Page 136 - Microsoft Word - NEW 2017 Standard Program.docx

Upon hearing a siren, the defensive driver will immediately slow down, check rear view
mirrors and blind spots, and move to the right. If moving to the right is not possible, stay
in your lane. Do not attempt to move to the left because the emergency vehicle driver is
trained to move to the left to avoid traffic. Depending upon the amount of traffic and
available lanes, it may become necessary to come to a complete stop. In such instances,
be particularly aware of traffic behind you.

Seatbelts
If you think wearing them is a “pain,” visit your local hospital, emergency room or
cemetery. Probably all of us have heard stories of crash victims who say that if they had
been wearing seatbelts they would not have survived. That may be true. However, the
statistics overwhelmingly favor wearing seatbelts, and in many states the practice is
mandated by statute. We must realize that nothing is a sure thing except death and taxes,
and many who have shunned seatbelts have experienced the former as a result of a traffic
crash. Considering the enormous amount of miles a Recovery Agent drives each year,
every safety precaution should be taken advantage of for the sake of our careers and our
families.

Cellular Telephones:
No piece of modern equipment has had a greater impact on the safety of drivers than
what used to be known as a simple cell phone. Nowadays, this device is not only a phone,
but also a computer, GPS system, texting device (replacing pagers), TV, radio, camera,
gaming device, organizer … you name it … it does it!

Using these “modern marvels” while operating a tow truck can very easily cause the
injury or death of not only the Recovery Agent and/or his passenger assistant but also that
of an innocent driver of another vehicle or an unsuspecting pedestrian. It is unlikely that
there is one person reading these words who has not had a close call, in some way,
while using one of these devices.

“Hands-free” car kits available allow you to keep both hands on the steering wheel, and
many phones and radios are now equipped with Bluetooth access, allowing this same
hands-free communication. Keep in mind though, that even with this convenience, your
mind and attention work differently while communicating on a phone or other
technological device rather than to someone sitting next to you.

No one wants “Big Brother” dictating our every move but when people are killed every
day due to improper use of these devices, Big Brother will have no choice but to ban such
use in your automobile. About the only thing keeping Big Brother in check is that he is
also guilty.

So, use a hands-free system and pull over to use your phone or any other device that takes
your full attention from operating your vehicle. NOTHING is so important that it can’t
wait until you can find a safe place to stop.