Defensive Driving
Training Program
Purpose
The purpose of the Vehicle Use Policy is to ensure that motor vehicles
are operated safely while being used for or on behalf of your location.
What Is Defensive Driving?
Defensive driving is:
Driving in a way that avoids
conflicts that may be caused by the
mistakes of others while making
NO mistakes yourself
It is also being prepared for and
alert to possible hazards
This Program follows applicable state driving laws and widely
accepted driver safety practices.
2
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is anything that takes a driver’s (1) eyes off the road;
(2) hands
off the wheel; or (3) mind off of driving.
Drivers that take their mind off the road experience inattention
blindness. This blindness causes tunnel vision and delays reaction
times. That’s why using phones in “hands free” mode is still
dangerous.
Facts About Distracted Driving
1. Distracted driving is the #1 cause of accidents.
2. Texting while driving is 6 times more likely to cause an accident
than drunk driving. Why? Because, at 55 mph, texting is
like driving the length of a
football field blindfolded.
3. Any type of distracted driving increases the chance of an accident.
Here are some examples: Texting 23X; Reaching 9X; Reading 4X.
The use of portable electronic devices while driving is strictly
prohibited. However, the use of navigation systems are permitted
provided the they are set- up while the vehicle is not moving.
3
Drug and Alcohol Use
The use of drugs and alcohol can severely impair your ability to drive
safely. Judgment, reaction time, ability to determine distances, and
vision can all be affected. Even the smallest amount of alcohol will
reduce your concentration and perception, and your driving skills will
suffer. The use of illegal drugs and alcohol are strictly prohibited while
driving. Prescription and over-the-counter medications can also have
negative side effects. Don’t take any medication and attempt to
drive until you know how the medication affects you, and that it will
not impact your ability to drive safely.
Alcohol and drugs Remembe
•impair:
Ability to determine •r: Only time, not coffee, will sober
distances you up
• Reaction time • Ride with a designated driver
• Judgment
• Vision
Don’t Drink or Take Drugs and Drive
4
Personal Conditions
As a driver, your physical health is an important part of being fit to
drive. If you need glasses to drive, always wear them. Keep glasses
clean and free of scratches, and always have sunglasses on hand for
daytime driving. If you use hearing assistance devices, always utilize
these when driving.
Notify your location if you have any medical conditions that may impact
your fitness to drive. Keep in mind that even temporary medical
conditions such as migraine headaches can affect your ability to drive
safely. Don’t attempt to drive if you feel your ability to do so safely is
compromised by illness. If you become ill while driving, pull over in a
safe area and assess whether you can continue your journey safely. If
necessary, contact your location to be relieved of driving duties.
Medications can relieve symptoms of an illness, but may also cause side-
effects such as drowsiness.
5
Fatigue and Stress
A recent study estimated that one in twenty-five drivers has fallen
asleep at the wheel in the past month. Falling asleep while driving is
responsible for over 100,000 accidents each year. Fatigued drivers have
slower reaction times, have trouble paying attention to the road, and
can have trouble making make good decisions. Fatigue is often the
result of not getting enough sleep, but can also be caused by shift work
or medications.
Follow these precautions:
– Be especially careful during late night,
early morning, and mid-afternoon
hours
– Stop, take a nap, and drink coffee if
you’re tired
– Stop every so often over long
distances
– Avoid medications that cause
drowsiness
6
Pre-Trip Vehicle
Inspection:
Exterior
Start by taking a walk around the outside of the vehicle. Make sure there
are no signs of damage, and that the trunk, hood, and doors are fully
closed and secure. Also, check under the vehicle for leaks and to make
sure the area is clear of debris or objects that could be run over. Next,
take a look at the tires. Inspect for damage such as nails or cuts, and if
tire air pressure looks low, check with a tire gauge and inflate as
necessary. Turn on headlights and signals to ensure good working order,
and make sure windows and mirrors are clean. Ensure windshield
wipers are clear of debris and free of damage.
Exterior
• Body
• Tires
• Signals &
Headlights
• Windows & Mirrors
• Wipers
7
Pre-Trip Vehicle
Inspection: Interior
Inspect the interior of the vehicle for cleanliness. Make sure trash is
disposed of and personal items are stowed. Something as simple as a
water bottle rolling across the floor can interfere with safe operation of
the vehicle. Check that there is a functioning, accessible seat belt for
each seat, and that car seats, if used, are properly installed. Safety
equipment, including a spare tire, jack, and flashlight should be
accessible. Turn the key in the ignition and look at the dashboard.
Ensure the fuel level is adequate and there are no warning indicators
Interi
or
• Cleanliness
• Seat belts
• Safety
equipment
• Fuel level
• Warnings
8
Seat Belts
According to PennDOT, reportable crash data, 78% of
drivers were wearing seatbelts. 52% of vehicle fatalities
were due to drivers NOT wearing seatbelts.
Seatbelts save lives, and it’s the law!
• Saved hundreds of thousands of lives
• Prevent crashing into steering
wheel, dash, or windshield
• Keep you inside vehicle
• Protect body organs
• Improve chance of remaining
conscious
• Keep you behind the wheel if you
have to swerve or brake suddenly
9
Seat Belts
When beginning your drive, always check for pedestrians, oncoming
traffic, or other hazards before entering the road. Use your turn signal
to indicate the direction of your travel and join the roadway by
accelerating smoothly. Take note of the posted speed limit and do not
exceed it. Keep in mind that the posted speed limit is the maximum
permitted speed, not a target. Driving conditions may require that you
drive at a lower speed to remain safe.
Keep Alert and Be Prepared
• Keep your mind on your driving and your
hands on the wheel
• Scan the road ahead for problems
• Check mirrors frequently
• Expect the unexpected
• Yield to other drivers who are determined
to get there first
10
Stopping
Always allow adequate stopping distance, whether you are traveling
behind another vehicle, approaching a stop signal, or preparing to turn.
Maintain a safe following distance behind other cars by following the 3-
second rule.
3 seconds
Choose a fixed object in the distance, such as a light post or tree.
When the rear bumper of the vehicle in front of you crosses that
object, begin to count… one one-thousand, two one-thousand, three
one-thousand. You should be able to count to 3 before your front
bumper passes the object. If you don’t make it to 3, you need to
increase your following distance. While counting to 3 is considered a
minimum, maintaining a following distance of 4 is even safer. For wet
roads or other hazardous driving conditions, increase the following
distance to at least 6 seconds and to at least 8-10 seconds in snow!
11
Backing-up
When possible, walk around your vehicle before backing up. Children
and small objects are difficult to see from the driver’s seat. Scan
mirrors and backup cameras, then turn around to look out the rear
window when backing up. Back up at a slow speed, and be prepared to
stop quickly if a hazard arises. Where possible, avoid backing up
situations by parking on the street, instead of a driveway, or by pulling
through the parking space in front of you in a parking lot.
• Backing up has major blind spots that
can be 3 times the length of the
vehicle
• When parking you should attempt to
position your vehicle to avoid backing
up.
• Check around your vehicle before
backing up EACH AND EVERY TIME.
12
Intersections
Everyone knows that green means go and red means stop, but to safely
navigate an intersection, whether at a traffic signal or stop sign, it’s
important to remember some special signals and the right-of-way rules.
Traffic Signal Stop Sign
• A green arrow indicates that you • The first person to stop has the
have the right-of-way, whereas a right-of- way and may proceed
green circle means that you must first.
yield to oncoming traffic when • If more than one car stops at an
turning. intersection at the same time, the
• A red arrow means stop until a vehicle farthest to the right has the
green arrow or signal appears. right-of-way.
You may not turn against a red • If neither of the first two scenarios
arrow. apply, then the vehicle that is
• A flashing red signal should be going straight should proceed first.
treated as a stop sign. • Always come to a full stop at
• If a traffic signal is not working, every stop sign.
all traffic should treat the
intersection as if it has 4-way Remember, only proceed through any
stop signs. intersection after any pedestrians, bicycles,
and other vehicles have cleared.
13
Changing Lanes
Sometimes it is necessary to change lanes when driving, such as if your
lane is coming to an end, you would like to pass the car in front of you,
or you need to move into another lane to make a turn. Follow these
steps for a safe lane change:
1. Make sure there are no pedestrians or
other vehicles in the way.
2. Turn on your turn signal and leave it
on for the duration of the lane
change.
3. Make sure there is enough open space
in the lane to move into it without
disrupting the flow of traffic.
4. Check your mirrors and windows
and be aware of any blind spots
created by your vehicle.
5. Once you have completed the lane
change, turn off your turn signal.
14
Parking and Leaving
the Vehicle
Vehicles should be parked in areas designated for parking, and in valid,
marked spaces. The emergency brake should be set on manual
transmission vehicles. All windows must be closed and doors locked. Try
to park in a well-lit area. Your location is not responsible for the loss of
or damage to any driver owned motor vehicle or personal property
stolen from a motor vehicle.
15
Rain
Rainy conditions can not only limit visibility, but create slippery
conditions. Hydroplaning occurs when the vehicle’s tires lose contact
with the pavement, resulting in a skid. It can happen at speeds as low
as 35 mph. To avoid hydroplaning, reduce speed and don’t make
sudden moves such as sharp turns or hard braking. You should also
refrain from using cruise control in rainy conditions so that you have
better control of the vehicle.
If you do start to skid, continue looking and steering in the direction that
you want to go. Don’t turn “into the skid.” Never attempt to drive
through moving water if you cannot see the ground through it, and
never attempt to drive through a large puddle of uncertain depth.
46% of weather related accidents happen during rainfall
while only 17% happen during snow.
Why? People don’t recognize rain as a serious driving hazard
and, therefore, do not adjust their driving behaviors
accordingly. Respect the rain!
16
SNOW & ICE
Winter weather can limit visibility and create a slippery ride. To make the
most of visibility, be sure to clear snow and ice from all areas of the
vehicle before you drive. This includes all of the windows, the
headlights and signaling lights, side view mirrors, even the roof – you
don’t want snow from the roof sliding onto your windshield while you’re
driving and blocking your view. Increase your safe following distance
and reduce speeds according to the conditions. A three-second
following distance on dry pavement should be increased to 8-10
seconds in snow. Remember that it’s harder to start and stop in snow.
Accelerating and decelerating lightly will help to keep traction and
prevent wheels from spinning or skidding.
Stuck in Snow:
– Finesse rather than power
– Clean snow away from vehicle
– Keep wheels as straight as possible
– Provide additional traction
– Check traffic
– Slowly accelerate to get back to the road
17
Rain
Fog reduces visibility – your ability to see other vehicles and hazards,
and the ability of other drivers to see you. When driving in foggy
conditions, decrease your speed, turn headlights on the low beam
setting and use fog lights if your vehicle has them. You may also need
to use your windshield wipers or windshield defroster if your windows
start to fog.
The best advice for driving in the fog is don’t.
Consider postponing your trip until the fog clears.
If the fog becomes so thick that you can
barely see, pull completely off the road.
Do not continue driving until you can see better.
18
Sun Glare
Sun glare can be a significant factor for drivers, especially just after
sunrise or just before sunset. At these times, the sun is low in the sky
and your car’s sun visor may not be effective. To minimize sun glare
risks, keep both the inside and outside of your windshield clean.
Sunglasses, especially those with polarized lenses, are also helpful.
19
Pedestrians
Drivers and pedestrians sometimes share the road, and they also share
the responsibility for staying safe. Watch out for pedestrians at all times
and remember that pedestrians always have the right-of-way.
• Always follow the posted speed limit, especially in
neighborhoods and school zones.
• Conditions such as rain, fog, or darkness can limit
visibility of pedestrians. Reduce speed and be alert for
pedestrians in these conditions.
• Be especially careful in driveways where pedestrians
may be crossing.
• Reduce your speed as you approach a crosswalk and
prepare to stop.
• When stopping at a crosswalk, leave enough room for
pedestrians to safety pass in front of your vehicle and
for other drivers to see the pedestrians you have
stopped for.
• Never block a crosswalk.
20
Driving at Night
Driving at night presents special hazards. Depth perception and
peripheral vision are impaired, and lights from oncoming traffic can
temporarily blind drivers. Even with headlights, visibility is much
reduced compared to daytime driving, giving less time to spot and
react to hazards.
Tips for driving at night:
• Be sure headlights and windshield are
clean for maximum visibility.
• Tilt the rearview mirror upwards to the
glare reducing nighttime setting.
• Avoid looking directly at oncoming
headlights.
• Reduce speed to compensate for
limited visibility.
21
Aggressive Drivers
An aggressive driver is defined by the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration as an individual who "commits a combination of moving
traffic offences so as to endanger other persons or property."
Speeding, tailgating, cutting off traffic, passing on the shoulder, and
accelerating to get through a yellow traffic signal are a few examples of
aggressive behaviors. Confronting another driver in an angry manner,
such as with inappropriate gestures and yelling, is also behavior of an
aggressive [Link] Behavior How you can avoid it How to handle other drivers
Always use your turn signals, If someone cuts you off, slow
Cutting off and down to
allow plenty of space when allow a safe following distance.
merging into an adjacent lane.
Always leave a safe following If someone is tailgating you,
distance between you and gently
the car in front of you. See decrease your speed slightly to
Tailgating the “Stopping” section of this encourage them to pass you. If
document. you are not in a passing zone
and feel threatened, pull over
in a well-lit area and allow the
Avoid car to pass you.
Road Allow plenty of time to reach Don’t be intimidated by other
your drivers
Rage! destination, factoring in or feel that you need to stay
Speeding
weather and traffic with the flow of traffic that is
conditions. speeding. Don’t exceed the
posted speed limit.
Avoid making eye contact with If another driver tries to engage
Confrontational the you
behavior other driver. Even a small with angry gestures or words,
gesture such as shaking your give an apologetic smile and
head could be seen as wave, and try to put some
confrontational. distance between you.
22
Summary
Safe drivers follow the rules of the road, obey posted speed limits,
traffic signs and signals, and always wear a seatbelt. Safe drivers
keep their vehicles well- maintained and avoid distractions, such as cell
phone use, while driving. They ensure their fitness to drive by avoiding
alcohol and drugs and are aware of signs of fatigue. Safe drivers
recognize real and potential hazards and know how to avoid them.
Safe driving starts with you, the driver. In this defensive driver training
program, you have learned about safe driving rules. As an
“approved” driver, you are responsible for maintaining your fitness to
drive, and for letting a supervisor know if you have any concerns. By
conducting pre-trip vehicle inspections and following the safe driving
procedures outlined here, you’ll be ready to face the hazards of the
road. If you have any questions or need additional information, please
talk with a supervisor.
23