Which option best completes this safety statement? During alley docking, the driver/operator should be warned of ...

• A. neutral traffic signals ahead.
• B. the exact speed to maintain.
• C. obstructions obscured by blind spots.
• D. the location of the nearest fire hydrant.

Answer: (C)

During alley docking, the driver’s primary safety concern is hidden obstacles in the path. Obstructions obscured by blind spots are dangerous because the operator can’t see them from the cab and could strike them as the vehicle is maneuvered into a tight position. A spotter or guide should warn the driver about anything in the docking area that may be hidden, such as posts, equipment, other vehicles, or bystanders. This warning lets the driver adjust steering and positioning carefully, usually at a slower, controlled pace to prevent damage or injury.

The other options don’t address an unseen hazard in the docking path. Signals about traffic ahead aren’t the immediate concern in a controlled alley docking, the exact speed to maintain is a driving technique rather than a specific hazard, and hydrant locations relate to water operations rather than the safety risk of hitting something during docking.