The Professional Driver

I pair a mastery of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) & Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations with over a decade of firsthand operational experience, providing a deep understanding of the driver’s lifestyle and the real-world environment that influence decision-making on the road.

I provide Expert Witness & Consulting services to explain complex regulations with simple concepts, to understand the Human Factors behind commercial vehicle accidents.

Area of Expertise

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

1. Department of Transportation (DOT) Part 40: Procedures for transportation workplace drug and alcohol testing programs.

2. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Regulations: Parts 380, 382, 383, 387, 390, 391, 392, 393, 395, 396 and 399.

3. Compliance audits: Driver’s fitness and Hour of Service (HOS) regulatory compliance.

4. Route analysis: Commercial vehicles route compliance and restricted route violations.

5. Load standards: Weight, size, and bridge law compliance; oversize loads regulations.
   
   

VEHICLE SAFETY INSPECTION

1. Standardized inspections: General vehicle pre-trip and post-trip inspections.

2. Braking systems: Inspection of air brakes systems (drum and disc type), and ABS components.

3. Coupling mechanisms: Fifth wheel locking and sliding mechanisms.

4. Specialized units: Inspection protocols for tankers (including Hazmat/liquid asphalt), pneumatic dry-bulk tankers, flatbeds, dump trailers, and temperature-controlled trailers.

5. Multi-trailer equipment: Inspection of converter dollies used in double and triple tractor-trailer configurations.
   
   

LOAD SECUREMENT

1. 1. Tanker operations: Cargo securement protocols for both dry-bulk and liquid tankers.

   2. Open and enclosed trailers: Cargo securement protocols for flatbeds and box trailers.
      
      

OPERATIONAL SAFETY

1. Tractor-trailer coupling and uncoupling

   • Trailer setup, positioning and high-hitching prevention.

   • Coupling verification.

   • Air and electrical lines connection.

2. Environmental and weather hazards

• Extreme weather: safe operation of commercial vehicles in heavy rain, high wind, snow and ice conditions.

• Night driving: risk management for low-visibility operations and driver fatigue.

• Mountain driving techniques: grade assessment and speed management, brake fade prevention, and emergency use of runaway truck ramp.

3. Defensive driving and hazard awareness

• Collision avoidance, space management and application of Smith System® techniques.

• Blind-spot hazard mitigation through effective adjustment and use of mirrors and scanning techniques.

• Emergency maneuvers, skid prevention, recovery, and emergency braking techniques.

• Driving techniques for high center of gravity vehicles, and rollover prevention.

4. Tanker operations

• Surge control: management of liquid cargo slosh and surge effects while cornering and braking.

• Product loading and unloading safety procedures: standard of care for pressurized unloading, venting protocols, vacuum implosion prevention, and grounding procedure for flammable materials.

5. Loading dock and terminal safety

• Maneuvering safety: standard of care for navigating in congested terminal and warehouse environments, and safe backing procedures.

• Pedestrian protection: hazard mitigation procedures for vehicles operating in environments shared with pedestrians.