SECTION 4.0 SAFE VEHICLE OPERATING PROCEDURES

4.1 Safety

Safety is the most important priority of every MOTA employee. As a professional driver, MOTA operators must put safety first and avoid all unsafe behaviors. Safety is defined as freedom from risk. Safety is the result of avoiding, reducing, or eliminating risk. Risk comes from two main sources – unsafe conditions and unsafe behaviors. While the professional driver must be aware of unsafe conditions, and react to them safely, unsafe behaviors can be eliminated and replaced by safe behavior patterns.

4.2 Speed Limits

Operators will observe the following speed limits on MOTA property:

MOTA driveway and parking lot = Ten (10) miles per hour or less.

Within MOTA garage = Three (3) miles per hour or less.

Operators will observe the following speed limits off MOTA property:

All private roads= as conditions warrant, not to exceed the posted speed limit or fifteen (15) miles per hour, whichever is less..

All expressways = as conditions warrant, not to exceedthe posted speed limit or sixty-five (65) miles per hour, whichever is less.

All other roads and streets = as conditions warrant, not to exceed the posted speed limit.

All turns = Five (5) miles per hour or less.

4.3 Seat Belts

The following measures are to be adopted by all employees using company vehicles:

  1. Operators shall continually wear seat restraint belts in the driver’s compartment when operating a company vehicle.
  2. Operator compliance with the seat belt requirement shall be monitored.
  3. Any operator involved in a vehicle accident who is found to have not been wearing a seat belt during the occurrence shall be subject to disciplinary action.

4.4 Four-Way Flashers

Four-way flashers must be operated under the following conditions:

  1. Whenever the vehicle is stopping to pick up or drop off passengers.
  2. When the vehicle becomes disabled while in service.
  3. At railroad crossings.
  4. Whenever the vehicle is backing.

4.5 Horns

Horns may be used for the purpose of alerting operators of other vehicles or pedestrians of potential hazard. Horns may also be used in service to announce the arrival of the vehicle at a passenger’s address. Horns should also be used at regular intervals whenever the vehicle is backing.

4.6 Lights

Headlights and strobe lights are to be turned on whenever the vehicle is in operation.

4.7 Defensive Driving

Follow these defensive driving procedures when operating a MOTA vehicle:

  1. Know and intelligently use safe driving techniques to respond safely to hazards presented by changes in traffic or road conditions, weather, the mechanical condition of the vehicle, and the operator’s physical condition or state of mind.
  2. Know and strictly observe all traffic laws as well as common sense driving procedures, such as courtesy and caution with other drivers, to avoid traffic infractions and fines which are the responsibility of the operator.
  3. Be alert for the illegal acts and driving errors of other vehicle operators, and be able to make timely and prudent adjustments in driving so that such acts do not result in an accident. Being alert to traffic conditions nearby and staying focused on driving will help in detecting potentially hazardous situations and give time to plan defensive actions to avoid them. Expect the unexpected at all times.
  4. Avoid taking chances by giving pedestrians and other motorists the right of way when necessary, adjusting the vehicle speed to prevailing conditions, and never sacrificing safety for the schedule.
  5. Maintain an attitude of confidence that a professional operator can drive without ever having a preventable accident.

4.8 Changing Lanes

Unless otherwise directed, the vehicle should be in the right (curb) lane of city streets and the right traffic lane of freeways or expressways at all times. Only change lanes to get around parked vehicles or objects, to pass slow-moving vehicles, or to move into the correct turn lane. Turn signals must be used and should blink at least three (3) times before starting the lane change.

4.9 Turns

Follow these steps for making a right turn:

  1. Use the turn signal. Turn signals should blink at least five (5) times before starting the turn.
  2. Constantly check mirrors on both sides looking for off-tracking or tail swing just before positioning for the turn, while positioning for the turn, during the turn, and after the turn while accelerating.
  3. Position the vehicle four (4) feet from the right-hand curb or parked cars/obstacles to block off the right side of the vehicle.
  4. Use pivot points correctly to assure the desired path of the vehicle clears obstacles.
  5. Use the ‘rock and roll’ procedure to look for pedestrians and cyclists.
  6. Use the ‘push-pull’ steering procedure.
  7. Complete the turn inside the marked lane. Never change lanes during a turn.
  8. Always give pedestrians the right-of-way.

Follow these steps for making a left turn from a one-way street:

  1. Use the turn signal. Turn signals should blink at least five (5) times before starting the turn.
  2. Constantly check mirrors on both sides looking for off-tracking or tail swing just before positioning for the turn, while positioning for the turn, during the turn, and after the turn while accelerating.
  3. Position the vehicle four (4) feet from the left-hand curb or parked cars/obstacles to block off the left side of the vehicle.
  4. Use pivot points correctly to assure the desired path of the vehicle clears obstacles.
  5. Use the ‘rock and roll’ procedure to look for pedestrians and cyclists.
  6. Use the ‘push-pull’ steering procedure.
  7. Complete the turn inside the marked lane. Never change lanes during a turn.
  8. Always give pedestrians the right-of-way.

Follow these steps for making a left turn from a two-way street:

  1. Use the turn signal. Turn signals should blink at least five (5) times before starting the turn.
  2. Constantly check mirrors on both sides looking for off-tracking or tail swing just before positioning for the turn, while positioning for the turn, during the turn, and after the turn while accelerating.
  3. Position the vehicle in the left turn lane. Where two or more lane are used to turn left, position the vehicle so other vehicles turning left are reflected in the left rearview mirror. Watch for median strips, traffic signals, or light standards when turning.
  4. Pull the vehicle into the intersection and use pivot points correctly to assure the desired path of the vehicle clears obstacles. Stay behind the limit line until the intersection is clear before proceeding.
  5. Use the ‘rock and roll’ procedure to look for pedestrians and cyclists.
  6. Use the ‘push-pull’ steering procedure.
  7. Complete the turn inside the marked lane. Never change lanes during a turn.
  8. Always give pedestrians the right-of-way.

4.10 Service Stops

Follow these steps when entering a service stop:

  1. Select a stopping point as close as possible to the address or front door as possible.
  2. Use the turn signal. Turn signals should blink at least five (5) times before stopping.
  3. Stop on level ground with room to safely deploy the lift.
  4. Stop the vehicle, shift into Park, set the parking brake, and turn on the four-way flashers.

Follow these steps when exiting a service stop:

  1. Use the turn signal, check mirrors, and watch for a break in traffic.
  2. Ensure that there are no pedestrians in front of the vehicle and that traffic signals will allow the vehicle to proceed.
  3. Slowly ease the vehicle into traffic, watching the left mirror and maintaining a safe cushion of space around the vehicle while pulling into traffic.

The vehicle should not be moved until:

  1. All entering passengers have entered and are seated or holding on to a handrail.
  2. All exiting passengers have exited and are at least ten (10) feet from the vehicle.
  3. All entering or exiting passengers have been called in to dispatch using the radio 10-codes.

Right-side service stops should be made whenever possible, so the passengers are not required to cross the road or street. This may require the operator to pass the stop location to turn around, or may require the operator to go around the block.

Left-side service stops may be made when a right-side service stop cannot be safely made. Since the vehicle cannot stop traffic for passengers to cross the road or street, left-side service stops create an unsafe condition. When a left-side service stop must be made, children and passengers with disabilities should be escorted across the road by an adult family member or caregiver whenever possible.

Service stops that require backing may be made only when absolutely necessary. Backing a vehicle is highly dangerous. Passenger preference is not a valid reason for backing.

Service stops should be made in this order of preference:

  1. Right-side service stops at the curbside or at the entrance to a driveway.
  2. Service stops using a driveway where the driveway includes a turnaround of sufficient size to turn around without backing (pull-in, pull-out procedure).
  3. Left-side service stops at the curbside or at the entrance to a driveway.
  4. Service stops using a driveway where the driveway includes an area of sufficient size to allow backing on the property (pull-in, pull-out procedure).
  5. Service stops using a driveway which requires the vehicle to back into the driveway from the road (back-in, pull out procedure).

4.11 Intersections

Follow these steps when crossing an intersection:

  1. Cover the brake before entering the intersection and be prepared to stop in case of approaching hazards.
  2. Look left, right, left, and then straight ahead before entering the intersection.
  3. Yield the right-of-way to cross traffic or pedestrians.
  4. Never change lanes in an intersection.
  5. Use lights and horn to alert other drivers and pedestrians when caught in the intersection by a light turning yellow or red.
  6. Treat a yellow light as red.

Do not proceed into an intersection unless it can be cleared by the entire vehicle. Always look left, right, left, and straight ahead before proceeding into an intersection. When possible, do not be the first vehicle to enter an intersection after a red light turns green. A green light does not mean that the intersection is safe to enter. Proceed with caution, checking traffic and pedestrian movement by using the ‘rock and roll’ procedure during the turning maneuver. Be especially alert to right-on-red traffic, cyclists, and pedestrians which may fail to yield the right-of-way.

4.12 Adverse Driving Conditions

The major difference between good weather and bad weather driving is friction. Good traction depends on the friction created between tires and pavement. Conditions of snow, ice or rain create a smooth surface which reduces friction and causes skids.

The major driving errors which result in skids are:

  1. Braking Errors – Waiting too long to apply the brakes, or braking too hard, causing the brakes to lock.
  2. Acceleration Errors – Accelerating too quickly, especially around turns.
  3. Steering Errors – Over-steering; failure to return steering wheel quickly enough when making turns.

In order to avoid skids, the following procedures/techniques should be used.

  1. Attempt to avoid the brake pedal entirely.
  1. Increase following distance and clearance between vehicles and parked cars or fixed objects.
  2. Let engine compression aid in braking.
  3. Cover the brake pedal and be prepared to stop when approaching intersections.
  4. When required to brake, do so early and gently.
  5. At the start of a skid, do not use the brake and steer in the direction that the tires are skidding.
  1. Use the accelerator pedal lightly.
  1. Never spin the wheels.
  2. If the wheels begin to spin, release the accelerator, depress theaccelerator lightly again. Repeat the procedure until the vehicle moveswithout spinning.
  3. If the vehicle starts to skid, release the accelerator and steer in the direction the vehicle was originally traveling.
  1. Do not over-steer – do not make any quick or abrupt turning movements.
  1. Begin to return the wheel as soon as the front of the vehicle enters the turn.
  2. Never attempt to perform direction-changing maneuvers quickly (lane changes, turns, etc.).
  3. Be alert for the second skid. Frequently, the process of steeringout of a skid will produce another skid in the oppositedirection. Anticipate this and regain control.

Protect thepassengers by making warning announcements to passengers entering or exiting the vehicle. Avoid any actions to hurry passengers – such actions may cause passengers to slip and fall. If there are snow banks at stops, keep sufficient clearance from them to allow passengers to step into or from the street, not the snow bank. Keep the bus steps clean.

If the vehicle becomes stuck, give the location and estimation of how seriously the vehicle is stuck, and then wait for assistance.

In adverse driving conditions, the operator must be aware that schedules are based on normal weather, speed limits, road conditions and traffic. When weather conditions deteriorate, schedule delays are expected. When running late due to adverse conditions, stay late. When the weather conditions become too dangerous to drive, contact dispatch, park the vehicle in a safe place and wait until conditions improve.

Follow these standards for adverse weather driving:

  1. Dry pavement – Maintain a four (4) second following distance are operate at or below the legal speed limit.
  2. Rain – Maintain a five (5) second following and operate at 75% of the legal speed limit or slower.
  3. Snow – Maintain a six (6) second following distance and operate at 50% of the legal speed limit or slower.
  4. Ice or Sleet – Maintain a seven (7) second following distance and operate at 30% of the legal speed limit or slower.

In limited visibility conditions, following distance must be increased and speed must be decreased. Limited visibility can be caused by night driving, fog, smoke, dust, rain, sleet, snow, hail, road curves, obstructions, and other factors. Add at least one (1) to two (2) seconds following distance to the standards above in limited visibility conditions.

Follow these standards to determine a safe speed within legal speed limits when driving in reduced or limited visibility:

  1. Sight distance of five (5) seconds – Speed of up to 65 MPH.
  2. Sight distance of four (4) seconds – Speed of up to 40 MPH.
  3. Sight distance of three (3) seconds – Speed of up to 25 MPH.
  4. Sight distance of two (2) seconds – Speed of up to 10 MPH.

When sight distance falls to two (2) seconds or less due to visibility conditions, find a safe place to park the vehicle, contact dispatch, and wait until conditions improve.

4.13 Traffic Regulations

All operators and employees in charge of MOTA vehicles must be familiar with and will be held responsible for adherence to all traffic laws and regulations on and off MOTA property.

All fines resulting from citations are the responsibility of the operator, with the exception of those which are incurred due to defective MOTA equipment that had previously been reported to a supervisor.

4.14 Backing and U-Turns

Backing is one of the most dangerous maneuvers to make with a large vehicle. It is always better to drive around the block or find another route. While this is not always practical, it is always the preferred method. Avoid backingwhenever possible.

If backing cannot be avoided, the vehicle should be backed no farther than necessary. Be certain that the area behind the vehicle is clear by using a spotter whenever possible. In all cases, make safety the goal by getting out and looking before backing.

Follow these steps whenever backing:

  1. Back only when necessary.
  2. Walk completely around the vehicle in a counter-clockwise direction to make sure the area is clear.
  3. After re-boarding, check and recheck the mirrors before moving.
  4. Turn on the four-way flashers before backing.
  5. Scan the mirrors on both sides frequently while backing.
  6. Back slowly, at engine idle speed, with the brake covered.
  7. Listen for any indications of conflict or impending collisions, such as horns, shouts, or someone banging on the side of the vehicle.
  8. Sound the horn twice before backing and regularly while backing.

If backing cannot be avoided at a service stop, the vehicle should be backed into the driveway or parking area so that the vehicle can enter the public roadway without backing. Backing onto a public roadway is not permitted at any time.

In every case, the operator must think before putting the vehicle into a position where it may have to back up. Act as though the vehicle does not have a reverse gear.