INTRODUCTION TO DEFENSIVE DRIVING
• This simply means “driving to save lives, time and money in spite of the conditions around you and the actions of others.”
• Defensive driving saves lives
• Drivers learn the knowledge and skills needed to avoid preventable collisions and about two-thirds of all collisions are considered to have been preventable.
• Defensive driving saves time
• Defensive drivers don’t save time on the road hurrying from one place to another, but save time lost due to injury and car damage.
• Defensive driving saves money
• Defensive drivers save money lost due to injury, car and other property damage and lost work time.
• The technique defensive drivers use is simple and easily
learned.
• They stress
a) Knowledge,
b) Foresight
c) Alertness
d) Judgment
e) Skill
• Defensive drivers exhibit Patience, Cooperation and courtesy on the road, rather than the “me-versus-them” mentality that so many of us lapse into in our need to get
where we are going.
Remember
• Know the driving hazards you can face on the road.
• Maintain your vehicle in good condition.
• Always wear a seat belt.
• Follow traffic rules and obey signs and signals.
• Be a safe and defensive driver every day.
• Know what to do if involved in an accident.
DRIVING SAFETY STATISTICS
• Someone is injured every 14 seconds
• Over two million injuries annually
• A person dies in crash every 16 minutes
• Motor vehicle accidents are the most common cause of work-related death
• 1 in 4 fatal work injuries involves a vehicle accident.
MAJOR CAUSES OF ACCIDENTS
• Reckless driving
• Distracted driving
• Fatigue
• Aggressive driving
• Failure to keep vehicles in good operating condition
• Driving under influence
DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS
• Bad weather
• Difficult road conditions
• Poor light or glare
• Heavy traffic
• Road work
• Accidents
SEAT BELTS
• Saved hundreds of thousands of lives
• Prevent crashing into steering wheel, dashboard or windscreen
• Keep you inside vehicle
• Protect body organs
• Improves chances of remaining conscious
• Keep you behind the wheel if you have to swerve of brake
suddenly
VEHICLE MAITENANCE
a) Regular checks
b) Oil changes
c) Fluid levels
d) Brakes
e) Tyre threads and pressure
f)Light, signals and wipers
• Whenever you get behind the wheel, ask yourself if it is safe for you to drive right now.
• Before you drive, sit in your vehicle and take a few deep
breaths.
• Remind yourself that your safety depends on your being calm and rational.
• Stay within the speed limit. Resist the urge to act out tensions by going too fast or too close to other vehicles.
• Try to avoid driving in areas, such as those with heavy traffic, that make you tense.
• Do something physical, such as walking or jogging or take a course in stress reduction.
• Ask yourself what changes you can make in your life to better cope with stress, anger or other mental states then start making these changes.
• Talking things out with a friend can help too.
DRIVING UNDER INFLUENCE
• According to the National Transport and Safety Authority, 41 percent of the persons killed in traffic crashes in the world die in alcohol-related crashes.
• Since about 60 percent of adults in the world drink alcoholic beverages at least once in a while, it’s worth knowing just how alcohol affects your ability to drive safely.
• Alcohol is a drug, a depressant that affects both your body and your mind.
• After drinking any amount of alcohol, your coordination and reaction time are slower than when sober.
• Alcohol can also distort your vision, make you sleepy and give you a false sense of security that results in poor judgment.
• Alcohol robs the driver of the very qualities needed for defensive driving including; alertness, foresight, judgment and skill.
• One of the dangers of alcohol is that you may think you’re in control of your driving, but you’re not.
• If you’re a habitual drinker, you may not feel drunk after a few drinks, but your blood alcohol level will show that you are.
• If friends tell you that you should not drive, listen to them and you will thank them when you’ve sobered up.
• Having as few as three or four drinks can double your chances of being in an accident.
• Even if you’re not involved in a collision while driving under the influence, the personal risks are high.
• Most states/countries have tough laws against driving while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
• In some states you can lose your license for a year after one conviction, or you may have to go to jail, pay heavy fines, or attend alcohol education classes.
• A drunk driving conviction can cost you your job and the respect of your friends.
DRIVER UNDER INFLUENCE
• Erratic (not even/unpredictable speed
• Driving unreasonably fast or slowly
• Jerky (sudden movements/ cutting in or out) starts or stops
• Ignoring other traffic
• Approaching a signal too fast or too slow
• Swerving or driving too close to center or shoulders
• Improper and dangerous passing
• Driving with windows open in cold weather
GET OUT OF CARELESS DRIVERS’ WAY
• The first defense against such drivers is to get out of their way and stay out of their way.
• The second is to be ready to take a defensive action. If you spot a careless driver in front of you, maintain a safe following distance.
• Don’t try to pass, because the driver may swerve into you. If the driver is behind you, turn right or left at the nearest intersection and let the driver pass.
• When a careless driver is coming toward you from the opposite direction, slow down and move right, off the road if necessary.
• Slow down at intersections, look both ways, and be ready to take evasive action.
• Don’t assume having the right of way will protect you against a driver who is careless or under influence.
• Be especially alert late at night and on weekend evenings, when many people are drinking and always wear your safety belt.
• If you see a driver who seems to be under the influence, get the license number if you can do so safely, and report the driver to the nearest law enforcement agency as soon as possible and you will be doing everyone, including the impaired driver, a great favor.
EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL AND HOW TO SOBER UP
• “Driving under the influence” doesn’t just mean drunk driving.
• Remember that any drug you take, including prescribed medication can affect your ability to drive safely.
• Follow the advice of your physician or the label about
mixing drugs and driving.
HOW A DRUNK PERSON CAN SOBER UP?
• Take a cup of strong black coffee?
• Take a walk in the fresh air?
• Do vigorous exercise?
• Take a cold shower?
• Take a dip in the swimming pool?
• Eat nutritious foods?
NONE OF THE ABOVE CAN HELP YOU SOBER UP
• Don’t think that any of the techniques above can make you sober when you are drunk.
• The only thing that can actually sober up a drunk is time of at least one hour’s time for every drink, regardless of whether the drink was beer or wine.
• When you drink alcohol, it stays in your blood until it is oxidized by your liver.
• At its very best, the liver can only handle about one drink per hour.
• If you have three drinks in an hour, your liver will take about three hours to reduce your blood alcohol to what’s considered a safe driving level in most states.
• It may take another three hours to completely eliminate the alcohol from your body.
• How soon after drinking is it safe to drive? The answer depends on how much you weigh, how much you’ve had to eat, and how your body handles alcohol.
• On average, your body needs at least one hour for each drink you’ve had, to process and get rid of the alcohol.
• There’s no other way to do it because black coffee won’t do it, and neither will a cold shower or other so-called remedies.
• Only time will make you sober enough to drive.
IF YOU MUST ORGANISE A PARTY
• With a little planning, your guests can enjoy themselves and still get home safely.
• While food can’t sober up a drunk, if eaten before or during the drinking, it slows down the effects of the alcohol.
• Always make nonalcoholic drinks available, and stop serving alcohol an hour or two before the party is to end.
• Finally, if any of your guests have had too much to drink, don’t let them drive home but call a cab, drive them yourself, or let them stay overnight.
• Remember, sobering up is a matter of time, at least one hour for every drink taken.
• The amount of alcohol is the same, the effect on the body is the same and sobering up time is the same at least one hour per drink.
• The penalty for drunk driving is the same, whether the drink is beer, wine or hard liquor.
HOW-TO DRIVE-IN TOWNS
• Driving in the city can be confusing because there is so much happening at once and there are so many vehicles, pedestrians and directions to keep track of.
• All this is made worse when bad weather or darkness decreases your visibility.
• Remember that city driving is hard on your vehicle, especially the tires, clutch and brakes.
• Check your tire pressure weekly.
• If you drive mainly in the city, consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual to find out if you need to follow a more frequent maintenance schedule.
• Scan the road ahead for obstacles such as double-parked cars, cars coming out of alleys (narrow roads between buildings) and parking lots, and pedestrians.
• By planning ahead, you have plenty of time to change lanes safely.
• Avoid darting (moving suddenly) into another lane.
• Check your mirror for traffic, scan the lane for traffic, use your signal, do a shoulder check, look ahead to a 15 – 30 second distant target, steer smoothly and move into the lane gradually.
• Stop far enough behind the vehicle in front of you so that you have space to go around the vehicle if it stalls (stops) and also, if someone hits you from behind, you won’t be pushed into the vehicle ahead.
• Keep checking your mirror when stopped.
• If you’re driving in the left lane and a double-parked vehicle or bus is in the right lane, watch out for cars that may pull into your lane from behind these obstacles.
• Driving in the city is frustrating; especially after a long day at work but getting worked up about it won’t do your health or your safety any good.
• Be prepared for inconsiderate behavior from other drivers.
• React by taking the safe course of action, rather than the one that will teach the other driver a lesson.
• Scan the road ahead as well as cross traffic before entering an intersection, even if you have the right-of-way.
• More than half of all town collisions occur in intersections.
• When scanning intersections, pay attention to the direction of traffic because one-way streets are common in towns.
• If you still have to consult a map, get off the road before
doing so.
HOW TO PREVENT YOUR VEHICLE FROM THEFT
• Do everything you can to protect your car from thieves because automobile thefts are on the rise.
• Here’s what you can do so you won’t become a victim of car thieves.
• You can fight car theft with a battery of gadgets ranging from locks that attach to the steering wheel to alarms activated by touching the vehicle.
• These devices range in cost from as little as ksh 1,500 to
ksh 6,000 or more plus installation costs.
• There are two basic kinds of alarm; one has to be activated manually each time you get out of the vehicle and the other activates itself automatically.
• Most include remote control, warn sirens and beepers that alert you to burglary attempts.
• You might consult with your insurance company for advice on which type or brand is most effective for your needs.
• Car radios are frequently a target of thieves.
• Many newer radios feature a removable cartridge that you can take in hand when you leave the vehicle.
• Other radios have a removable face plate, without which the radio is less attractive to thieves.
• Don’t leave valuables where they can be seen.
• Always hide them before you park so you won’t be observed.
• Park in well-lighted, busy areas.
• Turn your wheels sharply to one side to make it harder for thieves to tow your vehicle.
• If you have an alarm system or steering wheel blocking device, use it because visible devices discourage thieves.
• Avoid leaving any identification papers in your car unless your country requires you to keep your registration papers in the glove compartment, carry them in your wallet or purse.
• If your vehicle is stolen, a thief can use such papers to impersonate you.
• For the same reason, never leave a spare house key or anything with your address on it in the vehicle.
• Remember, the single most effective way to discourage car thieves is to lock your car and take the key even in your own driveway.
• About a third of all car thefts occur while the car is parked at home.
• Always lock your car and roll up the windows when you get out.
• Check the back seat and glance under the car before you get in to see if someone is in the back of your car, or if someone suspicious follows you to your car, walk right past your car and go for help.
• Try to park in a lighted area close to where you’re going.
• Leave enough space around your vehicle when parking and park with the front end pointed out, so you can drive away easily.
• When parking in public garages, try to arrive and leave at popular times, such as right after the movie lets out, or the office opens.
• Returning to your car, have your keys out and ready.
• At night, carry a small flashlight on your key chain to help you find the lock more quickly.
• Lock your car as soon as you get in, before putting on the safety belt.
• In a group, try to arrange to return to one car and drive together to the others’ cars. • Thieves are adept at detecting valuables, so if you must carry valuables in your car, keep them out of sight.
• Never put valuables in your trunk after you arrive at the parking place because this action is a red flag for anyone lurking (hiding) nearby.
HOW TO STAY SAFE IN YOUR VEHICLE
• You are usually safe in your car if you keep moving.
• Keep your car in good shape, following a regular maintenance schedule, and don’t let your fuel get low.
• Take a course in car maintenance, so you know the danger signals of car failure.
• Carry a map, phone numbers of friends and phone money in your car at all times.
• Carry a cell phone and keep the battery charged.
• If you must stop because of a breakdown or flat tire, stay in your car with the windows rolled up, unless you are in an area you know to be safe.
• If someone stops to help, unroll the window only enough to give them a quarter and ask them to call a friend for help.
• Open the car door only for a uniformed police officer.
• If you feel threatened, lean on the horn or drive away if you can, even if it means further damaging your car or wheel rims.
• Never pick up hitchhikers (giving lifts) or get in a car with a stranger.
• Bump-and-rob (bump in criminals sometimes deliberately
bump into cars).
• When the driver gets out to exchange information, the thief may pull a gun and rob the driver or take the driver’s car.
• If someone accosts you with a weapon and demands your wallet or valuables, don’t resist because your life is more important than your valuables.
• Notice as much as you can about the assailant (the one who has attacked) and get a license number if the assailant has a car.
• Since we cannot assume we are safe even in our own cars, wise drivers take precautions to protect themselves.
• The most important crime prevention technique is to stay alert and aware of your surroundings at all times.
DEFENSIVE AGAINST VEHICLE-RELATED CRIMES
• Carjacking crimes are becoming increasingly common in both large and small cities, while some people think that only expensive cars are carjacked
• The facts show that carjackers are also interested in other cars for their parts, and some carjackers simply want any available car.
• Carjacking can happen anywhere, at any time.
• Carjackers may approach with a weapon while you are stopped at an intersection and take the car by force or they may stage a “bump and run,” a minor rear-end accident and when you get out to inspect the damage, you are robbed by one accomplice while the other drives off in your car.
• The key to avoiding crime is to be aware of your surroundings as you should know the route you must travel and areas where you must stop.
• You don’t want to get lost in an unfamiliar neighborhood so be on the lookout for suspicious people near intersections and be prepared to change your route to
avoid them if you can do so without getting lost.
IF YOU WANT TO PROTECT YOURSELF
• Keep your car well maintained and your fuel tank full.
• Drive with your windows rolled up and your doors locked.
• Position yourself in traffic so you are not pinned in.
• Try to stay in the middle lane in areas where you don’t feel safe.
• If you’re approached while at an intersection, sound your horn.
• Whenever possible, park in well lighted, highly visible areas.
• Park with the front end pointed out so you can drive away easily.
• Keep your valuables out of sight.
• Stop only in places that are well lit and well-traveled.
• In case of danger, stay in your car with the doors locked.
• Don’t drive late at night or other times when the streets are deserted and if you must drive at these times you should try to avoid routes that include stop lights.
• Carry a cell phone with a charged battery.
• If you are involved in a minor accident and don’t feel safe leaving your car, drive to the nearest safe place, such as a police station or hospital and do the same if you have a flat tire because a damaged rim is less costly than being carjacked.
• If an armed person approaches you and demands your car, purse, wallet or other valuables, don’t resist because it’s better to lose your property than your life.
Remember
Being aware and knowing how to respond in a dangerous situation will give you the greatest possible control over your own safety.
WHEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT
• A collision is serious business in the eyes of the law.
• If you’re involved in a collision, you must stop and if you don’t, you could be convicted of “hit and run” and be severely punished.
• Get your vehicle out of traffic and park safely.
• Place reflecting triangles or other warning devices 50 to 100 meters behind or in front and behind the vehicles to warn approaching motorists.
• Do not use flares (flame or lights) if there is a chance of spilled petrol or diesel nearby.
• Give your first attention to anyone who appears injured.
• If you know how, use emergency first aid where needed, and notify the police or highway patrol as soon as possible.
• The police should be told what kinds of injuries there are,such as bleeding, unconsciousness, stopped breathing, as well as if there are fire hazards such as spilled fuel.
• Exchange your driver’s license number, insurance policy number, registration information and address with anyone else involved in the collision, or give this information to the police.
• If you are driving a company vehicle, notify your employer.
• If any media arrive on the scene, do not talk to them.
• Avoid arguing with other participants or discussing who’s to blame.
• If there are witnesses to the collision, get their names, addresses, and phone numbers, if possible, as well as their vehicle license numbers.
• With the events still fresh in your mind, make a written record of the accident try sketching a diagram of the accident and include this information in your report to the police and your employer or insurance company.
• Take photographs with your phone if you can or tell someone to do it for you.
• If you hit a parked vehicle, try to locate the owner of any unattended vehicle involved in the collision.
• If you can’t, leave a note in an obvious but secure place on the vehicle or give only your cell phone number or the office number of your insurance agent or lawyer.
• Report the collision to the appropriate police at the first opportunity.
• No one expects to be involved in a collision but being prepared for the unthinkable can save lives and money and protect you or your employer from legal proceedings.
Remember; being prepared can save lives and money.
IF YOU WITNESS AN ACCIDENT STOP AND HELP
• If you are the first person on the scene after a collision, your quick action could save lives and your description of the accident is important for police records.
• If you are the first person at the scene of a collision, pull completely off the road beyond the collision.
• Turn on your emergency lights, and place reflective triangles or other warning devices 50 to 100m behind the collision to warn other motorists.
• Do not use flares if there is a chance of spilled petrol or diesel nearby.
• Do not smoke near the collision.
• Turn off the ignition of all vehicles involved.
• Check to see if anyone is injured.
• Do not move injured people unless their safety demands it because moving can make injuries worse.
• If you are trained in first aid, rescue breathing or CPR
• Inform the police or ask the next person who stops to notify the police.
• Be prepared or they should give this information:
a) Location of the collision, including cross streets, freeway entrance/exit information
b) The number of the phone being used.
c) What needs attention
d) Bleeding
e) Unconscious
f) Without a pulse?
g) Is first aid being given?
• Don’t hang up until the emergency responder hangs up.
• Remain at the scene of the accident until the police arrive and you can tell them what happened.
• Meanwhile move the vehicle involved out of traffic if it is not disabled.
• Search the area for victims thrown from the vehicle as they could be hidden in grass or bushes.
• If you see an accident where emergency help is already present, keep moving unless police or emergency responders at the scene direct you to stop.
• Stopping or slowing down to view an accident can result in another collision.
PEDESTRIANS
• Everyone’s a pedestrian some of the time.
• Treat pedestrians the way you’d like to be treated if you were on foot in traffic
• Certain pedestrians require extra caution.
• Seniors and disabled people may not hear or see well, and can’t always move fast to get out of the way of hazards.
• Children are unpredictable and could run into the street at any time; drive slowly when they are present on the sidewalks.
• A pedestrian who is drunk may be unaware of traffic lights or oncoming vehicles so give such a person a wide allowance.
• Remember that pedestrians have the right-of-way at all intersections, whether crosswalks are marked or not.
• Wait until the pedestrian is completely across the street before going ahead.
• Where there are many pedestrians, slow down and be prepared to stop at any time.
• When turning a corner, check for pedestrians crossing both the street you’re on and the one you’re turning into.
• Do not pass a vehicle that is stopped at a crosswalk because there may be a pedestrian hidden from your view in the crosswalk.
• Always give pedestrians with white canes or assistance dogs the right-of-way because these people are disabled.
• Always stop and check in both directions for pedestrians before crossing a sidewalk at a driveway.
• Pedestrians have the right-of-way on the sidewalk.
• Stop for anyone crossing the street on foot.
CYCLISTS AND MOTORCYCLISTS
• Bicyclists and motorcyclists have the same rights and responsibilities on the road as other drivers.
• Because cyclists are much less protected from injury than other traffic, the careful driver must take extra precautions to avoid colliding with them.
CYCLISTS
• Because cyclists are slow-moving, hard to see and extremely likely to be injured in a collision, we must take special care in driving around them.
• Remember that cyclists have the same rights to the roadway as other drivers.
• Be ready for a cyclist to move into the flow of traffic if necessary to turn left, pass another bicycle, or avoid an obstacle.
• When passing a bicycle, wait until it is safe to do so without crowding the bicycle.
• When parked by the road, do not open the car door without looking for other vehicles, including bicycles and motorcycles.
• Know the cyclist’s signals: left hand out for a left turn, left hand down for a stop, and left hand up or right hand out for a right turn.
• Be especially alert for bicycles on winding rural roads that
may attract recreational cyclists.
MOTORCYCLISTS
• Because they are lighter than cars, can stop in much shorter distances than cars.
• When driving behind a motorcycle, allow a four second following distance.
• The extra time also gives you extra reaction distance in case the motorcyclist falls.
• When changing lanes or turning, check your blind spots carefully.
• Being small, motorcycles are often completely missed.
• Remember that in some states, motorcycles can legally travel between lanes.
• Be extra alert for fast-moving motorcycles between lanes when you switch lanes in heavy, slow traffic.
• Be aware of the road hazards, such as slippery surfaces, that can cause motorcycles to change speed and direction suddenly.
WHEN BRAKES FAIL
• What if you hit the brake and nothing happens? Just to think about what to do if your brakes fail.
• You certainly won’t have time when it happens but we must prepare you by the following steps:
a) Downshift to low gear.
b) Pump the brake pedal fast and hard to build up brake fluid pressure. It should take three or four pumps to do this.
c) Apply the emergency brake, but release it if the car begins to skid.
d) You can still steer. If you can’t stop, try to steer into something soft, such as bushes.
e) Sound your horn and flash your lights to warn other drivers.
• Keep your brakes from overheating on a long downhill grade by using low gears and driving slowly.
• If braking becomes difficult because of overheating, pull over and let your brakes cool.
• In wet weather, try to avoid deep puddles, which can momentarily rob you of your braking power.
• If your brakes do get wet, dry them by pressing the gas pedal and brake pedal at the same time, lightly apply brake for 5 to 10 seconds at a time several times until the brakes begin working.
• Get your brakes examined on a regular schedule.
• Check your brake fluid along with your other fluids.
• See a mechanic immediately if your brake warning light comes on.
• Take good care of your brakes and use them properly and chances are you will never have a brake failure.
DEFENSIVE DRIVING ASSESSMENT
1. The oil gauge on the instrument panel indicates the amount of oil in the crankcase.
True
2. When driving a vehicle, you can readily recognize carbon monoxide because it smells like leaded fuel
False
3. The ammeter on the instrument panel indicates rate of battery charging or discharging.
True
4. Preventive maintenance means to wait until some part of the vehicle breaks down, then have it repaired.
False
5. “Pumping the brakes” means to push the pedal gently to the floor and hold it there until the vehicle stops.
False
6. Tailgating is never safe.
True
7. A “slipping clutch” is desirable because it saves fuel.
False
8. To prevent spring breakage, it is necessary to drive at a speed suitable for road conditions and to develop the habit of releasing the brake before crossing a rough
place.
True
9. When driving, it is wise not to pass another vehicle at an intersection unless you can see at least 200 metres ahead.
False
10. In case of an accident, an injured person should be kept lying down to prevent fainting or shock.
True
11. It would be wise for a driver to check the vehicle both before and after each trip.
True
12. When turning a vehicle, a driver should begin flashing the turn signal 60 feet before turning.
False
13. A driver must be satisfied that service and parking brakes, tires, lights and reflectors, mirrors, coupling and other devices are in order only when the driver
considers it necessary.
False
14. When lights are necessary, a driver should use low beam headlights during fog, a snow storm, heavy rain or other such conditions.
True
15. If a vehicle has a breakdown on or very near the roadway, emergency signals must be placed at two rear locations.
True
16. When driving down a long hill or grade, it is best to:
Apply brakes in an “on and off” manner.
17. When a vehicle goes into a skid, it is best to:
Aim the front wheels at the intended path of travel up the road
18. The chief cause of skidding is:
Driving too fast for conditions.
19. When you park your vehicle headed downhill, you
should
Leave in the lowest gear or in park; set the hand brake, and turn the front wheels toward curbing.
20. Most collisions are caused by:
Driver error.
21. The shape of a traffic sign:
Has a definite meaning.
22. When driving a vehicle across a railroad crossing:
Never shift gears while crossing the track.
23. In order to be a good driver, one must:
Have the ability to learn and be willing to accept suggestions.
24. When preparing to make a right turn, it is best to:
Keep close to the right curb or the edge of the road so that vehicles cannot attempt to pass on your right side.
25. At an intersection, who has the right-of-way?
Pedestrian in the crosswalk.
26. The stopping distance of a vehicle is ordinarily affected the most by:
Condition of the brakes
27. Upon coming to a street intersection with a stop sign, which of the following should a driver do?
Come to a complete stop
28. The traits “careful” and “reckless” are:
Opposite
29. An alert driver is one who is:
Attentive
30. An intoxicating drink most seriously affects a driver’s
Judgment