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Welcome to
Defensive Driving
FERRY B VILLANUEVA
10 OCTOBER 2011
Defensive Driving
This course is designed to help you, an experienced driver, recognize the need for improvement. In the following pages, you will learn about: Attitudes and Driving Driving Rules Accident Prevention
Introduction
Many of us have actually been involved in some type of accident. Most of the time, we feel it is the other driver's fault. Most drivers believe they are better-than-average but there is room for improvement in all of us.
Defensive Driving
"Gross weight" shall mean the measured weight of a motor vehicle plus the maximum allowable carrying capacity in merchandise, freight and/or passenger, as determined by the Commissioner of Land Transportation.
1. Aim High In Steering 2. Get The Big Picture 3. Keep Your Eyes Moving 4. Leave Yourself An Out 5. Make Sure They See You
Attitude: Road Rage To deal with road rage situations: Put distance between you and the "rager" Do not try to "get even" or "teach them a lesson" Ignore the person causing the problem Drive to a public area Do not drive home Call the police
After an incident, allow yourself to calm down: Take deep breaths Listen to your radio, and If necessary, pull to the side of the road for a few minutes make sure the perpetrator has moved on before pulling over
Defensive Driving Attitude A defensive driver takes every reasonable precaution to prevent traffic accidents, over and above what the law requires. To become a defensive driver, "yield" rather than "take" the right-of-way. Adjust your behavior to handle: Unexpected actions by other drivers and pedestrians Unpredictable and continually changing factors of light, weather, road and traffic conditions How you feel Be dedicated to error-free driving
Decisive Driving
Before you start each day, perform a simple pretrip inspection including the following:
Brakes - Brake fluid must be at MAX level - Break pads should be checked Lightings - Head, signal, brake, park lights - Have an extra bulb and emergency flashlight Oil - Must be at desired level and regular change - Must have an extra liter during the trip Water - Level at radiator must be checked - Level at the windshield wiper Battery -Check for corrosion at the terminal - Maintenance type must have sufficient level Air - Check for correct tire pressure including the spare tire - Check the tire for thread level and bulges Gas - Check for sufficient gas level and gauge is operational Self - Check if you are fit to drive
Attitudes and Driving Decisive Driving: Safe Practices Remember the following: Don't rely on another vehicle's signal lights alone. Confirm the driver's intention before you move into his or her path. Obey traffic laws-o Halt completely at stop signs o At controlled intersections, yield to the vehicle on your right if both of you arrive at the same time o Drive within the speed limit o Use your signals before initiating a turn
Do not assume that everyone knows how to drive in inclement weather. Do not drink and drive. Don't hurry, be a courteous & considerate driver.
Decisive Driving: Check It Out All three vehicles have: Crossed the white painted stop-line Poor lane positions
Dependable Driving Your senses play an important role in being a dependable driver: Sight - your vision decreases as speed increases, so make sure to obey all speed limits and keep alert, also by watching for turn signals and brake lights. Feelings - can warn us of a deficiency in some area of driving, for instance you are cornering too fast or have already started to skid. Hearing - communicate with other drivers by using your horn and realize they will do the same.
Dependable Driving: Check It Out Vehicles with adequate space for 25-30 mph on a rainy day Vehicles with not enough space for the weather Headlights are on during periods of reduced visibility Two Guidelines: 1.Whenever windshield wipers are turned on, and 2.When 10% of all traffic has lights on
Attitudes and Driving 3-Rules of Night Time Driving and Driving at Dawn Be conspicuous - help other drivers see your vehicle. Be courteous - recognize that oncoming headlights can temporarily 'blind' you for 3 to 8 seconds. Be cautious - keep the outside and inside of your windshield clean to minimize glare.
Common Driving Distractions Some common distractions include: Looking at a scenery Looking for route signs Unfamiliar situations such as, staring at an auto accident Problems inside the vehicle such as, using a car phone Lighting a cigarette A bee in the car Recognizing someone you know
Driving Distractions: Calculating the Distance Suppose a person is driving a car at 55 mph (80.67 feet/second) during the day on a dry, level road. He sees a pedestrian and applies the brakes. What is the shortest stopping distance than can reasonably be expected? Reaction time is 1.5 seconds. So, distance the car will travel before brakes are applied = 120.9 ft Stopping time once the brakes engage = 134.4 ft. The conclusion is that: Total Stopping Distance = 120.9 ft + 134.4 ft = 255.3 ft Reaction time is greatly affected by the alertness of the driver.
Faster Speeds Faster speeds increase: Accidents Accident severity Fuel consumption Maintenance cost
Adjust your speed to the driving conditions and not to the speed limit. This is especially true for expressway ramps and curves, where posted "recommended" limits are developed for cars traveling in ideal conditions.
Seat Belts Seat belts: Reduce serious and fatal injuries by 60% Keep you inside the vehicle where your chances of survival are 25 times as great as if you were thrown from the vehicle Enhance your chances of survival Just as important to wear around town
Rural Driving Extra care should be used at rural intersections. When you approach a rural intersection: Stop Look left Then look right, check left again If clear, proceed
While driving in the country, look as far ahead as you can see. Look to the next curve or at least one mile in the open country.
Summary Safe driving involves: Making correct, timely decision based on defensive driving techniques employed in a dependable manner. Good driving demands: You have the proper attitude and concentration on the driving task to prevent you from being distracted or lulled into a false sense of security.
Driving Rules
Introduction Be: Knowledgeable Skilled Alert In this lesson, youll learn about the five basic driving rules that should become part of your driving habits. They are: Be far-sighted Move eyes continuously Take in the whole picture Maintain a space cushion Communicate
Driving Rules
In the city 1 block In the country next curve or hill, as far as you can see
Driving Rules
Five Basic Driving Rules: Rule 2 2. Move eyes continuously: Since you can only see clearly with your central vision, it is important to constantly shift your focus. Turn your head when necessary Every 2 seconds Dont stare o Scan front area o Use mirrors o Check the sides
Driving Rules
Dont forget: o Side and rear view o Use mirrors Be aware of: o Intersections o Alleyways o Pedestrians o Parked vehicles
Driving Rules
Five Basic Driving Rules: Rule 4 4. Maintain space cushion: Time intervals: Car/Van = 2 seconds Truck/Bus = 3 seconds Tractor trailer = 4 seconds
Driving Rules
Five Basic Driving Rules: Rule 5 5. Communicate: Turn signals Hand signals Friendly horn Eye contact Lane position
Driving Rules
Five Basic Driving Rules: Summary 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Be far-sighted Move eyes continuously Take in the whole picture Maintain a space cushion Communicate
Driving Rules
Slowing Down The following steps will greatly reduce the likelihood of someone rear-ending you: Slow down Signal early
Driving Rules
Summary In this lesson, youve learned about the following five basic rules to help in your driving experiences: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Be far-sighted Move eyes continuously Take in the whole picture Maintain a space cushion Communicate
Accident Prevention
Introduction Chance does not alone determine the severity of an accident. Every close call, every minor fender bender should be analyzed so that the error can be eliminated from future driving. In this lesson, you will learn about accident prevention.
Accident Prevention
Standard Accident Prevention Formula A standard accident prevention formula consists of these three steps: See the hazard Understand the defensive driving steps required Act in time to prevent an accident
Accident Prevention
Two-Vehicle Crash Positions The four basic two-vehicle collision types include: Intersection Rear end Passing Head-on
Accident Prevention
Intersection Accidents When approaching an intersection take the following defensive steps: 1. Slow down and expect the unexpected (take in the whole picture and move your eyes continually). Show your intentions by lane position and signals (communicate). Watch out for the other driver and yield the right-of-way if necessary.
2. 3.
Accident Prevention
Collision with Vehicle Ahead or Behind The steps to protect yourself from this type of collision are: Maintain an adequate space cushion Take in the whole picture watch the cars far ahead for turn signals, brake lights, drifting to the right or left Be far-sighted look beyond vehicles directly ahead of you to see what obstructions, traffic patterns or hazards might make them alter their course or speed Initiate action - be decisive
Accident Prevention
Backing Accidents When backing your vehicle make sure to: 1. Entering to make sure there are no hidden objects that might cause problems 2. Back immediately after checking to assure that conditions don't change 3. If you can position your vehicle to avoid backing, this is the best approach
Accident Prevention
Passing or Being Passed Accidents Awareness of your environment is critical to the safety in moving with traffic. Follow safe vehicle passing procedures. When you are following a slow moving vehicle, your first step should be to ask yourself if the pass is really necessary. If you decide to pass a vehicle: 1. Take in the whole picture, make sure the road is clear and no one else is starting to pass you 2. Make sure there is enough distance to pass safely 3. Signal your intentions - communicate 4. Pass quickly 5. Resume speed
Accident Prevention
Head-On Accidents Remember: Ground viewing habits Centrifugal force Left turns
Accident Prevention
Summary In this lesson, youve learned how to prevent accidents following the five basic driving rules: Be far-sighted Move eyes continuously Take in the whole picture Maintain a space cushion Communicate