Welcome To “Defensive Driving For the Commercial Driver” Heritage Group Safety

Financial Impact of Accidents n Company n Driver n Publicity

Content of Session n Reasons & Causes of Accidents n Driving To Stay Alive n The Practice of Defensive Driving n Avoiding Collisions with Vehicle Ahead (Rear-end Collision) n Collision with Oncoming Vehicle n Intersections n Passing & Being Passed n “Mystery” - Fixed Object Collision n Backing of Large Vehicles

The Deadly U-Turn n Risks n Company Policy n Who’s at Fault

Reasons / Causes of Collisions n Alertness n Vehicle Condition n Attitude n Speed n Tailgating n Improper Lane Changes n Road Conditions n Improper Backing n Right Turns n Blind Spots n Clearances n Drugs / Alcohol n Seatbelts

“Driving to Stay Alive” n Three “E’s” to Traffic Safety F Enforcement F Education F Engineering n Preventable Accident Definition n Five Driving Errors To Avoid F Collisions F Traffic Violations F Vehicle Abuse F Discourtesy F Schedule Delays

The Practice of Defensive Driving n Improving your ability to avoid collisions: – KnowledgeForesight – AlertnessSkill n STANDARD ACCIDENT PREVENTION FORMULA – Recognize the Hazard – Understand the Defense – Act

Six Conditions Present In Every Driving Situation n Lighting – Night, Dawn, Dusk, Sun-glare n Road Conditions n Weather – Rain, snow, sleet, fog, etc. Hydroplaning n Traffic – Time of Day n Vehicle Condition – Inspection - Maintenance n Condition of the Driver – Age, alcohol / drugs, fatigue, emotions, attitude

Avoiding Collisions With the Vehicle Ahead n Usual Cause of Rear-End Collisions: F Following Too Close F Stopping Distances – 55 mph = 335’ – 60 mph = 426’ n USE THE 4 SECOND MINIMUM RULE *Most Collisions are caused by Driver Error!

Avoiding Collisions With the Vehicle Behind n Slow Down Gradually n Touch the Brake Pedal n Use Turn Signals Watch Your Blind Spot! Lane Changing & the Right of Way

Avoiding Collisions With Oncoming Vehicles Why Do They Occur? Four “R’s” of Head-On Prevention Read the Road Ahead Read 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 n Who has the Right of Way? n Lighted / controlled intersections n Left turns - right turns n Approaching intersections n Bicycles, Pedestrians, School Buses n R/R crossings

The Art of Passing and Being Passed Being Passed: Making a Pass Making a Pass 1. Courtesy 2. Types of Collisions 3. Preventing Accidents while being passed while 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 Proper following distance following distance 2. Starting the Pass 3. Completing the Pass

The “Mystery” of Fixed Object Collisions n Why the Mystery? n Vehicle Condition n Fatigue n Drugs / Alcohol n Other Driver Conditions

Backing of Large Vehicles n Get Out and Get the Picture n Back Short Distances n Learn the Territory n Blind Backing - Use Driver Side n Back Slowly n Use Reliable Guide