Several truck drivers have been struck by their own vehicles after exiting the cabs to troubleshoot or do repairs. In three recent incidents, the workers were experienced truck drivers. One driver was troubleshooting an engine problem, another was fixing a headlight, and a third was adjusting brakes. All of the trucks were idling without the parking brake applied and were parked on slopes ranging from 1 to 17 percent.

To make sure their trucks are secured against inadvertent movement, drivers should not rely solely on the parking brakes. A backup safeguard to secure the truck will protect the driver in the event of a mechanical fault, a deficiency in the air system, or an unintentional omission of a critical step.

• Apply the parking brakes on the tractor and trailer before exiting the truck. Do not rely on the trailer hand valve as it may release suddenly.
• When troubleshooting or doing maintenance, take additional precautions beyond using your vehicle's braking system:
  - Chock the wheels, and/or
  - Shut off the engine and place the transmission in a low gear or other specified park position.
  
• Where possible, do troubleshooting and adjust brakes when safely parked on flat terrain with the wheels chocked. Keep in mind that trucks can roll on even a slight slope.
• Inspect brakes at the start of your shift in your pre-trip inspection and as required at other times to ensure they are effective.