DEFENSIVE DRIVING TRAINING

What's difficult about driving? Increasing amount of vehicles on the road Other drivers attitudes Weather conditions Heavy Traffic, busy intersections that many don’t know how to navigate through Any others?

STATISTICS On average, how many people do you think are killed in traffic crashes each year? 44,000 Americans are killed every year on our roadways. 121 per day. 121 yesterday, 121 today, 121 tomorrow. First reported vehicular fatality occurred in 1899, in NYC. Since 1899, approx. 3,100,000 fatalities on American Roadways. DRIVING IS THE MOST DANGEROUS THING YOU DO ON A DAILY BASIS!!!

STATISTICS CONT. One Fatality every 11 minutes, one injury every 18 seconds! 6,500 teenagers are killed yearly on our roadways. 17 Teenagers per day. 17 yesterday, 17 today, and 17 tomorrow. DRIVING IS THE MOST DANGEROUS THING YOUR KIDS DO ON A DAILY BASIS!!

YOUR DRIVING RISKS Honestly answer the following questions True or False on a separate piece of paper; – 1. I get irritated when I think other drivers are driving too slowly. – 2. I think I am the best judge of how fast I should be able to drive. – 3. When no one is around, I may sneak through traffic signals and signs. – 4. I obey speed limits only when I think I might get caught. – 5. I often take chances in traffic just for fun.

YOUR DRIVING RISKS CONT. 6. If another driver does something that gets me angry, I sometimes try to get back at that person. 7. When I’m in a hurry, I get as close as I can to the vehicle in front of me to make the driver move out of my way. 8. I’m a good driver so I don’t need to wear a seat belt. 9. I try to get ahead of other drivers at a stop sign or stop light. 10. I can do other things in the car while I’m driving.

YOUR DRIVING RISKS If scored 6 or higher on true, your collision- risk factor is high. Your at higher risk than other drivers If scored 6 or higher on false, your at the low collision-risk level, and are probably a safe driver. WE ALL CAN IMPROVE!!

What is defensive driving? The National Safety Council defines defensive driving as; – “Driving to save lives, time, and money in spite of the conditions around you and the actions of others.” You have no control over the conditions around you or the actions of others, but you can control how you respond to them.

RESPONSIBILITY – KEY IN DEFENSIVE DRIVING Accident vs. Collision – Accident is defined as an unfortunate event resulting from unavoidable causes. – While a collision is an unfortunate event, it is usually preventable by one or more of the drivers involved. COLLISIONS CAN BE PREVENTED

Preventable Vehicle Accident …..One in which the driver failed to do everything reasonable to avoid the accident

AT FAULT VS. NOT AT FAULT How do we get rid of a tailgater? Sadly, #1 answer received from motorists is to “hit the breaks!” Think about the consequences! Make the responsible decision. Allow that person out of your life quickly, before they become a part of your life forever.