CCC Caravan Guidelines

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1.      General driving directions to the destination should be discussed before we leave.

2.      The caravan guidelines should be reviewed as a reminder to current members and for new members.

3.      The "lead car," “relay car,” “alternate last car” and "last car" should be announced, and they should test their walkie-talkie radios.  Other caravan members should not pass or fall behind these cars.

4.      The lead car's radio should be able to clearly communicate with the "last car."  A "relay" car in the middle should be designated to forward messages should the "lead" and "last" car lose communications.

5.      When getting on the freeway, caravan members should make a smooth and safe transition to merge in with the flow of traffic. Caravan members shouldn't zigzag around traffic to get in line. It’s OK to have “other” cars in line from time to time; they may be positioning to exit.

6.      The line-up of the caravan must not cause other traffic to slow down while we try to group.  It's dangerous plus "other" drivers get mad at us. The hand signal they show while passing doesn’t mean they think Vettes are number 1!

7.      Wherever safely possible, the "lead" car should maintain the speed limit (use cruise control if possible).

8.      The caravan should generally travel in the right lane of traffic, not the fast lane. This will allow "other" cars to pass, and we will not impede the flow of traffic.

9.      Don't follow other caravan members too closely. The caravan should allow enough space between cars to avoid accidents and to allow "other" cars to safely change lanes and get to/from exit ramps, side streets, etc.  "Safe stopping distance" is supposed to be one car-length for every 10mph you are going (e.g., if we are going 60mph, there should be the distance of 6 car-lenths between you and the car in front of you).

10.  It is the "lead" car's responsibility to announce as soon as possible upcoming turns, freeway or lane changes, or road obstructions.

11.  The "lead" car should only exit or pull to the side of the road to keep the caravan together if the "last" car determines that it is needed.

12.  Keep radio chatter down when getting close to the destination to allow the "lead" car to announce directions. "Lead," "last" and "relay" drivers should call each other by announcing the appropriate position so the others can stop chattering when they hear the call. Example: "Lead to last." Go ahead "lead." Blah blah blah, "lead" over.  Now it's ok for anybody to chat again.

13.  If a "pit stop" is needed, give the lead car plenty of notice in order to find an appropriate stopping place for the entire caravan.

14.  If a caravan member gets lost and communication is lost, try to re-establish contact with a cell phone (go idea to keep a current CCC cell-phone roster in your glove box).

15.  If a caravan member chooses not to stay with the caravan, please announce intentions to "lead "or "last" car, so we don't go crazy looking for you.

16.  If a caravan car is having trouble, it should signal trouble by flashing it's headlights or indicate trouble by two-way radio or cell-phone.

17.  The car having trouble should pull over to the side of the road or exit as soon as safely possible. The "last" car should pull over with the troubled car to assist.  A new “last” car will be designated, and the rest of the caravan should exit the next off-ramp and wait for the troubled car.

18.  Once a car has indicated trouble, no one else should talk on the radio except the "lead" car, the troubled car and the "last" car.

19.  If the FHP (or other authority) stops a caravan member, the rest of the caravan should exit the next off-ramp and wait for the stopped member (unless otherwise directed by the FHP).

20.  Double-up side by side at red lights to compact the group to avoid a  long line being shredded by changing stop lights. Go back to single file when moving through green light areas.

Let’s have fun while being safe and courteous to other drivers!