What is a common practice to enhance safety during the transportation of petroleum products?

Ensuring proper vehicle maintenance is a fundamental practice to enhance safety during the transportation of petroleum products. Regular maintenance checks help to identify and rectify any mechanical issues that could lead to accidents or spills. This includes inspecting brakes, tires, fuel systems, and other critical components that could affect the vehicle's performance or create hazardous situations during transport.

A well-maintained vehicle is less likely to experience breakdowns, which can result in dangerous situations, especially when transporting flammable materials like petroleum. Proper maintenance also ensures compliance with safety regulations and industry standards, thus mitigating risks associated with the transportation of hazardous materials.

Other options, such as using smaller transport vehicles or transporting during unfavorable weather, do not necessarily contribute to safety. They may even increase risk rather than reduce it. Additionally, using untrained personnel for loading significantly compromises safety, as it increases the likelihood of mishandling the products, which can lead to spills or accidents.