Defensive Driving

1
Defensive Driving

• Commercial Motor Vehicles

2
Session Objectives

• You will be able to
• Recognize driving hazards and dangerous
  conditions
• Avoid potential accidents
• Inspect and maintain your vehicle
• Operate your vehicle safely
• Respond to emergencies and accidents

3
Motor Vehicle Injury and Death Are Preventable

• Around 5,000 CMV-related fatalities
• More than 120,000 CMV-related injuries
• More than 650 truck drivers died on the job
• Truck drivers have more nonfatal injuries than
  workers in any other occupation

4
Driving Hazards

• Reckless driving
• Distracted drivers
• Road rage
• Fatigue
• Poor vehicle operating condition
• Alcohol or drugs

5
Dangerous Conditions

• Bad weather conditionsrain, snow, ice, severe
  winds, and fog
• Road conditions
• Poor lighting or glaring sunlight

6
Dangerous Conditions (cont.)

• Heavy traffic
• Busy intersections
• Accidents
• Shifting cargo

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Be a Defensive Driver

• Recognize hazardous driving situations
• Assume other drivers will make mistakes
• Make adjustments if a hazard develops
• Look ahead for approaching hazards
• Watch vehicles to your side and rear
• Scan the road before changing speed or direction
• Always use your turn signals
• Drive with your lights on

8
Get Rest and Avoid Fatigue

• Get some sleep
• Take frequent breaks
• Keep cab well ventilated
• Adjust your vehicles environment

9
Seat Belts Save Lives

• More than 110,000 lives saved in 25 years
• Prevent crashing into dashboard
• Keep you inside vehicle
• Strong bones take shock instead of delicate
  organs
• Better chance of remaining conscious
• Keep you behind wheel if you swerve or brake
  suddenly

10
Drug Use

• When on duty, never possess or use
• Opiates
• Amphetamines
• Narcotics
• Alcohol
• Any other substance that makes you an unsafe
  driver

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Driving Hazard Exercise
Match the hazardous drivers to the correct
potential hazards
DRIVERS
HAZARD
Reckless drivers Distracted drivers Aggressive
drivers Fatigued drivers
Create road rage situations
React slower
Tailgate
Unaware of surroundings
12
Driving HazardsAny Questions?

• Any questions about driving hazards and dangerous
  conditions?
• Any questions about avoiding potential accidents?

13
Pre-Drive Inspection

• Horn, lights, and turn signals
• Clean windows, mirrors, and lights
• Tire tread and air pressure
• Leaks under vehicle
• Brakes and steering

14
Maintain Your Vehicle

• Regular tune-ups
• Oil changes
• Antifreeze levels
• Brakes
• Battery
• Compressed air system
• Tire changes

15
Cargo Securement

• Cargo must be properly distributed and secured
• Check within first 50 miles and make adjustments
  if necessary
• Recheck if
• There is a change in duty status
• The vehicle has been driven 3 hours or 150 miles

16
Conduct Start-Up/Back-Up Check

• Walk around your vehicle
• Check blind areas on right and front
• Adjust mirrors
• After checking, move vehicle
• Start up slowly
• Tap horn or recruit signal person

17
Fueling

• While fueling a CMV, never
• Fuel a CMV with engine running
• Smoke or expose any open flame
• Fuel unless the nozzle and intake pipe are in
  contact

18
Right-of-Way

• Entering traffic, merging, turning left or right
• Do not force other drivers to brake or steer
• Assume other drivers will not see you
• Move only after right-of-way has been given
  to you

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Using and Changing Lanes

• Keep a safe following distance
• Scan ahead
• Flash brake lights
• Scan blind spot before changing lanes
• Clean and adjust mirrors

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Negotiating Curves

• Understand how and why rollovers occur
• Reduce speed before entering curve
• Stay off the shoulder
• Ensure cargo is secured
• Top-heavy cargo more likely to roll over
• Trailers roll first

21
Negotiating Downgrades

• Break system maintenance
• Gear selection
• Light brake pressure
• Do not apply trailer brakes only
• Check brake function before descending long,
  steep grades

22
Crossing Intersections

• Assume cross traffic may not obey control signs
  or signals
• Allow enough time for your entire vehicle and
  trailer to clear the road
• Approaching drivers may not realize you have a
  trailer attached
• Keep side lights and reflectors clean

23
Making Turns

• Turns are more difficult due to vehicle size
• Move to right lane and signal
• Wait for vehicles in other lanes
• Avoid improper tracking

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Crossing Railroad Tracks

• Stop 15 to 50 feet of, and not closer than 15
  feet to, the tracks
• Stop and look both ways
• Do not shift gears when crossing tracks

25
Passing

• Make sure no one is passing you
• Signal intention to pass
• Watch driver you are passing
• Watch for vehicles entering road
• Watch approaching traffic
• Do not get into a race

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Pedestrians

• Expect the unexpected
• Pedestrians have difficulty judging vehicle speed
• Pedestrians assume you see them
• Make sure they give you right-of-way
• Prevent improper trailer tracking
• Scan blind spots

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Reduced Traction

• Increase your following distance
• Slow down
• Apply brakes gently and steer smoothly
• Brakes are more likely to lock up when lightly
  loaded
• Slide sideways on banked curves

28
Reduced Visibility

• Slow down
• Watch for stalled or slow-moving vehicles in
  front of you
• Turn on fog lamps or emergency flashers
• Keep lights and windshield clean
• Get off the road and wait

29
True or False?
ý

• 1. Once cargo is properly distributed and
  secured, you should not check it because it may
  then become unsecured.

ü
Cargo must be checked within first 50 miles.
ü
2. Before startup or backup, you should walk
around your vehicle to check for hazards.
30
True or False? (cont.)
ü

• 3. The most important rule in lane usage is to
  maintain a safe following distance.

ý
4. You should stop between 5 and 15 feet of
railroad tracks.
ü
Stop 15 to 50 feet before tracks.
ü
5. The gear you use for descending a grade should
be no higher than that required for ascending the
same grade.
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Safe Driving HabitsAny Questions?

• Any questions regarding inspections and basic
  maintenance of your vehicle?
• Any questions regarding how to operate your
  vehicle safely?

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Carry Emergency Supplies

• Tire jack and spare tire
• Flares
• Flashlight
• First-aid and tool kits
• Jumper cables
• Spare lightbulbs
• Spare hoses
• Gloves
• Pry bar
• Fire extinguisher
• Spare fuses

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Emergency Stopping

• Turn on flashers and coast to shoulder
• Set up emergency warning signals
• Call for help
• Use fire extinguisher when necessary
• Replace fuses or bulbs

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Emergency Signals

• Activate the vehicles flashers
• Place warning device within 10 feet of vehicle
  toward approaching traffic
• Place second device 100 feet away toward
  approaching traffic
• Place third device 100 feet away
• Never attach flares to your vehicle

35
Safe Driving Conditions Any Questions?

• Are there any questions about how to respond to
  vehicle emergencies and accidents?

36
Key Points

• Inspect and maintain your vehicle
• Know driving hazards and dangerous conditions
• Become a proud defensive driver
• Wear your seat belt
• Follow safe driving practices in all driving
  conditions
• Keep your lights on and use turn signals
• Know how to respond to emergencies