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vehicle. Children should not be allowed to operate the
vehicle. Anyone who operates the vehicle should have
a motor vehicle license.
If you are not experienced at driving the vehicle,
practice driving it in a safe area away from other
people. Be sure you are familiar with all the vehicle's
controls, particularly those used for braking, steering
and transmission shifting. Learn how your vehicle
handles on different surfaces. Your operating skills
will improve with experience, but as in operating any
vehicle, take it easy as you begin. Be sure you know
how to stop quickly in an emergency. If you need help,
ask your supervisor for assistance.
Many factors contribute to accidents. You have control
over several of the most important. Your actions, such
as driving too fast for conditions, braking too fast,
turning too sharp, and combinations of these, are
frequent cause of accidents.
One of the major causes of accidents is fatigue. Be
sure to take occasional breaks. It is very important that
you stay alert at all times.
Never operate the vehicle, or any equipment, if you are
under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Even
prescription drugs and cold medicines can cause
drowsiness. Read the label on the medicine or check
with your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure about
a certain medication.
One of the most important rules to follow is to go
slower in unfamiliar areas. It is surprising how much
damage and injury common things can cause. Tree
branches, fences, wires, other vehicles, tree stumps,
ditches, sand traps, streams, and other things found in
most parks and golf courses can be hazardous to the
operator and passenger.
Avoid driving when it is dark, especially in unfamiliar
areas. If you must drive when it is dark, be sure to
drive cautiously, use the head lights, and even consider
adding additional lights.
Passengers
Whenever you have a passenger riding in the vehicle
make sure he or she is holding on securely. Drive
slower and turn less sharply because your passenger
does not know what you are going to do next and may
not be prepared for turning, stopping, accelerating, and
bumps.
You and your passenger should remain seated at all
times, keeping arms and legs inside the vehicle. The
operator should keep both hands on steering wheel,
whenever possible and passenger should use hand
holds provided.
There should never be passengers in the dump box or
on any attachments. The vehicle is meant to have one
driver and only one passenger-no more.
Speed
Speed is one of the most important variables leading to
accidents. Driving too fast for the conditions can cause
you to lose control and have an accident. Speed can
also make a minor accident worse. Driving head-on
into a tree at slow speed can cause injury and damage,
but, driving into a tree at high speed can destroy the
vehicle and kill you and your passenger.
Never drive too fast for the conditions. If there is any
doubt about how fast to drive, slow down.
When using heavy attachments (more than 373 kg),
such as sprayers, top dressers, or spreaders, etc.,
operating speeds should be restricted by moving 3rd
high lockout switch to the slow position.
Turning
Turning is another important variable leading to
accidents. Turning too sharply for the conditions can
cause the vehicle to lose traction and skid, or even tip
over.
Wet, sandy and slippery surfaces make turning more
difficult and risky. The faster you are going, the worse
this situation becomes so, slow down before turning.
During a sharp turn at higher speeds, the inside rear
wheel may lift off of the ground. This is not a flaw in
the design, it happens with most four wheel vehicles
including passenger cars. If this happens, you are
turning too sharply for the speed at which you are
traveling. Slow down!
Braking
It is good practice to slow down before you get near an
obstacle. This gives you extra time to stop or turn
away. Hitting an obstacle can damage the vehicle and
its contents. More important, it can injure you and
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