Driver Safety. Disclaimer This training material presents very important information. Your...

Driver Safety

Disclaimer

• This training material presents very important information.

• Your organization must do an evaluation of all exposures, applicable codes and regulations, and establish proper controls, training, and protective measures to effectively control exposures and assure compliance.

• This program is neither a determination that the conditions and practices of your organization are safe nor a warranty that reliance upon this program will prevent accidents and losses or satisfy local, state or federal regulations.

• All procedures and training, whether required by law or not, should be implemented and reviewed by safety and risk management professionals, and legal counsel to ensure that all local, state and federal requirements are satisfied.

Course Outline—Driver Safety

1. Introduction – Why Take Driver Safety Training?2. Costs of Accidents3. Critical Elements of an Effective Safety Program4. What Does it Take to Be Safe?5. Distracted Driving6. Defensive Driving7. Pedestrians8. Managing Vehicle Equipment9. Rules of the Road10.Summary

Why Take Driver Safety Training?

• Each year, traffic crashes cause immeasurable human suffering. They also cause enormous financial losses to organizations.

• By maintaining our Highway Safety Program, we can greatly reduce the risks faced by our staff, while protecting the organization's bottom line.

• Motor vehicle crashes cost employers billions of dollars annually in medical care, legal expenses, property damage and lost productivity.

Driver Safety Training is a proactive measure that will help ensure

your organization’s personnel are safe and costs are minimized.

Costs of Accidents

Costs of accidents to an organization can be extreme and include direct and indirect costs, such as:

Direct Costs to Our Organization•Workers' Compensation benefits $______•Healthcare costs for off-duty injuries $______•Increases in medical insurance premiums $______•Auto insurance and liability claims and settlements $______•Physical and vocational rehabilitation costs $______•Life insurance and survivor benefits $______•Group health insurance dependent coverage $______•Property damage (equipment, products, etc.) $______•Motor vehicle repair and replacement $______TOTAL $______

Indirect Costs to Our Organization•Supervisor's time rescheduling, making special arrangements, etc. $______•Fleet manager's time coordinating vehicle repair, replacement, etc. $______•Reassignment of personnel to cover for missing employees (less efficiency) $______•Overtime pay (to cover work of missing employees) $______•Employee replacement $______•Re-entry and retraining of injured employees $______•Administrative costs (documentation, treatment, absences, investigation, etc.) $______•Inspection costs $______•Failure to meet customer requirements resulting in loss of business $______TOTAL $______

Critical Elements of an Effective Safety Program

An effective fleet safety effort can prevent losses. This requires several critical components to be in place:

•Management commitment

•Knowledge of specific hazards and needed controls for materials handled

•Established safety rules and policies covering your vehicles and driving behaviors

•Established driver qualification standards and driving record reviews

•An on-going training program

•Established “ride along” or “ride behind” safety observation and accountability processes

•Effective incident investigation and program audit processes

What Does it Take to Be Safe?

• Your readiness at all times

• Your vehicle’s condition

• A proper attitude

Safe driving requires the coordination of three elements:

What Does It Take To Be Safe?

You need to be prepared both physically and mentally:

•Get enough rest.

•Eat smart and eat well.

•Stay mentally relaxed and alert.


Your job description and our safety programs identify your responsibilities regarding the vehicles you drive.

You need to ensure that you:

•Drive your vehicle properly.

•Perform regular inspections.

•Follow your preventive maintenance procedures.

•Report problems with your vehicle and ensure that they are corrected.

•Do not drive a vehicle that is not safe.


Focus on driving and not on other tasks:

•Your job description and company’s safety programs also outline safe operating rules and proper and safe attitudes when driving.

•Follow all traffic laws.

•If another driver is driving in an unsafe manner, stay clear.

Use the “Five Minute Rule”: This person was not in my life five minutes ago - I don’t need them there five

minutes from now.


Controlling stress:

•You have a duty to know yourself and your limitations.

•Know when your stress level is increasing and learn techniques to manage your stress.

•Pay attention to your body and to your moods.− Do you have a short temper?

− Are you accident or near-miss prone?

− Are you experiencing anxiety or nervousness?

− Are your muscles tight?


Managing stress and physical health:

•Take deep and regular breaths.

•Take relaxation breaks.

•Sleep when needed.

•Get proper nutrition.

One of the most effective methods to manage stress is regular cardio-vascular exercise.


Keep alert:

•Get enough good sleep.

•Get plenty of exercise and good nutrition. (Avoid heavy meals).

•If you take prescription or over-the-counter medicine, talk to your doctor or pharmacist if it might impair your driving. If you take more than one medication, consider how they interact.

•Do not push yourself if you are tired.

•Make sure you are getting fresh air and maintain a proper temperature setting.

Know when you are tired and how your driving skill may be affected.


Seatbelts:

•Inspect them regularly.

•Use them on every trip. It is the law.


Electronic devices:

• Accident rates increase by 4 times when drivers are on the phone or using other electronic devices while operating their vehicles.

• Company policies typically do not allow the use of these devices when operating a vehicle.

– It is also against the law in many states.


Make sure your vehicle and habits reflect professionalism:

•Remain safety-focused for yourself and the drivers and pedestrians around you.

•Be preventive-maintenance focused. –Recognize and respond to changing conditions. For example, as weather and road conditions deteriorate, good visibility becomes more critical. Keep windows and mirrors clean.

•Stow all cabin items securely.

•Properly secure all loads and materials. –Check the security of loads frequently, especially when first starting a trip, as loads will settle and may need adjustment.

Distracted Driving

• It is visual –taking your eyes off the road.

• It is manual –removing your hands from the steering wheel.

• It is cognitive –not concentrating on the road.

What is “distracted driving”?

Distracted Driving

Statistics:

•A recent study*, found that over 5,400 people were killed and thousands injured as a result of drivers who were distracted while driving.

•It has been estimated, as a result of one national study, that 25-30% of traffic accidents are associated with distracted driving.**

*The U.S. Department of Labor Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health, 2010

**The National Safety Council, 2008

Distracted Driving

Some realities about drivers who are distracted:

• By participating in other non-driving activities their attention is disengaged from the road.

• Drivers who use cell phones while driving are 4 times more likely to be involved in an accident.

Distracted Driving

Some realities about drivers who are distracted (continued):

Cell phones are not the only driving distraction. Here are several others that must be avoided:

• Texting

• Talking to passengers

• Adjusting vehicle climate/radio controls

• Eating

• Tending to children

• Reading a map

• Grooming

Distracted Driving

Facts about talking while driving:

•The number one distraction for drivers is actually just talking to other passengers in the car.

•A driver’s performance is significantly degraded during cell phone use, whether it is a hands-free or hand-held device.

•Studies have been inconclusive in determining how much a hands free device actually reduces driver distraction.

•The difference between talking to a passenger and talking on the cell phone is that the passenger can help monitor the driving situation and pause for or alert the driver to, potential hazards, whereas the other person on the cell phone is unaware of the roadway.

Distracted Driving

Government involvement:

States:

•The States have installed rumble strips along roads to grab drivers attention.

•There are various laws which differ across States (check your local State Department of Transportation for specific details).

•Be advised that most States prohibit and enforce with fines, cell phone use while driving.

•There is a push for national legislation.

Distracted Driving

Government involvement (continued):

Federal:•In October 2010, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration enacted a ban that prohibits commercial vehicle drivers from texting while driving.•The Department of Transportation (DOT) is promoting a national campaign:

‒ The public is encouraged to get involved in ending distracted driving.

‒ The message being promoted is “Put It Down”.

Distracted Driving

Employers should:

•Procedurally enforce the importance of not using a cell phone while driving.

•Post notices in work areas and in organization owned vehicles that prohibit use of cell phones and computers.

•Engage drivers in driver safety training.

•Provide alternatives, e.g., message systems that forward calls while drivers are on the road.

Distracted Driving

Safe practices for drivers:

•Plan ahead of your trip and know your destination.

•Realize you can’t do two things at once.

•Avoid engaging in any activity other than driving.

•When behind the wheel it is everyone’s personal responsibility to pay full attention.

•Turn off cell phones while driving so they will not be a means of distraction.

•Pull over to the side of the road (in a safe location) if needed to engage in another activity.

•Follow all traffic laws.

Defensive Driving

• Yield the right-of-way when appropriate. If you approach an intersection at the same time as another vehicle, the vehicle to the right goes first.

A little patience can save time and injury!

Decrease the chance of an accident:

Defensive Driving

Decrease the chance of an accident (continued):

•To avoid a head-on collision, be vigilant. Look ahead for potential problems.

•Slow down or get off the road when you suspect a problem down the road.

•Plan ahead and find an alternative route with fewer problems.

•To prevent a rear-end incident, always use your turn signals well in advance.

•Warn the other drivers when you slow your vehicle by tapping the brake pedal lightly.

Pedestrians

Stay aware of pedestrians:

• Pedestrians can disregard signals so do not focus on the signals alone.

• Do not force your right-of-way.

• Watch for increased pedestrian areas like schools, churches, city streets, malls, shopping areas and playgrounds.

• Reduce your speed to increase your control.

• Make sure they see you by using eye contact and using your lights and horn (use horn tactfully).

• Check your blind spots.

Managing Vehicle Equipment

• Slow down when you encounter bad weather, bad road conditions and heavy traffic.

• Maintain a safe distance between your vehicle and others on the road.

• Do not allow your vehicle to become boxed in and always leave yourself an escape route.

Increased speed = more accidents, injuries and deaths:

Managing Vehicle Equipment

Attention to mirrors is required prior to starting your trip:

•Position your mirrors so you can see all around your vehicle. •Check your mirrors regularly, so you know what is around your vehicle at all times.

− It is a good practice to check each mirror every five to seven seconds and before you change lanes, make a turn or back up the vehicle.

•Large vehicles may require several types of mirrors to eliminate blind spots.

− Consider installing convex and front-mounted mirrors for improved sightlines.

− Understand that mirrors may have limitations and may not remove all blind spots. Know where your blind spots are.

•Mirrors require cleaning, maintenance, and regular adjustment.

Rules of the Road

• To minimize your risk, signal at least 100 feet before you make a lane change or enter or exit a highway.

• Merging onto a highway requires youto accelerate to reach the speed of the traffic into which you plan to merge.

• Do not force your vehicle into

the trafficflow. Similarly, adjust your speed before exiting the highway.

• Plan your trip and know your exits ahead of time.

Entrance and exit ramps:

Rules of the Road

Intersections:

•Reduce your speed and scan oncoming and intersecting traffic.

− Remember not to rely on other drivers to obey traffic signals.

•Expect the unexpected and always use extreme caution.

•When in doubt, yield to other vehicles.

− Do not force your vehicle into traffic.

•Be aware of the limits of your vehicle.

− Allow for slow acceleration when driving a slow or heavy vehicle.

More accidents happen in intersections

than on straight roads.

Rules of the Road

Establish a safe following distance:

Choose one of the following methods to establish a safe following distance for your vehicle.

1.Distance method: Maintain a distance of one car-length for every 10 mph of vehicle speed.

2.Time method: Count the seconds between the moment the vehicle in front of you passes a fixed object, such as a milepost, and the moment you pass the same object.

− Cars: Allow a four-second interval between the vehicle in front of you and your car.

− Trucks: Allow seven seconds between vehicles.

Rules of the Road

• Increase your following distance to match the driving conditions.

• Increase your following distance and decrease your speed at night and when the road is wet or icy, or when you encounter fog, dust, smoke or otherwise poor visibility conditions.

• Scan ahead for changing traffic and road conditions and adjust your following distance accordingly.

• Avoid bumper to bumper driving.

Establish a safe following distance (continued):

Rules of the Road

Stopping distance:

The first rule for an escape route is having enough time to stop safely.

The average driver takes about .75 seconds to perceive that a stop is required, and .75 seconds to react and move their foot from the accelerator to the brake that is 1.5 total seconds just to get their foot to the brake. During that time, the vehicle’s speed has not changed and it is closer to danger.

Remember stop time is determined by three factors:

• The time it takes for you to recognize the need to stop

• Your body’s ability to react quickly

• Your vehicle’s stopping time

Rules of the Road

Following distance:

In addition to the previous three factors, you need to allow a safety cushion to determine a safe following distance.

Perception time+ Reaction time+ Stopping time+ Safety cushion= Following distance

Having enough time to stop in a sudden emergency situation requires planning. Leave yourself enough time to carry out all parts

of the stop.

Rules of the Road

• The type and condition of the vehicle’s tires and brakes .

• The vehicle’s weight which increases stopping distance.

• Any foreign material on the roadway that may affect tire traction.

• The speed at which you are traveling.

• The texture and temperature of the road.

• The weather (dry, icy, or wet).

Your vehicle’s stopping time and distance depend on:

Rules of the Road

Adjust your following and braking distances accordingly:• Be aware of how different loads

affect the responsiveness of your vehicle.

• Compensate for different loads, understanding that the center of gravity and the feel and function of the brakes change.

• Bad weather can increase

vehicle sensitivity, particularly pavement in windy, icy or wet conditions. Look at trees, rain, flying debris, etc., for indications of wind direction and strength.

Rules of the Road

Plan an escape route:

•It is much easier to be quick and decisive when you have planned an escape path, and a safe alternative decision is open to you.

•Maintaining an adequate following distance gives you time to react safely and appropriately if conditions or circumstances change.

Rules of the Road

Plan an escape route (continued):

•Maintain adequate following distance: Always leave enough space to stop and evaluate your position in traffic continuously.

•Be prepared to yield: Learn to spot traps like blind intersections. Be observant even if you have the green light and go into the intersection with your foot off the gas pedal and placed over the brake.

•Don’t get boxed in: Avoid these situations by not following the car in front too closely.

•Time your passing moves: Head on collisions often occur when a driver has eliminated all escape paths while attempting to pass other vehicles.

•Give yourself time, space, and visibility: When traffic traps are building up, plan an escape route. It will make your decisions easier and possible.

Rules of the Road

Changing lanes:

•Clean and adjust your mirrors.

•Know and eliminate your blind spots - install additional mirrors as needed.

•Stay in the right lane unless you are passing another, slower vehicle - “Cruise Right” “Pass Left”.

•Avoid unnecessary lane changes.

•Use signals at least 100 ft. before you begin turning, entering, exiting, or lane changing.

•Be aware of everyone and everything around you.

•Do not change lanes at rail crossings, curves, and intersections.

•Follow all traffic laws and signs.

Rules of the Road

Right turns:

• Have proper mirrors and keep them adjusted.

• Post “Vehicle Makes Wide Turns” sign on rear of vehicle.

• Signal 100 feet before you begin your turn.

• Check mirrors and blind spots.

• Pulling wide while completing turn is preferred to pulling wide before turn.

• Slowly edge through the turn, checking traffic clearance in all surrounding lanes as you go.

Rules of the Road

Avoiding overhead objects:

•Avoid overhead incidents: These occur most often at overpasses on interstates, city streets, small roads and private areas.

•Know the height of your vehicle: The clearance you need may change with different loads in your vehicle. Don’t forget about any objects that may protrude from your vehicle or be stored in a rack on the top.

•Make sure of your clearance: If you are not certain your vehicle has enough clearance, do not attempt to make it under.

•Items that affect your clearance:- Arches- Inaccurate height postings- Road re-surfacing decreases clearance- Snow and ice decrease clearance- Load weights change your vehicle’s height

Rules of the Road

• Watch for tree limbs, wires (ice and sagging), awnings, and other unexpected projections.

• Don’t forget to check the width of your vehicle and assure you have adequate side clearance too.

• Look for signs that other vehicles have had trouble, such as chips and paint marks on structures.

Avoiding overhead objects (continued):

Rules of the Road

Stopping on shoulders:

•Parking on highway shoulders increases the risk of incidents and should only be done in an emergency. When possible, use rest stops.

•If you must park on the shoulder, choose straight, level and visible areas. Signal and decelerate on the highway before moving onto the shoulder.

•Once on the shoulder, use your safety vest for recognition and check your position and pavement conditions.

•Keep at least five feet of clearance from travel lanes, use your warning triangle and four-way lights and assume other motorists don’t see you.

•When getting back on the road, signal and allow sufficient time and distance to get back into traffic.

Summary

• Accidents are costly: To both individuals and organizations

• Effective safety programs: Required and critical

• Your readiness: Healthy, good attitude, professional, alert

• Vehicle readiness: Operating equipment inspected and safe

• Best practices:

− Defensive driving− Managing speed− Following distance− Stopping distance− Pedestrian awareness− Safe lane changing and turning− Safe ramp exiting and entering− Overhead object awareness− Load management

Driver Safety

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