Defensive Driving Training Program

[Audio] Echo Group Defensive Driving Training Program.

[Audio] Purpose To further educate employees of proper driving techniques and raise safety awareness while operating motor vehicles..

[Audio] Motor vehicle-related incidents are consistently the leading cause of work-related fatalities in the United States. Thirty-five percent of occupational fatalities reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics are associated with motor vehicles..

[Audio] This is why it is so important that all employees practice defensive and safe driving techniques. The defensive driver tries to recognize potentially hazardous situations sufficiently in advance to allow time to safely maneuver past them..

[Audio] The defensive driver assumes that other drivers may make mistakes and is on guard in the event an error is made. The defensive driver searches ahead of what is immediately in front, to have advance warning of approaching hazards..

[Audio] RECOGNIZING HAZARDS Learn to recognize driving situations that can be hazardous by scanning. Once you identify a potential hazard, you basically have two options; adjust your speed (slow down, speed up, stop), or change your position..

[Audio] Scan far enough ahead to be able to react safely to approaching situations. Scan frequently to the side and rear for passing or approaching vehicles. Scan thoroughly before changing speed or direction..

[Audio] Learn to recognize driving situations that can be hazardous by scanning. Once you identify a potential hazard, you basically have two options; adjust your speed (slow down, speed up, stop), or change your position..

[Audio] Scan far enough ahead to be able to react safely to approaching situations. Scan frequently to the side and rear for passing or approaching vehicles. Scan thoroughly before changing speed or direction..

[Audio] RIGHT-OF-WAY Generally the driver who arrives last gives right-of-way to those who were already there. You give right-of-way when entering traffic. You give right-of-way when turning left in front of approaching traffic. You give right-of-way when changing lanes..

[Audio] Move into your intended path or direction after you are assured you will not conflict with other traffic. Do not force other drivers to brake or steer because of your maneuver into their path. Assume other drivers will not see you and avoid you when you maneuver into their path. Move into your intended path or direction only after you are assured you will not conflict with other traffic..

[Audio] START-UP/BACK-UP Before start-up or back-up, walk around vehicle and look underneath to ensure you have safe clearance for start-up. Don't forget to check blind area on right and in front as well. After your walk-around, don't delay in moving vehicle. Do not allow time for another hazard to approach..

[Audio] Check mirrors for proper adjustment Start up slowly at first to allow other vehicles and pedestrians, who may have unexpectedly approached, to safely move away. Tap horn in congested areas..

[Audio] NEGOTIATING CURVES Reduce speed before entering curve. If you enter curves too fast, you may not have enough time to slow down before rolling over. Slow down before you get into the curve..

[Audio] Stay off the shoulder in curves. Your right or left side wheels may drop or sink down into a shoulder and increase your chance of rollover. Slow down substantially for unfamiliar curves..

[Audio] PASSING Before you pass, check to be certain no one is passing you. Assume the driver in front of you doesn't know you are passing. That driver may pull to the left to pass a vehicle in front or make a left turn. While you are passing, watch carefully for vehicles that may be entering the roadway from side roads or driveways..

[Audio] Assume vehicles approaching from the opposite direction will not see you or slow down for you to complete your passing maneuver. Watch out for vehicles passing other vehicles from the opposite direction..

[Audio] If the vehicle you are trying to pass speeds up, let it go. Don't get into a dangerous race. Don't take risks. If in doubt, don't pass. Signal your intentions to pass..

[Audio] TURNING Move to the right lane well in advance of intersection, positioned to make a safe turn. When turning, keep rear of vehicle to the right, blocking other vehicles from passing on the right..

[Audio] If encroaching upon other lanes, wait for other vehicles to clear and then turn slowly. Be careful that improper tracking does not cause the vehicle or trailer to ride up onto curb or strike stationary objects..

[Audio] Left turns As you approach turn with signal on, watch for drivers who may misinterpret this signal as an intention to turn somewhere before your intended turning point. Don't start turning until there is enough time for the rear of vehicle to clear the intersection without forcing opposing drivers to slow down or swerve..

[Audio] Don't assume opposing drivers will see you. They may be looking elsewhere. Be careful that improper tracking does not cause the vehicle to interfere with pedestrians and other vehicles..

[Audio] CROSSING INTERSECTIONS Approach intersection assuming that cross traffic may not obey traffic control and anticipate the need for avoidance. When crossing an uncontrolled intersection, allow enough time to clear entire road without interfering with cross traffic. Don't count on cross traffic slowing down to let you pass. They may not see you..

[Audio] USING AND CHANGING LANES The most important rule in lane usage is to maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle in front of you. The two second rule is best if light and weather conditions are good. If the driver in front of you slams on his brakes, can you stop fast enough to avoid a collision? Try to scan well ahead of your path of travel to anticipate potential conflict areas..

[Audio] If you see trouble ahead, flash your brake lights to alert drivers following you. If you cannot see ahead of the vehicle you are following, increase your following distance. Give right-of-way, don't take it..

[Audio] TO AVOID TAILGATING Look for a sign, pole or other road marker. Watch for the moment when the end of the vehicle in front of you passes the marker, then count two seconds..

[Audio] If the front of your vehicle reaches the marker before you finish counting, decrease your speed until you achieve the desired two-second distance. Increase your following distance time to three or four seconds whenever you drive in rain, snow or fog. Also use a longer following distance on bumpy roads..

[Audio] DRIVING IN ADVERSE CONDITIONS Reduced traction conditions: Increase following distance enough to avoid a rear-end collision if other driver brakes hard. Use moderation in judging safe speed. To maintain a safe stopping distance, slow down, but not so much that you become a hazard to drivers behind..

[Audio] Apply brakes gently and steer without jerky movements. Beware of traveling too slowly on slick, banked curves. The vehicle might slide sideways into opposing traffic or off the road..

[Audio] Use moderation in judging safe speed. To maintain a safe stopping distance during reduced visibility, slow down, but not so much that you become a hazard to drivers behind...

[Audio] Keep vehicle clean, especially headlights, windshield, and tail lights. Use emergency flashers in extreme conditions. Be prepared to get off road and wait for conditions to improve if necessary..

[Audio] DISTRACTED DRIVING Distracted driving has become an epidemic in the United States, and its often fatal consequences. Year after year, the leading cause of worker fatalities is motor vehicle crashes..

[Audio] New communication is helping business work smarter and faster. But getting the work done faster does not justify the increased risk of injury and death that comes with distracted driving. In 2010, 3092 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver and an additional 416,000 were injured in vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver..

[Audio] 18% of injury crashes in 2010 were reported as distraction-affected crashes. In the month of June 2011, more than 196 billion text messages were sent or received in the US, up nearly 50% from June 2009. Drivers who use hand-held devices are 4 times more likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves..

[Audio] Texting creates a crash risk 23 times worse than driving while not distracted. Texting takes a driver's eyes from the road for 4.6 seconds, the equivalent-at 55 mph-of driving the length of an entire football field Distracted driving such as texting, reading, responding to emails, grooming and watching video is strictly prohibited during the operation of company vehicles..

[Audio] CONCLUSION The company concludes that through educating our workforce in defensive/safe driving techniques will increase employee safety awareness thus lending to a reduction of vehicular incidents..

[Audio] A valid drivers license issued from within the continental United States is required to operate any motorized equipment, including vehicles..