1. Defensive Driving

2. When you drive defensively, you drive safely to save lives, time, and money, despite the conditions around you and the actions of others
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3. We are on the road every day of our lives
Our driving affects everyone around us
Unsafe driving can hurt or kill innocent people
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4. According to NIOSH, motor vehicles are consistently the leading cause of work-related deaths in the US
About 36% of all work-related fatalities reported by the BLS are associated with motor vehicles
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5. Everyone can and should drive defensively
Check your company’s policy for specific driving rules that apply to you on the job
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6. Driving hazards include
Distracted driving
Speeding
Aggressive driving
Drowsy driving
Driving under the influence
Severe weather
Not wearing a seat belt
Unexpected road conditions
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7. You can be exposed to driving hazards every day, on and off the job
Your own driving or others’ driving could be the source of exposure
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8. Do not use your cell phone or eat and drink while driving
Protect yourself by driving defensively using these safe driving practices
Do not use your cell phone or eat and drink while driving
Obey the speed limit
Do not engage in or respond
to aggressive driving
behavior
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9. Check the weather before you go, and do not drive in severe weather
Get enough sleep before you drive and practice journey management for long drives to avoid fatigue
Always drive sober
Check the weather before you go, and do not drive in severe weather
Wear your seat belt
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10. Take steps to prevent distracted driving
Send texts or make phone calls before you get on the road
Keep your phone on silent while you drive
Eat or drink before you drive
Keep conversations with
passengers to a minimum
Plan and review your route
beforehand
Pay attention to your
surroundings
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11. According to NCS, speeding causes about 30% of roadway fatalities
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12. Avoid speeding Stay aware of the posted speed limit
Use cruise control if you have it
Watch your speed
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13. Avoid aggressive driving behavior like Honking the horn, yelling, or
making rude gestures
Tailgating
Wildly changing lanes
to get around slower
cars
Speeding around other
Responding to
rude gestures or
comments with your own two cents
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14. Drive defensively instead Pay attention to your own driving
Leave at least two car lengths between your car and the car in front of you
Use your blinker and safely merge into another lane as needed
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15. Leave at a time that allows for detours and unexpected delays
Ignore aggressive behavior and give aggressive drivers a wide berth
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16. Stay alert while you drive
Make sure you are well-rested before you get behind the wheel
Commit to getting
enough sleep the
night before driving
If you feel drowsy
while driving, pull
over and take a
30-minute nap
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17. According to NCS, alcohol causes about 31% of roadway fatalities
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18. Do not drive if you have taken illegal drugs or have drunk alcohol
Do not become a statistic because you chose to drive under the influence
Do not drive if you have taken illegal drugs or have drunk alcohol
Do not take over-the-counter medicines that could impair your ability to drive
Check your prescriptions for warnings about driving
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19. Severe weather to avoid driving in includes
Floods and heavy rainstorms
Snowstorms and hail
Dense fog
Tornadoes
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20. Buckle up every time you drive
According to OSHA, seat belts save 14,000 lives each year
According to the CDC and the NHTSA, seat belts reduce serious crash-related injuries and deaths by about 50%
Buckle up every time you drive
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21. Unexpected roadway conditions can include
Road work
Heavy traffic
Car accidents
Wildlife crossings
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22. Avoid unexpected roadway conditions by staying aware of your surroundings
Look for roadwork signs
Scan mirrors and the road in front of you often
Adjust your speed to surrounding traffic
Look for wildlife crossing signs
Be alert to animals crossing the road
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23. Drive defensively It could save your life or someone else’s life
Remember to drive safely, and watch out for common driving hazards
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