RISK MANAGEMENT AND SAFETY
PRESENTS
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN INDIANA
DRIVER AWARENESS PROGRAM
We may not all be
“professional drivers,” but
most of us drive everyday.
Driving may be a critical part
of our daily lives.
Traffic accidents are the number
one cause of death on the job.
They:
•Claim more than 30,000 lives each
year.
•Cause more than a million injuries.
MOST ACCIDENTS ARE CAUSED BY
ONE OF FOUR “HUMAN FACTORS”:
Distraction
Frustration
Fatigue
Alcohol/Drug Use
WHEN WE ARE DRIVING,
DISTRACTION CAN COME IN MANY
FORMS:
Eating.
Reading a map.
Talking on the phone.
Pull over to do these types of things.
THE USE OF ALCOHOL AND/OR DRUGS
IS A FACTOR IN OVER 50% OF ALL
FATAL ACCIDENTS:
Both can slow down your reflexes and
impair judgment.
Each person handles alcohol differently
(so, “counting drinks” does not work
effectively.)
If you do drink, designate a non-drinking
driver or take public transportation.
Staying calm and alert is
also critical for safe driving:
•Stress, frustration or anger can cause you to lose focus.
•If you feel out of control, pause and count to ten.
•If you feel drowsy, open a window or turn on the radio.
•If necessary, find a rest stop and take a break.
DRIVING PREPARATION
Inspect vehicle before starting out.
Become familiar with operating a
van.
Check for basic emergency gear.
Listen to the weather report.
INSPECT YOUR TIRES BEFORE YOU
START OUT:
Check tires for proper inflation.
Check tires for adequate tread.
Check headlights and directional flashers.
Replace any burned out bulbs
immediately.
ALL VEHICLES SHOULD BE EQUIPPED
WITH BASIC EMERGENCY GEAR:
A spare tire, jack and tire iron.
Jumper cables.
Flashlight.
First aid kit.
Motor oil and warning markers may also
come in handy.
SINCE PEOPLE COME IN DIFFERENT
SHAPES AND SIZES, YOU NEED TO
MAKE THE VEHICLE SUIT YOUR BODY:
Adjust the seats so you feel
comfortable and can easily reach
the pedals.
Position the mirrors to reduce “blind
spots.”
Vans and trucks often have special
considerations.
EVERY VEHICLE HANDLES A LITTLE
DIFFERENTLY, SO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH
THE VEHICLE YOU ARE DRIVING BEFORE
ENTERING TRAFFIC:
Go for a test drive in a parking lot first.
Check blind spots before backing up.
Test both the steering and brakes.
Keep in mind - larger, heavier vehicles make wider
turns and require more stopping distance.
BASIC DRIVING RULES
Wear a seat belt at all times.
Obey all speed limits and traffic signs.
Signal all turns and lane changes early.
Keep your eyes on the road.
Remain calm.
WEARING A SEATBELT IS ONE OF THE
MOST IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUES WHEN
DRIVING A VEHICLE.
IN AN ACCIDENT:
It prevents you from smashing into the steering
wheel, dashboard or windshield.
It may help prevent internal injury to your organs
and skeletal system.
When wearing a seatbelt, you are twice as likely to
survive a crash.
SIGNS AND OTHER INDICATORS ARE
DESIGNED TO MAKE DRIVING LESS
DANGEROUS FOR ALL OF US:
Obey all speed limit and traffic signs.
Especially important to drive at or below posted
limits for winding roads or those with turns
which are not safe at high speeds.
Solid lines down the center of the road mean
“Do Not Pass”.
Broken lines mean “Pass With Care”.
SIGNAL ALL TURNS AND LANES
CHANGES EARLY:
Indicates your intentions to other vehicles.
Gives others time to react.
DEFENSIVE DRIVING
Maintaining a safety cushion around your
vehicle.
How to safely pass another vehicle.
Four second rule.
Side space.
Be aware of tailgaters.
“DEFENSIVE DRIVING” INCLUDES KEEPING
YOUR EYES ON THE ROAD AND WATCHING
FOR TROUBLE IN ALL DIRECTIONS:
Look for brake lights several cars ahead.
Keep a “safety cushion” (empty space)
around your vehicle at all times.
THE “FOUR SECOND RULE” WILL
HELP YOU MAINTAIN A SAFE
FOLLOWING DISTANCE:
When the vehicle ahead of you passes a
landmark, count how many seconds it
takes you to reach that same point.
If it is less than four seconds, you are
following too close.
IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT NOT TO
TAILGATE A TRUCK:
A truck will block more of your view of the
road ahead.
If you are too close, the truck’s brake lights
will be the only warning of trouble
ahead.
Adjust your following distance to see
around the truck (this allows you more
time to react).
THE OPEN AREA BESIDE YOUR
VEHICLE IS CALLED “SIDE SPACE”:
Maintaining this cushion gives you more
room to maneuver if another vehicle
drifts into your lane.
WATCH OUT FOR “BUFFETING” WHEN
TRUCKS PASS:
Trucks create wind currents which can
push your vehicle off course.
Maintaining ample side space can
minimize this problem.
KEEPING A PROPER SAFETY CUSHION
ALSO MEANS PAYING ATTENTION TO THE
VEHICLE BEHIND YOU:
Periodically check your
mirror and “blind spots”
to be alert for traffic
around you.
SOMEONE TAILGATING YOU CAN BE
DANGEROUS:
Your vehicle could be rear-ended
if you brake suddenly.
Never increase speed to satisfy
a tailgater.
Reduce speed and let them
pass.
PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE CAN ALSO
REDUCE YOUR RISK OF AN ACCIDENT:
Check the road to see if there is adequate
passing room.
Turn on your signal before you pull out of your
lane.
Do not linger in another driver’s blind spot.
Pass quickly, but do not cut off another
vehicle when pulling into their lane.
TRUCKS
Buffeting.
Blind spots.
Tailgating a truck.
Braking distance.
TRUCKS HAVE LARGER BLIND SPOTS AND
REQUIRE MORE DISTANCE TO STOP THAN
CARS:
It takes longer to pass a truck.
Do not drive beside a truck for a long
time.
Never cut off a truck when moving back
into their lane.
A loaded rig traveling at 50 miles per
hour needs 300 feet to stop…..the
length of a football field.
DRIVING UNDER ADVERSE
CONDITIONS
Fog.
Snow and Ice.
Rain.
Night driving.
DRIVING CONDITIONS WILL DICTATE HOW TO
SAFELY HANDLE YOUR VEHICLE:
Make concessions for the weather.
Listen to the radio for information on
weather and delays.
Allow extra time to reach your destination.
Alternate routes may be necessary.
“VISIBILITY” IS BEING ABLE TO SEE AND BE SEEN
BY OTHERS. MAKE SURE IMPORTANT PARTS OF
YOUR VEHICLE ARE CLEAN AND CLEAR, INCLUDING
THE:
Windshield.
Headlights.
Taillights.
Turn Signals.
EXERCISE CAUTION ON SLIPPERY ROADS:
Reduce speed.
Increase following distance.
Slow down before turns.
Apply brake sooner.
Brake slowly.
Avoid puddles and icy patches.
DUSK AND DAWN ARE THE MOST
DANGEROUS TIMES TO DRIVE:
It is too dark to see clearly.
But there is too much light for
headlights to be effective.
Turning on your headlights allows
the other driver to see you.
AT NIGHT, THE FARTHER YOU CAN SEE,
THE MORE TIME YOU WILL HAVE TO REACT
TO TROUBLE:
Use high beams as often as
possible.
Use low beams when behind
other vehicles, facing
oncoming traffic, or driving
in snow or fog.
REMEMBER TO REDUCE YOUR
SPEED WHEN USING LOW BEAMS:
You cannot see as far, so there is
less time to react.
Slowing down gives you more
reaction time.
HANDLE A VEHICLE IN AN
EMERGENCY
Icy patch.
Hydroplaning.
Blow out.
Reduced visibility.
NO MATTER HOW CAREFULLY WE DRIVE,
SOMETIMES THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS.
Act fast, but remain calm and in
control of the situation.
FRICTION BETWEEN YOUR TIRES AND THE
ROAD SURFACE KEEPS YOUR VEHICLE ON
COURSE. IT:
Propels you forward.
Allows you to steer.
AN ICY PATCH COULD CAUSE ONE OR MORE
WHEELS TO LOSE CONTACT WITH THE ROAD:
Momentum takes over and your vehicle
begins to skid.
Do not slam on the brakes.
Ease your foot off the gas pedal.
COMPENSATE FOR SKIDDING BY STEERING
IN THE DIRECTION OF THE SKID.
If the back of the vehicle
skids to the right, steer to
the right.
Steer to the left if the back
skids to the left.
WHEN THE ROADS ARE WET, TIRE TREAD
CHANNELS WATER OUT OF THE WAY.
As speed increases and more ground is covered,
tires need to channel more water.
At high speeds even small puddles can overpower
the treads, causing, “hydroplaning.”
When this happens, tires lift completely off the road
surface.
Do not brake. Instead ease off the gas pedal.
A “BLOW-OUT” IS A RAPID LOSS OF
AIR FROM YOUR TIRE.
Increased friction pulls the vehicle toward
the side of the blow-out.
IF A BLOW-OUT OCCURS:
Do not hit the brakes (the vehicle will “pull” more
violently.)
Accelerate to reduce the pull to the side.
Keep a firm grip on the wheel.
Steer to the side opposite the blow-out.
Slow down and turn on your hazard flashers.
Pull over to a safe, level area to fix the tire.
WHAT TO DO IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURS:
On Campus:
Call Public Safety: 7777 or 492-7777
Do not leave the scene.
Exchange important information.
Report accident to supervisor.
Supervisor reports accident to Risk Management.
Off Campus:
Contact the police.
Do not leave the scene.
Exchange important information.
Report accident to supervisor.
Supervisor reports accident to Risk Management.
REVIEW
Accidents are the number one cause of death on
the job.
Driving safely is not just for professionals.
Stay focused, alert and sober when driving.
Take time to inspect your vehicle and learn how it
handles.
Always wear your seat belt.
Obey speed limits, traffic signs and signals.
Make allowances for poor road conditions.
Know how to handle your vehicle in emergencies.
MANAGER OF ENVIRONMENTAL
HEALTH AND SAFETY
BRYAN MORRISON
812-461-5393
BJMORRISON1@USI.EDU