CHAPTER 5
RULES OF THE ROAD
Operators of Navy vehicles are expected to practice
“courtesy on the road” at all times toward other drivers
as well as toward pedestrians. Courtesy distinguishes
the efficient and safe driver from a poor driver. The
driver who practices courtesy on the road is helping
prevent mishaps with other vehicles and injuries to
pedestrians. Road courtesies are part of the basic “rules
of the road” that include procedures for driving under
normal, hazardous, and special conditions.
Any information in this chapter is not to be
construed as nullifying or superseding regulations or
laws of another country, state, or municipal authority.
For more information, see your license examiner or the
Navy Driver’s Handbook, NAVFAC MO-403; Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Regulations Pocketbook,
ORS-7A; and local instructions.
DEFENSIVE DRIVING
You have probably seen many examples of
discourtesy on the road. Common traits often displayed
by discourteous drivers include the following:
impatience, road hogging, and excessive speed. A
person with such characteristics may be knowledgeable
about driving, but it takes more than knowledge when
SAFETY is a concern. To achieve a good safety record,
you must be a “defensive driver” at all times.
A defensive driver makes allowance for lack of skill
and experience by other drivers and also learns to
recognize mishap-producing situations far enough in
advance to avoid them. The defensive driver yields to
other drivers and yields the right-of-way, rather than risk
a mishap. Defensive drivers understand their
responsibilities and show proper respect for driving
regulations and the rights of others.
As a professional Equipment Operator (EO), you
should demonstrate a businesslike and courteous
attitude, alert posture, and skilled performance when
behind the wheel. You should handle the vehicle
controls easily and smoothly and always be aware of the
position of your vehicle in relation to other traffic. If you
keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead and obey
the traffic control signals of the individual directing
traffic, you will not have to abuse the brakes on your
vehicle. You should always keep your vehicle in the
proper lane, signal right and left turns in advance, and
rarely have to make sudden stops.
AVOIDING REAR-END COLLISIONS
Most of the areas you will work in are considered
industrial. In these areas, traffic is heavy most of the
time. The size of the vehicles, combined with congestion
of traffic, results in frequent rear-end collisions. Here
are some precautions you can take to avoid rear-ending
someone:
. Be sure you have enough room to stop at traffic
control points.
. Keep enough distance between you and the
vehicle in front of you at stops so that you can
see their brake lights and taillights.
. Watch the movement of vehicles that are two and
three vehicles ahead of you.
Precautions you can take to avoid someone rear-
ending you are as follows:
l
l
l
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Ensure your brake and turn signals work
properly.
Use your mirrors and be alert to what is
happening behind you.
Do not stop suddenly if
Signal well in advance
and turns.
you can avoid it.
for stops, lane changes,
Drive with the flow of traffic. Driving too slow
can be as dangerous as driving too fast.
SPEED LIMITS
Speed is the cause of many mishaps. To avoid being
fined or involved in an mishap, obey the speed limits.
NOTE: Speed limits indicate how fast you may
drive under good conditions. Several statutes are in the
law books covering speed limits; however, you are
responsible for adjusting your speed to weather and road
conditions.
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