DRIVER SAFETYDRIVER SAFETY

AGENDAAGENDA

Introduction / General DiscussionIntroduction / General Discussion

15 Driver Safety Topics15 Driver Safety Topics

Driver - Points of InformationDriver - Points of Information

WHY DRIVER WHY DRIVER TRAINING?TRAINING?

Driving is something we do daily.Driving is something we do daily.

It’s the most dangerous thing we It’s the most dangerous thing we do!do!40,000 people die each year40,000 people die each year115 people who leave home today 115 people who leave home today

will never returnwill never return

General Discussion

Why Accidents Occur?

Most frequent causes of Most frequent causes of accidentsaccidentsInatention to detailInatention to detailSpeedingSpeedingDWI/DUIDWI/DUIDriving too fast for conditionsDriving too fast for conditionsFailed to yieldFailed to yield

Continuation

Other Factors:Other Factors:Road conditionsRoad conditionsWeather related & Physical Weather related & Physical

conditionsconditions

Vehicle MaintenanceVehicle MaintenanceTires treadwear/pressureTires treadwear/pressureBrakesBrakes

General Discussion

Accident Costs?

Physical Damage - Physical Damage - Your VehicleYour Vehicle

Property Damage - Property Damage - Destroyed Destroyed PropertyProperty

Medical Costs - Medical Costs - Yours & PassengersYours & Passengers

Liability Costs - Liability Costs - Other Vehicle(s) Other Vehicle(s) physical physical damage damage

Other(s) injuries Other(s) injuries $$$$$$$$$$$$$$

General Discussion

Driver Expectations? Your Company expects high Your Company expects high

standards of performance, including standards of performance, including safe driving.safe driving.

Your Company expects not just safe Your Company expects not just safe driving performance, but driving performance, but award award winning winning safety performance.safety performance.

Why?Why?Because it’s possible, Cost Because it’s possible, Cost

effective, Right thing to do!effective, Right thing to do!

Safety Tips

Quick Check Step ProcessQuick Check Step Process Defensive Driving TechniquesDefensive Driving Techniques Rules of the roadRules of the road General Safety RulesGeneral Safety Rules

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1) Pre-Trip Inspection

Take a walk around your vehicle.Take a walk around your vehicle.Windows clean?Windows clean?Lights/signals clean & working.Lights/signals clean & working.Tires properly inflated / tread wear.Tires properly inflated / tread wear.Fluid leaks on the ground.Fluid leaks on the ground.Plates current???Plates current???

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2) Inside the Vehicle2) Inside the Vehicle

Adjust your seat and fasten Adjust your seat and fasten seat beltseat belt

Check and adjust all Mirrors Check and adjust all Mirrors Adust your HeadrestAdust your Headrest Assure doors fully closed Assure doors fully closed

and securedand secured Scan the gaugesScan the gauges

Continuation

Check windows/windshieldCheck windows/windshield Adjust the vents, windows, Adjust the vents, windows,

heater & airconditionerheater & airconditioner Make sure you’re emotionally Make sure you’re emotionally

ready to focus on drivingready to focus on driving

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3) Your State Of Mind3) Your State Of Mind

Mental StateMental StateStress / Emotions / AttitudesStress / Emotions / AttitudesDrowsiness / FatigueDrowsiness / FatigueVision / HearingVision / HearingAlcohol Alcohol

Myths about ALCOHOL

Myth: Myth: Coffee will sober up a drinker.Coffee will sober up a drinker.Fact: Fact: Coffee only makes a wide awake drunk.Coffee only makes a wide awake drunk.

Myth: Myth: Strenuous exercise will sober up a Strenuous exercise will sober up a drinker.drinker.

Fact: Fact: Exercise makes a hot, sticky drunk.Exercise makes a hot, sticky drunk.

Myth: Myth: A cold shower will sober up a drinker.A cold shower will sober up a drinker.Fact: Fact: A cold shower only makes a cold, wet A cold shower only makes a cold, wet

drunk.drunk.

Myth: Myth: A cold swim will sober up a drinker.A cold swim will sober up a drinker.Fact: Fact: A cold swim could result in a dead A cold swim could result in a dead

drunk.drunk.

The Alcohol ProcessThe Alcohol Process When ingested, approximately 5% enters When ingested, approximately 5% enters

the blood stream directly thru the mouth the blood stream directly thru the mouth and throat tissues.and throat tissues.

80% is absorbed thru the small intestine 80% is absorbed thru the small intestine after passing thru the stomach. after passing thru the stomach.

Alcohol distributes itself to organs with Alcohol distributes itself to organs with the highest fluid content, concentrating the highest fluid content, concentrating on organs with large blood supplies like on organs with large blood supplies like the brain and liver.the brain and liver.

The Alcohol Process The Alcohol Process (continued) (continued) Alcohol cannot be stored in tissue, and Alcohol cannot be stored in tissue, and

less than 10% is eliminated by the less than 10% is eliminated by the kidneys, lungs, and skin.kidneys, lungs, and skin.

The liver eliminates the other 90% thru The liver eliminates the other 90% thru the process of oxidation.the process of oxidation.

The liver can eliminate approximately The liver can eliminate approximately one one drink per hour.drink per hour.

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4) Getting the Big Picture4) Getting the Big Picture

Scan the road aheadScan the road aheadCity (Approx. 1 block)City (Approx. 1 block)Rural (Approx. 1/4 mile)Rural (Approx. 1/4 mile)

Keep your eyes moving.Keep your eyes moving.Check your mirrors every 5 seconds.Check your mirrors every 5 seconds.

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5) Following Distance5) Following Distance

Speed & Stopping distance are key.Speed & Stopping distance are key.Stay 3 to 4 seconds behind.Stay 3 to 4 seconds behind.

TailgatersTailgatersAvoid quick changes.Avoid quick changes.Increase your following distance.Increase your following distance.Don’t speed up.Don’t speed up.Avoid tricks. (Control emotions.) Avoid tricks. (Control emotions.)

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6) Lane Changes6) Lane Changes Check to make sure there is enough room.Check to make sure there is enough room. Signal your intentions.Signal your intentions. Check your blind spot and space again.Check your blind spot and space again. Make the lane change.Make the lane change.

Blind SpotsBlind SpotsDon’t drive in someone else’s.Don’t drive in someone else’s.Make yourself as visible as possible. Make yourself as visible as possible.

(*At all times)(*At all times)

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7) Line Markings7) Line Markings

Yellow lines Yellow lines - - Traffic in both Traffic in both directions.directions.

White lines White lines - - One way traffic.One way traffic.

BrokenBroken - - Passing allowed.Passing allowed.

SolidSolid - - No passing.No passing.

8) Sign Postings

RegulatoryRegulatory- Red &White- Red &White

WarningWarning - Yellow &Black- Yellow &Black

ConstructionConstruction- Orange- Orange

Guide Signs- Blue/Back/GreenGuide Signs- Blue/Back/Green

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9) Right-Of-Way9) Right-Of-Way

At an intersection, vehicle on the At an intersection, vehicle on the right has the right to go first.right has the right to go first.

Be aware of pedestrians and school Be aware of pedestrians and school crossing.crossing.

Scan the intersection/stop at the limit Scan the intersection/stop at the limit lineline

Reminder: NO One is gauranteed the Reminder: NO One is gauranteed the right of way.right of way.

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10) Backing10) Backing

Look at your path.Look at your path. Back slowly.Back slowly. Back to the driver’s side when Back to the driver’s side when

possible.possible. Use a helper when possible.Use a helper when possible.

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11) Ramps (On / Off)11) Ramps (On / Off)

Obey speed limits posted.Obey speed limits posted.Speed limits designed for autos; Speed limits designed for autos;

larger vehicles need to go slower.larger vehicles need to go slower.

Exits merging downhill are Exits merging downhill are particularly dangerous.particularly dangerous.Adjust speed and positionAdjust speed and positionBe familiar with surroundingBe familiar with surrounding

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12) Railroad Crossings12) Railroad Crossings

The cross buck is found at most The cross buck is found at most public crossings.public crossings.

These signs should be treated in the These signs should be treated in the same manner as a yield sign.same manner as a yield sign.

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13) Emergency Vehicles13) Emergency Vehicles Immediately move to the right of your Immediately move to the right of your

lane, to another lane, or to the shoulder if lane, to another lane, or to the shoulder if possible.possible.

If moving right is not possible, stay where If moving right is not possible, stay where you are. Do not move left. you are. Do not move left.

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14) Winter Driving14) Winter Driving IDENTIFYING SLIPPERY SURFACES.IDENTIFYING SLIPPERY SURFACES.

Shaded Areas - Shaded Areas - Shady parts of the road will Shady parts of the road will remain icy and slippery after open areas have melted.remain icy and slippery after open areas have melted.

Bridges - Bridges - Bridges freeze before roads do.Bridges freeze before roads do.

Melting Ice - Melting Ice - Slight melting will make ice wet.Slight melting will make ice wet.

Black Ice - Black Ice - If the temperature is below freezing If the temperature is below freezing and the road looks wet.and the road looks wet.

Vehicle Ice - Vehicle Ice - Open the window and feel the front Open the window and feel the front of the mirror and antenna. of the mirror and antenna. (The road is icing up!)(The road is icing up!)

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14) Winter Driving 14) Winter Driving (continued)(continued)

Just after the rain begins. Just after the rain begins. The oil mixes the water and makes the The oil mixes the water and makes the

road very slipperyroad very slippery

Hydroplaning. Hydroplaning. Release the accelerator.Release the accelerator.Do not brake.Do not brake.Occurs at speeds as low as 30 mph. Occurs at speeds as low as 30 mph. Worn tread and low tire pressure.Worn tread and low tire pressure.

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14) Winter Driving 14) Winter Driving (continued)(continued)

Equipment & SuppliesEquipment & SuppliesScraper with brush on one endScraper with brush on one endSnow shovelSnow shovelFlashlightFlashlightAbrasive materials (cat litter,sand,salt)Abrasive materials (cat litter,sand,salt)Jumper cablesJumper cablesWarning devices (flares)Warning devices (flares)Sleeping bag or blanketsSleeping bag or blanketslight/matches, candle & high energy foodlight/matches, candle & high energy food

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14) Winter Driving 14) Winter Driving (continued)(continued)

Getting UnstuckGetting UnstuckTurn wheels side to side a few times to Turn wheels side to side a few times to

push snow out of the way.push snow out of the way.

Lightly touch gas; ease forward.Lightly touch gas; ease forward.

Rock the vehicle if necessaryRock the vehicle if necessaryShift from forward to reverse and Shift from forward to reverse and

lightly touch gas.lightly touch gas.

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15) Accident Reporting15) Accident Reporting

Report any accident immediately, Report any accident immediately, no matter how minor.no matter how minor.

Get a police report whenever Get a police report whenever possible.possible.

Driver Training

Don’t Get Caught in an accident!Don’t Get Caught in an accident!