Defensive Driver Training

Scott PipicelliHettrick, Cyr & Associates

Preventable Vehicle AccidentPreventable Vehicle Accident

…..One in which the driver failed to do everything reasonable to avoid the accident

Accident Statistics & Facts

77% of accidents are due to driver errorNearly 6.3 million police-reported motor

vehicle crashes occurred in the U.S. last yearLarge trucks accounted for 9% of the vehicles

in fatal crashesRegardless of crash severity, the majority of

vehicles in single and two-vehicle crashes were going straight prior to the crash

Accident Statistics & Accident Statistics & FactsFacts

Traffic death rates are 3 times higher at night than during the day

90% of a driver’s reaction depends on vision

From 1975-1999, an estimated 123,213 lives were saved by seat belts

Every 33 minutes someone dies in an alcohol-related crash

Speeding Accidents Statistics & Facts

Speeding was a contributing factor in 30% of all fatal crashes

12,628 lives were lost in speeding-related crashes in 2001

The economic cost of speeding-related crashes is estimated to be $28 billion each year-$53,243 per minute or $887 per second

Speeding AccidentsSpeeding Accidents Statistics & Facts Statistics & Facts

Speeding was involved in more than 1/3 of the fatal crashes that occurred in construction/maintenance zones in 2001

86% of speeding-related fatalities occurred on roads that were not Interstate highways

Between midnight and 3 am, 76% of speeding drivers involved in fatal crashes had been drinking

CDL Driver Coaching SkillsCDL Driver Coaching Skills

Cushion of SafetyFollowing Distance/TailgatingCovering the BrakeLong Distance ScanningTotal Stopping Distance

CDL Driver Coaching SkillsCDL Driver Coaching Skills

SpeedingBlind SpotsPassingNight Driving HydroplaningPlacing TrianglesRight Turns

Anticipating Hazards

Handling Intersections

Backing

Cushion of Safety

• Maintain at least a 4-second following distance when traveling (in ideal conditions) under 40 mph; at greater speeds, add 1 second

• Scan your driving environment at least 12-15 seconds down the road

• Frequently check both left and right mirrors every 3-5 seconds

• Scan for other vehicles moving behind your truck before you lose them in your blind spot

Cushion of SafetyCushion of SafetyBe aware of driving in others’ blind spotWhen changing lanes to the right, take extra

care in checking your right mirrors for vehicles alongside your truck

When backing off in a problem situation, “cover the brake”

In congested areas, increase your scanning activity and levels of alertness

Total Stopping DistanceTotal Stopping Distance

Total Stopping Distance =Perception Distance + Reaction Distance +

Brake Lag Distance +

Braking Distance

DefinitionsDefinitions

Perception Distance: distance vehicle travels from the time a driver spots a problem to the time it takes them to react

(12-15 seconds = ¼ mile or 1 ½ city blocks)

Reaction Distance: distance vehicle travels from the time the accelerator is released to the time the brake pedal is pressed

Reaction DistanceReaction Distance

THE AVERAGE PERSON’S

REACTION TIME = ¾ SECOND

Traveling at 30 mph ¾ second = 33 feetTraveling at 55 mph ¾ second = 60 feetTraveling at 65 mph ¾ second = 72 feet

DefinitionsDefinitions

Brake Lag Distance: distance vehicle travels after the brake pedal is pressed and before air brakes actuated

Braking Distance: distance from the time after the brake is actuated and before vehicle comes to a complete stop

Approximate Stopping Approximate Stopping DistancesDistances

SPEED STOPPING DISTANCES

STOPPING DISTANCES

MPH CAR TRUCK

10 20 30

20 60 80

30 110 140

40 170 210

50 240 295

55 280 337

Factors that Effect Stopping Factors that Effect Stopping DistancesDistances

Tire TreadRoad SurfaceVehicle LoadWeatherRoad InclinationEffects of Alcohol, Drugs & Fatigue

Adverse Weather Conditions Adverse Weather Conditions

Increase your following distance in fog, heavy rain, snow, ice, etc.

Reduce speed to well below the posted speed limit. Braking distances can increase 300% on ice an snow Vehicle weight will not decrease stopping distance Whenever there is a glare on the road, the conditions

are prime for hydroplaning and black ice.

What’s Wrong With ThisWhat’s Wrong With ThisPicture?Picture?

Reading The Traffic SituationReading The Traffic Situation

Driver A should be reading the traffic situation and recognize that if car B or D were to change lanes suddenly, the drivers of B or D might not see truck A in their blind spot

Accident ReportAccident Report

The accident report would say: I (driver A) had no one in front or behind me. Car B pulled right out in front of me. I could not do anything about it.

Preventability Standpoint Preventability Standpoint

The driver could have done something reasonable to avoid the collision, by moving out of these blind spots.