Defensive and Safe Driving Accidents Why must we maintain defensive and safe driving practices? 1
Nation Wide Statistics Firefighter deaths #1 cause = Heart attack #2 cause = Traffic accidents Traffic accident injuries Firefighter average 1000 to 1300 annually Civilian average 650 annually (20 to 30 deaths annually) Other stats 20% of all fire apparatus collisions result in rollovers. 2
Fire Fighter Deaths Nation Wide Years 2001 = 18 2002 = 23 2003 = 28 2004 = 21 2005 = 20 2006 = 18 2007 = 0 So far!!! Don t t be the first. 3
National Average of Fire Fighter Deaths Location of Incident Other On-Duty 17% Fire Ground 34% Other Emergency 8% Fire Ground Driving Training Other Emergency Other On-Duty Training 8% Driving 33% 4
LACo. FD Engine 77 Rollover January 15, 2001 5
Defensive and Safe Driving Theories Principles Accidents Types Accident Prevention Accident Reporting 6
Theories and Principles Two Major Causes of Accidents. Speed (excessive) Lack of Forethought Speed Causes approximately 60% of serious accidents. Psychological effect of speed incites a form of panic, impairs logical judgment, and results in haphazard vehicle operation. 7
Theories and Principles A fire apparatus involved in a collision at 20 mph is equivalent to a 14 foot fall. A fire apparatus involved in a collision at 40 mph is equivalent to a 56 foot fall. Speed compounds force. 8
Types of Accidents Preventable The driver : Was a contributing party. Did not use defensive driving techniques. Did not follow department policy. Non-preventable The driver : Was not at fault. Could not have reasonably prevented accident. Work related damage Damage occurred under work related conditions. Was beyond driver s s control. 9
Primary Causes of Traffic Collisions Human error is the number one cause of traffic collisions. Speed is a contributing factor to almost all traffic collisions. 10
Primary Causes of Traffic Collisions Intersections (60%) Unsafe speed for conditions Right-of of-way violations Following too closely Reckless driving (by the public) Backing Parking Poor vehicle design Home built Under braked / over weight High center of gravity, poor baffling Poor vehicle maintenance Chassis condition Drive train, brakes, steering components 11
Accident Prevention What can we do as drivers to prevent a vehicle accident? 12
Accident Prevention Smith Safe Driving System Identify a hazard / situation Predict the action of the hazard / situation Decide how to avoid the hazard / situation Execute your decision Always maintain a defensible space cushion 13
Accident Prevention Total Stopping Distance Factors Perception Time Decision/Reaction Time Air Brake Lag 14
Accident Prevention Stopping Distance Formula ¾ second = perception time ¾ second = decision/reaction time ¼ - 1 second = air brake lag Therefore the time elapsed from your initial notice of an incident / hazard until the brakes start to take effect is approximately 1 ¾ to 2 ½ seconds. 15
Accident Prevention Formula to Calculate Travel Distance at Speed Add the first digit of a speedometer reading to the actual speed of the vehicle. Example: 60mph Add the first digit to the speed. 60 + 6 = 66 feet per ¾ second. Therefore, at 60 mph, and a calculation of 66 feet of travel per 3/4 second, a vehicle will travel between 154 feet and 220 feet before the brakes are activated after first sight of the incident / hazard. 16
Accident Prevention Speed and Force When the vehicle speed doubles,, the vehicle will have four times the destructive power/force if it crashes. Once brakes are engaged, the stopping distance will depend upon the weight and speed of the vehicle. 17
Accident Prevention Factors Affecting Total Stopping Distance Driver s s influence Vehicle s s influence Vehicle weight Driving conditions 18
Total Stopping Distance Driver s s Influence Driver s s condition and reaction time. Reaction time will be slowed if the driver is: Tired Distracted Inattentive Under the influence 19
Total Stopping Distance Vehicle s s Influence Vehicle condition Tires Suspension components Brakes (Brake fade) Cargo placement and type 20
Total Stopping Distance Vehicle Weight The heavier the vehicle, the more distance required to stop it. Your personal car = 1500 6500 pounds (¾ 3 ¼ tons) PM Squad = 10,000-12,000 pounds (5-6 tons) Fire Engine = 34,000 42,000 pounds (17 21 tons) Ladder Truck / Quint = 70,000 75,000 pounds (35 37 ½ tons) Class A (Haz-Mat / USAR) = 50,000-60,000 pounds (25-30 tons) 21
Total Stopping Distance Driving Conditions Type of road surface Rough Slippery Slope or grade Speed Traffic patterns Weather 22
Total Stopping Distance Effective Stopping Truck = 65,000 lbs Speed = 50 MPH Kinetic Energy = 5.5 million foot lbs Stopping Distance = 24 inches How? 23
Total Stopping Distance Effective Stopping What if that was a fire apparatus in an intersection? 24
Accident Prevention Following Too Closely A common cause of traffic accidents Remember the four second rule Provide a longer time span at increased speeds or driving in adverse weather conditions. 25
Accident Prevention Four Second Rule Always maintain a minimum 4 second following distance. When speed increases above 40 MPH, add 1 second for every 10 MPH. Therefore following distance at speeds: Up to 40 MPH = 4 seconds 50 MPH = 5 seconds 60 MPH = 6 seconds 70 MPH = 7 seconds When traveling code R, add 1 second to following distance. 26
Accident Prevention Safe Following Distance < 40 MPH Give one (1) second per 10 feet of vehicle length > 40 MPH OR Add one (1) second for safety One (1) vehicle length per 10 MPH Sedans / Suburbans = 20 feet Engines = 30 feet Ladder Trucks = 50 feet So, at 40 MPH Sedans/Suburbans give 80 feet, Engines give 120 feet, and Ladder Trucks give 200 feet Note : Always give more distance or time for Code R response. 27
Accident Prevention Keys to Accident Avoidance Recognize a hazardous situation. Formulate a defense. Act in time to avoid the accident. Smith Safe Driving System 28
Accident Prevention Smith Safe Driving System Identify a hazard / situation Predict the action of the hazard / situation Decide how to avoid the hazard / situation Execute your decision Always maintain a defensible space cushion 29
Accident Prevention Accident Avoidance Priorities 1. Life yours and others 2. Injury 3. Vehicle & Property 30
Accident Prevention Accident Avoidance Practices Steer to avoid an accident Occupy the vacated area Drive at a controlled speed Keep lane clearances / position Check mirrors 31
Accident Prevention Code R Intersection Safety Approach and enter with caution Release accelerator, cover the brake pedal Be prepared to stop Enter toward center of roadway Clear lane by lane Watch for gutter snipers Make eye contact Never push or force a stopped vehicle into intersection If they get hit, you are liable Consider shutting down lights and siren if stopped at a red light, once it changes, then proceed Cautiously use opposing traffic lanes if necessary 32
Accident Prevention Intersection Safety Not all intersections accidents happen with other vehicles. Vehicles are not the only type of gutter sniper. Note : The man hit by the car, stuck on the side mirror and the brief case in the air. 33
Accident Prevention Railroad Crossings Note the skid marks that pass under the crossing arms and into the middle of the tracks. Those were left by Squad 118. The gates did not activate in time. Remember when it comes to a tie at a railroad crossing, we loose!! 34
Accident Prevention Railroad Crossings Remember when it comes to a tie at a railroad crossing, we loose!! Don t stop on the tracks!! 35
Accident Prevention Railroad Crossings Remember when it comes to a tie at a railroad crossing, we loose!! Don t stop on the tracks!! CVC 22451 22452 -Engines, trucks, quints with open jump seats, tillered vehicles, camp crew carriers, and Class A Hazardous Materials vehicles shall stop prior to crossing railroad or rail transit crossings. All others shall use caution prior to crossing rail tracks. December 22, 2006 36
Accidents By The Numbers Firefighting Vehicles Involved In Accidents National averages Fire Fighters own vehicle = 42.3 % Water Tenders = 21.9 % Engines / Pumpers = 20.0 % Ambulances / PM Rescues = 6.5 % Other = 9.2 % 37
Accidents By The Numbers Accidents Per One Million Miles Driven National Trucking Industry = 8 National Average of Fire Departments = 28 LACoFD = 51 slightly decreasing the past few years 38
Accidents By The Numbers LACoFD Accidents For Years 2001 = 300 2002 = 333 2003 = 295 2004 = 235 2005 = 340 2006 = 344 so far reported. 2007 = 3 So far 39
Accident Reporting Procedures Forms 40
Accident Reporting What if you are involved in an accident? Notify dispatch Blue / Command radio Phone (323) 881-2455, 2455, (323) 881-6183 MDT Do NOT admit guilt. Secure vehicles Render aid 41
Accident Reporting What if you are involved in an accident? Complete reports / Exchange information PD, CHP, Law enforcement County Form 76V54A (Accident Report) Now available on LACoFD intranet under the Safety Office button Refer all questions to the safety officer. (323) 881-3078 Notify supervisor. 42
Accident Reporting After the accident Complete forms (Typed) within 24 hours Form 76V54A (Accident Report) Now available on LACoFD intranet under the Safety Office button Take vehicle to Eastern Fire Shops within 15 days Estimate for repair costs must be obtained. Even if damage is minor. Even if not repaired immediately. Estimate filed with accident report. 43
Forms Accident Reporting All accidents regardless of fault and seriousness of damage PD, CHP, Law enforcement Form 76V54A (Accident Report) Now available on LACoFD intranet under the Safety Office button Completed within 24 hours Distribution Department Safety Officer (original) Personnel folder Fire Station or site file Battalion Chief / Section Head NOTE This is a legal document. Vol D, Ch 8, Sub 1 Take it seriously. 44
Commonly Missed Information on Form 76V54A Front of Form 45
Draw diagram - No cartoons Commonly Missed Information on Form 76V54A Type or print account of accident Back of Form 46