PLAIN TALK ABOUT COMPLACENCY

AGENDA DEFINITIONS WARNING SIGNS WHAT ARE THE RESULTS? EXAMPLES FROM THE FILES PASSENGER ACCIDENTS WHAT MUST WE DO TO AVOID COMPLACENCY?

DEFINITION com·pla·cen·cy : 1: self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies 2: an instance of usually unaware or uninformed self-satisfactionunaware

WHO, ME? Been on the road long enough to be comfortable with vehicle? Same streets and routes over period of time? Personal life taking priority over attention to detail? Have not had an accident, but can remember “near hits”? Working on the same equipment day after day?

WARNING SIGNS EVER BEEN ON THE ROUTE FOR A WHILE, GET TO A POINT AND CAN’T REMEMBER SPECIFIC DETAILS OF THE LAST FEW MINUTES? HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN SINCE YOU ACTUALLY LEARNED SOMETHING NEW ABOUT DEFENSIVE DRIVING? DO YOU EVER EXCEED THE POSTED SPEED LIMITS? DO YOU EVER MOVE THE VEHICLE BEFORE YOU KNOW PASSENGERS ARE SAFELY SETTLED? WHAT PERCENTAGE OF YOUR CONVERSATION AT WORK IS NOT RELATED TO THE JOB YOU DO? DO YOU DOUBLE CHECK THE WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENTS BEFORE YOU MOVE THE VEHICLE? EVERY TIME? IS YOUR FIRST PRIORITY BEHIND THE WHEEL TO STAY ON SCHEDULE? Maintenance Technicians: EVER CRAWL UNDER A VEHICLE WITHOUT CHOCKING THE WHEELS?

RESULTS OF COMPLACENCY STATISTICALLY, A MORE SEVERE ACCIDENT THAN A LESS EXPERIENCED EMPLOYEE. WHY? (300:29:1) IN MANY CASES, A PREVENTABLE/CHARGEABLE ACCIDENT. INVESTIGATION MANY TIMES REVEALS INATTENTIVE BEHAVIOR AS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

EXAMPLES FROM FILES A fixed route vehicle stops at a stop sign, then proceeds into the path of oncoming ( mph) traffic. Operator says he did not see car coming. Yet, the vehicle which was forced to “T-bone” the bus was less than 200 feet away when he pulled out, and clearly visible.

EXAMPLES FROM FILES A paratransit vehicle operator turns a corner and a passenger riding in a wheelchair spills out onto the floor of the vehicle, injuring her head and spine. Investigation reveals that there were only 2 securement straps used on the wheelchair. Driver says she was only going a few blocks to the passenger drop address.

EXAMPLES FROM FILES Senior commuter driver is into the first 5 minutes of the route. He had run the same route for the last 2 years. He passes a slower moving vehicle and as he moves back into right lane ahead of the vehicle he passed, hits vehicle he just passed with right rear of the bus, forcing vehicle off the road and off an embankment. Bus driver blames slower moving vehicle driver, saying “That guy is on the road every day. I pass him every day in the same spot. He should not be allowed to drive so slow.”

EXAMPLES FROM FILES Bus driver hits pedestrian while making right turn at corner. Impact studies show that the vehicle was traveling at approximately 10 mph at time of impact. Driver states that he is always careful, but did not see the pedestrian. Driver cited for negligent driving, too fast for conditions and failure to yield to a pedestrian. Driver admits he expected the pedestrian to yield, “like they do every day” when they see his vehicle about to turn.

EXAMPLES FROM FILES A bus driver rear ends another bus while traveling at 50 mph. 29 passengers from the front vehicle transported to hospital. Driver of rear vehicle determined to be traveling at less than 1 second following distance and according to witnesses, was leaning over putting his water bottle away when front bus slowed down for traffic.

EXAMPLES FROM FILES Paratransit operator picks up passenger at dialysis center, proceeds to destination. Along the route, goes over railroad tracks without slowing. Passenger sustains injuries to his spine and neck. After mandatory surgery, passenger confined to a wheelchair indefinitely. Passenger sues company and driver for negligence.

EXAMPLES FROM FILES A maintenance technician who has been doing PMs for over 12 years is doing one alone. He starts the bus engine, shifts the transmission into reverse and uses the rear door interlock to hold the vehicle in place. Reaching through the drivers window, he accidentally hits the door handle, disengaging the interlock. The vehicle moves backward and to the left under power, pins the technician to the rigid railing, killing him.

MORE WARNING SIGNS Speeding through school zones Speeding through residential areas Backing without looking behind vehicle Detailed conversations with passengers while driving Sightseeing while driving Moving forward before vehicles ahead of you start to move Can you think of more examples?

WHAT WE CAN DO TO AVOID COMPLACENCY Remind yourself about following distance while you are driving, count off the distance. Think about paying a speeding ticket with money out of YOUR pocket. (That affects your personal insurance premiums too!) Remember that you are the professional on the road, and you are responsible for being safe. Mirrors should be scanned regularly (5-7 seconds at a minimum). Avoid lengthy conversations while driving. Remember that passengers do not know when you will move the vehicle from or to a stop. Expect pedestrians AND OTHER DRIVERS to do the unexpected. Prepare!

Accidents Happen When... Moving the vehicle before passengers are stable. Moving the vehicle without checking around it for pedestrians and passengers. Children are allowed to move about the vehicle without safety warnings to the guardians. Drivers are not looking far enough ahead to avoid hard braking situations. Drivers close the rear doors without ensuring that passengers are clear.

Passenger Accidents Not calling in to dispatch when there is a passenger fall or potential injury. Unacceptable! Turning corners too fast, following so close that you have to slam on brakes, not watching for other drivers to do something unexpected…….Dangerous!!

WHAT WE MUST DO TO AVOID COMPLACENCY Cover the brake while moving into intersections. Talk more about safe driving, giving and getting tips from those around you. Allow yourself to learn a new defensive driving technique regularly, or refresh yourself on the standards. Listen to those with years of safe driving experience. See what they have to say about how they avoid accidents daily. Look far enough ahead to identify potential hazards. (Discussion) We all have problems from time to time. Leave nagging problems at home, or stay there with them in the interest of safety. Remember that 300:29:1 is a reality. But you CAN avoid it.

WRAP UP: COMPLACENCY READJUST OUR ATTITUDE GO BACK TO BASICS RETRAIN YOURSELF BY READING, APPLYING SLOW DOWN EVERY PASSENGER DESERVES AND EXPECTS A SAFE RIDE. THAT’S WHY IT TAKES A PROFESSIONAL TO DO OUR JOB! SCHEDULE IS NOT PRIMARY, SAFETY IS! COMPLACENCY IS TO BE CORRECTED. DOING NOTHING ABOUT COMPLACENCY IS DANGEROUS!

PROFESSIONALS DON’T ALLOW THEMSELVES TO GET (OR STAY) COMPLACENT! THE CONSEQUENCES ARE JUST TOO DEVASTATING ! SUMMARY

21 THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO EVERY DAY! QUESTIONS?