One of the most important elements of safe driving is the ability to control the situation. All actions in response to a threat should be the result of a rational, intelligent decision, and not a reaction to an unexpected danger. In other words, act--don't be forced to react. Select the safe driving tactic that best fits your situation and execute it in a smooth, predictable manner, and in time to avoid a collision.
BREAK DOWN THE RISK
· Break down the known risks and identify the greatest threat
· Take risks one at a time
· Create "safe space" in the front, rear, and both sides to reduce potential driving hazards
· Maintain this safe space between yourself and the cars near you
One safe driving tactic is to break down the risks, and to take them one at a time, if possible. When you cannot break down the risks and find it necessary to deal with two or more threats at the same time, decide which is the greatest threat and give it the safest amount of space.
You can better control the situation and reduce potential driving hazards by creating a safe space to the front, rear, and on both sides. This safe space gives you an extra margin of protection while driving in traffic situations that are constantly changing.
SAFE SPACE
To insulate your car from potential hazards, you should drive within a physical safe space--a clear space around your car that moves with you as you drive. Depending on your speed and driving conditions, you should maintain a safe distance between yourself and the cars near you. It's a margin of safety in front, behind, and on both sides of you.
BE CONSTANTLY PREPARED TO COMPENSATE FOR THE MISTAKES OF OTHER DRIVERS
Since you never know what other drivers might do, control your distance from other cars. This way, you'll have time to react to avoid a collision when someone does something you don't expect. In other words, you constantly have to be prepared to compensate for the mistakes of other drivers.
You should always try to keep these spaces free of traffic so you'll have time to compensate for what other drivers are doing.
One technique for maintaining your space is the three-second following rule. Under good driving conditions, you're safe as long as you're a full three seconds behind the car ahead of you. Pick out a fixed object as a reference point. When the car ahead of you reaches that point, count to yourself, "one thousand and one, one thousand and two, one thousand and three." If you reached the reference point in three seconds, you're okay. If you got there in less than three seconds, your safety zone is too small. Slow down and distance yourself from the car ahead until you're at least three seconds behind.
But don't forget about a safe space on both sides of your vehicle, as well as to the rear. If you get boxed in by other vehicles, pedestrians, or objects, your ability to respond to a situation is limited to speeding up or slowing down. You can keep your safe space to the sides by speeding up or slowing down, and then changing lanes. To help create a safe space on both sides, avoid driving alongside other vehicles on multi-lane streets for any length of time. Keep as much safe space as possible between your car and oncoming vehicles. And keep a safe space between yourself and parked cars. Always be watchful of car doors opening or pedestrians stepping into the street.
Having safe space behind is almost as important as safe space ahead. A driver that tailgates you limits your ability to slow rapidly in case of an emergency ahead. Although the driver behind has more control over the space than you, there are several things you can do.
IF A DRIVER TAILGATES:
1 - COMMUNICATE 2 - INCREASE SAFE SPACE AHEAD 3 - CHANGE LANES 4 - REDUCE YOUR SPEED
Communicate with tailgaters by tapping your brakes lightly to signal that they are too close. Increase your safe space to the front by putting more distance between your car and the one ahead.
If you're on a multi-lane roadway, move to the right so the tailgater can pass you, or reduce your speed to encourage the driver behind you to pass. If they do not, go to a well-lit public place and pull off the road. If the tailgater is still there, proceed to the nearest law enforcement station. However, don't be so concerned with the tailgater that you lose concentration on what is happening to the front.
Drivers who tailgate are not obeying traffic laws, and failure to obey traffic laws is a major driving error.
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MAJOR DRIVING ERRORS
Failure to maintain your vehicle is another major driving error. If you don't take care of your vehicle, it might break down, leaving you stranded and creating an obstacle on the roadway. It's a misdemeanor to operate a vehicle that is unsafe if it endangers other people.
Discourtesy to other drivers or being combative in traffic is also a major driving error.
Lack of driving knowledge is another. So are bad judgment and poor decision- making.
Drive with a mature attitude.
There are ways for safe drivers to avoid and compensate for these major errors of other drivers. The first thing is to assume a mature attitude when driving a vehicle. It may be the most important factor in defensive driving.
Beyond that you should:
Always scan the road ahead
Beyond that you should:
Always scan the road ahead
Be alert
Beyond that you should:
Always scan the road ahead
Be alert
Anticipate the worst
Beyond that you should:
Always scan the road ahead
Be alert
Anticipate the worst
Break down risks
Beyond that you should:
Always scan the road ahead
Be alert
Anticipate the worst
Break down risks
Identify the greatest threat
Beyond that you should:
Always scan the road ahead
Be alert
Anticipate the worst
Break down risks
Identify the greatest threat
Give yourself safe space
Always scan the road at least 12 to 15 seconds ahead and identify critical objects. Be alert to the driving environment and try to anticipate how the critical objects in your intended path of travel could affect you. Anticipate the worst.
Use good judgment in determining safe driving tactics. This will help you to act in a crisis situation instead of having to react. Break down the risks and try to deal with them one at a time, if possible. Identify the greatest threat and give that priority. Finally, maintain your safe space and implement all necessary maneuvers to find the path of least resistance.
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If you've ever been passed on the wrong side, tailgated, cut off or hemmed in by another vehicle, then you've been the victim of an aggressive driver. Aggressive driving often ends in collisions and personal attacks. Drivers can be fined up to $200 for each moving violation associated with aggressive driving. In addition, car insurance companies often raise rates for drivers with multiple moving violations.
HOW TO AVOID DANGER
First, be a cautious, considerate driver. Avoid creating a situation that may provoke another motorist. Don't tailgate. If you are in the left lane and someone wants to pass, move over and let the driver by. Do not make inappropriate hand or facial gestures. Use your horn sparingly.
HOW TO AVOID DANGER
Second, if you do encounter an angry driver, don't make matters worse by triggering a confrontation. Avoid eye contact. Steer clear and give angry drivers plenty of room. Put as much distance between you and the aggressive driver as possible.
Driving is not a contest. It is not about winning. You can't control the drivers around you. You can control only the way you react to them.
TRUCKS
When we use our roads and highways, we have to share them with all types of moving objects.
Some have a decided advantage over us.
Others are at a great disadvantage. They each present their own set of hazards to your driving safety.
Most trucks are driven by professionals who understand the importance of safe driving.
A few, however, act very immaturely as they go barreling down the highway well over the speed limit. They tailgate, change lanes unsafely, and act like the road is their exclusive property.
A bad truck driver is definitely a driving hazard.
Before you challenge a truck for road space, think about its stopping ability. Trucks are frequently heavily loaded, which means it takes them longer to stop than it does your passenger vehicle.
You should also consider the truck's cargo load. It could shift or break loose, causing a serious hazard for any vehicles close by.
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Some trucks are top heavy and can easily flip over on curbs or when rounding corners too fast.
Also, be aware of the many blind spots the truck driver faces. He's pulling a huge trailer, so he can't see vehicles that are following too closely behind him. And, since the cab of the truck is so high, a careless trucker may not see smaller cars as they pull alongside. If the truck were to change lanes while you're passing, guess who'd come out on top?
Driving in the city where trucks are present poses its own special set of hazards. Trucks have to swing wide to make right turns on narrow city streets. Be extremely cautious, and don't pass a truck on the right, especially near an intersection. Also, trucks sometimes have to start their turn on the wrong side of the road, making it easy to have a head-on collision with one of these large rigs.
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When you need to pass a truck, you will have to start your pass farther back than when passing a car. Remember, it will also take longer to complete the pass because of the truck's length. Be sure you have plenty of clear road ahead before you start to pass, and try to stay as far away from the truck as possible. Big trucks can create a wind strong enough to make it seem as though you're losing control of your vehicle.
When it's raining and water is standing on the road, remember that spray from a passing truck will seriously reduce your vision. Move as far away from the truck as you safely can.
Also, remember that trucks have more trouble braking and stopping on slippery roads, so give them plenty of room to maneuver.
TRAINS
Collisions with trucks, cars, and other vehicles on our roadways sometimes are hard to avoid. But there's almost no excuse for a collision between a train and a motor vehicle. Just don't be on the tracks when a train is approaching.
If it's so simple, why did over 400 people die in 2001 from over 3,200 highway-rail crossing "incidents" between trains and motor vehicles? (Federal Railroad Administration, 2003) The number of deaths is comparatively low when you consider that there are over 260,000 railroad crossings in the United States. However, even one death seems unnecessarily high when you consider all of the safeguards in place to prevent it.
Signs warn us that we're approaching railroad tracks. Signs tell us how many tracks we have to cross, and at many crossings there are flashing red lights, alarm bells and gongs, and even gates with flashing red lights.
In addition, the locomotive gives several loud blasts from its air horn to further warn motorists of its approach.
So what causes so many deaths?
CAUSES OF TRAIN COLLISIONS
Excessive speed
CAUSES OF TRAIN COLLISIONS
Excessive speed
Misjudging the train's speed
CAUSES OF TRAIN COLLISIONS
Excessive speed
Misjudging the train's speed
Rolling onto the tracks after stopping
CAUSES OF TRAIN COLLISIONS
Excessive speed
Misjudging the train's speed
Rolling onto the tracks after stopping
Collision with a second train
CAUSES OF TRAIN COLLISIONS
Excessive speed
Misjudging the train's speed
Rolling onto the tracks after stopping
Collision with a second train
Stopping on the tracks
If for any reason your vehicle gets stalled on railroad tracks, the first thing to do is GET EVERYBODY OUT OF THE VEHICLE and safely away from the tracks. Once everyone is out of the car, if no train is coming, then try to push the car off of the tracks. If you can't, then call the police. They'll notify the railroad company to stop the trains on the route until the car has been removed.
MOTORCYCLES
Motorcycles also pose special hazards for drivers of autos and trucks. They're smaller and harder to see. And if they're involved in a collision, they don't have the protection of a steel shell or the added safety of restraining devices.
There are six basic rules to follow when you're driving near a motorcyclist. One, create a large safe space between your vehicle and the motorcycle in front of you.
Two, when you pass a motorcycle, treat it as though it's the same width as a car. Move all the way over to the next lane.
Three, allow an oncoming motorcycle plenty of room if you're turning in front of it.
Four, when stopping at intersections, don't encroach on the intersection to the point that your vehicle presents a hazard to a passing motorcyclist.
Five, before changing lanes, take a good look to make certain there's not a motorcycle riding in your blind spot.
And six, take another look to be absolutely certain the motorcyclist is not in your lane.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, more than 650,000 people in Texas are licensed to operate a motorcycle, of which 30,000 were new licenses issued in 2001. Operating a motorcycle safely requires the use of special mental and physical skills.
While Texas does not require all motorcycle riders to wear helmets, it is strongly recommended that riders wear helmets to increase safety and save lives. Texas law states that in order to be exempt from wearing a helmet, a person must be at least 21 years of age. In addition, they must successfully complete a motorcycle safety course or be covered by a health insurance plan providing at least $10,000 in medical benefits for motorcycle-related injuries.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 247 motorcycle fatalities (operators and passengers) in Texas in 2002 (a 1% increase over the 243 killed in 2001). Sixty-eight percent of all fatally injured motorcyclists were not wearing helmets at the time of the accident.
BICYCLES
Bicycle riders have many of the same rights on the road as motorists. You are required to yield the right-of-way to bicycles at intersections, when making lane changes, and when making left or right turns.
Bicycle riders are required to obey all of the same traffic laws that apply to motor vehicles, except those governing the physical properties of the bicycle itself.
In reality, however, many bicyclists don't think the laws apply to them. Some of them routinely ignore stop signs, red lights, yield signs, and speed limits, and some of them ride on the wrong side of the street or ride at night without lights.
Since bicyclists don't always watch out for motor vehicles as well as they should, it's your responsibility as a safe driver to be especially watchful for them. You need to be alert for poor riding habits of bicyclists and be ready to react quickly.
When approaching a bicyclist, tap your horn slightly to alert the rider. Don't wait till you're too close, though. It might sound like an emergency and cause the rider to swerve or fall.
Give all bicycle riders an extra measure of room when passing.
Be extra careful around any bicyclist riding down the right-hand side of the street next to parked cars.
The driver of a parked car might swing his door open, causing the rider to collide with the door and be thrown head first onto the pavement. Or, it may cause the rider to swerve left into a lane of fast-moving traffic.
Most important of all, remember that many bicycle riders are kids, and you can never predict what they might do. So, allow an even greater safe space when you encounter kids on bicycles.
THE LAW FOR BICYCLISTS
· Ride near the curb, traveling in the same direction as the traffic.
· Have a light on the front and a red reflector on the back of your bike while driving at night. (You may also add a rear red light.)
· Keep at least one hand on the handlebars; two hands are safer.
· Brakes must be capable of making the braked wheel skid on dry, level pavement.
· Use proper hand and arm signals when you want to stop or turn.
GOOD IDEAS FOR BICYCLISTS
· Wear a properly fitting helmet to reduce the chances of head injury and death. (In some places, city or county law requires it.)
· Always check brakes and tires before riding.
PEDESTRIANS
Like bicycle and motorcycle riders, pedestrians have very little physical protection, so it is up to you as a safe driver to help keep them out of harm's way.
Safe drivers always yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, even when they are violating the law.
You are required to yield to pedestrians legally using crosswalks and crossing with a green light. You're also required to yield to pedestrians on sidewalks when exiting private driveways.
Remember, when you're scanning the roadway for immediate and potential driving hazards, pedestrian traffic is a very important consideration. By constantly scanning the road ahead, you're better able to recognize potential problems before they occur, and anticipate what might happen far enough in advance to be prepared for just about any eventuality. That's what safe driving is all about.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 4,808 pedestrians were killed and 71,000 were injured in 2002, representing 2 percent of all the people injured in traffic crashes and 11 percent of all traffic fatalities. On average, a pedestrian is killed in a traffic crash every 109 minutes, and one is injured every 7 minutes.
Additionally, NHTSA 2002 statistics show four states that stand out as having the most annual pedestrian fatalities in the nation: California (707 fatalities), Florida (487), Texas (397), and New York (336).
THE LAW FOR PEDESTRIANS
· Pedestrians must yield to a vehicle on the roadway if crossing the street at a place other than a marked crosswalk or pedestrian tunnel or crossing (NOTE: If you are hit while jaywalking, the driver may not be liable, and their insurance may not cover your injuries.)
· Stay on sidewalks and the right-hand side of crosswalks; pedestrians have the right of way in crosswalks.
· On a road without sidewalks, walk on the left side facing traffic.
Good ideas for pedestrians:
· Always cross at intersections
· Look for traffic when stepping off a bus or from behind parked cars
· Get in and out of cars on the curb side of the street
