Defensive Driving Larry Harshbarger Heritage Group Safety

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

Defensive Driving Is:

Making effective, ________ & ________ driving choices

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

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

Understanding the risks of ________ driving conditions

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

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

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

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

Recognize the Hazard Scan ahead, around & behind Look in mirrors every seconds Use “What if” strategy

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

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

Who is affected By A traffic Crash?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Adverse Conditions Light Hazards _______________ Defenses _______________

Adverse Conditions Weather Hazards _______________ Defenses _______________

Adverse Conditions Road Hazards _______________ Defenses _______________

Adverse Conditions Traffic Hazards _______________ Defenses _______________

Adverse Conditions Vehicle Hazards _______________ Defenses _______________

Adverse Conditions Driver Hazards _______________ Defenses _______________

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

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

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

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

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 2 nd car, wait 2 seconds

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

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

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

4.Tailgating 30 mph 6646 = =

4.Tailgating 55 mph = 284 =

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

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

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

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

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

Aggressive Driving Lane Blocking Tailgating Signal use Horn use Headlight use Merging Blocking traffic

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

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

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

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