HIGHWAY PATROL GROUP

DEFENSIVE DRIVING

By: PO3 Peter Paul “ZAIDO” P Fangwa

DISTRACTIONS! Minor distractions can be a major cause of an accidents and undoubtedly

figure in some mystery crashes and sometimes in major accidents, including fatalities.

Some ways drivers become distracted:

Searching for a cigarette on seats Trying to fasten a safety belt underway Reaching across the seats to close a door or rummage in the glove

compartment Fishing coins from pants pocket while driving up to toll booth Eating fruit, juice squirted in eye Trying to wind and adjust wrist watch Disciplining child passengers/lady beside Trying to struggle out of coat Reading map Using cell phone while driving

How to avoid minor distractions: Advance planning.

Checking seat position, safety belts, door locks and mirrors before you start your trip.

Pulling of the road and stopping to take care of necessary task that may divert attention.

-is the “act of driving while preventing accidents despite the wrong actions of others or the presence of adverse driving conditions”. (a good driver always stays on alert, keeps watch over the actions of other drivers and allows a margin of safety for the errors that others…and he himself----might make).

DEFENSIVE DRIVING

“THE DOCTRINE OF LAST CLEAR CHANCE”

In conclusion, a well settled principle of law that serves as guide to the conduct of all drivers. “The driver who is in a better position to prevent the accident shoulders the responsibility of preventing the occurrence of an accident”. The prevention of an accident is the first responsibility of all drivers.

PERFECT DRIVING- You complete the trip without accidents, without traffic violations, without vehicle abuse, without excessive schedule delays and without discourtesy.

PREVENTABLE ACCIDENT-Most accidents are preventable by one or both drivers involved, even though this sometimes involves letting the driver in the wrong have the right of way.

THE STANDARD ACCIDENT PREVENTION FORMULA

See the Hazard- Think about what is going to happen or what might happen as far ahead of encountering a situation as possible. Never assume everything will be “all right”.

Understand the Defense- There are specific ways to handle specific situations learn them well so you can apply them when the need arises.

Act in Time- Once you’ve seen the hazard and decided on the defense against it, ACT! Never take a “wait-and-see” attitude.

SIX ADVERSE DRIVING CONDITIONS

Bad Light Condition- glaring, dim, poor Weather Condition- making visibility poor Road Condition- slippery, downhill, narrow, blind

curves, crest etc. Traffic Condition- heavy, congested with

pedestrians etc. Vehicle Condition- poor brakes, steering, etc Driver Condition- drivers attitude, sleepy, sick,

tired, worried, angry, under the influence of liquor or drugs

FIVE ELEMENTS OF DEFENSIVE DRIVING Knowledge- Know the traffic rules and regulations, be aware on proper

procedures for passing, yielding the right of way and other maneuvers you’ll be called upon to perform when you’re behind the wheel.

Alertness- stay wide awake, be aware on what’s going around, pay attention in driving.

Foresight- Do you “look ahead” when you drive? Can you predict what is likely to happen in both short and long-range predictions, such as getting ready to act when the “adverse/unfavorable driving conditions” occurs

Judgment-The ability to make correct decisions immediately during critical moments.

Skill- the ability to handle your vehicle, how to start, stop, turn, go forward, reverse and execute various emergency maneuvers.

SIX (6)TYPES OF TWO –CAR CRASH

Collision with the vehicle ahead Collision with the vehicle behind Collision with an oncoming vehicle Collision at an intersection Collision with an overtaking vehicle Collision with overtaking another vehicle

HOW TO AVOID COLLISION WITH THE VEHICLE AHEAD

Stay alert-Anticipate the hazard, expect anything to happen in front of you.

Stay ahead of the situation-watch for clues that may cause accident

Stay back-Maintain safe following distance (using your own vehicle’s length as a measure) for every 10MPH of speed or apply the 2 second rule.

Start stopping sooner-Slowdown and touch your brakes the instant you see a hazard developing that makes you to stop or take evasive action.

HOW TO AVOID COLLISION WITH THE VEHICLE BEHIND

Signal your intention-Use your directional signals, brake lights an arm signal well in advance.

Stop smoothly-avoid sudden stop, maintain safe following distance, tap brake gradually.

Keep clear of tailgaters-slow down, encourage him to pass you, increase the following distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead so you won’t have to brake suddenly and be hit by the tailgater.

Check your mirrors every now and then- for you to know what’s going on behind you.

HOW TO AVOID COLLISION WITH AN ONCOMING VEHICLE

Move/Swerve to right most portion of the from the center line

Signal the oncoming vehicle Slowdown Stop if possible Reduce speed when approaching

curves, narrow roads, crests etc. When making left turn, yield right of way

to straight thru vehicles

HOW TO AVOID AN INTERSECTION COLLISION

Obey the law regarding the yield sign. When two or more vehicles approach an intersection at the same time the vehicle at the left shall give way to the vehicle on the right.

Whenever a vehicle approaches intersection with stop sign the

driver must bring the vehicle into a complete stop.

To avoid collision while making a right turn, the following must be observed Give proper signal (right) Move near the pavement Stop and check traffic Proceed when clear

In any other intersection Approaching intersection with our foot OFF the accelerator and ON the

brake pedal. Check traffic first on the left and then on the right. Proceed to cross only if it is safe to do so.

MAKING A LEFT TURN AT AN INTERSECTION Get in the left lane well in advance

Turn on your signal not less than 100 feet before the turn.

Stop and yield right off way to cross traffic and vehicles approaching from the opposite direction and close enough to present the hazard.

When it is safe, make your turn in such a manner as to enter the cross street on the right side of the center line in the lane nearest to the center line.

In meeting other vehicles also turning left, be sure to pass them so that they are on your right

FOUR GENERAL RULES FOR INTERSECTION SAFETY

KNOW -your route and plan ahead.

SLOW-for intersections and expect the unexpected.

SHOW- your intentions by positions and signals.

GO- with care.

THE ART OF PASSING AND BEING PASSED

Be alert to passing situations- Vehicles can pass you a number of ways:They can pass you on a straight road- normal passing

situation.

They can pass you as you are pulling out of parking space.

They can pass you just as you move out to pass another vehicle.

They can pass you on the right, which is legal on multi-lane roads or one way streets, but you still have the responsibility for preventing accident.

How to be passed – There are number of things you can do to prevent accidents that can happen when other vehicles pass you:

Help other driver pass. Check oncoming traffic. Slow down if passing vehicles will need more room to get back in line in front of you.

Before you change lane. Check side and rear mirrors and glance back to make sure your blind spot is clear. Use your lane-change signal. Move over only when lane is clear.

Get into the proper lane for a turn early. When turning right stay close to the right curbs to block anyone from passing on the right. Use turn signal early.

Don’t nose out of a parking space to check for oncoming traffic. Take a good look before you move. Signal your intentions, wait for a break in traffic and pull out promptly.

 

How to pass- 12 things to do in any passing maneuver.

Decide if the pass is necessaryMaintain a safe following distanceCheck traffic aheadCheck traffic behind (mirrors and blind spot)Signal leftMove into the left laneTap hornAccelerateSignal rightMove rightCancel directional signalResume speed

NEVER EVER OVERTAKE ON THE FOLLOWING;

Curve, hill, crests, road under construction and bridges

Intersections School zone, crowded area Railroad crossing Without sufficient clearance Solid yellow lines Places wherein no overtaking sign has been

installed

MYSTERY CRASH

-One car accident –the kind that involves a single vehicle in a traffic mishap.

- They called it mystery because dead man can’t answer the questions of an accident investigator, and those who do survive often won’t admit driving mistakes.

SPEED- The higher the speed the greater chance for an accident, because there is less time to maneuver or to stop to avoid the accident.

SPEED LIMIT

MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE SPEEDSPassengers

Cars and MotorcycleMotor trucks and buses

1. On open country roads, with no "blinds corners" not closely bordered by habitations.

80 km. per hour 50 km. per hour

2. On "through streets" or boulevards, clear of traffic, with no " blind corners," when so designated.

40 km. per hour 30 km. per hour

3. On city and municipal streets, with light traffic, when not designated "through streets".

30 km. per hour 30 km. per hour

4. Through crowded streets, approaching intersections at "blind corners," passing school zones, passing other vehicles which are stationery, or for similar dangerous circumstances.

20 km. per hour 20 km. per hour

GUIDELINES ON SPEED:

Schedule trips to provide sufficient driving time

Be alert for speed limit signs and pay attention to them. But remember these are for maximum speed ideal conditions.

Lower speeds are necessary when road and weather conditions are bad

Don’t try to make up time on the road

FATUIGE!When fatigue and drowsiness get to the point where a

driver notices them, fatigue has reached the acute stage. If you fight to keep your eyes open, you can bet you’ll lose the fight.

Ways to fight fatigueStop at the first safe place. Get out and walk around. Have

a soft drinks or coffee.

If you still get drowsy at the wheel, stop, roll down windows slightly and sleep, if possible for 30 minutes or more.

When you resume driving, keep some windows open, play the radio, chew gum, sing, keep your eyes moving.

Stop for a nights rest at the first opportunity.

Steering your car into safety

- Even in a bad situation, such as skid, running off the road or an impending head on crash, a defensive river can evade or diminish the severity of the crash by staying calm and using wheel, throttle and maybe the brake.

Drinking and Driving!

Alcohol affects the function of brain, judgment is impaired, false sense of confidence may develop, field of vision is reduced, and hearing is less acute, concentration becomes difficult, and speech and balance are affected. In other words, you start feeling “tipsy”.

OTHER TYPES OF MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT:

How to avoid vehicle vs. pedestrian accidents: As of today, there is no defensive driving formula on how to avoid

vehicle vs. pedestrian accident. However, as we drive we should always be especially watchful of the following:○ Children○ Elderly○ Drunks

How to avoid vehicle vs. fixed object accident: As we drive, we should always be aware of what is going on around as

well as on top of the vehicle we are driving. We should check clearances.

How to avoid collision from parked position and while backing : Check first the area before moving out from parked position and

backing:○ Check under the vehicle including rear○ Ask somebody to assist○ Do backing slowly○ Signal your intention○ Wait for traffic to pass before moving out

How to avoid vehicle vs. train accident:Never beat the cross buckStop, look, and listen before crossing railroad tracks.

How to avoid vehicle vs. bicycle accidents:SlowdownTap hornGive much room to the cyclist as you passPass slowly  

How to avoid vehicle vs. animal accident:SlowdownGive much room to the animalPass slowlyRefrain blowing of horn

An Ounce of Prevention is better than a Pound of Cure!!!

MARAMING SALAMAT PO AT MABUHAY PO KAYONG LAHAT!!!

“Zaido”