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I am convinced that true "safe driving" is a state of mind - a
combination/collection of HABITS, some learned, some self-taught,
some instinctive, that for each of us makes us what we are as a
Professional Driver.
I welcome your input for this page - what do YOU do that makes
you a truly SAFE DRIVER? Send your thoughts to me as:
an email to info@BusDriverStore.com,
or
a message posted in the MSN Bus Driver Group at http://groups.msn.com/TourBusDrivers/messages.msnw
Unless you specify other wise, I will give the contributor
credit, by name and general location ONLY (if I know the
location, e.g., state, country), no address, phone number, email
address etc., unless you specifically indicate that
you want that information shared and WHAT information you want
showing in this database.
As the volume of input here grows, I will later categorize
thoughts as seems appropriate.
SAFE DRIVING
HABITS
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Stopping behind another
vehicle.
Anytime you stop behind another vehicle - at a stop sign, red
light or in any line of traffic - ALWAYS stop at least far enough
back from the vehicle ahead of you to be able to see the rear tires
on the ground - never stop so all you can see is the back window or
the roof of the car. This will provide you "cushion" to move a
little if need be or to steer left or right and get out of the line.
From T R Miller, Maryland,
06-11-05
Following distance on the
road.
The Correct following distance rule according to the National
Safety Council , Is one second for every ten feet of vehicle length.
Never less than four seconds. Here is how it works. Watch the
vehicle in front of you and when it's back bumper passes a
stationary object count the seconds you need to use before you get
to that same object.
Example : you are driving a 45 foot coach, so you should use 5
seconds ( always go to the next whole number). You see the car in
front of you pass a road sign and you start counting one thousand
and one, one thousand and two, one thousand and three, one thousand
and four, one thousand and five. You should be able to count these
five seconds by the time you get to that road sign. This works and
it works at any speed. It gives us the same distance as the old
vehicle rule ( one vehicle length for every ten miles per hour) did
but it is easier to use and it is more exact. You will know when
that car is at that sign and you will know when you are at that
sign.
If you have never tried it, try it. it works. I know because
not only am I a motorcoach operator, but I am a certified defensive
driving instructor for the Safety and Health Council of North
Carolina. I have been a instructor with the council for 16 years. At
Christian Tours I have just finished training all our drivers in the
National Safety Council's Motorcoach Operators defensive driving
course. A lot of them had never heard of this new following distance
rule.From Bob Edwards, North Carolina,
6-14-05
Speed and Sight.
Our speed should always be adjusted so we can stop in
the distance we can see. Our normal thoughts along
this line would be in the presence of fog or a heavy snow fall. But
there are other, just as hazardous conditions that dictate a
reduction in speed:
- Cresting the top of a hill,
- Approaching, and while in, a curve in the road,
- Approaching a somewhat "blind" intersection,
- ?????
As other specific instances, cross my mind, I will add them to
this list. Can you think of any others? In ALL of these situations,
going downhill, or in darkness, may very well decrease the
appropriate speed, because of extended stopping distance. From
T.R. Miller, Maryland, 06-18-05
Thoughts when approaching a vehicle on the
side of the road.
- Is there any movement on, in, or around the vehicle?
- Are there any lights on, in, or around the vehicle?
- Is there any activity on, in, or around the vehicle?
- Are there people beyond the vehicle - evidenced by feet or
legs visible under the vehicle.
- Is there a person, people, vehicle, or other activity across
the road/street from the vehicle or in the area to the right of
the vehicle? From T.R. Miller, Maryland,
06-18-05
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