• Avoid aggressive driving and keep your cool in traffic! Be patient, stay calm and be courteous to other drivers. Do not take other drivers’ actions personally. • Reduce stress by planning your route ahead of time, even with automated mapping systems, and allow plenty of travel time. Take the maps and directions along. • Avoid distractions, such as loud volumes, adjusting the radio or other controls, eating or drinking and talking on the phone. Dual earphones are not permitted. If you have a hands-free device for your phone, you may use the phone only if the dealership policy permits. Talking on the phone while driving, even with a hands-free device, causes distraction, and hence it is a safety concern. Again, follow the dealership policy on cell phone use. • Be aware of your surroundings. Continually search the roadway to be alert to situations requiring quick action. If the vehicle in front slows down, you must slow down. If the vehicle ahead is a big truck, your frontal visibility is compromised. You must slow down and increase your distance. If possible, change lanes so you can see ahead. Scan your mirrors frequently. Watch out for animals, bicyclists, motorcyclists and/or pedestrians. Anticipate traffic issues and be ready to respond quickly. • Stop about every two hours for a break. Get out of the vehicle, stretch, take a walk and get refreshed. Set realistic goals for the number of miles you can drive safely each day. Accidents: Report all accidents to management immediately. If you have a cell phone, pull over safely and call your manager. Use your phone to document the accident details. The Accident To-Do List in the glove box may help you document as well. Do not be forthcoming in acknowledging your fault for the accident. During and immediately after an accident, your judgment is likely to be incorrect. Later investigation may show otherwise. Conclusion: Developing safe driving habits and following safe driving protocols help keep you and your vehicle safe and protect others’ lives, health and property. Driving safely is a condition of employment. Employees involved in at-cause accidents can be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination. Safety is not only a personal responsibility but also a legal obligation! Note: There is a separate training memo for test drives. This is a general safe driving training course for all employees to take at work. DISCLAIMER: The contents of this newsletter are for informational purposes only and are not to be considered as legal advice. Employers must consult their lawyer for legal matters and EPA/OSHA consultants for matters related to environmental health and safety. The article was authored by Sam Celly of Celly Services Inc., who has been helping automobile dealers in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Texas and Virginia comply with EPA and OSHA regulations for over 35 years. Sam is a Certified Safety Professional (No. 16515) certified by the National Board of Certified Safety Professionals. Sam received his BE (1984) and MS (1986) in Chemical Engineering, followed by a J.D. from Southwestern University School of Law (1997). Sam is a member of the American Chemical Society (No. 31176063), American Industrial Hygiene Association (No. 124715), and National Association of Dealer Counsel (NADC). Sam also serves on the Board of the Orange County American Industrial Hygiene Association and on the California Industrial Hygiene Council (CIHC). Our newsletters can be accessed at www.epaoshablog.com. Your comments/questions are always welcome. Please send them to sam@cellyservices.com. 18
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