Tag: commercial vehicle safety

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Preparing Your Fleet for Summer Heat

Prepare your fleet vehicles for the heat of summer.

You would never think of running five miles in 100-degree heat without taking a water bottle and extra precautions to fight the summer temps. Your fleet is no different!

From top to bottom, front to back, it needs extra care to beat the heat.

In order to prevent overheating, it’s essential that all fluids are topped off before you start off on these long driving days. Radiator, antifreeze, transmission, brakes, even windshield wiper fluid will need special attention in order to keep your fleet healthy in this heat. As you’re driving, keep an eye on the water temperature or coolant temperature gauge. If it goes above a safe temp, you’re at risk of engine failure and need to get off the road immediately.

Summer heat is brutal to the life of batteries. They run excessively to maintain HVAC systems and other hot weather accessories, causing an increase in corrosion. Unfortunately, this quick aging may not be noticed until the cooler months arrive and your fleet doesn’t start up. Steven Keuss of Associated Equipment Corp says that for every 10 degree increase in temperature, the battery’s life is reduced by 50%.

Tires are especially at risk in hot weather, as there is always a risk of a tire blowing up or even catching on fire. Switch out your winter tires and check summer ones closely and regularly, making sure that they maintain proper tread and wear evenly. The pressure in your tires will increase with the temperature, and it’s recommended that you check them every two hours or 100 miles to maintain safety on the road.

Manually check your engine belts by pressing on them to make sure they are tight. If not, the water pump and fan will not run properly and result in overheating. Visually check for signs of wear and replace at the first sign of aging.

If your engine does overheat, immediately pull over, set your vehicle or rig in neutral and set the brakes, but do NOT shut down your engine. Keep the engine revved to 1500 RPMs to allow the fan to cool your engine. This will take at least 15 minutes, so be patient! Never open the radiator cap or any other pressurized system, as steam can cause severe burns. Once your engine has cooled, head to the service station.

Extra time and care of your fleet now will help to limit these service stops and get you back on the road quickly. We at ABS Tag & Title wish you a safe and healthy summer!

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Two Safety Trends that May Save Your Fleet AND the Lives of Your Drivers

Safety Trends for Fleets & Fleet Drivers

 

Despite decreased numbers of vehicles on the roads due to lingering effects of a global pandemic, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that traffic deaths were up in 2021! A staggering 42,915 people died in motor vehicle crashes last year. Commercial fleet management companies are taking these statistics very seriously, and several of the fleet safety trends in 2022 reflect that effort. 

Dash Cams

There are many factors that contribute to the number of traffic deaths, but most boil down to one fact; drivers are distracted. Talking on the telephone, talking to passengers, watching videos, eating and drinking, even drinking alcohol while driving! Installing dash cams in the cabs and additional cameras outside the rig or automobile is one way to beat the collision odds. These are proving to be an inexpensive way to monitor drivers’ behaviors, encouraging their safety and the safety of others on the road.   

Not only is the installation of cameras essential, but the regular review of them is becoming a regular part of drivers’ training. It is quite common for a driver to review a day’s footage and be astonished how distracted he/she is during a drive! Awareness is the first step to change, and cameras are widely becoming accepted as an industry standard.   

While the safety of drivers is of utmost importance, fleets also can take a serious hit when out on the road. Although cargo theft declined slightly in 2021, the loss still amounted to over $57 million dollars!  Fifty-five percent of those thefts involved heavy commercial motor vehicles, so special note should be taken if your fleet helps in this transport. 

Security Systems

No company can afford the losses of theft. Management companies are finding that the investment of excellent tracking devices and services brings peace of mind and quick recovery, should a theft occur. GPS tracking services allow tracking in real time and notify managers via text or email whenever a truck starts to move. If movement is suspicious, an effective GPS security program can even alert authorities immediately.   

In addition to careful tracking, commercial fleets are now incorporating a starter disable function. This technology enables the fleet manager to temporarily disable the starter in a rig and re-enable it when it’s time to move again! With no more fear of theft while sitting at a rest stop or temporarily storing a vehicle, managers can have more control over burglars and ensure that their fleets keep moving on schedule.   

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Make Sure You’re Legal on the Road!

Two necessary documents every driver MUST have with them at all times.

Many people don’t know that a vehicle registration is NOT the same as the title. Here are the basics to understanding the two separate documents you need before you can legally drive your vehicle:

Car Title

The title is a legal document that declares you (or the company / individual you owe) is the legal owner of a vehicle. Once a title is obtained, it is valid in every state, despite the owner’s residence.

To receive a title of a vehicle, an owner must have:

  • Bill of sale
  • Proof of insurance
  • Proof of residency (most DMV offices require two verified bills or official mail
  • Current odometer reading of vehicle
Registration

The registration is a legal document that states you have paid essential taxes and are in the state’s cataloguing system. Each state has individual requirements for this registration, and a vehicle owner must have one that is valid in his state of residence in order to legally operate the vehicle.

Once a vehicle’s title is obtained, a registration is necessary as well. Although states differ on the requirements for this document, each requires the following:

  • Title
  • Current insurance (minimum; higher in some states)
  • Tax or registration fees
  • Vehicle inspection report

Over half of the United States requires emission testing. Emissions, as well as many other safety inspections, vary considerably from state to state. You can find a list of your state’s requirements through the Department of Motor Vehicles, or the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance.

The process of obtaining a title and registration for your vehicle is sometimes complicated and always time-consuming. Entrusting that process to ABS ensures a smooth and carefree transition to getting your entire fleet on the road efficiently and legally!

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Complete Fleet Compliance Management

ABS has three divisions to meet all your tag & title needs.

Fleet Management

No business can afford to ever take a loss. Sloppy management of your fleet titles, registration, and licenses can cost your company hefty financial penalties and serious delays. It’s essential for you to rely on your Tag & Title company to handle every detail flawlessly. Our team of Fleet Compliance Managers is committed to your success.

Dealership Management

Obtaining titles and registrations can significantly slow down the purchase of a new vehicle.  Repo titles and lien perfections are OUR business, so they don’t need to be a business manager’s nightmare. We have a Dealership Division devoted specifically to YOU, so that our contacts and our expertise will be a quick solution to your business needs.

Leasing Management

Tags and titles, registration and liens, renewals and state transfers can cause unnecessary delays, and you need to get your fleet on the road. Obtaining and maintaining is our specialty. Our Leasing Division team is committed to providing clear communication and is always accessible to you with helpful resources and contacts. 

  • Need a title transfer, correction, name change, fuel and trip permits? Selling a rig and need the lien and title in your hands in the next 24 hours? Rest assured, your documents are safe, and your fleet is covered.
  • Have a small fleet and need a more efficient office with fewer administrative bodies? Have a large fleet and need more efficient technical tools to manage it? Rest assured,  your rigs will be compliant, and your fleet is covered.

Covering all 50 states and 1400 jurisdictions, you can leave the details to us. Rest assured…with ABS, your fleet, your dealership, and your leasing needs are covered. 

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ABS Motor Carrier Services

ABS Motor Carrier Services

ABS Simplifies Your Business

Why do you need ABS motor carrier services? We simplify the administrative functions of fleet management allows owners, managers, and operators to run their businesses more efficiently…and efficiency ultimately means profit.

As a fleet manager, you know you need to:

  • Monitor IRP maintenance, additions, renewals, and changes
  • Complete IFTA quarterly reports
  • Track special state reporting
  • Manage driver qualifications
  • Account for oversize/overweight annuals and trips
  • Complete nationwide registration and titling
  • Store those titles
  • Manage tolls and citations

OR, you can utilize the expertise and infrastructure of ABS Tag & Title to streamline that administrative work with our intellectual capital and technical tools.

Regardless of the size of your commercial fleet, we use our resources to manage your assets effectively. Click here to learn more!

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Tips to Keep You & Your Rig Safe on the Road

Stay safe on the road and rest when you need to.

The best life-saving tip you will receive today…

Pull over.

The numbers are staggering:  100,000 accidents and over 1,500 deaths are cause each year because of drowsy driving!  If you’re sleepy, don’t down the power drinks or grab another smoke…your health and safety are the most important products you deliver to your destination each day!  Consider some of the following instead:

  • Power nap.  It has proven effectiveness!   But be very careful…..longer than 20 minutes and this will backfire quickly.
  • Drink a caffeinated beverage following your nap.  Pounding these constantly will actually make you drowsy, but that quick shot of adrenaline right after a bit of rest will give you an added boost.
  • Pulling over your rig and walking a half mile down the road and back will cause you to lose a little time but quite possibly save a life or two.

“Off the clock” guidelines are perhaps even more essential in assuring a safe drive. When you’re not on a driving schedule ensure that you:

  • Stay consistent on your bedtime.  Your body will function much better on the road if you keep a regular routine off the road.
  • Follow a regular calming routine an hour before bed.  (Screen time of any kind is a stimulant.  Cutting out TV and phone/computer scrolling will help!)
  • Avoid heavy foods, alcohol, and nicotine an hour before bedtime.
  • Get six to eight hours of sleep. Your mother said it for years because doctors have been saying it for generations.  This is what it takes for your body to refuel, so take care of it just like you do your rig.  Don’t drive on empty!

We at ABS not only want you to get there on time; we want you to get there safely.

P.S. Did you know lack of sleep increases your heart rate!  Your heart rate and blood pressure go down at night….they’re supposed to!  So give your heart a rest, and get a good night sleep!  Find out more about heart health here. 

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Is Your Fleet Ready for Roadside Inspections?

Is your fleet ready for the 2021 International Roadcheck?

Be Roadcheck Ready

The next annual Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) International Roadcheck is scheduled for May 4-6, 2021. February is the perfect time to connect with us and let us help you get your fleet prepared for this upcoming inspection. Our fleet management experts will handle all the details that keep your vehicles compliant and their wheels in motion.

According to CVSA, the International Roadcheck is the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial motor vehicles in the world, with nearly 15 trucks or buses inspected, on average, every minute across North America during a 72-hour period.

Here are a few tips to help you prepare for a roadside inspection:

Understand Level-1 Inspections

This is the most thorough of all roadside inspections. Our ABS Tag & Title fleet management experts can help guide you through everything you need to know to remain complaint during this type of inspection.

Examine Your Cargo

Be sure to check out your safe load assessment, tail board, and end gate security, cargo shifting/falling safeguards, blocking and bracing for visible cargo, and tie-town anchor points.

Check Tires Closely

Tread depth and pressure will be measured. Be sure to check for any items lodged between dual tires and deep cuts or bulges in sidewalls.

Prepare Your Drivers

All drivers must be able to provide valid licenses, medical cards and current hours-of-service records upon inspection.

Inspect Your Vehicles

Check out your brakes, fuel, exhaust, coupling, frames and safety items such as windshield wipers and lights to ensure everything is in working order.

We have time to prepare for the upcoming 2021 CVSA International Roadcheck together. Save yourself the time and hassle by filling out a request today for a free quote to keep your fleet of vehicles compliant and on the road. A member of our team will be in touch with you promptly to see how we can help you get CVSA International Roadcheck ready this year!