2. Driver Safety 101 By Richard Buttenshaw

3. What is the cost? Data not tracked prior to 2003 YearClaimsSeverity 200351 $618,230 2004134 $665,997 200594 $449,113 2006*64 $260,909 * data as of June Workers Comp Vehicle Accident Losses:

4. What is the cost? Vehicle Property/Liability Claims Losses: YearClaimsSeverity 2000333$1,215,707 2001482$2,089,681 2002711$3,245,355 2003829$3,453,304 2004947$5,010,526 20051011$4,257,198

5. How to drive: –Obey the speed limits –Check your mirrors –Signal before you turn Things I will NOT be covering I will assume that everyone driving your vehicles has passed the test ! ( See Vehicle Accident Review Guidelines handout )

6. Run Motor Vehicle Records (MVRs): –As part of the hiring process –At least every 3 years insurance penalties if you don’t ! –Have a written policy How to get MVRs: –Send in form to Driver License Division in Montgomery $5.75 per person –Online service (www.alabama.gov) $75 per year plus $5.75 per person Who should be driving? ( See Performing MVRs handout )

7. Does the vehicle require a special license or training? –For example CDL More than 26,000 pounds? Can carry 16 people? –Emergency vehicles EVOC training What is a street legal vehicle ? –Golf carts- ATVs –Backhoes- Tractors What should you be driving?

8. Any one can drive a van A 15 passenger (plus the driver) vehicle requires a CDL. 15-passenger vans should be operated by experienced drivers. –At least 25 years old with at least 3 years driving experience A speed that may be acceptable in a passenger car could be dangerous in a van. –Avoid sharp and abrupt maneuvers. You should fill the front seats first. –When the center of gravity shifts to the rear and upward increasing the likelihood of rollover as capacity increases. 15-passenger vans should require seat belt use at all times. A load placed on the roof will increase the likelihood of rolling over. ( See Vehicle Safety Training Checklist handout )

9. Vehicle Inspections Improper vehicle maintenance –Inadequate brakes –Worn tread on tires –Hoses, belts –Inadequate acceleration –Headlight(s) out Establish an inspection program –Before each use –Weekly and monthly –As per the manufacturer –Documentation ( See Vehicle Maintenance & Inspection handout )

10. Unsafe Conditions Poor visibility –Night time driving (Fatality rates/mile are 4 times higher at night) –Rain storms –Windshield wipers not effective Poor road conditions –Slippery surfaces from weather –Localized flooding

11. They help save lives - so everyone It’s the law - so everyone It’s city policy - so everyone Who needs to wear a seat belt? Question: Why do we need a city policy if it’s the law ? ( See Seat Belt Safety handout )

12. Good communications is important –Cell phones –Two way radios –Push to talk phones Hands free systems Written policy What did we do before cell phones? ( See Cell Phone Use handout )

13. Writing down a note –Train people to pull over before attempting to write. Eating food –Have a city policy on not eating while driving. Smoking –Have a city policy on not smoking in city vehicles. Road rage –Just let it go! Animals running out into the road –Skid car training! Other Distractions

14. Is tailgating taught in drivers ed? You can’t react as quickly as you think. I wonder how close can I get?

15. 30% of all accidents are backing and parking related (national statistics) Front end clipping Use your blinkers Unfamiliarity with the vehicle –Different size –Different turning radius –Adjust the mirrors In an ideal world –Avoid backing if possible –Back in / drive out –Use a spotter –Use reverse audible signal (or the horn) Parking and Backing Up

16. Require wearing reflective vests Use flashing lights on the vehicle On top Built-in Use cones Use flagmen if necessary Working at the side of the road Remember – no precaution is too much

17. “Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices” Federal Highway Administration www.mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov “Building Safer Highway Work Zones” CDC and NIOSH www.cdc.gov/niosh/2001128.html

18. Driver Training – The Skid Car Our pro-active defensive driving program is headed up by Stanley Fant retired State Trooper State of the art technology Simulation of adverse driving conditions at high rates of speed yet performed safely at relatively low speeds Prepares the student to drive equipping him/her to recognize and correct for an imminent skid or slide while maneuvering during emergency operations

19. Statistics: –In 2005 Alabama had 111 crossing collisions 8 th highest in the nation –In 2005 Alabama had 16 fatalities 8 th highest in the nation Resource: –Operation Lifesaver Nancy Hudson 1400 Norfolk Southern Drive, RM #116 Birmingham, AL 35210 Tel: 205-951-8013 Fax: 205-951-6045 Operation Lifesaver www.oli.org

20. Resources – our video library “City Driving” – 5.004 “City Driving Tactics” – 5.005 “Driving Defensively 1” – 5.011 “Driving Defensively 2” – 5.012 “Good Driving is an Attitude” – 5.016 “Intersections” – 5.019 “Night Driving Tactics” – 5.024 “Pulling Trailers” – 5.031 “Safe Driving” – 5.033 “Traffic Safety” – 5.040 “Utility Vans: Part 1” – 5.041 “Utility Vans: Part 2” – 5.042 “Vehicle Safety” – 5.043 “Winter Driving” – 5.046 “Driving Safety” – 5.048 “Driving Distractions” – 5.049 “Backing and Parking” – 5.050 “Trucks, Vans and Other Delivery Vehicles” – 5.051 “Why Do We Drive the Way We Do” – 5.052 “Barricade Safety 1” – 15.001 “Barricade Safety 2” – 15.002 “Flagging” – 15.003 “Highway Work Zone Safety” – 15.005

21. Other Resources “ Sample Fleet Safety Manual” See handout “Sample Driving Policies” City of Montgomery City of Mobile See handout

22. Our Websites www.alalm.org Alabama League of Municipalities www.amicentral.org Alabama Municipal Insurance Corp

23. The Bottom Line From the Alabama Department of Public Safety 2005 Report: –Number of accidents= 143,948 –Number killed = 1,134 –Number injured = 44,155 In Alabama In 1 year

24. Questions? Thank You.