DEFENSIVE DEFENSIVE DRIVINGDRIVING

ACCIDENTSACCIDENTS• Human Error – Emotions

• Give yourself time to cool off

• If angry, upset or feeling not yourself in any way pull off the road and regroup

ACCIDENT ACCIDENT PREVENTION PREVENTION

FORMULAFORMULAA.) BE ALERT

B.) BE PREPARED

C.) ACT IN TIME

Aggressive Aggressive Driving/Road RageDriving/Road Rage

• Emotions can have a great affect on a motorist’s driving.

• If a motorist is angry or excited, he/she should take “time” to cool off until calm.

SPACE CUSHIONSPACE CUSHION• ESCAPE ROUTES

• Allows you enough time to act in case something goes wrong in front of you

VISUAL HEADVISUAL HEAD• HOW FAR AHEAD YOU SHOULD BE LOOKING.

• A.) City streets – 12 seconds ahead

• B.) Highways – 20 seconds ahead

FOLLOWING FOLLOWING DISTANCEDISTANCE

• Tailgating – following to closely• Choose a fixed object ahead• A.) Time Rule – 3 second plus rule choose a fixed

object

• Wet Roads – 4 second plus rule

• Snow covered – 6 car lengths

• Slippery roads – worst in the first few minutes of rain

• Reaction distance – distance traveled before hitting the brake

• Braking distance- distance needed to completely stop the vehicle

• Reaction distance + Braking distance = Stopping distance

TRUCKSTRUCKS• A.) 25 % longer to stop

• B.) Always stop or drive outside no zone or blind spot. (see driver in his mirror)

• C.) Give trucks extra room (turns)

Carbon MonoxideCarbon Monoxide• Deadly gas in car exhaust.

• Never run engine inside (garage)

• Gas fumes explode.

HYDROPLANINGHYDROPLANING Tires ride up onto the water on the road

A.) Starts at about 35 mph

B.) Slow down and drive on highest part of the road.

C.) NO QUICK STOPS, NO QUICK TURNS

OVERDRIVING OVERDRIVING HEADLIGHTSHEADLIGHTS

• Be able to drive within the distance of your headlights

HIGHWAY HIGHWAY HYPNOSISHYPNOSIS

• When one has been behind the wheel a long time and goesInto a trance.

• Make periodic stops

• Keep your eyes moving

DISTRACTIONSDISTRACTIONS• In many cases, collisions are caused by

distraction.

• Inattentive motorists often: tailgate, go too fast, ignore traffic signs, road markings and other vehicles.

• Causes: lighting a cigarette, reaching across the seat to a glove compartment, adjusting the radio, trying to remove a coat, eating, shaving, applying make-up.

Communicating and Communicating and DrivingDriving

• To talk to other drivers on the road the driver can use:o Hand or hand signalso Horno Lights

Always signal before changing lanes.

Changing LanesChanging Lanes• Look at the rearview mirror• Glance behind to check blind spots• Always signal lane changes

• Keep in mind:• Only pass or change lanes when necessary• Check traffic ahead and behind• Signal• Follow pavement markings

When being passed…When being passed…• Slow down, stay in the proper lane and return to

normal speed after the passing vehicle is well ahead

Pump Your BrakesPump Your Brakes• After driving through a deep puddle, pump (test)

your brakes.

HydroplaningHydroplaning• Occurs starting at 35mph when the tires ride up

on a film of water which could cause the motorist to lose control of the vehicle.

Night DrivingNight Driving• Nearly90% of driving decisions are based upon

what a motorist sees while driving.

• A motorist should always be sure the vehicle can stop within the distance that he/she sees ahead.

City DrivingCity Driving• City driving = heavier traffic and more

pedestrians

• Drive more slowly and watch for the movements of others.

• Look at least 12 seconds ahead.

Farm Country/Open Farm Country/Open LandLand

• Be cautious of livestock or deer that may cross the road.

SKIDSSKIDS• CAUSED BY BRAKING, SPEED, OR ROAD

CONDITIONS.

o WHAT TO DO:oRELEASE GAS

oNO BRAKE

oTURN TOWARDS FISHTAIL

RUNNING OFF RUNNING OFF PAVEMENTPAVEMENT

• Slow down • Regain control • Signal and slowly turn on gradually

BRAKE FAILUREBRAKE FAILUREA.) Shift to lower gear (neutral)B.) Pump brakes fastC.) Pull your parking brake as a last resortD.) Hit something that “GIVES” (bushes or fencing)

TIRE BLOWOUTTIRE BLOWOUTA.) Hold steering wheel firmly

B.) Keep vehicle moving forwardwhile slowing down gradually.

C.) Do not press the gas pedal.

D.) Emergency stop procedure (pull off the road, warn traffic, ask for help)

STUDDED STUDDED SNOWTIRESSNOWTIRES

• Nov 15th – April 1st

Emergency StopsEmergency Stops• Signal and turn onto the shoulder, begin to slow

down

• Once on shoulder, turn on the parking lights or emergency warning lights

• Don’t stand behind the vehicle.

• Tie a white handkerchief to the antenna or left door handle as a signal if help is needed.

• Call for help

Construction Construction Zones/Work ZonesZones/Work Zones

• Traffic fines are doubled for motor vehicle violations committed in the area of roadway construction zones.