Traffic Laws: All employees must follow the mandated traffic laws, such as staying within speed limits, wearing seat belts and following the prohibition of texting and talking on the cell phone: • Do not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Driving under the influence is illegal and prohibited. • Obey all speed limits and traffic signs and signals, such as stop, slow, yield, bicycle and pedestrian lanes and traffic lights. Reach a complete stop at stop signs. • Yield to other drivers who have the right of way at an intersection. • For children in the vehicle, you must use the appropriate child safety seat or booster seat for their age and weight. Be sure to ask the customer with a child to install their own seat in your vehicle. Do not do it for them, as this is a liability for your employer and you. • Keep a safe distance from other vehicles and pedestrians. • Always use your signals and mirrors when changing lanes or turning, even if there appear to be no other vehicles or pedestrians. • Yield to pedestrians and bicyclists, even when they are not on a crosswalk. • Always pull over to let emergency vehicles pass. • Do not pass a school bus with flashing red lights unless you are on the opposite side of a divided highway. Other Considerations: Following traffic laws is only the beginning. Also note the following: • When entering/exiting a vehicle, parking or pulling away, be aware of others and be cautious, especially in an active driveway. • While backing up, use your rearview mirrors and turn your head to ensure there is no traffic in your intended pathway. • Keep a minimum of a two-second distance from the vehicle in front of you. If the vehicle were to stop suddenly, you should have enough time to brake. Increase the distance to at least double (that is, four seconds) when at higher speeds and in conditions of rain, sleet, ice, snow, poor visibility and high winds to allow for more reaction time. • When an area is congested or has crowded conditions, slow down and exercise extra caution while driving. • Despite less traffic after dark, the death rate from accidents at night is three times higher. Lights from oncoming traffic, especially LED lights, can have a blinding effect, so slow down. Human vision diminishes with age, especially at night. When you can see only a few feet ahead, there is less time to react. • Stay alert to other drivers who may be driving at high speed or erratically. “Tolerate and separate” is the best policy. Remember, your objective is to get to your destination safely and on time. A driver may not be licensed to drive and, worse, may be under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Stay alert and distance yourself. • Every year, hundreds die in road rage-related accidents. When involved with possible rage, keep your cool and let the other driver(s) have their way. If they override your right of way, let them go to avoid a fender bender or worse. 17
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