Memorandum for Hawaii Wing, All Units
HEADQUARTERS HAWAII WING
CIVIL AIR PATROL
UNITED STATES AIRFORCE AUXILIARY
419 Lela ST
Honolulu HI 96818
(808) 836-3417
FAX (808) 834-6595
03 JANUARY 2017
MEMORANDUM FOR HAWAII WING, ALL UNITS
Replaces HIWG memorandum dated 06 September 16
SUBJECT: MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY
BACKGROUND: A survey of Civil Air Patrol mishaps involving motor vehicles indicates that many of these mishaps occur while backing or maneuvering. While this type of mishap seldom results in personal injury, property damage is usually incurred.
Civil Air Patrol has mandated and equipped all corporate motor vehicles with back up horns but these are of little value to inanimate objects that cannot move out of the way of a backing vehicle.
Drivers of CAP vehicles possess a wide scope of driving ability and experience ranging from teenage drivers to drivers of large over the road type commercial vehicles. As such, the lowest common denominator of skill and experience must set the standard for safe operations. Some degree of applied safety can be borrowed from some of the commercial operators of fleet vehicles.
These applications include:
Required guide personnel when backing or maneuvering.
Placement of safety cones at front and rear of vehicle after parking vehicle IF AVAILABLE.
Backing vehicles into parking spaces so that a clear field of egress is available for departure.
Vehicle walk around before all departures or movement.
Operational movement of CAP vehicles usually involves passengers that remain seated as the driver backs or maneuvers the vehicle. These same personnel can and must be utilized as guides for the driver, just as aircraft are guided by flightline crews, to prevent damage.
It has been observed that some vehicles in Hawaii Wing carry traffic safety cones for placement at front and rear of the vehicle, but they are seldom used.
Backing a vehicle into a parking space whenever legal and practicable allows the driver to depart the space with an unobstructed view and affords the driver to ascertain if the
parking environment has changed since the vehicle was parked. It also eliminates the possibility if backing into another vehicle that is also backing out of a conflicting space.
MEMORANDUM CONTENT
All personnel HIWG, when operating any motor vehicle will maintain maximum diligence and regard for the safe operation of that motor vehicle by ensuring that all provisions of state vehicle codes and Civil Air Patrol regulations are met. Additionally, drivers will adhere to the following items whenever backing or maneuvering a vehicle is attempted.
1. Whenever any CAP personnel is present besides the driver, either in the vehicle or close by, guidance will be obtained from outside the vehicle for the safe backing and clearance from obstructions. The guides for the vehicle will at all times maintain safe clearance with the path of the vehicle for personal safety, and remain in visual contact with the driver.
2. Whenever possible, vehicles will be backed into parking spaces to afford easy and clear departure.
3. The driver will walk completely around the vehicle, observing all obstructions or other hazards, prior to entering the vehicle for departure.
4. Safety vehicle decals (“CHECK 6”) will be supplied to all Corporate Owned Vehicles(COV) operated in HIWG..
These decals will be applied to the center of the steering wheel whenever possible, or dash panel or any other place that will afford the driver of the vehicle full view when seated at the driving position of the vehicle. These decals are to remind the driver of the provisions set forth by item # 3 of this policy letter.
5. None of these provisions will apply whenever in opposition to local, state or highway codes statutes or ordinances.
6. Whenever a vehicle mishap occurs that would involve the provisions of this policy, each item (1 through 4) must be addressed in the filing of a CAP MISHAP REPORT.
7. As with any directive, not all scenarios can always be accurately projected. Common sense should prevail if and when this policy should be deviated from.
This memorandum will remain effective until officially rescinded.
FOR THE COMMANDER
WALLY JAYNES, Lt Col, CAP
Director of Safety
Hawaii Wing