September 27, 2007

KINGSTON, NY - New truck drivers should receive extensive background checks, annual traffic violations checks, annual driver reviews, and mandatory driving tests and training to ensure safety on the highways, a trucking industry trainer told the Safety & Health Council of the Hudson Valley on Aug. 8.

Shevell Group Regional Driver Trainer Joe Domizio was one of the keynote speakers at a safety symposium hosted by the non-profit organization. He re-emphasized the state regulations that require all new drivers pass an initial driving test, receive regular medical examinations and participate in random drug testing. He also stressed his company mandates that driver's with less than one year's experience undergo a six-week training program based on the Smith System of defensive driving.

"Each year there are thousands of accidents involving truck drivers that can be prevented if the proper safety precautions are followed," said Domizio. "A company needs to take a proactive role in helping their drivers operate their vehicles in the safest way possible."

Domizio, who spent 20 years as a NYPD Highway Patrolman, has had a Class A Commercial Driver's License for over 20 years and has been a certified upstate New York Driver trainer for the Shevell Group for the past three years. The Shevell Group owns two trucking companies, including NEMF, and a warehouse/3rd-party logistics provider, with a total of 1,760 tractors and 4980 pieces of trailing equipment.

The Smith System, one of the components Domizio uses for training purposes, covers everything from how to use important traffic information to a driver's advantage, how to isolate and insulate the vehicle in traffic and how to forecast the probable activities of other drivers to the most common factors that cause collisions.

In addition to these safeguards, Domizio emphasizes the 5 keys of the Smith System, which he believes are some of the most common-sense rules that will dramatically improve driver safety: Aim high in steering, get the big picture, keep your eyes moving, leave yourself an out and make sure they see you.

The event focused on fleet safety and was attended by approximately 30 members of the Hudson Valley safety council, including fleet owners, driver trainers, human resources and operations managers. Among the other speakers was New York Department of Transportation Inspector Robert Miller.