Why Turn The Lights Off

As children, we were told by our parents “turn off the lights when you’re done in the room”, “Electricity isn’t free”. Then we grow up and start driving trucks. We forget all that we have learned. While I’m sure a case could be made for turning off everything on a truck and trailer when the engine (and more importantly, the alternator) is turning. Today, however, I’d like to make a point of turning off the lights.

First, incandescent lights produce heat. In the case of LED lights with the sun on a black loading dock pad ruined the light and was called in for a safety inspection. When the trailer, or, in this case, a straight body, is backed up to a dock and the lights are left on, this is what happens. While some people will be all too happy to climb up on a ladder, pop off a light, stick in a new one and send you on your way. I’m sure no one reading this would share their enthusiasm. It is an added cost for no good reason. Also, in many states and provinces, this is a defect. Both these lights (except for the burnt black plastic) worked perfectly. During the annual inspection, they were both called as defects because they didn’t allow proper visibility. Most fleets are subject to at least annual security inspections and if on the initial visit there is a single defect, the unit has to be brought back for re-inspection. Another nominal fee charged. So, all because a driver, possibly just one time, left his lights on at the dock two light bulbs, 0.2hrs of labour (get the parts, get the ladder, climb the ladder, click click, put the ladder away, write the report. sounds like more than 0.2 to me) plus the fee for re-inspection. All this not to mention time lost not spent on the road.

This brings me to the why. Why would someone leave the lights on while stopped in a yard? The highest allowed speed I’ve ever seen in a yard is 20 km/h. Assuming there isn’t a cowboy gone mad in the yard, the added visibility of marker lights were more than likely never going to help you in the first place. A lot of drivers enjoy leaning back in the truck and getting in some rest hours (we all know how important that can be), but does it have to be done with lights on and radio on? Probably not. Is it boring? yes. Can not doing this seriously extend the life of your batteries (yes, there are four, they still get weak) and help avoid annoying and at the end of the year costly minor repairs? yes!

A lot of lip service of the good old days and old school trucking is paid to the monstrosity that is modern technology and legislation. I will not say that none of it is true. What I AM saying is that what was good and effective about the old school was the wisdom, knowledge, and effort that went towards running a truck better. Just because it has become more difficult and technical does not mean these virtues that built our industry no longer apply. They apply more than ever. And for better or for worse, today that includes turning off the lights when you’re done in the room.

Drive safe,

Kevin Gauthier