Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) For Student-driver’s Permit Applicants Subject No. 6 Driver’s Duties and Responsibilities Subject Code: TDC-15-S-06 Driver’s Duties and Responsibilities Topic Outline: 1. Physical and Mental Wellness 2. Passengers and Cargo Handling 3. Duties and Responsibilities of a Driver 4. Rights of a Driver when Apprehended Physical Fitness for Safe Driving / Road Safety • Being a safe driver is being fit to drive in the first place. • Driving a vehicle is a physical activity, and a driver who gets no physical exercise may not have the required strength, flexibility, or coordination to control and operate a vehicle safely. A driver must: • see and hear clearly • understand different types of information right away • act quickly and decisively Physical and Mental Requirements of a Driver ✓ Physically fit to operate a vehicle ✓ No health condition that can cause a driver to lose control while driving ✓ Ability to process the sensory functions ✓ Ability to focus ✓ Mentally and emotionally stable ✓ Ability to make sound judgment that is required while driving Health Issues that may Affect Driving Driver Fatigue ➢Fatigue is a major contributory cause of fatal and serious vehicle collisions and incidents. - Make sure you are well rested - Avoid the most dangerous driving times - Reduce your driving time if you feel tired Health Issues that may Affect Driving Stressful Events ➢Driving is often cited as being stressful where traffic, weather, deadlines and rushing all combine to make a driver stressed. - Recognize it and be honest with yourself - Rest and Relax - Reflect and adopt new ways of calming yourself. - Avoid situations that cause you high levels of stress and minimize contact with stressful places, people and events. Health Issues that may Affect Driving Poor Eyesight ➢ A driver’s license holder or applicant must meet certain vision standards for driving. There are a number of visual disorders which may place limitations on the driver’s ability to drive safely. -Have your eyes tested every 2 years by an optometrist or optician. -If you have to wear prescription glasses or contact lenses for driving, make sure you always wear them when driving. -Keep the glasses clean and scratch free. -Carry a spare of eye glasses in your car. Health Issues that may Affect Driving Temporary Illnesses ➢ Common conditions such as colds, flu, migraine, upset stomach and fever can affect your ability to drive safely. If severe, it can impair your concentration, vision, reactions and judgement. -If you start to feel ill while driving, stop the vehicle in a safe location. -If the condition is not serious, you may feel well enough to continue after a short break -Take a warm drink or some medication. -If you feel you are unfit to drive, do not drive. Exercise from the Driver’s Seat Stretching is extremely important to reduce stress and to avoid injury. The following stretches can be done from the driver’s seat: Shoulder Stretches Shoulder shrugs are a great way to reduce tension and stress from your shoulder area. When stopped, raise your shoulders up to your ears. Hold for 10 seconds, release and repeat. Exercise from the Driver’s Seat Hand Stretches Drivers spend a significant amount of time gripping the steering wheel causing their hands to cramp up and feel stiff. Overtime, this could lead to arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome. To reduce the risk of these illnesses, drivers can perform hand stretches. Try rolling your wrists in a circle or gently pulling your fingers toward your body. Exercise from the Driver’s Seat Whichever exercises you choose to complete, it is essential to add physical activity to your everyday routine. It will help you look better, feel better and live a healthier life. 6 Important Safety Reminders 1. Always wear your seat belt and insist that your passengers do. 2. Never drink and drive. These safeguards are the most thoughtful acts of all as they can save lives. Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act 6 Important Safety Reminders 3. Driving a car requires full attention 4. Signal your intentions especially when turning or overtaking a vehicle. 6 Important Safety Reminders 5. Drive at the speed limit. Driving too slowly can also cause a road crash. 6. Keep some distance between you and the car ahead of you. Passengers and Cargo Handling Cargo Handling ➢ Loading areas should always have good lighting. They should also be away from both vehicles and pedestrians. ➢ Loading areas should be firm, flat and free from potholes and other obstructions that may cause slips or trips. ➢ Before loading transport, ensure that the vehicle is braked and stabilized. Passengers and Cargo Handling Cargo Handling ➢ Use a red flag to mark loads that extend more than one meter beyond the body of the vehicle. When transporting cargo at night, use a red light instead. ➢ Never load unsecured items on the backseat or rear window deck of the vehicle. This can cause the load to hit passengers or the driver when the vehicle comes to a sudden stop. ➢ When on the road, stop frequently to check your cargo. This is all the more necessary when traveling long distances. Passengers and Cargo Handling Loading and Unloading Passengers ➢ Load and unload at designated pick-up and dropoff points. ➢ Do not unload passengers at corners immediately before making a right/left turn. Discharge passengers after making the turn. ➢ Park vehicle out of traffic or traveled lane. ➢ Turn on hazard flashers. ➢ Turn ignition off when not in driver’s seat. ➢ Park on level surface and apply emergency brake. ➢ Assist passengers as needed. Passengers and Cargo Handling Communication with Passengers “Attitude + Skill + Knowledge (ASK) = Passenger Satisfaction” ASK your passengers what you need to know. - Take time to discover each person’s method of communicating. - Have respect when talking to a person who has a disability. - Do not overlook the person with a disability by asking a companion for information, as if the person was not present. - Be patient, attentive and encouraging when talking to a person who has difficulty speaking. Do not correct or speak for that person. - Ask short, simple questions that require short answers, a nod or shake of the head. - Speak clearly in a natural tone of voice. Passengers and Cargo Handling Greeting passengers is a courtesy that is expected of all bus or van drivers. - Be polite and courteous to all your passengers. - Communicate with your passengers while assisting them to the vehicle. - Ensure all people on your bus are supposed to be there and ensure you are not missing any clients. - Refer to your itinerary or trip sheet. - Anticipate passenger needs. - Acknowledge passengers with brief eye contact and a greeting. Passengers and Cargo Handling FOR BUS, VAN, AND JEEPNEY DRIVERS Disability Awareness Reminders Every driver of seniors and persons with disabilities must have basic disability awareness. A person with a disability is, first and foremost, a person. Treat him/her with concern, respect, dignity and understanding. It is the driver’s responsibility to recognize the symptoms and limitations of particular disabilities to determine how to provide the best assistance during the passenger’s ride. Passengers and Cargo Handling Passenger Comfort Comfort must be a priority for drivers of persons with disabilities. Various conditions can cause discomfort to passengers. It is the responsibility of the driver to be alert and sensitive to the environmental conditions that can affect the comfort of passengers. Passengers and Cargo Handling Instead of…….. Use Disabled/invalid Person with a disability Crippled by, afflicted with, suffers from Person with Confined, bound, restricted or dependent on wheelchair Person using wheelchair Lame Person with limited ability Retarded, mentally retarded Person with a developmental disability Normal Able-bodied or non-disabled Duties and Responsibilities of a Driver 1. He must diligently secure an appropriate driver’s license from the Land Transportation Office and to carry it at all times while driving a motor vehicle. 2. He must know, follow and abide the land transportation laws, rules and regulations.(Ignorance of the law excuses no one.) 3. He must be a defensive driver. (someone who deliberately drives in such a way as to reduce the risk of road crash) 4. He must exercise due diligence as a good father of the family. Duties and Responsibilities of a Driver 5. He must assure that the vehicle he is driving is duly registered, roadworthy, clean and tidy and emission compliant. 6. He must be taking appropriate measures to secure and safeguard the vehicle until it is returned to the designated location. 7. He must know what to do and act in case of road incident. 8. He must know his rights and privileges. Thus, having a driver’s license is only a privilege and not a right. 9. He must ensure that he is in a healthy condition with no contagious disease (for professional). Rights of a Driver when Apprehended Right to be informed of the full name of the apprehending officer. Rights of a Driver when Apprehended Right to be informed of the traffic agency for which the apprehending officer works. Rights of a Driver when Apprehended Right to know if the apprehending officer is an officer for traffic direction and control or a deputized officer. Rights of a Driver when Apprehended Right to be informed of the nature of violations for which the driver is being apprehended. Rights of a Driver when Apprehended Right not to step down from the vehicle. Rights of a Driver when Apprehended Right to contest the apprehension at the appropriate office of the concerned traffic agency when not satisfied with the apprehension. Rights of a Driver when Apprehended Right to file the appropriate criminal, civil or administrative case, in case of abuse of authority or for any other irregularities which may be committed by the traffic officer. THANK YOU!
