Drivers SafetyDrivers Safety

Environmental & Safety Services

Driving SafetyDriving Safety Introduction

Statistics Unsafe Actions / Unsafe Conditions Vehicle Safety Features Driving Tips

Road RageBackingHighway/City/Rural DrivingDriving at DuskRush hourWinter Weather

Driving Safety (continued)Driving Safety (continued)

Use of Seat Belts Van Facts Accidents Q & A

DRIVE TO STAY ALIVEDRIVE TO STAY ALIVE

THE #1 LEADING CAUSE OF “AT WORK” DEATHS IS VEHICLE ACCIDENTS.

MOST OF US BEGAN DRIVING WHEN WE WERE TEENAGERS AND AFTER SO MANY YEARS, TEND TO REINFORCE POOR ROAD HABITS.

25% of all driving accidents are the result of excessive speed.

70% of driving accidents occur within 25 miles from home.

1 out of 4 employees who drive experience an accident while at work.

Most people know someone who has died in a car accident.

2001 data for the U.S.37,409 deaths 2,070,000 injuries115 deaths per dayFriday (especially evening/night hours) has more fatal accidents than any other dayMidnight to 3 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays proved to be the deadliest 3-hour periods throughout 1999, with 1,215 and 1,182 fatal crashes, respectively.

Michigan– 1,382 Fatalities– Isabella County (73)

Motor vehicle crashes cause a death every 12 minutes, a disabling injury every 14 seconds.

When do most accidents occur (type of weather)?

Clear sunny days, good visibility Seat belts are mandatory for all occupants

More than 600,000 people ages 15 to 20 were injured in traffic accidents last year.

60 percent of crashes with deaths or injuries happen on roads with posted speed limits of 40 miles per hour or less.

60 percent of crashes with deaths or injuries happen on roads with posted speed limits of 40 miles per hour or less.

Motor vehicle crashes cost society more than 150.5 billion per year.

These were based on costs that arose from crashes that killed 40,716 people and injured 5.2 million others.

By comparison personal and household crimes cost their victims $19 billion.

Driving injuries - on or off the jobDriving injuries - on or off the job

The most hazardous environmentFor most of us, whether on or off the job, it is on the road.We face it daily.

A recent report from the road:A manager was beginning a business tripWas driving from his house to the airport on the freewayWas shaving and looking into the rearview mirrorSaw (in peripheral vision) something cut in front of himReacted by steering to the right, driving off the freeway and hitting a treeResult was a broken hip

Shaving Putting on make-up Reading a map or

book Using the cell phone

Certain state(s) law prohibits use

Not using a seatbelt Driving under the

influence

Driving at an unsafe speed

Failing to stop or yield Unsafe passing of

another vehicle Tailgating Not using blinkers Eating

Driver eats first

Poor visibilityNight time driving (Fatality rates/mile are 4 times higher at night.)Dust stormsRain stormsSnowFogWindshield wipers not effective

Poor road conditionsSlippery surfaces from weatherRoad not properly maintained

Improper vehicle maintenanceInadequate brakesWorn tread on tiresHoses, beltsInadequate accelerationHeadlight(s) out

Driving under the influence (DUI)Driving under the influence (DUI)

Alcohol was involved in 41% of all traffic fatalities in ‘94

Sobering facts:About 2 in every 5 Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related traffic accident at some time in their livesRemember the one-one rule: one drink per hour (Your body takes about an hour to rid itself of each 1/2 ounce of alcohol)

Daytime running lights(Headlights that are on whenever vehicle is running)

Lap/shoulder safety belts Reduce risk of moderate-to-fatal injuries by approximately 50%.

Air bags for driver & passengerCombined with lap/shoulder belts, they reduce risk of fatality by another 10%.

Side impact airbags

Anti-lock brakes Safety cages built into the

vehicle framework

Did you know?Did you know? When driving on a road that is new to you:

Your eyes tend to scan the road from left to right which is an excellent driving habit.We tend not to scan when in familiar territory.

How closely can you safely follow another car? We tend to follow based on how much of the road we can see– A long hood causes us to follow at a greater distance (since you have to look over

the hood to see the street).– Drivers with shorter hoods tend to follow more closely

Use the 2 or 4 second rule– Good driving conditions, keep a 2 second distance behind– Poor driving conditions, keep a 4 second distance behind

Slow Down Avoid sharp turns. Avoid excessive speed and abrupt maneuvers. Don’t drive tired (6 hours max.). Drive conservatively Rest stops often (every 2 hrs. recommended) Wear seat belts Drive during the day, if possible. Require someone to be awake in the front seat with the

driver on long trips

Road rage is driving under the influence of too much anger.

Provoked by:Feeling endangered by someone else’s driving (another driver cuts you off or tailgates you).Resentment at being forced to slow downRighteous indignation at someone who breaks traffic rulesAnger at someone taking out their road rage on you

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

Defensive Driving TheoriesDefensive Driving Theories

Drive with courtesy Be calm when driving Concentrate when driving Drive cautiously

Dealing With Aggressive DriversDealing With Aggressive Drivers

Avoid eye contact. Don’t cut in front of other drivers. Allow fellow drivers to merge Don’t aggravate fellow drivers with hand

gestures. Don’t tailgate. Use your horn sparingly.

Backing The Vehicle Backing The Vehicle

Use a spotter Back to the left (driver’s side) Avoid backing up if you miss a ramp/exit. Use outside mirrors.

Highway DrivingHighway Driving

Lane changes and signals. Merges Blind Spots Slow moving vehicles

City DrivingCity Driving

Stop signs Stop lights Yield Signs Signals

Blind spots Pedestrians Bicyclist

Rural DrivingRural Driving

Bicyclist Walkers Deer/Moose Soft shoulders Culverts Curves, hills and narrow roads

Driving at DuskDriving at Dusk

Be especially alert at dusk. The sky still is quite bright, but

objects on the road can merge with shadows and fade into

darkness.

Be especially alert at dusk. The sky still is quite bright, but

objects on the road can merge with shadows and fade into

darkness.

Emergency SituationsEmergency Situations

Encountering emergency vehicles Headlights go out Tire blow out Engine failure Brake Failure

Lousy Weather, Rush Hour Traffic, and construction zones are all challenges that require good driving skills. To help yourself stay SAFE, always wear your safety belt, and follow these next few tips!

Drive with courtesy Be calm when driving Concentrate when driving Drive cautiously Obey all traffic laws Watch for road signs, workers, and detours. Expect to encounter slow trucks and other construction

traffic.

From 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. drivers may be sleepy or trying to make up for lost time. Stay aware and try to get an early start.

From 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. drivers may be thinking about getting home and work stresses. Don’t let the cars around you control your driving. RELAX and adjust to a SAFE speed.

“Peephole” driving. What’s the hurry? Leave early

and take it slow. Reduce your speed, especially

on bridges, which may freeze before the road does.

Avoid un-necessary stops. You may loose momentum and/or control.

Increase the distance between you and the car in front of you by at least 4 seconds to give yourself adequate time to stop.

SpeedSpeedThe chance of death or serious injury

doubles for every 10 miles per hour over 50 miles per hour that a vehicle travels.

One mile per hour is approximately 1.5 feet per second. Therefore, a vehicle traveling 60 miles per hour is covering 90 feet per second.

The chance of death or serious injury doubles for every 10 miles per hour over 50 miles per hour that a vehicle travels.

One mile per hour is approximately 1.5 feet per second. Therefore, a vehicle traveling 60 miles per hour is covering 90 feet per second.

Drive with your headlights on !!Drive with your headlights on !!

Although not the law, driving with your low-beam headlights on during daylight hours makes you much more visible to other

drivers.

Although not the law, driving with your low-beam headlights on during daylight hours makes you much more visible to other

drivers.

Safety Belts and restraintsSafety Belts and restraints In 1995, if every person in the front passenger seat

had buckled up, an additional 9835 deaths could have been prevented.

In 1995, if every person in the front passenger seat had buckled up, an additional 9835 deaths could have been prevented.

Seat belt mythsSeat belt myths

How many of these myths have you heard ?

I don’t need a safety belt when I’m traveling at low speeds or going on a short trip.

How many of these myths have you heard ?

I don’t need a safety belt when I’m traveling at low speeds or going on a short trip.

More than 80 percent of all motor vehicle crashes occur at speeds less than 40 MPH and within 25 miles from home.

More than 80 percent of all motor vehicle crashes occur at speeds less than 40 MPH and within 25 miles from home.

Seat belt mythsSeat belt myths

How many of these myths have you heard ? I’m uncomfortable and too confined when I

wear a safety belt.

How many of these myths have you heard ? I’m uncomfortable and too confined when I

wear a safety belt.

Safety belts are designed to allow you to reach necessary driving controls. The newer shoulder belt retractors give you even more freedom.

Safety belts are designed to allow you to reach necessary driving controls. The newer shoulder belt retractors give you even more freedom.

Seat belt mythsSeat belt myths

How many of these myths have you heard ? I might be saved if I’m thrown clear of a car

in a crash.

How many of these myths have you heard ? I might be saved if I’m thrown clear of a car

in a crash.

The fact is that your chances of being killed are FOUR times greater if you’re thrown from a car.

The fact is that your chances of being killed are FOUR times greater if you’re thrown from a car.

BOTTOM LINEBOTTOM LINE

ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SEAT BELT

“IT’S THE LAW”

ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SEAT BELT

“IT’S THE LAW”

CaravansBe mindful of your distance between vehiclesBoth vehicles should know where they are going2-way radio for all vehicles and cellular phone for leader on multi-vehicle trips.Obey all laws, signs and speed limits.

A speed that may be acceptable in a passenger car could be dangerous in a van.

You should fill the front seats first. The center of gravity shifts to the rear and upward increasing the likelihood of rollover as capacity increases.

Soft shoulders and culverts pose a hazard in rural areas.

The shift in the center of gravity will also increase the potential for loss of control in panic maneuvers.

Vans have an increased rollover risk under certain conditions

The risk of rollover increases dramatically as the number of occupants increases from fewer than five occupants to over ten passengers.

Vans (with 10 or more occupants) had a rollover rate in single vehicle crashes that is nearly 3 x the rate of those that were lightly loaded.

Loading vans causes the center of gravity to shift rearward and upward increasing the likelihood of rollover. Shift in the center of gravity will also increase the potential for loss of control in panic maneuvers.

It is important that the van be operated by experienced drivers. They should understand and be familiar with the handling principles of their vans, especially when fully loaded.

Any load placed on the roof will be above the center of gravity of the vehicle and will increase the likelihood of rolling over.

Relax Never leave the scene of an accident. Take a photo or two of the accident with site camera. Report the accident to the police. Never admit fault. Gather all the facts (date, time, witnesses, phone

numbers, etc.) Immediately report all accidents to your advisor Shawna

Ross.

Final Thought…Responsibility to others in your vehicle– Their loved ones

Responsibility to yourself – Your loves ones

Responsibility to the General Public

Drive safely to ensure your family,friends and yourself that you’ll

return home safely.

Drive safely to ensure your family,friends and yourself that you’ll

return home safely.

'Tis the Season - But Please Remember:

Friends Don’t let friends drink and drive!

Questions?

The EndThe End