Transportation Safety and Awareness
Emergencies and disasters can happen while you are commuting by car, truck, motorcycle, bike, or public transportation. Protect yourself by being informed and prepared, and using common sense if there is an emergency during your commute.
Car/Truck Checklist
- Carry an emergency phone contact card and your driver's license with you at all times.
- In case of an earthquake, stop the car and remain in the car until the shaking has stopped. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, overpasses, and utility wires. When the shaking has stopped, proceed cautiously, avoiding bridges and other elevated structures that might have been damaged.
- In case of serious flooding, never attempt to drive through flooded water on a road. Get out of the car and wade through floodwaters to higher ground only if the water is not flowing rapidly and only in water no higher than the knees.
- In case of a storm or blizzard and your car becomes immobilized, stay in the vehicle and await rescue. Do not attempt to walk from the car unless you can see a definite safe haven at a reasonable distance. Leave the dome light on at night to signal rescuers, and exercise occasionally by clapping hands or moving around.
- Store an auto emergency kit containing blankets, booster cables and tools, bottled water, dried fruits and nuts, first aid kit, flashlight and batteries, traction mats or chains, a shovel, and a personal to-go bag for each commuter.
Bicycle Checklist
- Carry an emergency phone contact card and ID at all times.
- Keep a minimal to-go bag with you on your bicycle.
- Keep a tire patch kit with you and avoid broken glass after a disaster.
Public Transportation Checklist
- Carry an emergency phone contact card and ID at all times.
- Keep a minimal to-go bag with you on your commute.
- On BART or Caltrain: If the train stops, follow the operator's instructions quickly and calmly. In an extreme emergency when you must evacuate the train without the operator's assistance, follow posted emergency procedures.
- On a station platform: Familiarize yourself with all the exits at the stations that you can use in case you have to take a different exit. Listen for announcements and follow instructions quickly and calmly.
- On a bus: Follow the bus operator's instructions. Emergency exit procedures are listed on windows, ceiling escape hatches, and on doors.
More Resources
- From FEMA: Survive the Commute When Disaster Strikes
- From the Red Cross: Commuter Safety
- From 511.org: Commuting by Bike
- From the Association of Bay Area Governments: Checklist for Businesses