11.2.5: Transportation Safety
It is important for Home Health Aides/Personal Care Aides to stay safe while driving to and from their patient’s home. Follow these guidelines for transportation safety.
- Be familiar with the roads and stay aware of surroundings.
- Have directions and a map handy.
- Ensure there is always enough fuel in the car. This helps to prevent unwanted stops in strange areas.
- If using your personal car, ensure it stays in good operating condition. Keep up to date with your annual inspection and keep insurance and registration materials current and in the car.
- Ensure that tires are inflated to the appropriate pressure and obtain vehicle maintenance on a regular basis.
- Know how to drive in inclement weather.
- Drive the appropriate speed limit to prevent accidents and tickets.
- Drive with the car doors locked.
- Never use a cell phone while driving. To avoid other distractions, limit talking and music.
- Always wear a seat belt. Ensure other car occupants wear their seat belt.
- Remember that there should be no children under the age of 12 riding in the front seat.
- All children must wear seat belts in the car.
- Child safety seats must be used with children under 8 years of age. Inspect the child safety seat frequently to ensure it is in good working order. Make sure you know how to use it. If you do not, ask the patient or a supervisor for instructions.
- Never ingest alcohol or drugs prior to or during driving.
1. Which of the following are ways to keep safe while using transportation?
a). Keep distractions to a minimum while driving.
b). Always wear a seatbelt.
c). All children under 8 years of age must use a car seat.
d). Always obey the speed limit.
e). Drive with car doors locked.
f). Never use alcohol or drugs before or while driving.
g). Keep your car in good working order.
h). Always know the route to your destination.
- Answer
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1. All are correct
FEEDBACK:
The Home Health Aide/Personal Care Aide should follow safety precautions while driving to and from work. Keep distractions such as talking and music to a minimum. Never use a phone while driving. Always ensure you and others in the car are wearing a seatbelt. All children under the age of 8 must be in a car seat. Obey the speed limit, keep your car in good working order with a full tank of gas, and drive with the doors locked. Obey the speed limit at all times, never use alcohol or drugs prior to or while driving, and know the route to your destination to avoid stopping in unfamiliar areas.