VEHICLE SAFETY AND SECURITY

Driving is still one of the most dangerous things we do…

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Every year, colleagues are injured in killed in avoidable road accidents. More that 50% of all IFRC security incidents are vehicle related and the most serious are caused by:

  • Speeding.

  • Failing to adapt driving to the road conditions.

  • Driver fatigue

  • Not wearing seat belts.

We also injure and kill other road users in accidents every year! We need your active involvement to help prevent avoidable accidents.

Your Responsibility

As a member of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, it’s your duty to drive responsibly. If you’re not driving, you still have a duty to “be an active passenger” and help the driver to spot risks and to drive safely. Safe driving is a team effort!

General Guidelines for Safe Driving.

Every organisation has its own vehicle and driving rules but here are some general guidelines (IFRC specific rules are listed further below).

BEFORE USING A VEHICLE

  • Plan ahead and know the route and the risks be along the way.

  • Don’t drive unless you are authorised and trained. Field missions usually require additional driving skills. Check that the driver has been trained.

  • Check the vehicle is in good conditions and equipped with safety equipment.

  • Know the accident and incident procedures.

  • Know how to use the back-up communications equipment in the vehicle (or carried by your colleague) in case it falls on you to call for help.

  • Check that the vehicle documents/permits are in order.

  • Store gear in the vehicle correctly so that it does not fly around and injure passengers during an accident.

  • Before getting into your vehicle, look inside first to make sure no one is hiding in the back seat.

WHILE DRIVING

  • Always use a seatbelt

  • Drive at a safe speed and distance.

  • Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

  • Don’t use your mobile.

  • Respect the driving laws.

  • Stay on safe, well-travelled, populated, well-lit roads and avoid dangerous areas.

  • If you’re a passenger, help the driver spot risks and navigate. Make sure the driver takes breaks.

  • If possible, do not travel alone. There is safety in numbers. Generally, criminals are looking for easy and single targets.

  • Avoid vehicle travel at night and rush hour.

  • Don’t activate the door child safety locks. Passengers must be able to exit the vehicle in an emergency.

  • Depart on time to avoid having to rush back.

WHEN PARKING

  • At night, park in a safe and well-lit area. The theft of a identifiable vehicle with radio equipment is a serious security risk.

  • Always lock the vehicle, even during short stops.

  • Do not park on the street if you have access to a secure parking area.

  • Park with the front of the vehicle facing exits.

  • Park with enough space between vehicle to allow quick exit.

  • Do not park vehicles near places that can give a bad impression of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, e.g., nightclubs, etc.

Guidelines for Higher-Risk Areas

Before you drive in a new area, check the office/area Security Regulations for area-specific rules and advice to mitigate driving risks. Here are guidelines that apply to many higher-risk areas we work in:

  • Map the area and find out how the risks, the safest routes and the areas to avoid.

  • When entering high risk areas, concentrate on the driving and listen. Do not talk to passengers, listen to the radio or daydream.

  • Stay on well-travelled, populated, well-lit roads and avoid dangerous areas.

  • Avoid traffic jams which might be frequented  by criminals for robbery.

  • Get in the habit of keeping your windows closed and your doors locked while driving.

  • Keep valuables out of sight such as computer or phone on the dashboard or on top of the seat.

  • Maintain space with the vehicle in front so that you can manoeuvre past it

  • When approaching a red light, slow down well ahead of time to reduce the amount of time you are stopped. 

  • Avoid patterns like driving the same route every day and at the same time.

  • Be alert when approaching or departing from your residence as this is often a favourite place for criminals and kidnappers to strike.

  • Be prepared to drive away, sounding the horn and drawing attention to your vehicle if you are threatened or attacked.

  • Think twice before deciding to offer assistance to what may appear to be a stranded motorist, regardless of gender, and do not pick up any hitchhikers.

  • If you are the victim of a carjacking, give up everything but your life.

  • Follow instructions at checkpoints and remain in the vehicle unless told otherwise

Guidelines In Case of Accident

  • Prevent Further Accidents

    • If necessary, get off the road and put up your emergency triangle or other available object to warn others. 

    • Inform (radio/phone) your team at base about the accident and location.

    • Assist the injured, if any, and remain in control: stay calm and do not panic.

  • At the Scene

    • Confirm that assistance is on the way through and that the responders have the basic information.  (who, when, where, what, future intentions or needs)

    • If you are involved in the accident, If possible, contact the nearest police station to try to get a police report of the accident for insurance purposes.

    • Avoid signing any papers without taking legal advice, especially regarding the admission of fault or responsibility. 

  • Before Leaving the Scene

    • Do not make any agreement with the other party to pay any compensation without consulting security and legal colleagues.

    • If the vehicle has to be abandoned, remove antennas, radios, flag and stickers, if possible.

  • Protective Measures

    • In the unlikely event that an accident creates a situation that endangers your life (lynch mob, angry or violent crowd),  try to leave the area as soon as possible. 

    • Attempt to leave only if you are 100 percent sure that you can get away. If not, explain who you are and what the Red Cross Red Crescent is doing for the benefit of the local community; appeal to the crowd.

IFRC Rules

The following rules apply to you if you’re working for IFRC or for a RC/RC partner integrated into IFRC operations.

The following rules are derived from the IFRC Fleet Manual. Bear in mind that additional rules may be outlined in the local Security Regulations, so check before you start driving.

Drivers rules

  • Local drivers must be used when travelling outside towns (except in case of emergency). Delegates should avoid driving themselves inside towns.

  • Drivers must be Federation employees (not accompanying family members).

  • Drivers must read and sign the ‘rules and regulations for drivers.

  • Drivers must undertake and pass a driving ability test conducted by an approved person.

  • Drivers must have a valid international driving licence.

  • Drivers must not have any prior drink-driving convictions.

  • Drinking are prohibited from driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

  • Drivers must have written authority from the head of delegation.

  • Drivers must enforce the seatbelt policy for passengers.

  • Drivers must respect local driving laws and regulations.

Passenger Rules

  • Passenger must be identifiable members of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (International Federation, ICRC, National Society staff and volunteers).

  • Passengers must wear seat belts, including in back seats. Seats without a seat belt must not be used.

  • Passengers that are working humanitarian agencies and dependants are allowed but only with written authorization from the country representative,

  • In an emergency, wounded or injured people can be transported based on need – including soldiers. However, remember to enforce the ‘No arms’ policy and ensure they keep their uniform on as stipulated in the Geneva Conventions.

Vehicle Rules

  • Vehicles must not be driven outside urban areas at night (after darkness falls).

  • Vehicles must be clearly identified in accordance with the IFRC Fleet Manual. The red cross or red crescent flag must only be used in accordance with the instructions of the head of delegation. In cases of emergency at night, the flag should be lit with a spotlight.

  • Arms and military equipment of any kind must never be carried in IFRC vehicles

  • Letters, documents and cargo that are not related to official IFRC business must not be carried in IFRC vehicles

  • The red cross or red crescent flag must only be used in accordance with the instructions of the head of delegation. In cases of emergency at night, the flag should be lit with a spotlight.

The IFRC’s Commitment to Road Safety

Road crash injury is a major but neglected global public health issue. Over 1.3 million people are killed and 50 million more are injured on roads each year. The IFRC was one of the first organizations to ring the alarm bell on this global safety crisis and now serves as the Host of the the Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP) whose purpose is to create and support “partnerships that are engaged with front-line good practice road safety interventions in countries and communities throughout the world”.