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• Steering – Hold the wheel properly. Hold the wheel firmly with both hands. Your hands should be on opposite sides of the wheel. If you hit a curb or pothole, the wheel could pull away from your hands unless you have a firm hold. • Backing safely – We should avoid backing as much as possible, however, sometimes it needs to be done. Because you cannot see everything behind the vehicle, always be cautious when backing. When you park, try to park so you will be able to pull forward when you exit. When you must back up, here are a few safety rules: 1. Look at your path – Look at your line of travel before you begin. Get out and walk around the vehicle. Check your clearance to the sides and overhead in and near the path your vehicle will take. 2. Back slowly – Always back as slowly as possible. That way you can more easily correct any steering errors. You can also stop quickly if necessary. 3. Back and Turn Toward the Driver’s Side when Possible – This will allow you to see any potential hazards while backing up. 4. Use a Helper whenever Possible – If you can use a spotter to assist while backing up, do so. The spotter can assist to make sure you are avoiding any hazards and assist with stopping traffic if necessary. • Braking – Do not jam on the brakes. Emergency braking does not mean pushing down as hard as you can on the brake pedal. This could lock the brakes and lead to a skid, where you have no control over the vehicle. Slamming on brakes could lead to a brake failure through loss of hydraulic pressure, or line burst. In certain situations, pumping the brakes should be used to stop safely. Pedestrians and Bicyclists Pedestrians and bicyclists must be always observed. Some routes you drive are equipped with bike lanes, pedestrian and bike crosswalks, and stop lights for crosswalks. Walkers, joggers and bicyclists may be on the road with their backs to traffic, and with headphones on so they cannot hear what is occurring behind them. This means they cannot see you either. This can lead to dangerous situations. Always give the right of way to pedestrians within a crosswalk, give space to a bicyclist in a bike lane. When approaching a pedestrian or bicyclist from the rear, try one of two approaches. If there is adequate space, proceed around the pedestrian or bicyclist leaving room between you and them. If there is not adequate space to move over, give a light honk of the horn to let them know you will be passing them in close quarters. This way, if they do have headphones on, they are alerted to your presence and potential to pass. When safe, proceed with caution to pass the pedestrian or bicyclist. Radio 35 | 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