CACH CHSP November News 2022

TO HAVE A PERSONAL WINTER

We all know that driving in challenging winter conditions can be difficult. Even for the most experienced driving dangerous. For truck drivers, driving on snow covered roads or icy highways is twice as difficult, greater skid control and maneuvering skills compared to smaller vehicles. Since the roads are slippery season. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 17% of all vehicle are avoidable, however, so follow these winter driving tips in order to stay safe, keep the risks minimal,

TIP 1: PREPARE YOUR RIG FOR THE COLD

Before starting any journey on icy roads, make sure your truck is properly prepared by checking all important items:

• Tires. Check that all your tires are winter ready and that you have tire chains with you. Remember to check that your tires are inflated properly because as the temperature drops, your tires’ air pressure drops too.

• Windshield wipers. To keep a clear view through your windshield, check that your wiper blades are not brittle and are still wiping properly. You should also make sure that you have the correct windshield washer fluid reserve that can withstand the winter temperature and won’t freeze.

• The truck’s fluids. Determine if your truck’s oil, cool ant, transmission fluid, and brake fluids are all at the correct levels. Keep your truck in its optimum running condition during the cold months by changing oil or refill ing fluid as needed.

• Lights. Before you leave, make sure that you check all your lights, and remember to check again after each stop.

• Brakes. Your truck should stop immediately once you hit the brakes. If not, or if you hear a squeaking noise, there might be a problem with the brake pads or brake linings. If that’s the case, immediately bring your truck to your mechanic to have it checked.

A FROZEN VALVE COULD ALSO CAUSE PROBLEM. IF THIS HAPPENS, SOME EXPERTS RECOMMEND THAT YOU POUR SOME METHYL HYDRATE THROUGH THE BRAKE SYSTEM IN ORDER TO THAW IT.

TIP 2: WINTER-PROOF YOUR TRUCK WITH THESE ACCESSORIES

Aside from bringing a warm jacket and other winter clothes, take a few extra items along with you such as:

• A flashlight and batteries (Note: Aside from the one you have, you can also bring an extra flashlight and extra batteries. Remember, two is one, one is none, so it’s better to be prepared.)

• A blanket.

• Non-perishable food and water.

• A bag of sand or salt.

• A windshield scraper.

• A hammer and a putty knife (to unfreeze brakes).

• First aid/emergency kit.

TIP 3: DON’T FORCE YOURSELF TO DRIVE IN DANGEROUS WINTER CONDITIONS

Truck driving requires focus and all of your attention, especially during the winter season. You have to be in the zone. When you get tired or sleepy, pull over and get some rest.

Don’t push your limits. Always be alert so you won’t be risking your life or anybody else’s.

As previously stated, seek shelter if the weather conditions become bad. One of the major reasons for truck accidents is the driver’s belief that they can drive no matter what the weather conditions are.

TIP 4: ADJUST

As a responsible on the weather

• Drive slower and time to react if

• Take extra caution your truck.

• Always be on sheet of slippery of black ice when the windshield, on vehicles in

• Keep in mind weather conditions. keep driving,

TIP 5: PLAN

Along with winter avoid rough weather ahead. Here are

• Check the weather

• Plan the best route

• Give yourself

• Make sure your

For truck drivers, tion, poor visibility, on the road. Reports every year. If months, you can to stay safe and remember these the limits. Don’t

Your years of driving experience don’t make you invincible, so don’t fall into the trap of being overly confident and thinking that you can pass through the worst weather conditions. Don’t take the risk of driving through bad road conditions.

WINTER ACTION PLAN

experienced drivers, unpredictable bad winter weather makes difficult, as you’re driving a big rig vehicle that demands this time of year, truck accidents tend to rise during this vehicle accidents occur during the winter months. These accidents and get through the rough months without incident.

ADJUST YOUR DRIVING STYLE FOR SLIPPERY ROADS

responsible truck driver, you should know how to adjust your driving style based weather conditions. To keep yourself safe, as well as the lives of others, you can: and put more distance between you and the vehicles in front to give you more if anything happens in front.

caution and be gentle when accelerating and braking so you don’t lose control of

the lookout for black ice patches, which are very hard to spot. Black ice is a slippery ice, which can cause your truck to lose traction. There’s a higher chance when there’s ice build up on the truck’s mirror arms, the top corners of windshield, or the antennas. You can also tell if there’s no spray from the tires front of you.

that mountain roads can be very dangerous especially during bad conditions. Stop and find a safe place if necessary. If you really need to though, drive slowly with your hazard lights on.

PLAN AHEAD TO AVOID WINTER TRUCKING HAZARDS

winter comes the hazards of winter driving. Although we can’t weather conditions, we can still stay safe by simply planning are some reminders to make you prepared before your trip: weather forecast for the route you’re going to engage route ahead of time, and, if possible, avoid roads with sharp curves or hills. extra time to make your trip. your fuel tank is full so you don’t run out of fuel. drivers, driving in snow and ice is challenging due to poor trac visibility, and unpredictable drivers and other circumstances Reports show higher rates of vehicle crashes during snowfall you can’t avoid or reschedule your delivery during the winter can at least incorporate the above driving tips for truck drivers and arrive at your destination without incident. these two extremely important things: Always be prepared and know

deer, especially if it means hitting a parked vehicle. 8-12 seconds in front of the vehicle to ensure you’re high beams when there’s not oncoming traffic to roadways. This will also help you notice hazards ahead.

A STING

Most of these accidents are minor and usually involve destrians and bicyclists, resulting in extensive bodily the right rear tire going over someone’s sidewalk stationary objet, you could also cause severe bodily

Poorly adjusted mirrors, not knowing the dimensions cident. So how can you as a driver avoid turning

First, always know the length and width of feet. Follow company policy on pre-inspections vehicle than normal.

The part of the vehicle between the rear more on a standard commercial vehicle. tween the rear axle and the rear of

Make sure that mirrors are properly and objects when it begins the needs to be pushed out. Remember when turning right. And

During the turn, it’s right once continues entered and straighten When turning desired an outside

Finally, and side

VIDEO

1. Driver approaches cones left turn

Trailer tail swing is the path that the rear bumper of the trailer takes, based on the overhang produced by the position of the tandem axles and how sharp the turn is. It is important

On 48 ft. and 53 ft. trailers, tail swing can be necessary to allow you to make a load weight legal. The further forward the tandem axles are, the tighter trailer, 10 ft. is the least amount of overhang, as it is the maximum position to the rear of the trailer that the tandems can be slid in “Bridge Law” states, like California. On a 48 ft. trailer, trailer has the least amount of danger, as the axle is as close to the rear bumper as possible, minimizing tail swing completely. A 2-axle tractor can also increase swing danger, as it will CORRECT- Always minimize the amount of tail swing your trailer has, as much as possible. This will also minimize the danger associated with turns. To do this, only move the tandems point, they must be at least 3 feet away from an obstacle in the swing area, but as much as the turn will safely allow. On a right turn, the swing area will be on the driver or oncoming traffic swing path, based on overhang and tightness of the turn. Tail swing is also a reason U-turns, the tightest turn a trailer can make, are so dangerous because any overhang swing is maximized.

involve something small such as a mailbox, mirror or stop sign. However, these accidents can also involve pe bodily harm. For example, a right turn in a commercial vehicle on a tight residential street may only result in or lawn. But a left turn in a UPS parking lot hub or a truck stop situation could cause a vehicle strike on a bodily injury to another driver as well.

dimensions of the vehicle, speed and proximity of fixed/moving objects can all contribute to this type of acturning accidents?

of the vehicle. Many commercial vehicles have a standard width of 8.5 feet of width and a length of 45-53 pre-inspections and be sure to take note of the vehicle’s dimensions, especially if you are assigned to a different

rear axle and rear of the trailer is commonly referred to as the tail swing. The tail swing can be 10 feet or vehicle. The rear axle of the truck acts as a pivot point for the rear of the vehicle. However, the distance beof the truck is much greater than that of a passenger car.

properly adjusted so you can be sure that the rear of the vehicle will adequately clear vehicles, pedestrians the turn. Begin with the driver side mirror. If you can see the windows on the side of the truck, the mirror Remember to check the right side of the vehicle when turning left and to check the left side of the vehicle And always be certain your vehicle has the right of way before beginning the turn.

it’s necessary to ensure that the rear axle is up far enough to keep the vehicle from pinching objects on the once the vehicle begins to pivot to the right. Check the right flat and convex mirrors for space as the vehicle continues through the turn. Re-check the left mirrors for clearance in the event that a vehicle or person has entered the area where the tail swing has occurred. Once the vehicle has completed the turn, check the mirrors straighten out the front wheels before accelerating.

turning from a single lane into a double lane, always turn into the far lane and make the transition to the desired lane well after the turn. When entering a double turn, always stay in the outside lane to avoid a pinch by outside vehicle.

it’s important to ensure the vehicle’s pre-trip inspection includes cleaning off the windshields, mirrors side windows, adjusting the mirrors properly, and knowing the dimensions of the vehicle and tail swing.

cones for a 2. Driver is 1.5 feet from cones before the turn

3. Driver proceeds in making a hard left turn 4. In doing so, driver is poised to strike all the cones

5. As you can see, driver got STUNG!

important to be aware of how much tail swing the trailer has to avoid hitting obstacles, like cars, poles, etc., in a tight turn. This overhang can swing out several feet during a turn and it the turn that can be made, but the greater the arc of the bumper will be. At the 40 ft. mark, there is 10 ft. of trailer overhang behind the tandems on a 53 ft. trailer. Also on a 53 ft. trailer, where drivers are more likely to run around with the tandems forward, the overhang can be much greater, especially with lift-gate, increasing the danger of the swing. A 28 ft. pup turn sharper and quicker than a 3-axle tractor, which can also add to the amount of tail swing arc distance. tandems as far forward as necessary to make the weight legal. When the tandems must be forward, be aware of tail swing and allow room for it, during turns. Since the tandems are the pivot traffic lane side, and on the passenger or curb side for a left turn. If you are right next to parked cars and make a left turn, the trailer bumper will swing out and hit any cars in the maximized.

Have you ever come close to making contact with an object or vehicle while turning? Are you aware of how wide the rear of the truck will go as it makes the turn? Turns can be dangerous and costly if you don’t take the necessary precautions before and during these maneuvers. They are among the most common type of accident in the trucking industry.

7 ‘hard rules’ for boosting memory and fighting off dementia

The average human brain shrinks by approximately 5% per decade after the age of 40. This can have a major impact on memory and focus. What’s more, brain disorders are on the rise. In 2020, 54 million people worldwide had Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias, and that number is expected to grow. But serious mental decline doesn’t have to be an inevitable part of aging. In fact, certain lifestyle factors have a greater impact than your genes do on whether you’ll develop memory-related diseases. As a neuroscience researcher, here are seven hard rules I live by to keep my brain sharp and fight off dementia.

1. KEEP BLOOD PRESSURE AND CHOLESTEROL LEVELS IN CHECK

Your heart beats roughly 115,000 times a day, and with every beat, it sends about 20% of the oxygen in your body to your brain. High blood pressure can weaken your heart muscle, and is one of the leading causes of strokes. Ideally, your blood pressure should be no higher than 120/80. Cholesterol is critical to your brain and nervous system health, too. The American Heart Association recommends getting your cholesterol levels measured every four to six years.

2. MANAGE SUGAR LEVELS

Blood sugar is the primary fuel of the brain. Not enough of it, and you have no energy; too much, and you can destroy blood vessels and tissue, leading to premature aging and cardiovascular disease. Keep in mind that sugar isn’t enemy, excess sugar is. It’s easy for grams of sugar to add up, even if you think you’re being careful — and usually, sugar will sneak in through packaged foods. WHERE IS THE SUGAR HIDDEN? LOOK FOR THESE IN THE INGREDIENTS LIST:

3. GET QUALITY SLEEP

Studies show that people with untreated sleep apnea raise their risk of memory loss by an average of 10 years before the general population. For most people, a healthy brain needs somewhere between seven and nine hours of sleep a night. My tips for memory-boosting, immune-enhancing sleep: Keep a consistent bedtime and wake-up schedule. Turn off devices one hour before bedtime. Do something relaxing before bedtime, like listening to soft music or doing mindful breathing exercises. Go outside and get in natural sunlight as soon as you can after waking up.

4. EAT A NUTRITIOUS DIET

Article by Phil Lubek: Feeder Driver, Wellness co-chair, Olympic Pole-Vaulter.

When food shopping, I ask myself three questions to help determine whether something is good for my brain:

1. Will it spoil? In many cases, perishable is a good thing. The additives and preservatives that keep food from spoiling wreak havoc on your gut bacteria.

2. Are there tons of ingredients in that packaged food? And for that matter, can you pronounce the ingre dients? Or does it look like the makings of a chemical experiment? Also avoid anything where sugar is one of the first few ingredients.

3. Do you see a rainbow on your plate? The chemicals that give fruits and vegetables their vibrant colors help boost brain health.

5. DON’T SMOKE (AND AVOID SECONDHAND AND THIRD HAND SMOKE)

Smokers have a 30% higher risk of developing dementia than non-smokers. They also put those around them at risk: Secondhand smoke contains 7,000 chemicals — and at least 70 of them can cause cancer. Then there’s third hand smoke, which is not actually smoke. It’s the residue of cigarette smoke that creates the telltale smell on clothing or in a room. That residue alone can emit chemicals that are toxic to the brain.

6. MAKE SOCIAL CONNECTIONS

In a recent study, people over the age of 55 who regularly participated in dinner parties or other social events had a lower risk of losing their memory. But it wasn’t because of what they ate, it was the effect of the repeated social connection. To lessen isolation and loneliness, you can also boost brain chemicals like serotonin and endorphins by performing small acts of kindness: Wish others well or check in with somebody. Give a compliment without expecting anything in return. Make a phone call to somebody you don’t usually reach out to.

7. CONTINUOUSLY LEARN NEW SKILLS

Maintaining a strong memory is not all about brain games like Sudoku, Wordle and crossword puzzles. Learning skills and acquiring information are much more effective ways to make new connections in the brain. The more connections you make, the more likely you are to retain and even enhance your memory.

When you think about learning something new, approach it the way you would with fitness training. You want to work out different muscles on different days. The same goes for the brain.

Over the course of this week, try cross-training your brain by mixing mental activities (learning a new language or reading a book) and physical learning activities (playing tennis or soccer) .

Know the Signs of Alzheimer & Dementia