Driver Safety

Driving Safety Statistics

Someone is injured
every 18 seconds
Motor vehicle
accidents are the most
common cause of
death
35% of work-related
fatalities are
associated with motor
vehicles (source: BLS)

More Statistics
Most collisions occur
in daytime and in good
weather conditions.
62% of work-related
vehicle fatalities occur
between 7 AM 4 PM
except trucking which
occur between 37 AM.
Most urban collisions
occur at intersections.

Overview
Leading Driving Hazards
Accident Avoidance
Safe Backing Techniques
Other Driving Hazards

General Safety
Always use seatbelts!
When backing up, use caution: if you have
passenger, ask them to get out and direct; if not, get
out and check area before backing.
If vehicle is not operating properly, report and
discontinue use.
Shut off motor and do not smoke or use cell phone
while refueling.
Do not leave engine running in an unattended
vehicle.
Report all work accidents, no matter how minor, to
your supervisor.
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Leading Causes of Collisions

Unsafe Lane
Changes
Following Too
Closely
Excessive Speed
Distracted Driving
Vehicle
Malfunctions
Not Adjusting to
Road/Conditions
DUIs

Rear-End Collisions

Rear-ending other vehicles is the leading

cause of vehicle accidents
Maintain 3-second following distance to
react safely.
Braking distance is 3 12 X longer in bad
weather conditions

Accident Avoidance Tips

Keep Space around Vehicles

Never Drive Side-by-Side
Know Your Blind Spots
Keep Out of other Peoples Blind Spots

Unsafe Behaviors

Distracted Driving

The #1 source of driver inattention: using a wireless device.

Drivers that use cell phones are

four times more likely to get into
injury-producing crashes.

Cell phones contribute to 24% of

crashes (National Safety Council, 2012)

Text messaging, talking on a cell phone, grooming, watching a movie, writing a grocery
list, putting in contact lenses, changing radio stations, looking for items in your vehicle,
changing your vehicle instrument settings all equal distracted driving. Emotional
conversations where people get angry and upset can lead to deadly distractions.

Driving Hazards:
Dangerous Conditions
Bad weather
Difficult road
conditions
Poor light or glare
Heavy traffic
Road work
Accidents

Vehicle Maintenance

Neglecting maintenance can cause crashes.

Monitor condition of and air pressure in
your tires. Not doing so could cause
blowout or a flat.
Change wiper blades regularly.

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Pre-Drive Inspection
Tires
Leaks under
vehicle
Windows clean,
nothing blocking
vision
Mirrors properly
adjusted
Lights working
properly

Watch Out for Fatigue

Be especially
careful during
late night, early
morning, and
mid-afternoon
hours
Stop, take a nap,
and drink coffee
if youre tired
Avoid medicines
that make you
drowsy

Keep Cool in Traffic

Keep your
emotions in check
Take steps to stay
relaxed no matter what
Allow enough time
to get there
Dont provoke
other drivers
Report aggressive
drivers to the police

Avoid Road Rage Incidents

Dont offend, dont engage.

Adjust your attitude (stay calm).
Avoid cutting people off.
Dont tailgate or follow closely.
Dont make obscene/questionable gestures.
Avoid eye contact.
Give angry drivers lots of room You just
cant know what else is going on with them!

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Dont Drink or
Take Drugs and Drive
Alcohol and drugs
impair:
Ability to determine
distances
Reaction time
Judgment
Vision
Remember:
Only time, not
coffee, will sober
you up
Use a designated
driver

Night Driving

Traffic deaths are three times greater at

night than during the day (Source: National
Safety Council).
Depth perception, color recognition and
peripheral vision is compromised.
Aging eyes need more light. 50 year old
needs 2x more light than 30 year old.

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Night Driving

Increase following distance to 4+ seconds

Clean headlights, taillights, signal lights and
windows (at least weekly).
Replace wiper blades.
Have vehicle headlights properly aimed.
Dont overdrive headlights should be able
to stop inside illuminated area
Turn lights on 1/2 hour before sunset

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Whats behind you?

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Vehicle Backing Safety

Think In Advance
Use a Spotter
Do a Walk-Around
Know Clearances

Backing out of a driveway

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Think in Advance

Try to position vehicle so you dont have to

back up.
Choose easy exit parking spots that dont
crowd neighboring vehicles.
Back into the space if possible when
parking.
Back to the left if possible so you can see
objects on the drivers side.

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Use a Spotter

Use another person to help when backing.

Turn off radio and roll down window to hear
what spotter is telling you.
Make sure driver and spotter clearly
understand hand signals.
Dont have spotter walking backwards while
giving instructions.

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Do a Walk-Around

Conduct a circle of safety walk-around to

look for hazards.
Get back into vehicle ASAP
Look over shoulders & check both mirrors.
Give two horn blasts before backing up.

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Know Clearances

6 Dimensions of Vehicle: front, back, left,

right, above and below.
Walk-around will identify obstructions, low
hanging branches or clearance-related
problems.
Be vigilant of vehicles blind spots.

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Best Back-up Solutions

Park defensively to minimize need to back-up.

Take a moment to get a spotter to assist.
Practice situational awareness.
Encourage management to pursue back-up
sensor and/or rear camera technology.

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Did You Know

Immediately after driving you have an increased

chance of a lower back injury from lifting?
Neck, shoulder and back pain are common after
sitting for long periods, and from whole body
vibration.

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Driver Ergonomics

Change seat position a notch or two every

30 minutes.
Use lumbar support and seat cushions.
Adjust steering wheel periodically.
Rest/stretch break 5 minutes every hour.

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Did You Know?

About 25% of reported slips in snowy and

icy conditions in NEWESD 101 School
Districts happen when employees are
exiting their vehicle.

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Ten Driver Safety Tips

from How Stuff Works

Keep Your Vehicle Safe

Practice Defensive
Driving
Watch Out for the
Other Guy
Dont Follow Too
closely
Be Extra Careful in Bad
Weather

Wear Your Seat Belt

Dont Drive Drowsy
Dont Speed
Avoid Distractions
Dont Drink and Drive

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Need more info?

Don Ebert
NEWESD 101
Risk Manager

(509) 789-3517
debert@esd101.net