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!

April Fool? Nope, it happens everyday.

The truck ahead of you is cruising along, traffic is moving at a nice pace, everything is great. Then, April Fool! The truck driver pops his jake brake and the next thing you know, you are close enough to kiss his bumper. You slam on your brakes and miss the truck, but the guy behind you is slamming on his brakes to miss you! Close call? I hope so. Anybody hurt? I hope not.

WTF?! What just happened?

It doesn't have to be April 1 for this to happen, it happens hundreds, maybe thousands of times, each day. The truck driver used his "Jake" or engine brake, or maybe he just downshifted, either way he was braking. But, since he did not step on the brake pedal, he didn't give you any warning that he was slowing down. 

We need to change that. We have the technology to make it happen. This blog is an attempt to let people know that the technology is here. Help us spread the word. Let others know about this blog. I will do my best to keep it up to date with the latest information, observations, and good news when available, bad news, if I must. I am looking forward to hearing from you and your friends.

Help me spread the word. We can make our highways safer without having to teach anyone anything new.

Brake Lights on Heavy Trucks. Turn'm On!...Slow-N-Tell

Are you "possibly distracted"?

We all know people who are distracted drivers, but it isn't us. We all like to think that it is everyone else causing problems on the road, but if we are honest about it, we are all part of the distracted driving problem.

"Back in the day", people really only had their radio or passengers for distractions. Sure, once in a while, you would see some idiot reading the paper or a woman putting on makeup while driving down the road, but for the most part, potential distraction other than the ones we made for ourselves, were few. In today's technology filled world, it is very easy to be distracted. Today, we have IPods, GPS, digital stereos equipped with video screens, cell phones, texting, email, voice mail, portable internet, Facebook and twitter, just to name a few of the potentially hundreds of technology distractions along with passengers, whether in conversation or putting up with their use of technology. Where does that leave us, as drivers? Let's just say that we are all "possibly distracted".

How safe are we when we are "possibly distracted"? Not? Not very? Somewhere in between? 

What can be done to "un-distract" us? to be honest, I do not have all of the answers, but I do have one answer that can save lives and help prevent cars from running into the back of trucks. Truck drivers....Use your brake lights! Every truck has brake lights and the driver is required to check those brake lights before heading out on the road. So, what is the problem? Simply this: Truck drivers do not use their brake pedals when slowing down, which means that they do not USE their brake lights.

Now, I understand that asking truck drivers to step on the brake pedal when they slow down is not likely to happen. Stepping on that pedal increases wear and tear on expensive brake parts, resulting in less money in their pockets and less time on the road, having brake parts replaced. There is a solution to this problem. Slow-N-Tell illuminates brake lights on trucks based on rate of deceleration, not just stepping on the brake pedal.

It's like this...
Old way - Step on brake pedal, truck slows down, brake lights illuminate. Downshift, truck slows down, no brake lights. Jake brake, truck slows down, no brake lights.
Slow-N-Tell way - Step on brake pedal, truck slows down, brake lights illuminate. Downshift, truck slows down, brake lights illuminate. Jake brake, truck slows down, brake lights illuminate.

Now, which way is safer? Help "un-distract" the drivers behind you. You have brake lights, please use them. We can make it easy.

What does "Instinctive" Illumination mean?

What does "Instinctive" mean? According to dictionary.com, it means "prompted by or resulting from or as if from instinct; natural; unlearned: an instinctive will to survive." One synonym for Instinctive, Intuitive, may actually be a better description for the way our technology works, but I digress. 

I like to use Instinctive because using Slow-N-Tell isn't something you have to learn. What does the driver have to do differently, now that Slow-N-Tell is installed? Nothing! The Control Module is hooked up and the driver drives. Easy. No muss, no fuss. Brake lights work when they should. 

What differences will a truck driver see? 

In the cab of the truck, nothing. Our early installs had a light in the dashboard to let the truck driver know that lights were on, but we do not do that anymore. The light was more for our purposes than theirs and it saved us having to follow the truck to know if it was working the way we wanted it to.  Feedback from drivers indicated that it was not needed. once they were confident that the system worked the way we described, many of them covered the light with black tape or removed the light to prevent distraction. Now, we use the light to verify calibration, then remove it for the same reason. 

On the road, truck drivers will begin to notice that traffic stays further back from their truck and reacts more quickly and safely to the truck braking than without Slow-N-Tell. Duh! If the brake lights are on, people can recognize deceleration because the brake lights are on, they do not need 5 or more seconds to process visual and spatial differences to  recognize it on their own. Another benefit of this is that drivers following trucks DO NOT appreciate trucks slowing down without brake lights, so when they see brake lights, they do not get upset, because they are less afraid of running into the back of the truck.


"Instinctive" has meaning for another group of drivers affected by Slow-N-Tell, too. What signal do vehicles use to show they are slowing down? Brake lights. The beauty of Slow-N-Tell is that we use a universally understood signal, brake lights, to let drivers behind trucks know that the truck is slowing down. From the time we first climb behind the wheel, we learn that when we see brake lights, the vehicle ahead is slowing down. We all recognize brake lights for what they are. 

Brake lights are designed to get our attention. They are the largest lights on the back of any vehicle and the brightest. They say "Look at me! The vehicle ahead of you is slowing down! Pay attention! The vehicle ahead of you is slowing down! Quit texting, get off the phone, stop playing with the radio, put down the paper! The vehicle ahead of you is slowing down! Pay Attention!!!! The vehicle ahead of you is slowing down! 

Alternative braking methods are very effective at slowing trucks. We must be more effective at letting people know that we are braking. If we don't use our brake lights, how will people know?

Brake Lights on Heavy Trucks. Turn 'em On...Slow-N-Tell!

Do truck drivers know?

We've found that when we start educating non-truck drivers, we get asked a lot of questions. "Don't truck drivers realize that their brake lights don't come on when they are Jaking or downshifting?" We actually hear this question a lot when we are at trade shows and expos. As a matter of fact, it is probably the most popular non-truck driver question we get.

The answer we give is "yes and no", because, for the most part, truck drivers who think about it know that their brake lights are not on and those who don't think about it just plain don't think. Most truck drivers are professionals and understand their truck and systems very well, but, to be honest, there are always a few, as in any industry, who, let's face it, either don't think about it of just don't care. There are many drivers out there who either tap their brakes or give a quick tug on the Johnny bar before Jaking or downshifting, but that  just is not enough. They are plenty busy driving, shifting and watching mirrors, so keeping the brake lights on for more than a quick warning is not their main concern.

The main purpose of Slow-N-Tell is to get the attention of possibly distracted drivers behind trucks and to bring their focus back to where it should be. Brake lights do that, but a quick blink, on and off, of the brake lights just is not sufficient to do the job. Slow-N-Tell keeps the brake lights on until the deceleration event is over, whether the truck re-accelerates or settles into the new, lower speed, for more than one second. This gives following drivers a better picture of what the truck driver's intentions are and makes them aware of the truck's situation. If the truck is coming into a series of lowering speed zones, the brake lights will be "on" during braking events and "off" when the truck speed is stable.

Another benefit to brake lights is that several vehicles behind the truck get the signal all at the same time. This allows traffic to move together, as  a team, rather than the first car reacting to the truck, then the second car reacting to the first car and so on. Drivers who follow trucks that currently use Slow-N-Tell have seem to be much less prone to road rage toward drivers of the equipped trucks. Less road rage toward drivers means less stress, which leads to less driver fatigue, improved driver attention, and smoother traffic flow. Add that together with reduced accident rates and fewer highway deaths and we all come out winners!

Tomorrow, let's look at the "possibly distracted drivers" who follow trucks. What role do they play in all of this? Wednesday, we will look into our definition of "instinctive". I would love some input on Thursday and Friday's topics, so please let me know what you would like to read about.

Technology vs. Government Regulations

Yesterday I talked about when the technology that makes "Instinctive Brake light Illumination" possible was available. Today I am going to answer the question that we most often hear. "Why hasn't someone done this before?".

There are many possible reasons that this hasn't been done until now. The first reason that I will reject is because the technology was not available. As I said yesterday, the technology was available as soon as the hall effect speed sensor was available. A more probable answer is government regulations and interpretation of these regulations.

When we first started this project, we went to the Federal Motor Carrier's Safety Regulations handbook. The first section that we used to determine allowance of Slow-N-Tell was  §393.1 Scope of the rules in this part. This section states that "the rules in this part establish minimum standards for commercial motor vehicles as defined in §390.5 of this title." Meaning, essentially, that the rules that are defined in section 393 of the FMCSR are only the least of what is required, not limiting additional safety measures as long as they do not interfere with other protocols or reduce the safety of operation of the motor vehicle in question. We saw this as good news for our project.

The second regulation that we faced was §393.3 Additional equipment and accessories.  This section states that "Nothing contained in this subchapter shall be construed to prohibit the use of additional equipment and accessories, not inconsistent with or prohibited by this subchapter, provided such equipment and accessories do not decrease the safety of operation of the motor vehicles on which they are used." Since the brake pedal and Johnny bar still work in the manner required by §393.25 Requirements for lamps other than head lamps, it can safely be stated that Slow-N-Tell does not decrease the operation of the motor vehicle on which it is used. This was also a good sign.

The third section that was brought to our attention gave us a bit of concern. §393.25 Requirements for lamps other than head lamps states "The stop lamps on each vehicle shall be activated upon application of the service brakes." While this appears to state is that the only way to activate the brake lights is to use the service brake (brake pedal or Johnny bar). This is not the case. Having spoken to many Highway Patrolmen and FMCSA Inspectors, what this really means is that when you step on the brake pedal or pull on the Johnny bar, the brake lights illuminate. This is still the primary protocol when Slow-N-Tell is installed in a truck. The brake pedal and Johnny bar still turn on the brake lights. I am certain that many who looked at this regulation misunderstood it and this may actually be one of the major reasons that this type of technology did not happen until now.

Other reasons that have been tossed around is the lack of need for a product of this type, but when one looks at the problem with logic and objectivity, it is easy to see that the need is there. A more likely reason is that people simply do not understand alternative braking methods used by truckers. We have found, through hundreds of conversations with people at trade shows and expos, that many people do not realize that engine braking and downshifting do NOT turn on brake lights. We are doing our best to educate drivers to this lack of warning. As a matter of fact, this is the main reason that I began this blog, to educate drivers.

That was then, When was now possible?

Last week at the Red River Valley Sugar Beet Institute Expo, I got involved in a conversation about Slow-N-Tell with an older gentleman who really did not think that the lack of visible brake lights on trucks when slowing down was much of a big deal. His point was that when he was young, everybody just stayed back from the trucks because they smelled badly of unburned fuel and usually belched large clouds of black smoke when the driver downshifted to slow down, so you kind of used the smoke like brake lights.

It was an entertaining conversation, not the least bit confrontational, but once we discussed today's more fuel efficient trucks, efficiency of Jake brakes and huge difference in truck engine technology between then and now, he came up with an interesting question. Here it is, paraphrased. "When did truck technology evolve to the point where this product could have been designed?"

While I am not certain of the first truck to use a hall effect speed sensor (transducer) to send a frequency signal to the speedometer or even when it occurred, I do know that this important piece of technology was the breakthrough. (Feel free, please, to let me know when it occurred and on what equipment it was first used, if you know.) Prior to this technology, a gear drove a cable that ran into the back of the speedometer. There would really have been no way to capture a signal that could have been run through a computer module to calculate the deceleration values that we use to illuminate the brake lights. Then again, there weren't even onboard computers in cars, let alone trucks, until the latter 1980's with the advent of the OBD (On Board Diagnostics) systems that monitored little more than fuel injection systems.

Once trucks started using the speed transducers, the technology was in place to allow illumination of brake lights on heavy trucks. Why didn't someone do it until now? I am not sure, but let's leave that for tomorrow's conversation.

Comment, challenge, converse!

This blog is intended to create awareness about heavy trucks not using their brake lights. The best way to do that is to bring you and, hopefully, many others into a conversation about the problem.

Yesterday, I outlined the problem and explained the main reasons why trucks and brake lights seem to be exclusive to each other. I would like to point out that some truckers are aware of the problem and do what they can to warn following drivers that they are slowing. These truckers may pull the "Johnny Bar" (trailer brake bar) which will lights up the brake lights. While this action, or tapping the brake pedal, may illuminate lights briefly, these methods do not indicate deceleration during the whole range of braking.

Most truck drivers I talk to and have met agree that the brake pedal is a tool to keep the truck stopped while waiting to move forward. Is that an accurate statement for you? How often do you step on the brake pedal? If you are a truck driver, do you alert people behind you that you are slowing down? If so, what is your preferred method for doing this? Do you always do it or just when you are in heavy traffic? Have you ever had a close call or a near miss that really got your heart pumping?

I would like to hear from truck drivers about this, as well as from drivers who have had close calls behind trucks, whether it was with the truck or maybe even a car following the truck whose driver slammed on the brakes to avoid the truck when they realized, almost too late, that the truck was slowing down.

Please join me in conversation. Share your stories and opinions or just comment. Let me know if I hit a home run or say something stupid. I look forward to your input.

"Why not?", and "Why Not?"

"Why don't alternative braking methods illuminate brake lights?"

The reason is quite simple... The truck driver doesn't step on the brake pedal.

"Why don't they step on the brake pedal?"

When professional truck drivers slow down, they avoid stepping on the brake pedal because this causes the brake pads to contact the brake drums (or rotors, if disc brakes). This causes friction, which slows the truck down. Unfortunately, this friction also causes heat, which breaks down pads, drums and rotors, wearing down expensive parts which must be replaced. Since our cars and light trucks are much lighter than heavy trucks, they do not wear out brake parts as quickly as heavy trucks, and since the brake parts on heavy trucks are much larger, they cost much more to replace. On top of the cost of parts, a truck only makes money when it is rolling, so the down time required to replace brake parts only adds injury to insult. Besides, engine braking and downshifting can slow a heavy truck much faster than using the brakes.

Let There Be Brake Lights

How do you slow down when you are driving? Do you step on the brake pedal? Probably. Most of us do. Do you know how truck drivers slow down? Most people think that truckers slow down like we do, by stepping on the brake pedal. This is not true. For the most part, truckers use their engine brakes, commonly referred to as "Jakes", or downshift to reduce the speed of their trucks.
What is the difference? All of these methods of braking cause the vehicle to slow down, right? While this is true, there is one major difference in the braking methods. Engine braking and downshifting do not turn on brake lights. "Why not?", you ask.