Safety Management Services Company’s Accident Countermeasures Program Safety Management Services Company’s Accident Countermeasures program was created to provide a way for our company and our most important asset, the drivers, to cover important safety topics in a meaningful and accessible manner. This program allows you, the driver, to study safety material and learn desirable information at a time most convenient for you. Please take the time to read through the material, study the pictures, and then answer the questions at the end of this handout. Your completed answer sheet should then be turned in to receive credit for completing this program.

U-TURNS

Making a u-turn in a tractor-trailer is one of the most dangerous maneuvers for a driver. The chance of being involved in an accident is so well documented that most trucking companies prohibit their drivers from making them on a public roadway. When a driver decides to make a u-turn, they are placing all other drivers at risk.

What are some of the risks of tractor-trailers making u-turns?

Blocking traffic Since making a u-turn is an unexpected maneuver, it usually does not allow enough time for other drivers to change lanes to avoid an accident. The average truck takes at least 40 seconds to complete a u-turn which means the trailer is blocking most, if not all, other traffic lanes for nearly a minute. Lack of visibility for the truck driver Drivers are just not able to turn their truck around safely in such a short time while remaining cognizant of all the dangers around them. Ensuring proper clearance on all 6 sides of the vehicle is difficult at best when there is a hasty decision to make a u-turn. Lack of visibility for other motorists Other motorists typically don’t see the truck making a u-turn until it’s too late to avoid an accident. Lights and other reflective markings on a truck are just not enough to alert other drivers to react in time. This is especially true in low visibility such as darkness or fog.

Accident Information

Date and Time: 7 A.M., September 30, 2015 Location: Highway 41, near Lenox, Georgia Weather Conditions: Fog Road Conditions: Wet Vehicles Involved: 2 Accident Description: Tractor-trailer driver was attempting a u-turn after missing a road when a pickup truck drove underneath the trailer, shearing off the pickup truck’s body. Result: Pickup driver was killed. Charges are pending against the tractor-trailer driver.

U-TURNS

Name: ________________________________ Date: _________________________

QUESTION PAGE Please return this page to your safety department to receive credit for course completion.

1. True or False. U-turns are a dangerous maneuver and should be avoided.

2. The average truck takes at least _____________seconds to complete a u-turn.

3. True or False. Most trucking companies prohibit their drivers from making u-turns.

4. True or False. Low visibility, such as darkness or fog, usually does not contribute to a u-turn accident.

5. True or False. U-turns contribute to accidents because other motorists are unable to react in time.

U-TURNS

Name: ________________________________ Date: _________________________

QUESTION PAGE Please return this page to your safety department to receive credit for course completion.

1. True or False. U-turns are a dangerous maneuver and should be avoided.

2. The average truck takes at least _____40_____seconds to complete a u-turn.

3. True or False. Most trucking companies prohibit their drivers from making u-turns.

4. True or False. Low visibility, such as darkness or fog, usually does not contribute to a u-turn accident.

5. True or False. U-turns contribute to accidents because other motorists are unable to react in time.