Safe Winter Driving for Malone Flatbed Drivers:

Winter is here! For the second year CRST Malone has adopted “Absolute Zero”, our goal to achieve zero motion leading to a crashes or injuries for our driving partners and small business owners. To achieve “Absolute Zero” we need to first understand that, at this time of  year there are biological changes.

Studies have found that the decrease in daylight can lead to reduced sleep quality and fatigue, decrease cognitive function, and impaired metabolism which can affect driving safety. Inclement weather conditions like snow, ice, wind, loss of traction and reduced visibility add to these risks faced each day on the road.

A few years ago, we coined the “Comfort Zone” slogan; an expectation that our drivers must stay within their limitations and, hence the name, their comfort zone. “Comfort Zone” encourages us to reduce our speed and increase following distance to remain safe when visibility and/or traction are diminished.

It also encourages you to stop the truck in a safe, secure location before moving when the weather or road conditions exceed your capability to do so without risk of accident or injury. This includes not moving when the condition of the driver due to illness or fatigue comes into play.

The Comfort Zone remains the integral component to accomplishing Absolute Zero. This year, our driving partners and small business owners will be positively stating your commitment to safety when you read and sign “The Pledge” online.

By doing so you promise to know in advance when conditions may require actions outlined in the Comfort Zone, invoking the Comfort Zone, and communicating your decision timely to Operations. Remember, ‘nothing we haul is worth you getting hurt or hurting someone else’.

Absolute Zero relies on support from everyone, not just the driver and small business owner. Each member of our office team took “The Pledge” too.

This commitment requires each of us to make the pledge for the safety of drivers and small business owners, fellow motorists, others in our office and those around us a priority, so we can continue to be there for our loved ones who count us.

Through this individual and corporate commitment to a safety culture, we can achieve the goal together of “Absolute Zero” this winter season. Please take the time to read and sign “The Pledge” and do your part in making “Absolute Zero” accidents and injuries a reality at CRST Malone this winter.

THE DRIVER – SMALL BUSINESS OWNER PLEDGE
I pledge to “Walk the Walk” this winter and will not put myself or the motoring public in harm’s way. I pledge to follow all company mandated weather shut downs and will not put a load before my personal safety and comfort zone.

Work safely – in and out of the truck

Assess your situation at all times

Learn to listen to your gut

Know my limitations and operate within them

THE OPERATIONS PLEDGE

I pledge to “Talk the Talk” when it comes to Winter Safe Driving. I pledge to help enforce all company mandated weather shut downs and will not ask our drivers to place a load before their personal safety and comfort zone.

Tell our drivers we expect them to operate safely

Ask our drivers if they are OK to drive

Listen to their answers and ask probing questions

Help keep all drivers safe! Promote the “Comfort Zone”

Safe Winter Driving  Safety Department at CRST