1. DDC – PROFESSIONAL TRUCK DRIVER
Presented By: Les Nugen

2. Housekeeping Items Should take about 4 ½ hours Breaks as needed
Restrooms located?
Registration
Remove registration cards from center of handbook
Complete ALL sections NEATLY
Unreadable = no credit!

3. Course Goal
Present and review information on how to improve your defensive driving skills – skills that may save your life and help avoid collisions and violations

4. Question
How many people do you think were killed in traffic collisions in the U.S. last year?
41,300

5. Question
How many people do you think are injured in motor vehicle collisions every year?
2,200,000

6. Question
How much do you think these collisions cost?
$181,500,000,000

7. This is almost 113 people killed per day and 6,027 injured at a cost per day of $497,300,000

8. How many truck drivers are killed every year in CMV collisions?
Between !!!
Trucking has the most occupational related deaths of any industry!

9. Commercial Vehicle Stats
CMV were involved in only 3.8% of all motor vehicle collisions, but 8% of all CMV collisions result in death.

10. Collisions Has anyone here been involved in a collision?
Was anyone hurt?
How much did it cost?
The actual costs are usually much more than just physical damage, liability, and cargo

11. AMOUNT OF LOSS
Operating Ratio
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
$900
$1,000
$2,000
99%
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
100,000
200,000
98%
5,000
15,000
25,000
35,000
45,000
97%
3,333
6,667
13,333
16,667
23,333
26,667
33,333
66,667
96%
2,500
7,500
12,500
17,500
22,500
95%
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
12,000
14,000
16,000
18,000
94%
1,667
3,334
5,001
6,668
8,335
10,002
11,669
13,336
15,003
16,670
33,340
93%
1,429
2,858
4,287
5,710
7,145
8,574
10,003
11,432
12,861
14,290
28,580
92%
1,250
3,750
6,250
8,750
11,250

12. What is Defensive Driving?
Driving to save Lives, Time, and Money in spite of the conditions around you and the actions of others

13. Rule #1 For Today NO COMPLAINING!
You cannot control the actions of others – only yourself
We are here to talk about how to avoid collisions – IN SPITE OF THE ACTIONS OF OTHERS
Complaining will not accomplish this goal

14. Assume all other drivers are completely INSANE!
Rule #2 For the Road
Assume all other drivers are completely INSANE!

15. What is an Accident?
“an unfortunate event resulting from unavoidable causes?
To call a vehicle collision an “accident” is not really accurate
Collisions are usually avoidable by one or more of the drivers involved.
Collisions can be prevented

16. What is a Preventable Collision?
“a collision in which the driver failed to do everything reasonable to avoid it”
Key word being REASONABLE!

17. Contributing Factors
All factors or causes of collisions can be put into one of three categories:
Driver
Vehicle
Conditions

18. What Can You Control? Driver & Vehicle
Conditions are outside of your control
E.g. weather, construction, OTHER DRIVERS

19. Preventability
Over 80% of all collisions can be attributed to driver error
Translation – over 80% of collisions could be prevented by the person behind the wheel

20. Concentrate on Your Driving
You make approximately 180 decisions per minute while driving
Doing other tasks just adds to this total
If you make the right decision 99% of the time, you are making 108 mistakes per hour!
In a ten hour run that is 1080 mistakes!

21. DDC Collision Prevention Formula
Recognize the hazard
Understand the defense
Act correctly, in time

22. How to Anticipate & Recognize Driving Hazards
The ‘What If Strategy”

23. Let’s watch a video
It summarizes the points we have discussed so far, and focuses more on preventability of accidents

24. Session Two: Professional Drivers’ Characteristics

25. Quick Review
What were the three categories that causes of collisions fit into from section one?
Driver
Vehicle
Conditions
This session will focus on YOU the driver

26. Characteristics of a Professional Driver
Courteous
Attentive -“Senses” what others will do…or not do
Does not make risky moves
Allows a “safety cushion” around the truck
Good judgment & skills
Desire to improve

27. Characteristics of an Unprofessional Driver
Tailgates and intimidates
Cuts people off
Changes lanes unnecessarily
Excessive speed
Rude, vulgar on CB to other drivers
Thinks the bigger vehicle will win

28. What Should a Pro do to Improve Driving Skills?
Keep up-to-date on traffic laws
Review defensive driving skills & techniques
Listen to experiences of other drivers, and try to learn from them
Try to identify bad unsafe habits and correct them

29. What Type of Knowledge Must You Have?
Rules of the road (federal & state)
Safe/proper vehicle operations
Transportation paperwork
Basic truck mechanics
Load securement
Trip planning
CDL requirements

30. What is Foresight?
That “sixth sense” that drivers develop through experience
The ability to anticipate what can happen down the road
Translation: Knowing when another driver is going to do something stupid and dangerous!

31. Use Your Biggest Advantage
CMV drivers sit up much higher than most drivers
This allows you to see further down the road
Combine this advantage with proper scanning techniques to detect potential hazards – and be prepared to deal with them

32. Don’t Give Up Your Advantage
Following too closely to another truck takes away your sight advantage!
When you follow too close you are letting the driver of the truck in front of you drive your truck for you

33. Examples of Good Judgment?
Passing when it is safe and legal
Driving according to the conditions around you
Not taking unnecessary risks

34. What are some driver conditions that may affect driving ability?
Stress
Emotions
Attitude
Fatigue
Physical health – sickness, medications, etc
Vision & hearing
Mobility

35. Take a Pre-Trip Mental Inventory
Ask yourself, how do I feel?
Tired? Tense? Sick? Fine?
What problems are you aware of that will be part of the trip?
Construction zones, rush hour, shipper/receiver
Take these factors into consideration during the day

36. Driver Factors are Divided into Two Categories
Physical
Mental

37. Causes of Physical & Emotional Stress
Work schedule
Family problems
Work problems – dispatchers, safety directors
Road/weather conditions
Traffic – other drivers
Vehicle conditions – breakdowns, etc.

38. What Types of Drivers Do You Encounter?
Tony Stewart – aggressive, moving in & out
Grandpa Simpson – nowhere to go, nothing to do
“I don’t want to follow the big truck, but don’t want them behind me either”
Guinness world record holder for the shortest following distance
Professional

39. Stress Reducers Relaxation techniques Allow extra time for unexpected
Take a break
Ignore other drivers attitudes
Let dangerous drivers get ahead of you
Balance work and personal life
LAUGH IT OFF

40. Fatigue
Caused by stress, lack of quality sleep, too many hours behind the wheel, changing schedules, etc.
Two periods when most collisions occur:
Between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
These are your body’s natural down times

41. How to Reduce Fatigue Get quality sleep
At least 7 hours per day
Block out light, noise, etc.
Plan sleep time into your trips
Avoid heavy meals before bedtime
Get regular exercise - maintain good health

42. Physical Requirements
Vision – 20/40 in both eyes
Peripheral vision at least 70 degrees
Blood pressure – 140/90 max
Hearing – forced whisper at 5 feet
No insulin dependent diabetic condition
No loss of foot, leg, hand, or arm

43. Session Three – Driving Large Vehicles

44. Session Three Topics The other controllable factor VEHICLE
Vehicle inspections
Blind spots
Effects of freight on handling
Stopping distance & following distance

45. Pre-Trip Inspections
Consists of more than – the truck starts, it has fuel, and oil pressure…it shifts into gear and drives.
You are a key component in any company maintenance program & safety program
Thorough Pre-Trips help cut down on breakdowns, collisions, and out of service violations

46. Driver Responsibility
Drivers are required under to be satisfied that the vehicle is in safe operating condition before driving the vehicle

47. Most Common Out Of Service Violations
Brakes
Lights
Tires

48. In-route Inspections Normal load – every 150 miles or 3 hours
Hazmat load- every 100 miles or 2 hours
Check the following:
Oil/water
Brakes
Tires
Cargo(chains, straps, tarps)
Yourself

49. While Driving Listen – strange or new noises Smell – unusual odors
Feel – changes in handling, vibrations
Observe – gauges, parts (lights, turn signals, cargo securement, etc)

50. Post-Trip
Should be thorough so that mechanics can be notified of needed repairs
Should complete the DVIR every day you are on duty

51. What Type of CMV Do You Drive?
Cab-over or Conventional
Straight truck or combinations vehicle
Single or double axle
Single, double, or triple trailers
Tank, flat, reef, or dry van
28, 48, 53, or 57’ trailer length
13’ 6”, 14’ trailer height

52. Many Possibilities
Different types of vehicles have different handling capabilities and characteristics
Even different vehicles of the same type will handle differently
Keep this in mind if changing vehicles
The same vehicle will handle differently with different loads

53. Truck vs. Car How is driving a big truck different from driving a car?
Size
Clearance
Turning radius
Stopping distance
Blind spots

54. Blind Spots
Where are your blind spots?
Front
Behind
Sides

55. How Can You Compensate for Blind Spots?
Lean and Look
Additional mirrors – fender mount, convex, etc.
Proper mirror adjustment
Vehicle placement/positioning
Lane choice
Lane positioning
Change of speed

56. Judging Vehicle Clearance
Road signs
May be inaccurate
May be missing
Must be sure you can fit
Slow down until safe
Stop if necessary

57. Right Turns Anticipate the turn
Check behind – watch for right turn squeeze
Use turn signal
Get set up properly – block with rear of trailer
Try not to cross into other lanes
Watch in mirrors for cars in the way

58. Left Turns Anticipate the turn
Use your turn signal at least 100 feet before
Keep wheels pointed straight
Wait until safe to proceed - do not assume that traffic will stop once you begin turn
If multiple lanes, get into far right lane – better view of cars beside you

59. NO U-TURNS

60. Driving Through Curves
Entrance/exit ramps are where most rollovers occur
Check your speedometer to KNOW how fast you are going
Slow down BEFORE you enter curve
Should not apply brakes while driving through curve
Should be slow enough to accelerate through

61. Poor Perception People are poor judges of distance and speed
As your trip length gets longer, your speed perception gets worse
You may think you have slowed down enough, but may be going to fast to make turn
CHECK YOU SPEEDOMETER to be sure

62. How Many Feet Does it Take You to Stop?
It depends:
Weight
Load
Road conditions
Reaction time
Type of vehicle
Tires
Vehicle condition

63. Perception Time
Time it takes for you to see and recognize that the hazard exists
Estimated to be 1.75 seconds
Varies from person to person
Fatigue increases the time

64. Reaction Time/Distance
Time it takes from when you recognize a hazard to when you get your foot on the brake
Average reaction time is ¾ of second
Reaction distance is calculated by taking the first digit of your speed and adding it to your speed
E.g. 20 mph = 22 feet
35 mph = 38 feet
60 mph = 66 feet

65. Actual Braking Distance
Includes air brake lag
½ second for air brake lag
Distance will be 2/3 of reaction distance
E.g. 20 mph = 15 feet
30 mph = 20 feet

66. Stopping Distance
Stopping Distance = Perception + Reaction distance + air brake lag distance + actual braking distance

67. Car vs. Truck Stopping Distance
AUTO:
MPH Perception Reaction Brake Total
feet
to feet
to feet
TRUCK:
feet
feet
feet
feet

68. Do You Have Room to Stop? At 20 mph a car stops 10 feet faster

69. THE REAREND CRASH

70. Sad reality of the rear-end crash
Who usually is riding in the back of a vehicle?
CHILDREN
8 children killed every week in truck/car accidents

71. Remember Why We Are Here
To learn to avoid collisions in spite of the actions, mistakes, and stupidity of others
If someone cuts in front of you give them room
Do not force yourself into making a emergency maneuver due to lack of time and space to move
Drive defensively not offensively

72. Remember That Many Factors Affect Stopping Distance
Road conditions
Ice or snow can more than double stopping dist.
Your alertness – slower perception & reaction time increases stopping distance
Load type/placement
Loaded tractors stop faster than empty
Bobtailing has special limitations

73. Session Four – Lane Management

74. Four Outcomes of a Pass Successful pass Head-on collision
Run-off-the-road collision
Sideswipe collision

75. What Should You do Before You Pass
Determine if it is safe
Determine if it is legal
Determine if it is necessary

76. A Word Of Caution
DO NOT let your following distance diminish when scanning before a pass
Your attention shifts to other areas and you may lose track of the vehicle in front of you
Can force yourself into an unsafe maneuver if vehicle in front slows or stops

77. Where Is It Not Legal to Pass
No-passing zones
School zones
Within 100 feet of RR crossing
Within 100 feet of intersection
In tunnels or within 100 feet
100 feet before a toll booth
Construction zones

78. Watch Video
Lets watch a video that discusses different scenarios involving lane management and ways to avoid a collision

79. Multilane Roads
Requires increased concentration and scanning techniques
Watch ahead, behind, on both sides
Entrance/exit ramps
Converging and expanding lane width/numbers
Increased awareness and identification skills

80. Managing Multi-lanes
Adjust speed to traffic flow – but not over speed limit
Avoid frequent lane changes
Avoid tailgating
Stay right – this gives you the breakdown lane as an out
Try not to get boxed in – leave an out

81. Head-on Collisions Many reasons why a vehicle may be in your lane
Loss of control
Inattention
Fell asleep
Passing
Emergency maneuver

82. How to Avoid the Head-on
Know the five R’s
Read the road ahead
Reduce your speed
Move to the Right – never go left
Ride off to far right of lane or shoulder
Don’t skid out of control
- Re-align your vehicle

84. Split-Second Decisions
You will be faced with some difficult decisions with little time to react
You may have to hit a fixed object to avoid the head-on – e.g. guardrail, ditch, etc.
If you must hit something – try to hit at an angle (glancing blow)
This lowers the force of impact
Every inch is a potential life saver

85. Emergency Stops If you must make an emergency stop
Turn on four way flashers
Pull off as far as possible
Place warning devices within 10 minutes
Turn to page 46 for instructions on placing warning devices on different types of roads

86. Session Five – Driving Conditions

87. Out of Your Control
In this session, we will discuss the third category of factors – Other Conditions
These are the factors in the driving environment that are out of your control

88. Uncontrollable Factors
Light – too much or too little
Weather – rain, snow, sleet, wind, etc.
Road – shape, surface, construction
Traffic – mix, flow, density
OTHER DRIVERS

89. Hazards From These Conditions
Reduced or limited visibility
Reduced or limited traction
Reduced or limited space

90. Responses to Hazards
The way you respond depends on your experience, attitude, and decision-making ability

91. Handling Visibility Problems
Sun glare – sun glasses, sun visor, take a break
Headlight glare – look at the white line on side of road

92. Blinded By the Light
When you get blinded by headlights, it can take your pupils 4 to 7 seconds to readjust. At 55 mph, you would travel between 360 and 560 feet!

93. See and Be Seen When visibility is reduced – turn on headlights
Remember – “parking lights” are made for parking – if you need to turn on any lights go ahead and turn on your headlights

94. Do Not Overdrive Your Lights
Properly adjusted headlights only shine about 400 feet on bright. If you are traveling at 55 mph it takes approximately 476 feet to stop.
Translation – if you do not see a hazard at night until it is in your headlight path. You will not be able to stop.

95. Reduced or Limited Traction
Can be as a result of poor conditions
Can be as a result of poor driving abilities
Can be a combination of both

96. Reduced Space City/urban traffic Construction zones
Curves, alleys, two lane roads, parking lots
Truckstops, docks, etc.

97. Defensive Driving Is Key
Tight areas can be frustrating
Keep your cool and be patient
Always scan the area and be prepared to react

98. Session Six - Backing

99. G.O.A.L
Before you start to back up
Get
Out
And
Look

100. Do’s for Backing Do get out and look behind you
Do get out and look beside your truck
Do look at the surface around you for hole, debris, etc.
Do check for proper clearance
Wires, overhead doors, fire escapes, etc.
Do use a guide when available

101. More Do’s Do try to back from the driver’s side
Do try to avoid backing out onto roadways
Do back slowly

102. Do Not’s for Backing Do not be afraid to stop and take a pull up
Do not be afraid to get out and take another look
Do not continue to back if you cannot see your guide

103. Thank You All For Attending
Before we leave
Make sure you have turned in the completed registration card