Driver Safety

1
Driver Safety
2
Driving Safety Statistics

• Someone is injured every 18 seconds
• Motor vehicle accidents are the most common cause
  of death
• 35 of work-related fatalities are associated
  with motor vehicles (source BLS)

3
More Statistics

• Most collisions occur in daytime and in good
  weather conditions.
• 62 of work-related vehicle fatalities occur
  between 7 AM 4 PM except trucking which occur
  between 37 AM.
• Most urban collisions occur at intersections.

4
Overview

• Leading Driving Hazards
• Accident Avoidance
• Safe Backing Techniques
• Other Driving Hazards

5
General Safety

• Always use seatbelts!
• When backing up, use caution if you have
  passenger, ask them to get out and direct if
  not, get out and check area before backing.
• If vehicle is not operating properly, report and
  discontinue use.
• Shut off motor and do not smoke or use cell phone
  while refueling.
• Do not leave engine running in an unattended
  vehicle.
• Report all work accidents, no matter how minor,
  to your supervisor.

6
Leading Causes of Collisions

• Unsafe Lane Changes
• Following Too Closely
• Excessive Speed
• Distracted Driving
• Vehicle Malfunctions
• Not Adjusting to Road/Conditions
• DUIs

7
Rear-End Collisions

• Rear-ending other vehicles is the leading cause
  of vehicle accidents
• Maintain 3-second following distance to react
  safely.
• Braking distance is 3 12 X longer in bad
  weather conditions

8
Accident Avoidance Tips

• Keep Space around Vehicles
• Never Drive Side-by-Side
• Know Your Blind Spots
• Keep Out of other Peoples Blind Spots

9
Unsafe Behaviors
10
Distracted Driving
The 1 source of driver inattention using a
wireless device.
Drivers that use cell phones are four times more
likely to get into injury-producing crashes.
Cell phones contribute to 24 of crashes
(National Safety Council, 2012)
Text messaging, talking on a cell phone,
grooming, watching a movie, writing a grocery
list, putting in contact lenses, changing radio
stations, looking for items in your vehicle,
changing your vehicle instrument settings all
equal distracted driving. Emotional conversations
where people get angry and upset can lead to
deadly distractions.
11
Driving HazardsDangerous Conditions

• Bad weather
• Difficult road conditions
• Poor light or glare
• Heavy traffic
• Road work
• Accidents

12
Vehicle Maintenance

• Neglecting maintenance can cause crashes.
• Monitor condition of and air pressure in your
  tires. Not doing so could cause blowout or a
  flat.
• Change wiper blades regularly.

13
Pre-Drive Inspection

• Tires
• Leaks under vehicle
• Windows clean, nothing blocking vision
• Mirrors properly adjusted
• Lights working properly

14
Watch Out for Fatigue

• Be especially careful during late night, early
  morning, and mid-afternoon hours
• Stop, take a nap, and drink coffee if youre
  tired
• Avoid medicines that make you drowsy

15
Keep Cool in Traffic

• Keep your emotions in check
• Take steps to stay relaxed no matter what
• Allow enough time to get there
• Dont provoke other drivers
• Report aggressive drivers to the police

16
Avoid Road Rage Incidents

• Dont offend, dont engage.
• Adjust your attitude (stay calm).
• Avoid cutting people off.
• Dont tailgate or follow closely.
• Dont make obscene/questionable gestures.
• Avoid eye contact.
• Give angry drivers lots of room You just cant
  know what else is going on with them!

17
Dont Drink or Take Drugs and Drive

• Alcohol and drugs impair
• Ability to determine distances
• Reaction time
• Judgment
• Vision
• Remember
• Only time, not coffee, will sober you up
• Use a designated driver

18
Night Driving

• Traffic deaths are three times greater at night
  than during the day (Source National Safety
  Council).
• Depth perception, color recognition and
  peripheral vision is compromised.
• Aging eyes need more light. 50 year old needs 2x
  more light than 30 year old.

19
Night Driving

• Increase following distance to 4 seconds
• Clean headlights, taillights, signal lights and
  windows (at least weekly).
• Replace wiper blades.
• Have vehicle headlights properly aimed.
• Dont overdrive headlights should be able to
  stop inside illuminated area
• Turn lights on 1/2 hour before sunset

20
Whats behind you?
21
Vehicle Backing Safety

• Think In Advance
• Use a Spotter
• Do a Walk-Around
• Know Clearances

Backing out of a driveway
22
Think in Advance

• Try to position vehicle so you dont have to back
  up.
• Choose easy exit parking spots that dont crowd
  neighboring vehicles.
• Back into the space if possible when parking.
• Back to the left if possible so you can see
  objects on the drivers side.

23
Use a Spotter

• Use another person to help when backing.
• Turn off radio and roll down window to hear what
  spotter is telling you.
• Make sure driver and spotter clearly understand
  hand signals.
• Dont have spotter walking backwards while giving
  instructions.

24
Do a Walk-Around

• Conduct a circle of safety walk-around to look
  for hazards.
• Get back into vehicle ASAP
• Look over shoulders check both mirrors.
• Give two horn blasts before backing up.

25
Know Clearances

• 6 Dimensions of Vehicle front, back, left,
  right, above and below.
• Walk-around will identify obstructions, low
  hanging branches or clearance-related problems.
• Be vigilant of vehicles blind spots.

26
Best Back-up Solutions

• Park defensively to minimize need to back-up.
• Take a moment to get a spotter to assist.
• Practice situational awareness.
• Encourage management to pursue back-up sensor
  and/or rear camera technology.

27
Did You Know

• Immediately after driving you have an increased
  chance of a lower back injury from lifting?
• Neck, shoulder and back pain are common after
  sitting for long periods, and from whole body
  vibration.

28
Driver Ergonomics

• Change seat position a notch or two every 30
  minutes.
• Use lumbar support and seat cushions.
• Adjust steering wheel periodically.
• Rest/stretch break 5 minutes every hour.

29
Did You Know?

• About 25 of reported slips in snowy and icy
  conditions in NEWESD 101 School Districts happen
  when employees are exiting their vehicle.

30
Ten Driver Safety Tipsfrom How Stuff Works

• Keep Your Vehicle Safe
• Practice Defensive Driving
• Watch Out for the Other Guy
• Dont Follow Too closely
• Be Extra Careful in Bad Weather

• Wear Your Seat Belt
• Dont Drive Drowsy
• Dont Speed
• Avoid Distractions
• Dont Drink and Drive

31
Need more info?

• Don Ebert
• NEWESD 101
• Risk Manager
• [phone]
• debert_at_esd101.net