Video at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmXAsfeQ_4E

Defensive DrivingDefined as "driving to save lives, time, and money, in spite of the conditions around you and the actions of others."

Aggressive DrivingIs a form of

automobile operation in which an operator will deliberately behave with contempt towards other drivers and drive in such a manner as to increase the risk of an automobile accident.

Vehicle ConditionShould your car

even be on the road?What about your

brakes/tires?Windshield wipers?Proper air in the

tires? Bald tires?Full tank of gas?Seat Belts?

Both good condition…maybe??? Safe???...I don’t think so!

Brakes

Brakes are the only things that are going to stop you… in combination with your tires and the friction between the tires and the road.

With all the things that work on stopping a vehicle, BRAKES still do about 99.9% of all the work

Tires and Wheels 101Check the air

pressure…Proper air pressure

= better fuel economy

Longer tire lifeGive you better

tractionDon’t forget to

check the lug nuts!

Gas in the tankLarger distances

between townsWyoming weather

unpredictableCould find yourself

sitting waiting for the road to open

Or for a crash to be cleared

Or for rescue to come and help you

Planning the TripIs your trip really necessary???Plan your routeLets someone know where you are

going and when you are going to return

Do you have a phone?

Handy things for in the car during the winterBlankets SnacksFlashlight Tire chains Shovel Tow rope Jumper cables

A Good Ice Scraper – so you don’t need to drive like a tank operator through the little hole in the window

Before you depart…Let the car warm up without you in it– this will help

keep the inside of the windows from frosting overClear off the vehicle completely – this includes the

hood, roof and rear window.Scrape all windows – don’t rely on the defroster to

clear the windows of snow and iceMake sure all outside lights are free and clear of

snow and iceDon’t try to use the windshield wipers to clear off

even 2” of snow from the windshield Make sure the windows are clean….i.e. road grime

Pay attention when you are drivingBe well rested before drivingKeep your eyes on the roadScan several hundred yards down the road for possible

obstructions in road (people, animals, construction)Don’t over drive your headlights at nightFeel tired? Pull over and take a nap (in proper parking

area). Do not Text and Drive – it is the law!When you see emergency vehicles with flashing lights

slow down 20 mph below speed limit and move over if possible – that is the law too!

Increase Following DistanceNormal following distance 2-3 car lengthsduring normal conditions.

On wet, icy or snowy roads increase your Following distance to 5 -10 car lengths or more.

Distance Calculation

SLOW DOWN!!!

SLOW DOWN!!!Speed is the major contributing factor in all Crashes. If the roads are bad or visibility is limited, then you need to slow down.

Driving too fast on wet roads can cause you to Hydroplane.

Driving too fast on icy/snowy roads makes it difficult to slow down in a timely manner.

Seatbelts Important?(You can not defy physics, so wear it!!)

Video at: http://flashovertv.firerescue1.com/Media/849-Drive-Cam-No-Seat-Belt/

Winter Driving TipsSLOW DOWN!!!Increase following distance!!If sliding don’t lock the brakes, total loss of control will

resultBridge decks - let off the gas and coast across the

surfaceCurves/corners – left off the gas, brake prior to turningIf rear end slides out – turn towards the direction the

rear end is going, do not apply gas or brake it will make it worse

Take off the cruise control on wet/snowy/icy roads!!!

BLIZZARD DRIVINGAgain…slow down!You may have to

drive by fog lines, rumble strips or mile markers.

Try to relax and breathe. Stretch your hands from “WHITE KNUCKLE” driving.

4-Wheel DriveLarger 4-wheel drive vehicles

get around better in the winter? True/False?

4-wheel drive may reduce the likelihood of a rear wheel drive vehicle from spinning out due to loss of traction

The 4-wheel drive will get you around better in poor conditions but….It does not help you stop any

quickerThe heavier weight can

actually make you slide further

Icy Roadswww.youtube.com/watch?v=TPL8lgrHc2U

http://bcove.me/su70swid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDsclaXxy6c

Driving In The FogUse your low beams or fog

lights. Brights make it more difficult to see. You need to light the ground to see where you are going.

Increase your following distance greatly!

Don’t Stop or pull over!

Look for taillights ahead of you.

Animals in roadwayDo not swerve to miss an

animal in the road!

Brake hard and gently get over to one side or the other.

If all else fails hit the animal.

Cars can be fixed or replaced.