Vehicle Safety

VEHICLE SAFETY

POLICY & PURPOSE

Colleagues who operate company vehicles, or who operate personal vehicles on behalf of the company, are expected to follow best practices for safety.

Some best practices include: vehicle inspections, wearing safety restraints (i.e.: seat belts), alert and defensive driving.

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Vehicle Inspections

VEHICLE INSPECTIONS

Whether you are operating material handling equipment or driving to deliver product or meet with potential customers safe driving begins before you turn the key in the ignition. Always inspect the vehicle before you start your trip. Make sure:

The vehicle does not have any visible damage that affects its safe operation
The tires are properly inflated (use the manufacturer's recommendations which are usually inside the door, glove box or trunk). Check the pressure when the tires are cold
Tires have sufficient tread depth (tread depth should be at least 1/16 inch)
The vehicle's fluid levels are correct (oil, brake, transmission, battery, and wiper fluids)
Belts and hoses are free from blisters, cracks and cuts
The vehicle has plenty of fuel
The windshield wipers are in good condition and are functional
You are familiar with the location and operation of all of the vehicle's controls; and the seat, steering wheel, and mirrors are properly adjusted
Headlights, brake lights, turn signals, emergency flashers, and interior lights are working
The seat belt is properly adjusted and in in good working condition
The vehicle is equipped with an emergency kit
Loose objects are secured so they won't shift during a sudden stop or turn

Wearing Seatbelts

WEARING SEAT BELTS

Seat belts are the single most effective means of reducing deaths and serious injuries in traffic crashes. Seat belts save thousands of lives and prevent hundreds of thousands of serious injuries each year.

Being Alert

BE ALERT

Driving is no time to multi-task. Stay focused on the road. Drivers can be distracted by a variety of things:

Conversations with passengers
Eating, drinking or grooming
Tuning the radio or selecting a song to play on a music player
Reading maps, directions, or adjusting the GPS
Using cell phones to talk or text

Cell phones are one type of distraction that is becoming more and more common. Consider NHTSA's policy on using cell phones while driving:

"The primary responsibility of the driver is to operate a motor vehicle safely. The task of driving requires full attention and focus. Cell phone use can distract drivers from the task, risking harm to themselves and others. Therefore, the safest course of action is to refrain from using a cell phone while driving"

Drowsy driving is another problem. At 55 mph, a vehicle travels the length of a football field in 3.7 seconds. There is not time to nap.

You can take steps to avoid drowsy driving:

Get a full nights rest before driving
Stop and get out of the car to stretch and walk around about every two hours
Set a realistic goal for how many miles you can safely drive each day
Avoid taking medications that cause drowsiness

The best remedy if you get drowsy behind the wheel is to stop driving and rest for an extended period. When this is not practical, studies have found two actions can make a short-term difference: taking a 20-minute nap (in a safe area like a rest stop) and consuming the equivalent of two cups of coffee. After the nap, the best action is to drive to the closest safe resting spot, such as a motel or home, and sleep for an extended period.

Drivers Under the Influence

DRIVERS UNDER THE INFLUENCE

Alcohol, certain prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs, as well as illegal drugs can all affect a person's ability to drive safely. If you spot an impaired driver, stay a safe distance from the vehicle. Pull over and alert the police if there is an unsafe driver on the road.

How do you spot a driver who is under the influence of alcohol? Watch for these driving behaviors:

Weaving, swerving, drifting or straddling the center line
Driving on the wrong side of the road
Driving at very slow or very fast speeds
Turning abruptly or breaking erratically
Responding slowly to traffic signals
Driving with their headlights off at night

Agressive Drivers

RECOGNIZE AGGRESSIVE DRIVING TACTICS

It is best to always practice defensive driving techniques. Continually check your mirrors, leave enough following distance, and keep a cushion of space around your vehicle in case you need to quickly change lanes or go onto the shoulder.

Aggressive driving acts include:

Speeding
Tailgating
Failing to signal lane changes
Running Red lights or stop signs
Passing on the right

Aside from being aggressive, taking these actions can result in getting a ticket. The best advice is to share the road - allow other drivers to merge as needed. Safely move out of an aggressive driver's way; don't become part of a conflict.

Exercising Caution

EXERCISING CAUTION

The amount of caution you exercise while driving combined with your vehicle’s condition determines your safety on the road. Proper vehicle maintenance is a frequently overlooked safety precaution. Worn tires, tires with low pressure, wiper blades, and dirty lights, will interfere with your visibility and the vehicle’s maneuverability. It is recommended that you replace your tires if the tread depth is less than 3/32nd of an inch. You can determine this by inserting a penny upside down into your tire tread. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, you need to replace your tires. Worn, cracked, or loose hoses and belts can disable your vehicle and leave you stranded. Loose items on the dashboard are very dangerous. During an accident, these objects become missiles.

External Condition Cautions

Anticipate slippery or other dangerous road conditions and adjust your driving to suit conditions.
When you identify hazardous road conditions, slow down. Reducing your speed will allow you to identify and react to hazardous conditions sooner.
Use extra caution when driving at night and in fog, heavy rain, or snow.
Use headlights after sunset or when visibility is 1000 feet or less (1000 feet = 330 yards or about 3 football fields).
Drivers are encouraged to use headlights all the time-even in daylight hours.

Other Driving Cautions

Adjust your speed to driving conditions.
Be aware of slower moving vehicles, especially trucks on hills.
Remember, if you cannot see a truck’s mirrors, the truck driver cannot see you.
Be alert for motorcycles.
Be aware of pedestrians and cyclists—they have the right of way.

Defensive Driving

Always use extra caution when moving your vehicle in reverse.
Scan ahead at least 10 seconds, 1/4 mile, or to the next intersection or curve.
Check traffic behind you frequently.
Reduce your speed when necessary.
Approach intersections with caution.
Be alert of other drivers making changes.
Let other drivers know what you plan to do.
Avoid sudden changes in speed or direction.
Apply the brake lightly when trying to stop on a slippery surface. Do not pump ABS brakes.
Never use cruise control on slippery or icy roads.
Be patient and adjust to the flow of traffic.
Check your blind spot before changing lanes.
Be aware of other vehicles changing lanes.

Establish a safe following distance. This should range between 2 and 4 seconds depending on weather and other driving conditions. To determine this safe distance, watch the vehicle ahead of you pass a specific mark. Then count “one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two., etc.” If your front bumper passes the same mark before you finish counting, you’re following too closely.

Always leave plenty of space between your vehicle and the other vehicles around you. This space cushion protects you from others. Try to keep that space cushion on all sides of you— ahead, to each side, and behind.

If a vehicle is following you too closely, increase your following distance and increase your space cushion. When you stop near or behind a truck or other large vehicle align your vehicle so the other driver can see you. Remember—if you cannot see their mirrors, they cannot see you.

If your vehicle breaks down, drive your vehicle off the roadway as far as you can, whenever it is possible to do so. Then, signal for help by turning on your vehicle’s emergency flashers, tying a white handkerchief or scarf to the window or antenna, or by raising the vehicle’s hood and if possible, set out flares or portable warning signals.

Wait for help. Don’t walk along the freeway.

Don’t accept help from strangers. Ask them to call the authorities.

Be cautious if people who are not police officers, firefighters, or traffic control personnel signal for you to stop. If your car is bumped from behind in a secluded or dark area or if you are followed by a car and are not sure of their intentions, drive to the nearest well-lighted and busy public area, police department, or fire station and call for police assistance.

References / Resources

REFERENCES/RESOURCES

VIDEOS

Distracted Driving Video

eLEARNING

INFOGRAPHICS

Hands-Free is Not Risk Free

DEEPER DIVE

Glossary