Five Easy Ways to Lower Your Driving Risk Defensive Driving Five Easy Ways to Lower Your Driving Risk 9/16/2018

Five Easy Ways to Lower Your Driving Risk Safety Belts Avoid alcohol and other drugs Use all your senses, not just vision Be aware of your limitations Learn to recognize and manage risk early 9/16/2018

Safety Belts The safest place in your car during a crash is the seat you are already in. Properly worn and fastened, safety belts are 45-50% effective in reducing the risk of a fatal crash. Safety belts are 55-60% effective in reducing injuries in a nonfatal collision. Air bags increase the effectiveness of safety belts by 10-15%. 9/16/2018

Estimated Number of Lives Saved by Safety Belts 9/16/2018

Estimated Number of Lives Saved by Child Restraints and Air Bags 9/16/2018

Safety Belt Benefits Prevents the “second” and “third” collision. Prevents ejection from vehicle. Prevents occupants from striking each other. Provides “ride down” benefit. Spreads crash force out. Provides drivers with greater control in emergency situations. 9/16/2018

Elements of a Traffic Accident Driver – 90% Examples???? Vehicle – 5% Roadway environment – 5% 9/16/2018

Avoid Alcohol and Other Drugs 9/16/2018

% of Total Traffic Fatalities with Alcohol Present 9/16/2018

Avoid Alcohol and Other Drugs The decision to drink alcohol is a personal decision; the decision to drink alcohol and operate a motor vehicle is the business of every responsible traffic citizen. Most Americans who can legally consume alcohol, do. Unfortunately, more than 80% will admit to driving after drinking at some point. 9/16/2018

Avoid Alcohol and Other Drugs America is a nation of drinkers and of drivers. Over five billion gallons of liquor is consumed every year. 185,500,000 licensed drivers (1998) 215,400,000 registered vehicles (1998) 9/16/2018

Avoid Alcohol and Other Drugs Even if you don’t drink, or if you don’t drink and drive, you are still a victim of this social problem: 70 people die every day in alcohol-related crashes; about one every 20 minutes. 50% of the people killed in alcohol-related crashes are not the drinking driver Cost to society is in the Billion$ .25% of every auto insurance dollar YOU pay goes for damages done by the drunk driver. At the current rate, two out of every five Americans can expect to be involved in an alcohol-related crash in his/her lifetime. 9/16/2018

Avoid Alcohol and Other Drugs There is a clear and direct relationship between alcohol impairment and motor vehicle crash responsibility. .08% BAC is the current legal level of intoxication in Illinois, but driving impairment begins at a lower level. Drinking any amount of alcohol impairs the ability to drive, though probability of a crash increases dramatically with rising BAC. 9/16/2018

Avoid Alcohol and Other Drugs What is alcohol? What is BAC? How is BAC achieved? 9/16/2018

Alcohol Impairment Chart The following charts are intended only as guides. Your blood-alcohol level may be affected by your age, general physical condition, gender, amount of food consumed and any drugs and medications. The shaded portions represent illegal intoxication for drivers in Illinois and Missouri. 9/16/2018

Alcohol Impairment Chart For the purposes of this guide, “one drink” is equal to 1.25 oz. of 80 proof liquor, 12 oz. of regular beer or 5 oz. of wine. Note: Subtract 0.01 % for each 40 minutes elapsed since having a drink. 9/16/2018

Men: Approximate blood-alcohol percentage (within one hour) Body Weight in Pounds Drinks 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240 1 0.04 0.03 0.02 2 0.08 0.06 0.05 3 0.11 0.09 0.07 4 0.15 0.12 5 0.19 0.16 0.13 6 0.23 0.14 0.10 9/16/2018

Women: Approximate blood-alcohol percentage (within one hour) Body Weight in Pounds Drinks 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240 1 0.05 0.04 0.03 0.02 2 0.09 0.08 0.07 0.06 3 0.14 0.11 0.10 4 0.18 0.15 0.13 5 0.23 0.19 0.16 6 0.27 0.17 0.12 9/16/2018

Avoid Alcohol and Other Drugs How is BAC measured? The driving task is a complex skill involving a mixture of decision-making abilities, visual acuity, and psychomotor skills. How does BAC affect the driving task? 9/16/2018

Avoid Alcohol and Other Drugs DUI provisions Implied consent Penalties Visual cues to identify a drunk driver What should you do if you suspect a driver is intoxicated? 9/16/2018

Avoid Alcohol and Other Drugs Solution to drinking/driving problem is multi-faceted: Individual responsibility Fair and consistent laws, enforcement and prosecution Support efforts to reduce the problem 9/16/2018

Motor Vehicle Death Rates by Day and Night 9/16/2018

Motor Vehicle Deaths by Type of Accident 9/16/2018

Motor Vehicle Deaths by Age 9/16/2018

Use ALL Your Senses Most of the information gathered while driving is visual, but research indicates that the most competent drivers do not rely solely on visual inputs. Other senses: Hearing Smell Feel Common 9/16/2018

S.I.P.D.E. Method S – Search; sense; scan I – Identify P – Predict D – Decide E - Execute 9/16/2018

Be Aware of YOUR Limitations Immediate State Temporary illness Fatigue Carbon monoxide poisoning 9/16/2018

Be Aware of YOUR Limitations Chronic conditions Permanent disabilities Depth perception Night vision/night blindness Color blindness 9/16/2018

Learn to Recognize and Manage Risk Early Adjust your driving pattern to the driving environment. Watch your following distance! Know what is around you at all times Use the Smith System Drive responsibly – Keep your welfare and the welfare of your passengers and other highway users in mind. 9/16/2018

The “Smith System” of Perceptual Driving Habits Aim High in Steering. Get the big picture. Keep your eyes moving. Leave yourself an “out.” Make sure YOU are seen. 9/16/2018

Vehicle Safety Engineering Crash avoidance Crash worthiness Passenger protection 9/16/2018

Pedestrian Safety Actions by motorists that endanger pedestrians. Actions by pedestrians that endanger themselves. 9/16/2018

Actions by Motorists that Endanger Pedestrians Driving too fast for conditions. Failing to yield to pedestrians in a midblock crosswalk. Driving while under the influence of alcohol or other substances. Obstructing view by parking too close to crosswalk. 9/16/2018

Actions by Motorists that Endanger Pedestrians Failing to stop before crossing sidewalk. Passing a stopped vehicle that blocks the view of pedestrians. Failing to yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian in a crosswalk. 9/16/2018

Actions by Pedestrians that Endanger Themselves Walking while intoxicated. Crossing between parked cars. Crossing against a signal. Crossing between intersections. 9/16/2018

Actions by Pedestrians that Endanger Themselves Failing to watch traffic. Playing in the street. Walking diagonally across an intersection. Walking in the street when sidewalks are provided. 9/16/2018