Driving Safety

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DRIVING
SAFETY

Driver Settings
■ Your seat should be adjusted so
that there’s a slight bend at the
elbow while gripping the wheel.
■ Think of the wheel as a face
clock- your hands should be
positioned at either 10 O’clock
and 2 O’clock, or 3 O’clock and
9 O’clock
■ Grip the wheel tightly enough so
your hand don’t slide off.
■ Have your side mirrors adjusted
so the back door handles are
just visible, or angled to reduce
blind spots.

Adjusting Side Mirrors for Blind Spots
■ When adjusting your blind spots, park your car and have
someone stand in your blind spots.
■ Adjust the side mirrors until you can see the person.
■ Check your mirrors to see which spots still remain invisible, then
re-adjust and check again.

Merging
■ Merging requires your attention to
a few different factors.
■ When the traffic is moving at
posted speeds, use the
acceleration lane to speed up and
match traffic flow.
■ In doing so, use your turn signal
and look for an adequate opening
where you can smoothly merge.
■ During heavy traffic, move down
the ramp slowly and wait for an
adequate opening.
■ Avoid stopping at the bottom of
entrance ramps because it can
disrupt the flow of traffic.

Intersections
■ Avoid closely following large
vehicles through intersections
with stoplights. It’s very difficult
to see light changes.
■ Ensure you have clear view of
everything before proceeding.
■ During a left turn, slow down
and yield if there is not a green
arrow.
■ Don’t accelerated until you’re
ready to move; if your vehicle is
hit from behind, it could push
you into oncoming traffic.

4 Way Stops
■ The first vehicle to arrive at
an intersection with a four-
way stop (whether sign or
traffic light) should be first to
go.
■ The general rule is that the
driver to the right has the
right-of-way if two cars arrive
at the same time.
■ Proceed with caution in case
another driver doesn’t follow
the correct procedure.

Vehicle Maintenance
■ Vehicle that haven’t had
adequate maintenance can
cause car crashes.
■ Maintain the proper air pressure
in your tires to prevent blow-outs
or flat tires.
■ Wiper blades should be changed
regularly.
■ Your owner’s manual should
have a maintenance schedule
which can help you plan
necessary maintenance.

Tire and Wheel Maintenance
■ Check tire (including spare) air pressure regularly; at
least once a month.
■ Check for:
– Uneven wear patterns
– Cracks
– Foreign objects
– Other signs of wear
– All tire valves have valve caps.
– Pressure before a long trip.
■ Check tire info placard for maximum recommended
load of your vehicle.
■ When towing a trailer, some weight of loaded trailer is
transferred to vehicle, so ensure it complies with the
max.

Flat Tire/Blowout on the Highway
At the first sign of trouble:
1. Firmly grip the steering wheel
2. Do not slam on brakes
3. Take foot off the gas pedal
4. Work vehicle toward the shoulder or exit
5. If changing lanes, use turn signals
6. Steer as vehicle slows down
7. Once off road, place reflective triangles
8. Keep emergency flashers on
9. Change tire, if you know how
10. Keep away from traffic
11. Call for professional help, if necessary
12. Do not stand behind or next to vehicle

Safe Driving Skills
■ Keep your eyes constantly moving:
– Look up and down the road
– Look to the sides of the road
– Look into the rear view mirror
■ Always leave yourself an out:
– Try to find a clear spot to go if a crash occurs
– Consider other drivers’ blind spots
■ Don’t linger while passing.
■ Never “tailgate”, or follow someone too closely.
■ Avoid “wolf packs” of vehicles.

Safe Driving Do’s and Don’ts
■ Make sure that other drivers can see you.
■ Allow plenty of time when using a turn signal.
■ Maintain a consistent, average speed on highways.
■ Conform to the traffic speed when merging.
■ Avoid rapid or sudden movements when exiting highways.
■ Obey traffic signs, lights and signals.
■ Keep your eyes on the road, avoid distracted driving.
■ Watch for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists.
■ Watch for animals.

Safe Driving Skills
Stopping on Highways:
■ Never be a stationary
object or semi-stationary
obstacle in the lanes.
■ Never stop at the end of
an exit ramp.
■ Avoid stopping on
shoulders, and try to exit
highways before stopping.

Driver Fatigue
■ Your reaction time and
your vision deteriorate
when you are tired.
■ The best way to combat
fatigue is to pull over, take
a short “cat nap” or even
just closing your eyes for
a while.
■ Taking a short walk also
works.
■ Try stopping 2-3 hours
when driving long
distances.

Knowing Your Vehicle
You should know:
■ What every button, switch and lever does.
■ Where the oil, brake fluid, engine coolant and
window washer reservoirs are.
■ How to fill those reservoirs.
■ What every indicator light means.
■ How to operate basic items, such as the defroster,
wipers, radio and headlights.

Driving at Night
■ Traffic deaths are 3X greater at night than during the
day (Source: National Safety Council).
■ To prepare for nighttime driving, clean headlights,
taillights, signal lights and windows (at least weekly).
■ Never drink and drive!
■ Drive carefully and increase following distances.
■ Don’t out-drive your headlights – your should be able
to stop inside illuminated area.

Driving at Night
■ Keep your headlights on
low beam when following
vehicles.
■ Look to the right side of
road if an oncoming driver
doesn’t dim their high
beams.
■ Stop and rest if you’re
tired.
■ Pull to the side of the road
and turn on emergency
flashers if you have
vehicle issues.

Seasonal Driving
■ Winter driving = slippery roads, visibility
issues, cold, etc.
■ Spring = rain can cause slippery roads.
■ Summer = high heat cause vehicle
problems; there’s more traffic on roads.
■ Fall = wet leaves on road can make it
slippery.

Driving in Rainy Weather
■ Drive slowly and carefully;
particularly on curves.
■ Steer and brake with light
pressure.
■ Do not brake hard or lock the
wheels, it could cause
skidding or hydroplaning.
■ Maintain mild pressure on the
brake pedal.
■ Adjust speed to the road
conditions.

Skids
1. If you’re skidding, remain
calm.
2. Ease foot off the gas
pedal.
3. Steer in the direction you
want the front of the
vehicle to go; also known
as “steering into the skid”.
4. If your vehicle has anti-lock
brakes (ABS), avoid
slamming the brakes;
brake firmly but
consistently while steering
into skid.

Hydroplaning
■ When water in front of tires builds up faster than vehicle’s weight
can push it out of the way, causing loss of traction.
■ The water pressure then causes the vehicle to tread on a thin
layer of water between tires and road.
■ This can can cause skidding, drifting out of lane, leaving roadway
or “fishtailing”.
■ To avoid hydroplaning, keep your tires properly inflated, maintain
good tread, slow down and avoid puddles.
■ If you suspect you’re hydroplaning, do not brake or turn suddenly.
■ Ease your foot off gas until vehicle slows down, and you can feel
traction again.
■ When braking, do it gently, with light pumping actions.
■ If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes (ABS) you’ll be able to brake
normally.

Winter Driving
■ Ensure your wiper blades are in good condition, and your
windshield washer fluid is filled.
■ Ensure that your battery is fully charged, and is in good
condition.
■ Clear snow/ice from all windows, lights, hood, trunk and
top of vehicle before driving.
■ Adjust speed according to conditions.
■ Dress warmly with layered clothing that is loose-fitting and
lightweight.
■ Have an emergency blanket or jacket in the car in case
your vehicle breaks down and you need to stay warm.
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Winter Driving
If in vehicle and stranded due to road conditions:
■ Stay in your vehicle.
■ Display trouble sign (ex: brightly-colored
cloth on antenna).
■ Occasionally your run engine to turn on the heater to
keep warm (or use an emergency blanket).
■ Keep exhaust pipe free of snow and open a
window to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
■ Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia.

Winter Driving
If in vehicle and stranded due to road conditions:
■ Do minor exercises to keep up circulation.
■ Clap hands and move limbs frequently.
■ Try not to stay in one position for too long.
■ Avoid drinking fluids containing caffeine or alcohol; it
can quicken effects of cold.

Winter Driving
Stopping Distances and Wet/Snowpack/Icy Roads:
■ On snowy or icy roads, your vehicle may have 4x the
stopping distance than on dry road.
■ A vehicle on dry pavement traveling 70 mph requires
600 feet to stop; a wet road requires 800 feet.
■ Snow packed roads require approximately 1300 feet
stopping distance at 70 mph.
■ Icy roads requires 2,500 feet at 70 mph.

Winter Driving
Winterizing Vehicles:
• Keep your ice-scraper in the vehicle.
• Carry a spare set of wiper blades.
• Carry kitty litter, oil dry or sand for
traction if necessary.
• Carry emergency blankets, flashlight,
road flares.
• Have lock de-icer available if
necessary.
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If You’re Vehicle is On Fire
■ Get everyone, including yourself, out of and away from the
vehicle.
■ Get a safe distance from the vehicle and call fire department.
■ Do not stand near the vehicle bumpers.
■ Stay away from vehicle; do not attempt to get back into burning
vehicle.
■ If you’re trained are comfortable, and fire is small, use
appropriate fire extinguisher.
■ If you think the fire is under hood or in trunk, do not open.

General Driving Safety Tips
■ Always wear your seatbelt!
■ When backing up, use caution:
– if you must, have a passenger get out and direct; or
get out and check area before backing.
■ If a gas pump is not operating properly, report it and
discontinue use.
■ Shut off your motor and do not smoke or use cell phone
when refueling.
■ Don’t leave the engine running in an unattended
vehicle.
■ Report all work driving accidents, no matter how minor,
to your supervisor.
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General Vehicle Safety Tips
Inspect vehicle before driving.
Check that:
■ The horn, lights and turn signals
work.
■ The tires are in good condition.
■ The brakes are working (test
upon moving).
■ The emergency brake works.
■ The gauges after starting (e.g.,
fuel, battery, temperature, etc.)
to ensure they’re working.

■ Distracted driving is a factor in more than 20 percent
of vehicle crashes.
■ Drivers on cell phones fail to see up to half of the
information in their driving environment.
■ Do not text while driving – pull over or send your texts
before driving.
■ Pull over to talk on phone – even “hands free” devices
can be distracting.
Distracted Driving

Preventing Road Rage
■ Don’t engage with angry drivers,
and don’t try to offend them.
■ Stay calm.
■ Avoid cutting people off.
■ Don’t “tailgate”.
■ Don’t make obscene or
questionable gestures.
■ Avoid eye contact.
■ Don’t start a fight. De-escalate the
situation as best as you can.

Overview
■ Operating a vehicle is a pleasant experience, but can also be
dangerous.
■ Use your common sense, obey speed limits, drive defensively
and observe “road safety rules.”
■ Distracted driving can be just as dangerous as alcohol-impaired
driving.
■ Be a careful, alert, courteous and safe driver.
■ Drive safe!

Driving Safety

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