1. DEFENSIVE DRIVING FOR SAFE MOTORING By A Baruah

2. What is Defensive Driving
No moving vehicle is completely free from the possibility of involving with an accident.
Even in a dry road and dry day also accident occurs.
That is why it is important to understand the Defensive Driving.
Defensive driving is anticipation of factors / situations that lead to accidents.
It is driver’s “code of the road”

3. The Defensive Driving Code
Care,Consideration and Courtesy for other road users
Knowledge of traffic rules and regulations.
Alertness for the illegal acts and driving errors of other drivers.
Concern for accident prevention regardless of who is in fault.

4. Preventing Crashes with anticipation
Collision with the vehicle ahead
Stay alert : The vehicle ahead may apply brake suddenly.
Stay Back : Even with good brakes vehicle needs a lot of room to stop. Stay behind at least one vehicle length for every 15 km/ph speed. Make the gap double or treble in slippery road or at night.
Stop gradually : Slow down gradually if you know you will have to stop.Do not wait up to last moment

5. Preventing Crashes with anticipation
Collision with the vehicle behind
Stop smoothly : Gradual stop provides time to react and space to stop.
Signal : Signal your intention well before you slow or stop.
Keep clear : keep clear of drivers who are bumper chasers. Slow down and allow them to pass.

6. Preventing Crashes with anticipation
Collision with an approaching vehicle
Stay left : do not crowd the center line.
Warn : if the in coming vehicle is crossing the center line , warn him by blowing your horn or by glowing your light.

7. Preventing Crashes with anticipation
Collision with an vehicle at intersection
Be prepared : Approach each intersection with your foot off the accelerator and poised over the brake.
Look both ways : While approaching an intersection see left and right to make sure
no vehicle is approaching or moving ahead.
Watch out for curves : Slow down before entering a curve. Stay on your own side,blow horn or turn on light(at night) and do not over speed.
Let traffic clear : Wait for the traffic to clear,do not fight for right of way

8. Preventing Crashes with anticipation
Collision with an overtaking vehicle
Help out : Let the other vehicle pass .Slow down to provide the other vehicle more room to pass.
Check the rear : keep watch on vehicles behind before you change lens to overtake.
Warn : Blow your horn several times to warn the vehicle ahead to give you room to pass.
Be sure : Know your speed and anticipate the speed of the vehicle ahead and also that of on coming vehicle before attempting to overtake.

9. Preventing Crashes with anticipation
Single vehicle accident
Asleep at wheel : do not drive if you are feeling sleepy. Pull off the road, park at a safe side and rest a while before starting.
Ready for the unexpected : be alert for unexpected movement of pedestrians or animals on the road .
Observe lane discipline : Stay left and follow Traffic Lights signal.

10. The many faces of a Pedestrians
The Sprinter : Rush hour traffic time, people sprint over the road to cross.
The Houdini : who thinks can come out of any knotty problem even by standing in the middle of the road.
The Talking Machine: Who carries his conversion to road even while crossing.
The Band of Merry Men: Biggest problem is the “little ones” romping on the road being totally unconcern of the traffic on the road.
The Spook : He makes his ride at night and he is just beyond the head lights.

11. Traffic Tips for Safer Driving
Keep left
Over take only on right.
Do not overtake until you are sure of the free on coming traffic
Wait for the front vehicle to give way to pass.
Do not fight for the right of the way to enter in a cross section.
Keep an eye on your rear view mirror for any vehicle approaching from the behind.
Avoid sudden brake application
Keep safe distance from the vehicle ahead.
Follow lane discipline and traffic lights
Do not drive under toxic influence.
Avoid rash driving

12. Drinking and Driving
Apart from legal problems, these two things just do not mix. Drinking undoubtedly leads to the following problems
Loss of sense to judge speed of your car and that of opposite car
Loss of sense to judge safe distance
Dilation of eyes leading to loss of vision
Slower reactions
Leading to foolish chances causing accident

13. Car Care Keep vehicle clean Check for any loose nut and bolt
Use recommended lube oils.
Check brake
Check radiator coolant
Check lights,horn etc
Check wheel air pressure
Replace worn out tyres.

14. Acknowledgement
Some of the information included here are extracted from publications from various sources especially from
National Safety Council ,USA
Petroleum Conservation Research Association .

15. SPEED THRILLS BUT IT ALSO KILLS…
THANKS