Safety Basics: Chapter 3
In this module, we will talk about the best practices for driving. It is important to be careful on the road so that we do not endanger ourselves or pedestrians. Skip to quiz!
Best Practices
One good practice while driving is maintaining a safe distance between your car and the car in front of you. Keeping a safe distance ensures that you do not bump into another car.
For example, it is important to maintain a safe distance when stopping at traffic lights. If you do not maintain a safe distance as the light turns green, then your vehicle can move forward and hit the front car.
Consider what happens when you are walking too close behind someone on the street.
When the person in front of you suddenly stops, you bump into them or take a sideways swerve to avoid bumping into them. If you maintain a couple of feet of distance between you and the other person, you could avoid them safely.
On the road, you want to maintain a safe distance to avoid any accidents. You can tell that you have a safe separation distance between you and your front car if you can see the rear tires of the front car on the ground.
Aside from maintaining a safe distance between cars, another best practice while driving is the proper placement of your hands on the steering wheel. The recommended position of hands on the steering wheel is at 9 and 3 o’clock. Your thumbs are placed along the rim of the steering wheel.
The 9 and 3 o’clock position allows you to have better control of your vehicle. You are also more comfortable as you drive because you do not have to make large movements to turn the wheel.
The 9 and 3 o’clock position lets you change lanes safely because you can go 180 degrees either way and arrive back at the center. This decreases the chances of your arms and hands getting tired during long drives.
Distracted driving is doing another activity that takes your attention away from the road. For example, sending a text message, talking on the cell phone, or eating are all examples of distracted driving.
Distracted driving is dangerous because it can endanger you, your passengers, and others on the road. When your attention is not focused on driving, you are more likely to get into accidents that harm you or others.
Equipment Safety
It is essential to securely place equipment, such as extension ladders, on your vehicle if needed for your worksite. You want to load the ladder onto your truck with a ladder or material rack. If you do not have either of those, then lay the ladder in the bed of your truck.
Once the ladder is loaded on your truck, you want to make sure that it is centered. Centering the ladder makes sure that it is evenly distributed. Lastly, tie down the ladder securely with rope or ratchet straps. This will prevent the ladder from sliding back and forth as you drive.
Some of the best practices for safe driving is to:
Maintain a safe distance,
Place your hands at the 9 and 3 o’clock position on the steering wheel, and
Not be distracted.
These procedures help keep you, your passengers, and others on the road safe.
It is also important to secure ladders on your vehicle safely. This will allow you to transport necessary equipment to and from your job site without endangering yourself or others.
Question #1: A safe separation distance between your car and the vehicle in front is when you can see the rear tires of the front car on the ground.
True
False
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Answer: True
True! A safe separation distance between you and the front car is when you can see the rear tires of the front car on the ground.
Question #2: What is a safe step to take when someone is driving too closely behind you?
Drive faster so that they are not too close.
Honk at them as a warning, so they know that they are too close.
Wave your hand out of the car and yell at them.
Move to the side and let them pass
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Answer: Move to the side and let them pass
If someone is driving too closely behind you, you cannot control their actions. Move to the side and let them pass.
Question #3: What is the best position for your hands to be on the steering wheel as you drive?
10 and 3 o’clock position
9 and 3 o’clock position
12 and 6 o’clock position
10 and 5 o’clock position
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Answer: 9 and 3 o’clock position
The recommended position of hands on the steering wheel is at 9 and 3 o’clock.
Question #4: Which of the following is NOT an example of distracted driving?
Sending a text message
Keeping your eyes on the road
Talking on a cell phone
Eating
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Answer: Keeping your eyes on the road
Keeping your eyes on the road is NOT an example of distracted driving. You are maintaining focus and not endangering yourself or others.
Question #5: As you drive off with a ladder on the top of your vehicle, you can let any excess strap loose outside your car.
True
False
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Answer: False
False! Before you drive off with the ladder on your car, you want to put any excess strap into your vehicle! Loose straps can be wrap in your wheel, or another car can run over it.