DEPAUL UNIVERSITYDRIVER AWARENESS

What is Defensive Driving?

The National Safety Council defines Defensive Driving as, “Driving to save lives, time and money in spite of the conditions around you and the actions of others.”

Defensive Driving Saves Lives

Drivers learn the knowledge and skills needed to avoid preventable collisions. About two-thirds of all collisions are preventable.

The life you save could be your own or your passenger!

Defensive Driving Saves Time

Not time on the road hurrying from one place to another, but time lost due to injury and vehicle damage.

Defensive Driving Saves Money

Money lost due to injury, car and other property damage and lost work time.

The techniques used are simple and easily learned. They stress knowledge, foresight, alertness, judgment and skill. Defensive drivers exhibit patience, cooperation and courtesy on the road. Not the “me versus them” attitude.

Attitude

You have to make a conscious decisionto be a safe driver.

Driving Safety Statistics

Someone is injured every 18 seconds Over 2 million injuries annually are disabling A person dies in a

crash every 11 minutes Motor vehicle accidents are the most common

cause of death 1 in 4 fatal work injuries involves a vehicle

accident

Driving Hazards caused by Human error

Reckless driving Distracted driving Fatigue Aggressive driving Failure to keep vehicles in good operating

condition Driving under the influence

Driving Hazards

Driving in the: Rain Snow Fog Night

Driving in the Rain

Keep your tires inflated to the right pressure and make sure you've got enough tread.

Turn on your lights and defroster.

Avoid puddles, they could hide potholes.

If you find yourself hydroplaning, don't brake or steer. Stop accelerating until you feel your tires contact the road.

If there is flooding, don't drive through water. It only takes 6 inches to reach the bottom of most passenger cars.

If the storms are severe, avoid power lines, trees and other objects that could fall on your car.

Stay inside your car if there is lightning.

Driving in the Snow

Keep your tires inflated to the right pressure and make sure you've got enough tread.

Clear your car of ice and snow.

Leave at least triple the stopping distance you'd usually need.

Avoid braking suddenly.

If you don't have ABS brakes, pump them if you find yourself in a skid.

Be careful on bridges and overpasses, they typically freeze first.

Don't pass snow plows and trucks.

Drive in Fog

Drive using your low-beam headlights.

Slow down before you reach a patch of fog.

Turn on your defroster and windshield wipers.

Open your window and listen for traffic you can't see.

Don't overdrive your vision. If you can't stop before the farthest point on the pavement you can see, you need to slow down.

Driving at Night Before starting out, give your eyes at least 5 minutes to

adjust to the darkness.

Avoid wearing tinted glasses or sunglasses.

Make sure that your car's windshield, windows, mirrors, and headlights are clean.

Always dim your headlights for oncoming cars.

Try to drive on well-lit streets-the more light there is, the easier it is to read signs, and the less headlight glare there is.

Consider getting an eye exam.

If you must go out at night, make sure to drive more cautiously.

What is Distracted Driving?

There are three main types of distraction: Visual- taking your eyes off the road Manual- taking your hands off the wheel Cognitive- taking your mind off what you’re

doing

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is any non-driving activity a person engages in while operating a motor vehicle. Such activities have the potential to distract the person from the primary task of driving and increase the risk of crashing.

Why do people do it?

There are many reasons for distracted driving: Busy lifestyles Stressful jobs/school Presence of children and animals Technology

Many people us technology such as cell phones, BlackBerrys, and other electronic devices as their main means of communication. Put these devices down when you should be paying close attention to your driving for the sake of your own safety and that of others.

Illinois Law

Seat Belts Speeding Tickets Alcohol and Driving Drugs and Driving Texting and Cell

Phones

Seat BeltsAs of January 1, 2012 a new law went into effect in Illinois, requiring everyone in a car to buckle up, or risk being pulled over and ticketed.

Before January 1, 2012, backseat passengers who were 18 years old or older were not required to wear a seatbelt.

Only drivers, front seat passengers and children were required to wear seatbelts prior to this year.

Seat Belt cont….

The new law states everyone in the car must wear a seatbelt unless they fall under certain exemptions. Those include:Delivery people who don’t travel more than 15 mph between stops;Someone who has a doctor’s order saying they can’t wear a seatbelt for medical reasons;A driver who drives a vehicle backwards;A car built before 1965;A motorcycle, moped or other such vehicle that’s not required to have seatbelts;Drivers or passengers in emergency vehicles;Or backseat taxi passengers.Violators of the law will be subject to a $25 ticket.

Seat Belt Fines

If the driver and/or front seat passenger is pulled over for not wearing a seat belt, will result in a fine of $55 a piece, plus applicable court costs and penalties. 

$55 can buy a lot of things: a tank of gas, a nice meal out...why would you want to have to give your hard-earned dollars up to an Illinois traffic court?

The cost will come out of your pocket NOT DePaul’s

Speeding Ticket Fines

The fines for an Illinois speeding ticket depend on 2 factors: how fast you were going, and where you were when you got caught

$75 fine if you were going 1-20 miles per hour over the legal limit.

$95 fine if you were going 21-30 miles per hour over the legal limit.

$375 fine in a construction zone, 2nd violation will cost $1000 plus a 90-day license suspension.

$150 plus $50 in a School Zone, 2nd violation: $300 plus $50. If you hurt or kill someone in a School Zone, you could go to jail and be fined up to 25,000.

The cost will come out of your pocket NOT DePaul’s

Alcohol and Driving Why is it so dangerous to drink and drive? Think about it:

driving involves piloting a 1-ton steel machine at relatively high speeds while avoiding obstacles such as other vehicles, trees, and telephone poles.

Accomplishing this task requires good reflexes, coordination and judgment.

After a few drinks, these faculties go right out the window. Your vision becomes blurry and you become clumsy and uncoordinated. By the time you approach the legal limit, you can't walk a straight line.

Drugs and Driving

In Illinois, it is just as illegal to drive under the influence of drugs as it is to drive under the influence of alcohol.

You should be aware that if you are arrested for a DUI and any trace of an illegal drug shows up in your system, that is evidence enough to charge and convict you.

Some drugs linger in the system for some time after they are taken, but under Illinois law it doesn't matter how long ago the drugs were consumed or if you were still feeling the effects when you were arrested.

DUI Costs

In addition to saddling you with a permanent criminal record, an Illinois DUI conviction is expensive!

According to the Illinois Secretary of State, a first-time DUI conviction can easily cost $14,660 when you include all of the fines, lost income, increased insurance and fees for substance abuse classes. That's not including the costs of an auto accident.

When you consider the cost of medical care and compensatory damages if your drunken driving causes a wreck, the cost of an Illinois DUI that results in an accident can easily soar over $100,000.

Do you have a hundred grand to put on the table?

Texting while DrivingSince 2010, Illinois has had a law

banning texting while driving.

According to the new law:◦ "A person MAY NOT operate a motor

vehicle on a roadway while using an electronic communication device to compose, send, or read an electronic message“

Define an "electronic message" as;◦ "Electronic message" includes, but is not

limited to electronic mail, a text message, an instant message, or a command or request to access an Internet site."

There are exceptions however including emergencies, public safety officials and the following;

◦ "A driver using an electronic communication device in hands-free or voice-activated mode"

Distractions…..

What is the most dangerous distraction? Texting, because it involves all three types of distraction:

Visual, Manual,Cognitive

Liz’s Story

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7911kgJJZc

Please watch the video below.

Cell Phone Fines

Fines for the new offense begin at $75. Another law that will took effect on

January 1st, 2010 is Senate Bill 72 titled "Vehicular Phone Use in School Zones". According to the new law: "A person, regardless of age, may not use a

wireless telephone at any time while operating a motor vehicle on a roadway in a school speed zone"

Vehicle Maintenance

Regular tune-ups Oil changes Fluid levels Brakes Tire treads

and pressure Lights, signals,

and wipers

Maintenance

Maintain your vehicle by following the maintenance schedule outlined in your owner’s manual. For example, perform tune-ups regularly and change the oil every 3,000 miles

Check and maintain proper fluid levels for coolant, brake fluid, and power steering fluid. Don’t forget to keep the windshield washer tank full so you don’t run out when you need it.

Have your brakes inspected according to the schedule in the owner’s manual, and replace brakes as necessary.

Check your tires to make sure they are properly inflated and still have sufficient tread. Rotate tires every 10,000 miles so that they wear evenly, and change tires as necessary.

Be sure your lights, signals, and wipers are all working properly.

Pre-Drive Inspection

Walk around inspection Tires Leaks under vehicle Windows clean, nothing

blocking vision Mirrors properly adjusted Lights working properly

Inspection Walk around the vehicle before you get in to make sure there’s

nothing behind or underneath that you might run over.

Give the tires a quick glance.

Check for any leaks under the vehicle.

When you get in the vehicle, make sure the windows are clean and that there’s nothing blocking your vision.

Also make sure both rearview and side mirrors are properly adjusted.

Finally, be sure all outside and inside lights work properly—including turn signals

Avoid Collisions

Head-on collisions Hit from behind Hitting the driver

in front Side collisions

Collisions Head-on collisions are particularly dangerous and can be deadly. The key to

avoiding them is to keep looking ahead down the road for possible problems. If a crash looks like it’s coming, slow down and even go off the road to the right to avoid a head-on crash.

Rear-end collisions are also dangerous, but they, too, are preventable. For example: Signal your intentions when stopping or turning; Be alert for tailgaters; Slow down gradually; and Leave room in front of you when stopped so that if you are hit from behind, at least you

won’t hit another vehicle in front.

To avoid colliding with a vehicle in front, take these precautions: Look well ahead for hazards, brake lights, and turn signals; and Always maintain sufficient distance between you and the vehicle in front so that you have

enough room to stop safely.

To avoid side collisions, be sure to approach all intersections with caution. Always look both ways before proceeding—even if you have right-of-way.

Obey Traffic Rules

Speed limits Traffic signs

and signals Follow the

2-second rule Signal your intentions Pass with care and only where allowed

Traffic Rules

◦ Always obey speed limits, traffic signs, and signals.

◦ Follow the 2 second rule.

Stay at least 2 seconds behind the vehicle in front—and allow more distance at night or in bad weather.

How can you tell if you’re 2 seconds behind another vehicle? Simple.◦ Just note when the vehicle in front passes a traffic sign or

utility pole. ◦ Then slowly count 1, 2. If you pass the sign or pole before

you’ve counted 2, you’re too close.

◦ Use your turn signal when turning, switching lanes.

◦ Pass with care.

Watch Out for Fatigue

Be especially careful during late night, early morning, and mid-afternoon hours

Stop, take a nap, and drink coffee if you’re tired

Stop every so often over long distances Avoid medications that cause drowsiness

Keep Cool in Traffic

Keep your emotions in check

Take steps to stay relaxed no matter what Allow enough time

to get there Don’t provoke

other drivers Report aggressive drivers to the police

If You’re Involved In an Accident

On Campus:Call Public Safety: LPC 5-7777 or Loop 2-8400,Do not leave the scene.Exchange important information.Report accident to supervisor.Supervisor reports accident to Risk Management.

Off Campus:Contact the police. Do not leave the scene.Exchange important information.Report accident to supervisor.Supervisor reports accident to Risk Management.

REMEMBER…REPORT ALL ACCIDENTS TO YOUR SUPERVISOR, EVEN IF THERE MINOR!

Test

Please complete the driver quiz and send to:Katie Abma kabma@depaul.edu OR interoffice mail to: O’Connell, #270 AB (1036 W. Belden Ave.,)