Safety & service
Replacing Harsh Acceleration with Controlled Starts
The light changes, the driver presses hard, and the truck surges into the next block. The motion may last only a moment, but it can reveal a habit that repeats throughout a delivery route. Controlled acceleration begins before the accelerator moves. For a Sigma Continental delivery driver, it depends on a clear path, a suitable traffic gap, and an understanding of how the assigned vehicle responds.
Treat power as something to apply progressively
Commercial driver guidance recommends building speed smoothly and using especially gradual acceleration when traction is poor. Excess power can make the drive wheels spin on slippery surfaces.1 A smooth start gives the driver time to feel the vehicle's response and notice a problem before speed builds. It also keeps the transition from stopped work to moving traffic deliberate.
The goal is appropriate acceleration, not the slowest possible departure. Merging into traffic may require purposeful speed buildup within the vehicle's capabilities. Choose a gap that allows that movement without forcing the truck, exceeding the limit, or making another road user brake. If the gap requires a desperate launch, wait for a better one.
Check the departure before asking the truck to move
Finish the stopped tasks first. Secure the load and doors, fasten the seat belt, confirm the path, and check mirrors and surrounding activity. A route stop can end with a pedestrian still close to the truck or a vehicle entering its blind area. Accelerating before that scan is complete compresses the time available to correct the decision.
On a grade, follow the vehicle-specific starting procedure to prevent rollback. Do not substitute a sudden burst of throttle for correct control of the brakes and transmission. Report hesitation, surging, or an unusual response that makes ordinary starts difficult. Mechanical symptoms need diagnosis; repeatedly pressing harder is not a repair.
Recognize the effect on the route
The U.S. Department of Energy identifies rapid acceleration and braking as behaviors that can reduce fuel economy.2 Actual savings from smoother driving depend on the vehicle, route, load, and conditions, so a universal percentage should not be promised for a delivery fleet. The operational benefit is easier to understand: avoid creating speed that must immediately be removed at the next stop.
Look ahead at signals and traffic queues before accelerating. If the next intersection is already blocked, rushing toward it adds work without useful progress. A steady pace can also make the truck's movement more predictable to people nearby. In neighborhoods, predictability is especially valuable when drivers, walkers, and customers are sharing limited space.
Review events for their cause
An acceleration alert is a starting point for discussion, not a complete explanation. Review the location, road grade, traffic demand, vehicle behavior, and available video. Ask whether the event followed a rushed gap choice, unfamiliar controls, or a repeatable mechanical issue. The corrective action should match the cause rather than merely telling the driver to avoid another alert.
Replace a rushed start with a departure routine that can be repeated under pressure, then review whether the change improves control. Practice on appropriate routes with qualified instruction when needed. The measure of improvement is a controlled vehicle and a sound traffic decision. A driver should never hesitate in a necessary protective maneuver simply to keep an event score clean.
Sources and further reading
Review current guidance and follow the training and procedures provided for your role.
- Original Safety Articles collection
- Georgia Department of Driver Services — Commercial Driver Manual Section 2 Point 2 Basic Control
- U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center — Efficient Driving to Conserve Fuel
