BEST PRACTICES

• Avoid staring at anything for more than two seconds, keep scanning
• Keep windows clean
• Check mirrors every 5 to 10 seconds
• In city situations, look ahead from building to building or from driveway to driveway looking for pedestrians
• Pay special attention around parked cars for warning signs of children at play such as a rolling ball or moving feet
• Watch out for pedestrians crossing at intersections
• Look left-right-left when approaching intersections, and don’t assume that crossing traffic will stop.
• Pause about three seconds after traffic lights change before entering an intersection

TALKING POINTS

• Speak with crews about how weather can affect their ability to effectively size up the entire scene around them. Ask whether there are other environmental elements that could negatively impact the ability to assess driving hazards (i.e., sun glare, dusty roads, curves, hills, etc.)
• A driving requirement within the company is that passengers are co-drivers. Discuss with crews how driving partners can assist in sizing up the whole scene. Review the Passenger decal.
• Ask crews where they think this principle (Sizing Up the Whole Scene) is most critical and why (i.e., intersections, city streets, highway entrance ramps, school loading zones, etc.)

Today we’re going to talk about the principle referred to by the second “S” in E.S.S.P.T. – Signaling Your Intentions Early. Remember to focus on the behaviors behind the principle.

Principle #3 – Signaling Your Intentions Early
Signaling Your Intentions Early is the driving principle designed to alert drivers and pedestrians to your intentions to turn or change your direction of travel in advance of the actual act. There are a number of situations where this should be done and different ways to do it. Signaling your intentions should become an automatic habit.

BEST PRACTICES

• Keep turn signals clean and in good working order
• Hear 5 – 8 clicks of the turn signal before turning, changing lanes, passing and when entering or exiting an expressway
• Signal earlier in poor visibility
• Use turn signals when pulling into parking spaces or when pulling away from curbs
• Use a tap of the horn when passing pedestrians walking on your side of the road
• When pulling out of alleys or blind driveways, alert others with a short tap of the horn
• Tap the horn prior to backing
• Use a short tap of the horn when passing traffic stopped along the curb or roadside
• A few quick taps of the brakes can alert drivers behind that you may have to stop
• NEVER – use hand signals to direct other motorists or pedestrians

TALKING POINTS

• Discuss why one should never use hand signals to motion to or to direct other drivers or pedestrians.
• Ask crews whether they think it’s a good practice to tap the horn while backing with a spotter
• Ask crews whether they think using “eye contact” with other drivers is a valid way to signal their intentions at intersections or when turning
• Discuss with crews how proper positioning in lanes can by used to signal intentions when making turns

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