Defensive Driver

Training Program

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 Purpose
The purpose of the Vehicle Use Policy is to ensure that motor vehicles are
operated safely while being used for or on behalf of your location.

What Is Defensive Driving?

Defensive driving is:

 Driving in a way that avoids conflicts that
may be caused by the mistakes of others
while making NO mistakes yourself
 It is also being prepared for and alert to
possible hazards

This Program follows applicable state driving laws and widely accepted driver safety practices.

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 Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is anything that takes a driver’s (1) eyes off the road; (2) hands
off the wheel; or (3) mind off of driving.

Drivers that take their mind off the road experience inattention blindness. This
blindness causes tunnel vision and delays reaction times. That’s why using
phones in “hands free” mode is still dangerous.

Facts About Distracted Driving

1. Distracted driving is the #1 cause of accidents.

2. Texting while driving is 6 times more likely to cause an accident than drunk
driving. Why? Because, at 55 mph, texting is like driving the length of a
football field blindfolded.
3. Any type of distracted driving increases the chance of an accident. Here are
some examples: Texting 23X; Reaching 9X; Reading 4X.

The use of portable electronic devices while driving is strictly prohibited.

However, the use of navigation systems are permitted provided the they are set-
up while the vehicle is not moving.

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 Drug and Alcohol Use
The use of drugs and alcohol can severely impair your ability to drive safely.
Judgment, reaction time, ability to determine distances, and vision can all be
affected. Even the smallest amount of alcohol will reduce your concentration and
perception, and your driving skills will suffer. The use of illegal drugs and alcohol
are strictly prohibited while driving. Prescription and over-the-counter medications
can also have negative side effects. Don’t take any medication and attempt to
drive until you know how the medication affects you, and that it will not impact
your ability to drive safely.

Alcohol and drugs impair: Remember:

• Ability to determine distances • Only time, not coffee, will sober you up
• Reaction time • Ride with a designated driver
• Judgment
• Vision

Don’t Drink or Take Drugs and Drive

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 Personal Conditions
As a driver, your physical health is an important part of being fit to drive. If you
need glasses to drive, always wear them. Keep glasses clean and free of
scratches, and always have sunglasses on hand for daytime driving. If you use
hearing assistance devices, always utilize these when driving.

Notify your location if you have any medical conditions that may impact your
fitness to drive. Keep in mind that even temporary medical conditions such as
migraine headaches can affect your ability to drive safely. Don’t attempt to drive if
you feel your ability to do so safely is compromised by illness. If you become ill
while driving, pull over in a safe area and assess whether you can continue your
journey safely. If necessary, contact your location to be relieved of driving duties.
Medications can relieve symptoms of an illness, but may also cause side-effects
such as drowsiness.

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 Fatigue and Stress
A recent study estimated that one in twenty-five drivers has fallen asleep at the
wheel in the past month. Falling asleep while driving is responsible for over
100,000 accidents each year. Fatigued drivers have slower reaction times, have
trouble paying attention to the road, and can have trouble making make good
decisions. Fatigue is often the result of not getting enough sleep, but can also be
caused by shift work or medications.

Follow these precautions:

– Be especially careful during late night, early

morning, and mid-afternoon hours
– Stop, take a nap, and drink coffee if you’re tired
– Stop every so often over long distances
– Avoid medications that cause drowsiness

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 Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspection: Exterior
Start by taking a walk around the outside of the vehicle. Make sure there are no
signs of damage, and that the trunk, hood, and doors are fully closed and secure.
Also, check under the vehicle for leaks and to make sure the area is clear of
debris or objects that could be run over. Next, take a look at the tires. Inspect for
damage such as nails or cuts, and if tire air pressure looks low, check with a tire
gauge and inflate as necessary. Turn on headlights and signals to ensure good
working order, and make sure windows and mirrors are clean. Ensure windshield
wipers are clear of debris and free of damage.

Exterior

• Body
• Tires
• Signals & Headlights
• Windows & Mirrors
• Wipers

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 Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspection: Interior
Inspect the interior of the vehicle for cleanliness. Make sure trash is disposed of
and personal items are stowed. Something as simple as a water bottle rolling
across the floor can interfere with safe operation of the vehicle. Check that there
is a functioning, accessible seat belt for each seat, and that car seats, if used, are
properly installed. Safety equipment, including a spare tire, jack, and flashlight
should be accessible. Turn the key in the ignition and look at the dashboard.
Ensure the fuel level is adequate and there are no warning indicators

Interior

• Cleanliness
• Seat belts
• Safety equipment
• Fuel level
• Warnings

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 Seatbelts
According to PennDOT, reportable crash data, 78% of drivers were
wearing seatbelts. 52% of vehicle fatalities were due to drivers NOT
wearing seatbelts.

Seatbelts save lives, and it’s the law!

• Saved hundreds of thousands of lives

• Prevent crashing into steering wheel,
dash, or windshield
• Keep you inside vehicle
• Protect body organs
• Improve chance of remaining conscious
• Keep you behind the wheel if you have
to swerve or brake suddenly

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 Starting
When beginning your drive, always check for pedestrians, oncoming traffic, or
other hazards before entering the road. Use your turn signal to indicate the
direction of your travel and join the roadway by accelerating smoothly. Take note
of the posted speed limit and do not exceed it. Keep in mind that the posted
speed limit is the maximum permitted speed, not a target. Driving conditions may
require that you drive at a lower speed to remain safe.

Keep Alert and Be Prepared

• Keep your mind on your driving and your hands
on the wheel
• Scan the road ahead for problems
• Check mirrors frequently
• Expect the unexpected
• Yield to other drivers who are determined to get
there first

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 Stopping
Always allow adequate stopping distance, whether you are traveling behind
another vehicle, approaching a stop signal, or preparing to turn. Maintain a safe
following distance behind other cars by following the 3-second rule.

3 seconds

Choose a fixed object in the distance, such as a light post or tree. When the rear
bumper of the vehicle in front of you crosses that object, begin to count… one
one-thousand, two one-thousand, three one-thousand. You should be able to
count to 3 before your front bumper passes the object. If you don’t make it to 3,
you need to increase your following distance. While counting to 3 is considered a
minimum, maintaining a following distance of 4 is even safer. For wet roads or
other hazardous driving conditions, increase the following distance to at least 6
seconds and to at least 8-10 seconds in snow!

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 Backing Up
When possible, walk around your vehicle before backing up. Children and small
objects are difficult to see from the driver’s seat. Scan mirrors and backup
cameras, then turn around to look out the rear window when backing up. Back up
at a slow speed, and be prepared to stop quickly if a hazard arises. Where
possible, avoid backing up situations by parking on the street, instead of a
driveway, or by pulling through the parking space in front of you in a parking lot.

• Backing up has major blind spots that can be

3 times the length of the vehicle
• When parking you should attempt to position
your vehicle to avoid backing up.
• Check around your vehicle before backing up
EACH AND EVERY TIME.

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 Intersections
Everyone knows that green means go and red means stop, but to safely navigate
an intersection, whether at a traffic signal or stop sign, it’s important to
remember some special signals and the right-of-way rules.
Traffic Signal Stop Sign
• A green arrow indicates that you have • The first person to stop has the right-of-
the right-of-way, whereas a green circle way and may proceed first.
means that you must yield to oncoming • If more than one car stops at an
traffic when turning. intersection at the same time, the vehicle
• A red arrow means stop until a green farthest to the right has the right-of-way.
arrow or signal appears. You may not • If neither of the first two scenarios apply,
turn against a red arrow. then the vehicle that is going straight
• A flashing red signal should be treated should proceed first.
as a stop sign. • Always come to a full stop at every stop
• If a traffic signal is not working, all sign.
traffic should treat the intersection as if
it has 4-way stop signs.

Remember, only proceed through any

intersection after any pedestrians, bicycles,
and other vehicles have cleared.

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 Changing Lanes
Sometimes it is necessary to change lanes when driving, such as if your lane is
coming to an end, you would like to pass the car in front of you, or you need to
move into another lane to make a turn. Follow these steps for a safe lane change:

1. Make sure there are no pedestrians or other

vehicles in the way.
2. Turn on your turn signal and leave it on for
the duration of the lane change.
3. Make sure there is enough open space in the
lane to move into it without disrupting the
flow of traffic.
4. Check your mirrors and windows and be
aware of any blind spots created by your
vehicle.
5. Once you have completed the lane change,
turn off your turn signal.

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 Parking and Leaving the Vehicle
Vehicles should be parked in areas designated for parking, and in valid, marked
spaces. The emergency brake should be set on manual transmission vehicles. All
windows must be closed and doors locked. Try to park in a well-lit area. Your
location is not responsible for the loss of or damage to any driver owned motor
vehicle or personal property stolen from a motor vehicle.

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 Rain
Rainy conditions can not only limit visibility, but create slippery conditions.
Hydroplaning occurs when the vehicle’s tires lose contact with the pavement,
resulting in a skid. It can happen at speeds as low as 35 mph. To avoid
hydroplaning, reduce speed and don’t make sudden moves such as sharp turns
or hard braking. You should also refrain from using cruise control in rainy
conditions so that you have better control of the vehicle.

If you do start to skid, continue looking and steering in the direction that you want
to go. Don’t turn “into the skid.” Never attempt to drive through moving water if
you cannot see the ground through it, and never attempt to drive through a large
puddle of uncertain depth.

46% of weather related accidents happen during rainfall

while only 17% happen during snow.
Why? People don’t recognize rain as a serious driving hazard
and, therefore, do not adjust their driving behaviors
accordingly. Respect the rain!

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 Snow and Ice
Winter weather can limit visibility and create a slippery ride. To make the most of
visibility, be sure to clear snow and ice from all areas of the vehicle before you
drive. This includes all of the windows, the headlights and signaling lights, side
view mirrors, even the roof – you don’t want snow from the roof sliding onto your
windshield while you’re driving and blocking your view. Increase your safe
following distance and reduce speeds according to the conditions. A three-second
following distance on dry pavement should be increased to 8-10 seconds in snow.
Remember that it’s harder to start and stop in snow. Accelerating and
decelerating lightly will help to keep traction and prevent wheels from spinning or
skidding.

Stuck in Snow:
– Finesse rather than power
– Clean snow away from vehicle
– Keep wheels as straight as possible
– Provide additional traction
– Check traffic
– Slowly accelerate to get back to the road

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 Fog
Fog reduces visibility – your ability to see other vehicles and hazards, and the
ability of other drivers to see you. When driving in foggy conditions, decrease
your speed, turn headlights on the low beam setting and use fog lights if your
vehicle has them. You may also need to use your windshield wipers or windshield
defroster if your windows start to fog.

The best advice for driving in the fog is don’t.

Consider postponing your trip until the fog clears.

If the fog becomes so thick that you can barely see,

pull completely off the road.
Do not continue driving until you can see better.

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 Sun Glare
Sun glare can be a significant factor for drivers, especially just after sunrise or just
before sunset. At these times, the sun is low in the sky and your car’s sun visor
may not be effective. To minimize sun glare risks, keep both the inside and
outside of your windshield clean. Sunglasses, especially those with polarized
lenses, are also helpful.

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 Pedestrians
Drivers and pedestrians sometimes share the road, and they also share the
responsibility for staying safe. Watch out for pedestrians at all times and
remember that pedestrians always have the right-of-way.

• Always follow the posted speed limit, especially in neighborhoods

and school zones.
• Conditions such as rain, fog, or darkness can limit visibility of
pedestrians. Reduce speed and be alert for pedestrians in these
conditions.
• Be especially careful in driveways where pedestrians may be
crossing.
• Reduce your speed as you approach a crosswalk and prepare to
stop.
• When stopping at a crosswalk, leave enough room for
pedestrians to safety pass in front of your vehicle and for other
drivers to see the pedestrians you have stopped for.
• Never block a crosswalk.

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 Driving at Night
Driving at night presents special hazards. Depth perception and peripheral vision
are impaired, and lights from oncoming traffic can temporarily blind drivers. Even
with headlights, visibility is much reduced compared to daytime driving, giving
less time to spot and react to hazards.

Tips for driving at night:

• Be sure headlights and windshield are clean for
maximum visibility.
• Tilt the rearview mirror upwards to the glare
reducing nighttime setting.
• Avoid looking directly at oncoming headlights.
• Reduce speed to compensate for limited visibility.

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 Aggressive Drivers
An aggressive driver is defined by the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration as an individual who "commits a combination of moving traffic
offences so as to endanger other persons or property."
Speeding, tailgating, cutting off traffic, passing on the shoulder, and accelerating
to get through a yellow traffic signal are a few examples of aggressive behaviors.
Confronting another driver in an angry manner, such as with inappropriate
gestures and yelling, is also behavior of an aggressive driver.
Aggressive Behavior How you can avoid it How to handle other drivers
Always use your turn signals, and If someone cuts you off, slow down to
Cutting off allow plenty of space when merging allow a safe following distance.
into an adjacent lane.
Always leave a safe following If someone is tailgating you, gently
distance between you and the car decrease your speed slightly to
in front of you. See the “Stopping” encourage them to pass you. If you
Tailgating section of this document. are not in a passing zone and feel
threatened, pull over in a well-lit area
and allow the car to pass you.
Allow plenty of time to reach your Don’t be intimidated by other drivers
Avoid Road destination, factoring in weather or feel that you need to stay with the
Rage! Speeding and traffic conditions. flow of traffic that is speeding. Don’t
exceed the posted speed limit.

Avoid making eye contact with the If another driver tries to engage you
Confrontational other driver. Even a small gesture with angry gestures or words, give an
behavior such as shaking your head could apologetic smile and wave, and try to
be seen as confrontational. put some distance between you.
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 Summary
Safe drivers follow the rules of the road, obey posted speed limits, traffic signs
and signals, and always wear a seatbelt. Safe drivers keep their vehicles well-
maintained and avoid distractions, such as cell phone use, while driving. They
ensure their fitness to drive by avoiding alcohol and drugs and are aware of signs
of fatigue. Safe drivers recognize real and potential hazards and know how to
avoid them.

Safe driving starts with you, the driver. In this defensive driver training program,
you have learned about safe driving rules. As an “approved” driver, you are
responsible for maintaining your fitness to drive, and for letting a supervisor know
if you have any concerns. By conducting pre-trip vehicle inspections and following
the safe driving procedures outlined here, you’ll be ready to face the hazards of
the road. If you have any questions or need additional information, please talk
with a supervisor.

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