Driving Safety

October, 2010

On-the-job driving hazards and controls

Topics covered in this module

1. Driving fatalities and injuries

2. Safe driving tips

3. Distracted driving

4. Driver fatigue

5. Pedestrian safety

6. Work zone safety

7. Defensive driving

8. Driving behavior/aggressive driving

9. Laws, regulations and additional information

Image courtesy of WSDOT

Introduction to the Importance of SAFE DRIVING

What is not in the statistics are the countless family members, friends, and co-workers grieving the loss of someone they were close to

Each year there are more than 40,000 deaths nationwide related to motor vehicle crashes

Image courtesy of Education for the Driving Masses

In Washington State, the most frequent work-related fatality is from motor vehicle crashes (22 %)

UNSAFE DRIVING

On Washington public roadways between 2004 and 2008 there were 640,364 total collisions, 2679 fatal collisions, and 11,725 serious injury collisions.

In 2009, there were 1663 worker compensation claims where workers were injured in highway accidents. Costs for these claims was $20 million.

Work-related motor vehicle crash fatalities in Washington State, 1998-2007

Unsafe Driving

Other causes :Failing to yieldNo signal when turningRunning a stop signDriving left of centerWrong turnsFollowing too closely

Image courtesy of Fancy Images – Royalty Free

Top three causes of motor vehicle accidentsDistracted or inattentive drivingSpeedingImpairment (drugs or alcohol)

Washington State impaired driving fact sheetWikimedia Commons

High Risk Areas

Many accidents occur at these locations:

Major Highways (merge lanes, congested traffic)

Parking Lots

Railroad Crossings

Work Zones

School Zones

Does your company have a safe driver program?

Image courtesy of Creative Commons

Many motor vehicle crashes occur during the workday or during the commute to and from work. Employers bear the cost for injuries that occur both on and off the job.

Whether you manage a fleet of vehicles, oversee a mobile sales force or simply employ commuters, by implementing a driver safety program in the workplace you can greatly reduce the risks faced by your employees and their families while protecting your company's bottom line.

OSHA Guidelines for Employers to Reduce Motor Vehicle Crashes

Personal Responsibility

Not only is it the employer’s responsibility to enforce safe driving policies for their workers, it is a personal responsibility to improve driving behaviors.

It is a public safety issue and has a huge economic impact.

Basic Safe Driving Tips

Basic rules to follow: Wear seatbelts Drive the speed limit Obey traffic signs and stop lights Use turn signals Do not tailgate

Drivers should be extra cautious and alert :

Top 5 things to know about buckling up

Inspect your vehicle regularly to make sure the following are in good shape:

Tires (including spare) Horn Lights Windshield and wipers Mirrors Brakes Heating Seatbelts Fluids First aid/roadside safety kit

Vehicle Safety Inspections

Image courtesy of Creative Commons

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration - Tire Safety

Distracted Driving

Image courtesy of Florida Today, by Jeff Parker

Nearly 6,000 people died in 2008 in crashes involving a distracted driver, and more than half a million were injured. (Source: National Traffic

Safety Administration)

Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. (Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)

The temptation for drivers to text and use cell phones has made it difficult to minimize road fatalities.

Please do your part to control the number of fatalities and injuries.

PAY ATTENTION DRIVERS

Distracted Driving & Inattentive Behavior

Image courtesy of Drivers Ed Guru

Cell Phones are a Driving Distraction

A driver’s first responsibility is the safe operation of the vehicle.

If you are distracted by a phone conversation, you are putting yourself at risk of a collision, and possibly endangering others.

Distracted Driving Website: Distraction.gov

Texting While Driving – How Dangerous is it? (from Car & Driver Magazine)

Alternatives:

Turn off cell phone while driving

Pull off to the side of the road to make important calls

NOTE: Hands – free devices are safer than holding a phone, however, that does not diminish the dialing distraction and inability to focus completely on driving during a conversation

Cell Phones are a Driving Distraction

Image courtesy of clipartof.com

Cell Phones: Alternatives and Exceptions

Alternatives Bluetooth Voice-activated and speed dialing Push-to-Talk devices (radio) Voice mail and Caller ID answer caller

until getting to safe destination

Exceptions: Emergencies – calling law enforcement for assistance

Reporting road hazards to the authorities

Notifying the authorities of erratic driver

Note: Before using for emergency, determine if the call can be made safely.

Image courtesy of Ryder Safety Solutions

Portable Electronic Equipment Policy

Example policy verbiage (L & I employee policy):

“Use of portable electronic equipment, including, but not limited to, cell phones (including hands-free), text pagers, Blackberries and other PDAs, electronics, and laptop computers, is prohibited at any time while driving any vehicle on work business, except in an emergency situation where 911 is called.

Voice activated Global Positioning Units (GPS) are acceptable. However any input of these devices must be done prior to driving.

Supervisors will train employees on safe and acceptable alternatives to using electronic equipment while driving.”

Driver Fatigue

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) at least 100,000 police reported crashes are the direct result of

driver fatigue each year.

Result = 1,550 deaths and 71,000 injuries

Image courtesy of American Public University, Shift Work Disorder news bulletin

Drivers Need to Stay Alert

Take action to ensure you are driving alert:

1.Make lifestyle changes; diet, exercise, plenty of rest

2.Don’t rely on “quick fixes” that may not work. Avoid regular use of alcohol, smoking, caffeine

3.Stop if you need to. Take a nap or brisk walk outside.

Image courtesy of AllRefer.com Health

In the United States, between 1997 and 2007, there were 53,793 pedestrian fatalities.

In Washington State between 2004 - 2008 there were a total of 332 pedestrian fatalities.

Important safety reminder:

Drivers are required to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing streets in marked or unmarked crosswalks in most situations.

Pedestrians vs. Motorists

Image courtesy of WSP

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – Pedestrian Safety

Safety Tips Don’t assume the pedestrian sees you Move carefully when lighting is poor and look around the

vehicle prior to accelerating

If vision is obstructed, be especially slow when making a turn Be aware that parking lots may have missing stop signs or

faded traffic lane stripes due to lack of maintenance

Pedestrians vs. Motorists

Collisions Involving Children and Motorists

Most common types of collisions between children and motorists are due to:

1.Child darting out into the street at a corner or mid-block

2.Vehicle turns into the path of a child

3.Child hidden from view by a service or delivery truck

4.Child hidden from view by a bus – driver does not stop for bus

5.Vehicle backing up in roadways, driveways, or parking lots

In 2008, one in every five children between the ages of 5 and 9 killed in traffic accidents were pedestrians. (NHTSA)

Work Zone Safety

Workzone accident case reports

What is a “work zone” ?

A work zone is an area of roadway with construction, maintenance, or utility work activities. A work zone is typically marked by signs, channelizing devices, barriers, pavement markings, and/or work vehicles. It extends from the first warning sign or rotating/strobe lights on a vehicle to the “End of Road Work” sign or the last temporary traffic control device.

Images courtesy of WSDOT

Washington State Department of Transportation - Give 'em a BRAKE

Drivers generally don’t think they are at risk in work zones.– Unfortunately, Washington averages almost 1,000 highway work zone

injuries each year.

- 99 percent the people injured or killed in work zone collisions are drivers and their passengers.

- Most injuries and deaths in work zones are caused by rear-end collisions.

- Inattentive drivers are not prepared for sudden slow downs and last minute lane changes in work zones.

Work Zone Safety

Image courtesy of Fotosearch – Royalty Free

Do not speed in work zones; obey the posted speed limits. Stay alert! Expect the unexpected. Watch for workers; drive with caution. Don't change lanes unnecessarily. Avoid using mobile phones while driving in work zones. Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you. Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones. Expect delays, especially during peak travel times. Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you. Anticipate lane shifts, and merge when directed to do so. Be patient!

Work Zone Safety Tips

Defensive Driving

Defensive driving involves the cultivation of good habits, maintaining attention and a thoughtful, cooperative attitude.

A defensive driver learns to anticipate the actions of others. PLAN YOUR ESCAPE ROUTE

Important Defensive Driving Skills:

oMake good decisions based on factors like road conditions,

traffic conditions, and weather oEvasive maneuvering oProper hand placement and seating position oSkid control oSteering and braking techniques oUnderstand your vehicle’s dynamics

If you haven’t had training, attend a defensive driving course.

Key Points Keep space in front of your vehicle to allow

time to stop. At 60 mph, a vehicle travels 88 feet per second. In the ¾ of a second it takes to put your foot on the brake, you’ve gone 66 feet—180 to 220 feet before you stop! If you speed or tailgate, by the time you SEE a problem, you’re out of luck!

Speed management - as speed of your vehicle increases so does the severity of an accident.

Know your vehicle’s blind spots to avoid a potential collision.

Defensive Driving

Image courtesy of WA Traffic Safety Commission

There are various aspects of driving that act as stressors, and frequently impact many motorists’ state of mind and driving ability:

Behavior Behind the Wheel – “ATTITUDE”

Driver behavior shown below as skills and errors in

three behavioral areas

Behavior Behind the Wheel – “ATTITUDE”

SKILLS (+)

AFFECTIVE (+A) COGNITIVE (+C) SENSORIMOTOR (+S)I've got to be careful here. Don't want to cut anybody off.

This person looks like he's in a hurry to get in. I better let him in.

(Gesticulating and smiling:) Go ahead. You go first.

ERRORS (-)

AFFECTIVE (-A) COGNITIVE (-C) SENSORIMOTOR (S)I wish I could give that guy a piece of my mind.

I don't think people like that should be allowed on the road.

(Yelling:) "You stupid idiot, why don't you watch where you're going!"

"Why is Driving Stressful" - Taxonomy of Driving Behavior

Avoid Aggressive Behavior and Become a Supportive Driver

Stage 1--Avoiding Being an Aggressive Driver Affective Level - Overcoming my resistance to change Cognitive Level - Learning to do rational analyses of

traffic incidents Sensorimotor Level - Acting out civil behavior

Stage 2--Becoming a Supportive Driver Affective Level - Maintaining a supportive orientation

towards other drivers Cognitive Level - Analyzing driving situations

objectively Sensorimotor Level - Behaving like a happy person

Behavior Behind the Wheel – “ATTITUDE”

Encourage drivers to practice self observation behind the wheel and keep a record

Washington State Patrol The Washington State Patrol has a number of webpages

covering information on driving laws, road rage/aggressive drivers, secured loads and traffic enforcement.

Road Rage and Aggressive Driving

Enforcement – Target Zero

Driver and Vehicle - WSP

Secured Loads

Driver Safety – Rules of the Road

http://www.wsp.wa.gov/information/video/aggressive_driving.asx

Click on the link below to watch the WSP aggressive driving enforcement video

Washington Department of Transportation

WSDOT's Traffic Operations Division is using a number of tools to manage the highways better, safer and more efficiently.  Operating efficiently means taking steps to smooth traffic flows and avoid, or reduce, situations that constrict roads.  Much of this is done using traffic technology, such as electronic tolling, traffic management centers, traffic cameras, variable message signs and ramp meters. These solutions make drivers better able to adapt to changing circumstances and unforeseen events.

WSDOT Traffic Operations Safety Webpage

Washington State Traffic Laws (Rules of the Road)

The Washington State Legislature has adopted a number of laws related to traffic and driving safety that cover such topics as:

RCW 46.61 - Rules of the Road

- Passing on the roadway

- Right of way

- Pedestrians’ rights and duties

- Turning, starting, stopping

- Speed restrictions

- Reckless driving

- Driving under the influence

- Vehicular homicide and assault

American Driver & Traffic Safety Education Association Washington Traffic Safety Commission

Department of Licensing – Driving records

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Washington Operation Lifesaver – safety at railroad crossings AAA Foundation for Highway Safety

Center for Disease Control & Prevention – motor vehicle safety

Additional Resources

More Resources

TeenLiveDrive.com

Speeding over 100 MPH causes fatal collision

Images courtesy of Free.Foto - Shutterstock