I.

Introduction to Defensive Driving Techniques

 Topics
What is defensive driving?
It is a set of driving skills that allows you to defend yourself against possible collisions
caused by bad drivers, drunk drivers, and poor weather. If you look ahead and keep your
eyes moving, you will spot potential hazards more easily. Once you have identified a
potential hazard and decided what to do, act immediately.
Defensive drivers are able to avoid danger on the road by using their safe driving
practices.
Driving Defensively
Don’t make assumptions about another driver’s intentions. If you expect drivers in parked
vehicles to remain parked at all times, always yield at intersections, or remain in one lane
at all times, etc. you risk being caught off guard when drivers do not do what’s expected.
Expect other drivers to make mistakes and be prepared to react. If a mistake is made,
you will be ready to defend yourself.
Never assume that others drivers are sober, alert, and follow the rules of the road at all
times.
 Objectives
Our objective is to pass on the skills and knowledge through simple but very effective
teaching and showing methods thus allowing drivers to “defend” themselves on the road,
as well as improve their base driving skills and also take into consideration that all road
users are there for a reason so sharing the road is not just a suggestion but has to be a
way of life.
Through our training approach and styles, we are making a difference on the ground, by
saving lives on the road and helping make roads safer. Our course delivery is not only
about the course content, but also the attitude change as we know that the only way to
change a person’s driving habits long term.

 DEFINITIONS OF TERMS

1. Absolute Speed Limit- The maximum or minimum legal speed at which one may drive.
This speed limit may or may not posted.
2. Accident, Motor Vehicle- Any mishap involving a moving vehicle and resulting in death,
injury or properly damage.
3. Articulated Vehicle- Any motor vehicle with a trailer having no front axle and so
attached that part of the trailer rests upon the motor vehicle and a substantial part of
weight of the trailer and of its load is borne by the motor vehicle.
4. Basic Speed Limit- Any speed below the absolute limit that is safe for existing road,
weather or traffic conditions.
5. Collision- Any crash between motor vehicles or between a motor vehicle and another
object.
6. Driving License- A legal document in the form of plastic identification vehicle and official
receipt issued by LTO authorizing a person to drive and specified type of motor vehicle
after satisfactorily completing and passing the standard requirements as categorized
either- non-professional proficiency level.
7. Defensive Driving- Being prepared to handle through any hazardous situation caused
by other users of the road.
8. Directional Driving- Lights on motor vehicle or hand signals used to indicated left and
right turns and stops.
9. Driver- Person with appropriate license to drive or operate motor vehicle and transport
passenger and loads over specified routes is destination.
10. Professional Driver- A person with appropriate driving license restriction code who is
hired or paid for driving or operating a motor vehicle, whether for private use or for hire to
the public.
11. Fare- Refers to the price charged to transport a passenger
12. Franchised Route- Refers to the designated travel route assigned by LTFRB (DOTC) to
a specific public passenger motor vehicle indicating the particular main streets, roads
and avenues to ply including its limitations and boundaries
13. Gross Weight- The measured weight of a motor vehicle plus the maximum allowable
vehiclerying capacity in merchandise, freight and/ or passenger, as determined by the
Commission of Land Transportation.
14. Highways- Every public thoroughfare, public boulevard, driveway, avenue, park, alley
and Callejon, but does not include roadway upon grounds owned by private persons,
colleges, university, or other similar institutions.
15. Motor Vehicle- Any vehicle propelled by any power other than muscular power using the
public highways, but expecting road rollers, trolley vehicles, street sweepers, sprinklers
lawn mowers, bulldozer, graders, fork lift, amphibian trucks and cranes if not used on
public highways and vehicles run only on rails or track and tractors, trailers and traction
engines of all kind used exclusively for agricultural purpose.
16. Passenger Bus- A bus utility vehicle driven on highways that vehiclery/tranport
passengers (usually from 30 above) and its vehicle goes.
17. Periodic Maintenance Service- The regular servicing prescribed by manufacturer to
maintain the vehicle’s top performance.
18. Regulatory Signs- Traffic signs that tell what a driver must or must not do under penalty
of the law.
19. Restriction Code- Driving license restriction set by LTO for driving/operating of the
following classification of motor.
1 and 2 Vehicles:
20. Restriction Code 1 and 2-
1- Motorcycle, motorized tricycles and vehicles up to 4,500
2- Kgs. GVW
21. Restriction Code 3- Vehicles above 4,500 kgs GVW
22. Restriction Code 4- Vehicles Automatic Clutch up to 4,500 kgs GVW
23. Restriction Code 5- Vehicles Automatic Clutch above to 4,500 kgs GVW
24. Restriction Code 6- Articulated Vehicle 1,600 kgs GVW and below
25. Restriction Code 7- Articulated Vehicle 1,601 up to 4,500 kgs GVW
26. Restriction Code 8- Articulated Vehicle 4,501 kilograms and above gross vehicle
weight.
27. Road Related Accident- Refers to unforeseen and unanticipated road happening and
Emergency usually resulted from by driver’s negligence/ error, abnormal road condition
and motor vehicle mechanical safety breakdown resulting to grave vehicular accident,
passenger body injury and damage to property.
28. Roadway Markings- Marking on a pavement separating lanes of travel or indicating
what a driver may do.
29. Seat Belt- A belt anchored to the vehicle frame. It prevents the passenger from being
thrown against parts of the interiors of the vehicle or from the vehicle in the event of a
collision.
30. Straight Truck- Any truck vehicle equipped with 6 up to 12 wheels with no pivotal pin.
31. Traffic- The flow of all motor vehicles and pedestrians along the street and the highway
32. Traffic Signal Lights- Traffic controls which usually located at intersections to regulate
traffic flow
33. Warning Signs- Traffic signs that alert drivers to potential hazards ahead.

II. DO’s and DON’Ts in Driving

THE DO’s
 DO always wear your seatbelt.
 DO review the official rules of the road for your jurisdiction periodically, and follow
them always.
 DO follow the speed limit
 DO pay attention when you are driving, even if you are familiar with the area.
 DO be courteous toward other drivers.
 DO give pedestrians the right of way in crosswalks.
 DO make room for bicycles.
 DO make sure that your spare tire is in your vehicle and that you have a working
jack.
 DO make time for routine preventative maintenance on your vehicle. Breakdowns
can be dangerous and costly.
THE DON’Ts
 DON’T drink alcohol and drive, and don’t get in a vehicle with a driver who has
been drinking or using drugs.
 DON’T maker assumptions about what other drivers are going to do. Just
because someone has their turn signal on does not mean they are actually going
to turn. They may be like the rest of us, and have forgotten that it is on!
 DON’T assume that other vehicles know what you are doing, either. Make sure
that you use your turn signals and give yourself, and vehicles around you, plenty
of room to maneuver.
  DON’T tailgate other vehicles, pass on shoulder, fail to yield, run stoplights or stop
signs (even if no one else seems to be around), or break any other rules of the
road on purpose. If you act. Like you are above the law when you operate a
vehicle, you will sooner, rather than later find out that you are not.
 DON’T play your vehicle stereo so loudly that you are disruptive to other, or so
loudly that you are unable to hear train signals or emergency vehicle sirens.
 DON’T talk on your cell phone and drive at the same time.
 DON’T engage in other activities, while driving, that distract your attention or
reduce your reaction time. Eating, changing clothes, while driving is dangerous, if
you are caught doing these things while driving you can be cited for “driver
inattention” and given a ticket.
 DON’T let your emotions and frustrations get the best of you. Don’t engage in
road rage, no matter how irritating another driver might be to you.
 DON’T leave valuables in your vehicle, especially in places where they can be
seen, no matter where you are parked.

III. Command Causes of Accident/Incidents.

Below you will find a list of the top cause of car accident. Knowing the causes could
help you avoid getting involved in a collision of your own.

1. Distracted Driving
Without a doubt, distracted driving is the number one cause of car accident across
the country. A distracted driver is one that doesn’t have their complete attention
on the road. They may be paying closer attention to a mobile device, passenger.
Remember that your only job when you are behind the wheel is to get where are
going safety.
2. Speeding
We have all had drivers blast past us on the highway, even when we were going
over the speed limit ourselves. Keep in mind that the faster you drive, the slower
your reaction time. If you need to prevent an accident while you are driving at 20
miles over the limit, chances a very high that the accident won’t be prevented at
all.
3. Drunk Driving
Any person who drinks and gets behind the wheel is a danger to themselves and
others. When you drink. Your senses and cognitive functions are dulled. Get
behind the wheel and your reaction times are slowed and your decision-making
capabilities. If you decide to drink, find a sober part to take you home.
4. Reckless Driving
Weaving in and out of traffic, tailgating, Cutting other drivers off. These are all
examples of reckless driving and each can cause a very serious accident.
5. Inclement Weather
More specifically, rain. Water creates slick roadways and can cause cars to slip
and slide without warning. If you are stuck in a rainstorm, drive extra carefully.
Even if you think your tires are sticking to the road as they should, chances are
they aren’t. Don’t risk it.
6. Running Intersections
Running through red lights and stop signs is another to cause of car accident. Red
means stop. It isn’t a suggestion for you to do with as you wish. Id you see a light
turn yellow, slow down instead od speeding up to try and “catch” it. Come to a full
stop. The extra 10 second you have to wait isn’t worth risking your life.
7. Night Driving
Many people aren’t aware that nighttime driving increases the risk of accident by
nearly double. It can be difficult to see what is up a head of you or coming at you
from the side. When the sun begins to fall from the sky, your awareness must be
heightened.
8. Unsafe Lane Changes
Have you ever had someone cut you off? Chances are that you have. When
passing another vehicle, make sure that you have plenty of room to get in front of
them when you decide to. If you don’t have enough room to safety pass., don’t. it
really is that simple. Pay close attention to what is to either side of your vehicle
before you decide to change lanes.
9. Wrong-Way Driving
It’s easy to turn the wrong way down a street, especially when you are unfamiliar
with the area. Be sure that you pay attention to signs indicating one- way roads.
Know which direction you need to travel before getting onto and off on your route.
Wrong-way drivers are especially dangerous because people are not on the
lookout for them and often react too late.
10. Improper Turns
When you approach an intersection, be sure that you are in the proper lane for
your intended direction of travel. If you find that you are in the straight line when
you wanted to turn, keep going straight. Either is a safer alternative that cutting
across lanes.

Many accidents can be avoided if people only paid more attention or made better
decisions. There are dozens of reasons that accidents occur and, in truth, some
simply can’t be predicted.
IV. Safety Driving Tips
But how exactly can we drive safely? Here are a few obvious points that many of us
seem to take lightly.
So here are 10 tips on how practice safe driving:
 Regularly check your car’s condition. Make it an absolute habit to ensure that your
car is road-worthy by checking its tire pressure, the mirrors are properly angled, if the
brakes are still tight etc.
 Always put a seat belt on. Whether you are travelling on a short daily commute route or
long-haul driving it is imperative that you put your seat belt on. This simple practice is an
effective way to protect you and your passenger, especially during car collision, as it
spreads the force of the impact over a wider area of the body and puts less stress on any
one part. According to the MMDA, failure to use a seat belt could cost you a fee of
between P250 (first offense) to P 1,000 and a 1-week suspension of your driver’s license
(third offense).
 Always use signals when turning. Do have some consideration for others behind you
by letting them know your next move. Do not, however, use signals improperly such as
using hazard lights when parking your car indiscriminately while waiting for someone. Be
mindful that this is one of the worst driving practices that most of us do. Be wary,
considerate, patient and practice road courtesy. You will find that if every body wants to
be ahead of everyone, it will surely lead to road blocks.
 Don’t text and drive. This is an obvious mistake for many drivers and it could lead to
very fatal consequences.
 Respect traffic rules. Again, traffic rules are there to keep all motorists safe on the
roads.
 Do not change lanes too often. Changing lanes too often and swerving is a dangerous
maneuver and, in most cases, leads to collisions. We often find that this move is
tempting, but make sure that there is enough time and space for you to maneuver to.
 Do not drive under the influence of alcohol
 Always check the speed limit. Never go above the speed limit in the area, even if the
traffic is very light. Checking our speedometer constantly will ensure we are moving at
the prescribed speed.
 Always check you blind spots. Mirrors give you three points to determine if clear. We
also need to turn our heads to confirm this. Speeding vehicles may hit you within a span
of seconds if you make the wrong move.
 Lasty, do respect pedestrian lanes. Pedestrians have specialized lanes to cross and
stopping for them for a few seconds will not stop you from arriving at your destination.
Road courtesy-simple gesture of thanks when the other driver yields, makes so much
difference. Driving with a positive state of mind surely contributes to safer roads!

V. The Basics of Defensive Driving Techniques

Tips for defensive driving:

 Plan a head for the unexpected.
 Be able to control the speed.
 Be prepared to react to other drivers.
 Do not expect the other driver to do what you think he or she should do
 Respect other users of the roadway.
 Be aware of driving in special road and weather conditions
 Be alert and avoid distractions, e.g., cell phone use, eating
 Setting up safety Cushion
 Dealing with Distracted Drivers
 Coping with Aggressive Drivers
 Using your Headlights
 Driving safety in bad Weather
 Handling a Blowout
 Sharing the Road