Managing Risk When Driving

All Licensed Drivers – 191,275,719 All Drivers Involvement Rate in Fatal Crashes/100,000 Licensed Drivers – (37,795 crashes with 42,116 deaths) Aged Drivers Involvement Rate in Fatal Crashes/100,000 Licensed Drivers – (Male 87.24%, Female 38.06%) Note: Data is from (FARS) Fatality Analysis Reporting System and (GES) General Estimates System 2001 Motor Vehicle Crash Data

A Few More Numbers 1 out of 14 licensed drivers in U.S. are involved in traffic crashes (all ages) 1 in 6 licensed drivers in U.S. are involved in traffic crashes (16 to 17)

Motor Vehicle Deaths as Percent of All Deaths (1999) Age (years) Male (percent) Female (percent) All (percent) < Note: All includes gender unknownsInsurance Institute for Highway Safety Fatality Facts – Teenagers

Age (years) Male (percent) Female (percent) All (percent) >551<11 Motor Vehicle Deaths as Percent of All Deaths (1999) Note: All includes gender unknownsInsurance Institute for Highway Safety Fatality Facts – Teenagers

No Safety in Numbers 16-Year-Olds More Likely to be Killed than Those Driving Alone –Carrying One Passenger 39% –Carrying Two Passengers Carrying 86% –Three or More Passengers 207%

No Safety in Numbers 17-Year-Olds More Likely to be Killed than Those Driving Alone –Carrying One Passenger 48% –Carrying Two Passengers 158% –Carrying Three or More Passengers 207%

Graduated Driver Licensing System (GDL) – Three Stages Learner’s Permit Provisional License (Intermediate, Probationary) Full/Unrestricted License

Graduated Driver Licensing System (GDL) Learner’s Permit Requirements: –Minimum age (16) –Parental/Guardian/Mentor Cosign if <18 –Tests to be taken (vision & written) –Length of permit 1 year (renewable) 180 days before eligible for road test If you fail road test you may try 5 more times waiting 7 days between tests, if you fail the 6th time you will have one more chance then you must start the process over.

Learner’s Permit Limitations –Accompanied by adult (21+) licensed driver in front passenger seat –No other front seat passengers –No driving midnight to 6 A.M. (without cause) –Zero alcohol tolerance (0.02 BAC) –Under 18 must complete 4 hour Graduate Licensing or high school driver ed class Graduated Driver Licensing System (GDL)

Sanctions: –License may be suspended more than six points (under age 18) more than twelve points (18 +)

Young Drivers: The High Risk Years

Definition of Risk: The Chance of Injury, Damage, or Loss

Factors to Evaluate for Better Risk Management Probability – What is the likelihood of a dangerous event occurring? Manageability – What is the manageability of the dangerous event? Consequences – Identify and consider alternative actions.

Characteristics of Risk Risk is always present – Probability, Manageability, Consequences More than 50% of all vehicle occupant fatalities occur in single vehicle crashes. Which situation has more risk?

Characteristics of Risk Perceived risk differs from actual risk – Probability, Manageability, Consequences

Characteristics of Risk Risk is shared –Probability, Manageability, Consequences

Characteristics of Risk Risk can be altered – Probability, Manageability, Consequences Driving with headlights on makes vehicle visible twice as far. This is an example of altering risk.

Survey of Perceptions on Highway Safety Perception of Risk and Control What is the likelihood of a crash? Perceived likelihood of a crashPercent 1 in in in in in in Don’t Know5.1

Perceptions of Risk and Control How much control do you have? Amount of Perceived ControlPercent Almost total control37.4 A lot of control45.2 Some control15.1 Very little control1.7 Survey of Perceptions on Highway Safety

Perceptions of Risk and Control Who is at fault? Perceived Most Likely Cause of a CrashPercent Someone else’s error58.8 Unavoidable bad luck16.5 Physical defect in car or road9.6 My driving error6.3 Other6.1 Survey of Perceptions on Highway Safety

Primary Crash Factors(1) Perceptual failure Not watching travel path Driving too fast for conditions Driving too fast around curves Pulled out in front of traffic at intersection Was hit at intersection by another vehicle Failed to steer/react quick enough National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA)

Primary Crash Factors(2) Failed to maintain visual lead Failed to see action developing on the side of the road Followed too closely Willfully took right of way Distracted

Establishing a Mind Set - Reduced Risk Driving Probability of a Dangerous Event Occurring: –Stop sign observance 2 out of 3 drivers do not stop at stop signs In residential areas and/or on 2-lane roads, 90% of drivers do not stop –Signal light observance Rush hour, 4 to 5 drivers run red lights FTYRW & Speeding are the most violated traffic laws

Establishing a Mind Set - Reduced Risk Driving Probability of a Dangerous Event Occurring Are High In: –Areas of restricted vision –Areas of reduced space –Areas of reduced traction Be prepared to manage a dangerous event –Reduce speed –Improve visibility –Separate threatening elements –Assess traction

Establishing a Mind Set - Reduced Risk Driving Understand the consequences of alternative actions: avoid increasing the level of risk

Five ways to Control Risk Keep car in top condition Anticipate situations Always protect yourself & others Drive only in sound mental/physical condition Continue to improve skills/habits It takes a new driver 5 years to reach the driving ability of an average driver!

Basic Principle of Safe Driving Wisely manage visibility, time, and space