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Road Rules - Tips for Safe Driving during a club drive
One of the most enjoyable
aspects of belonging to our BMW Car Club is driving together
in a group or caravan. The following is a simple set of Rules
and Guidelines that will ENSURE a FUN and SAFE TOUR.
Remember the basics - Vision and Control
It is important on a group drive to keep your vision up and ahead. It is all too easy to end up just watching the car in front of you instead of looking ahead to see where the road is going and what lies ahead in traffic.
A caravan of just 20 BMW's can stretch over 1-2 miles of highway. If the group is too large, divide into 2 or more groups of 10 or less if possible, each with a Head or Lead BMW (Engine) and a Tail (Sweep or Caboose) that have CB radios. All other cars with CBs should be interspersed within the group. At no time should any BMW pass the whole group to reposition to a forward position. This is a caravan NOT a RACE to see who can drive the fastest.
The group will travel in the middle lane or the RIGHT lane
on a freeway or highway so as not to obstruct the flow of traffic.
Use the 3-SECOND RULE to maintain adequate separation and the 4-SECOND RULE when conditions indicate caution. For the 3-SECOND RULE, note a point on the road ahead. When the car in front of you passes it, begin counting "one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three." If you are maintaining a good interval, you will pass the same point on or after you say "three" and "four" when the going gets tough.
Drive with your RUNNING LIGHTS on for safety and identification.
When traveling though congested areas, parts of the group
may become separated. The Lead BMW, through radio communication,
can elect to slow down to let the group catch up, use the BREADCRUMB
technique where the last car in the main group stops and waits
for the trailing group to reach that point, or stop and pull
off the road to regroup.
To REGROUP, the Lead BMW will look for a shoulder space with
adequate clearance for the entire group to pull over. As you
come to a stop, TURN YOUR WHEELS toward the road. DO NOT turn
off your motor or get out of the car. When the Lead and Tail
decide the road is clear, the last BMW will pull out and BLOCK
and the group will pull onto the roadway at the SAME TIME. This
is why you turn your wheels TOWARD the road when you stop.
When parking in business parking lots, pull to the FARTHEST
open spot and park HEAD IN in order to get the caravan safely
off the highway.
Safety First
It is very difficult to keep a caravan together in heavy traffic, congested areas, and on major highways. Plan to regroup when that part of the trip is over. Most drives are planned with re-grouping stops along the route.
Be aware of the NO ZONE, the large areas of restricted visibility
around large trucks, semi-tractor trailers and buses.
Pass only when legal and safe. Do not pass on double yellow
lines or curves.
If a member of the group wants to pass you - let them, however passing within the club group of cars should not be necessary and is not recommended.
Speed
Stay within the posted speed limits. Our trips are planned to be driven and enjoyed at posted legal speed limits. There is no need to rush or speed to keep up with the lead car or cars ahead of you if you get separated in traffic.
The Lead BMW will set the pace for the caravan but it is each drivers responsibility to keep the BMW behind him or her in sight.
Radios
Use of a CB radio is helpful in maitaining contact in the driving group. This keeps you in touch with the lead car and is a fun way to communicate during the drive. Always be careful using a CB Radio while driving, don't let the radio be a distraction to you while driving.
The Club generally uses CH 2 for communication. If you want
to chat, go to channel 10, for example.
General Guidelines
Use common sense, be COURTEOUS and follow the law.
Arrive at the starting point on time, with a full tank of gas.
Be ready to leave on time. Listen carefully at the Drivers Meeting to the description of the route and safety precautions.
Advise the Event Coordinator if you are going to meet the
group along the route or leave before the end of the tour.
Always drive within your personal limitations. You will be
provided with directions, rest stops and destinations, should
you have to leave the group.
If you need to pull over and do not have a radio, do so and
turn on your flashers, the Tail or Sweep BMW will stop behind
you.
Tips for the Day of the Event
The Event Coordinator is most often, but not always, the Lead
BMW.
Hand out written driving directions, make sure each driver and passenger signs an insurance waiver if applicable, and have a short Drivers Meeting to explain the route and go over safety precautions.
If there are more than 20 cars on the event, try and break up into two or more groups.
Have one or more additional drivers know the route.
Allow for frequent rest stops and avoid rest areas or stops
which require the caravan to cross oncoming traffic. Be aware
of changing weather and road conditions and provide for extra
stops if necessary.
The Tail or Sweep BMW must stay in frequent contact with the
Lead BMW in congested areas and let the Lead know when all cars
have cleared a controlled intersection, as well as advise the
Lead if the pace is too fast or too slow.
Do no pass a BMW that has pulled over unless they have told
you they are dropping out or wave you by.
Be courteous, respectful, and most of all, have a good, SAFE, time.
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