Anthony LaFaziaCEO, Atlantic Training · CEO at Atlantic Training | EdTech & Safety Compliance Leader

Pedestrian Safety and Test Drive Protocols for Dealership Employees

22 Jul 2026 · 2 min

Watch on YouTube

2:20

The video provides a concise safety training for automotive dealership staff, emphasizing that the most vulnerable aspect of a dealership lot is the people walking between vehicles. Speakers stress that employees must always yield to customers, maintain a walking‑pace speed while on the lot, and treat customers as having priority even when the employee technically has the right of way. For test drives, staff are instructed to act as the "captain" of the vehicle, politely enforce speed limits, and stop the drive if the customer drives unsafely. A strict zero‑tolerance policy is outlined: never operate a dealership or customer vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or impairing medication, and never allow unqualified individuals to drive. The training also promotes a team‑oriented safety culture, urging coworkers to intervene when they observe unsafe behavior. The second speaker introduces Atlantic Training’s Wave EHS software, highlighting its integration of the training course with tools for managing incident investigations, SDS records, employee progress, and audit readiness, offered free with a training plan.

At the end of the day, we're in the people business. The most fragile part of our lot isn't the fenders, it's the people walking between them. Customers They're often distracted by phones or kids, and they're not looking for you. You've gotta be the one to yield every single time. Even if you technically have the right of way, treat the customer as if they always have the priority on dealership property.
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Keep your lot speed at that walking pace to give yourself time to react. If you're taking a customer on a test drive, hey, you're the captain of that ship. If they start driving like they're on a racetrack, politely speak up. Say something like, "Hey, let's keep it at the speed limit so we can feel how the suspension handles the road." If you feel unsafe, you end the drive. Your safety and the dealership's liability is more important than a potential unit on the board. Finally, never drive a dealership or customer vehicle under the influence of alcohol drugs, or impairing medications. And never let a customer or friend drive a vehicle unless they've been cleared under dealership procedures. Remember, we're a team. If you see a coworker doing something sketchy, like flying across the lot, pull them aside later for a professional check-in. We look out for each other so everyone gets home in one piece.