Driving SafelyDriving Safely

A 39 page presentation

We may not all be “professional drivers”, We may not all be “professional drivers”, but most of us drive everyday. but most of us drive everyday.

Driving may be a critical part of our daily lives.

Most accidents are caused by one of four Most accidents are caused by one of four “Human Factors”:“Human Factors”:

DistractionDistraction FrustrationFrustration FatigueFatigue Alcohol/Drug UseAlcohol/Drug Use

When we are driving, When we are driving, distractiondistraction can come in many can come in many

forms:forms:

Eating.Eating. Reading a map.Reading a map. Talking on the phone.Talking on the phone. Pulling over to do these Pulling over to do these

types of things.types of things.

• Stress, frustration or anger can cause you Stress, frustration or anger can cause you to lose focus.to lose focus.

• If you feel out of control, pause and count If you feel out of control, pause and count to ten.to ten.

• If you feel drowsy, open a window or turn If you feel drowsy, open a window or turn the radio on.the radio on.

• If necessary, find a rest stop and take a If necessary, find a rest stop and take a break.break.

Staying calm and alert isalso critical for safe driving:

Driving PreparationDriving Preparation

Inspect vehicle before starting out.Inspect vehicle before starting out.

Become familiar with operating a Become familiar with operating a

van.van.

Check for basic emergency gear.Check for basic emergency gear.

Listen to the weather report.Listen to the weather report.

Check tires for proper inflation.Check tires for proper inflation.

Check tires for adequate tread.Check tires for adequate tread.

Check headlights and directional flashers.Check headlights and directional flashers.

Replace any burnt out bulbs immediately.Replace any burnt out bulbs immediately.

Inspect your tiresInspect your tires before you before you start out:start out:

All vehicles should be equipped All vehicles should be equipped with with basic emergency gearbasic emergency gear::

A spare tire, jack and tire iron.A spare tire, jack and tire iron.

Jumper cables.Jumper cables.

Flashlight.Flashlight.

First aid kit.First aid kit.

Motor oil and warning markers may also Motor oil and warning markers may also

come in handy.come in handy.

Adjust the seats so you feel comfortable Adjust the seats so you feel comfortable

and can firmly reach the pedals.and can firmly reach the pedals.

Position the mirrors to reduce “blind Position the mirrors to reduce “blind

spots”.spots”.

Vans and trucks often have special Vans and trucks often have special

considerations.considerations.

Since people come in different shapes Since people come in different shapes and sizes, you need to and sizes, you need to make the make the

vehicle suit your bodyvehicle suit your body::

Go for a test drive in a parking lot first.Go for a test drive in a parking lot first.

Check blind spots before backing up.Check blind spots before backing up.

Test both the steering and brakes.Test both the steering and brakes.

Keep in mind - Keep in mind - larger, heavier vehicles larger, heavier vehicles

make wider turns and require more make wider turns and require more

stopping distance.stopping distance.

Every vehicle handles a little Every vehicle handles a little differently, so differently, so become familiar with become familiar with the vehicle you are driving before the vehicle you are driving before

entering trafficentering traffic::

Wear a seat belt at all times.Wear a seat belt at all times.

Obey all speed limits and traffic signs.Obey all speed limits and traffic signs.

Signal all turns and lane changes early.Signal all turns and lane changes early.

Keep your eyes on the road.Keep your eyes on the road.

Remain calm.Remain calm.

Basic Driving rulesBasic Driving rules

It prevents you from smashing into the It prevents you from smashing into the steering wheel, dashboard or windshield.steering wheel, dashboard or windshield.

It may help prevent internal injury to your It may help prevent internal injury to your organs and skeletal system.organs and skeletal system.

When wearing a seatbelt, you are twice as When wearing a seatbelt, you are twice as likely to survive a crash.likely to survive a crash.

Wearing a Wearing a seatbeltseatbelt is one of the most is one of the most important safety issues when driving a important safety issues when driving a

vehicle. vehicle. In an accident:In an accident:

Signs and other indicatorsSigns and other indicators are are designed to make driving less designed to make driving less

dangerous for all of us:dangerous for all of us:

Obey all speed limit and traffic Obey all speed limit and traffic signs.signs.

Especially important to drive at or Especially important to drive at or below posted limits for winding below posted limits for winding roads or those with turns which are roads or those with turns which are not safe at high speeds.not safe at high speeds.

Solid lines down the center of the Solid lines down the center of the road mean “Do Not Pass”. road mean “Do Not Pass”.

Broken lines mean “Pass With Broken lines mean “Pass With Care”.Care”.

““Defensive Driving”Defensive Driving” includes includes keeping your eyes on the road and keeping your eyes on the road and

watching for trouble in all directions:watching for trouble in all directions:

Look for brake lights several cars ahead.Look for brake lights several cars ahead.

Keep a “safety cushion” (empty space) Keep a “safety cushion” (empty space)

around your vehicle at all times.around your vehicle at all times.

The The “Four Second Rule”“Four Second Rule” will help you will help you maintain a safe following distance:maintain a safe following distance:

When the vehicle ahead of you passes a When the vehicle ahead of you passes a landmark, count how many seconds it landmark, count how many seconds it takes you to reach that same point.takes you to reach that same point.

If it is less than four seconds, you are If it is less than four seconds, you are following to close.following to close.

It is especially important It is especially important not to not to tailgate a trucktailgate a truck::

A truck will block more of the your view of the A truck will block more of the your view of the road ahead.road ahead.

If you are too close, the trucks brake lights If you are too close, the trucks brake lights will be the only warning of trouble ahead.will be the only warning of trouble ahead.

Adjust your following distance to see around Adjust your following distance to see around the truck (this allows you more time to react).the truck (this allows you more time to react).

The open area beside your The open area beside your vehicle is called vehicle is called “Side “Side

Space”:Space”:

Maintaining this cushion gives you more Maintaining this cushion gives you more room to maneuver if another vehicle drifts room to maneuver if another vehicle drifts into your lane.into your lane.

Watch out for Watch out for “buffeting”“buffeting” when trucks pass:when trucks pass:

They create wind currents which They create wind currents which can push your vehicle off course.can push your vehicle off course.

Maintaining ample side space can Maintaining ample side space can minimize this problem.minimize this problem.

Keeping a Keeping a proper safety proper safety cushioncushion also means paying also means paying

attention to the vehicle behind attention to the vehicle behind you:you:

Periodically check Periodically check your mirror and “blind your mirror and “blind spots” to be alert for spots” to be alert for traffic around you.traffic around you.

Someone Someone tailgatingtailgating you can be you can be dangerous:dangerous:

Your vehicle could be rear-ended if you Your vehicle could be rear-ended if you brake suddenly.brake suddenly.

Never increase speed to satisfy a tailgater.Never increase speed to satisfy a tailgater.

Reduce speed and let them pass.Reduce speed and let them pass.

Passing another vehiclePassing another vehicle can also can also reduce your risk of an accident:reduce your risk of an accident:

Check the road to see if there is Check the road to see if there is adequate passing room.adequate passing room.

Turn on your signal before you pull out Turn on your signal before you pull out of your lane.of your lane.

Do not linger in another driver’s blind Do not linger in another driver’s blind spot.spot.

Pass quickly, but do not cut off another Pass quickly, but do not cut off another vehicle when pulling into their lane.vehicle when pulling into their lane.

Trucks have larger blind spots and Trucks have larger blind spots and require more distance to stop than cars:require more distance to stop than cars:

It takes longer to pass a It takes longer to pass a truck.truck.

Do not drive beside a truck Do not drive beside a truck for a long time.for a long time.

Never cut off a truck when Never cut off a truck when moving back into their lane.moving back into their lane.

A loaded rig traveling at 50 A loaded rig traveling at 50 miles-per-hour needs 300 miles-per-hour needs 300 feet to stop…..the length of feet to stop…..the length of a football field.a football field.

Driving conditions will dictate how to Driving conditions will dictate how to safely handle your vehiclesafely handle your vehicle::

Make concessions for the weather.Make concessions for the weather.

Listen to the radio for information on Listen to the radio for information on

weather and delays.weather and delays.

Allow extra time to reach your Allow extra time to reach your

destination.destination.

Alternate routes may be necessary.Alternate routes may be necessary.

““Visibility”Visibility” is being able to see and be is being able to see and be seen by others. Make sure important seen by others. Make sure important

parts of your vehicle are clean and clear, parts of your vehicle are clean and clear, including the:including the:

Windshield.Windshield. Headlights.Headlights. Taillights.Taillights. Turn signals.Turn signals.

Exercise caution on Exercise caution on slippery slippery roadsroads::

Reduce speed.Reduce speed. Increase following Increase following

distance.distance. Slow down before turns.Slow down before turns. Apply break sooner.Apply break sooner. Brake slowly.Brake slowly. Avoid puddles and icy Avoid puddles and icy

patches.patches.

Drive in second or third gear rather than Drive in second or third gear rather than first or low.first or low.

Engage the clutch gradually (or in d2; Engage the clutch gradually (or in d2; or high, with automatic transmission)or high, with automatic transmission)

Accelerate no more than necessary to Accelerate no more than necessary to keep from stalling.keep from stalling.

Avoid Quick Acceleration On Slick Roads.

It Will Cause You To Skid.

Operating on Snow and IceOperating on Snow and IceOperating on Snow and IceOperating on Snow and Ice

Black IceBlack Ice

Dangerous…Because You Can’t See It!Dangerous…Because You Can’t See It!

Commonly found under bridges,overpasses, and shady spots

Dangerous…Because You Can’t See It!Dangerous…Because You Can’t See It!

Commonly found under bridges,overpasses, and shady spots

ReactionReaction

Do Not Panic!

Make No Sudden Changes In Speed/Direction!

Ease Off Accelerator!

Steer In Direction That The Rear Of The Vehicle Is Skidding!

Black IceBlack Ice

Hills And GradesWhen approaching a hill or upgrade/downgrade, remember to do the following:

Select the proper gear before approaching, usually a lower gear.

Use the same gear going down that you used going up. This will allow the engine to act as a brake, so you will not have to use your brake excessively.

* On steep or very slippery grades, use at least one gear lower, and decrease speed *

Dusk and dawnDusk and dawn are the most are the most

dangerous times to drivedangerous times to drive::

It is too dark to see clearly.It is too dark to see clearly.

But there is too much light for But there is too much light for headlights to be effective.headlights to be effective.

Turning on your headlights allows Turning on your headlights allows the other driver to see you.the other driver to see you.

At At nightnight, the farther you can see, the , the farther you can see, the more time you will have to react to more time you will have to react to

trouble:trouble:

Use Use high beamshigh beams as often as often as possible.as possible.

Use Use low beamslow beams when when behind other vehicles, behind other vehicles, facing on-coming traffic, facing on-coming traffic, or driving in snow or fog.or driving in snow or fog.

Remember to Remember to reduce your reduce your speed when using speed when using low low

beamsbeams::

You cannot see as far, so there is You cannot see as far, so there is less time to react.less time to react.

Slowing down gives you more Slowing down gives you more reaction time.reaction time.

No matter how carefully we No matter how carefully we drive, sometimes the drive, sometimes the unexpected happens.unexpected happens.

Act fast, but remain Act fast, but remain calm and in control calm and in control of the situation.of the situation.

An An icy patchicy patch could cause one could cause one or more wheels to lose contact or more wheels to lose contact

with the road:with the road:

Momentum takes over and your Momentum takes over and your vehicle begins to skid.vehicle begins to skid.

Do not slam on the brakes.Do not slam on the brakes.

Ease your foot off the gas pedal.Ease your foot off the gas pedal.

Compensate for Compensate for skidding skidding by by steering in the direction of the steering in the direction of the

skid.skid. If the back of the vehicle skids to the right, If the back of the vehicle skids to the right,

steer to the right.steer to the right.

Steer to the left if the back skids to the left.Steer to the left if the back skids to the left.

When the roads are wet, tire tread When the roads are wet, tire tread channel water out of the way.channel water out of the way.

As speed increases and more As speed increases and more ground is covered, tires need ground is covered, tires need to channel more water.to channel more water.

At high speeds even small At high speeds even small puddles can overpower the puddles can overpower the treads, causing, treads, causing, ““hydroplaninghydroplaning”.”.

When this happens, tires lift When this happens, tires lift completely off the road completely off the road surface.surface.

Do not brake. Instead ease off Do not brake. Instead ease off of the gas pedal.of the gas pedal.

A A “blow-out”“blow-out” is a rapid loss of is a rapid loss of air from your tire.air from your tire.

Increased friction pulls the vehicle Increased friction pulls the vehicle toward the side of the blow-out.toward the side of the blow-out.

If a blow-out occurs:If a blow-out occurs:

Do not hit the breaks (the Do not hit the breaks (the vehicle will “pull” more vehicle will “pull” more violently).violently).

Accelerate to reduce the pull Accelerate to reduce the pull to the side.to the side.

Keep a firm grip on the wheel.Keep a firm grip on the wheel. Steer to the side opposite the Steer to the side opposite the

blow-out.blow-out. Slow down and turn on your Slow down and turn on your

hazard flashers.hazard flashers. Pull over to a safe, level area Pull over to a safe, level area

to fix the tire.to fix the tire.

What to do if an accident What to do if an accident occurs:occurs:

Off Campus:Off Campus: Contact the police. Contact the police. Do not leave the scene.Do not leave the scene. Exchange important information.Exchange important information. Report accident to supervisor.Report accident to supervisor. Supervisor reports accident to Risk Supervisor reports accident to Risk

Management.Management.

ReviewReview Accidents are the number one cause of death on Accidents are the number one cause of death on

the job.the job. Driving safely is not just for professionals.Driving safely is not just for professionals. Stay focused, alert and sober when driving.Stay focused, alert and sober when driving. Take time to inspect your vehicle and learn how it Take time to inspect your vehicle and learn how it

handles.handles. Always wear your seat belt.Always wear your seat belt. Obey speed limits, traffic signs and signals.Obey speed limits, traffic signs and signals. Make allowances for poor road conditions.Make allowances for poor road conditions. Know how to handle your vehicle in emergencies.Know how to handle your vehicle in emergencies.