Page 34 - Company Supplied Vehicles, Drivers' Manual v3

3.10 Driver courtesy

Driver courtesy covers all aspects of driving including respect for your own life, your passengers
and all other road users.

Take the following advice:

• Remind your authorised passengers to put on their seat belts.
• Obey speed limits.
• Obey stop signs and stop lights.
• Use your indicators to assist other motorists when you change direction.
• Keep music at a level that still allows you to hear sirens and horns (and act accordingly).
• Watch out for motorcycles, pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders.
• Watch out for children playing near the street or in driveways.
• Remember that pedestrians have the right of way.

Remember you are an ambassador for Glen DImplex and your actions behind the wheel are
visible to our customers and your colleagues. Please be aware that members of the public may
report any discourteous or dangerous driving.

3.11 Defensive driving

Defensive drivers have a good attitude to driving and understand how to maximise safety
margins. They look and plan ahead to keep their vehicle moving and anticipate the actions of
others to reduce their risk.

Here are some tips to become a better defensive driver:

• Maintain a good level of attention and regularly scan ahead for accurate observation.
• Be aware of the risks inherent in road and traffic situations then act to keep identified
risks to a minimum.
• Be aware of your own limitations and those of your vehicle and the roads you travel.
• At roundabouts when you are waiting for traffic from your right, remember to look
forwards before moving off. The vehicle in front may have stopped again.
• Take regular breaks on long journeys.
• When in slow or stationary traffic, leave a gap big enough to be able to see the bottom of
the tyres of the vehicle in front. This will enable you to move around vehicles to avoid
danger. It will also reduce the risk of the vehicle behind pushing you into the vehicle you
are following. Remember ‘Tyres and Tarmac’ and if you can't see both you are too close!
• When stationary engage the handbrake to avoid being pushed into the vehicle in front.
• Leave a 2 second gap between you and the vehicle in front to reduce the danger of a
vehicle collision. Remember the saying ‘Only a fool breaks the 2 second rule’. Stopping
distances increase by between 2 and 5 times in wet weather and by 10 times in snow or
ice. Tailgating is an offence and the police may prosecute you.

Commercial Drive4Life Handbook – January 2022 (Glen Dimplex Fleet Assistance – 01604 747269) Page 33 of 37