2. DEFENSIVE DRIVING
How safe are our roads?
Driving injuries-on or off the job
Unsafe acts behind the wheel
Driving under the influence
“Road rage”
Unsafe driving conditions
Defensive driving techniques
2 second plus rule
Seat belts
Vehicle safety features
Security measures
Did you know?
3.
4. HOW SAFE ARE OUR
ROADS?
• 2007 data for the U.S.
– 42,643 fatalities
– 2,889,000 injuries
– 4,365,000 crashes involving property damage
– Friday (especially evening/night hours) has more fatal accidents
than any other day
• NOTE: Most traffic accidents (80% -
90%) result from driver error!!!
5.
6. USA’S TRAFFIC FATALITY
RATE
The country’s fatality rate is
continuing to fall as cars
become more safer. Fatality
rate is measured as the
number of traffic deaths per
100,000,000 miles driven.
National Average is 1.09
deaths per 100 million miles
of travel.
7.
8. UNSAFE ACTS BEHIND
THE WHEEL
• Texting
• Shaving
• Putting on make-up
• Reading a map
• Not using a seatbelt
• Driving under the influence
• Not using turning signals
• Adjusting the radio dial
• Driving at an unsafe speed
• Failing to stop or yield
• Unsafe passing of another
vehicle
• Tailgating
*Though perhaps in a different category, eating when driving and
using cell phones can compromise your response time by
distracting you and by removing one hand from the steering wheel.
9.
10. DRIVING UNDER THE
INFLUENCE (DUI)
In 2007, there were 17,013 fatalities in alcohol-related crashes (40% of total traffic
fatalities for the year).
Sobering facts:
•About 2 in every 5 Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related traffic accident at some time in their lives
•Remember the one-one rule: one drink per hour (Your body takes about an hour to rid itself of each 1/2
ounce of alcohol)
•The legal Blood Alcohol Content in NC is 0.08
Progress in this arena:
•Drug testing and drug-free workplaces can act as a deterrent.
•A social stigma has been building against drinking & driving.
•Many social drinkers are being more responsible.
Signs that someone may be driving under the influence:
•A driver who is slow to respond to a traffic signal may be intoxicated
11.
12. “ROAD RAGE”
• Road rage is driving under the influence of
too much anger.
• Provoked by:
– Feeling endangered by someone else’s driving
(another driver cuts you off or tailgates you).
– Resentment at being forced to slow down
– Righteous indignation at someone who breaks traffic
rules
– Anger at someone taking out their road rage on you
• Therapy for road rage:
– Take a deep breath and just let it go!
13. Unsafe conditions
• Poor visibility
– Night time driving (Fatality
rates/mile are 4 times higher
at night.)
– Dust storms
– Rain storms
– Windshield wipers not
effective
• Poor road conditions
– Slippery surfaces from
weather
– Road not properly
maintained
• Improper vehicle
maintenance
– Inadequate brakes
– Worn tread on tires
– Hoses, belts
– Inadequate acceleration
– Headlight(s) out
Others
- Driver fatigue
- Unsecured
laptops/equipment can
become a projectile in a
crash.
Tip: if the road is wet and the car in
front of you is not leaving tire tracks,
you may be at risk of hydroplaning.
Tip: the road is slickest after the
first few minutes of rainfall.
14. Defensive Driving
Techniques
#1 Rule:
always scan
the road ahead
of you to
determine any
upcoming/possi
ble problems;
then, you will
be prepared to
stop, change
lanes, move
onto the
shoulder, etc.
Use the right
edge of the
pavement as a
guide if you are
blinded by the
bright lights of
an oncoming
vehicle.
If you are being
tailgated,
increase the
following
distance to the
car in front of
you to 4 – 5
seconds.
When
approaching an
intersection
where the light
has been green
for a while,
decrease your
speed – this is
called a “stale”
green light.
Always check
the shoulder of
the road. You
may have to
pull into the
shoulder if
another driver
makes a
mistake.
Check your
rearview mirror
anytime you
use your
brakes.
15.
16. DEFENSIVE DRIVING
TECHNIQUES CONT’D…
When you’re waiting to make a left turn, keep your wheels pointed straight.
When you’re going to change lanes, always turn on your signal and look in your
blind spot.
If your vehicle begins to skid, turn in the direction of the skid.
Always have your lights on during rain, fog, and snow.
When another driver is passing you, move to the right and be ready to slow down.
When negotiating curves, slow down before you enter the curve.
Speed Kills. Drive the speed limit. Reduce your speed based on weather
conditions.
Expect the unexpected. Look out for animals!!
17.
18. 2 SECOND PLUS RULE
• Under “perfect conditions”, you should
maintain a 2 second following distance from
the car in front of you.
– “Perfect conditions” include driving a car (not a truck,
or other larger vehicle) and nice weather.
– Adverse conditions include driving a truck or other
vehicle larger than a car and rain, snow, ice, or other
bad weather.
• For each adverse condition, add 1 more
second to your following distance.
19. SEAT BELTS
You have a 50%
better chance of
surviving a serious
crash without
injuries when you
wear a seat belt;
your chances of
surviving a serious
crash are increased
by 45% when you
wear a seat belt.
Seat belts keep
passengers in their
seats during a
crash.
Seat belts help you
stay in control of
your vehicle, by
keeping you in your
seat.
Seat belts protect
you by absorbing
the forces of a
crash.
Myth: seat belts frequently trap people in
burning vehicles.
20.
21. VEHICLE SAFETY
FEATURES
• Daytime running lights
– (Headlights that are on
whenever vehicle is running)
• Lap/shoulder safety belts
– Reduce risk of moderate-to-
fatal injuries by approximately
50%.
• Air bags for driver &
passenger
– Combined with lap/shoulder
belts, they reduce risk of
fatality by another 10%.
• Side impact airbags
• OnStar
• Child safety seats
– Note: Children in child
seats should not be placed
in the front seat of cars
• Anti-lock brakes
• Safety cages built into the
vehicle framework
• If buying a new car, ask
about side-impact collision
data.
• Research a vehicle’s
safety record at
www.safercar.gov
22. SECURITY MEASURES
• After entering the vehicle, lock the doors immediately
and keep the windows rolled up for the duration of the
trip.
• If you’re driving at night, stay on main roads.
• Always be aware of your surroundings when
entering/exiting the vehicle and park in well-lit areas.
• Have the keys ready to unlock the car before you get to
it.
• For Women: always drive with your purse on the
passenger floor. While waiting at a stop light, criminals
have smashed the passenger window and grabbed the
purse sitting in the passenger seat.
• Always hide valuables in your trunk while the car is
unattended.
23.
24. DID YOU KNOW?
• When driving on a road that is new to you:
– Your eyes tend to scan the road from left to right, which is
an excellent driving habit.
– We tend not to scan when in familiar territory.
• Most collisions happen within 25 miles of people’s
homes.
• The best way to deal with a tailgater is to slow down.
This gives them a chance to pass you.
• When driving in winter weather, your most important
responsibility is your ability to anticipate problems.
• The best way to drive safely on ice is to decrease your
speed and drive defensively. Even better, stay off the
roads.
25. TEST TIME
Instructions: To print the test, go to the next page and hold the right mouse
button down. From there, select ‘print picture’. Select ‘current selection’ to only
print the test page.
Fill in your first name, last name, and the date. Use the check boxes to answer
the test questions. Make sure that only one box is checked unless the answer
says to ‘check all that apply’. After completing the test, send it to the office which
you provide services for:
Mesa Employees:
Once completed, you can scan and email the test to FerrynF@ITC-AZ.com
or you can fax the test in 480-969-5512.
Phoenix Employees
Once completed, you can scan and email the test to RodM@ITC-AZ.com
or you can fax the test in 602-253-5512.
Peoria Employees
Once completed, you can scan and email the test to AlexA@ITC-AZ.com
or you can fax the test in 623-792-8117.
26. Driving Safety Test
Name:_______________________________ Date:_____________
1) When you’re waiting to make a left turn, keep your wheels
pointed:
a. ☐ Straight
b. ☐ Left
c. ☐ Right
6) National average is 1.09 deaths per _____ miles of travel:
a. ☐ 1.09
b. ☐ 100
c. ☐ 100 Thousand
d. ☐ 100 Million
2) Shaving, texting, eating, or putting on make-up while driving are
examples of:
a. ☐ Excellent driving skill
b. ☐ Unsafe acts behind the wheels
c. ☐ Proper hygiene
d. ☐ All of the above
7) For each adverse condition, add _____ to the 2 second plus
rule:
a. ☐ 1 second
b. ☐ 5 seconds
c. ☐ 10 seconds
d. ☐ 1 minute
3) Road rage is:
a. ☐ Unavoidable on a crowded freeway
b. ☐ Driving under the influence of too much anger
c. ☐ A contact sport which favors large vehicles
d. ☐ All of the above
8) When blinded by the bright lights of an oncoming car you
should flash your bright lights at them:
a. ☐ True
b. ☐ False
4) If you are being tailgated, increase the following distance to the
car in front of you by:
a. ☐ 1-2 seconds
b. ☐ 4-5 seconds
c. ☐ 1-2 minutes
d. ☐ 4-5 minutes
9) Examples of unsafe conditions are:
a. ☐ Limited road visibility
b. ☐ Improper vehicle maintenance
c. ☐ Poor road conditions
d. ☐ All of the above
5) When driving on a road that is new to you:
a. ☐ Your eyes tend to scan the road from left to right
b. ☐ We tend not to scan when in familiar territory
c. ☐ Both A & B
d. ☐ None of the above
10) The road is slickest after the first few minutes of rainfall:
a. ☐ True
b. ☐ False
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