| The Trainco Times - Newsletter |
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The Newsletter Has Landed!
Volume 1, Issue 1 - February 1, 2010
As Trainco continues to grow, we use new and exciting ways to keep you updated. You found our improved website .. now look for us on Facebook©, Twitter© and Craigslist™. In addition to these electronic outreaches, we will be writing this newsletter, which we hope you’ll find both informative and entertaining. Though its present title is “The Trainco Times,” we’re still brainstorming and hopefully by the next issue we will have a permanent name. Find our newsletter at www.traincoinc.com and, in the near future, on Facebook as well.
Happy reading!
-Team Trainco
Winter Driving Tips
 Winter can be a dangerous time to be on the roadways, even for the most experienced drivers. However, by taking action before winter weather hits, you're more likely to sail through the season with no problem. To help you prepare to stay safe this winter, consider these tips:
Make sure your vehicle is in good condition before each trip.
Taking a little time before trips and during stops to check your vehicle's condition can make a big difference. Clean all snow and ice from your vehicle, especially the hood, roof, trunk, lights and windows. Snow in any of these areas increases the chance that your driving visibility will be adversely affected. Do a visual and/or hands-on inspection of tires, wiper blades, windshield washer fluid, and lights. Maintain at least a half tank of gas at all times during the winter season to minimize frozen tanks and lines.
Carry a winter driving kit.
- Keep your winter driving kit readily accessible and stock it with:
- Proper clothing (loose layers, extra gloves, raingear)
- A flashlight and batteries
- A blanket Non-perishable food and water
- First Aid kit and any required prescription medication
- A bag of sand or salt
- Extra washer fluid A windshield scraper and brush for snow removal
- Jumper cables
- Tire chains or traction mats
- Cell phone and charger
Start a little slower, drive a little slower.
Compensate for poor traction by increasing following distance, driving more slowly than the posted speed limit and making all changes gently. A slower speed gives you more time to react if something occurs in the roadway ahead. Extra patience and awareness of other drivers can go a long way this time of year.
Brake and accelerate slowly.
Avoid sudden stops and starts in icy or rainy weather. If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes (ABS) you should follow your manufacturers manual. Otherwise, if you need to slow down quickly in slippery conditions, try lightly pumping your brakes using just the ball of your foot, keeping your heel on the floor. This reduces your chance of locking your tires and losing control of your vehicle.
Give yourself extra space in front and behind.
To give yourself enough room to move out of harm’s way in a sudden emergency, increase the distance between you and other vehicles and avoid driving in packs. The stopping distance required on ice at 0 degrees Fahrenheit is twice the amount required at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Normal following distances should be increased to 8-10 seconds when driving on icy, slippery surfaces.
Take evasive action to avoid road hazards and collisions.
You may need to take evasive action to avoid a collision. At speeds above 25 mph, gentle deceleration and steering around obstacles is better than braking alone because less distance is required to steer around an object than to brake to a stop. In slick conditions, sudden braking can lead to loss of control. The additional distance you have been keeping between other vehicles should give you more time to see and maneuver around obstacles and road hazards.
Watch carefully for black ice.
 Black ice is a thin layer of transparent ice that forms when the temperature is close to freezing. Black ice often makes the road surface look slightly wet like a water puddle, which is dangerously deceptive. Shaded spots, bridges, overpasses and intersections are areas where ice is likely to form first or be the most slippery. Hazardous icy road conditions can sneak up on you, so when the temperature gets close to freezing (below 40 degrees Fahrenheit) watch out for these clues:
Ice builds up on your outside mirror arms or backs, antenna, or the top corners of your windshield.
Water spray from tires of vehicles in front of you suddenly stops, indicating an ice patch.
Roadside trees and signs have a frosting of ice even though the road surface only looks wet.
Resource: www.ryderfleetproducts.com
Commonly Asked Questions
The ABC’s of Commercial Driver Licenses
 What is a CDL?
There are three classes of commercial driver licenses. They are Class A, B, and C and are described below.
Class A—any combination of vehicles with a combined gross vehicle weight rating of twenty-six thousand one pounds or more, if the gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicle or vehicles being towed is in excess of ten thousand pounds.
Class B—any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of twenty-six thousand one pounds or more or any such vehicle towing a vehicle having a gross vehicle weight rating that is not in excess of ten thousand pounds.
Class C— any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that is not a Class A or Class B vehicle, but that is designed to transport sixteen or more passengers, including the driver, or is transporting hazardous materials in an amount requiring placarding, or any school bus with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than twenty-six thousand one pounds that is designed to transport fewer than sixteen passengers including the driver.
*The higher class CDL allows you to drive vehicles in any of the lower classes provided you have the correct endorsements. An A allows you to operate a B or C; the B allows you to drive the C.
Resource: www.ohiobmv.gov
Instructors' Corner
Neal “The Great One” Greatens is one of our day-class instructors, a positive and good-natured force spurring the success of students.
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