Defensive Driving

Training for Driver

ObjectivesTo know the hazards & danger involved in driving a vehicle and take

necessary precautions to save lives, time and money.

Definition of Defensive driving?

Introduction

General Discussion on Safety

Road users in INDIA

WHY DRIVER TRAINING?

Why Accidents Occur?

Six factors

Driver Safety Topics

DEFENSIVE DRIVING

Defensive

Driving

Vehicle

Light

Defensive Driving: ?

A defensive driver is one who will do everything

possible to avoid a collision /Accident/ Crash/Break

down. etc

OR

It is the driving to save lives, time & money in-spite of

the conditions around you and the actions of others.

Conditions: Roads, weather, traffic, light etc.

Actions of others: Violations, discourtesy, lack of

knowledge of other Drivers etc.

ROAD USERS IN INDIA

Pedestrians:

• No Footpath

• No Zebra Crossing

• They cross out of zebra crossing

• Bus Stops not provided

• Walk in groups

• Creating fun on the road

• They do not walk facing the incoming traffic

ROAD USERS IN INDIA

Road users in India

Animals*

Slow moving animals (Cow,

Buffalo etc

Pet Animals (Dogs, Cats etc.)

Pedestrian Vehicles

Major vehicles ( Bus, Lorry Etc)

•Roughly handled

• Poorly maintained

*They are not visible at night.

WHY DRIVER

TRAINING?

Driving is something we do daily.

It’s the most dangerous thing we do!

140,000 people die each year

• 115 people who leave home today will never return

• Every 4th minute, there is 01 road casualty in India.

• There are 11 accidents for every 1000 vehicles.

• Every year out of 01 lacs unnatural deaths in India, nearly

68000

(more than 34%) are due to road accidents.

• Mostly males, who are earning members in the family,

die.

Narrow Roads 385 15.26%

Turns 414 16.38%

Slopes & climbs 296 11.71%

Straight Roads 1431 56.65%

SPOTS OF ACCIDENTS

•ACCIDENT BLACK SPOTS:

Uncontrolled junction

• Bus stop

• Gaps within Road Dividers

• On street Parking places

• Building access (while

reversing)

• Road Bend

• National Highway

•“ACCIDENTS DO NOT

HAPPEN, THEY ARE

CAUSED”.

General Discussion

Why Accidents Occur?

Most frequent causes of accidents

Inatention to detail

Speeding

DWI/DUI (Driving Under the Influence/"Driving

While Intoxicated" or "Driving While Impaired“)

Driving too fast for conditions

Failed to yield

Other Factors:

Road conditions

Weather related & Physical conditions

Vehicle Maintenance

Tires treadwear/pressure

Brakes

General Discussion

Accident Costs?

Physical Damage - Your Vehicle

Property Damage - Destroyed Property

Medical Costs - Yours & Passengers

Liability Costs - Other Vehicle(s) physical

damage

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

General Discussion

Driver Expectations?

Your Company expects high standards of performance, including safe driving.

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

Why? Because it’s possible, Cost effective, Right thing to

do!

Safety Tips

Quick Check Step Process

Defensive Driving Techniques

Rules of the road

General Safety Rules

Pre-Trip Inspection

Take a walk around your vehicle.

Windows clean?

Lights/signals clean & working.

Tires properly inflated / tread wear.

Fluid leaks on the ground.

Plates current???

Inside the Vehicle

Adjust your seat and fasten seat belt

Check and adjust all Mirrors

Adugst your Headrest

Assure doors fully closed and secured

Scan the gauges

Check windows/windshield

Adjust the vents, windows, heater & air conditioner

Make sure you’re emotionally ready to focus on driving

Your State Of Mind

Mental State Stress / Emotions / Attitudes

Drowsiness / Fatigue

Vision / Hearing

Alcohol

Getting the Big Picture

Scan the road ahead

City (Approx. 1 block)

Rural (Approx. 1/4 mile)

Keep your eyes moving.

Check your mirrors every 5 seconds.

Following Distance

Speed & Stopping distance are key.

Stay 3 to 4 seconds behind.

Tailgaters

Avoid quick changes.

Increase your following distance.

Don’t speed up.

Avoid tricks. (Control emotions.)

Lane Changes

Check to make sure there is enough room.

Signal your intentions.

Check your blind spot and space again.

Make the lane change.

Blind Spots

Don’t drive in someone else’s.

Make yourself as visible as possible. (*At all

times)

Line Markings

Yellow lines - Traffic in both directions.

White lines - One way traffic.

Broken - Passing allowed.

Solid - No passing.

Mandatory Signs:-

In accordance with the Motor Vehicles Act 1988, every driver of a motor

vehicle shall drive the vehicle in conformity with any indication given by the

mandatory signs.

Cautionary Signs:-

Cautionary signs are meant for cautioning the driver about the hazards

lying ahead on the road. The driver should obey these for safety.

Informatory Signs:-

Informatory signs are erected on the road to provide information on

direction, destination, roadside facilities, etc. to the road user.

Road Safety Signs

Sign

Postings

Regulatory

- Red &White

Warning

- Yellow &Black

Construction

- Orange

Guide Signs- Blue/Back/Green

Right-Of-Way

At an intersection, vehicle on the right has the

right to go first.

Be aware of pedestrians and school crossing.

Scan the intersection/stop at the limit line

Reminder: NO One is guaranteed the right of

way.

Look at your path.

Back slowly.

Back to the driver’s side when possible.

Use a helper when possible.

Backing

Railroad Crossings

The cross buck is found at most public crossings.

These signs should be treated in the same manner as a

yield sign.

Ramps (Slope)

Obey speed limits posted.

Speed limits designed for autos;

larger vehicles need to go slower.

Exits merging downhill are particularly

dangerous.

Adjust speed and position

Be familiar with surrounding

Emergency Vehicles

Immediately move to the right of your lane, to

another lane, or to the shoulder if possible.

If moving right is not possible, stay where you

are. Do not move left.

Accident Reporting• Note the vehicle no.

• Stop the vehicle

• Switch on warning lights

• Render first-aid to injured

• Rush to the hospital

• Inform police, irrespective who is at fault.

• Get medically checked if you also have received injury or head hit.

• Note the name of Driver, license no.

Don’t Get Caught in an accident!

Six Factors involved for causing road accidents

1. Light

2. Road

3. Weather

4. Vehicle

5. Traffic

6. Driver

DRIVER

• Low education level

• Inadequate training

• Easily obtained License

• Lack of knowledge of rules & regulations

• Long working hours fatigue

• Health fitness is poor

•Drinking habits

• Emotional stress

• Over confidence in driving

• Seeing Ability:

-Colour blindness

-40% elderly drivers can not see road signs at night.

-10 to 30 times more illumination level is required to see at night.

Factors affecting driving skills

• Fatigue (overworking hours)

Stop when you feel tired/ sleepy, take rest, tea &

arrange other driver to drive.

• Medicine

• Disturb mind

• Distraction (pet, children at back seat, loud

music, etc.)

• Drunken driving

BREAKDOWN

• Inform convoy supervisor

• Switch on warning lights

• Keep vehicle away from movement of traffic

• Display warning triangle

• Apply hand brake

• Convoy supervisor will inform to the control room

• Control room will inform emergency breakdown control point.

MECHANICAL FAILURE

•Brake failure

What to do?

• Tire burst

What to do?

• Sudden loss of acceleration

What to do?

• Bonnet flies up

What to do?

DO NOT OVERTAKE

• On a marked NO OVERTAKING ZONE.

• On curves

• On hills

• 100 meters before & at railway crossing or cross roads.

• A vehicle, slowing down to give way to pedestrians

Avoid following too closely

•Reaction time: 3/4th of a second

• Gap between the vehicles: keep one

vehicle distance for every 10 kmph speed.

Defensive Driving Good Habits

• Observation;

-Who, where, when & what to look for.

• Communication

• Coordination

• Consideration

Keep your mind cool, Manage stress

SCHEDULE DELAY

•Plan your trip, this will reduce driving time.

• Hurry leads to mistakes and accidents

• Beware of bad weather, traffic conditions & route.

ATTITUDE

•Willing to admit mistakes

• Tolerance towards the mistakes of others

• Respect for the law

• Respect for other road users

• Courtesy

FOLLOWING DISTANCE

● 30 MPH 4 SECONDS● 40 MPH 5 SECONDS● 50 MPH 6 SECONDS● 60 MPH 7 SECONDS● 70 MPH 8 SECONDS

RESPONSIBILITY AS A DRIVER NEVER ENDS. YOUR LIFE AND THE LIVES OF OTHERS DEPEND ON YOU!

As a defensive driver, you must be always alert on the road.

Best Driver!