Welcome To Welcome To “Defensive Driving “Defensive Driving For the Commercial For the Commercial

Driver”Driver”

Heritage Group SafetyHeritage Group Safety

Financial Impact of Accidents

Company

Driver

Publicity

Content of Session

Reasons & Causes of Accidents

Driving To Stay Alive

The Practice of Defensive Driving

Avoiding Collisions with Vehicle Ahead

(Rear-end Collision)

Collision with Oncoming Vehicle

Intersections Passing &

Being Passed “Mystery” -

Fixed Object Collision

Backing of Large Vehicles

The Deadly U-Turn

Risks

Company Policy

Who’s at Fault

Reasons / Causes of Collisions

Alertness Vehicle

Condition Attitude Speed Tailgating Improper Lane

Changes Road

Conditions

Improper Backing

Right Turns Blind Spots Clearances Drugs /

Alcohol Seatbelts

“Driving to Stay Alive” Three “E’s” to Traffic Safety

Enforcement Education Engineering

Preventable Accident Definition

Five Driving Errors To Avoid Collisions Traffic Violations Vehicle Abuse Discourtesy Schedule Delays

The Practice of Defensive Driving

Improving your ability to avoid collisions:– Knowledge Foresight– Alertness Skill

STANDARD ACCIDENT PREVENTION FORMULA– Recognize the Hazard– Understand the Defense– Act

Six Conditions Present In Every Driving Situation

Lighting– Night, Dawn, Dusk, Sun-glare

Road Conditions Weather– Rain, snow, sleet, fog, etc.

Hydroplaning Traffic– Time of Day

Vehicle Condition– Inspection - Maintenance

Condition of the Driver– Age, alcohol / drugs, fatigue,

emotions, attitude

Avoiding Collisions With the Vehicle

Ahead Usual Cause of Rear-End

Collisions:

Following Too Close

Stopping Distances

– 55 mph = 335’– 60 mph = 426’

USE THE 4 SECOND MINIMUM RULE

*Most Collisions are caused by Driver Error!

Avoiding Collisions With the Vehicle

Behind Slow Down

Gradually

Touch the Brake Pedal

Use Turn Signals

Watch Your Blind Spot!Watch Your Blind Spot!

Lane Changing &Lane Changing &the Right of Waythe Right of Way

Avoiding Collisions With Oncoming

VehiclesThe Deadliest Of All CollisionsThe Deadliest Of All Collisions

Why Do They Occur?Why Do They Occur?

Four “R’s” of Head-On PreventionFour “R’s” of Head-On Prevention

• Read the Road AheadRead the Road Ahead•Ride to the RightRide to the Right•Reduce SpeedReduce Speed•Ride Right off the RoadRide Right off the Road

Don’t Panic * Wear Seatbelts

Avoiding Intersection Collisions

Who has the Right of Way? Lighted / controlled

intersections Left turns - right turns Approaching intersections Bicycles, Pedestrians,

School Buses R/R crossings

The Art of Passing and Being The Art of Passing and Being PassedPassed

Being Passed:Being Passed: Making a PassMaking a Pass

1. Courtesy1. Courtesy2. Types of Collisions2. Types of Collisions3. Preventing Accidents3. Preventing Accidents while being passedwhile being passed

•Yield Right of WayYield Right of Way•Remain in slowerRemain in slower traffic (right lane)traffic (right lane)•Stay with the flowStay with the flow

1. Maintain Proper1. Maintain Proper following distancefollowing distance2. Starting the Pass2. Starting the Pass3. Completing the Pass3. Completing the Pass

The “Mystery” of Fixed Object Collisions

Why the Mystery?

Vehicle Condition

Fatigue

Drugs / Alcohol

Other Driver Conditions

Backing of Large Vehicles

Get Out and Get the Picture

Back Short Distances

Learn the Territory

Blind Backing - Use Driver Side

Back Slowly

Use Reliable Guide