Where To Place Your DOT Safety Triangle Kit if You Break Down

Having the Right Knowledge of What To Do

As part of our On-Site DOT inspection service in Denver, CO, we check vehicles for a safety triangle kit, which includes emergency reflective triangles. The DOT Inspection officer will also check for a triangle kit because it’s a safety requirement in case of a breakdown. We hope you don’t have to use the DOT Triangle Kit, but knowing how to do it in an emergency is a good thing to practice. 

Even with safe driving habits and well-maintained equipment, vehicle breakdowns are inevitable. Knowing proper DOT safety triangle placement and prioritizing vehicle breakdown safety can minimize losses during these unexpected situations. Being prepared for emergencies is key to reducing risk.

DOT SAFETY TRIANGLE PLACEMENT

Warning Devices

According to section 393.95 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs), your commercial motor vehicle should at least: 

• Six flares that can burn for 30 minutes
• Three bidirectional emergency reflective triangles
• Three liquid-burning flares with enough fuel to burn for 60 minutes continuously

You Are Prohibited From Having Flame-Producing Devices on These Vehicles:

• Any vehicle containing Division 1.1, 1.2 or 1.3 (explosives) hazardous materials,
• Any cargo tank motor vehicle used to transport Division 2.1 (flammable gas) or Class 3 (flammable liquid) dangerous materials, whether loaded or empty.
• Any commercial motor that uses compressed gas is prohibited from flame-producing devices.

When A Breakdown Or Accident Occurs, You Should:

• Stop and ensure the area is secure.
• Turn on the four-way flashers of your vehicle.
• As per regulations requirements, set out your warning devices within ten minutes of stopping.
• Call your company to tell them what happened in detail if there is a breakdown.

In the Event of an Accident

• Call the law enforcement.
• Check for injuries.
• Call your company.
• Document the accident.

Warning Device Placement

• As we mentioned earlier, if your vehicle stops on the shoulder of the highway, you must activate the four-way flashers within ten minutes and set out warning devices at once.
• Remember to hold the devices in front of you to increase your visibility to traffic. Put on a high-visibility vest and be alert for other drivers who may not see you on the road.

Depending on Where the Vehicle Stops, the Placement of the Device Varies.

On a Two-Lane Road:

• Place the first device on the traffic side of the vehicle 10 feet (about four paces) from the front or rear, depending on the direction of traffic,
• Place the second device 100 feet (about 40 paces) behind the vehicle, and
• Place the third device 100 feet (40 paces) ahead of the vehicle on the lane where the vehicle stopped.

One-Way or Divided Highway:

• Place the devices 10, 100, and 200 feet from the rear of the vehicle and toward the approaching traffic
• Within 500 feet of a hill, curve, or obstruction
  • Place a device 100 to 500 feet from the vehicle toward the obstruction.
  • Place the other two according to the rules for two-lane or divided highways.

You Need To Have an Accident Report Kit

You should have an accident report kit and the required warning devices. This will make it easy for you to locate all the items in one place in case of an accident.

The Accident Report Kit Should Include:

• A written report form to make documentation easy
• A high-visibility vest
• A diagram template to allow for a simple drawing of the accident scene
• Pens and pencils
• Witness card
• A camera

Emergency Breakdown Safety Tips

When facing a roadside emergency, an effective Emergency Breakdown Safety Kit is your first line of defense. However, having the kit is only part of the equation; understanding and implementing proper Emergency Breakdown Safety Tips is crucial for driver and equipment safety, including emergency triangle placement. Finding a legal parking location and activating your hazard lights are paramount should a breakdown occur. Remember, your safety is the priority, so exit the vehicle carefully, always facing oncoming traffic. Driver and equipment safety breakdowns result in lost time and money.

Proper emergency triangle placement and reflective triangles are key to alerting other drivers to your situation. Red warning triangles should be placed away from the road for maximum safety and visibility.  By prioritizing these tips for emergency breakdown safety, you protect yourself and help ensure that traffic flow continues safely. Understanding these procedures minimizes accident risk and helps mitigate the lost time and money that breakdowns inevitably result in.

Stay On Top Of Fleet Maintenance With Fleet Advisor

If you’re tired of dealing with expensive repairs that could have easily been fixed if you only had the time, it’s time to call Denver’s Fleet Maintenance experts. Our on-site mobile service lets our fleet maintenance experts come to you for inspections, maintenance, and repairs. We can prepare your vehicles for the summer before the first 80-degree day appears and prepare your vehicles to ace their DOT inspections.