This month, we are offering advice on preparing your vehicle for the road, understanding the latest technologies that can affect your license and your wallet, and ensuring the safety of pedestrians during your shift.
Vehicle Preparations
The following recommendations are designed to improve safety and prevent equipment failures and accidents during your work shift. Taking a few minutes before each shift can save you time and money. Plan your route, listen to traffic reports, confirm details with passengers and allow extra time for the unexpected.
- For safety, install a dash camera and make sure it’s functioning properly.
- Check your tire pressure, windshield wipers, fluids and antifreeze.
- Make sure ALL seat belts are working.
- Set up your destination in GPS before you hit the road.
- Make sure all headlights and directional and emergency signals are working.
Interior Neatness
Keeping your vehicle’s interior neat, organized and odor-free will improve gratuities.
- Keep the front seat clean and organized. Keep supplies out of sight, preferably in a briefcase. Food containers should be stored in the trunk.
- Keep the rear passenger area clean and organized – no more than two newspapers or magazines.
- Use cup holders for water bottles.
- Check that client amenities are working: TV/DVD player, music, etc. You can keep titles on hand but avoid potentially offensive subjects and language.
- Keep the trunk clean and organized. Clients will notice if they have luggage.
- Keep the following emergency supplies in the trunk: map, food containers, coolers, overnight bag, cleaning supplies, tools, a spare tire, etc.
High Technology Demands Safe Driving
We live in a world rich with technology and instant replays. Industry scrutiny has been made easier by cell phone cameras, GPS, and other technologies that demand drivers keep the following in mind:
- All taxis, black cars, liveries and HVFHVs are instantly identifiable by license plates, medallion numbers and base ID stickers.
- Many intersections have Red Light Cameras.
- Police surveillance cameras are all over the city, recording traffic and pedestrian activities.
- TLC drivers represent medallion management companies and FHV bases, as well as being ambassadors for the city when travelers arrive – so take pride and present yourself in a safe and professional manner at all times
- Be courteous to your peers, all other motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
- Go out of your way to yield to vehicles with out of state license plates. Their drivers may not be familiar with the local area.
- The general public has easy access to register complaints and everything you do could be recorded by pedestrians, other drivers and your passengers.
- Anyone can be a potential passenger in the future, so do everything you can to present a positive image of yourself and the industry you represent.
Pedestrian Accidents
Always yield to pedestrians. Never blow your horn unless it is for their immediate safety.
- Do not move at unsafe speeds towards pedestrians.
- Anticipate unsafe actions by pedestrians, especially people on their phones.
- Used extra caution when driving near the elderly, children or the disabled.
- Expect pedestrians to suddenly pop out from behind obstructions such as double-parked vehicles or to cross the street illegally after exiting a bus.
- Use extra caution in dark, poorly lit areas.
- In the event of an accident always call the police and make a report. Do not leave the scene or you may be arrested!
- Beware of pedestrians’ fake accidents. Aside from cautious driving, a dashcam can be your best defense in these instances. Stay alert at all times.
Bertram Merling is the Loss Control Coordinator for Hereford Insurance Company. He welcomes your questions and comments, and can be reached at 718.361.9191 ext. 7235, or via email at bmerling@herefordinsurance.com
