Defensive Driving

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When you drive defensively, you drive safely to save lives, time, and money, despite the conditions around you and the actions of others

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We are on the road every day of our lives

Our driving affects everyone around us

Unsafe driving can hurt or kill innocent people

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According to NIOSH, motor vehicles are consistently the leading cause of work-related deaths in the US

About 36% of all work-related fatalities reported by the BLS are associated with motor

vehicles

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Everyone can and should drive defensively

Check your company’s policy for specific driving rules that apply to you on the job

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Driving hazards include

Distracted driving Speeding Aggressive driving Drowsy driving Driving under the influence Severe weather Not wearing a seat belt Unexpected road conditions

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You can be exposed to driving hazards every day, on and off the job

Your own driving or others’ driving could be the source of exposure

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Protect yourself by driving defensively using these safe driving practices

Do not use your cell phone or eat and drink while driving

Obey the speed limit Do not engage in or respond

to aggressive driving behavior

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Get enough sleep before you drive and practice journey management for long drives to avoid fatigue

Always drive sober Check the weather before you go, and do not drive in

severe weather Wear your seat belt

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Take steps to prevent distracted driving

Send texts or make phone calls before you get on the road Keep your phone on silent while you drive Eat or drink before you drive Keep conversations with

passengers to a minimum Plan and review your route

beforehand Pay attention to your

surroundings

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According to NCS, speeding causes about 30% of roadway fatalities

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Avoid speeding

Stay aware of the posted speed limit Use cruise control if you have it Watch your speed

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Avoid aggressive driving behavior like

Honking the horn, yelling, ormaking rude gestures

Tailgating Wildly changing lanes

to get around slower cars Speeding around other

cars Responding to

rude gestures or comments with your

own two cents

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Drive defensively instead

Pay attention to your own driving

Leave at least two car lengths between your car and the car in front of you

Use your blinker and safely merge into another lane as

needed

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Leave at a time that allows for detours and unexpected delays

Ignore aggressive behavior and give aggressive drivers a wide berth

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Stay alert while you drive

Make sure you are well-rested before you get behind the wheel

Commit to getting enough sleep the night before driving

If you feel drowsy while driving, pull

over and take a 30-minute nap

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According to NCS, alcohol causes about 31% of roadway fatalities

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Do not become a statistic because you chose to drive under the influence

Do not drive if you have taken illegal drugs or have drunk alcohol

Do not take over-the-counter medicines that could impair your ability to drive Check your prescriptions for

warnings about driving

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Severe weather to avoid driving in includes

Floods and heavy rainstorms Snowstorms and hail Dense fog Tornadoes

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According to OSHA, seat belts save 14,000 lives each year

According to the CDC and the NHTSA, seat belts reduce serious crash-related injuries and deaths by about 50%

Buckle up every time you drive

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Unexpected roadway conditions can include

Road work Heavy traffic Car accidents Wildlife crossings

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Avoid unexpected roadway conditions by staying aware of your surroundings Look for roadwork signs Scan mirrors and the road in

front of you often Adjust your speed to

surrounding traffic Look for wildlife crossing signs Be alert to animals

crossing the road

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Drive defensively

It could save your life or someone else’s life

Remember to drive safely, and watch out for common driving hazards

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