1. Driving
Safety
ITC

2. DEFENSIVE DRIVING
How safe are our roads?
Driving injuries-on or off the job
Unsafe acts behind the wheel
Driving under the influence
“Road rage”
Unsafe driving conditions
Defensive driving techniques
2 second plus rule
Seat belts
Vehicle safety features
Security measures
Did you know?

4. HOW SAFE ARE OUR
ROADS?
• 2007 data for the U.S.
– 42,643 fatalities
– 2,889,000 injuries
– 4,365,000 crashes involving property damage
– Friday (especially evening/night hours) has more fatal accidents
than any other day
• NOTE: Most traffic accidents (80% -
90%) result from driver error!!!

6. USA’S TRAFFIC FATALITY
RATE
The country’s fatality rate is
continuing to fall as cars
become more safer. Fatality
rate is measured as the
number of traffic deaths per
100,000,000 miles driven.
National Average is 1.09
deaths per 100 million miles
of travel.

8. UNSAFE ACTS BEHIND
THE WHEEL
• Texting • Adjusting the radio dial
• Shaving • Driving at an unsafe speed
• Putting on make-up • Failing to stop or yield
• Reading a map • Unsafe passing of another
• Not using a seatbelt vehicle
• •
Driving under the influence Tailgating
• Not using turning signals
*Though perhaps in a different category, eating when driving and
using cell phones can compromise your response time by
distracting you and by removing one hand from the steering wheel.

10. DRIVING UNDER THE
INFLUENCE (DUI)
In 2007, there were 17,013 fatalities in alcohol-related crashes (40% of total traffic
fatalities for the year).
Sobering facts:
•About 2 in every 5 Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related traffic accident at some time in their lives
•Remember the one-one rule: one drink per hour (Your body takes about an hour to rid itself of each 1/2
ounce of alcohol)
•The legal Blood Alcohol Content in NC is 0.08
Progress in this arena:
•Drug testing and drug-free workplaces can act as a deterrent.
•A social stigma has been building against drinking & driving.
•Many social drinkers are being more responsible.
Signs that someone may be driving under the influence:
•A driver who is slow to respond to a traffic signal may be intoxicated

12. “ROAD RAGE”
• Road rage is driving under the influence of
too much anger.
• Provoked by:
– Feeling endangered by someone else’s driving
(another driver cuts you off or tailgates you).
– Resentment at being forced to slow down
– Righteous indignation at someone who breaks traffic
rules
– Anger at someone taking out their road rage on you
• Therapy for road rage:
– Take a deep breath and just let it go!

13. Unsafe conditions
• Poor visibility • Improper vehicle
– Night time driving (Fatality maintenance
rates/mile are 4 times higher – Inadequate brakes
at night.)
– Worn tread on tires
– Dust storms
– Hoses, belts
– Rain storms
– Inadequate acceleration
– Windshield wipers not
– Headlight(s) out
effective
Others
• Poor road conditions
- Driver fatigue
– Slippery surfaces from
weather - Unsecured
– Road not properly
laptops/equipment can
maintained become a projectile in a
crash.
Tip: if the road is wet and the car in Tip: the road is slickest after the
front of you is not leaving tire tracks, first few minutes of rainfall.
you may be at risk of hydroplaning.

14. Defensive Driving
Techniques
When Always check
#1 Rule: Use the right If you are being Check your
approaching an the shoulder of
always scan edge of the tailgated, incre rearview mirror
intersection the road. You
the road ahead pavement as a ase the anytime you
where the light may have to
of you to guide if you are following use your
has been green pull into the
determine any blinded by the distance to the brakes.
for a while, shoulder if
upcoming/possi bright lights of car in front of
decrease your another driver
ble problems; an oncoming you to 4 – 5
speed – this is makes a
then, you will vehicle. seconds.
called a “stale” mistake.
be prepared to green light.
stop, change
lanes, move
onto the
shoulder, etc.

16. DEFENSIVE DRIVING
TECHNIQUES CONT’D…
When you’re waiting to make a left turn, keep your wheels pointed straight.
When you’re going to change lanes, always turn on your signal and look in your
blind spot.
If your vehicle begins to skid, turn in the direction of the skid.
Always have your lights on during rain, fog, and snow.
When another driver is passing you, move to the right and be ready to slow down.
When negotiating curves, slow down before you enter the curve.
Speed Kills. Drive the speed limit. Reduce your speed based on weather
conditions.
Expect the unexpected. Look out for animals!!

18. 2 SECOND PLUS RULE
• Under “perfect conditions”, you should
maintain a 2 second following distance from
the car in front of you.
– “Perfect conditions” include driving a car (not a
truck, or other larger vehicle) and nice weather.
– Adverse conditions include driving a truck or other
vehicle larger than a car and rain, snow, ice, or other
bad weather.
• For each adverse condition, add 1 more
second to your following distance.

19. SEAT BELTS
You have a 50% Seat belts keep Seat belts help you Seat belts protect
better chance of passengers in their stay in control of you by absorbing
surviving a serious seats during a your vehicle, by the forces of a
crash without crash. keeping you in your crash.
injuries when you seat.
wear a seat belt;
your chances of
surviving a serious
crash are increased
by 45% when you
wear a seat belt.
Myth: seat belts frequently trap people in
burning vehicles.

21. VEHICLE SAFETY
FEATURES
• Daytime running lights • Child safety seats
– (Headlights that are on – Note: Children in child
whenever vehicle is running) seats should not be placed
• Lap/shoulder safety belts in the front seat of cars
– Reduce risk of moderate-to- • Anti-lock brakes
fatal injuries by approximately
50%. • Safety cages built into the
• Air bags for driver & vehicle framework
passenger • If buying a new car, ask
– Combined with lap/shoulder about side-impact collision
belts, they reduce risk of data.
fatality by another 10%.
• Side impact airbags • Research a vehicle’s
safety record at
• OnStar
www.safercar.gov

22. SECURITY MEASURES
• After entering the vehicle, lock the doors immediately
and keep the windows rolled up for the duration of the
trip.
• If you’re driving at night, stay on main roads.
• Always be aware of your surroundings when
entering/exiting the vehicle and park in well-lit areas.
• Have the keys ready to unlock the car before you get to
it.
• For Women: always drive with your purse on the
passenger floor. While waiting at a stop light, criminals
have smashed the passenger window and grabbed the
purse sitting in the passenger seat.
• Always hide valuables in your trunk while the car is
unattended.

24. DID YOU KNOW?
• When driving on a road that is new to you:
– Your eyes tend to scan the road from left to right, which is
an excellent driving habit.
– We tend not to scan when in familiar territory.
• Most collisions happen within 25 miles of people’s
homes.
• The best way to deal with a tailgater is to slow down.
This gives them a chance to pass you.
• When driving in winter weather, your most important
responsibility is your ability to anticipate problems.
• The best way to drive safely on ice is to decrease your
speed and drive defensively. Even better, stay off the
roads.

25. TEST TIME
• After viewing the training please click on the tests below.
• Print the test out.
– Internet Explorer: File  Print
– Google Chrome: Save to your computer first.
• Mesa Employees
– Once completed you can email the test to
aaintelicare@yahoo.com
– Or you can fax the test in 480-969-5512.
• Phoenix Employees
– Once completed you can email the test to
intelicarephx@yahoo.com
– Or you can fax the test in 602-253-5512.