Table of Contents
Introduction
At any given moment, tens of thousands of vehicles are on Colorado roads. An estimated 200,000 or more cars travel across I-70 alone each day in the Centennial State, and of those vehicles, about 9% are trucks. Colorado is by no means known for its robust public transportation system, so many Coloradans rely on their vehicles to get them from point A to point B daily. Truckers play a crucial role in keeping Colorado’s roadways and I-70 safe by following traffic laws, maintaining their vehicles, scheduling their DOT inspections frequently, and practicing safe driving techniques. They also undergo training and adhere to regulations to ensure road safety. In this article, we’ll review some specific examples of how truckers keep roads safe in Colorado.
1. Following Traffic Laws
All Colorado truck drivers must abide by strict local laws and regulations to legally operate a commercial truck in the state. Truck drivers must carry a Colorado commercial driver’s license (CDL) in order to drive a commercial truck. To obtain a commercial driver’s license, individuals must already possess a regular driver’s license, must be at least 18 years or older, prove that they are in the state legally, and pass a written knowledge exam and a medical exam. There are various levels of endorsements that truck drivers can receive on their CDL that allow them to operate certain trucks or transport hazardous cargo. The three levels of endorsements are class A, class B, and class C, each permitting them to operate vehicles of different weights.
2. Practicing Safe Driving Habits
Colorado truck drivers can spend a maximum of 11 hours driving in 24 hours, and after driving for this long, drivers must spend at least 10 consecutive hours off-duty, with at least eight of these hours spent in the truck’s sleeper berth. This means that truckers in Colorado are always well-rested and keeping other drivers on the road safe by taking care of themselves first.
3. Maintaining Their Vehicles
Truckers are responsible for keeping their commercial vehicles up to date with the Colorado Department of Transportation safety laws and regulations. This includes following commercial truck size and weight limits on roadways, highways, and the interstate. Colorado state law states that there is a 45-foot limit on single-vehicle length and a 70-foot limit on combination-length vehicles. There is a height limit of 13 feet on state highways. The weight limit for vehicles with two axles is 36,000 pounds and the weight limit for vehicles with three or more axles is 54,000 pounds. Between the beginning of September and the end of May, all Colorado commercial truck drivers driving on I-70 between mileposts 133 and 259 must carry chains on their vehicles at all times, even if the Colorado Department of Transportation does not call for the use of chains at that moment due to mild weather or road conditions. There are two levels of chaining for commercial truckers depending on what type of truck they operate. During the winter months, truck drivers also use splash guards or “mud flaps” and snow tires to operate their vehicles safely.
4. Truckers are Trained to Assist Law Enforcement
Commercial truck drivers in Colorado are specially trained to spot reckless, road rage, or drunk drivers on the road and to make a report to law enforcement when they see it. Because truck drivers work long hours and have to remain particularly alert, aware of their surroundings at all times, and keep their eyes on the road, they are experts at observing when other drivers on the roads aren’t in tip-top shape. Truckers are responsible for a much greater percentage of reports of reckless drivers and accidents than other drivers on the roads.
5. Truckers Against Trafficking
Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) is a nonprofit organization comprised of over 500,000 truckers who work together to help put a stop to human trafficking on our nation’s highways. The organization partners with law enforcement and other government agencies like the Colorado State Patrol to facilitate the investigation of human trafficking. They have helped over one million individuals get TAT certified, meaning they are trained in identifying the signs of human trafficking and know how to intervene and make a report to the appropriate agency when they suspect that they see a human trafficking victim.
6. Trucker Buddy International
The nonprofit Trucker Buddy International is dedicated to mentoring and educating students in grades K-8. Truck drivers who have passed an extensive background check enter into a pen-pal program with classrooms, and the professional driver communicates with the children in the class through letters written to the teacher. The students can improve their skills in reading, writing, math, and geography and are often more interested in learning because of the fun and interesting aspect of learning their subjects from a truck driver rather than more traditional methods.
7. Operation Safe Driver’s Teens and Trucks Program from the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance
The Operation Safe Driver’s Teens and Trucks Program from the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance is a program that educates young and new drivers about safe driving practices. It employs commercial truck drivers who volunteer to teach young drivers about the dangers of distracted driving and teach them the best safe driving habits.
8. Truck Drivers are Trained in Defensive Driving Techniques
Defensive driving is the art of employing driving strategies to mitigate risks and prevent accidents by anticipating road hazards. It was pioneered by Mark Everard Pepys, a racecar driver who sought to reduce fatalities during high-speed police pursuits. Colorado truck drivers are trained in defensive driving techniques because their large vehicles can often make visibility difficult, and they have to drive slower than regular vehicles. Defensive driving equips them to identify potentially dangerous situations on the roads and to avoid getting in dangerous accidents reflexively. They are trained to expertly maneuver out of harm’s way without harming other drivers on the road, thereby protecting Colorado motorists.
Conclusion
To wrap things up, it’s clear that Colorado truck drivers are expertly trained and ultimately make our roads a safer place for everyone. From volunteering in the classroom to helping put a stop to human trafficking and drunk driving, truck drivers are critical to not only our economy but also our roads.
