2. CONVOY SAFETY CHAIN TEACHING PACKAGE
A CO 3-4 AVN
CONVOY SAFETY CHAIN TEACHING PACKAGE
This briefing is intended to provide a ready made briefing for unit leaders and safety personnel to use to prepare their units for convoy operations.
The briefing takes approximately 60 minutes, 50 minutes with a ten minute break.
The briefer should make overhead slides from part one of this briefing and follow the note pages in part two or the script in part three to conduct the briefing. 1

3. TOP THREE ACCIDENT CAUSES
FOLLOWING TOO CLOSE
SPEEDING
FATIGUE
These are the top three causes of vehicle. In terms of convoys, following too close generally means that the intervals between vehicles was improper. Now that we know what the causes are, we must get the word out and prevent these causes from recurring. Later on in this briefing, we will discuss factors that minimize the accident risks. Key to risk reduction are adhere to standards, proper supervision and risk management. 3

4. V CORPS SAFETY PROGRAM SOP
STANDARDS
AR 55-29 AR AR
UR 55-1 UR
UR PAM FM
FM 55-30
V CORPS SAFETY PROGRAM SOP
Here are the references you can use to identify the requirements for convoys and to assist unit training programs. 4

5. RESPONSIBILITIES UNIT COMMANDERS:
Ensure risk management is applied to convoy operations.
Carefully select and thoroughly brief convoy commanders on their duties and responsibilities.
Ensure battalion-level driver training is IAW AR
Ensure unit SOP specifically addresses duties and responsibilities of drivers, assistant drivers, and senior occupants.
Enforce safety belt use in vehicles equipped with seat belts.
Know the top accidents causes and address these causes and countermeasures in unit training programs.
Every member of a unit has responsibility to conduct a safe convoy operation.
Risk Management should be applied when planning an operation or mission. The Risk Management Process consists of identifying hazards; identifying the initial risk to the soldiers and operations; identifying control measures/countermeasures to help minimize the risk; and finally identifying the residual risk. See the V Corps Safety SOP for approval authority. 5

6. RESPONSIBILITIES CONVOY COMMANDERS:
Have knowledge of all restrictions required by Ground Precautionary Messages, Safety of Use Messages, Safety Alert Messages, etc., for vehicles in the convoy.
Ensure that special attention is placed on seatbelt use.
Ensure rest stops are used and maximum driving times are IAW UR
Ensure troops are briefed on convoy speeds, catch-up speed, following distance, etc.
Ensure control is established and maintained within the convoy until mission is complete.
Ground Precautionary Messages, Safety of Use Messages, Safety Alert Messages, etc., which are published and distributed through various channels can be lost or forgotten if they are not captured by appropriate leader and briefed routinely to vehicle and equipment operators. In addition, such directives should be included permanently as part of the driver training program or other training programs.
Briefing soldiers has two purposes. 1. It provides them with information to help them know what the risks and hazards are with the operation It tells them the plan that the unit leadership has to control the risks and hazards. 6

7. RESPONSIBILITIES SERIAL OR MARCH UNIT COMMANDERS :
Maintain positive control of convoy serial or march unit at all times.
Be in a position where they can best control their convoy element.
Supervise the operation of the serial or march unit and ensure break downs and other emergency procedures are responded to properly.
Each convoy is organized under the control of a convoy commander. In addition, a commander is identified for each serial or march unit. This commander must be free to supervise the movement of the serial or march unit. His or her location is determined by METT-T.
Serial or march unit commanders should not change their location within the convoy unless it is absolutely necessary for control. They should have radio contact with lead and trail escort vehicles as well as emergency vehicles. 7

8. RESPONSIBILITIES DRIVER AND ASSISTANCE DRIVER:
Have knowledge of all restrictions required by Ground Precautionary Messages, Safety of Use Messages, Safety Alert Messages, etc., for their vehicle.
Use seat belts at all times.
Use rest stops to stretch and relax.
Use only the briefed convoy speed, catch-up speed, and following distances.
Follow all directions given by convoy and serial commanders.
Respond to emergency situations as needed.
Drivers are a key element to conducting a safe convoy. They must be properly trained and licensed. In addition they must be familiar with and motivated to follow proper procedures.
The primary causes of convoy accidents can be avoided by the driver.
Leaders must ensure the driver knows the causes and control measures to reduce the risk of an accident. 8

9. RESPONSIBILITIES SENIOR OCCUPANT:
Have knowledge of all restrictions required by Ground Precautionary Messages, Safety of Use Messages, Safety Alert Messages, etc., for vehicles in the convoy.
Ensure seat belts are used at all times.
Ensure rest stops are used and maximum driving times are IAW UR If driver is tired take action to replace him or her.
Ensure driver operates vehicle at the authorized convoy speed, catch-up speed, and following distance.
Ensure driver does not violate traffic laws.
The senior occupant has a long list of duties in UR Here are just a few that are key to reducing risk and preventing accidents. 9

10. CONVOY STANDARDS
Identify each march column with convoy flags (unless prohibited by host nation).
All tracked vehicles in a convoy will have Rotating Amber Warning Lights (RAWLs) installed. If a tracked vehicle is travelling alone with an escort, the RAWL must be turned on.
Clean lights, reflectors, reflective tape and delineator plates.
Convoy must use right lane when traveling on Autobahn.
Comply with inclement weather road condition standards (UR ).
All over size and over weight vehicles will have a functioning RAWLs installed. This includes vehicles that are more than 8’2 1/2” wide or 13’1 1/2” high.
References: UR 55-1, UR , USAREUR Pam , V Corps Safety Program SOP.
All tracked vehicles will have functional RAWLs installed in case one must fall out of the convoy due to mechanical difficulties.
Conducting a convoy to standard eliminates a great deal of the risk involved. If you look at the three primary causes of accidents in convoys all could have been eliminated by conducting the convoy to standard. 10

11. CONVOY STANDARDS LEAD ESCORT VEHICLE (LEV) WILL:
Be designated by convoy commander.
Have a RAWL on at all times during convoy.
Set and maintain pace established by the convoy commander.
Check the time at start point, critical point, checkpoints, and release point.
Advise the convoy commander of any obstacles or road hazards that may cause a deviation from established route.
Slow the convoy speed in preparation for exits, highway/autobahn entrances and tunnels.
Will display a sign with the words “Convoy Follows” in English and the host nation language.
The lead escort vehicle is an important element of any convoy. This slide represents the role of this vehicle.
The lead escort vehicle will travel at a designated speed to accommodate the slowest vehicle restriction in the convoy. 11

12. CONVOY STANDARDS TRAIL ESCORT VEHICLE (TEV) WILL:
Be designated by convoy commander
Must be a 2 1/2 ton or larger vehicle.
Must not transport personnel or hazardous material.
Must not haul a trailer.
Must have a RAWL installed and used at all times during convoy.
Will display a sign with the words “Convoy Ahead” in English and the host nation language.
These types of vehicles cannot be used as TEVs: POL, Hazardous Cargo, Ammunition, Troop carrying, Wreckers.
TEV should not be track vehicles due to the braking power of the track vehicle. The track vehicle takes less distance to stop in than a wheeled vehicle causing the wheeled vehicle to stop abruptly if at all. 12

13. CONVOY STANDARDS
All vehicles in convoy will adhere to the vehicle interval requirements to provide adequate space for passing vehicles.
Space between vehicles in an open-column march unit will be at least 100 meter interval on autobahns and 50 meter interval on secondary roads (excluding congested areas).
When approaching congested areas march units will reduce speed and vehicle intervals. Interval space will be 25 meters.
Follow speed limits identified in V Corps Safety Program SOP. 13

14. CONVOY STANDARDS
KEVLAR HELMETS WILL BE WORN WITH THE CHINSTRAP SECURED UNDER THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
When driving or riding in a tactical (M series) vehicle at all times, including the motor pool.
When driving or riding in a non-tactical vehicle participating in training exercises.
Reference: USAREUR Commander decision announced during USAREUR BOD 25 SEP 01.
Kevlar helmets will be worn with the chinstrap properly secured.
Combat vehicle crewmembers will wear the combat vehicle crewman helmet and be connected to the vehicle’s intercom system at all times during the operation of combat vehicles. Combat vehicle passengers will wear the Kevlar helmet at all times during the operation of combat vehicles. 14

15. PREOPERATION REQUIREMENTS
CONVOY AND SERIAL COMMANDERS WILL:
Review the operating standards in USAREUR Reg 55-1.
Conduct risk management of the convoy.
Identify hazards along the march route. A physical reconnaissance of the march route should be conducted.
Prepare and distribute convoy strip maps to each driver during the pre-mission briefing.
Limit march units to 25 vehicles and march serials to no more than 5 march units (under normal circumstances).
Ensure at least 5 minutes between march serials.
A route recon is well worth the time it takes to conduct.
Strip maps keep drivers informed and prepared. 15

16. PREOPERATIONAL CHECKS
CONVOY AND SERIAL COMMANDER WILL ENSURE:
Drivers are aware of any restrictions required by special permits (e.g., hazardous cargo and special hauling permits).
Drivers and assistant drivers possess valid OF-346.
Radio checks are completed.
Each vehicle has a strip map.
A safety briefing is given to all participants, should be done as part of the pre-mission brief.
Convoy and catch-up speeds have been briefed.
All trailer brake lines and safety chains have been checked.
Catch up speeds can cause problems and add additional risks if the soldiers do not know what they are and are not motivated to follow them.
Trailers can cause serious problems. Pre-operational checks can identify most of the problems. 16

17. PREOPERATIONAL CHECKS (Cont’d)
CONVOY AND SERIAL COMMANDER WILL ENSURE:
Intervals have been discussed.
Safety equipment (RAWLs, first aid kits, and warning triangles) is present for each vehicle IAW AR and UR
Convoy signs are placed on the lead and trail vehicles.
Required security measures are implemented.
Hazards or threats have been identified along the route.
Rest stop are identified.
Break down procedures are in place and understood.
Use proper intervals allows civilian traffic to move around the convoy and provide the Army driver with adequate stopping distance for our vehicles.
Rest stops are essential to keeping drivers alert. 17

18. POST OPERATIONAL CHECKS
CONVOY AND SERIAL COMMANDER WILL ENSURE:
Ensure all vehicles and personnel are accounted for.
Ensure all accidents no matter how minor have been reported to the chain of command.
Debrief drivers to identify hazards identified during convoy and report them to the convoy control center and chain of command.
Identify weak drivers who may need additional training.
Make notes for lessons learned for future convoys with this unit.
ID and manage risks as conditions change.
A convoy is not over until all is accounted for and lessons learned are passed on to units that will convoy after you. 18

19. SUMMARY
Convoys that are conducted to standard normally involve less risk.
Leaders should take steps now to ensure drivers training and vehicle maintenance are to standard.
Good risk management can identify most hazards and leaders can take steps to reduce or eliminate those hazards.
Since many accidents involve speeding, following too close and fatigue it is best to focus efforts to reduce these causes.
Preoperational checks can identify last minute issues that can create hazards.
Leadership is key to reducing the risk for convoys.
Convoys can be an operation that is impaired by accidents or a quick professional deployment of soldiers and equipment. The choice is up to you. Each member of the convoy team must take an active part in identifying risk and implementing control measures to reduce risks. 19