Defensive Driving What are the attributes of a

Defensive Driving • • What are the attributes of a good driver? Defensive Driving Formula Be Alert, Be prepared, Act in time, defensive, polite • What are the attributes of a poor driver? • Reckless, rude, aggressive, self centered

DEFENSIVE DRIVING SMITH SYSTEM/S. I. P. D E. Aim High in Steering Search Keep Your Eyes Moving Identify Get the Big Picture Predict Make Sure They See You Decide Leave Yourself an Out Execute

DEFENSIVE DRIVING SMITH SYSTEM/S. I. P. D. E • AIM HIGH ISTEERING • Search • 12 SECONDS AHEAD • USE CENTRAL & SIDE VISION • GLANCE DON’T STARE • SEARCH • LOOK FOR POTENTIAL PROBLEMS

What are you searching for • Other vehicles - cars, trucks buses slow moving vehicles • Pedestrians • Animals • Signs, lines and pavement markings • Yellow lines double solid (NO PASSING) • Solid and broken Passing on broken side only

Factors that may influence your line of sight • Time of day night time Headlights on • Use Low and high beams • Road features- curves hills urban vs suburban, school, business • weather rain (lights on) Fog (low beams) Snow (studded snow tires Nov 15 - Apr. 1) • Make sure all windows are clear of frost

KEEP YOU R EYES MOVING IDENTIFY/ IDENTIFY • KEEP EYE FIXATIONS MOVING • SCAN TRAFFIC SCENE • RECOGNIZE PROBLEMS • KIDS, CARS, • CURVES

GET THE BIG PICTURE PREDICT • CHECK MIRRORS OFTEN • CHECK BLIND SPOTS BEFORE LANE CHANGES • ANTICIPATE OTHERS NEXT MOVES • WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT

Good eye Habits • Eyes should never stay fixed on one object for more than a brief pause • Mirrors rear and side should be checked frequently ( keep track of who is approaching from behind especially on highways (tailgaters) slow down move to the right • Prevents highway hypnosis

You must be aware of who is around you at all times • No Zones or Blind spots (lane changes) • Mirrors, blinker blind spot –Pass- then repeat procedure • Truck No zones and dealing with trucks at intersections • Blind spots before you start a trip

MAKE SURE THEY SEE YOU DECIDE • COMMUNICATION WITH OTHER DRIVERS • MAKE CHOICE ON HOW TO AVOID A PROBLEM • SLOW DOWN, COVER BRAKE, MAKE LANE ADJUSTMENT

Stay out of the NO ZONES • • Following distance 3 Second rule Weather conditions increase this Stay out of blind spots Leave pedestrians especially children more room and slow down Cover your brake to reduce your stopping distance by eliminating a reaction distance

LEAVE AN OUT EXECUTE • MAINTAIN SAFETY MARGIN (FRONT REAR SIDES) • DO THE DRIVING SKILL NEEDED • IF YOU ARE PAYING CAREFUL ATTENTION, HARD BRAKING WILL NOT BE ONE OF THE CHOICES

How to Execute your plan • • • Slow down Adjust lane position (when possible) Flash your lights Use your horn If you practice these DEFENSIVE DRIVING principles you will become a much safer driver.

State Test Information Library • Use of Bright beam lights. In open country driving. • City driving Drive slowly, yield to pedestrians, look at least 12 seconds ahead • Diamond shaped sign Construction or warning • Not stopping for a pedestrian in a crosswalk has a fine of • $500, up to 25 days in jail, 6 mos. License suspension, 2 points and community service • To reduce your chances of having an accident use the standard accident prevention formula; Be Alert, Be Prepared, Act in Time • If a motorist is passing you: you should slow down and make it easier for them to pass

State Test library • If a large truck or bus cannot see you in their rearview mirror you are in their NO- ZONE or blind spot • Trucks take 25% longer to stop during bad weather • Child safety seats belong in the rear seat • Parking rule for a fire hydrant is 10’ • Keep a safe distance: to decrease reaction time, get a clear view of the road, have time to react to emergencies • Parking for a stop sign is 50’

State test • Headlights on in daylight hours when your headlights and wipers are on • 3 second plus rule helps you keep a safe distance • Braking distance on dry roads at 60 mph = 300 ft. • When approaching a curve your vehicle wants to keep going straight

State test • When behind the wheel as a drive you should always remain calm. • Inline skaters, skateboarders and bicyclists must follow the same rules as a motorist • Signs of an aggressive driver: They don’t yield right of way, don’t make complete stops at no turn on red signs, don’t signal, improper lane changes, tailgating, This may lead to accidents • Causes of distracted driving: adjusting the radio, eating, cell phones • Pedestrian safety: yield to people in crosswalks, be alert and follow speed limits, never pass cars yielding to pedestrians You may park anywhere a police officer tells you is ok