Objectives. Understand defensive driving techniques. Increase awareness of safe driving behaviors

Transcription

1 Defensive Driving

2 Objectives Understand defensive driving techniques Increase awareness of safe driving behaviors Provide insight into identifying and anticipating hazards encountered while driving

3 Why Defensive Driving? NHSTA 2012 statistics Traffic Safety Facts, September 2012 Distraction.gov Animals on roadway

4 U.S. Traffic Fatality Rate 2012 U.S. Data 33,561 fatalities 1.13 fatality rate ,479 (lowest number of fatalities since 1949) National Average was 1.10 (Lowest in 35 years)

5 Colorado Traffic Fatalities people died on state roadways people killed (lowest in over 30 years) traffic related deaths (highest) 2011 Colorado Fatalities 30% of all traffic fatalities involved an alcohol impaired driver 33% of vehicle occupants killed were not wearing a seat belt

6 What is Defensive Driving? Driving to save lives, time and money in spite of the surrounding conditions and the actions of others The ability to recognize a hazard, understand the defense, and act correctly in time

7 Before You Drive Follow vehicle maintenance schedule Visual check of vehicle Adjustments

8 3 Second Plus Rule 3 seconds distance One thousand - one One thousand - two One thousand - three For each adverse condition, add one more second to your following distance

9 Mirrors Defensive driving technique: It is recommended that you check your mirrors every 3 5 seconds

10 Passing Hazards Sideswiped Run off the road Head-on collision Defensive Driving Signal Check blind spots Safe zone Distance

11 Danger Zones Blind spots Turning diameter Stopping distances

12 Driving Hazards Rural and interstate driving City and urban driving Residential driving Intersections and parking lots Night driving Environmental hazards

13 Urban Scanning Busy intersection photo

14 Hydroplaning 15 mph 25 mph 35 mph

15 Speeding A contributing factor in 30% of all fatal crashes The #1 unsafe driving behavior that contributes to collisions and violations For every 10 mph faster over 50 mph, the fatality rate doubles

16 Is Speeding Worth It? Speed Time to go 10 Miles 50 mph 12 minutes Time Saved Risk of Death* 55 mph 10 minutes 54 sec 1 minute 6 sec 1.5X 60 mph 10 minutes 2 minutes 2X 70 mph 8 minutes 34 sec 3 minutes 26 seconds 4X *National Highway Transportation Safety Administration estimates

17 Braking Distances

18 Depend on: Speed Vehicle weight Condition of brakes Condition of tires Road surface Road conditions Braking Distances

19 Animals Decide now how you will react to Wildlife darting out from trees A pet running out from between vehicles Livestock running onto road from brush

20 Road rage is DUI of anger Road Rage Causes: Traffic congestion Weavers Distracted drivers Indignation at other drivers who break traffic rules Feeling endangered by someone else s driving

21 Driving Under the Influence (DUI) In 2012, 10,322 fatalities occurred in alcohol-related crashes (31% of total traffic fatalities for the year). Sobering facts: About two in every five Americans will be involved in an alcoholrelated traffic accident at some time in their lives Remember the one-one rule: one drink per hour (your body takes about an hour to rid itself of each 1/2 ounce of alcohol) The legal blood alcohol content (BAC) in Colorado is 0.08

22 Distracted Driving Distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person's attention away from the primary task of driving All distractions endanger driver, passenger and bystander safety

23 Distracted Driving The odds of being in a crash while texting are 23 times higher than when you are driving without distraction. National Safety Council estimates that each year, at least 1.6 million crashes (28 percent) are caused by drivers using cell phones and/or texting. It is estimated that 3,328 distracted driving fatalities occur each year. What can be done to reduce or prevent distracted driving?

24 State of Colorado House Bill 1094 Effective December 1, 2009 Prohibits any person under 18 years of age to use a wireless telephone while operating a motor vehicle Prohibits any person over 18 years of age to use a wireless telephone for the purpose of engaging in text messaging or other similar forms of data entry or transmission while operating a motor vehicle Allows anyone to use a wireless telephone for contacting a public safety entity or in an emergency In order to perform manual data entry and transmission such as text messaging, the motor vehicle must be pulled over to the shoulder or in a parking space with the vehicle placed in park

25 Seat Belts You have a 50% better chance of surviving a serious crash without injuries when you wear a seat belt Your chances of surviving a serious crash are increased by 45% when you wear a seat belt

26 Seat belts Protect protect you by absorbing the force of a crash. Control Survive.help you stay in control of your vehicle by keeping you in your seat. increase your chance of surviving a crash by more than 50%.

27 Occupant Protection Systems

28 National: 87% Colorado: 82% Arizona: 95% Seat Belt Use in U.S. Of the passenger vehicle occupants who died in 2012, 43% were unbelted According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, if Colorado increased its seat belt use to 90%, an additional 32 lives would be saved each year, and the state would save $111 million a year

29 Decline in National Fatality Rates Due to Roadway guardrails, barriers and grooves Driver awareness campaigns ( Click it or Ticket, Take Two ) Child safety seats Anti-lock brakes Air bags Safety cages

30 Questions? Drive Smart, Drive Safe! Thank you for your time