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Metro Vanpool has an impressive safety record because of the quality of our volunteer drivers. Driving your vehicle safely is an important responsibility, and adhering to the following safety guidelines will help you adjust to safely driving a Metro vehicle.
Safe operation of the vehicle is important to preventing injury and keeping costs and fares low for everyone.
Most collisions happen during the morning and evening commutes. The top causes are colliding with fixed objects (such as parking garages, trees, or poles), hitting parked cars and rear-ending other vehicles. Slow down and give yourself extra time and space to respond to changing conditions during your commute. Follow the additional best practices in this section for safe driving.
Always remember
Always remember
As a driver, it is your responsibility to operate your vehicle as safely as possible for the welfare of you, your group, the community, and the Metro Vanpool program.
Be alert, stay in control and anticipate changes
Be alert, stay in control and anticipate changes
Distracted driving is unlawful in Washington State. Avoid activities that can distract you and interfere with the safe operation of the vehicle such as cellphone use, eating, and drinking. If you ever feel distracted, upset, ill or tired, ask your backup driver to take over.
Knowing what is going on around you and making sure other drivers are aware of you is an important part of defensive driving. Scan all mirrors on a regular basis to see what is happening to the sides and rear of your vehicle. This will help you anticipate and avoid dangerous situations.
Following and stopping distance
Following and stopping distance
Establish and maintain a cushion of space around your vehicle so you will have room to avoid danger, if needed. Scan your mirrors and be alert to changing traffic conditions around you.
Use a 3- to 4-second following distance and do not tailgate the vehicle in front of you. Increase this distance during adverse weather or on rough roads.
If the vehicle behind is tailgating you, increase the room in front of your vehicle so you can brake smoothly and slowly.
Be prepared to stop when approaching intersections where the light has been green for a while. Always look both ways before proceeding into the intersection.
Watch for people walking and biking and allow at least the required 3 feet of space when passing. Be especially aware around schools, parks, playgrounds, youth, and children. Observe reduced speed requirements in school and construction zones.
Safe lane changes
Safe lane changes
Use your turn signal every time you make a lane change. Check your blind spots before changing lanes or merging.
Maneuvering and vehicle clearances
Maneuvering and vehicle clearances
Larger vehicles handle differently than smaller ones. As collisions with fixed objects such as a tree or pole account for a large amount of body damage to vehicles, use extra caution when moving in traffic and parking areas. Remember these additional considerations:
When cornering, reduce your speed and make a wider turn by starting the turn farther forward in the intersection.
Full-size vehicles (12 to 15 passengers) require 7 feet, 3 inches of overhead clearance, and smaller vehicles (5 to 7 passengers) require 6 feet, 4 inches overhead clearance. If roadway or garage height clearances do not meet those requirements, do not enter. Avoid entrances with no posted height clearances.
Use spotters
Use spotters
Things are often closer than they appear. A spotter is a rider who is sitting in the front passenger seat or in a rear corner seat. They can help you see what is in your blind spots.
Use spotters as necessary but especially to check your clearances when backing up and parking in confined areas or parking garages.
Follow state law—click-it or ticket!
Follow state law—click-it or ticket!
Do not drive your vehicle until you and all riders have your seatbelts fastened.
Parking the vehicle
Parking the vehicle
Pull completely out of traffic so you are not blocking any other vehicles, place the vehicle in park, and apply the parking brake. When parking at the end of your trip, ensure you are in an authorized parking location and remember the following tips:
Always lock your vehicle
Close all windows
Turn off electrical accessories, especially reading lights
Remove all valuables
Never leave the fuel card or spare keys with the vehicle
Authorized parking locations
Authorized parking locations
Vanpool
Metro vehicles are required to be parked off street at a driver’s home overnight to protect them from damage. Parking exceptions may be granted to drivers who do not have off-street parking.
Vanshare
Metro vehicles must be parked in the designated origin associated with the group’s approved route.
Adding a bike rack to the vehicle
Adding a bike rack to the vehicle
More and more commuters are combining bicycling and vanpooling. Metro has a supply of bike racks that may be provided, upon group request and availability.
It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure the bike rack is properly installed and secured to the vehicle according to the manufacturer instructions. Contact us if you have a bike rack with any missing parts or to return the rack.
Bike rack requirements
Bike rack requirements
When in use, it is the driver and bicycle owner’s responsibility to ensure the bike is mounted and secured according to the manufacturer instructions.
Only Metro-approved bike racks are allowed on program vehicles.
Manufacturer instructions must be followed for installation of the bike rack with secure hitch pin (locking or non-locking).
Only manufacturer straps (nylon or rubber) are to be used to secure bicycles to the bike rack.
Bike racks must be removed before going through a car wash.
Electric bicycles must not be placed on the provided rack.
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