Compliance is a Mindset

Josh Hannaberry, CNTL, AMTA Regional Chair, Calgary

Over the last few weeks, different sectors within our industry have started to share more articles, communicating the importance of winter preparation, changing driving behaviour, tire chain laws (in certain areas), and more. Possibly, you have started to communicate a similar message in your own organization, or have been on the receiving end of such. I find these communications to be extremely valuable, and believe that we need to continue to share this information across industry throughout the winter months. 

I believe it is “safe” to say, winter has arrived. We have already experienced colder temperatures; snow, ice, high wind speeds, and the sun sets earlier in the day than I personally prefer. Since we know these conditions are going to last for some time, we need to adjust our mindsets from preparing for winter, to safely operating through the season. When I say “we”, I do not mean just our professional drivers either.  

Recently, Calgary experienced one of the first snowfalls of the year during the workday. When my work shift was over, I warmed up my vehicle, cleared the snow, and prepared for my commute home. While travelling south on Stoney Trail, following the posted speed limit, I identified an opportunity to pass another passenger vehicle. As I pressed the accelerator a little harder, I attempted to make the pass. What happened next resulted in me gripping the steering wheel a little bit tighter and a cuss word might have escaped  my mouth. Instead of my vehicle complying with my demand, it decided to swerve just enough to remind me the road conditions were not in fact clear, and I should probably stay in my current lane.  

Have you found yourself in a situation similar to this before? Maybe it was not behind the wheel on your commute home from the office, but while walking your dog, shovelling your driveway, or collecting the mail from your mailbox. Possibly the sidewalk was covered in snow, and the ice beneath was hidden?  

Well, after my event on the roadway, I eventually made it home safely. However, as the evening progressed, I found myself questioning my decision of which a result was putting myself in an unsafe situation. I pressed myself for answers, in a similar approach that I would if I identified a professional driver operating a commercial vehicle in an unsafe manner on our roadways. By the time my self-coaching session concluded, I felt reassured that I would make a conscious effort to not put myself, or others, in an unsafe position like that again by operating my vehicle safely in the winter conditions. 

During my self-coaching session, I recalled a statement one of my safety instructors shared. They said, “Each day, we have the opportunity to make a conscious decision to work and live in such a way, that regardless of the pressure around us, our actions are safe.” To this day, I find myself agreeing with this statement and routinely find myself quoting a similar belief, which is, “Compliance is a Mindset.”  

As we navigate this winter season, I challenge all of us to allocate time each day to make a conscious effort to operate in a safe manner. When we communicate with team members, I encourage you to coach each other on the importance of looking out for each other.  Let us all ensure we do our part to have a safe winter season. 

Thank you, 

Josh Hannaberry