Dangers of road rage and technology

A woman in Florida was being tailgated by an aggressive driver in a pick up, so she decided to take out her cell to get the incident on video.   When the road rager decided to pass her he gave her the bird and then lost control of his vehicle then crashed into a ditch taking out a light pole in the process.  Talk about instant gratification, but the woman filming the whole incident could have just as easily been the one who lost control and crashed.  Remember that two wrongs do not make a right.

As professional drivers, we see road rage directed at us and other drivers frequently.  We need to remember that we are professional drivers, and should act accordingly.  Neither the driver in the video below is a professional driver, and it shows.  If another driver is tailgating you or has harsh words for your mother its better to ignore them than to get back at them.  Do not pull out your phone and start making a YouTube video while driving.  The risks of causing an accident do not out weigh the benefits of getting 4 million views on YouTube in one day.  Remember the bigger picture and please drive safe.

Find A Driver Form

Driver Instructions for Safety as a Service.com

Print this guide and give it to your driver. It will walk them through signing in and taking the courses.

1. Go to www.safetyasaservice.com

2. Login with the E-Mail and Password supplied by your company. Your company might not have known your email address when they signed you up. Your personal email address may not work. Make sure you get the email address from the company. You can change it to your personal email address after you sign in.

3.  You will end up at the overview page after you sign in. You will see the courses assigned to you. Click "View".

4. The course will open in a new window. The Overview Page will still be in it's existing window. Make sure to leave the over page open while you watch the course.

5. Watch the course all of the way through. Take all of the quizzes. Close the window when you are complete.

6. Closing the course window after completing the class triggers the Overview Page (that you left open). This action will tell the system your status.

 7. The main trouble shooting step is with your company. Get with the person that assigned you the course they can help you trouble shoot any logging-in errors. Logging-in errors are usually a mis-typed email address.

Colorado's D.O.T. Medical Card Rules for CDL drivers are Changing.

CDL Drivers are starting to notice Colorado's new medical rules. We were supposed to update our medical cards, at least, every two years. But we only needed to renew our Commercial Driver's License (CDL) every four years.
Some of us let our medical cards lapse for a few months before going to a doctor. No big deal, as long we didn't drive a commercial vehicle or cross a port of entry, it worked out. Just get a physical before renewing your license.
The DMV figured out our system. If you have recently been to a DMV, you saw them enter the expiration date of your medical card into the computer. This is new. In the past, they just visually inspected the card in the past and never noted the expiration date.
If you do not notify the DMV about the next time you get a physical, they will cancel your driver's license, not just your CDL. They will send a warning letter first, stating that you are in violation. It is serious. Make sure you follow up.
Everyone must comply by January 31, 2014. It is easy if you renewed your CDL before that date  (They have already noted your information).
The State must have everyone caught up by then. They know 20,000 people will miss this deadline because they did not need to renew their CDL by the end of January. If you have not renewed your CDL recently, you must send the State of Colorado a copy of your physical.
Don't worry too much. They made it pretty easy for you to comply with the regulation. You just need to do it. We've outlined the steps for you below, complete with links to the forms, and important phone and fax numbers.
Submitting your Medical DOT to Colorado

1. Print the following document: DR2904 CDL Self Certification and Attach the DOT Medical Card (do not attach the long form. Just a copy of your card)and fax it to: 303-205-5709 Attn: CDL Unit

The form has some confusing government language.
Please mark the applicable box: A. Non-excepted Interstate - A person must certify that he or she operates or expects to operate in interstate commerce, is both subject to and meets the qualification requirements under 49 CFR part 391 and is required to obtain a medical examiners certificate B. Excepted Interstate - A person must certify that he or she operates or expects to operate in interstate commerce, but engages exclusively in transportation or operations excepted under 49 CFR 390.3(f), 391.2, 391.68 or 398.3. C. Non Excepted Intrastate – A person must certify that he or she operates only in intrastate commerce and therefore is subject to State driver qualification requirements. D. Excepted Intrastate – A person must certify that he or she operates in intrastate commerce but engages exclusively in transportation or operations excepted from all or parts of the State Driver qualification requirements
Everyone should check box A stating that you want to be qualified for Non-excepted Interstate. The only reason to bother with B,C or D is if you are under 21 or have a medical waiver from the Colorado State Patrol.
Check Box A. I can't say it enough. Even if you will never cross state lines. The term "expects to operate in interstate commerce" does not mean crossing state lines in a truck. It means participates in interstate commerce. If you transport any goods that EVER come across state lines: you are participating in interstate commerce. Check Box A.

1. Verify they have received your forms by calling: 303-205-5843. After you fax your form, they expect to have your information entered within 48 hours. This phone number connects you directly to the people entering the information.
2. If you need any administrative help, please call this number: 303-205-5646.

If you are a CDL driver and need any additional help, please call CDL College at 303-367-1030.