The OSCAR Driver s Handbook Driving for OSCAR Services

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1 The OSCAR Driver s Handbook Driving for OSCAR Services Transportation is an essential part of the service we provide each day for the children enrolled with us. When moving children to and from school, we are assisting them in the transition from home to school and back home. Children benefit greatly from a safe, friendly and reliable transport service by feeling settled in their routines and well-connected to the people around them. Excursions during school holidays give children the opportunity to participate fully in their community, to try new experiences & to learn about their place first hand. Staff who are driving are expected to have the same friendly and professional approach as other OSCAR staff, when interacting with children and other people in the community. As well as safeguarding children and ensuring all children are accounted for at all stages of a journey, it is also important that drivers look after our vehicles and convey a positive and professional image for our service in the community. Our transportation is provided as a courtesy service to parents, for no charge or commercial gain. Our Expectations of OSCAR Drivers - Obey all road rules at all times. - Follow the programme procedures and safety guidelines outlined in this handbook. (See also our Transportation and Excursions Policy.) - Practice courteous driver behaviour at all times, towards other vehicles and pedestrians. - Be pro-active in ensuring safety of children and appropriate behaviour at all stages of the journey. - Notify your supervisor if there is any reason why your driving ability may be impaired. - Look after the vehicle you are using and notify the programme of any faults or maintenance issues. - Our Staff Code of Conduct fully applies to OSCAR drivers as well as programme staff and you have the same duty of care obligations as other staff. - Your interactions with children, parents and other staff should be consistently courteous and professional. You will be seen as a representative of our organisation in the community.

2 Safe Driving: Aware, Alert, Responsible 1. Be aware of the causes of accidents Source: Ministry of Transport ( Research/Documents/youngdriver-crashfacts pdf) SPEED AND LOSS OF CONTROL ARE SIGNIFICANT CAUSES OF SERIOUS ACCIDENTS ACROSS ALL AGE GROUPS. CHOOSE DRIVING BEHAVIOURS THAT REDUCE THESE PROVEN RISKS. 2. Be aware of how driving vans is different from driving cars Vans are different to drive and manoeuvre than cars because - vans are usually taller and longer - vans have a higher centre of gravity - vans are more effected by high wind - vans are heavier when loaded - vans have more extensive blind spots DO YOU KNOW HOW TO MINIMISE THESE RISKS? 3. Be alert at all times - constantly monitor your safety: your distance from other vehicles, driving conditions, hazards - think ahead anticipate what is coming up - be pro-active RESPOND now so you don t have to REACT later - work on staying in focus some days you will have to work harder! 4. Be a responsible driver - use careful judgement at all times - be consistently cautious: reduce speed, allow more space, give way to others 2

3 On the Road Driving routes (USE THIS SPACE TO PLAN OUT YOUR TRAVEL ROUTE) Identify particular risks in your planned route (mark on your map) e.g. roundabouts, busy roads & intersections, hazards (e.g. road works), schools, crossings etc. Destination / Pick up points School Name Address / Pick Up & Drop Off Point 3

4 Guidelines for Safe Driving As professionals, we must choose a safe driving attitude. Whenever safe to do so, you should be travelling below the speed limit. On wet or frosty days you should allow greater following distances and reduce your speed to ensure safe travel. Accelerate smoothly and brake gently. Research shows that people tend to view distraction as a normal part of driving BUT IT IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND A CAUSE OF ACCIDENTS. Work at keeping in focus at all times. The most important thing you can do to be a safer driver is to look well ahead of you, so you can pick up potentially dangerous situations before it s too late respond rather than react. YOU SHOULD BE SCANNING THE ROAD IN FRONT TO A DISTANCE OF AT LEAST 12 SECONDS AHEAD. If you are running late, notify us before you start the next stage of your journey. Take a breath and drive as you usually would. IT IS BETTER TO ARRIVE LATE THEN NOT AT ALL. Intersections/Roundabouts On average three people are killed and more than 250 are injured each year in crashes at roundabouts. One of the major factors contributing to these crashes is uncertainty. There are clear rules in place for how you must signal and use lanes at roundabouts and intersections. DO YOU KNOW THESE RULES? FOLLOW THEM AT ALL TIMES. Motorways If it is necessary to travel on a motorway ensure that you: - Travel at a safe speed and adjust speed accordingly for road works etc. - Where possible, stay in one lane - Plan your exit well in advance - Use a safe following distance at all times - Overtaking should be done only if safe and absolutely necessary. Seatbelts / Restraints All children up until their seventh birthday must be in an approved child restraint if one is available. If one is available means that if a suitable child restraint is in the vehicle, the child must use it. This is a legal requirement to ensure safe transportation of all children. Other children may also be required to be seated in a child restraint due to height, special needs etc. Check your passenger list and ensure children are correctly restrained before driving. 4

5 Other Transport Procedures At the school - Schools are very busy at the beginning and end of the school day. - Always use the designated pick up point if possible. - Otherwise park somewhere which is legal and safe to stop. - If not all children are at the designated pick up point you will need to be parked where you are able to leave the vehicle. - If you need to talk to school personnel, do so politely and professionally, but manage your time sensibly. You don t have time for casual chatting. If a child is missing: - Check quickly but thoroughly with other children, school, teachers, office - Contact your supervisor immediately - Inform the school office if the child is not accounted for - In most cases you will need to continue on with pick up after following these steps Road crossings If the children are required to cross a road, you should park in a safe place and identify a safe gathering point. Only cross the road when all passengers are accounted for and ready. Behaviour in vehicles - The behaviour of passengers can cause distraction, with potentially serious consequences. - Possible passenger behaviour issues could be noise, movement, harassment, inappropriate language or gestures. - It may be helpful to pre-plan seating arrangements for children with these factors in mind, in consultation with other staff. A bit of planning will help minimise disruption later. - If behaviour in the vehicle becomes distracting for your driving you must safely stop the vehicle and take appropriate step to address the behaviour. - Report any behaviour incidents to us when you have returned to the centre. - Children could also be unwell, injured, highly agitated etc. - If it is not safe or appropriate for children to be transported, please notify us and alternative arrangements will be made. Emergencies / accidents If there is a crash, you must immediately stop the vehicle at the scene or as close to it as possible, making sure you are not obstructing traffic. Ensure your own safety first. Help any injured people and call for assistance if needed. Report the crash to us as soon as you can. Breakdowns Ensure you immediately phone your supervisor to inform them of where you are, what has happened and who is in the vehicle. Alternative plans will be made to complete transportation. Maintenance issues Ensure increased fuel or oil consumption, hard starting, rough running or any unusual noises experienced are reported to your supervisor. 5

6 Daily Check List ENSURE THAT YOU AND THE VEHICLE ARE PREPARED, BEFORE YOU DRIVE. PERSONAL CHECKLIST You are fit for work to be driving Medication, drugs, tiredness, vision problems etc. can impair your ability. DON T DRIVE IF YOU HAVE ANY OF THESE IMPAIRMENTS OR ANY CONCERN ABOUT YOUR ABILITY TO DRIVE SAFELY. Current drivers licence must be carried at all times Appropriate footwear for driving Cell phone (charged and with credit) and first aid kit List of children to be transported VEHICLE CHECKLIST: Oil, fuel, tyre & water levels & top up if necessary Seatbelts and approved child restraints are ready Lights, Indicators, wipers/washers (front and back) are functional Vehicle is clean and free of obstructions inside - loose items are stored correctly Adjust seat, mirrors, steering column to a comfortable position Ensure all warning lights are off before moving away REMEMBER: in the event of a vehicle breakdown or accident, accident procedures & contact numbers for the appropriate services are in the glove box. 6

7 Induction Check List Driver name: o Holds a current driver licence for the class of vehicle being driven o Can check the oil, fuel, tyre pressures, radiator and battery levels o Can refuel vehicle with correct fuel (if applicable) o Changing a flat tyre (if required) Driving check (to be observed by employer) The driver: o wears a safety belt at all times o adjusts seat /car audio/mirrors etc before setting off o can identify vehicle blind spots o can operate indicator, wipers, door locks, horn and all lights o complies with road rules at all times o assesses hazards while driving o drives at an appropriate speed, including driving to the conditions o avoids distractions when driving o uses indicators and visual checking when changing lanes / entering traffic o maintains proper grip on steering wheel o ensure that braking is smooth and effective o completes cornering safely and at appropriate speed o negotiates intersections and roundabouts safely o follows designated route and uses specified collection points for children o parking / backing o engage handbrake when parked o uses friendly greeting for children o has polite interactions with the public o checks list of who is expected and follow up as required o ensures that children embark and disembark in a safe, orderly fashion o checks children are appropriately restrained Observed by: Date/s: Comments: (CONTINUES OVER) 7

8 Driver Declaration I agree to: - follow all the safe driving practices and procedures detailed in this handbook as well as the transport policy. - immediately notify my employer if my driver licence is suspended, cancelled or has had limitations placed upon it. - be responsible and accountable for my actions, and display a high level of professional conduct when driving a work vehicle - never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including prescription and over the counter medication - follow designated routes and collection points whenever possible - report any near-hits, crashes and scrapes, including those that do not result in injury, and follow the accident procedures outlined in the transport policy - report vehicle infringements at the earliest opportunity - report vehicle defects before the next vehicle use. Date: Signed: Employee Employer The Out of School Care Network 2014 THIS RESOURCE IS SUBJECT TO COPYRIGHT. The Out of School Care Network (OSCN) as author and publisher, gives permission for this information to be used for the purpose of operating an OSCAR programme. Please do not make copies of this resource to give to other organisations. Further copies can be obtained from OSCN. For permission regarding any other copying or reproduction of this information, please contact OSCN. oscn@xtra.co.nz 8