Drivers’ Meeting Outline (2/22/22)
Coverage of some items below during the meeting are practical necessities but this outline is not mandatory. A lot of people just wing it.
1. Required Equipment
Everybody got?
tow strap
extinguisher
spare and jack
Aired down? Now or later?
2. Radios
Have them? Tuned?
Freq. (Typically 146.550 MHz) (Sometimes GMRS 17)
Happy chatter is good but the radio is safety equipment too.
Don’t key and talk long period. Someone may be needing to shout a warning or help request.
3. Order
Not critical
Know name of person before and behind so you can warn each other over radio.
4. Who is sweep?
For bigger groups sweep should have a better radio. (Mobile with external antenna.)
5. Pacing
Try to keep up but you don’t have an absolute obligation.
If lead is going to fast radio a request to slow down.
Piloting your vehicle is your first priority but generally keep the one before and the one behind in sight.
If you haven’t seen the one behind in a while slow down or wait.
At any unobvious turn make sure the one behind you sees you as you make the turn.
6. Stopping
If you need to stop, shout.
If you want to stop for a picture, shout.
If it’s been a while and you need to visit the bushes shout. Somebody else probably has to too.
7. Traffic
Announce if you see traffic.
(Typically leader and sweep first see traffic but sometimes traffic can come from the side.)
8. Spotting
If you need spotting don’t be afraid to ask.
9. Trash
Don’t leave any.
Pick up some if you can.