Defensive Driving

Training for Driver

 Objectives
To know the hazards & danger involved in driving a vehicle and take
necessary precautions to save lives, time and money.

Definition of Defensive driving?

 Introduction
 General Discussion on Safety
 Road users in INDIA

 WHY DRIVER TRAINING?

 Why Accidents Occur?

 Six factors

 Driver Safety Topics


DEFENSIVE DRIVING

Light

Defensive
Driving

Vehicle
 Defensive Driving: ?
A defensive driver is one who will do everything
possible to avoid a collision /Accident/ Crash/Break
down. etc
OR
It is the driving to save lives, time & money in-spite of
the conditions around you and the actions of others.
Conditions: Roads, weather, traffic, light etc.
Actions of others: Violations, discourtesy, lack of
knowledge of other Drivers etc.
ROAD USERS IN INDIA

Pedestrians:
• No Footpath
• No Zebra Crossing
• They cross out of zebra crossing
• Bus Stops not provided
• Walk in groups
• Creating fun on the road
• They do not walk facing the incoming traffic
 ROAD USERS IN INDIA

Road users in
India

Animals* Pedestrian Vehicles

•Roughly handled Major vehicles

Slow moving • Poorly
Pet Animals ( Bus, Lorry Etc)
animals (Cow, (Dogs, Cats etc.) maintained
Buffalo etc

*They are not visible at night.

 WHY DRIVER
TRAINING?
 Driving is something we do daily.
 It’s the most dangerous thing we do!
 140,000 people die each year

• 115 people who leave home today will never return

•ACCIDENT BLACK SPOTS:
• Every 4th minute, there is 01 road casualty in India.
Uncontrolled junction
• There are 11 accidents for every 1000 vehicles.
• Bus stop
• Every year out of 01 lacs unnatural deaths in India, nearly
68000 • Gaps within Road Dividers

(more than 34%) are due to road accidents. • On street Parking places

• Mostly
SPOTS OFmales, who are earning members in the family, • Building access (while
ACCIDENTS
die. reversing)
• Road Bend
Narrow Roads 385 15.26% • National Highway
Turns 414 16.38% •“ACCIDENTS DO NOT
Slopes & climbs 296 11.71% HAPPEN, THEY ARE
CAUSED”.
Straight Roads 1431 56.65%
General Discussion

Why Accidents Occur?

 Most frequent causes of accidents
 Inatention to detail
 Speeding
 DWI/DUI (Driving Under the Influence/"Driving
While Intoxicated" or "Driving While Impaired“)
 Driving too fast for conditions
 Failed to yield
 Other Factors:
 Road conditions
Weather related & Physical conditions
 Vehicle Maintenance
Tires treadwear/pressure
Brakes
General Discussion

Accident Costs?
 Physical Damage - Your Vehicle
 Property Damage - Destroyed Property

 Medical Costs - Yours & Passengers

 Liability Costs - Other Vehicle(s) physical

damage
 Other(s) injuries $$$$$$$
General Discussion

Driver Expectations?
 Your Company expects high standards
of performance, including safe driving.
 Your Company expects not just safe
driving performance, but award winning
safety performance.
 Why?
 Because it’s possible, Cost effective, Right thing to
do!
Safety Tips
 Quick Check Step Process
 Defensive Driving Techniques
 Rules of the road
 General Safety Rules
Pre-Trip Inspection

 Take a walk around your vehicle.

 Windows clean?
 Lights/signals clean & working.
 Tires properly inflated / tread wear.
 Fluid leaks on the ground.
 Plates current???

Inside the Vehicle

Adjust your seat and fasten seat belt

Check and adjust all Mirrors
Adugst your Headrest
Assure doors fully closed and secured
Scan the gauges
Check windows/windshield
 Adjust the vents, windows, heater & air conditioner
 Make sure you’re emotionally ready to focus on driving
Your State Of Mind

 Mental State
 Stress / Emotions / Attitudes
 Drowsiness / Fatigue
 Vision / Hearing
 Alcohol
Getting the Big Picture

 Scan the road ahead

 City (Approx. 1 block)
 Rural (Approx. 1/4 mile)
 Keep your eyes moving.
 Check your mirrors every 5 seconds.
 Following Distance

 Speed & Stopping distance are key.

 Stay 3 to 4 seconds behind.
 Tailgaters
 Avoid quick changes.
 Increase your following distance.
 Don’t speed up.
 Avoid tricks. (Control emotions.)
Lane Changes
 Check to make sure there is enough room.
 Signal your intentions.
 Check your blind spot and space again.
 Make the lane change.

 Blind Spots
 Don’t drive in someone else’s.
 Make yourself as visible as possible. (*At all
times)
 Line Markings
 Yellow lines - Traffic in both directions.
 White lines - One way traffic.
 Broken - Passing allowed.
 Solid - No passing.
Road Safety Signs

Mandatory Signs:-
In accordance with the Motor Vehicles Act 1988, every driver of a motor
vehicle shall drive the vehicle in conformity with any indication given by the
mandatory signs.
Cautionary Signs:-
Cautionary signs are meant for cautioning the driver about the hazards
lying ahead on the road. The driver should obey these for safety.
Informatory Signs:-
Informatory signs are erected on the road to provide information on
direction, destination, roadside facilities, etc. to the road user.
Postings

 Regulatory
 - Red &White
 Warning
 - Yellow &Black
 Construction
 - Orange
 Guide Signs- Blue/Back/Green
 Right-Of-Way
 At an intersection, vehicle on the right has the
right to go first.
 Be aware of pedestrians and school crossing.
 Scan the intersection/stop at the limit line
 Reminder: NO One is guaranteed the right of
way.
Backing

 Look at your path.

 Back slowly.
 Back to the driver’s side when possible.
 Use a helper when possible.
 Railroad Crossings

 The cross buck is found at most public crossings.

 These signs should be treated in the same manner as a
yield sign.
Ramps (Slope)

Obey speed limits posted.

Speed limits designed for autos;
larger vehicles need to go slower.
 Exits merging downhill are particularly
dangerous.
Adjust speed and position
Be familiar with surrounding
Emergency Vehicles
 Immediately move to the right of your lane, to
another lane, or to the shoulder if possible.
 If moving right is not possible, stay where you
are. Do not move left.
 Accident Reporting
• Note the vehicle no.
• Stop the vehicle
• Switch on warning lights
• Render first-aid to injured
• Rush to the hospital
• Inform police, irrespective who is at fault.
• Get medically checked if you also have received injury or head hit.
• Note the name of Driver, license no.
 Don’t Get Caught in an accident!
Six Factors involved for causing road accidents

1. Light
2. Road
3. Weather
4. Vehicle
5. Traffic
6. Driver
DRIVER
• Low education level
• Inadequate training
• Easily obtained License
• Lack of knowledge of rules & regulations
• Long working hours fatigue
• Health fitness is poor
•Drinking habits
• Emotional stress
• Over confidence in driving
• Seeing Ability:
-Colour blindness
-40% elderly drivers can not see road signs at night.
-10 to 30 times more illumination level is required to see at night.
Factors affecting driving skills

• Fatigue (overworking hours)

Stop when you feel tired/ sleepy, take rest, tea &
arrange other driver to drive.
• Medicine
• Disturb mind
• Distraction (pet, children at back seat, loud
music, etc.)
• Drunken driving
 BREAKDOWN
• Inform convoy supervisor
• Switch on warning lights
• Keep vehicle away from movement of traffic
• Display warning triangle
• Apply hand brake
• Convoy supervisor will inform to the control room
• Control room will inform emergency breakdown control point.

MECHANICAL FAILURE
•Brake failure
What to do?
• Tire burst
What to do?
• Sudden loss of acceleration
What to do?
• Bonnet flies up
What to do?
DO NOT OVERTAKE
• On a marked NO OVERTAKING ZONE.
• On curves
• On hills
• 100 meters before & at railway crossing or cross roads.
• A vehicle, slowing down to give way to pedestrians

Avoid following too closely

•Reaction time: 3/4th of a second

• Gap between the vehicles: keep one
vehicle distance for every 10 kmph speed.
Defensive Driving Good Habits
• Observation; Keep your mind cool, Manage stress
-Who, where, when & what to look for.
• Communication
• Coordination
• Consideration

SCHEDULE DELAY
•Plan your trip, this will reduce driving time.
• Hurry leads to mistakes and accidents
• Beware of bad weather, traffic conditions & route.

ATTITUDE
•Willing to admit mistakes
• Tolerance towards the mistakes of others
• Respect for the law
• Respect for other road users
• Courtesy
 FOLLOWING DISTANCE

● 30 MPH 4 SECONDS
● 40 MPH 5 SECONDS
● 50 MPH 6 SECONDS
● 60 MPH 7 SECONDS
● 70 MPH 8 SECONDS
RESPONSIBILITY AS A DRIVER NEVER ENDS. YOUR LIFE
AND THE LIVES OF OTHERS DEPEND ON YOU!

As a defensive driver, you must be always alert on

the road.

Best Driver!