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393W DRIVERSMN Interstate

Review the state fleet policy and procedure manual and other information at Transportation Services.

We will be relying on some of you to assist with the driving, and we have done so on numerous past trips with exemplary motor conduct.  However, it is likely that you will encounter some driving conditions outside your previous experience during this trip; therefore, you must be aware and compliant with my strict driving policies below.  I usually position my vehicle behind University vans, so drivers are under my constant observation.

I will personally and immediately remove any driver who breaches my rules. Even the most momentary lapse of road safety can turn a wonderful field experience into a lifelong regret for every person on this trip.  I have zero tolerance for any driver thoughtlessly imposing this prospect onto the rest of the expedition party.   

Don't try me; I will give NO "second chances".

ALL PROSPECTIVE DRIVERS MUST MEET WITH ME ON THE EXTRA BRIEFING DATE (F30DEC07 1PM in SCIENCE B347).  NON-ATTENDANCE = NO DRIVING.

As the person signing out these vehicles, my standards  are non-negotiable.   Comply, or please just ride.

N. C. Heywood [and I am not kidding]   [BACK]

Driver Certification/Conduct

  • Nobody else drives your vehicle.   That means that nobody, including passengers who may offer all kinds of advice, can relieve you of YOUR responsibility for YOUR driving performance.  Regardless of how vociferous your passengers' suggestions, remember that we selected you because we respect YOUR judgment and maturity.  Although sometimes hard, you must stand firm on YOUR decisions even when peer pressure seems overwhelming.  YOU are the captain of your car; YOU have obligation to get everyone home safely.

  • You may NOT drive any UWSP vehicle unless you have a valid driving license on your person.

  • You may not borrow any faculty member's PRIVATE vehicle,  even though this will not be a passenger van.  You have no insurance for faculty vehicles.

  • You may not drive any vehicle at any time on this trip if you have ANY moving infractions during the past twelve months.  I will check on your record.

  • Always err on the side of caution.  Do not try to "run the risk" for anything, no matter how urgent you think the situation.  If I ever believe that you are taking excessive risk (and I am the sole judge on the road), you will drive no more for us.  The abrupt termination of skid marks in the photo below are all that remain of people who thought their car could beat a train; they hit its 128th car, and died there.

Railroad Death

  • If at any time I have reason to believe that you are driving under impaired ability (alcohol, hangover, injury, indigestion, medication, emotional stress, etc.) I will remove you from the driver pool until I am satisfied that you are back to safe functionality.  These standards are mine alone to judge.

  • ALL passengers at ALL times when a vehicle is moving WILL wear safety restraints.  As the driver, remember that YOU personally are liable, and that the University will NOT pay your seatbelt citations.

  • There is NO smoking whatsoever permitted in any University vehicle.  All vehicle occupants also must remove and properly dispose of trash at each stop.

  • Drivers must immediately provide all fuel and maintenance receipts to the trip faculty.  You must report any apparent vehicle defect immediately.   Please check the oil and radiator fluid each day.

  • Headlights must be ON anytime the vehicle is moving, day or night.

  • I REQUIRE that you keep an FRS radio on for the designated channel at all times while the vehicles are in transit.  I often call directions on short notice.

  • The obvious:  you WILL comply with ALL posted speed limits and traffic regulations.  The University will NOT pay for any of your traffic citations.  This includes any parking infractions.  [BACK]

Mountain Driving

Most of you have little experience driving in mountains.  There are different rules of the road here, and you must conform with them lest you endanger others who expect that you know them.  We're not in Wisconsin anymore, Toto.  Ignorance will not excuse you in a mishap.

You know of the "three second rule" from the Wisconsin Driving Manual.  What you may not know (but MUST comply with) is the mountain rule of 5 (FIVE) seconds that must elapse between the vehicle in front of you and your own vehicle passing any fixed point along a highway during the day, and 10 (TEN) seconds at night.  This is law in several western states.   "Tailgating" (not the brats & burgers kind) is the #1 cause of mountain state driving accidents, and "following too close" is a virtually unbeatable traffic charge.   BACK OFF, AND MAINTAIN PROPER DISTANCE!  Again, the University will NOT pay for your citations.  [Be forewarned--I am extremely hard-nosed AND A stickler about thIS "MAINTAIN DISTANCE" Rule.] Don't cross me.

In most mountain states the law is that "Downhill has right-of-way"; i.e., if a downbound truck, motorhome, or even a bicycle is swinging into your lane, YOU must move aside if you are traveling uphill.

You must always park "rear-in" in the backcountry.  Should an emergency departure (wildfire, flash flood, etc.) become necessary, this facilitates an orderly and safe exit.   Even for non-emergency departures, this better enables visual control, and will also facilitate "jump-start" access should this become necessary.

Flash floods and avalanches are not just academic topics; if you have warning or suspicion that either of these lethal threats may occur (especially at a canyon bottom), abandon the vehicle and marshal your passengers immediately UP THE SIDES of the canyon/valley.  NEVER try to outrun floodwaters or avalanches by moving downvalley!  You may die; 141 visitors did, at Big Thompson Canyon in 1976.  Also, be alert for quicksand near watercourses; it won't suck you in [forget the Tarzan movies], but it will provide hours of extrication "fun" with mired vehicles; stay on the roads!

Flash Flood warning

Weather changes rapidly in the high country and arid lands.  Be prepared to slow down regardless of forecasts.  Blowing snow and "ground blizzards", even in blue sky conditions, are extremely dangerous driving.  Additionally, blowing dust (below) and blowing steam/fog (near warm watercourses in winter) can impose sudden and severe visibility reductions.  Slow way down, put on the blinkers, but DO NOT STOP in the highway lanes.

road dust

Following rains in dry country it is pretty common for lighter-than-water oils to coat the road surfaces, making them much slicker than usual.  SLOW DOWN by at least 20 mph from legal speeds when you encounter fresh rain surfaces, and use blinkers.  Report such conditions via radio to all vehicles behind you in our convoy.

Vehicles do not like arid lands much, and such land will throw strikes just when you need vehicles most.  Keep radio communications up at all times while in transit.  Also ensure that you have extra coolant at all times, and be extra careful to avoid high or sharp rocks in the roadway.  We should always travel in company, so if  your last tire blows or the radiator loses fluid, GET ON THAT RADIO to advise the rest of us.  Make sure you check the radiator, tire pressure, lights, oil level, and battery charge EVERY time you start.  Please!

Much of this trip will be in open range.  This means that livestock are not behind fences, and may well wander across roads.  Hitting a Wisconsin whitetail is nothing compared to what will happen if you hit a whiteface Hereford (or the subsequent amusement when you face its owner).  Be alert also for bighorn, pronghorn, burros, mustangs, coyotes, black bear, or such smaller domestic stock as sheep or goats.  Loose poultry can set you back a radiator, and from first-hand experience I can tell you that grasshoppers, hay chafe, and cab-sized tumbleweed are also dangerous.

open range sign

[BACK]

Desert Driving

The rules I impose for mountain driving remain largely applicable to arid lands, albeit for different reasons.  Foremost is MAINTAIN YOUR DISTANCE.  That "three second rule" from the Wisconsin Driving Manual is inadequate; the desert rule is 5 (FIVE) seconds must elapse between the vehicle in front of you and your own vehicle passing any fixed point along a highway during the day, and 10 (TEN) seconds at night.  Dust or livestock may suddenly obstruct you, and either can wreck you.

I will relieve you of driving privileges IMMEDIATELY if you do not maintain 5-second distance at all times.  I am extremely intolerant of following too close.  'Nuff said.

The desert is prone to clouding, even on the clearest day.  Clouds will obscure the road--and pavement too, after the dust settles.  That dust can also damage your engine by abrasion.  It is better to wait a few hours to let dust clear than to do a headlight-plow through.  WAIT!

The vehicles we shall use have reasonably high clearance (~ 20 cm), but we will be taking them across some very rocky roads carrying full loads.  Whenever possible I shall lead with a light truck, but all van drivers must also be alert for potential grounding and side-cut risks.  We will incur long unnecessary delays and expenses if carelessness results in slow towing out.

All vehicles require coolant.  In dry hilly country they may use much quickly.  YOU MUST CHECK COOLANT DAILY!  Further, you must ensure that there is at least a full bottled gallon with you at all times.  Water alone is at best an emergency measure, and an insufficient one, that may halt the entire party for expensive repairs.

Heat will a major problem, despite it being January.   Check the oil and radiator EVERY driving day.  If the vehicle electronics seem quirky, advise the instructors immediately.  Leave one window "cracked" to relieve air pressure.  Place shading screens over the dash (but not battery rechargers) each morning.

Check tire condition and pressure daily.  These roads are prone to flash floods, and they have many cutting edges; the rocky terrain assures this.  If you are running on spare tires you must advise and remind the instructors.  

You also must NEVER attempt to cross flooded roadways (yes, even in deserts!).  We can, and must, wait.

Heywood [email] maintains this page, last updated 23NOV07.   We monitor our cell phone from 6 to 8 PM CST when in range.  That number is (715) 459-8181.