Defensive Driving

Hortica Insurance

Loss Control Department

2009

Federal Motor Carrier 2007 Statistics

• Crash Type: Large Trucks All Vehicles

• Fatal: 4321 38,588

• Injuries: 77,000 1,746,000

• Property Damage:

287,000 4,189,000

• Average Cost per crash: $91,112

Safety Behind the Wheel

• Road Conditions-are the roads safe?

• Injuries while working or off work

• Unsafe acts behind the wheel

• Driving under the influence

• Road Rage

• Unsafe conditions

• Vehicle safety featuresCalifornia Department of Motor Vehicles

Unsafe acts behind the wheel

• Shaving• Putting on make-up• Reading map• Reaching behind you• Not using a seatbelt• Driving under the

influence• Talking/texting on cell

phone• Disciplining children

• Driving at an unsafe speed

• Failing to stop or yield• Unsafe passing• Tailgating• Not using turn-signals• Eating while driving• Smoking• Others?

Unsafe Conditions

• Poor visibility -Driving at night

(Fatality rates are 4 times higher at night)

-Dust Storms

-Rain Storms

-Fog

-Windshield wipers not effective

• Poor road condition -Slippery surfaces from weather

-Road not properly maintained

- Road construction

• Improper vehicle maintenance

-Inadequate brakes

-Worn tires

-Engine tune-up

-Taillights/turn-signals out

-Headlight(s)/backup out

-Rearview mirror adjustments

Roads & Risks are Shared

• It’s important to remember that we all share the roads… (other drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, animals

Defensive Driver

• Has knowledge of laws and safe driving strategies

• Alertness-to focus attention on driving and changing conditions

• Foresight to recognize hazards in advance and know what might happen

• Judgment to decide the safest action

• Skills to carry out action

Factors Contributing to a collision

• The Driver

• The Vehicle

• The Conditions

National Safety Council

The Driver

• Not using safety belt• Improper speed• Failure to yield right of way• Improper or unsafe turns• Following to closely• Impaired driving• Improper overtaking and passing

The Vehicle

• Pre-trip Inspection – What is involved?

• Proper and Timely Maintenance

• Familiarize yourself with vehicle or rental car

The Environment

• Light

• Weather

• Road

• Traffic (includes other drivers)

Defensive DrivingCollision Prevention Formula

• Recognize the Hazard

• Understand the Defense

• Act Correctly and in Time

National Safety Council

Intersection Safety Formula

• Know-the procedure for each type of intersection

• Show other drivers what you are going to do

• Slow down as you approach the intersection

• Go through the intersection when it is SAFE, CLEAR, and LEGAL

Passing Cars??

• To get in front of other vehicle• Late for appointment• Emergency• Leader of the pack attitude• “Me First” attitude• Habit• To be able to see better, if following larger

vehicles

Before Passing another VehicleAsk Yourself:

• Is this pass necessary?

• If I do not pass what will I lose?

• Why am I passing?

• Is it safe and legal to pass?

When it is not legal

• No passing zone• School zone• Railroad crossing or

100 ft. before• In intersections or 100

ft. on either side• In tunnels or 100 ft.

before• In curves with passing

restrictions

• Within 100 ft. of the crest of the hill

• Many bridges or 100 ft. before

• At a stopped school bus with extended arm or flashing lights

• Hospital and Construction zones

You are driving on a two lane road. A mile down the road a car is passing a truck. The car is not moving to the proper lane and is headed

straight at you, what would you do?

• The 4 R’s• Read the road ahead

recognize the hazard• Drive to the right• Reduce speed• Ride off the roadNational Safety Council

Driving near Trucks or Buses

• Blind Spots

• Gusts of wind

• Size and weight make for longer stopping distances

• Don’t tailgate or cut in too soon after passing

Emergency Vehicles

• Move to the right or to the shoulder if possible

• If you can not move, stay where your at.

Fog Driving Tips:

• Drive with lights on low beam• Reduce speed• Listen for traffic you cannot see• Use wipers and defroster as

necessary for maximum vision• If car stalls or is disabled, move

away from vehicle to avoid personal injury and turn on emergency blinkers

• If you can postpone your trip until fog clears

California Highway Patrol

Rain Driving Tips

• Get feel of road and make speed adjustments• Make sure tires are properly inflated and have

plenty of tread• Wipers and defroster in good condition• When slowing or stopping, gently apply the

brakes• Drive with headlights on• Wet brakes may pull or stop slower than usual• Be alert for signs of hydroplaning

California Highway Patrol

Driving in the snow

• Decrease your speed and leave yourself room to stop

• Brake gently to avoid skidding• Turn your lights on• Keep windshield and lights clean• Use low gear to keep traction• Be careful on bridges, overpasses, shaded

roadways… black ice• Don’t pass snow plows• Don’t assume your vehicle can handle all

conditions. Even four-wheel drive can encounter problems

Alcohol Related Accidents

• 36 people die each day• 700 are injured each day• Annual cost of alcohol related crashes

$51 billion +• 13,470 people died in 2006• 1.4 million drivers arrested in 2007• 18% of all accidents drug related• 306 children died as passengers 2006• 45 children died as pedestrians or

bicyclists, from alcohol impaired drivers• Illegal to drive with a BAC of 0.08% or

higher

CDC-Centers for Disease Control

“Road Rage”

(Road rage is driving under the influence of too much Anger, Impatience, and Competing)

Provoked by: Feeling endanger of someone else’s driving

Resentment at being forced to slow down Righteous indignation at someone who breaks

traffic rules Anger at someone taking out their frustrations on

you Therapy for road rage: Take a deep breath and just let it go!

Fatigue

Fatigue can affect our level Fatigue can affect our level of alertness and can lead of alertness and can lead to poor driving.to poor driving.

Poor mental judgments, by slower reaction and a general inability to “See the Big Picture”

Safe Driving ChecklistObey the Law

• Observe speed limits• Obey traffic signs and signals• Pass only when you can do it

safely• Yield to drivers who have the

right of way• Never drive under the

influence of alcohol or drugs• Use your seat belt• Obey state laws on use of Cell

Phones• Familiarize yourself with your

vehicle

• Never tailgate• Dim headlights for oncoming

traffic• Be aware of what ahead• Expect the unexpected• Slow down in bad weather• Watch out for “Black ice”

and/or “Hydroplaning”• Maintain your vehicle• Never abuse your vehicle, it is

what helps maintain your income

• Watch out for children

Your Family Needs You!It’s All Up to You

The End

Presented by: Hortica Insurance