1. SAFE DRIVING PRACTICES

2. Topics Covered
• MSM & PSL Technique
• Safe distance
• Defensive driving
• Purpose & use of bye pass & flyovers
• Emergency handling techniques
• Driving in difficult conditions

3. MSM & PSL Technique

4. MSM Technique
Remember this routine :
• Mirrors - Check the speed and position of
traffic behind you.
• Signal - Signal your intention to change
course or slow down in good
time.
• Manoeuvre-Any change of speed or Position

5. PSL Technique
P - Position
Your vehicle must always be in the
correct position for the manoeuvre.
S - Speed
Ensure that the vehicle is travelling at
the appropriate speed and in a suitable
gear.
Cont…...

6. PSL Technique
L - Look
The look phase consists of four elements
 Looking - What can you see ?
 Assessing - What are your options ?
 Deciding - Deciding on what you see
 Acting - Either continue or wait

7. Safe Distance

8. Safe Distance
One thousand and One
One thousand and Two

9. Stopping Distance
Reaction Braking Stopping
distance + Distance distance
Reaction Distance :The distance covered in the
time that you sense the danger to the time you
start applying the brakes
Braking Distance :The distance covered in the
time that you apply the brakes till the vehicle
actually stops
Stopping Distance : Overall distance from the time
that you sense the danger to where you actually
stop

10. Stopping Distance
Reaction Speed in Kmph
= x 3
distance (m) 10
Eg: for 40 Kmph; RD = 12 m
Braking (Speed in Kmph)2
=
distance (m) 100
Eg: for 40 Kmph; BD = 16m

11. Maintain these Following Distances
On a speed of 15 km/h maintain a distance of
one car with that you are following and
increase it accordingly.

12. Maintain these Following Distances
15 Km/h
30 Km/h
45 Km/h
60 Km/h
75 Km/h
Double or triple this distance at night or in
rainy or adverse conditions.

13. Defensive Driving

14. Defensive Driving
The driver often has to cope with
unpredictable, irrational, offensive and some
times dangerous driving behaviour.
In such conditions, drivers need to learn and
practice a defensive strategy.
This strategy is called ‘ Defensive Driving’ ,
sometimes known as ‘ Planned Driving’.
Cont…...

15. Defensive Driving
Defensive Driving Involves –
• Awareness Put
Safety
• Planning & Anticipation First
Staying in control & driving with
 Responsibility & care
 Consideration and courtesy
Cont…...

16. Defensive Driving
Effective Observation
You must make a mental note of the
• Speed
• Behaviour
• Possible intentions of any other road user.
Without this you can’t assess a traffic
situation correctly.
Cont…...

17. Defensive Driving
Effective Observation
For this, four steps are -
• Look
• Assess and
• Decide before you Act
That’s what effective observation is all about.
Cont…...

18. Defensive Driving
Signaling
Signal to warn others of your intention and
help other road users.
Signal clearly and in good time.
Use warning signals such as flashing with
headlights only as an alternative to the horn
to remind others that you are there.
Cont…...

19. Defensive Driving
Signaling
Use horn only if
 You think someone may not have seen you.
 You want to warn other road users of your
presence, e.g. at blind bends or junctions.
Cont…...

20. Defensive Driving
Some Other Tips
• Follow the MSM/PSL technique every time
you recognize a hazard.
• Always leave yourself enough time and
space to cope with what’s ahead.
Cont…..

21. Defensive Driving
Some Other Tips
• Always keep a view of lighting and weather
conditions in mind. For these be careful
and drive slowly.
• Always think of or take care of the other
road users such as cyclist, motorcyclist,
powered vehicles used by disabled people,
buses and coaches, pedestrians, elderly
persons, children, animals, horse riders etc.

22. Purpose And Use of Bye pass &
Flyover

23. Purpose & Use of Bye pass & Flyover
• To save time
• As safe approaching alternatives
• To reduce traffic congestion
• To lower driving hassles

24. Emergency Handling Techniques

25. Emergency Handling Techniques
Everyone hopes that he or she need not deal
with difficult situations on the road.
However, no one can predict when an
emergency will arise, so be prepared for such
eventualities.

26. Shattered Wind Screen
If the windscreen shatters-
1. Remain calm
2. Turn on the hazard lights
3. Slow down and move to the side of the
road
4. Stop at the road side and remove the
shattered screen and broken bits of glass
5. Do not use your bare hands to take away
the glass. Use a rag or cloth
6. Drive slowly to a workshop

27. Fire
A short circuit in the electrical system of the
vehicle or the alarming speed of the vehicle can
cause a fire. If this happens -
1. Stop your vehicle quickly by the side of the
road.
2. Get all passengers out of the vehicle in an
orderly manner.
Cont…..

28. Fire
3. Move them as far away as possible from
the vehicle.
4. Use a fire extinguisher to put out the fire.
If you do not have one or are unable to
put out the fire, call the Fire Brigade. The
telephone number of the Fire Brigade is
101.

29. Stuck Accelerator Pedal
1. Try to lift the pedal up with the toe of your
shoe. Do not take your attention off the
road.
2. If you cannot free the pedal in this manner,
turn on the hazard lights,shift to neutral
gear and move the vehicle safely to the side
of the road.
3. Stop the vehicle and switch off the ignition.

30. Foot Brake Failure
1. Turn on the hazard lights and move safely
to the side of the road.
2. ‘Change Down’ quickly to a lower gear,
preferably to the 2nd gear and release the
clutch to use the engine brake.
3. Apply the handbrake.
4. Switch off the engine.

31. Loose Wheel
When any of the wheels are loose, the vehicle
may wander from side to side accompanied
by excessive noise from the loose wheel. You
will also have difficulty in steering the
vehicle.
In such a situation
• Slow down,
• Give the appropriate signal and stop at a
safe spot by side of the road. Tighten the
loose wheel before proceeding.

32. Tyre Blow-Out
When a tyre blows out, there will be a strong
pull on the vehicle towards the side of the
blown tyre. The pull is greater for the front
wheel than for the rear wheel.
When this happens:
• Tighten you grip on the steering wheel
• Steer against the pull to keep on course.
• Brake gently and progressively and stop the
vehicle by the side of the road.

33. Skidding
Skidding is triggered by:
• Abrupt steering, braking or acceleration
• Loss of traction on slippery roads

34. Skidding
If you get into a skid:
• Stop accelerating
• Press clutch
• Do not brake
• Steer slightly in the direction of skid
• Do not oversteer

35. Driving in Difficult Conditions

36. Driving in Rain
On wet roads stopping distance increases due
to low friction.
Before rainy season a pre monsoon checkup
is recommended.
Cont……..

37. Aquaplaning
On a rainy day, a thin layer of water forms on
the road surface. Even good tyres may not
have good grip on the road. As speed
increases, surface water builds up under the
vehicle’s tyres. When this happens, your
vehicle will glide on the surface of the road
and this is known as ‘Aquaplaning’.
Cont…...

38. Aquaplaning
If it occurs
1. Stop acceleration.
2. Press clutch and do not brake.
3. Hold steering in straight position.

39. Aquaplaning
Indications
• Steering will become light
• Skidding on increasing speed
To prevent
• Use tyres with proper tread
• Drive slow through water-logged area
Cont……..

40. Driving in Rain
In rainy season be cautious of -
• Pot holes
• Submerged causeway or bridge
• Test brakes after crossing a water-logged
road
• Your speed & following distance

41. Driving in Fog
While Driving in Fog
• Do not get impatient
• Use dipped head light
• Use fog lamps
• Drive slow and increase
following distance
Cont…….

42. Driving in Fog
• Drive in your left lane near the kerb
• Use wipers to regularly clean your windscreen
• Do not overtake
• Avoid parking your vehicle on the road

43. Uphill Driving
• While attempting uphill climb from
standstill
• Engage handbrake
• Press clutch and
engage first gear
Cont…….

44. Uphill Driving
• Press accelerator, release clutch until
vehicle just tends to move ahead.
• Slowly release hand brake to move
forward.

45. Downhill Driving
ENGI
NE B
Clutch pedal RAKE
released
While initiating downhill from standstill
• Engage vehicle in first gear.
• Before releasing hand brake, keep foot pedal
pressed.
• Release hand brake and clutch simultaneously
and drive forward.

46. Driving in Hot Whether
• Tyre pressure should be checked and
adjusted when they are cold.
• Check the level of coolant in the system.
• Keep the windscreen as clear as possible.
This helps to cut down glare.
Cont…….

47. Driving in Hot Weather
• The use of sun-visor or correct sunglasses
can also reduce the glare.
• Make sure you use adequate ventilation
inside the car air-conditioning helps.
• Take plenty of breaks and refreshment on
a long trip.
• Take care of braking and cornering on
road surfaces that becomes very soft in this
weather.

48. Night Driving
Driving at night can be difficult as compared
to driving during the day.
• Make sure you can see and be seen
• Use High beams only on Highways & that
too when you are not following a vehicle.
• Use dipper for oncoming vehicle in the
range of 150-200 m
• Always use low beam while city driving

49. Click for Film
“ Night Driving”

50. Learning from the Film
1. How will you cope with the hazards of
driving at night?
2. How will you avoid getting dazzled by
the headlight of oncoming vehicles?

51. Recap
Choose the correct answer:
1. In PSL technique, ‘S’ stands for:
a. Stop
b. Steering
c. Speed
d. Sign

52. Recap
Choose the correct answer:
2. During rainy season safe distance should
be :
a. 1.5 times the normal
b. 2-3 times the normal
c. 8-10 times the normal
d. Half the normal

53. Recap
Choose the correct answer:
3. In case of a skid
a. Steer in the direction of skid
b. Steer opposite to the direction of skid
c. Do not steer
d. Steer hard

54. Recap
Choose the correct answer:
4. Use low beam while :
a. Driving in Fog
b. Following other vehicles
c. Overtaking
d. All of the above