the art of driving to reduce incidents

A WORK do we TALK and TEACH

The ART of DRIVING to reduce

incidents from happening at WORK!

Do we cover Vehicle Incidents

• Overloaded Vehicles

• Rear End Collisions

• Distracted Driving

Incident Summary

• Distractions include:

– Reaching/looking for items in the car

– Things, events outside of the car/rubbernecking

– Cell phones

– Adjusting the radio

– Eating

– Grooming

– Children and pets

Safe Drivers Need Safety Belts Too

• Jumping off a three story building is similar to the force of a crash at

30 mph.

• Crashing at speeds as low as 12 mph can kill an unbuckled

occupant.

• Safety belts reduce the risk of death for those riding in the front

seat by about 45%.

• Safety belts reduce the risk of death for those driving pickup trucks

by 60-65%.

Safe Driving Matters!

The Decisions You Make Behind the Wheel Matter!

Recommendations

• What Employees Should Do

• What Employers Should Do

How Risky is It?An assessment of the relative risk of An assessment of the relative risk of An assessment of the relative risk of An assessment of the relative risk of engaging in potentially unsafe driving engaging in potentially unsafe driving engaging in potentially unsafe driving engaging in potentially unsafe driving

behaviorsbehaviorsbehaviorsbehaviors

Driving Safety Statistics

– Someone is injured

every 18 seconds

– Motor vehicle incidents

are the most common

cause of death

– 35% of work-related

fatalities are associated

with motor vehicles

Defensive Driving Techniques

– Do you the employee

and your supervisor

understand the

information about

defensive driving

techniques?

In your company plan and risk

assessment to you do more than cover

– Leading Driving Hazards

– incident Avoidance

– Safe Backing Techniques

– Other Driving Hazards

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The Defensive Driver

• Prepares before getting behind the wheel

• Ensures all passengers use safety belts

• Obeys speed limits

• Considers weather conditions

13

Steps to Safer Driving

• Plan your trip

• Know your vehicle

• Keep gas tank at least ½ full

• Maintain control

• Remember defensive driving techniques

14

Rental Vehicles

• Familiarize yourself

– With the vehicle

– With your surroundings

– Know where you are going before you leave the

parking lot

15

Driving Laws these are NOT

SUGGESTION SIGNS

• Observe Speed limits

– Drive for road conditions

– Drive for traffic conditions

• Obey Traffic laws

– Right turn on red?

• Use your turn signal

16

Terrain

• Know the terrain

– Narrow, hilly roads

– Road surface

– Congested city streets

– RR crossings without lights or gates

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Watch out for

• Pedestrians

• Children

• Animals

• Bad Drivers

• Trucks

18

Disaster Driving Tips to Live By

• Increase the distance between your car and others due to increased hazards of the road– Debris, work zones,

stop light damage, stress levels

Allowing Yourself Space

19

Driving Tips to Live By

• Scan the horizon

• Keep you eyes moving

• Scan on and off the road

• Check your mirrors frequently

• Be totally aware of what is in front and

behind you at all times

20

Vehicles May Pass Unexpectedly at Any Time

21

THINK Flaggers in Work Zones are Not Always Visible

22

Be Aware of Oversized Vehicles, Mobile Homes,

and Heavy Equipment

23

Drivers are Stressed, Be Patient

Like General SafetyAlways use seatbelts!

When backing up, use caution: if you have passenger, ask

them to get out and direct; if not, get out and check area

before backing.

If vehicle is not operating properly, report and discontinue

use.

Shut off motor and do not smoke or use cell phone while

refueling.

Do not leave engine running in an unattended vehicle.

Report all work incidents, no matter how minor, to your

supervisor.

General Discussion

incident Costs?

� Physical Damage - Your Vehicle

� Property Damage - Destroyed Property

� Medical Costs - Yours & Passengers

� Liability Costs - Other Vehicle(s) physical

damage

� Other(s) injuries $$$$$$$

Did you and Your SUPEVISOR DISCUSS

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

� Adust your Headrest

� Assure doors fully closed and

secured

� Scan the gauges


Continuation

� Check windows/windshield

� Adjust the vents, windows, heater &

airconditioner

� 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.


Railroad Crossings

� The cross buck is found at most public

crossings.

� These signs should be treated in the same

manner as a yield sign.


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.


Winter Driving

� IDENTIFYING SLIPPERY SURFACES.

– Shaded Areas - Shady parts of the road will remain icy and

slippery after open areas have melted.

– Bridges - Bridges freeze before roads do.

– Melting Ice - Slight melting will make ice wet.

– Black Ice - If the temperature is below freezing and the road

looks wet.

– Vehicle Ice - Open the window and feel the front of the

mirror and antenna. (The road is icing up!)


Leading Causes of Collisions– Unsafe Lane Changes

– Following Too Closely

– Excessive Speed

– Distracted Driving

– Vehicle Malfunctions

– Not Adjusting to

Road/Conditions

– DUI’s


Rear-End Collisions• Rear-ending other vehicles is the leading cause

of vehicle incidents

• Maintain 3-second following distance to react safely.

• Braking distance is 3 – 12 X longer in bad weather conditions

38


Incident Avoidance Tips

• Keep Space around Vehicle’s

• Never Drive Side-by-Side

• Know Your Blind Spots

• Keep Out of other Peoples Blind Spots

39


Unsafe Behaviors

40

Distracted Drivers,Distracted Drivers,Distracted Drivers,Distracted Drivers,

People are dying to get

your attention!!!


Types Types Types Types of Distractions:of Distractions:of Distractions:of Distractions:

There are 3 types of distractions:

Visual Distractions:Visual Distractions:Visual Distractions:Visual Distractions: Anything that

takes your eyes off the road.

Manual Distractions:Manual Distractions:Manual Distractions:Manual Distractions: Anything that takes your hands off the steering wheel.

Cognitive Distractions:Cognitive Distractions:Cognitive Distractions:Cognitive Distractions: Anything that takes your mind off driving.

Distractions:

All distractions can be dangerous and life dangerous and life dangerous and life dangerous and life

threateningthreateningthreateningthreatening but texting is one of the most

dangerous distractions because it involves all

three types of distractions.

Other distractive activities include:» Using a cell phone

» Eating and drinking

» Talking to passengers

» Grooming

» Reading, including map

» Using PDA or navigation system

» Watching a videa

» Changing the radio station, CD,

Mp3 player or other device


Driving Hazards:

Dangerous Conditions

– Bad weather

– Difficult road

conditions

– Poor light or glare

– Heavy traffic

– Road work

– incidents

45

• Neglecting maintenance can cause crashes.

• Monitor condition of and air pressure in your

tires. Not doing so could cause blowout or a

flat.

• Change wiper blades regularly.


Vehicle Maintenance


Pre-Drive Inspection– Tires

– Leaks under vehicle

– Windows clean, nothing

blocking vision

– Mirrors properly

adjusted

– Lights working properly


Vehicle Maintenance

– Regular tune-ups

– Oil changes

– Fluid levels

– Brakes

– Tire treads

and pressure

– Lights, signals,

and wipers


Carrying a Load?

– Don’t overload

your vehicle

– Make sure everyone

has a seat and

a seat belt

– Make sure cargo is

properly secured

– Be certain your

vision is not blocked

Driving Hazards:

ID Test

• Identify three driving

hazards caused by

human error

Reckless driving

Distracted driving

Fatigue

Aggressive driving

Vehicles in poor operating condition

Driving underthe influence

Driving Hazards:

ID Test (cont.)

• Identify three driving

hazards caused by

dangerous conditions

Bad weather

Difficult road conditions

Poor light or glare

Heavy traffic

Road work

incidents


Obey Traffic Rules

And Use Common Sense– Speed limits

– Traffic signs

and signals

– Follow the MINIMUM

3-second rule

– Signal your intentions

– Pass with care and only

where allowed

– Keep your mind on your driving and

your hands on the wheel

– Scan the road ahead for problems

– Check mirrors frequently

– Expect the unexpected

– Yield to other drivers who are determined

to get there first


Keep Alert and Be Prepared


Adjust to Weather

And Road Conditions– Slow down

– Turn on lights and wipers

– Increase following

distance to 4 seconds

– Avoid puddles

– Beware of misty rain

after a dry spell

– Be prepared to handle a skid safely

– Beware of icy patches


Watch Out for Fatigue– Be especially careful

during late night,

early morning, and

mid-afternoon hours

– Stop, take a nap, and

drink coffee if you’re

tired

– Avoid medicines that

make you drowsy


Keep Cool in Traffic

– Keep your emotions in check

– Take steps to stay relaxed no matter what

– Allow enough time to get there

– Don’t provoke other drivers

– Report aggressive drivers to the police

Avoid Road Rage Incidents

• Don’t offend, don’t engage.

• Adjust your attitude (stay calm).

• Avoid cutting people off.

• Don’t tailgate or follow closely.

• Don’t make obscene/questionable gestures.

• Avoid eye contact.

• Give angry drivers lots of room – You just can’t know what else is going on with them!

56

– Keep windshield clean to improve vision

– Turn lights on 1/2 hour before sunset

– Increase following distance to 4 seconds

– Be extra careful on curves and at intersections

– Switch from high to low beams to keep

from blinding other drivers

– If you have trouble, pull completely off

the road and use flashers


Be Extra Careful at Night

58

• Traffic deaths are three times greater at night

than during the day

• Depth perception, color recognition and

peripheral vision is compromised.

• Aging eyes need more light. 50 year old

needs 2x more light than 30 year old.

Night Driving

59

• Increase following distance to 4+ seconds

• Clean headlights, taillights, signal lights and windows (at least weekly).

• Replace wiper blades.

• Have vehicle headlights properly aimed.

• Don’t overdrive headlights – should be able to stop inside illuminated area

• Turn lights on 1/2 hour before sunset

Night Driving


What’s behind you?

60


Vehicle Backing Safety

• Think In Advance

• Use a Spotter

• Do a Walk-Around

• Know Clearances

61

Backing out of a driveway

Think in Advance

• Try to position vehicle so you don’t have to

back up.

• Choose easy exit parking spots that don’t

crowd neighboring vehicles.

• Back into the space if possible when parking.

• Back to the left if possible so you can see

objects on the driver’s side.

62


Use a Spotter

• Use another person to help when backing.

• Turn off radio and roll down window to hear

what spotter is telling you.

• Make sure driver and spotter clearly

understand hand signals.

• Don’t have spotter walking backwards while

giving instructions.

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Do a Walk-Around

• Conduct a circle of safety walk-around to look for hazards.

• Get back into vehicle ASAP

• Look over shoulders & check both mirrors.

• Give two horn blasts before backing up.

64


Know Clearances

• 6 Dimensions of Vehicle: front, back, left, right,

above and below.

• Walk-around will identify obstructions, low

hanging branches or clearance-related problems.

• Be vigilant of vehicle’s blind spots.

65

Did You Know

• Immediately after driving you

have an increased chance of a

lower back injury from lifting?

• Neck, shoulder and back pain

are common after sitting for

long periods, and from whole

body vibration.

66

Driver Ergonomics

• Change seat position a notch or two every 30 minutes.

• Use lumbar support and seat cushions.

• Adjust steering wheel periodically.

• Rest/stretch break 5 minutes every hour.

67

Are you fit to drive

• The odds of being involved in a crash are nearly

tripled when driving while drowsy or driving

faster than surrounding traffic.

• The odds of being involved in a crash are

approximately doubled when driving

aggressively or when looking away from the road

for longer than 2 seconds.

What Employees Should Do• Stay at or under the speed limit, especially in construction

zones.

• Leave a long following distance between you and the car in front of you, especially if there are heavy materials in the vehicle. There should be ample time to apply the brakes and come to a complete stop.

• Do not drive while fatigued or intoxicated, and don’t engage in distracting activities, such as using a cell phone.

• Use safety belts. Limit the number of passengers in the vehicle to the number of safety belts available

• Participate in your company’s vehicle training program.

What Employers Should Do

• Conduct driver’s license background checks on prospective drivers before they are hired.

• Establish a written policy requiring drivers and passengers to use seat belts at all times. Make sure that employees are aware of and comply with this written policy.

• Train drivers in safe driving practices and proper use of vehicle safety features. Make sure that this training is performance-based and periodically repeated.

• Maintain brakes and other safety systems on vehicles.

Summary of Recommendations

• Employees and Employers working together increase the safety of the work site.

• Obey the laws of the road to decrease risk of incident and increase safety.

• Participate in training to increase awareness of vehicle safety.

the art of driving to reduce incidents

Leadership & Management