COMPETENCY BASED LEARNING

MATERIALS

Sector:

DRIVING

AUTOMOTIVE AND LAND TRANSPORT DRIVING SECTOR

Qualification Title:

DRIVING NCII

Unit of Competency:
IMPLEMENTING AND COORDINATING ACCIDENT-
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
Module Title:

CARRYING OUT MINOR VEHICLE MAINTENANCE AND SERVICING

Technical Education and Skills Development Authority

IFUGAO TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE INC.
Sta. Maria, Alfonso Lista, Ifugao
HOW TO USE THIS MODULE

Welcome to the module Implementing and Coordinating Accident-

Emergency Procedure. This module contains training materials and
activities for you to complete.

The unit of competency Implement and Coordinate Accident-

Emergency Procedure contains knowledge, skills and attitudes for a
Driving NC II qualification.

You are required to go through a series of learning activities in order to

complete each of the learning outcomes of the module. In each learning
outcome there are Information Sheets, Task Sheets and Job Sheets.
Follow these activities on your own and answer the self-check at the end of
each learning activity.

If you have questions, don’t hesitate to ask your facilitator for

assistance.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

You may already have some of the knowledge and skills covered in
this module because you have:

• Been working for some time

• Already have completed training in this area.

If you can demonstrate to your trainer that you are competent in a

particular skill or skills, talk to him/her about having them formally
recognized so you don’t have to do the same training again. If you have a
qualification or Certificate of Competency from previous trainings show it to
your trainer. If the skills you acquired are still current and relevant to this
module, they may become part of the evidence you can present for RPL. If
you are not sure about the currency of your skills, discuss it with your trainer.

After completing this module asks you’re your trainer to assess your
competency. Result of your assessment will record in your competency
profile. All the learning activities are designed for you to complete at your
own pace.
 Inside this module you will find the activities for you to complete
followed by relevant information sheets for each learning outcome. Each
learning outcome may have than one learning activity.

MODULE CONTENT

UNIT OF COMPETENCY: IMPLEMENT AND COORDINATE ACCIDENT-

EMERGENCY PROCEDURE

MODULE TITLE: IMPLEMENTING AND COORDINATING ACCIDENT-

EMERGENCY PROCEDURE

MODULE DESCRIPTION: This module deals with implementing and

coordinating accident-emergency procedure

NOMINAL DURATIONS: 20 hours

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

LO1. Response to emergencies

LO2. Arrange follow-up support and assistance

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

1. Emergency and potential emergency situations are identified and

assessed based on emergency procedure.
2. Actions are prioritized and provided based on the critically of the
emergency situation.
3. Incident reports are prepared in accordance with regulatory and workplace
procedures.
4. Responsibilities are fulfilled in accordance with emergency procedures
and/or regulatory requirements.
5. Medical assistance and support is arranged in accordance with medical
procedure.
6. Passenger needs are identified and provided based on emergency
situation.
 LEARNING OUTCOME NO. 1

Response to emergencies

Contents:
1. Emergency and potential emergency situations are identified and
assessed based on emergency procedure.
2. Actions are prioritized and provided based on the critically of the
emergency situation.
3. Incident reports are prepared in accordance with regulatory and workplace
procedures.
4. Responsibilities are fulfilled in accordance with emergency procedures
and/or regulatory requirements.

Assessment Criteria:
1. Emergency and potential emergency situations are identified and
assessed.
2. Actions are prioritized and provided based.
3. Incident reports are prepared.
4. Responsibilities are fulfilled.

Assessment Method:

1. Interview

2. Written examination

3. Practical demonstration

4. Direct observation
 Information Sheet 1.1-1

Identifying potential emergencies

Learning Objectives:

After reading this INFORMATION SHEET, YOU MUST be able to:

1. Emergency and potential emergency situations are identified and

assessed.
HOW TO HANDLE THESE 6
DRIVING EMERGENCIES
Driving emergencies can happen at any time and when they do, it’s best to know what to do.
Here are 6 common road emergencies and how to handle them safely.

1 Shattered Windscreen
Especially when driving along poorly paved roads, other vehicles can throw up stones or debris
that can crack or shatter your windscreen. If this happens, don’t panic! Pull over to the side of the
road safely; find a blanket or big piece of cloth to cover up ventilator openings to prevent glass
from falling in before slowly pushing your damaged windscreen out. Once removed, proceed to
drive safely to the nearest workshop to get your windscreen fixed and remember to wear glasses
to protect your eyes.
2 Blown Tires
A blown tire can be a rather shocking experience when driving due to the sudden loud noise.
When this happens, your vehicle will tend to steer to one side. Try to slow down and keep a firm
grip on your steering wheel while guiding your car to the side of the road. Once you’re safely
stopped, access the situation and see if it can be fixed with a spare tire. If you don’t have a spare
tire, call for roadside assistance.

3 Engine Failure
There are a number of reasons why your engine can cut off suddenly. In the event that this
happens, turn on your hazard lights and start slowly pumping your brakes to let other drivers
know you’re in trouble. Try to guide your car to the side of the road if possible. If not, remain in
your lane and keep your lights on to warn other drivers of a vehicle breakdown while you call for
assistance.
4 Brake Failure
Faulty brakes are dangerous especially when driving on a highway. If your brakes feel fine but you
see a system light indicating brake failure, slowly make your way to the nearest workshop
immediately. However, if your brakes stop working completely, use your horn or headlights to
warn other road users and start steering your car to the side of the road. Avoid swerving unless it
is entirely necessary to avoid an accident.
5 Faulty Headlights
Whether it’s from a weak battery or faulty connection, headlights that don’t work can be very
dangerous especially when driving at night or on poorly lit roads. If you realize your headlights
aren’t working properly, slow down and gradually make your way to the side of the road. Turn on
your hazard lights, if they still work, or place road hazard markers a safe distance behind your
vehicle. Move away from the road and call for roadside assistance. If you don’t have a working
phone, safely flag down another car and ask for help.
6 Stuck Accelerator
Having a jammed accelerator may not be a very common problem but knowing what to do can
help prevent a dangerous situation from arising. If your accelerator is jammed, quickly put your
car to neutral, step on your brakes and steer your car safely to the side of the road. It’s important
to not turn off your engine until you’re off the road as it may cause your steering to lock. Once off
the road, turn off the ignition to prevent engine damage and call for assistance.

Information Sheet 1.1-2

Actions during driving emergency

Learning Objectives:

After reading this INFORMATION SHEET, YOU MUST be able to:

1. Emergency and potential emergency situations are identified and

assessed.
How To Survive 10 Driving
Emergencies

To earn a private pilot's license, a student has to show proficiency in

overcoming basic urgent and emergency situations. But to get a driver license, a
motorist need only demonstrate a clumsy three-point turn and a ham-fisted attempt
at parallel parking. Some states don't even require that. The first time that drivers
are asked to demonstrate their accident-avoidance skills, lives may be on the line.
Without knowledge and practice, the odds are not in their favor.

From all that experience, I've distilled these tips for you. To make them life savers,
though, you'll need practice. Good practice areas include under-construction
subdivisions after working hours, parking lots of derelict stores and dead-end roads.
Use common sense, keep speeds under 35 mph and limit practice to 15 minutes per
session.

Emergency 1: The Accident You Don't See Coming

The best way to survive an accident is not to get into one. Start by accepting
responsibility for everything that happens when you're in the driver seat. If there's a
wreck, you are not an accident victim, but instead an accident participant. It is your
job, therefore, to avoid red-light runners, an oncoming driver making a left turn in
front of you, sudden freeway jam-ups and those drivers who are composing text
messages as they travel the freeway.

See problems before they become emergencies by looking far ahead, while using
your peripheral vision to keep position in your lane. Here's how to ensure that
you're looking far enough ahead: Use a dry-erase marker to draw a horizontal line
on your windshield that crosses just under your pupils. On level ground, you
should rarely look below that line. In tight traffic, look through the windshield of the
vehicle ahead, or position your car a few inches to that driver's left to see brake
lights ahead of him.

Process what you see. When the brake lights of all the cars ahead of you flash,
something is happening ahead. Slow down.

Emergency 2: "Invisible" Pedestrians, Motorcycles and Small Vehicles

Approximately 36 percent of crashes involved a vehicle that was turning or crossing
an intersection, according to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA). Because today's cars often have thick roof pillars to hold
side curtain airbags, it's a lot harder to spot small cars, motorcycles and pedestrians
that are about to cross your path than it used to be. So before you turn the steering
wheel, look where you want to go. Remember this mnemonic: BLT, which in this
case stands for brake, look and turn. This often means looking through the side
windows. For U-turns, it requires looking through the rear passenger window. Even if
you're travelling straight, a quick glance through the side glass before you cross an
intersection will reveal red-light runners and stop-sign skippers.

Emergency 3: Panic Stops

Imagine the freeway is completely blocked. A big rig has spilled its load, a motorist
has run out of fuel in the middle lane of rush-hour traffic or a herd of mule deer is
crossing I-70 in Utah. You must stop NOW. If your vehicle has computer-controlled
antilock braking systems (ABS), all you need do is stomp, stay and, if necessary,
steer. You will stop in an unbelievably short distance. Beginning with the 2012
model year, new passenger vehicles have been required to have electronic stability
control (ESC), a system that includes ABS as a key component. And about half of 15-
year-old cars are equipped with ABS, according to the Insurance Institute for
Highway Safety (IIHS).

To properly use ABS, stomp on the brake pedal as if you'd win $1 million if you break
it off. Use no finesse: Pound it to the floor. Next, stay hard on the pedal until the car
comes to a complete stop. Ignore nasty noises or a pulsating brake pedal. That's
ABS doing its job. After a half-dozen stops, a 15-year-old on a permit can stop the
car as quickly as the best race driver on the planet.

But you must practice. That's because there's a problem in ABS's organic
software: the driver. If people are not trained, they don't use ABS properly. (An
important note: If your car was built before 2012, make certain it has ABS before
you stomp the pedal. Watch the warning lights when you start the vehicle for one
that says "ABS.")

One last word on panic stops: If the situation calls for emergency braking, don't
worry about the vehicle behind you. If you hit the car in front of you, you get the
ticket and may get sued. If the car behind hits you, he gets the ticket.

Emergency 4: Accident Avoidance With ABS

One of the beauties of ABS is that it allows steering during hard braking. But this
can create serious problems if you do it improperly. A quick technical note explains
why: Tires produce their best stopping force when pointed straight ahead. Without
ABS, turning while braking hard will cause the tires to stop rolling. That reduces the
stopping power and there's absolutely no turning ability. With ABS, the computer
allows some of that stopping force to be traded for cornering power.
Here's the problem, however. Many drivers will pound the brake and steer — to miss
a deer, for example. They then release the brake pressure with the wheels still
turned. With the request for braking removed, the tires are now free to produce
maximum cornering power, so the car darts right and hits a second deer — and a
tree. That's why you practice centering the wheel before releasing brake pressure.

Emergency 5: Running off the Road

About a quarter of fatal crashes are single-vehicle accidents, according to
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Of those, about 70 percent
happen when drivers run two wheels of f the pavement and, in a panic, over-
correct. This causes the vehicle to spin off the highway and flip, or dart into
oncoming traffic. The sad part is that almost all of these accidents could be avoided
if the driver just kept calm and drove on.

If you find yourself with two wheels off the road, release the accelerator, keep the
steering wheel straight, allow the vehicle to slow on its own and smoothly steer
back on the road. If you do it properly, passengers won't even notice your hands
moving. It's best to stay away from the brake pedal, but it's OK to use ABS if all four
wheels are about to go off the roadway or you're about to hit something harder than
a country mailbox. Be sure to center the wheel before you release the brake.

Emergency 6: Tire Blowout

To survive a tire blowout, pretend you're the bad guy in a police chase and you've
just run over the cops' spike strips. Push the accelerator (for a moment) and drive
straight ahead. The shotgun-blast noise of a tire blowout makes most law-abiding
drivers do exactly the wrong thing. They attempt to slow down quickly and get off
the road. With a rear-tire failure, any turning at high speed will likely result in a spin
and a devastating crash.

When I trained drivers in emergency techniques, hundreds of them correctly

handled a tire blowout while I sat in the passenger seat and pressed the detonator
to ignite a plastic explosive that blew a gaping hole in the tire. Not one driver lost
control. You can be that calm, too.

Pressing the accelerator for an instant will give you time to collect your wits. You'll
remember to drive straight down your lane and to stay away from the brake pedal.
Allow the car to coast down to slow and then gently pull onto the shoulder. The car
will not gain speed no matter how long you press the accelerator. The drag force of
a completely flat tire is that potent.

Almost all highway blowouts and tread separations occur on hot days with the car
traveling in a straight line at high speed on an underinflated tire or tires. The
repeated flexing of an underinflated tire causes the failure. Check your tire
pressures and you won't have to deal with blowouts.

Emergency 7: Over-Reactive Steering

In an urgent situation, your goal is to move the steering wheel rapidly but smoothly.
Jerking the wheel may cause your tires to lose traction. If rough steering causes the
rear tires to lose traction, you might go for a spin. Turning the same amount but
doing so smoothly will introduce the tires to the request for cornering force and
avoid overwhelming them.

Here's an example of why you don't want to be a steering jerk: On a recent rainy
evening in the mountains of Virginia, I suddenly came upon a truck tire tread in my
lane. The dark, water-filled wagon-wheel ruts were perfect camouflage for the
giant black road gator. I calmly and smoothly turned the wheel just enough to miss
80 pounds of steel-reinforced rubber, paused an instant to allow the tires to regain
full grip, and then smoothly turned right to return to my lane. If I had snapped the
wheel back and forth, there's a good chance I would have wound up in the ditch.
Emergency 8: Stuck Throttles and Sudden Acceleration
Thanks to things like loose floor mats and a poorly placed racecar throttle cable, I
have experienced stuck throttles. If your engine starts racing away uncontrollably,
you must stop it immediately. If the car started accelerating when you pushed the
brake, release that pedal. If the engine stops screaming, you were actually pushing
the throttle. Now try pushing the pedal to its left. If that doesn't stop the vehicle,
slap the transmission into Neutral. Don't worry about inadvertently shifting into
Reverse. Most modern vehicles will not allow you to do that without manipulating a
button on the shift lever. And if you do manage to get to Reverse, the computer in
the transmission of all modern vehicles will reject your request. As a very last resort,
turn off the ignition.

While taking these actions, press the brake as hard as you can. In every well-
maintained modern car, the brakes easily overpower the engine, even if the
transmission downshifts a gear or two. If you're truly pushing the brake as hard as
you can, the car will stop, even with the engine going full speed. However, the
brakes can't beat the engine forever and people with physical problems may not
be able to maintain adequate brake pressure, so select Neutral and turn off the
ignition.

Emergency 9: Front-Tire Slide

When front tires lose grip, most drivers' natural reaction is the correct reaction:

• Remove your foot from the gas pedal.

• Stay away from the brake pedal.
• Leave your hands where they are. More steering won't help and might hurt.
• Wait for the traction to return.
• Pray that the grip comes back before you get to the trees or concrete
barriers.

Turning the wheel more or stepping on the brake is like writing checks from an
overdrawn account. You're already asking for more grip than the tires can provide.

Emergency 10: Rear-Tire Slide

Words can't teach you to hit a curveball. And they can't tell you how to catch a rear-
tire slide, which stock car drivers call "loose" and engineers call "oversteer". Unlike
a front-tire slide, you cannot successfully react to a rear-tire slide. You must
anticipate it.

Electronic stability control (ESC) is making the ability to catch a slide as obsolete as
being able to rapid-fire a muzzle-loading musket. But ESC can still use your help.
Make sure your tires have adequate tread depth and are properly inflated. The tires
with the deepest tread should be on the rear. Know that ESC does not offer
diplomatic immunity from the laws of physics. If you enter a 30-mph turn at 60,
you're going to crash, ESC or not.

If your vehicle lacks ESC, there are a few moderate-cost ways to learn how to catch
a sliding tail. The biggest bang for the buck is the "slick track" go-kart tracks found
at many amusement parks. For a few dollars more, try the indoor kart tracks found
in most metro areas.

Building Your Skills

An affordable way to practice many of these emergency-driving tips at once is to
participate in car-club autocrosses, also called Solo. These are low-speed (less than
60 mph) one-car-at-a-time, against-the-clock competitions usually held in parking
lots. The only things to hit are plastic traffic cones, but your tires will take a
beating. Any well-maintained car is eligible and entry fees are typically around $50.
Some clubs loan helmets to first-timers and many hold free or low-cost driving
schools. Advanced driving training courses also include practice in emergency
braking and time on skid pads, to practice recovering from front- and rear-tire slides.
 Information sheet 1.1-3
How to Report incident an driving
Emergencies

How to Report an Emergency

Reporting an emergency is one of those things that seems simple enough, until you actually have to do
it. That's when nerves take over, and you're lucky if you remember your name! If you find yourself in
the midst of an emergency, take a deep breath and remember these instructions.

Steps

1. Assess the urgency of the situation. Before you report an emergency, make the situation is
genuinely urgent. Call for emergency services if you believe that a situation is life-threatening or
otherwise extremely disruptive. Here are some genuine emergencies you should report:
- a crime, especially one that is currently in progress.

- a fire

- a life-threatening medical emergency that requires immediate attention

- a car crash

2. Call emergency services. The emergency number varies by country.

3. Report your location. The first thing the emergency dispatcher will ask is where you are located, so
the emergency services can get there as quickly as possible. Give the exact street address if possible.
If you are not sure of the exact address, give approximate information.

4. Give the dispatcher your phone number. This information is also imperative for the dispatcher to
have, so he or she is able to call back if necessary.

5. Describe the nature of the emergency. Speak in a calm, clear voice and tell the dispatcher why you
are calling. Give the most important details first, then answer the dispatcher’s follow up questions as
best you can.

- if you are reporting a crime, give a physical description on the person committing the crime.

- if you are reporting a medical emergency, explain how the incident occurred and what symptoms the
person currently displays.

6. Follow the dispatcher’s instructions. After the dispatcher has gathered all the necessary information,
he or she may tell you to assist the person or people in need. You may receive instructions on how to
give emergency medical treatment, such as CPR. Pay careful attention and do not hang up the phone
until

you are instructed to do so. The follow the instructions you were given.

Information Sheet 1.1-4

 HOW TO BECOME AN EMERGENCY
RESPONSE DRIVER
Emergency response drivers play a fundamental role in health and safety
operations. The main organisations that require emergency response drivers are the
Police, Ambulance and Fire services, with secondary organisations such as the
National Blood Service, Coastguard Service, Lifeboat Service and Mountain and
Cave Rescue service all also utilising emergency response drivers. It is also not
uncommon for Military vehicle drivers, for example, those involved in wartime bomb
disposal, to participate in emergency response.

Emergency response driving with the exemptions to road traffic law is a great
privilege, and is extremely rewarding but ultimately a huge responsibility. Once fully
qualified, driving with the use of blues and twos must continue to be considered as
a privilege and not an entitlement. There are no exemptions for careless or
dangerous driving.

DRIVER RESPONSIBILITY
When learning to become an emergency response driver, there are several key
elements that drivers will need to take into account. These are as follows:

Staying Legal

The most immediate responsibility is to confirm license entitlements to drive the

emergency response vehicle. The driver must hold a full DVLA license for the class
of vehicle to be driven. Any endorsements or convictions under road traffic
legislation must be reported to the appropriate persons as required. If your eyesight
fails to meet the relevant legal requirements, or if there are any medical or adverse
conditions that could impair your driving ability; you have a responsibility to report
this to the licensing authority.

Being Fit to Drive on Emergency Response

Do we feel well enough to drive? Any illness, or medications to treat them could
impair driving performance. Feeling angry, tired, depressed or stressed is going to
be a major handicap. Do we have a coping strategy if we have any of these
feelings? Feeling hungry or thirsty can be a distraction that should be easily
resolved

The Right Attitude

When driving, we might consider that driving standards are deteriorating and that
it’s other drivers that are inattentive, discourteous and inconsiderate. It is maybe
worth reflecting how our own driving might be seen by others. How alert, courteous
and considerate are we – honestly? How tolerant are we of the mistakes, probably
quite unintentional, of others? We might feel that we have great skill controlling the
vehicle and good awareness of traffic situations, but is our own behaviour always
beyond reproach?

Learning Outcomes
Advanced driver training promotes a positive, progressive, smooth and safe driving
style. Our expectation is that new response drivers complete the prescribed driving
course, not only to formally qualify as advanced drivers but also become better
people. People who understand both the technical complexities of driving a vehicle
and also the human factors that influence everyone’s attitude when using public
roads.
Travelling inside our vehicles, often with all the comforts of home, we feel safe and
comfortable. It is here that we might display behaviour we would never dream of
showing when outside our vehicles. There will be demanding times when human
psychology, particularly our emotions and peer pressure can be a strong influence
on our decision making. This can make positive choices difficult and, therefore, may
compromise safety

The 4 levels that are involved in all driving tasks

Knowledge and skill
Risk-increasing factors the driver must be aware of and be able to avoid
Self-evaluation for continuous development
1. Mastery of vehicle manoeuvring(Traditional Driver Training)
The physics of driving. Skill with vehicle handling, e.g. when braking, cornering and
accelerating.Risks connected with advanced vehicle technology. Distraction through
smart phone use.Personal strengths and weaknesses with basic driving skills when
manoeuvring in hazardous situations.
2. Mastery of traffic situations (Traditional Driver Training)
Applying ‘Highway Code’. Observation, Hazard Perception Skills and
anticipation.Awareness of poor safety margins, neglect of rules, adverse driving or
traffic conditions.Level of hazard perception, from a viewpoint of strengths and
weaknesses.
3. Goals and context of driving for a specific journey (Driver Education &
Behaviour)
Journey related considerations. Effects of goals, environment choice, effects of
social pressure, evaluation of necessity.What is the purpose of the journey? What
are the conditions likely to be? Who are you carrying? Any social pressures?How
well has the trip been planned? What are the goals, motives, feelings and
expectations?
4. Human factors. The goals for life and your skills for living (Driver
Education & Behaviour)
What are your life goals and values? What’s your behavioural style and how does it
affect your driving? (Can be based on age, social position /culture).Risks connected
with: social environment & peer pressure to perform a particular way. Lifestyle
habits that create driving risk.Awareness of personal tendencies / competence:
Impulse control, motives, fatigue, stress, lifestyle and values, coping strategy.

THE IMPORTANCE OF DRIVING PLANS

For the professional driver, things do not just happen. With adequate concentration and proper
observation, there’s normally enough time to recognise a danger and respond early and appropriately.
Nothing on the road ever happens ‘suddenly’.
The majority of driving situations are predictable and can be read. The observation links and clues are
there for the driver who is planning ahead.

Driving plans are a ‘must’. Everything in this chapter is a consideration that contributes towards your
driving plan(s). The essential parts of the planning process involve:

• Hazard Perception – Anticipating actual or potential danger

• Prioritising those hazards presenting the greatest risk
• Deciding what to do

Hazard perception, awareness and anticipation

Hazard perception is an important part of learning to drive. To achieve a mastery of traffic situations
response, drivers need to be ready for all developing hazards, throughout the journey. Awareness and
anticipation improve with driving experience and the amount of effort you put into
improving it.

A very common example is driving behind the vehicle in front, particularly if it is a

heavy goods vehicle. By dropping back two or three vehicle lengths, not only will
the view be increased, but the overall stopping distance will be improved.
Deciding what to do in any situation is the main feature of any driving plan.
Decisions can be drawn from the predictability of other road users’ behaviour.

Typically, a driving plan needs to take into account all that can be seen in front, to
the sides and behind. A ‘Plan B’ may be needed that includes contingencies for
dealing with both ‘b’ and ‘c’ above – what can’t be seen, but what might reasonably
be expected to happen.

A good driving plan will keep you:

1. In the correct road position

2. Travelling at the correct speed

3. With the correct gear selected

LEARNING OUTCOME NO. 2

 Arrange follow-up support and assistance

Contents:

1. Medical assistance and support is arranged in accordance with workplace

procedures

2. First aid is applied in accordance with medical procedure

3. Passenger needs are identified and provided based on emergency situation

Assessment Criteria:

1. Medical assistance and support is arranged

2. First aid is applied

3. Passenger needs are identified and provided

Assessment Method:

Interview

Written examination

Practical demonstration

Direct observation
 Information Sheet 2.1-1

Medical support

Learning Objectives:

After reading this INFORMATION SHEET, YOU MUST be able to:

1. Arrange medical assistance with workplace procedure.

What is the cause of accident that leads to need medical

assistance and support?
Answer: DEFENSIVE DRIVING

DEFENSIVE DRIVING CONTAINS:

- Identify driving hazards
- Understand defensive driving techniques
- Use defensive driving techniques to prevent accidents and injuries on
the road

Driving Safety Statistics

𝗌 Someone is injured every 18 seconds
𝗌 Over 2 million injuries annually are disabling
𝗌 A person dies in a crash every 11 minutes
𝗌 Motor vehicle accidents are the most common
cause of death
𝗌 1 in 4 fatal work injuries involves a vehicle
accident

DRIVING HAZARDS: HUMAN ERROR

- Reckless driving
- Distracted driving
- Fatigue
- Aggressive driving
- Failure to keep vehicles in good operating condition
- Driving under the influence

DRIVING HAZARDS: DANGEROUS CONDITIONS

- Bad weather
- Difficult road conditions
- Poor light or glare
- Heavy traffic
- Road work
- Accidents

Seat Belts
𝗌 Saved over 100,000 lives
𝗌 Prevent crashing into steering wheel, dash,
or windshield
𝗌 Keep you inside vehicle
𝗌 Protect body organs
𝗌 Improve chance of remaining conscious
𝗌 Keep you behind the wheel if you have to
swerve or brake suddenly

Vehicle Maintenance
𝗌 Regular tune-ups
𝗌 Oil changes
𝗌 Fluid levels
𝗌 Brakes
 𝗌 Tire treads
and pressure
𝗌 Lights, signals, and wipers

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

Carrying a Load?
𝗌 Don’t overload
your vehicle
𝗌 Make sure everyone has a seat and
a seat belt
𝗌 Make sure cargo is properly secured
𝗌 Be certain your vision is not blocked

Information Sheet 2.1-2

Prevent accidents
Learning Objectives:

After reading this INFORMATION SHEET, YOU MUST be able to:

1. First aid is applied in accordance with medical procedure

Causes of Car Accidents and How You

Can Prevent Them
1. Distracted Driving

Distracted drivers are quietly causing a staggering amount of serious car accidents. In
fact, driver distractions are the leading cause of most auto accidents. As
experienced car accident lawyers in San Diego, we have handled plenty of automobile
accidents that were caused by driver distractions or driver inattentiveness.

Here are some common driver distractions:

• Talking on a cell phone
• Sending text messages
• Reaching for a moving object inside the vehicle
• Looking at an object or event outside of the vehicle
• Reading a book
• Eating food
• Applying makeup.

2. Speeding

You’ve seen them on the highway. Many drivers ignore the speed limit and drive 10,
20 and sometimes 30 mph over the limit. Speed kills, and traveling above the speed
limit is an easy way to cause a car accident. The faster you drive, the slower your
reaction time will be if you need to prevent an auto accident.

Three-Second Rule Can Prevent Speeding Car Accidents

To prevent speeding car accidents, drivers should observe the three-second rule, no
matter what speed you’re driving. This is how the three-second rule works:

1. While driving, pick out a sign or pole on the side of the road.
2. When the car in front of you passes it, count off three seconds.
3. The front of your vehicle should not reach the marker before you reach three.
4. If you pass the marker before you reach the count of three, back off and try
again.

Make sure, however, the three-second rule does not take your eyes off the road because
that just sets the stage for another type of car accident.

3. Drunk Driving

When you drink, you lose the ability to focus and function properly and its very
dangerous when operating a vehicle. Driving under the influence of alcohol causes car
accidents every day, even when they are one the top causes that can be avoided.
Always use a designated driver if you go out and drink.

4. Reckless Driving

If you don’t drive carefully, and you may end up in a needless car accident. That’s what
often happens to reckless drivers who speed, change lanes too quickly or tailgate before
causing a car accident. Reckless drivers are often impatient in traffic so be sure to take
extra care around aggressive drivers.

Excessive Speeding Alone Can Be Reckless Driving

While speeding alone isn’t usually considered reckless driving, an extremely high rate of
speed might lead an officer to charge someone with reckless driving. When other
mitigating factors are involved, speeding might lead to a reckless driving charge. These
factors, along with speed, include:

• Presence of pedestrian traffic

• Time of day
• Traffic conditions
• Visibility
• Width and surface of the roadway.
5. Rain

If the weather gets bad so do the roads. Car accidents happen very often in the rain
because water creates slick and dangerous surfaces for cars, trucks, and motorcycles
and often causes automobiles to spin out of control or skid while braking. To avoid a car
accident, drive extra careful when it rains.

Rain Makes the Road Slippery

Rain can make it more difficult to stay on a roadway, to stop, or to avoid colliding with
other vehicles. This is especially true when it first starts raining because roads are their
most slippery at the beginning of a rainstorm. When the road first gets wet, oil rises to
the surface and creates a greasy surface. If you can’t stop your car in time, that’s when
accidents happen.

Rain Decreases Visibility

During rain storms, it can be difficult for drivers to see to see other cars. When rain is
combined with dirty water kicked up from the road by other drivers, windshields can
quickly become dirty. That is why it is always important to make sure that your car has
functional windshield wipers.

6. Running Red Lights

When you’re driving your car, red means stop and not doing so usually leads to car
accidents. Drivers that run red lights, run the risk of causing wrongful death because
they often cause side-impact collisions at high speeds. To avoid a car accident, look
both ways for oncoming cars as you approach a green light.

7. Running Stop Signs

Stop signs should never be ignored, but when they are, serious car accidents are often
the result. Each year, thousands of car accidents occur because one driver ran a stop
sign. Many rollover accidents and side-impact car accidents result from drivers that run
stop signs. You should always look both ways when proceeding through a stop sign.

8. Teenage Drivers

Youth is wasted on the young, but careful driving is never wasted on young drivers.
Unfortunately, teenagers aren’t often known for their carefulness. When teen drivers hit
the roads they don’t always know what to do and that lack of experience ends up
causing car accidents.

Inexperience Often Leads to Car Accidents for Teen Drivers

• Teenage drivers are more likely than older drivers to underestimate dangerous
situations or are simply unable to recognize them.
• Teenage drivers are more likely to drink and drive (DUI), drive with
distractions, speed and tailgate.
• Teenage drivers are also the age group most likely not to wear a seat belt, which
make their injuries and death totals in car accidents far worse.
9. Night Driving

Driving in the daylight can be hazardous, but driving at night nearly doubles the risk of
a car accident occurring. When you can’t see what’s up ahead you don’t know what to
anticipate as you drive towards it. As the sun goes down, your awareness of the road
and cars around you must go up.

10. Design Defects

No product is ever made perfectly, and cars are no different. Automobiles have
hundreds of parts, and any of those defective parts can cause a serious car accident.
Many automakers have had problems with design defects in the past, including Ford
Explorer rollover accidents and Toyota’s unintended acceleration crashes.

11. Unsafe Lane Changes

There will always come a time where you need to get over to another lane (i.e. exit from
a freeway, get in the correct lane to make a turn, etc.). When drivers don’t make safe
lane changes properly, it often leads to a car accident. To prevent a needless car
accident, use your turn signal, check your blind spots and always proceed carefully into
the next lane.

12. Wrong-Way Driving

Everyone has lapses in judgment, but when behind the wheel of a car, those clouded
instincts can be deadly. You can turn down a street thinking it is a normal right turn,
when in actuality, it is a one-way street in the opposite direction. When you go the
wrong way, everyone is in danger because as you head towards a car accident.

13. Improper Turns

The reason that we have stop lights, turn signals, and lanes designated for moving
either right or left as opposed to straight is because when drivers ignore the rules of the
road, car accidents are often the result. To prevent a car accident, always look for signs
and obey the proper right-of-way before you make a turn.

14. Tailgating

Many drivers are impatient and reckless, driving so close to another car that they
cannot react in time if the car in front of them brakes suddenly. Many fatal car accidents
have occurred when a motorist dangerously tailgated another driver at high speeds. You
can prevent these car accidents by giving the car in front of you a one-car-length buffer
for every 10 mph you drive.

15. Driving Under the Influence of Drugs

It’s not only alcohol that is dangerous when mixed with drivers on the road. Drugs, both
legal and illegal, can impair your ability to fully function as a driver. If your mind isn’t
clear and you don’t have complete control over your body, getting behind the wheel can
lead to serious car accidents.
16. Ice

You’re driving down the road, it’s dark out and you want to get home for the warm
fire. Next thing you know, you’re car is spinning dangerously out of control because
you hit black ice. While San Diego hardly ever has ice, ice is a major cause of car
accidents for cities with cold weather climates.

17. Snow

Snow’s dangerous mixture of ice and water is a dangerous recipe for car accidents each
winter storm. Like ice, snow is not something you usually encounter when driving in San
Diego. Cities with cold winters know all-too-well just how dangerous snow can be for
commuters.

18. Road Rage

Everyone has been angry at another driver for one reason or another, but some drivers
let their rage overcome them. By tailgating another driver in anger or speeding past
another driver only to pull in front of them and brake, these road “ragers” cause many
needless car accidents each year.

19. Potholes

Motorists in San Diego are well aware of the dangers posed by potholes in the street.
Drivers run the risk of losing control of their car or blowing out a tire when they drive
over these potholes. If you see a pothole in your car’s path, you can avoid a car
accident by making sure that your tires do not drive over it.

20. Drowsy Driving

Driver fatigue isn’t talked about a lot, but how well can we expect anyone to drive when
they’re having trouble staying awake. Most of the car accidents caused by drowsy
driving occur at night. If you find yourself wanting to fall asleep at the wheel, pull over
when it’s safe and try to take a quick 30 minute power nap.

21. Tire Blowouts

Most highways are littered with the scattered remains of a tire blowout. Tire blowouts
can cause you to lose control of your vehicle, and they are especially dangerous for
bigger automobiles like semi-trucks. When encountering a tire blowout, try to maintain
control of your vehicle and pull over safely and you will likely avoid a serious car
accident.

22. Fog

Fog isn’t the most common weather occurrence, and that’s good news for car accidents
statistics. Driving is a skill that requires the ability to see, but fog makes it extremely
difficult to see sometimes more than a car length in front of you. Avoid car accidents by
using your head lights — and never your high beams — when driving in the fog.

23. Deadly Curves

Some people call them dead man’s curves, but everyone should be careful when
approaching a curve. Many motorists have lost control of their cars along a dangerous
curve and lost their lives in a car accident. So when you approach these signs, take
head of the posted speed limit and drive cautiously to avoid a car accident.

24. Animal Crossings

While drivers are required to know the rules of the roadway, wild animals do not take
driver’s education. Wild animals will wade out into the street, and it’s up to you to make
sure that you don’t get into a car accident with them. Take caution when you see an
animal crossing sign and use your high beams when traveling in rural, woody areas.

25. Street Racing

Glorified by the Fast and the Furious movie franchise, street racing is an underground
culture of fast cars and deadly car accidents. With turbo engines and nitrous oxide
boosters, cars often reach very high speeds during a street race, making any resulting
car accident much more dangerous and unlikely to yield any survivors.