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DEFENSIVE DRIVING
The
following safety module is intended to be used as a refresher safety awareness session and
is in no way to be used as a substitute for job training nor proper equipment use.
Defensive driving means that you not only pay attention to your driving, but to the
other person on the road, too. A defensive driver is prepared for the unexpected during
bad weather, night hours, heavy traffic, as well as in light traffic.
 IF YOU HAVE
BEEN DRINKING DON'T DRIVE
Drinking alcoholic beverages diminishes your brain's ability to make accurate judgments.
So, if you have been drinking, either designate a driver who hasn't been drinking or call
a cab or friend to drive you. Each year, 23,000 people are killed due to drunk drivers and
almost twice that number are injured. You can avoid becoming a statistic by not taking
chances. Many people believe that drinking coffee will "sober" them up enough to
drive, but this simply isn't true. Coffee can not alter nor erase the chemical effects
that alcohol has on your body. The best thing you can do if you've had too much to drink
is to rest. Generally, two and one half hours of rest for every drink is a good rule to
follow.
MAINTAIN YOUR
CAR IN GOOD CONDITION
The first action you can take as a defensive driver is to make sure your car is in good
running condition. Each time you have oil changes, tune-ups or other type of work on your
car, record the date in a notebook and keep the car's maintenance on a regular schedule.
Make sure tire tread is above the wear bars. Worn tires can blow out, skid and cause
accidents. Check break lights and turn signals regularly to make sure they are operating
correctly.
DO WHAT YOU CAN
TO AVOID COLLISIONS
By driving the legal speed limit and by keeping a car length for every 10 miles per hour
you are traveling between you and the car in front of you can help minimize the risk of a
collision. To avoid being hit head-on, look ahead for potential problems and slow down or
get off the road in advance if you suspect a problem ahead. To avoid being hit from the
rear, use your turn indicator and slow down gradually. Tap your brake lights a couple of
times to warn the driver behind you that you are reducing your speed. Be sure to leave
enough space between you and the car in front of you as you slow down in case the driver
behind you runs into you.
BE CAUTIOUS AT
INTERSECTIONS
Over 2/3 of all traffic injuries occur at intersections so be prepared when you approach
one. Always use your turn signal if you plan to make a turn, and assume the other drivers
don't see your signal. Proceed cautiously. Don't assume other drivers will give you the
right-of-way.
DON'T DRIVE IF
YOU ARE TAKING MEDICATION OR ARE TIRED
Many cold remedies cause drowsiness. Driving when you are tired increases the potential
for injuries. If you are tired, do not drive. Pull off the road at a safety rest area and
sleep until you are rested and alert enough to continue.
ALWAYS WEAR
YOUR SEAT BELT
Over and over, seat belts have proven to save lives. You can increase your chance for
survival in an accident if you get into the habit of wearing your seat belt. There are
those who think that a seat belt will "trap" them in the vehicle in case of an
accident, but more people survive the initial impact and are able to escape while those
who have elected not to wear their seat belts have died from being thrown from the car. If
you have a lap belt and a shoulder belt, it's highly recommended that you wear both. A
shoulder belt should not be worn alone.
KEEP INFANTS
AND TODDLERS IN CAR SEATS
It's law that children under four years old must be belted into specially designed car
seats and not permitted to stand up and move around while the vehicle is moving. Infants
should never be held in an adult's lap. The force of impact during an accident increases
the infant's weight 12 times making it impossible for the adult to hold onto the child.
YIELD AS OFTEN
AS POSSIBLE
A defensive driver will yield as often as possible to other drivers who are determined to
go first. If you approach an intersection at the same time as another vehicle, allow them
to proceed first unless they signal to you otherwise. A little patience can save time and
injury.
USE YOUR HAND
SIGNALS WHEN DRIVING IN THE FIELD
Working around large machinery is often noisy, so every agricultural driver should know
the proper use of hand signals. Hand communication is successfully used in the military,
construction companies and on the farm/ranch to communicate between workers. The American
Society for Agricultural Engineers (ASAE) has adopted the most commonly used signals that
can be used by all agricultural workers. Ask your supervisor for a copy of these hand
signals. |
