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 3–7 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
• DUI’s
Rear-End Collisions
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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
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Accident Avoidance Tips
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Keep Space around Vehicle’s
Never Drive Side-by-Side
Know Your Blind Spots
Keep Out of other Peoples Blind Spots
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Unsafe Behaviors
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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
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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 you’re 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
• Don’t provoke
other drivers
• Report aggressive
drivers to the police
Avoid Road Rage Incidents
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Don’t offend, don’t engage.
Adjust your attitude (stay calm).
Avoid cutting people off.
Don’t tailgate or follow closely.
Don’t make obscene/questionable gestures.
Avoid eye contact.
Give angry drivers lots of room – You just
can’t know what else is going on with them!
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Don’t 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
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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
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Increase following distance to 4+ seconds
Clean headlights, taillights, signal lights and
windows (at least weekly).
Replace wiper blades.
Have vehicle headlights properly aimed.
Don’t overdrive headlights – should be able
to stop inside illuminated area
Turn lights on 1/2 hour before sunset
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What’s behind you?
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Vehicle Backing Safety
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Think In Advance
Use a Spotter
Do a Walk-Around
Know Clearances
Backing out of a driveway
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Think in Advance
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Try to position vehicle so you don’t have to
back up.
Choose easy exit parking spots that don’t
crowd neighboring vehicles.
Back into the space if possible when
parking.
Back to the left if possible so you can see
objects on the driver’s side.
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Use a Spotter
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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.
Don’t have spotter walking backwards while
giving instructions.
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Do a Walk-Around
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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
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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 vehicle’s blind spots.
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Best Back-up Solutions
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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
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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
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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?
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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”
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Keep Your Vehicle Safe
Practice Defensive
Driving
Watch Out for the
Other Guy
Don’t Follow Too
closely
Be Extra Careful in Bad
Weather
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Wear Your Seat Belt
Don’t Drive Drowsy
Don’t Speed
Avoid Distractions
Don’t Drink and Drive
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Need more info?

Don Ebert
NEWESD 101
Risk Manager
(509) 789-3517
debert@esd101.net