Radio Procedures
DRIVE DEFENSIVELY – ROADS ARE RADIO-ASSISTED, NOT RADIO-CONTROLLED
KNOWN HAZARDS
- Losing track of your location
- Losing track of other vehicles location
- Not following calling procedures
- Unnecessary radio chatter
- Meeting oncoming vehicle without a radio
- Using the wrong frequency
- Walking over other calls
- Being distracted
- Call order is ROAD NAME, KM, DIRECTION (up or down) AND VEHICLE TYPE.
- UP” is defined as increasing km numbers; “DOWN” is defined as decreasing km numbers.
- Where a radio frequency is posted on a forest road and unless, a sign indicates otherwise, radio users call:
- When entering a new road system
- At posted “must call” signs
- Every 2 kilometres or every kilometre when inbound or adjoining traffic is approaching within 5 kilometres
- Every 3-5 kilometres if no oncoming traffic
- Whenever there is a road frequency/channel change, or when leaving a road
- Whenever you are stopping and parking on the road, and again when you resume
- Let others know when you encounter a vehicle traveling without a radio (i.e. “No radio”, road name, km, direction)
- Anticipate oncoming traffic
- Convoy calling:
- The lead vehicle is responsible for calling for all vehicles in the convoy (and number of vehicles).
- It is the responsibility of the vehicle joining or leaving the convoy to inform and to receive confirmation from the lead vehicle.
- Convoys can be no more than 1 km long.
- A vehicle more than 1 km behind the lead vehicle is no longer part of that convoy and must call their own position.
- Never pass any vehicle without notifying them on the radio and receiving the “OKAY”. The lead vehicle is responsible for slowing down, providing room and advising the passing vehicle when it is safe to pass.
- Avoid distractions while monitoring the road channel:
- Radio use is restricted to calling kilometres and important messages.
- Avoid noise distractions i.e. AM/FM radios, phones, music players, passengers.
- Stay on designated road channel at all times while traveling.
- Pull over when using alternate radio channels, phones etc.
These procedures are courtesy of the Okanagan Timber Supply Area Road Safety Group.