Defensive Driving

1. Defensive
Driving
Larry Harshbarger
Heritage Group Safety

2. What is the most dangerous thingWhat is the most dangerous thing
most of us have in common?most of us have in common?
Driving with the “general public”Driving with the “general public”

3. Defensive
Driving Is:

4. Making effective,
________ & ________
driving choices

5. Creating a safe &
________ free personal
driving space inside &
around your vehicle

6. Driving to your
destination without a
________, a ________
or compromising other
driver’s safety

7. Understanding the risks
of ________ driving
conditions

8. Defensive Driving is
driving to save ________,
________, and ________ in
spite of conditions around
you & the actions of
others

9. Cost of a Crash
Time ________
Hourly Wage ________
Total ________
Additional ________
Total Cost ________

10. Cost of a Crash
Time 8 hours
Hourly Wage $15
Total $120
Additional $2200
Total Cost $2320

11. Collision Prevention
1. R ________ the hazard
2. U ________ the defense
3. A ________ C ________ ,
in time

12. Recognize the Hazard
• Scan ahead, around & behind
• Look in mirrors every 3 - 5
seconds
• Use “What if” strategy

13. Understand the Defense
• Know what to do to avoid
• Know the consequences of
your choices
• Know basic defenses:
1. Effective scanning patterns
2. Slow down
3. Use safe following distance

14. Understand the Defense
• Alert & paying attention
• Many know correct evasive
maneuvers, but aren't
focusing & lose time
• Many act in time, but act
incorrectly

15. Who is affected
By A traffic
Crash?

16. Rules & Regulations
1. In Indiana, you must have
these items in your car to be
driving legally:
a. Valid driver’s license
b. Proof of insurance
c. Vehicle registration
d. Vehicle emissions certificate

17. Rules & Regulations
2. In Indiana, you May be
stopped by police for not
wearing a safety belt
a. True
b. False

18. Rules & Regulations
3. If your car has an air bag,
you should move your seat
back, but you don’t have to
wear a seat belt
a. True
b. False

19. Rules & Regulations
4. In Indiana, child safety seats
are mandatory for children
under 5 years of age or
under 40 pounds
a. True
b. False

20. Rules & Regulations
5. Zero-tolerance laws apply
to:
a. Underage drinking & Driving
b. Excessive traffic violations
c. Impaired drivers aged 21 &
over
d. Safety belt laws

21. Rules & Regulations
6. In Indiana, by holding a valid
driver’s license,you have
agreed to an alcohol test if
the officer believes you are
operating under the
influence
a. True
b. False

22. Rules & Regulations
7. In Indiana, the illegal
blood/breath alcohol limit is:
a. .02
b. .04
c. .08
d. .10

23. Triple Whammy
1. Vehicle Crash
2. Human Crash
3. Internal Crash

24. Crash Buster
• Seat Belts distributes forces
• Everyone buckled up
• Chest 10” away from chest
• Seat back as far as possible

25. Drugs & Driving
1. People who don’t drink &
drive are not affected by
those who do
a. True
b. False

26. Drugs & Driving
2. As long as a drinker keeps
their blood-alcohol level
below the legal limit, their
driving abilities won’t be
impaired
a. True
b. False

27. Drugs & Driving
3. Coffee is a remedy for
“sobering up”
a. True
b. False

28. Drugs & Driving
4. Marijuana & other drugs do
not have noticeable effects
on driving skills after the
high has worn off
a. True
b. False

29. Drugs & Driving
5. Lite beer has less alcohol
than regular beer
a. True
b. False

30. Drugs & Driving
6. On Weekends between 10
pm – 2 am, 1of 5 drivers
impaired
a. True
b. False

31. Drugs & Driving
7. Coordination is first
physical ability to be
impaired by alcohol
a. True
b. False

32. Drugs & Driving
8. If someone is not visibly
impaired, they are probably
not too drunk to drive
a. True
b. False

33. Drugs & Driving
9. Over-the-counter drugs do
not affect driving ability as
seriously as prescription
drugs
a. True
b. False

34. Drugs & Driving
10. Alcohol is the most
commonly used intoxicating
drug
a. True
b. False

36. Safe Following Distance
• At 50 MPH, moving 75 FPS
• 3 second rule
• Higher speed = higher
stopping distance

37. Adverse Conditions
Light
Hazards _______________
Defenses _______________

38. Adverse Conditions
Weather
Hazards _______________
Defenses _______________

39. Adverse Conditions
Road
Hazards _______________
Defenses _______________

40. Adverse Conditions
Traffic
Hazards _______________
Defenses _______________

41. Adverse Conditions
Vehicle
Hazards _______________
Defenses _______________

42. Adverse Conditions
Driver
Hazards _______________
Defenses _______________

43. The Sinister Six
1. Speeding
2. Right of way
3. Improper turns
4. Tailgating
5. Passing (overtaking)
6. Driving left of center

44. 1. Speeding
“Why is it that everyone driving
faster than us is a maniac, &
everyone driving slower than
us is an idiot?”
George Carlin

45. Speed Kills
• 1/3 of all fatalities
• Every 10 mph, death risk
doubled

48. 2. Right of Way
• 30% of drivers say they ran a
red light in past week
• 26% rolled through stop sign

49. How Not to Get Hit
• Look left, right, ahead &left
• Don’t let up on brake – driver
behind sees brake lights off &
accelerate
• Go when safe
• If 2nd
car, wait 2 seconds

50. Rule of thirds
1. Accelerate
2. Maintain speed
3. Cover brake & prepare to
stop

51. 3. Turning
•Stop so you can see tires
touching pavement
•Signal
•Appropriate lane
•Wheels straight
•Turn in appropriate lane

52. Avoiding Head-On Crash
1. Read the road ahead
2. Drive to the right
3. Reduce speed
4. Ride off the road

53. 4. Tailgating
30 mph
66 46 = 112
66 = 13346

54. 4. Tailgating
55 mph
120 164 = 284
= 395120 275

55. 5-6. Passing & Left Of
Center
3 Types of crashes
1. Sideswipe
2. Run off road
3. Head-on

56. Do I really need to pass?
If passing requires you to
increase your speed,
reconsider the need to pass
5-6.Passing & Left Of
Center

57. • Use safe following distance
• Check blind spot
• Use turn signal
• Check traffic ahead & behind
5-6.Passing & Left Of
Center

58. Avoiding Head-On Crash
1. Read the road ahead
2. Drive to the right
3. Reduce speed
4. Ride off the road
5-6.Passing & Left Of
Center

59. Aggressive Driving
• Driving in selfish, bold, push
manner
• Without regard for rights &
safety of others

60. Aggressive Driving
• Lane Blocking
• Tailgating
• Signal use
• Horn use
• Headlight use
• Merging
• Blocking traffic

61. Road Rage
• Using vehicle as a weapon
• Physical assault of a driver or
vehicle
• Criminal offense

62. Reduce Stress
• Allow enough travel time
• Alternative routes
• If late, call ahead
• Don’t drive when angry, upset or
tired
• Make yourself comfortable
• Give benefit of doubt
• Personalize other drivers

64. Confronted
• Stay Calm & Relaxed
• Get away from situation
• Avoid eye contact
• Do not challenge
• Ignore comments & gestures
• Report aggressive driving

65. Most common type of driver in an accident…Most common type of driver in an accident…
The distracted driver…The distracted driver…