Driving Safety
October, 2010
On-the-job driving hazards and controls
Topics covered in this module
1. Driving fatalities and injuries
2. Safe driving tips
3. Distracted driving
4. Driver fatigue
5. Pedestrian safety
6. Work zone safety
7. Defensive driving
8. Driving behavior/aggressive driving
9. Laws, regulations and additional information
Image courtesy of WSDOT
Introduction to the Importance of SAFE DRIVING
What is not in the statistics are the countless family members, friends, and co-workers grieving the loss of someone they were close to
Each year there are more than 40,000 deaths nationwide related to motor vehicle crashes
Image courtesy of Education for the Driving Masses
In Washington State, the most frequent work-related fatality is from motor vehicle crashes (22 %)
UNSAFE DRIVING
On Washington public roadways between 2004 and 2008 there were 640,364 total collisions, 2679 fatal collisions, and 11,725 serious injury collisions.
In 2009, there were 1663 worker compensation claims where workers were injured in highway accidents. Costs for these claims was $20 million.
Work-related motor vehicle crash fatalities in Washington State, 1998-2007
Unsafe Driving
Other causes :Failing to yieldNo signal when turningRunning a stop signDriving left of centerWrong turnsFollowing too closely
Image courtesy of Fancy Images – Royalty Free
Top three causes of motor vehicle accidentsDistracted or inattentive drivingSpeedingImpairment (drugs or alcohol)
Washington State impaired driving fact sheetWikimedia Commons
High Risk Areas
Many accidents occur at these locations:
Major Highways (merge lanes, congested traffic)
Parking Lots
Railroad Crossings
Work Zones
School Zones
Does your company have a safe driver program?
Image courtesy of Creative Commons
Many motor vehicle crashes occur during the workday or during the commute to and from work. Employers bear the cost for injuries that occur both on and off the job.
Whether you manage a fleet of vehicles, oversee a mobile sales force or simply employ commuters, by implementing a driver safety program in the workplace you can greatly reduce the risks faced by your employees and their families while protecting your company's bottom line.
OSHA Guidelines for Employers to Reduce Motor Vehicle Crashes
Personal Responsibility
Not only is it the employer’s responsibility to enforce safe driving policies for their workers, it is a personal responsibility to improve driving behaviors.
It is a public safety issue and has a huge economic impact.
Basic Safe Driving Tips
Basic rules to follow: Wear seatbelts Drive the speed limit Obey traffic signs and stop lights Use turn signals Do not tailgate
Drivers should be extra cautious and alert :
Top 5 things to know about buckling up
Inspect your vehicle regularly to make sure the following are in good shape:
Tires (including spare) Horn Lights Windshield and wipers Mirrors Brakes Heating Seatbelts Fluids First aid/roadside safety kit
Vehicle Safety Inspections
Image courtesy of Creative Commons
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration - Tire Safety
Distracted Driving
Image courtesy of Florida Today, by Jeff Parker
Nearly 6,000 people died in 2008 in crashes involving a distracted driver, and more than half a million were injured. (Source: National Traffic
Safety Administration)
Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. (Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
The temptation for drivers to text and use cell phones has made it difficult to minimize road fatalities.
Please do your part to control the number of fatalities and injuries.
PAY ATTENTION DRIVERS
Distracted Driving & Inattentive Behavior
Image courtesy of Drivers Ed Guru
Cell Phones are a Driving Distraction
A driver’s first responsibility is the safe operation of the vehicle.
If you are distracted by a phone conversation, you are putting yourself at risk of a collision, and possibly endangering others.
Distracted Driving Website: Distraction.gov
Texting While Driving – How Dangerous is it? (from Car & Driver Magazine)
Alternatives:
Turn off cell phone while driving
Pull off to the side of the road to make important calls
NOTE: Hands – free devices are safer than holding a phone, however, that does not diminish the dialing distraction and inability to focus completely on driving during a conversation
Cell Phones are a Driving Distraction
Image courtesy of clipartof.com
Cell Phones: Alternatives and Exceptions
Alternatives Bluetooth Voice-activated and speed dialing Push-to-Talk devices (radio) Voice mail and Caller ID answer caller
until getting to safe destination
Exceptions: Emergencies – calling law enforcement for assistance
Reporting road hazards to the authorities
Notifying the authorities of erratic driver
Note: Before using for emergency, determine if the call can be made safely.
Image courtesy of Ryder Safety Solutions
Portable Electronic Equipment Policy
Example policy verbiage (L & I employee policy):
“Use of portable electronic equipment, including, but not limited to, cell phones (including hands-free), text pagers, Blackberries and other PDAs, electronics, and laptop computers, is prohibited at any time while driving any vehicle on work business, except in an emergency situation where 911 is called.
Voice activated Global Positioning Units (GPS) are acceptable. However any input of these devices must be done prior to driving.
Supervisors will train employees on safe and acceptable alternatives to using electronic equipment while driving.”
Driver Fatigue
According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) at least 100,000 police reported crashes are the direct result of
driver fatigue each year.
Result = 1,550 deaths and 71,000 injuries
Image courtesy of American Public University, Shift Work Disorder news bulletin
Drivers Need to Stay Alert
Take action to ensure you are driving alert:
1.Make lifestyle changes; diet, exercise, plenty of rest
2.Don’t rely on “quick fixes” that may not work. Avoid regular use of alcohol, smoking, caffeine
3.Stop if you need to. Take a nap or brisk walk outside.
Image courtesy of AllRefer.com Health
In the United States, between 1997 and 2007, there were 53,793 pedestrian fatalities.
In Washington State between 2004 - 2008 there were a total of 332 pedestrian fatalities.
Important safety reminder:
Drivers are required to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing streets in marked or unmarked crosswalks in most situations.
Pedestrians vs. Motorists
Image courtesy of WSP
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – Pedestrian Safety
Safety Tips Don’t assume the pedestrian sees you Move carefully when lighting is poor and look around the
vehicle prior to accelerating
If vision is obstructed, be especially slow when making a turn Be aware that parking lots may have missing stop signs or
faded traffic lane stripes due to lack of maintenance
Pedestrians vs. Motorists
Collisions Involving Children and Motorists
Most common types of collisions between children and motorists are due to:
1.Child darting out into the street at a corner or mid-block
2.Vehicle turns into the path of a child
3.Child hidden from view by a service or delivery truck
4.Child hidden from view by a bus – driver does not stop for bus
5.Vehicle backing up in roadways, driveways, or parking lots
In 2008, one in every five children between the ages of 5 and 9 killed in traffic accidents were pedestrians. (NHTSA)
Work Zone Safety
Workzone accident case reports
What is a “work zone” ?
A work zone is an area of roadway with construction, maintenance, or utility work activities. A work zone is typically marked by signs, channelizing devices, barriers, pavement markings, and/or work vehicles. It extends from the first warning sign or rotating/strobe lights on a vehicle to the “End of Road Work” sign or the last temporary traffic control device.
Images courtesy of WSDOT
Washington State Department of Transportation - Give 'em a BRAKE
Drivers generally don’t think they are at risk in work zones.– Unfortunately, Washington averages almost 1,000 highway work zone
injuries each year.
- 99 percent the people injured or killed in work zone collisions are drivers and their passengers.
- Most injuries and deaths in work zones are caused by rear-end collisions.
- Inattentive drivers are not prepared for sudden slow downs and last minute lane changes in work zones.
Work Zone Safety
Image courtesy of Fotosearch – Royalty Free
Do not speed in work zones; obey the posted speed limits. Stay alert! Expect the unexpected. Watch for workers; drive with caution. Don't change lanes unnecessarily. Avoid using mobile phones while driving in work zones. Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you. Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones. Expect delays, especially during peak travel times. Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you. Anticipate lane shifts, and merge when directed to do so. Be patient!
Work Zone Safety Tips
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving involves the cultivation of good habits, maintaining attention and a thoughtful, cooperative attitude.
A defensive driver learns to anticipate the actions of others. PLAN YOUR ESCAPE ROUTE
Important Defensive Driving Skills:
oMake good decisions based on factors like road conditions,
traffic conditions, and weather oEvasive maneuvering oProper hand placement and seating position oSkid control oSteering and braking techniques oUnderstand your vehicle’s dynamics
If you haven’t had training, attend a defensive driving course.
Key Points Keep space in front of your vehicle to allow
time to stop. At 60 mph, a vehicle travels 88 feet per second. In the ¾ of a second it takes to put your foot on the brake, you’ve gone 66 feet—180 to 220 feet before you stop! If you speed or tailgate, by the time you SEE a problem, you’re out of luck!
Speed management - as speed of your vehicle increases so does the severity of an accident.
Know your vehicle’s blind spots to avoid a potential collision.
Defensive Driving
Image courtesy of WA Traffic Safety Commission
There are various aspects of driving that act as stressors, and frequently impact many motorists’ state of mind and driving ability:
Behavior Behind the Wheel – “ATTITUDE”
Driver behavior shown below as skills and errors in
three behavioral areas
Behavior Behind the Wheel – “ATTITUDE”
SKILLS (+)
AFFECTIVE (+A) COGNITIVE (+C) SENSORIMOTOR (+S)I've got to be careful here. Don't want to cut anybody off.
This person looks like he's in a hurry to get in. I better let him in.
(Gesticulating and smiling:) Go ahead. You go first.
ERRORS (-)
AFFECTIVE (-A) COGNITIVE (-C) SENSORIMOTOR (S)I wish I could give that guy a piece of my mind.
I don't think people like that should be allowed on the road.
(Yelling:) "You stupid idiot, why don't you watch where you're going!"
"Why is Driving Stressful" - Taxonomy of Driving Behavior
Avoid Aggressive Behavior and Become a Supportive Driver
Stage 1--Avoiding Being an Aggressive Driver Affective Level - Overcoming my resistance to change Cognitive Level - Learning to do rational analyses of
traffic incidents Sensorimotor Level - Acting out civil behavior
Stage 2--Becoming a Supportive Driver Affective Level - Maintaining a supportive orientation
towards other drivers Cognitive Level - Analyzing driving situations
objectively Sensorimotor Level - Behaving like a happy person
Behavior Behind the Wheel – “ATTITUDE”
Encourage drivers to practice self observation behind the wheel and keep a record
Washington State Patrol The Washington State Patrol has a number of webpages
covering information on driving laws, road rage/aggressive drivers, secured loads and traffic enforcement.
Road Rage and Aggressive Driving
Enforcement – Target Zero
Driver and Vehicle - WSP
Secured Loads
Driver Safety – Rules of the Road
http://www.wsp.wa.gov/information/video/aggressive_driving.asx
Click on the link below to watch the WSP aggressive driving enforcement video
Washington Department of Transportation
WSDOT's Traffic Operations Division is using a number of tools to manage the highways better, safer and more efficiently. Operating efficiently means taking steps to smooth traffic flows and avoid, or reduce, situations that constrict roads. Much of this is done using traffic technology, such as electronic tolling, traffic management centers, traffic cameras, variable message signs and ramp meters. These solutions make drivers better able to adapt to changing circumstances and unforeseen events.
WSDOT Traffic Operations Safety Webpage
Washington State Traffic Laws (Rules of the Road)
The Washington State Legislature has adopted a number of laws related to traffic and driving safety that cover such topics as:
RCW 46.61 - Rules of the Road
- Passing on the roadway
- Right of way
- Pedestrians’ rights and duties
- Turning, starting, stopping
- Speed restrictions
- Reckless driving
- Driving under the influence
- Vehicular homicide and assault
American Driver & Traffic Safety Education Association Washington Traffic Safety Commission
Department of Licensing – Driving records
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Washington Operation Lifesaver – safety at railroad crossings AAA Foundation for Highway Safety
Center for Disease Control & Prevention – motor vehicle safety
Additional Resources
More Resources
TeenLiveDrive.com
Speeding over 100 MPH causes fatal collision
Images courtesy of Free.Foto - Shutterstock