ITC

DrivingSafety

DEFENSIVE DRIVING

How safe are our roads?

Driving injuries-on or off the job

Unsafe acts behind the wheel

Driving under the influence

“Road rage”

Unsafe driving conditions

Defensive driving techniques

2 second plus rule

Seat belts

Vehicle safety features

Security measures

Did you know?

HOW SAFE ARE OUR ROADS?

• 2007 data for the U.S.– 42,643 fatalities – 2,889,000 injuries– 4,365,000 crashes involving property damage– Friday (especially evening/night hours) has more fatal accidents

than any other day

• NOTE: Most traffic accidents (80% - 90%) result from driver error!!!

USA’S TRAFFIC FATALITY RATE

The country’s fatality rate is continuing to fall as cars

become more safer. Fatality rate is measured as the

number of traffic deaths per 100,000,000 miles driven.

National Average is 1.09 deaths per 100 million miles of

travel.

UNSAFE ACTS BEHIND THE WHEEL

• Texting• Shaving• Putting on make-up• Reading a map• Not using a seatbelt• Driving under the influence• Not using turning signals

• Adjusting the radio dial• Driving at an unsafe speed• Failing to stop or yield• Unsafe passing of another

vehicle• Tailgating

*Though perhaps in a different category, eating when driving and using cell phones can compromise your response time by

distracting you and by removing one hand from the steering wheel.

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE (DUI)

In 2007, there were 17,013 fatalities in alcohol-related crashes (40% of total traffic fatalities for the year).

Sobering facts:•About 2 in every 5 Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related traffic accident at some time in their lives•Remember the one-one rule: one drink per hour (Your body takes about an hour to rid itself of each 1/2 ounce of alcohol)•The legal Blood Alcohol Content in NC is 0.08

Progress in this arena:•Drug testing and drug-free workplaces can act as a deterrent.•A social stigma has been building against drinking & driving.•Many social drinkers are being more responsible.

Signs that someone may be driving under the influence:•A driver who is slow to respond to a traffic signal may be intoxicated

“ROAD RAGE”

• Road rage is driving under the influence of too much anger.

• Provoked by:– Feeling endangered by someone else’s driving

(another driver cuts you off or tailgates you).– Resentment at being forced to slow down– Righteous indignation at someone who breaks traffic

rules– Anger at someone taking out their road rage on you

• Therapy for road rage: – Take a deep breath and just let it go!

Unsafe conditions

• Poor visibility– Night time driving (Fatality

rates/mile are 4 times higher at night.)

– Dust storms– Rain storms– Windshield wipers not

effective

• Poor road conditions– Slippery surfaces from

weather– Road not properly

maintained

• Improper vehicle maintenance– Inadequate brakes– Worn tread on tires– Hoses, belts– Inadequate acceleration– Headlight(s) out

Others- Driver fatigue

- Unsecured laptops/equipment can become a projectile in a crash.

Tip: if the road is wet and the car in front of you is not leaving tire tracks, you may be at risk of hydroplaning.

Tip: the road is slickest after the first few minutes of rainfall.

Defensive Driving Techniques

Check your rearview

mirror anytime you use your

brakes.

DEFENSIVE DRIVING TECHNIQUES CONT’D…

When you’re waiting to make a left turn, keep your wheels pointed straight.

When you’re going to change lanes, always turn on your signal and look in your blind spot.

If your vehicle begins to skid, turn in the direction of the skid.

Always have your lights on during rain, fog, and snow.

When another driver is passing you, move to the right and be ready to slow down.

When negotiating curves, slow down before you enter the curve.

Speed Kills. Drive the speed limit. Reduce your speed based on weather conditions.

Expect the unexpected. Look out for animals!!

2 SECOND PLUS RULE

• Under “perfect conditions”, you should maintain a 2 second following distance from the car in front of you.– “Perfect conditions” include driving a car (not a truck,

or other larger vehicle) and nice weather.– Adverse conditions include driving a truck or other

vehicle larger than a car and rain, snow, ice, or other bad weather.

• For each adverse condition, add 1 more second to your following distance.

SEAT BELTS

You have a 50% better chance of

surviving a serious crash without

injuries when you wear a seat belt; your chances of

surviving a serious crash are increased by 45% when you wear a seat belt.

Seat belts keep passengers in

their seats during a crash.

Seat belts help you stay in control of your vehicle, by

keeping you in your seat.

Seat belts protect you by absorbing

the forces of a crash.

Myth: seat belts frequently trap people in burning vehicles.

VEHICLE SAFETY FEATURES

• Daytime running lights– (Headlights that are on

whenever vehicle is running)• Lap/shoulder safety belts

– Reduce risk of moderate-to-fatal injuries by approximately 50%.

• Air bags for driver & passenger– Combined with lap/shoulder

belts, they reduce risk of fatality by another 10%.

• Side impact airbags• OnStar

• Child safety seats– Note: Children in child

seats should not be placed in the front seat of cars

• Anti-lock brakes• Safety cages built into the

vehicle framework• If buying a new car, ask

about side-impact collision data.

• Research a vehicle’s safety record at www.safercar.gov

SECURITY MEASURES

• After entering the vehicle, lock the doors immediately and keep the windows rolled up for the duration of the trip.

• If you’re driving at night, stay on main roads.

• Always be aware of your surroundings when entering/exiting the vehicle and park in well-lit areas.

• Have the keys ready to unlock the car before you get to it.

• For Women: always drive with your purse on the passenger floor. While waiting at a stop light, criminals have smashed the passenger window and grabbed the purse sitting in the passenger seat.

• Always hide valuables in your trunk while the car is unattended.

DID YOU KNOW?

• When driving on a road that is new to you:– Your eyes tend to scan the road from left to right, which is

an excellent driving habit.– We tend not to scan when in familiar territory.

• Most collisions happen within 25 miles of people’s homes.

• The best way to deal with a tailgater is to slow down. This gives them a chance to pass you.

• When driving in winter weather, your most important responsibility is your ability to anticipate problems.

• The best way to drive safely on ice is to decrease your speed and drive defensively. Even better, stay off the roads.

TEST TIME

Instructions: To print the test, go to the next page and hold the right mouse button down. From there, select ‘print picture’. Select ‘current selection’ to only print the test page.

Fill in your first name, last name, and the date. Use the check boxes to answer the test questions. Make sure that only one box is checked unless the answer says to ‘check all that apply’. After completing the test, send it to the office which you provide services for:

Mesa Employees:

Once completed, you can scan and email the test to FerrynF@ITC-AZ.com or you can fax the test in 480-969-5512.

Phoenix Employees

Once completed, you can scan and email the test to RodM@ITC-AZ.com or you can fax the test in 602-253-5512.

Peoria Employees

Once completed, you can scan and email the test to AlexA@ITC-AZ.com or you can fax the test in 623-792-8117.

Driving Safety Test

Name:_______________________________ Date:_____________

1) When you’re waiting to make a left turn, keep your wheels pointed:

a. ☐ Straightb. ☐ Leftc. ☐ Right

6) National average is 1.09 deaths per _____ miles of travel:a. ☐ 1.09b. ☐ 100c. ☐ 100 Thousandd. ☐ 100 Million

2) Shaving, texting, eating, or putting on make-up while driving are examples of:

a. ☐ Excellent driving skillb. ☐ Unsafe acts behind the wheelsc. ☐ Proper hygiene d. ☐ All of the above

7) For each adverse condition, add _____ to the 2 second plus rule:

a. ☐ 1 secondb. ☐ 5 secondsc. ☐ 10 seconds d. ☐ 1 minute

3) Road rage is:a. ☐ Unavoidable on a crowded freewayb. ☐ Driving under the influence of too much angerc. ☐ A contact sport which favors large vehiclesd. ☐ All of the above

8) When blinded by the bright lights of an oncoming car you should flash your bright lights at them:

a. ☐ Trueb. ☐ False

4) If you are being tailgated, increase the following distance to the car in front of you by:

a. ☐ 1-2 secondsb. ☐ 4-5 secondsc. ☐ 1-2 minutesd. ☐ 4-5 minutes

9) Examples of unsafe conditions are:a. ☐ Limited road visibilityb. ☐ Improper vehicle maintenancec. ☐ Poor road conditionsd. ☐ All of the above

5) When driving on a road that is new to you:a. ☐ Your eyes tend to scan the road from left to rightb. ☐ We tend not to scan when in familiar territoryc. ☐ Both A & Bd. ☐ None of the above

10) The road is slickest after the first few minutes of rainfall:a. ☐ Trueb. ☐ False

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