DEFENSIVE DRIVER TRAINING

ACCIDENT Tour bus hit a parked 18-wheeler on the shoulder. 5 died at the scene and 3 others died at area hospitals. The rig was also far off the road at the time of the accident.

ACCIDENT (Cont.) Hit black ice Was not wearing a seat belt Luckily did not have injuries

ACCIDENT (Cont.) Other driver was talking on cell phone and changed lanes hitting this car and causing him to hit a cement barrier He was left with serious back injury Car was totaled He was wearing his seatbelt

ACCIDENT (cont.) Lost control resulting in roll-over Was not wearing his seatbelt resulting in permanent back pain and bruised kidneys Was going 30 mph over the speed limit

SAFE DRIVING TECHNIQUES Aggressive drivers Backing Changing lanes Drinking and driving Distracted driving Hazardous conditions Scanning Turn signals – Virginia State DMV

AGGRESSIVE DRIVERS Aggressive drivers-speed, tailgate, weave, run stop signs/red lights, honk, flash lights What should you do? – Stay out of the way, don’t challenge – Avoid contact and ignore the other driver – Wear your seatbelt incase you need to make an abrupt driving maneuver

BACKING Look both ways behind you, don’t just use your mirrors Walk around the back of your vehicle before getting in Make sure you can see out of all windows Back slowly

CHANGING LANES Check all mirrors and look out window Give a turn signal Be aware of your blind spot

DRINKING AND DRIVING National crash reports show that approximately 16,000 people are killed each year because of drivers who have been drinking. Over one-third of all fatal crashes involve drinking drivers.

DISTRACTED DRIVING Cell phones Eating Changing tapes, CDs, or adjusting the radio Personal grooming Passengers Reading

HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS Hazardous conditions-snow, ice, rain, fog, sun, darkness What can you do? – Reduce your speed – Increase your following distance – Use your headlights so other drivers can see you – Be careful when braking

SCANNING Scan ahead and to the sides. Check from left to right before entering an intersection. Watch for pedestrians, bicyclists, back-up lights from a car. Look behind you.

TURN SIGNALS Get in the habit of using turn signals Signal 3 or 4 seconds before changing direction Make sure you turn your signal off once you’ve complete your turn

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