That Thing Called Slow-N-Tell.

Hypnotized by tail lights, I travel down the road.
I’m following your truck, as you haul your heavy load.
My family is with me, my wife is half asleep,
The kids are in the backseat, they rest in slumber deep.
You pop your Jake but I can’t tell your truck is moving slower.
It’s oh, so hard, to stay awake, my eyelids try to lower.
Now, suddenly I’m wide awake, your brake lights I can see.
Slow-N-Tell has turned them on, they’re plain as day to me.
Adrenaline is flowing, now, Caffeine, I do not need,
I thank the Lord that he chose you, our family to lead.
I do not know your name, but your company’s, I do,
The next time I need shipping done,
I’m coming to see you.
Your desire for truck safety,
Could use some emulation.
Slow-N-Tell provided me,
Attention Stimulation!
Slow-N-Tell, Slow-N-Tell,
Brake lights illuminated, I know the signal well.
Slow-N-Tell, Slow-N-Tell,
When you slow down, It lights them up, your intentions, I can tell.
I appreciate the message that your brake lights sent to me,
It was quite clear, “I’m slowing down, you’d best be watching me”.
Thank you, sir! You saved our lives;
Your brake lights broke the spell.
I thank you for installing, that thing called Slow-N-Tell.

Must we "Illuminate to Communicate"?

Let's say you are a truck driver. How do you slow down?

Typically, professional drivers engage the engine or "Jake" Brake or downshift, or do both. Professional drivers rarely step on the brake pedal until the truck is nearly at a stop.

How do you let people know that you are slowing down? You have not stepped on the brake pedal, so your brake lights are not lit. So, what can you do, call them on the phone? Of course, not. Brake lights are the right answer, but to step on the brake pedal defeats the purpose of Jaking or downshifting. Besides, stepping on the brake pedal adds wear and tear to your pads and drums, shortening service life, and adds to your bottom line cost of operation. It goes against everything you know as a truck driver.

Slow-N-Tell turns your brake lights on for you. You do not have to change the way you drive. Jaking and downshifting will be safer for you, your truck and other drivers, following you on the highways.

Remember, all you have to do to Communicate is Illuminate!

Weekly Rhyme.

You didn't use your brake lights,
you heard his tires squeal.
The guy behind stood on his brakes,
and spilled his happy meal.
You did not step down on the brakes,
you used the jakes instead.
Now the guy behind you wants
to whack you in the head.
Stepping on the pedal,
turns your brake lights on,
But jaking or downshifting,
means 'lumination's gone.

Communicate. Illuminate!

Look up "communication" in the dictionary. I did. I discovered that communication can be defined in many ways, depending on its use, as a noun, a verb, or as an adjective. It can be defined literally, biologically, and anatomically. In its original form, it can be both singular and plural. Communication is a real multi-tasker.

My favorite definition of communication is biological. It is activity by one organism that changes or has the potential to change the behavior of other organisms. Change that up, just a little and I like it even more. Communication is an activity by one driver that changes or has the potential to change the behavior of other drivers.

To better understand the meaning of communication, I looked at the base word, Communicate. My favorite definition was this; "To express oneself in such a way that one is readily and clearly understood." I would like to make this even more clear, if I can. To communicate clearly, one must use signals that have a singular, unambiguous meaning. Take brake lights, for instance. Brake lights are a clear signal that the driver ahead of you intends to slow down or stop. One meaning, easily understood.

Using these definitions, I believe that is is fairly easy to understand that truck drivers do not communicate clearly when using alternative braking methods, like engine braking and downshifting. Since these methods of braking do not include stepping on the brake pedal, the brake lights do not illuminate, they do not COMMUNICATE, the intention of the truck driver to slow down or stop. This lack of communication leads to accidents, near misses, serious injuries and even deaths on our Nation's highways.

Join us in asking drivers to use their best communications device, and I don't mean their middle finger.

Busy, Busy, Busy!!!

I missed posting for the last three days of last week, but I had good reason. I was installing new equipment for Otto Ag in Crystal, ND. I was making our highways safer, one truck at a time. So did Otto Ag. Thank you very much, guys.

OK, that was only one day, but Wednesday and Friday were busy, too.

I worked a small trade show this past weekend in Burnsville, Mn with Dave from BTR of Minnesota. BTR is a truck refrigeration and heating company in the Cities that focuses on air conditioning as well as heating systems and APUs. We shared a table with BTR and talked to a room full of gravel and asphalt haulers who deliver not only in the Minneapolis area, but contract out all across the region. Many of them will be in the Devils Lake area, this summer, so look for the Dispatch Trucking signs on their doors and make sure you wave.

I spent the day talking to these drivers about communicating with us, the other drivers who follow them while they are hauling. We discussed the use of brake lights as a communication system and how they could do a better job of communicating if they used Slow-N-Tell. We probably did not convince everyone to buy our equipment, but I think we will be on many of their trucks by summer's end. they agreed that we have great technology, it will be a matter of cash flow that will decide whether or not they do.

Driving through the Minneapolis are this weekend really reinforced my belief that Slow-N-Tell is needed on our highways. Interstate 94 and the other high volume roads that I drove were full of accordions from traffic backing up and stretching out behind trucks. WOW. Just think of what a little brake light communication could have done to help avoid all of those. I hope we see it soon.

You drive a truck and do it well,

But the guy behind you cannot tell.

Cuz when you Jake to slow it down,

His underwear is turning brown.

Your brake lights on would make it better,

Instead of making his pants wetter!

When you slow down, make it right,

Let us turn on your brake lights!


Brake lights on Heavy Trucks, Turn'm On, Slow-N-Tell.

How was your day?

It's nice to be noticed. Don't you think? We all like a little attention, now and then. It is especially nice to be noticed when we are driving. As a matter of fact, if we aren't noticed, it can be downright dangerous. How often are you noticed? Do you do everything in your power to let people know your intentions when driving so that they can avoid an accident with you?

Our newest customer, Coy Trucking of Grand Forks, ND, took a big step last week and is already seeing a difference. Last Tuesday, we installed a Slow-N-Tell unit in one of their three trucks. Dan, owner of Coy Trucking, noticed a difference with traffic, right away. People stayed off his bumper and most importantly, stayed back when he was swinging wide for a turn. "The only change we made to the truck was adding Slow-N-Tell. People seemed to notice right away. I didn't change my driving or do anything differently, so I know that it (Slow-N-Tell) works!"

Being noticed is what Slow-N-Tell is all about. Indulge me, please as I insert a little bit of logic. If we are to be noticed, we must do something to get the attention of the person who is supposed to notice us, right? Once we get noticed, we can communicate with that person or persons. (Why else would we want to get someone's attention, other than to communicate?) Once we (the communicator) send our message and it is noticed, the receiver (the communicatee) can react , hopefully in a positive manner. If we do nothing to get noticed, our message is not recognized because we never sent it, so how can someone react? Most often the lack of communication results in a different kind of reaction, usually negative.

Let's add Slow-N-Tell to this logic bomb.
(Example A) - Truck driver slows down using alternative braking methods, no brake lights, no recognition from following driver, following driver gets too close to truck for comfort, following driver reacts negatively to truck driver, waves with one finger. Truck driver reacts negatively to following driver, returns single finger salute, everybody has a bad day.
(Example B) - Truck driver slows down using alternative braking methods, Slow-N-Tell illuminates brake lights, gets following driver's attention, following driver recognizes brake lights, gives trucker room to slow down or turn, waves (whole hand) to trucker to say 'thanks'. Truck driver waves back (whole hand) to following driver and smiles, everybody has a great day.

How was your day? Dan's day was great! Thanks, Dan!