here are some signs that should tell you
to stop and rest:
Difficulty focusing, frequent blinking or heavy
eyelids
Yawning repeatedly or rubbing eyes
Day-dreaming; or wandering/disconnected
thoughts
Trouble remembering the last few miles driven;
missing exits or traffic signs
Trouble keeping head up
Drifting from your lane, following too closely or
hitting a shoulder rumble strip
Feeling restless and irritable
When you are tired trying to “push on” is far more
dangerous than most drivers think. It is a major
cause of fatal accidents. If you notice any signs of
fatigue, stop driving and go to sleep for the night or
take a 15 – 20 minute nap.
Are You At Risk?
Before you drive, consider whether you are:
Sleep-deprived or fatigued (6 hours of sleep or less
triples your risk)
Suffering from sleep loss (insomnia), poor quality
sleep, or a sleep debt
Driving long distances without proper rest breaks
Driving through the night, mid-afternoon or when
you would normally be asleep. Many heavy motor
vehicle accidents occur between midnight and 6
a.m.
Taking sedating medications (antidepressants, cold
tablets, antihistamines)
Working more than 60 hours a week (increases your
risk by 40%)
Working more than one job, and your main job
involves shift work
Driving alone or on a long, rural, dark or boring road
Flying, changing time zone
Section 2 – Driving Safely Page 2-25
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Commercial Driver’s License Manual – 2005 CDL Testing System
Preventing drowsiness before a trip:
Get adequate sleep – adults need 8 to 9 hours to
maintain alertness
Prepare route carefully to identify total distance,
stopping points and other logistic considerations
Schedule trips for the hours you are normally
awake, not the middle of the night
Drive with a passenger
Avoid medications that cause drowsiness
Consult your physician if you suffer from daytime
sleepiness, have difficulty sleeping at night or take
frequent naps
Incorporate exercise into your daily life to give you
more energy.
Maintaining alertness while driving:
Protect yourself from glare and eyestrain with
sunglasses
Keep cool by opening the window or using the air
conditioner
Avoid heavy foods
Be aware of down time during the day
Have another person ride with you, and take turns
driving
Take periodic breaks – about every 100 miles or 2
hours during long trips
Stop driving and get some rest or take a nap
Caffeine consumption can increase awareness for
a few hours, but do not drink too much. It will
eventually wear off. Do not rely on caffeine to
prevent fatigue
Avoid drugs. While they may keep you awake for a
while, they won’t make you alert.
If you are drowsy, the only safe cure is to get off the
road and get some sleep. If you don't, you risk your
life and the lives of others.
2.11.3 – Roadway Factors
Poor Lighting. In the daytime there is usually
enough light to see well. This is not true at night.
Some areas may have bright street lights, but many
areas will have poor lighting. On most roads you will
probably have to depend entirely on your
headlights.
Less light means you will not be able to see hazards
as well as in daytime. Road users who do not have
lights are hard to see. There are many accidents at
night involving pedestrians, joggers, bicyclists, and
animals.
Even when there are lights, the road scene can be
confusing. Traffic signals and hazards can be hard
to see against a background of signs, shop
windows, and other lights.
Drive slower when lighting is poor or confusing.
Drive slowly enough to be sure you can stop in the
distance you can see ahead.
Drunk Drivers. Drunk drivers and drivers under the
influence of drugs are a hazard to themselves and
to you. Be especially alert around the closing times
for bars and taverns. Watch for drivers who have
trouble staying in their lane or maintaining speed,
who stop without reason, or show other signs of
being under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
2.11.4 – Vehicle Factors
Headlights. At night your headlights will usually be
the main source of light for you to see by and for
others to see you. You can't see nearly as much with
your headlights as you see in the daytime. With low
beams you can see ahead about 250 feet and with
high beams about 350-500 feet. You must adjust
your speed to keep your stopping distance within
your sight distance. This means going slowly
enough to be able to stop within the range of your
headlights. Otherwise, by the time you see a
hazard, you will not have time to stop.
Night driving can be more dangerous if you have
problems with your headlights. Dirty headlights may
give only half the light they should. This cuts down
your ability to see, and makes it harder for others to
see you. Make sure your lights are clean and
working. Headlights can be out of adjustment. If they
don't point in the right direction, they won't give you
a good view and they can blind other drivers. Have
a qualified person make sure they are adjusted
properly.
Other Lights. In order for you to be seen easily, the
following must be clean and working properly:
Reflectors.
Marker lights.
Clearance lights.
Taillights.
Identification lights.
Turn Signals and Brake Lights. At night your turn
signals and brake lights are even more important for
telling other drivers what you intend to do. Make
sure you have clean, working turn signals and stop
lights.
Windshield and Mirrors. It is more important at
night than in the daytime to have a clean windshield
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Commercial Driver’s License Manual – 2005 CDL Testing System
and clean mirrors. Bright lights at night can cause
dirt on your windshield or mirrors to create a glare
of its own, blocking your view. Most people have
experienced driving toward the sun just as it has
risen or is about to set, and found that they can
barely see through a windshield that seemed to look
OK in the middle of the day. Clean your windshield
on the inside and outside for safe driving at night.
2.11.5 – Night Driving Procedures
Vehicle Procedures. Make sure you are rested and
alert. If you are drowsy, sleep before you drive!
Even a nap can save your life or the lives of others.
If you wear eyeglasses, make sure they are clean
and unscratched. Don't wear sunglasses at night.
Do a complete Vehicle inspection of your vehicle.
Pay attention to checking all lights and reflectors,
and cleaning those you can reach.
Avoid Blinding Others. Glare from your headlights
can cause problems for drivers coming toward you.
They can also bother drivers going in the same
direction you are, when your lights shine in their
rearview mirrors. Dim your lights before they cause
glare for other drivers. Dim your lights within 500
feet of an oncoming vehicle and when following
another vehicle within 500 feet.
Avoid Glare from Oncoming Vehicles. Do not
look directly at lights of oncoming vehicles. Look
slightly to the right at a right lane or edge marking,
if available. If other drivers don't put their low beams
on, don't try to "get back at them" by putting your
own high beams on. This increases glare for
oncoming drivers and increases the chance of a
crash.
Use High Beams When You Can. Some drivers
make the mistake of always using low beams. This
seriously cuts down on their ability to see ahead.
Use high beams when it is safe and legal to do so.
Use them when you are not within 500 feet of an
approaching vehicle. Also, don't let the inside of
your cab get too bright. This makes it harder to see
outside. Keep the interior light off, and adjust your
instrument lights as low as you can to still be able to
read the gauges.
If You Get Sleepy, Stop at the Nearest Safe
Place. People often don't realize how close they are
to falling asleep even when their eyelids are falling
shut. If you can safely do so, look at yourself in a
mirror. If you look sleepy, or you just feel sleepy,
stop driving! You are in a very dangerous condition.
The only safe cure is to sleep.
2.12 – Driving in Fog
Fog can occur at any time. Fog on highways can be
extremely dangerous. Fog is often unexpected, and
visibility can deteriorate rapidly. You should watch
for foggy conditions and be ready to reduce your
speed. Do not assume that the fog will thin out after
you enter it.
The best advice for driving in fog is don’t. It is
preferable that you pull off the road into a rest area
or truck stop until visibility is better. If you must drive,
be sure to consider the following:
Obey all fog-related warning signs.
Slow down before you enter fog.
Use low-beam headlights and fog lights for best
visibility even in daytime, and be alert for other
drivers who may have forgotten to turn on their
lights.
Turn on your 4-way flashers. This will give vehicles
approaching you from behind a quicker opportunity
to notice your vehicle.
Watch for vehicles on the side of the roadway.
Seeing taillights or headlights in front of you may
not be a true indication of where the road is ahead
of you. The vehicle may not be on the road at all.
Use roadside highway reflectors as guides to
determine how the road may curve ahead of you.
Listen for traffic you cannot see.
Avoid passing other vehicles.
Don’t stop along the side of the road, unless
absolutely necessary.
2.13 – Driving in Winter
2.13.1 – Vehicle Checks
Make sure your vehicle is ready before driving in
winter weather. You should make a regular Vehicle
inspection, paying extra attention to the following
items.
Coolant Level and Antifreeze Amount. Make sure
the cooling system is full and there is enough
antifreeze in the system to protect against freezing.
This can be checked with a special coolant tester.
Defrosting and Heating Equipment. Make sure
the defrosters work. They are needed for safe
driving. Make sure the heater is working, and that
you know how to operate it. If you use other heaters
and expect to need them (e.g., mirror heaters,
battery box heaters, fuel tank heaters), check their
operation.
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Commercial Driver’s License Manual – 2005 CDL Testing System
Wipers and Washers. Make sure the windshield
wiper blades are in good condition. Make sure the
wiper blades press against the window hard enough
to wipe the windshield clean, otherwise they may
not sweep off snow properly. Make sure the
windshield washer works and there is washing fluid
in the washer reservoir.
Use windshield washer antifreeze to prevent
freezing of the washer liquid. If you can't see well
enough while driving (for example, if your wipers
fail), stop safely and fix the problem.
Tires. Make sure you have enough tread on your
tires. The drive tires must provide traction to push
the rig over wet pavement and through snow. The
steering tires must have traction to steer the vehicle.
Enough tread is especially important in winter
conditions. You must have at least 4/32 inch tread
depth in every major groove on front tires and at
least 2/32 inch on other tires. More would be better.
Use a gauge to determine if you have enough tread
for safe driving.
Tire Chains. You may find yourself in conditions
where you can't drive without chains, even to get to
a place of safety. Carry the right number of chains
and extra cross-links. Make sure they will fit your
drive tires. Check the chains for broken hooks, worn
or broken cross-links, and bent or broken side
chains. Learn how to put the chains on before you
need to do it in snow and ice.
Lights and Reflectors. Make sure the lights and
reflectors are clean. Lights and reflectors are
especially important during bad weather. Check
from time to time during bad weather to make sure
they are clean and working properly.
Windows and Mirrors. Remove any ice, snow,
etc., from the windshield, windows, and mirrors
before starting. Use a windshield scraper, snow
brush, and windshield defroster as necessary.
Hand Holds, Steps, and Deck Plates. Remove all
ice and snow from hand holds, steps, and deck
plates. This will reduce the danger of slipping.
Radiator Shutters and Winterfront. Remove ice
from the radiator shutters. Make sure the winterfront
is not closed too tightly. If the shutters freeze shut
or the winterfront is closed too much, the engine
may overheat and stop.
Exhaust System. Exhaust system leaks are
especially dangerous when cab ventilation may be
poor (windows rolled up, etc.). Loose connections
could permit poisonous carbon monoxide to leak
into your vehicle. Carbon monoxide gas will cause
you to be sleepy. In large enough amounts it can kill
you. Check the exhaust system for loose parts and
for sounds and signs of leaks.
2.13.2 – Driving
Slippery Surfaces. Drive slowly and smoothly on
slippery roads. If it is very slippery, you shouldn't
drive at all. Stop at the first safe place.
Start Gently and Slowly. When first starting, get
the feel of the road. Don't hurry.
Check for Ice. Check for ice on the road, especially
bridges and overpasses. A lack of spray from other
vehicles indicates ice has formed on the road. Also,
check your mirrors and wiper blades for ice. If they
have ice, the road most likely will be icy as well.
Adjust Turning and Braking to Conditions. Make
turns as gently as possible. Don't brake any harder
than necessary, and don't use the engine brake or
speed retarder. (They can cause the driving wheels
to skid on slippery surfaces.)
Adjust Speed to Conditions. Don't pass slower
vehicles unless necessary. Go slowly and watch far
enough ahead to keep a steady speed. Avoid
having to slow down and speed up. Take curves at
slower speeds and don't brake while in curves. Be
aware that as the temperature rises to the point
where ice begins to melt, the road becomes even
more slippery. Slow down more.
Adjust Space to Conditions. Don't drive alongside
other vehicles. Keep a longer following distance.
When you see a traffic jam ahead, slow down or
stop to wait for it to clear. Try hard to anticipate
stops early and slow down gradually. Watch for
snowplows, as well as salt and sand trucks, and
give them plenty of room.
Wet Brakes. When driving in heavy rain or deep
standing water, your brakes will get wet. Water in
the brakes can cause the brakes to be weak, to
apply unevenly, or to grab. This can cause lack of
braking power, wheel lockups, pulling to one side or
the other, and jackknife if you pull a trailer.
Avoid driving through deep puddles or flowing water
if possible. If not, you should:
Slow down and place transmission in a low gear.
Gently put on the brakes. This presses linings
against brake drums or discs and keeps mud, silt,
sand, and water from getting in.
Increase engine rpm and cross the water while
keeping light pressure on the brakes.
Section 2 – Driving Safely Page 2-28
Version: July 2017
Commercial Driver’s License Manual – 2005 CDL Testing System
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