1. MODULE 8 ROAD RANGER SAFETY

2. 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.
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3. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO CRASHES
DRIVER INATTENTION %
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)
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4. 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
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5. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Proper tool use How to assist commercial vehicles
Safely remove debris
Procedures for hazardous material
Homeland security concerns
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6. 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!
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7. PROPER EQUIPMENT Safety vest Lights, arrow board, DMS Horn
Loud Speaker
Phone
Tools
Pre-trip checked vehicle
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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
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9. 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 – USE OF EMERGENCY VEHICLE LIGHTING
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10. 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
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11. 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 FEET BEHIND STRANDED VEHICLE
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12. 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
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13. 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
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14. 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.
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15. 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
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16. 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
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17. 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.
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18. 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!!!
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19. 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
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20. 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.
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21. 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
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22. QUESTIONS?
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