Latest News
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The Super Service Newsletter for May 2013 is now available and can be viewed by clicking here. Enjoy!
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We often talk about being a “defensive driver.” What is a defensive driver and what are some habits of a defensive driver?
The defensive driver tries to recognize potentially hazardous situations sufficiently in advance to allow time to safely maneuver past them. The defensive driver assumes that other drivers may make mistakes and is on guard in the event an error is made. The defensive driver searches ahead of what is immediately in front to have advance warning of approaching hazards.
Habits for a defensive driver:
Learn to recognize driving situations that can be hazardous.
Assume other drivers will make errors.
Adjust speed, position, direction, and attention to be able to maneuver safely if a hazard develops.
Scan far enough ahead to be able to react safely to approaching situations.
Scan frequently to the side and rear for passing or approaching vehicles.
Scan thoroughly before changing speed or direction.
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Construction season is here!
Practice these 10 safety tips
1. Expect the unexpected.
2. Slow Down.
3. Don't tailgate. Keep a safe distance between vehicles.
4. Keep a safe distance from workers and equipment.
5. Pay attention to road signs.
6. Obey road crew flaggers.
7. Stay alert and minimize distractions.
8. Keep up with traffic flow.
9. Schedule extra time, and call or search on the web for
travel information concerning construction before you start planning your trip.
10. Be patient and stay calm at all times.
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The four Rs of driver wellness:
Refueling: learning better eating practices so bodies and minds perform at their best, providing extra energy and better alertness, especially while driving.
Rejuvenating: improving physical condition through regular exercise, maintaining physical rigor and movement activities to preserve health and to remain physically fit.
Relating: understanding the importance of, and how to enhance relationships with others, both personal and professional. Understanding, too, how those relationships impact personal stress levels, job performance, and health.
Relaxing: becoming calmer in a fast-paced world – both at home and at work – by learning to recognize, control and manage responses to the many stresses of life.
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Bicyclists Make Safe Choices!
Bicycles in the roadway are considered vehicles.
Bicyclists on the street are a vehicle and must travel in the same direction as other traffic and follow the same rules.
When bicycling on the sidewalk:
Bicycle slowly and give pedestrians the right of way.
Follow the rules for pedestrians.
Cross the road by walking your bicycle in the crosswalk just like a pedestrian.
Stop before crossing the street from a sidewalk to give motorists time to see you.
Make sure turning motorists see you by making eye contact.
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Housekeeping
Housekeeping is important to everyone’s safety so take time to keep your work area clean – to include your tractor. If you see a hazard, correct it.
Watch for rugs that are lifting up, boxes or other items left in walkways, cords hanging down or wet floors.
Make sure your dashboard is clear. Having items on your dashboard can restrict your vision and is an invitation to be pulled in for inspection.
Having loose items in any vehicle is a known hazard. In the event of an accident or a sudden stop, unrestricted items can be thrown, injuring the vehicle occupants.
If you can’t correct the hazard, report it!
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Always Maintain a Safe Following Distance
Good Weather- During daylight with good, dry roads and low traffic volume, you can ensure you're a safe distance from the vehicle ahead of you by following the "7 second rule." To determine the right following distance, first select a fixed object on the road ahead such as a sign, tree or overpass. When the vehicle ahead of you passes the object, slowly count "one one thousand, two one thousand, three one thousand." If you reach the object before completing the count to seven, you're following too closely. Making sure there are seven seconds gives you time and distance to respond to problems in the lane ahead of you.
Inclement Weather, Heavy Traffic, or Night-Time Driving- In heavy traffic, at night, or when weather conditions are not ideal (eg. light rain, light fog, light snow), double the 7 second rule to 14 seconds, for added safety
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The importance of proper sleep:
In a recent survey, nearly nine out of every ten police officers reported they had stopped a driver who they believed was drunk, but turned out to be drowsy. The survey also indicated:
Younger drivers age 16-24 were nearly twice as likely to be involved in a drowsy driving crash as drivers age 40-59
About 57 percent of drowsy driving crashes involved the driver drifting into other lanes or even off the road.
More than half (55%) of those drivers who reported having fallen asleep while driving in the past year said that it occurred on a high-speed divided highway.
More than half (59%) of those drivers who reported having fallen asleep while driving in the past year said they had been driving for less than an hour before falling asleep; only one in five reported they had been driving for three hours or longer.
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Approaching Emergency Vehicles
Everyday, police fire and ambulance vehicles respond to urgent calls. Precious time lost getting there could mean the difference between life and death. What do you do when you are driving and you hear and see an approaching emergency vehicle?
On a multi-lane highway:
Slow down, signal and move to the right. If possible, pull as close as you can to the right side of the roadway and stop when safe to do so. Do not move onto the shoulder.
On a two-lane road:
Signal and move to the right. Pull as close as possible to the right edge of the road, clear of any intersection, and stop.
On a one-way street:
Signal and pull to the right or the left side of the street, clear of any intersection, and stop.
At intersections:
Traffic in an intersection or approaching from all directions must yield to an emergency vehicle until it passes through the intersection. Never block the intersection. Do not make a left turn if an emergency vehicle is approaching from behind. In this situation, the motorist should proceed straight through the intersection, then pull to the right and stop.
Take lights and sirens seriously. Pull to the right and stop. It’s the law.
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Involvement in an accident
If you are involved in an accident, follow these steps:
Take all reasonable precautions to prevent further accidents at the scene
Render all possible assistance to injured within your ability if it is safe to do so
Notify the police and call the company
Get the names of all involved parties and witnesses
Be polite; exchange information and cooperate with the police
Make no statements as to who was at fault and give no statements to the press
Take pictures – always include the license plate of all involved vehicles
Stay at the scene until instructed by safety or dispatch to leave
Make a complete report of the accident