Press
CSP troopers sending warning messages to truck driver's cabs about dangerous driving in the mountains.
Oct 22, 2024
This is the first time in the nation the geofencing technology is being used to try and increase truck safety.
Press
09/18/2024
We had the privilege of being featured on the Channel 23 podcast, discussing the critical topic of safe trucking habits through mountainous terrain. Check out our insightful conversation here >
Press
UPDATE ON ORIGINAL STORY from 08/26/24:
Sep 4, 2024
New data shows there were 166 crashes in this same work zone since construction started in February of 2023.
Press
08/26/2024
WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. — A section of Interstate 70 in Wheat Ridge is so dangerous that CDOT is lowering the speed limit to try and prevent another deadly crash. Earlier this month, three people died when a truck lost its load and tipped over in a construction zone near Ward Road.
CDOT told 9NEWS Monday they will lower the speed limit to 55 mph, down from 60 mph. CDOT traffic engineers looked at the work zone after the crash and decided that a lower speed limit was necessary to improve safety. CDOT will also install new signs in the coming week with flashing beacons warning of a lane shift and slower speed limit. Right now, there are already two warnings, but they’re adding more.
"Our overall goal is to get everyone home safe every night," Joe Trussell, co-owner of CDL303 Trucking School, said. "Everybody has a stake in this. We all just want to get home to our families every night."
CDL303 is the only trucking school that offers courses specifically designed for mountain driving. They’re pushing for more truckers to get mountain driving training after a series of crashes in Colorado. Before three people were killed in Wheat Ridge, four died just up the road in 2019 when a driver missed a runaway truck ramp and caused a fiery crash at Denver West Boulevard. Earlier this year, one person died on Highway 285 near Conifer when a truck spilled its load.
We teamed up with 9News about the possible causes of the recent 3 fatality truck crash here in metro Denver.
Press
05/07/2024
RoadAware offers CDL safety course on navigating mountainous areas
By John Worthen
DENVER — Mountainous terrain can be one of the most difficult for truckers to navigate, as the hills, valleys and sharp turns can present dozens of hazards for the unprepared driver.
RoadAware Safety Systems has launched a new program aimed at commercial motor vehicle drivers who want to learn more about safely navigating these areas of the country.
The Mountain Ready Certificate program is a comprehensive course designed to sharpen driver skills when driving on challenging road geometries, according to a news release.
Mountain Ready training sessions focus on managing a commercial motor vehicle on curves and descents, showing drivers not only how to manage the vehicle, but also why using the techniques are critical to truck safety in all difficult road geometries.
“Drivers don’t really lose their brakes,” said Scott Maurer, head of driver training at CDL 303. “They fail the brakes by overheating them on long descents. Drivers are not taught the basics of physics and vehicle dynamics that they must manage in mountainous terrain and difficult road geometries,” following the principles laid out in the Mountain Ready training program.
Practical sessions cover vehicle dynamics, the proper approach to braking, the selection of appropriate speed as the driver approaches a long descent, pre-and post-trip inspections and mountain weather.
“The Mountain Ready Training Certification program has never been offered in such detail, founded on data from our Road-Aware truck safety application.” said Brian Bullock, principal of RoadAware Safety Systems. “Our goal is to provide professional drivers with the tools and understanding to enable safe passage through mountainous terrain, sharp curves, and other potentially hazardous features of our nation’s highways.”
