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Vehicle Safety Handbook

Motor vehicle accidents are a major cause of accidental deaths and injuries both on and off the job. The document provides safety guidelines for operating vehicles during Brethren Disaster Ministries projects. It emphasizes the importance of wearing seatbelts, driving defensively, maintaining vehicles, not overloading or drinking/taking drugs before driving. Following the rules can help protect lives.

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rahulmnm007
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152 views8 pages

Vehicle Safety Handbook

Motor vehicle accidents are a major cause of accidental deaths and injuries both on and off the job. The document provides safety guidelines for operating vehicles during Brethren Disaster Ministries projects. It emphasizes the importance of wearing seatbelts, driving defensively, maintaining vehicles, not overloading or drinking/taking drugs before driving. Following the rules can help protect lives.

Uploaded by

rahulmnm007
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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ABCs

of Vehicle Safety
Brethren
Disaster
Volunteers

Please
Drive
Carefully

Safety First
ALWAYS

Always Be Careful on
Brethren Disaster Ministries Projects

Motor vehicle accidents are the largest single cause of accidental deaths both on and off the job - and a major cause of
serious injuries.
Motor vehicle safety
awareness will help protect your life and your
health!
Brethren Disaster Ministries wants and expects
you to learn and follow
commonsense vehicle
safety rules whenever you operate or ride in a motor vehicle
including all BDM vehicles.
These are the facts
Someone dies in a motor vehicle accident
every 11 minutes,
Each year, motor vehicle crashes cause
about 2,100 occupational deaths,
Motor vehicle accidents cause
91,000 lost-workday injuries every year.
Motor vehicle accidents can happen anywhere, in any
type of vehicle. Always follow these rules if you drive or ride
in a Brethren Disaster Ministries vehicle.

Wear a safety belt whenever youre in a


moving vehicle
Participate in driver safety awareness
training

Buckle up for safety!


Brethren Disaster Ministries requires
all volunteers, passengers and drivers, to wear a
safety belt in BDM vehicles. And most states require it
whenever youre in a moving vehicle.
2

Its believed that if everyone wore seat belts, the number of


traffic deaths and serious injuries would be cut in half.
Seat belts save lives and prevent injuries because they
keep you in your seat if you crash. This means:
You wont go into the windshield, dashboard, steering
wheel, or another person.
You will take most of the impact in your shoulder and
hipbones, not delicate organs.
You are more likely to stay conscious and able to help
yourself and others.
Even if youre not in an accident, seat belts help keep you in
place if you must suddenly swerve, brake, or accelerate.
Buckle up every time you get into a vehicle; most accidents
happen close to home or work. No trip is too short to risk
not using a safety belt!

Do it right!
Just like the other equipment you need on the job, safety
belts have to be used right to work right.
Your shoulder belt should pass over your collarbone and
across the front of your chest not behind your back or under your arm.
Your lap belt should be low,
across the bony part of your hips.
Belts should fit snugly - if theres
too much slack, they wont hold
you in place.
Airbags will protect you only in a head-on crash. You still
need shoulder and lap belts for full protection. You might be
knocked out of position by an impact from the side.
3

Drive smart Drive safe


Be a defensive driver.
Be constantly alert for traffic, road and weather conditions
that could be hazardous. Think ahead to what could happen.
And always keep your mind on your driving and your eyes on
the road whenever youre driving.
Here are some sensible driving rules.
Stay at least three seconds behind the driver in front
more in bad weather or at night.
Pass on the left, but only where its permitted and where
you can see enough clear space to pass comfortably.
Be especially alert in heavy traffic for sudden stops, cars
passing or moving in and out of lanes, debris, construction, or potholes.
Constantly check rearview and side mirrors for approaching traffic.
Come to a full stop at STOP signs and obey all other
traffic signs and signals.
Obey the speed limit and other rules of the road. (BDM
vehicles must not be operated at speeds in excess
of 65 m.p.h.)

Yield the right-of-way.


Use windshield wipers, lights, and defroster in rain and
snow.
Turn on headlights as soon as it starts to get dark.
Always expect the other driver to do the unexpected.
Do not use cruise control on wet roads (using cruise control on wet roads can increase the risk of hydroplaning
and wrecking)
Cell phones may not be used by drivers when operating BDM vehicles.
Drivers of BDM vehicles must be 21 years of age
or older and possess a valid drivers license.
4

Dont overload vehicles with goods or people!


Every vehicle is rated for load capacity. Overloading a vehicle can greatly increase the risk of an accident even if
youre just traveling a short distance on a job site.
Overloaded vehicles can not stop as quickly as needed and
tires may overheat and blow out.
Vehicles should not be packed so full that the drivers rear
and side vision is blocked. And too many people in a vehicle
means some of them wont have seat belts available.
On the job site or on the road dont overload!

Towing Safety

Check all trailer lights and turn signals to be sure that


they are working properly.
Be sure all tires are in good condition and properly inflated.
Be certain the proper ball and hitch are used for the
trailer. (most BDM trailers require a 10,000 lb. hitch with
a 2-5/16 Ball) (contact the BDM offices if you are unsure)
Connect, test and adjust the electric brake controller
properly even for short trips.
Adjust mirrors to properly accommodate your trailer and
avoid blind spots.
Always connect the trailer safety chains even when traveling short distances
Drive at slower speeds when towing.
5

Maintain your vehicle for safety


Follow Brethren Disaster Ministries inspection rules carefully, and keep each vehicles maintenance schedule/record
up-to-date (white ring binder in glove compartment).
Here are some things to look for each time a Brethren Disaster Ministries vehicle is used:
Are tires in good condition and is the air pressure
correct?
Are lights and signals clean and working?
Are oil and antifreeze/coolant at
proper levels?
Do any belts or wires look frayed?
Do shock absorbers show any signs of
leaks?
Is the braking system in top working
order?
Drinking or drugs + Driving = Accidents.
Alcohol and other drugs
(even many cold remedies or prescription medicines) can:

Slow your reaction time


Blur your vision
Reduce your ability to determine distance
Impair your judgment especially about how well youre
driving

Drinking and illicit drugs are always prohibited at


Brethren Disaster Ministries' projects. Even if youre
not at a BDM project, make it a rule never to drink or take
any kind of drug (even legal ones) if youre going to drive.
If you take a cold remedy or prescription drug, check the label to find out if it will affect your driving ability. If theres
no label information, ask your doctor or pharmacist about
possible effects.
6

Dont take chances behind the wheel!


Youre in the drivers seat.
Brethren Disaster Ministries provides you with good equipment and sensible safety rules. But they can only prevent
accidents if you use them.
(If you are in an accident; call the police immediately and fill out
the motor vehicle accident report found in the white ring binder of
each BDM vehicle.)

Take your motor vehicle safety responsibilities seriously. Your life is on the line.
Drive and Ride Safely

Follow all Brethren Disaster Ministries' vehicle policies


Abide by all state and federal regulations.
Always buckle your safety belt in a moving vehicle.
Obey traffic and motor vehicle laws, signs, and signals.
Practice defensive driving.
Be an alert driver.
Never drink or take drugs and drive.
Be a safe and courteous passenger; let the driver concentrate on driving.
7

Test Your
Vehicle Safety Knowledge

QUIZ
Directions: Circle T if the statement is true or F if
the statement is false.

1. T

F Motor vehicle accidents are the largest single cause of


accidental deaths both on and off the job.

2. T

F If everyone wore seat belts the number of traffic


deaths and serious injuries could be cut in half.

3. T F

Seat belts do not need to be worn by all occupants in


BDM vehicles.

4. T F

If your vehicle is equipped with an airbag, you do not


need to wear a safety belt.

5. T F

You should stay at least three seconds behind the


driver in front more in bad weather.

6. T F

Overloaded vehicles may not be able to stop as quickly


as needed, and its tires may overheat and blow out.

7. T F

BDM vehicles must not be operated at speeds in excess


of 65 m.p.h.

8. T F

Its OK to take medicine before driving if its been prescribed by a doctor.

9. T F

Cell phones may not be used by drivers when operating BDM vehicles.

10. T F

Drivers of BDM vehicles must be 21 years of age or


older and possess a valid drivers license.

Name: _______________________
Signature: ___________________ Date: _________
For the correct answers, turn this page upside down.
1. T 2. T 3. F 4. F 5. T 6. T 7. T 8. F 9. T 10. T
8

9/08

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