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CDL · Emergencies

If you discover a leak from your hazmat cargo while driving, what should you do?

Correct answer

Stop in a safe place away from people, secure the area, isolate yourself, do not try to fix the leak, and call for help

  1. A Continue to the destination so it can be unloaded faster
  2. B Stop in a safe place away from people, secure the area, isolate yourself, do not try to fix the leak, and call for help
  3. C Try to repair the leak yourself
  4. D Drive to the nearest gas station to wash off the leak

Why this is the answer

A leaking hazmat cargo is an emergency. The driver's job is to limit the damage, not fix the problem. Steps: pull off the road in an open area away from populated places, fire sources, or storm drains; secure the area by warning anyone in immediate vicinity to move back; do not eat, drink, or smoke; do not attempt repair (you are not trained or equipped, and the material may be lethal); call 911 and the emergency response number on the shipping papers (or the CHEMTREC number 1-800-424-9300 for chemical emergencies); stay upwind and uphill from any spill; give responders the shipping papers and step back. Driving to the destination spreads contamination along the entire route and may worsen the leak.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual 9.5.1 Reporting Incidents

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