1. Responsible Driving Mastery Learning
Defensive Driving
Responsible Driving Mastery Learning

2. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Objective 1 Objective 2 Objective 3 Objective 4
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Objective 1
Define and apply a variety of defensive driving techniques like signaling, steering and scanning all around your vehicle.
Objective 2
Identify and describe different driving conditions and how to avoid or prevent accidents in these situations.
Objective 3
Identify common distractions that can appear while driving.
Objective 4
Explain how to prepare for the road to avoid collisions that could end in tragedy.

3. Safe Driving Practices
Signaling It is important to signal when turning left, right, changing lanes, stopping or slowing down. It lets other drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists know what you plan to do. When sunlight is intense, drivers should also use hand signals . Bicyclists should use hand signals to communicate intentions to drivers, pedestrians & other cyclists.

4. Safe Driving Practices
Use Turn Signals:
100 feet before turning point.
Before every lane change, check all mirrors & look over shoulder.
At least 5 seconds before changing lanes.
Before pulling next to the curb or away from curb.
When you change directions.
Even when you do not see other vehicles.
Avoid signaling too early to prevent confusion.

5. Safe Driving Practices
Steering Control
Desired hand positions- 9 and 3 O’clock or 8 and 4 O’clock.
Use pull-push steering control for most turning actions.
Use hand-over-hand steering during:
- critical steering movements such as parking
-performing sharp right turns
- & correcting a skid
Use one-hand-steering:
- when backing up (that does not require left or right turns) and when operating vehicle
controls for safety, comfort, or information.

6. Safe Driving Practices
Scanning:
Constantly scan your eyes for all surroundings to allow time to react.
Allow space cushion around all sides of vehicle to allow for a sudden move by another vehicle.
Know what is ahead by looking seconds down the road.
Be prepared for traffic conditions, drivers merging from other lanes.
Use your mirrors.
Look for blind spots.
Take in the whole scene- all parts of the road, pedestrians, road construction, signs with instructions, accidents, etc.

7. Safe Driving Practices
Scanning:
Watch for hazards.
Check rear-view mirror every 2-5 seconds to be aware of other drivers’ positions.
Do not tail-gate. Most rear-end accidents caused by tail-gating.
Allow at least 4 second cushion between vehicles when:
- being crowded by tail-gater,
- driving on slippery roads,
- following motorcyclists on wet or icy road conditions
- when vehicle behind you wants to pass
- towing a trailer or heavy load, following behind large vehicle,
- or you see a bus or service vehicle.

8. Safe Driving Practices
Know What is at Your Side: Always look to the left and right sides of vehicle to ensure that no one is coming.
At Intersections
- Look to the left, then right, and then left again.
- Look even when opposing traffic has a red light or stop sign.
- Do not rely on traffic signals.
- Look ahead for approaching traffic.

9. Safe Driving Practices
Know What is at Your Side: Always look to the left and right sides of vehicle to ensure that no one is coming.
To maintain a space cushion on each side of the vehicle, do the following:
- Do not stay in another driver’s blind spot.
- Avoid driving side by side other vehicles in multi-lane streets regardless if there is traffic or not.
- When possible and safe, make room for vehicles entering the freeway.
- Keep a space between your vehicle and parked cars.
- Be extra careful when driving near bicyclists or motorcyclists. Allow plenty of space.

10. Safe Driving Practices
Know What is Behind You: Always check behind you before you:
Change lanes- Look over your shoulder.
Drive down a long or steep hill.
Backing up. When backing out of a parking space:
- Check behind and in front of vehicle before getting in car.
- Know where your kids are. Keep them away from the vehicle.
- Keep an eye out for other children before backing up.
Reduce your speed- Take a quick glance in your mirrors.
- Check mirrors when turning onto a side road, entering a driveway, or stopping the car to
enter a parking space.

11. Safe Driving Practices
When Backing Up
When backing out of a parking space:
- Check behind and in front of vehicle before getting in car.
- Know where your kids are.
- Keep kids away from the vehicle.
- Keep an eye out for other children before backing up.
- Do not depend solely on car mirrors or side window.
- Back up slowly to avoid collisions.
- Look over both your right and left shoulders and then repeat before backing up.

12. Preparing for the Road
Keep windshield, side windows and back window clean. Clear ice, mud, snow, frost or dew before driving. Also make sure headlights & taillights are clear.
Adjust your seat before you drive. Use a seat cushion if you are not tall enough to see the road. Adjust your rear and side mirrors before driving.
Be prepared to stop. Adjust your driving speed to meet weather & road conditions. Turn on your lights during the day if you cannot see beyond 1000 feet ahead.

13. Driving in the Fog When possible, avoid driving in the fog.
If you must drive in the fog, drive slowly.
Use low beam headlights.
Use windshield wipers.
Do not drive with just parking lights, or fog lights.
Increase your following distance.
Avoid changing lines unless absolutely necessary and if fog becomes too thick, pull over to the side of the road.

14. Driving in Darkness Drive slowly when driving in the dark.
Use low beam headlights when driving in the rain.
Be aware of road construction and reduce speed.
Allow eyes to adjust to the darkness when leaving a well-lit area.
When driving in the country or dark city streets,
use high beam headlights unless illegal or another driver is approaching.
Pedestrians, motorcyclists and bicyclists are much more difficult to see at nighttime.

15. Driving in Rain or Snow
Road conditions are usually very slippery when it first begins to rain or snow.
When it beings to snow or rain:
- Slow down.
- Use low beam headlights, turn on windshield wipers, and defroster .
When rain or snow is heavy:
- Reduce speed to 30 mph or less.
If traveling in snowy areas:
- Keep chains in vehicle.
- Learn how to use them ahead of time.

16. Safe Road Practices
When driving on hills, the country, or curves, slow down to be prepared for a hazard or to stop suddenly. Do not pass the driver ahead unless hill or curve is at least 1/3 mile away.
Use horn only when necessary to avoid collisions. Use your emergency vehicle lights if you see a collision ahead to warn other drivers or if your vehicle is stalled or not moving.
Use your headlights when it is cloudy, raining, snowing, fog, conditions that prevent visibility, and for nighttime driving. Use on small country or mountain roads or anytime you need to get a driver’s attention.

17. Merging In & Out of Traffic
When entering traffic, make sure that you have enough room and turn on your signal. Enter the freeway at the speed of traffic. Allow a 4-second gap between cars. Watch for other vehicles. Use your turn signals before merging to the next lane. Move over one lane at a time.
Increase your distance if a driver Is potentially dangerous. Dangerous drivers include: Drivers with blocked views, drivers backing out of driveways, drivers who pass you when there is a curve or oncoming vehicle, & drivers about to be forced in your lane.
Other dangers- pedestrians with umbrellas, distracted people such as delivery persons, construction workers, children, drivers on cell phones, drivers texting, drivers taking care of children, tourists, drivers who are lost, etc.

18. The Importance of Defensive Driving

19. Questions? More Information?
California DMV
More Information?