1. Preventing the Rear-end Accident

2. Why Defensive Driving?
Over 70% of accidents involving a CMV and a car are started by the car driver’s error
You are less likely to die in a crash with a car than the car driver
Must protect the public as well as yourself
By protecting the public you protect yourself and your company

3. Characteristics of an Unprofessional Driver
Tailgates and intimidates
Cuts people off
Changes lanes unnecessarily
Excessive speed
Rude, vulgar on CB to other drivers
Thinks the bigger vehicle will win

4. Characteristics of a Professional Driver
Courteous
Attentive
“Senses” what others will do…or not do
Does not make risky moves
Allows a “safety cushion” around the truck
Obeys traffic laws
Safety is #1 priority

5. What is the Big Deal? People remember the one bad driver
They forget the good drivers
Public perception of the industry
Bad perception = more punitive damages
Less respect
Self-fulfilling prophecy – if you think nobody cares then you start to think you shouldn’t either

6. Rear-end Crashes
Are preventable
Happen frequently
Have high severity

7. The Accident Prevention Formula
Recognize the hazard
Understand the defense or technique
Act correctly in time

8. Costs of Accidents to Company

9. Costs of Accidents to Driver

10. Rear-ends…the Facts Account for 9% of reported truck collisions
Account for 20% of money paid on claims
Preventable almost 100% of the time
Impossible to defend in court

11. Factors in Rear-end Crashes
Mental state of driver
Inattention
Distraction
Over confidence
Physical state of driver
Fatigue
Emotional state of driver
Frustration
Road Rage

12. Factors in Rear-end Crashes
Speed
Poor following distance
Failure to adjust to conditions
Inattention

13. What Causes Rear-end Crashes?
Inattention ?
Over confidence ?
Fatigue ?
Physics…cars stop faster than trucks. Truck doesn’t leave room to compensate for difference. Truck runs over car.

14. Sad Reality of the Rear-end Crash
Who usually is riding in the back of a vehicle?
CHILDREN
8 children killed every week in truck/car accidents

15. Preventable Crash
A crash in which the driver failed to do everything reasonable to avoid it
More than 87% of all crashes can be attributed to driver error
This means that these crashes can be prevented by the person behind the wheel

16. What Affects Your Stopping Distance?
Load
Road conditions
Reaction time
Vehicle condition
Weather condition
Type of vehicle
Tires
Driver condition

17. What do these words mean?
Perception time – the time it takes you to recognize that there is a hazard present. (estimated to be 1 ¾ seconds)
Perception time
Reaction time
Brake lag
Reaction time – the time it takes you to make a move such as get your foot off the gas and onto the brake. (around 3/4 second)
Brake lag – time it takes the air in the system to activate the brakes. (1/2 second)

18. The Ride of Your Life
Perception, reaction, and brake lag time totals about 3 seconds
During these 3 seconds you travel about 270 feet at 60 mph
During these 3 seconds you have barely started slowing down
During these 3 seconds you are hoping and praying that you have enough distance to stop
During these 3 seconds you are riding an 80,000 pound beast who doesn’t care who it hits

19. Safe Following Distance
Never use less than six seconds
If bad weather is present, add one second for each condition
Reduce speed 3-5 mph in heavy traffic

20. Car vs. Truck Stopping Distance

21. When You Increase Your Speed:
You increase the force of impact in a collision
I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase- “speed kills”

22. Every Accident Has Loss Fixers
Adjusters
Attorneys
Doctors
Morticians

23. The Loss Preventer is You!
Safety is in
Your Hands!

24. THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING
HAVE A SAFE TRIP