SAFE VEHICLE OPERATION

Bureau of Workers’ Comp

PA Training for Health & Safety
(PATHS)

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 Safe Driving

• In 2009, 33,808 people died and 2.22 million were

injured in motor vehicle crashes in the United
States. *
• Inadequate driving skills pose a great danger, as
does distracted driving.
• It can be difficult to unlearn bad habits, but
following a few driving rules can save your life and
the lives of others.

* Source: National Highway Traffic Safety

Administration

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 Setting Up

• Adjust your seat so your arms are slightly bent at the

elbows when gripping the wheel.

• Keep your hands at the ten o’clock and two o’clock or

nine o’clock and three o’clock positions on the steering
wheel.

• Hold the wheel tightly enough so your palms do not slip

off.

• Adjust side mirrors so you can either see the door

handles or angled away to cover blind spots.

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Adjusting Side Mirrors
for Blind Spots

• Park car and have someone walk in

both left and right blind spots.

• Set mirrors so person is in view.

• Check mirrors to see which areas

remain invisible.

• Re-adjust and check again.

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 Safe Driving Tips - Merging

• Merging requires attention to many different

factors.
• Traffic moving at posted speeds = use the
acceleration lane to speed up and match traffic
flow.
• Use your signal and look for an opening where
you can smoothly ease into traffic.
• If traffic is congested and moving slowly, proceed
down the ramp slowly and look for an opening.
• Try to avoid stopping at the bottom of the ramp
because it can disrupt traffic flow.

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 Safe Driving Tips - Intersections

• Do not closely follow a large vehicle through an

intersection with stoplights. You can’t see if the
light has changed.
• Leave enough space so you have a clear view of
everything before proceeding.
• When making a left turn, slow down and yield if
there is not a green arrow giving you the right-of-
way.
• Don’t turn your wheels until you’re ready to move
(if your vehicle is hit from behind, you could be
pushed into oncoming traffic).

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Safe Driving Tips - Four-Way Stop

• First car to arrive at an intersection with a

four-way stop (whether sign or traffic light)
should be first to go.
• When it's unclear which vehicle arrived first,
general rule is driver to the right has the right-
of-way.
• Don’t count on other drivers; proceed with
caution.

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 Vehicle Maintenance

• 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.
• Check your owner's manual for a maintenance
schedule, and stick to it.

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 Vehicle Maintenance - Tires

• Check tire pressure regularly, including the

spare (at least once a month).
• Inspect tires for:
– Uneven wear patterns
– Cracks
– Foreign objects
– Other signs of wear
• Ensure tire valves have valve
caps.

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 Vehicle Maintenance - Tires

• Check tire pressure before a long trip.

• Do not overload vehicle – check tire info

placard for maximum recommended load.

• If towing a trailer, remember that some weight

of loaded trailer is transferred to vehicle.

• Try not to strike curb when parking.

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 Flat Tire/Blowout - Highway

At the first sign of trouble:

• Firmly grip the steering wheel

• Do not slam on brakes
• Take foot off the gas pedal
• Work vehicle toward the shoulder or exit
• If changing lanes, use turn signals
• Steer as vehicle slows down

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 Flat Tire/Blowout - Highway

• Once off road, place reflective triangles

• Keep emergency flashers on
• Change tire, if you know how
• Keep away from traffic
• Call for professional help, if necessary
• Do not stand behind or next to vehicle

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 Safe Driving Skills

• Keep your eyes constantly moving: -

Look up and down the road -
Look to the sides of the road -
Look into the rear view mirror
• Always leave yourself an out: -
Try to find a place to head if a crash occurs -
Think about other drivers’ blind spots
• Don’t linger while passing.
• Don’t follow too closely (“tailgate”).
• Avoid “packs” of vehicles.

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 Safe Driving Skills

• Ensure other drivers see you – keep headlights

on both day and night.

• Always use turn signals well ahead of time.

• Never assume what other drivers will do.

• Maintain an average speed on highways; going

too fast or too slow creates a hazard.

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 Safe Driving Skills

• Use average traffic speed when merging.

• Think ahead – avoid making sudden
movements when exiting highways.
• Obey all traffic signs and signals.
• Keep your eyes on the road, not on a cell
phone or music device.
• Watch for pedestrians, bicyclists and
motorcyclists.
• Scan the road ahead for animals.

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 Safe Driving Skills

Stopping on Highways:

• Don’t be a stationary object or semi-stationary

obstacle.

• Stopping at the end of an entrance ramp

is dangerous; learn to time a safe merge.

• Avoid stopping on the shoulder of road; exit

highway before stopping, if possible.

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 Safe Driving Tips - Sleepiness

Driving sleepy is driving impaired!

• Reaction time and vision

deteriorate when you are tired.
• Pull over, take a short “cat nap” or
just close your eyes for a while.
• Sometimes taking a short walk will
work.
• Stop every two to three hours if
driving long distances.

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Safe Driving Tips - Familiarization

Be familiar with your vehicle:

• Know what every button, switch and lever

does.
• Know where the oil, brake fluid, engine coolant
and window washer reservoirs are.
• Know how to fill those reservoirs.
• Know what every indicator light means.
• Know how to operate basic items, such as the
defroster, wipers, radio and headlights.

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 Safe Driving Tips -
Nighttime Driving

• Traffic deaths are three times greater at night

than during the day (Source: National Safety
Council).
• Prepare car for nighttime driving: clean
headlights, taillights, signal lights and windows
(at least weekly).
• Have vehicle headlights properly aimed.
• Don’t drink and drive!
• Reduce speed and increase following
distances.
• Don’t overdrive headlights – should be able to
stop inside illuminated area.
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 Safe Driving Tips –
Nighttime Driving

• When following a vehicle, keep your headlights

on low beam.

• If oncoming vehicle doesn’t turn high beams

down, look to the right side of road.

• If tired, stop and rest.

• If you have car problems, pull to the side of the

road and place reflective devices; turn on
emergency flashers.
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 Safe Driving Tips -
Seasonal Changes

• Winter driving = slippery roads, visibility

issues, cold, etc.
• Spring = rain can cause slippery roads.
• Summer = high temperatures can cause
vehicle problems; there’s more traffic on
roads.
• Fall = wet leaves on road can make it slippery.
• Daylight saving’s time = sun's position in sky
changes causing darkness and glare.

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 Safe Driving Tips - Rain

• Drive slowly and carefully – especially on

curves.

• Steer and brake with a light touch.

• When slowing/stopping, do not brake hard or

lock the wheels – could cause skidding.

• Maintain mild pressure on the brake pedal.

• Adjust your speed to the wet road conditions.

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 Safe Driving Tips - Skids

• Remain calm.
• Ease your foot off the gas.
• Steer in the direction you want the front of
the vehicle to go (“steering into the skid”).
• If vehicle has ABS (anti-lock brakes), avoid
slamming on the brakes, brake firmly while
steering into skid.

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Safe Driving Tips - Hydroplaning

• Occurs when water in front of tires builds

up faster than vehicle’s weight can push it
out of the way.
• Water pressure causes vehicle to rise up
and slide on thin layer of water between
tires and road.
• Can cause skidding, drifting out of lane,
leaving roadway.
• To avoid: keep tires properly inflated, maintain
good tread, slow down, avoid puddles.

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Safe Driving Tips - Hydroplaning

• If hydroplaning, do not brake or turn

suddenly.

• Ease foot off gas until vehicle slows down and

you can feel the road again.

• If you need to brake, do so gently, with light

pumping actions.

• If vehicle has anti-lock brakes, brake normally.

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 Safe Driving Tips - Winter

• Ensure vehicle wiper blades are in good

condition and washer fluid is filled.
• Ensure vehicle battery is in good condition and
appropriately charged.
• Clear snow/ice from all windows, lights, hood,
trunk and top of vehicle before driving.
• Adjust your speed accordingly.
• Check tire pressure regularly.
• Dress warmly with layered clothing that is
loose-fitting and lightweight.

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 Safe Driving Tips - Winter

If in vehicle and stranded due to road conditions:

• Stay in vehicle.
• Display trouble sign (ex: brightly-colored

cloth on antenna).
• Occasionally run engine with heater on to
keep warm.
• Keep exhaust pipe free of snow and open a
window to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia.

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 Safe Driving Tips - Winter

If in vehicle and stranded due to road conditions:

• Do minor exercises to keep up circulation.

• Clap hands and move arms and legs frequently.
• Try not to stay in one position for too long.
• Use newspapers, maps, mats, etc., for warmth.
• Avoid drinking fluids containing caffeine or alcohol:

can quicken effects of cold.

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 Safe Driving Tips - Winter

Stopping Distances and Wet/Snowpack/Icy Roads:

• Vehicle may travel 4x the stopping distance than

on dry road.
• Dry pavement vehicle traveling 70 mph requires
600 feet to stop; wet road requires 800 feet.
• Snowpacked road requires approximately 1300
feet stopping distance @ 70 mph.
• Icy road requires 2,500 feet @ 70 mph.

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 Safe Driving Tips - Winter

Winterizing Vehicles:

• Ensure ice scraper and windshield de-icer

are on board.
• Carry spare set of wiper blades.
• Carry kitty litter, oil dry or sand for traction.
• Carry blankets, flashlight, road flares.
• Have lock de-icer available.

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 Safe Driving Tips – Vehicle Fires

• Get yourself and all others out of and away from

the vehicle.
• Move a safe distance from the vehicle and call fire
department.
• Do not stand near vehicle bumpers.
• Remain away from vehicle; do not attempt to get
back into burning vehicle.
• If trained, are comfortable and
fire is small, use appropriate fire
extinguisher.
• If you suspect fire under
hood or in trunk, do not open.

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 Vehicle Safety - General

• 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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 Vehicle Safety - General

Inspect vehicle before driving:

• Ensure the horn, lights and turn signals work.

• Ensure tires are in good condition.
• Ensure brakes are working (test upon moving).
• Ensure emergency brake works.
• Check gauges after starting (e.g., fuel, battery,
temperature, etc.) to ensure they’re working.

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 Vehicle Safety - General

Distracted Driving:

• Nearly 6,000 people killed and 500,000 injured as

a result of distracted driving (2008; USDOT).
• Distracted driving is a factor in more than 20
percent of crashes.
• Drivers on cell phones fail to see up to half of
information in driving environment.
• Do not text while driving – pull over!
• Pull over to talk on phone – even using a “hands
free” device is distracting.
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 Preventing Road Rage

• 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.
• Don’t start a fight – give angry drivers lots
of room.

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 Summary

• Operating a motor vehicle is dangerous, but

it can also be a pleasant experience.
• Use common sense, obey speed limits, drive
defensively and observe “road safety rules.”
• Distracted driving can be just as dangerous
as alcohol-impaired driving.
• Be careful, alert, courteous and safe.
• Have a safe trip!

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 Safe Driving Quiz

http://www.drivesafepa.org/Safe-Driver-
Quiz/

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Questions

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