I40

I.40 VEHICLE SAFETY Page 1 of 1 #15//09 San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Detention Services Bureau – Manual of Policies and Procedures PURPOSE To establish Detention Services Bureau (DSB) safety guidelines for the use of a " rear observer" when operating department vehicles. POLICY Whenever possible, a ll Sheriff's department e mployees operating d epartment vehicles in reverse shall use a " rear observer". The r ear observer shall be in a position to control traffic and assist the driver in avoiding accidents . PROCEDURES I. DRIVER A. Whenever possible, the driver of a county vehicle shall utilize a r ear observer when backing . B. When using a r ear observer both the driver and the rear o bserver shall make sure there is a good line of communication between the two positions. A good line of communication is where the driver and rear observer maintain sight of the other and through mutual understanding agrees on specific hand signals to be used during the backing procedure. C. In the event the driver of the vehicle does not understand what the r ear observer is trying to convey with the hand signals , the backing procedure shall be stopped until the signals are clarified and are understood. II. REAR OBSERVER This position becomes extra eyes and ears for the driver. While the vehicle is being backed, the rear observer sh all monitor the area around the rear of the vehicle. The r ear observer should keep a close watch for other vehicles and persons moving around while the vehicle is in motion. The rear observer should be ready to give the signal to stop if any pedestrian, vehicle or other obstacle moves or is in the vehicle's path of travel . In the event the driver is not watching the r ear observer and an emergency situation occurs , the rear observer shall get the driver 's attention by voice or by slapping the side of the vehicle with an open hand to regain the driver’s attention.DATE: DECEM BER 4, 2015 NUMBER: I.40 SUBJECT: VEHICLE SAFETY RELATED SECTIONS: I.5, I.57 and SDSD P&P 5.4