The most common causes of traffic accidents are driving while distracted, fatigue, and impairment. It’s important to remember that these causes are not just a problem but, they are hazards presented by all the drivers on the road with them.
According to the American Automobile Association (AAA),
“the majority of fatal crashes occur within 25 miles of home and at speeds of less than 40 mph.”
A frontal collision at 30 mph, where your vehicle hits an object and stops, people and objects inside the vehicle continue to move forward until they hit the windshield, steering column, or dashboard. This literally has the same effect as falling from the top of a three-story building.
An effective driving safety program will not only minimize risk and the resulting costs of crashes, it can protect what makes your organization succeed, its people.
DRIVING SAFELY AT WORK
Vehicular accidents are the most common cause of workplace injury and death. Follow the bellow safety tips when navigating vehicles on company premises to help minimize accidents.
Prior to Entry
Check tires to make sure properly inflated
Ensure any attachments of the vehicle are properly secure
Check top ensure all lights work properly
Ensure any vehicle equipment is in proper order
Operate the forklift only if you’ve been trained
After Entry
Buckle you seat belt
Adjust your mirrors
Check the fuel level
Verify all gauges are operating properly
Check to ensure breaks are functional
During Transit
Keep your eyes focused on the space around you, be mindful of other vehicles and pedestrians
Avoid sharp turns
Keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle
Follow our speed limit and other regulations
Maintain a safe following distance from other vehicles – about three vehicle lengths.
Raise and lower your load only when you are stopped
Stop and sound the horn at intersections
Use signals
Note any road maintenance issues and report them
DRIVING DEFENSIVELY
Driving defensively means being constantly aware of the driving conditions, planning, anticipating hazards, and taking action to avoid accidents. Defensive driving will help to protect the health and safety of yourself and others. Let’s examine the key elements of defensive driving.
Attitude and Awareness
Courtesy and consideration towards others are important defensive driving attitudes everyone needs
Concentration and alertness are key elements of defensive driving, stay focused on your driving
Driving when you’re fatigued or emotionally distressed can be just as dangerous as driving drunk
Foresight
Foresight means being able to anticipate potential traffic situations and being prepared to take corrective action. Safe driving requires you to exercise good judgment and recognize the proper choices to make in any given situation.
Knowledge and Experience
Inexperienced drivers should learn through instruction, observation and practice. If you’re not enrolled in a driver training program, ask an experienced, skilled licensed driver to help you
Experienced drivers can face problems of carelessness, overconfidence and bad driving habits that develop over time
Driving is a well-rehearsed skill that involves anticipation, reaction and constant change of the spacing between your vehicle and other vehicles
Scanning
Most of what you do as a defensive driver is in response to what you see while driving
Avoid a fixed stare; keep your eyes moving and read the road
Avoid the need for last minute decisions; look ahead for a distance of about one city block
Look to both sides at intersections
Check your mirrors, both rear view and side view, frequently to keep track of traffic that could affect you
Blind Spots
Blind spots are areas to the left and right of your vehicle that are not visible in your mirrors.
When changing lanes, don’t rely entirely on your mirrors, always turn your head and take a look
Other blind spots can occur when vehicles are parked too close to intersections, or when bushes, trees, or other obstructions block your view at intersections. In these situations, slowly inch your vehicle forward until you can be sure it is safe to proceed
Avoid driving in other driver’s blind spots; speed up or drop back. Make sure other drivers can see you
Communicating
Always signal your intentions to other drivers.
Use your turn signals when making any turn or lane change. Signal at least 4 seconds in advance
If you’re turning just past an intersection, don’t start signaling until you’re in the intersection
After making your direction change, be sure to turn off your signal
Spacing
The space between your vehicle and others gives you time to react and avoid collisions.
Stay in the middle of your lane to maintain clearance from other vehicles
Keep enough space between your vehicle and any vehicle you’re following to allow time to stop at any speed
Drive at a constant speed to help drivers following you maintain a safe distance. If another driver is following too closely, change lanes if possible, or slow down and move to the right to encourage them to pass
Source: https://www.safetyservicescompany.com/topic/safety-tips-2/defensive-driving/
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