Vehicle Safety Checks and Brake Testing

Vehicle Checks

• Conduct a visual inspection of gauges and warning lights.
• Check the seatbelt for fraying, twisting, locking mechanism, and ease of fastening and releasing.
• After moving off in a safe place, test the brakes.
• Check gauges and warning lights periodically during journeys.

Brake Tests

• Stationary test: Check for free pedal movement and a firm, sustained pressure.
• Moving test:
  • Check for straight-line braking.
  • Learn pedal pressure needed.
  • Identify any unexpected issues.
  • Perform test using a non-retarding gear (3rd or 4th) at 30 mph.
  • Test foot brake immediately after moving off.
  • Ensure safety by checking the road is clear.
  • Declutch to avoid engine braking interference.
  • Brake gradually and progressively.
  • Feel for unusual sensations (pulling, vibrations, pulsing) and listen for unusual noises.
  • Release the pedal before a standstill to check for full release.

Vehicle Lighting Regulations

• Lights, lamps, and reflectors must be clean and functional unless:
  • The component failed during the current journey.
  • Arrangements are in place to repair the defect.
  • Towing a trailer with working lights.

Blue Warning Beacons

• Only emergency vehicles are allowed to use blue warning beacons.
• Justify their use:
  • Responding to an incident
  • At an incident scene to warn of presence
  • Warning of approach or presence on the road
  • Signaling hazard on the road
  • Facilitating medical treatment

Vehicle Maintenance and Safety

• Maintain lights, brakes, steering, exhaust system, seat belts, demisters, windshield wipers, washers, and warning systems.
• Ensure lights, indicators, reflectors, and license plates are clean and clear.
• Windshields and windows should be kept clean and free of obstructions.
• Lights must be adjusted correctly to prevent dazzling other drivers.
• Exhaust emissions must not exceed prescribed levels.
• Adjust the seat, seat belt, headrest, and mirrors to ensure comfort and maximum vision.
• Secure all luggage items.
• Understand the meaning of all warning displays.
• Window tinting must comply with Visual Light Transmittance (VLT) standards (except rear windshields and passenger windows).

Pre-Journey Checks

• Ensure a valid driver's license and vehicle insurance.
• Verify vehicle legality and roadworthiness.
• Plan the route.
• Ensure sufficient fuel or charge.
• Familiarity with controls and their functions.
• Suitable clothing and footwear for operating vehicle controls.
• Properly adjusted mirrors and seats for comfort, control, and vision.
• Adjusted head restraints.
• Mobile phone with emergency contacts (breakdown assistance) and high visibility clothing.

Limitations of Technology

• Don't rely solely on reversing sensors or rearward-facing cameras.
• These devices should only be used as an aid.

Banksman Arm Signals

• Arm to the right: reverse to the right.
• Arm to the left: reverse to the left.
• Beckoning: reverse in a straight line.
• Palm raised: stop reversing.
• Enclosing palms: visual gap remaining.

Road Craft - Reversing

• Check and adjust mirrors.
• Scan for hazards and obstructions.
• Ensure sufficient space.
• Plan the maneuver where space and visibility are best.
• Ask for guidance assistance if possible.
• Lower side windows.
• Travel at a slow walking speed, easing the clutch if needed.
• Continuously scan for hazards.
• Be aware of vehicle swing out when turning.
• Stop immediately if uncertain of hazards, especially pedestrians.
• Get out of the vehicle if unsure of hazards behind the vehicle.
• Use indicators or brake lights if reversing lights fail.

Advantages of Reversing Parking

• Vehicle is more maneuverable in reverse.
• Safer to drive out forward than reverse backward.

Head Restraints

• Protect against neck injuries (whiplash) in rear-end collisions.
• Proper alignment with the back of the head is key.
• Ambulance drivers must ensure correct headrest alignment.
• Sudden stops and rapid speed changes increase whiplash risk.

Factors Influencing Poor Driving Standards

• Medical conditions
• Stressful situations
• Operational pressures
• Fatigue
• Traffic situations
• Nighttime driving
• Difficult weather conditions

Stress Coping Strategies

• Emotion-Focused Coping: Self-criticism, potentially impairing driving with distraction and self-focus.
• Confrontive Coping: Mastery through self-assertion or conflict, a dangerous strategy.
• Task-Focussed Coping: Active attempts to change the environment via behavior, such as reducing speed in dangerous conditions; effective strategy.
• Avoidance Coping: Ignoring stress, often through self-distraction and diverting attention from driving; impairs performance.
• Reappraisal Coping: Reapprasing emotional and cognitive reactions; positively impacts driving behavior.

Stress Relief

• Utilize all available mental capacity.
• Employ pre-learned strategies.
• Maintain good general health.
• Learn relaxation techniques.
• Approach driving in a calm and confident manner.
• Share decision-making as a team.
• Separate problems from operational driving.
• Avoid allowing past incidents to impair judgment.
• Put minor errors aside.
• Recognize stress and adjust.

Common Causes of Collisions

• Driver error or reaction (almost 75% of collisions):

  • Failure to look properly.
  • Failure to judge path or speed of others.
  • Loss of control.

• Action based on poor judgment (around 16% of collisions):

  • Excessive speed for conditions.
  • Speed limit violations.
  • Tailgating.
  • Sudden braking.

• Distractions can impair hazard anticipation.

• Consider using passengers to operate in-vehicle technology.

• Be prepared to override technologies such as lane-assist systems to avoid distractions.

Driving Stress for Emergency Services

• Regular exposure to difficult and hazardous situations.
• Operational stressors can overload brain processing during demanding drives, impairing decisions and judgments.
• Training focuses on information processing and problem-solving, improving reaction time and reducing stress effects.
• Personal life stresses can affect driving ability.

Operational Stress for Emergency Services

• Anticipatory stress from facing demanding tasks.
• Adrenaline rush from sudden events that can impair alertness and concentration.
• Task-related stress from traffic, weather, navigation, lack of incident knowledge, time pressure, and risk exposure.
• Stress from exposure to hazards.
• Stress from past distressing incidents impacting judgment and decision-making.
• Preoccupation with previous errors.
• Stress from work factors such as long shifts, peer pressure, and difficult relationships.

Stress-Related Emotions

• Impatience: desire for quick incident arrival.
• Intolerance: believing the importance of the task grants automatic priority over other road users.
• Impulsiveness: rushing decisions due to time constraints.
• Anger or frustration: towards road users hindering progress.
• Personalization: engaging in conflict with others.

Combatting Stress

• Adjust the seat and steering wheel to avoid physical tension.
• Practice stress management techniques.

Test your knowledge of essential vehicle checks including visual inspections, brake testing, and lighting regulations. This quiz will cover important safety procedures to ensure your vehicle is roadworthy. Perfect for drivers looking to enhance their understanding of vehicle maintenance.