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with slowness. Overlook confused statements and irritability; agree and avoid arguments. If there is a repeated behavior of confusion of a client, please alert your agency director and county dispatch so they can follow up with passenger’s emergency contact to craft the best travel plans for the passenger. Accept patterns of behavior already established by years of habit, unless they are breaking the rules of the program. Be careful when introducing something new as there is sometimes difficulty accepting change. Any violations of program can be followed by agency director or county dispatchers, to counsel the passengers on the rules and to make sure they are followed going forward. Sometimes new passengers and existing ones can be shy. They may be painfully conscious of their limitations. Please do not highlight a passenger’s shyness, limitations or loss of ability. We want to empower our passengers and their independence to remain within their communities. Safety During Transport Passengers should never be permitted to sit in the front passenger seat. This is for the safety of the passenger in the event of an accident. By passengers riding in the back passenger area, it keeps them safer in the event of a head on collision. If a client states they need to ride in the front seat, politely tell them it is policy that all passengers ride in the back passenger area for safety reasons. If they have a problem with policy, they can address it with the agency director or county dispatchers. Passengers must always wear seat belts while the vehicle is in motion. Passengers may occasionally experience discomfort from the seat belts and ask the operator to unfasten or loosen the belt. The operator may attempt to avoid discomfort but shall never unfasten or loosen seat belts to the point of ineffectiveness. If a passenger refuses to wear a seatbelt, the passenger must sign the seat belt waiver form. Do not move until all passengers are wearing their seat belts, or the seat belt waiver is signed. Signed seat belt waivers should be returned to the director at the end of the shift. Completing Trips Upon completion of transport, the operator shall check the interior of the vehicle for items that may have been left behind by the passenger(s). Any items that cannot be immediately returned to the passenger(s) should be identified and given to agency director at the end of the shift. If an operator arrives at a destination and does not feel 110% confident that they can get the client into the destination without endangering themselves or the client, the operator should notify dispatch and stand by for instructions on a new unloading location. 22 | P a g e – E r i e C o u n t y G o i n g P l a c e s P o l i c y a n d P r o c e d u r e