Bagdad Drive and Lunch 2024

PCA MINIMUM DRIVING TOUR STANDARDS

The following points are communicated to all participants, including passengers, prior to the Driving Tour departure.

Drive Leader: There will be a drive leader identified for each drive who will be responsible for leading the tour. Participants are to follow the directions and guidance provided by the Drive Leader.

Waivers: All tour participants shall sign the relevant waiver form(s). 

Emphasis on Safety: Safety is paramount. Driving tours are NOT competitive or high-speed driving events. Each driver is responsible for operating their own vehicle safely, in all road conditions.

Insurance: It is assumed that each participating driver has a current driver’s license and automobile liability insurance. PCA also provides liability insurance that covers PCA, the Region, the event organizers and each participant while on the tour. If you intentionally separate yourself from the group, you may not be covered by PCA’s insurance.

Laws: Obey speed limits and all other traffic laws, plus all local laws regarding the consumption of drugs and alcohol.

Route Directions: The driving directions contain details about the route, regroup points, rest stops and any safety concerns or areas where the tour may have to slow to maintain safety. 

Safety as a Group: Cars on driving tours are expected to stay together as a group, however safety is more important than the need to stay together. It is not acceptable to take added risks in order to stay with the group. 

Following Distance: Leave a safe distance between cars, generally at least 2-3 seconds behind the car in front, or one car length for every 10MPH. 

Passing: No passing is allowed of the tour/group leader(s). They set the pace. Pass cyclists, pedestrians and other non-motorized traffic SLOWLY, giving a wide berth.

Separation from the Group: If you become separated from the group, inform the driving tour/group leader or sweeper and obey all posted speed limits and other traffic laws until you rejoin the group. 

Headlights: Drive with headlights on to increase visibility to other vehicles. 

Emergencies: In an emergency, pull over, stop in a safe location, turn on emergency flashers and advise the tour/group sweeper. 

Sweeper Role: The sweeper plays an important support role and shall advise the tour/group leader of any issues within the group.

Communications: [Provide cell phone numbers of all tour/group leaders and sweepers to all participants or refer to them in the driving directions.] 

Drones: The use of drones is prohibited at all PCA events. 

Safety & Fun: Responsibility for maintaining PCA’s excellent history of safe and enjoyable events rests with each participant. Have fun and be safe!

Additional Points for Tour Safety 
When driving as a group, it is not acceptable to take added risks, such as illegal passing, running yellow or red lights or cutting off another driver in order to stay with the group. Be especially careful at intersections and after rest stops when merging back into traffic. Safety is more important than the need to stay together. 

In order to maintain the integrity of the group and enhance safety: 
•    Don’t lose the car(s) in front of you and behind you. 
•    Regularly check rear-view mirrors to confirm that the car behind is still following. If not, slow down until the car(s) behind you have caught up and it is safe to continue. 
•    Do not allow excessive spacing to develop within the group. If you’re lagging behind, try to keep pace with the car in front of you. 
•    Be aware of the accordion effect. Control your acceleration and deceleration in order to safely keep the group together. 
•    There are several possible regroup points that are identified in the driving directions. 
•    Two-way radios or other communication devices are in the lead and sweep cars and will be used to communicate about tour group issues. 
•    Be prepared to lead the group behind you if you become separated from the rest of the group in front of you. 
•    Do not change groups at rest stops without notifying the affected group leaders. 
•    Stay on the route unless you’ve informed the group leader and/or sweeper that you expect to depart from the rest of the group.