MODULE 8 ROAD RANGER SAFETY

FACTS TO STEER BY According to 2001 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 6.3 million reported crashes occurred in 2000 on America’s roadways. Motor vehicle crashes are the number one killer in young people. Module 8

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO CRASHES DRIVER INATTENTION - 22.7% VEHICLE SPEED – 18.7% ALCOHOL IMPAIRMENT – 18.2% PERCEPTUAL – (looked, but didn’t see) – 15.1% DECISION ERRORS (turned w/ obstructed view) 10.1% INCAPACITATION (fell asleep) Module 8

LEARNING OBJECTIVES Apply safe driving rules Properly equip Road Ranger vehicles Use lights, arrow boards and DMS Correctly position Road Ranger vehicle Guidelines to approach disabled vehicle Module 8

LEARNING OBJECTIVES Proper tool use How to assist commercial vehicles Safely remove debris Procedures for hazardous material Homeland security concerns Module 8

SAFE DRIVING Pre-trip inspections Buckle up Obey speed limits Comply with all traffic control regulations Park vehicle to make cell phone call Be courteous Be aware of weather conditions BE ALERT!!! MAKE KNOWN THIS INFORMATION IS COVERED IN OTHER MOULES PRE-TRIP INSPECTIONS TO BE DONE BEFORE STARTING ENGINE ALL DOORS CLOSED AND LOCKED SEAT AND HEAD RESTRAINT COMFORTABLY ADJUSTED MIRRORS, VENTS WINDOWS / HEAT & AIR PROPERLY ADJUSTED GAUGES WORK & REFLECT ENGINE CONDITIONS WORKING WINDSHILED WIPERS, HORN, DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS DRIVER IS MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY READY TO DRIVE BUCKLE UP – IT’S THE LAW OBEY TRAFFIC SPEEDS – REMEMBER – PUBLIC WILL BE WATCHING COMPLY WITH ALL TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES - DON’T KEEP DRIVING WHILE MAKING A CELL PHONE CALL – YOU CAN’T BE COMPLETELY IN CONTROL OF YOUR VEHICLE OR CONCENTRATING ON TRAFFIC IF YOU ARE TALKING IN CASE OF SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS, CONTACT FDOT DO NOT CONTINUE ACTIVITIES IF CONDITIONS ARE NOT SAFE! Module 8

PROPER EQUIPMENT Safety vest Lights, arrow board, DMS Horn Loud Speaker Phone Tools Pre-trip checked vehicle Module 8

The most important equipment is… PROPER EQUIPMENT The most important equipment is… A GOOD ATTITUDE! OPERATOR MUST BE CLEAN, SOBER, AND ALERT MENTION DUI OF OPERATOR IN ANOTHER DISTRICT ALWAYS APPROACH A MOTORIST WITH A HAPPY COUNTENANCE. A HAPPY SPIRIT MAKES EVERYTHING GO MUCH BETTER Module 8

LIGHTS, ARROW BOARD & DMS Correct usage Correct time to use REMEMBER LIGHTS ARE ESSENTIAL IN THE FIRST STAGES OF A TRAFFIC INCIDENT FOR SAFETY IF INCIDENT REQUIRES OTHER EMERGENCY RESPONDERS, COORIDINATE WHAT EMERGENCY LIGHT SHOULD BE ON MORE LIGHTS ARE NOT ALWAYS THE SAFEST CONDITION HAND OUT AND REVIEW COPY OF SECTION 61.05 – USE OF EMERGENCY VEHICLE LIGHTING Module 8

POSITIONING THE ROAD RANGER VEHICLE Park off roadway as far as possible Position vehicle at least 30 – 50 feet behind stranded vehicle Turn front wheels away from travel lane Never stand between vehicles! TRY TO BE AS FAR AWAY FROM MOVING VEHICLES AS POSSIBLE NEVER PARK CLOSE BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE – IF A VEHICLE HITS YOUR VEHICLE IT COULD CAUSE THE STRANDED VEHICLE TO BE INVOLVED AS WE LEARNED WHEN TAKING THE DRIVER’S TEST, TURN THE WHEELS AWAY FROM TRAVEL LANE SO VEHICLE WILL MOVE AWAY FROM TRAFFIC IF HIT STANDING BETWEEN VEHICLES COULD TAKE YOU LIFE! REFER TO FOLLOWING VIDEOS Module 8

POSITIONING VEHICLE EXAMPLE #1 BEFORE CLICKING ON VIDEO - DISCUSS DO YOU THINK THIS VEHICLE IS SAFELY OFF THE ROAD? FEEDBACK LET’S SEE WHAT HAPPENS - (CLICK ON VIDEO) GROUP DISCUSSION NOTICE: LAW ENFORCEMENT VEHICLE IS PARKED AT LEAST 30-50 FEET BEHIND STRANDED VEHICLE Module 8

APPROACHING A DISABLED VEHICLE Pre-approach rules Call the TMC with location, vehicle description, & tag number Approach from non-traffic side of the vehicle if possible Stay away from traveling vehicles Approach with caution IF SUSPICIOUS – NOTIFY THE TMC 1. WRITE TAG NUMBER, DESCRIPTION OF VEHICLE, NUMBER OF OCCUPANCY 2. STAY AWAY FROM TRAVELING VEHICLES 3. IF SUSPICIOUS, CALL TMC TELL MONKEY JOKE Module 8

HANDLING HOSTILITY Be friendly Never argue with a motorist Call TMC if motorist is threatening REMEMBER – THE MOTORIST WILL PROBABLY BE IN A BAD MOOD BECAUSE HE HAS BROKEN DOWN THE MOTORIST MOST LIKELY WILL BE FRIGHTENED (ESPECIALLY IF IT IS A WOMAN) NEVER ARGUE WITH A MOTORIST! WE UNDERSTAND THE “PIRATE” ROAD RANGER COMPANY IS BANKRUPT SO WE PROBABLY WON’T SEE THEM ANY MORE BUT IF YOU COME TO ONE, STOP AND SEE IF YOU CAN OFFER ASSISTANCE (PARK WITH LIGHTS, ETC.) IF A CONDITION ARISES WHERE MOTORIST IS UN-COOPERATATIVE, CALL TMC OR YOUR SUPERVISOR IMMEDIATELY Module 8

Pets and the Travel Way Road Ranger operators should be aware of motorist traveling with pets Advise motorists to ensure pets remain inside of the vehicle Pets allowed outside of vehicles should be placed on a leash Road Rangers operators should always be aware of motorists traveling with pets. Advise motorists to ensure pets remain inside of the vehicle (Particularly pets that might attack the operator or wander into the roadway.) Pets allowed outside the vehicles should be on a leash for the safety and protection of the Road Ranger operator and the pet. Module 8

TOOL USE Use correct tool for job Know limits of individual tool If correct tool not available, offer use of cell phone KNOW WHAT TOOLS ARE ON YOUR VEHICLE AND WHERE THEY ARE BE AWARE WHAT EACH TOOL IS USED FOR AND ONLY USE IT FOR THAT Module 8

ASSISTING COMMERCIAL VEHICLES Provide protection by use of lights, arrow board ,etc. Offer use of cell phone if necessary Assist in small ways – Hold flashlight, offer water, etc. THERE’S NOT MUCH WE CAN DO TO HELP SEMIS BUT STOP AND OFFER ASSISTANCE YOU MAY BE ABLE TO HELP BY HOLDING A FLASHLIGHT, ETC. USE FLASHING LIGHTS, ARROW BOARD OR DMS IF AVAILABLE TO AID IN THE MAINTENANCE OF TRAFFIC MAINTENANCE OF TRAFFIC WILL BE COVERED IN MORE DEPTH IN ANOTHER MODULE Module 8

Debris on Roadway Many hazards affect both health and safety Responsibilities of general maintenance is to keep the roadways free of any obstruction (debris, dead animals, tire tread, cargo spills, wood, metal objects, containers, etc.) Road Ranger operators are required to remove non-hazardous debris that could cause accidents -Debris on the roadway is a health and safety concern. -Transportation agencies, both local and state are required to maintain the roads. -Road Rangers remove non-hazardous debris from the roadway. Module 8

Your Safety is Our 1st priority!! Debris on Roadways Live or dead animals may require the Road Ranger Operator to contact the TMC to notify other agencies for removal (local public works, DOT Maintenance Yard or the Humane Society) If necessary, establish temporary MOT to retrieve debris from high traffic roadways Your Safety is Our 1st priority!! All animals (alive or dead) are required to be removed from the roadway. If necessary, Road Rangers may have to setup MOT to retrieve roadway debris. Remember, Your Safety is our top priority!!! Module 8

REMOVAL OF DEBRIS Stop, look and listen Use caution entering travel lane Call the TMC To request back-up To request FDOT maintenance Proper disposal of debris USE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN RETRIEVING ANYTHING FROM THE TRAVEL LANE OR SHOULDER IF YOU FEEL IT IS AN UNSAFE SITUATION, CALL FHP OR THE DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION NEVER PUT YOURSELF IN DANGER BE AWARE OF TERRORIST ACTION – APPROACH BOXES WITH CAUTION DISCUSSION Module 8

HAZMAT AWARENESS Be aware of hazardous material Always carry Emergency Response Book NEVER approach an incident with an unidentified spill EXPLAIN HAZMAT HANDOUT EMERGENCY RESPONSE GUIDEBOOK DISCUSSION EXPLAIN THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE THREE PAGE BORDER COLORS YELLOW – LIST MATERIALS IN NUMERICAL ORDER OF ID NUMBER – QUICKLY IDENTIFIES THE GUIDE NUMBER TO BE CONSULTED FOR THE MATERIAL BLUE – LIST THE MATERIAL IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER OF MATERIAL NAME- ALSO QUICKLY IDENTIFIES GUIDE NUMBER TO BE CONSULTED ORANGE – MOST IMPORTANT SECTION OF THE QUIDEBOOK – IT’S WHERE ALL SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS ARE PROVIDED CHOOSE A COUPLE OF PLACARD ID NUMBER AND HAVE ROAD RANGERS LOOK IT UP AND TELL WHAT MATERIAL IT IS. Module 8

HOMELAND SECURITY Be aware of terrorist activity Participate with AMBER alerts Report suspicious activity Never approach a suspicious vehicle Report vehicles parked by bridges, tunnels or busses PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR SURRONDINGS NOTE ANY CHANGE IN AREAS ON YOUR ROUTE BE CAUTIOUS WHEN APPROACHING ABANDONED VEHICLES, BOXES, PACKAGES, ETC. REPORT ANY SUPCIOUS ACTIVITY TO FHP Module 8

QUESTIONS? Module 8