DDC

Course Goals 1
session
 Acquire the skills and knowledge you need to be a defensive driver
 Recognize that defensive driving is a matter of personal choice
 Recognize common hazards in the driving environment and react to prevent

collisions
 Describe the dangers of impaired driving
 Avoid the six most common driving errors
Copyright © 2010 National Safety Council 2

Session 1
It’s All About Choices

Friends and Family 1
session

Video 1
session
It Happened to Me

RUA Defensive Driver? 1
session
Recognize the hazard.
Understand the defense.
Act correctly, in time.

What is a defensive driver ? 1
session
Is it no collisions / no tickets ?

Reality 1
session
We might have no need for Defensive Driving

if everyone
 Showed courtesy toward other drivers
 Drove cautiously
 Paid attention

Defensive Driving Defined 1
session
Defensive driving is…

driving to save lives, time,
and money in spite of the
conditions around you and
the actions of others.

How to Develop Defensive Driving Habits
1
session
 Make safe and legal driving decisions.

 Create a safe, stress-free personal
driving space in and around your
vehicle.
 Drive to your destination safely—
without a ticket or a crash, and
without compromising the safety
of other drivers.
 Practice common sense, courtesy, and
cooperation.
 Recognize the risks of hazardous
driving behaviors and conditions.

Preventable Collision Defined 1
session
A preventable
collision is…
one in which the driver
fails to do everything
reasonable to avoid it.

How do You drive? (survey) 1
session
 Most of us think we are good drivers
 Your attitude toward other drivers and driving
 Most of us take risks at some point (accept

consequences )

Local Statistics 1
session
2009
 407 fatalities
 607 serious injuries
 3,289,904 traffic citations issued
 61,298 cases filed for accidents
Statistically you will be involved in a collision about every ten

years (about 6 in your lifetime)

The “What If” Strategy 1
session
When you are driving, look around at all other

vehicles. Ask yourself the question what if the
driver does _______________

What if the driver slams on the breaks?

What if the car breaks the signal?

What if the children playing near the road run out in front of
me?
 What if the Bus pulls out from the bus stop without looking?
 What if the Bus turns from the wrong lane?
If you do this block by block, mile by mile, this strategy will keep us
mentally alert and prepared to act quickly in time.

Session 2
Ready for the Road

Factors of Driving Environment
2
session
 You
 Your Vehicle
 Everyday Driving Conditions
 Situations that Drivers Face

Physical Conditions
Drivers May Experience on the Road 2
session

Physical Conditions 2
session
 Age
 Mobility
 Hearing
 Vision
 Illness or use of medication
 Fatigue or Drowsiness

Emotional/Mental Conditions 2
session
 Stressful Driving situations

 Heavy traffic
 Tailgaiting
 Anger
 Other emotional issues
How do we react ?

Video 2
session
Ready for the Road

Vehicle Problems 2
session
 Worn Tires
 Improper tire inflation
 Directional signals not working
 Headlights or taillights out
 Poor condition or failure of the brakes
 Worn wiper blades / No washer fluid

Occupant Safety 2
session
What are some safety devices in modern cars ?

 Seatbelts
 Airbags
 Side impact bars
 Headrests
 ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
 Door locks / Child locks
 Speed Governors
 Traction control system
 Daytime running lights
 Others ?

Proper Adjustments 2
session
 Seatback slightly reclined (Approx 12 degrees)
 Seat belt across shoulder (not neck), lap belt

over pelvis (not over stomach) Max (1in.) slack in
shoulder belt
 Steering wheel tilted towards chest (not face)
Line of site not obstructed.

Proper Adjustments
2
session
 Seat slid back as far as possible (min 10-12

In.) with pedals in reach.
 Avoid angling seat which causes pressure
behind knees
 Adjust headrest

Video 2
session
3 Stages of Impact

Conditions We Cannot Control 2
session
 Light
 Weather
 Road
 Traffic

Defensive Driving Techniques 2
session
Light
 Too much light
 Sun visor
 Sunglasses
 Windshield clean on both sides
 Following distance of three seconds plus
 Looking away from approaching high beams
 No flashing high beams back when oncoming
vehicle is less than 500 feet away
 Slowing down
 Too little light
 Low-beam lights
 Following distance of three seconds plus
 Slowing down

session
Weather
 Deciding not to drive
 Using windshield wipers and wiper fluid
 Using headlights whenever windshield
wipers are on
 Keeping all windows and windshield clear
 Using defogger and defroster settings
 Slowing down
 Using low-beam headlights

session
Road Conditions
 Slowing down
 Increasing following distance
 Driving at recommended speed or slower
 Maintaining control
 Obeying work zone instructions
 Keeping your eyes moving

session
Traffic Mix
 Extra following distance
 “What If?” strategy
 Appropriate speed for traffic conditions
 Emotional control

Stopping Distance 2
session

Session 3
Don’t Add Insult to Injury

Video 3
session
Don’t Add Insult to Injury

Definition: Distracted 3
session
 Having the attention divided
 Rendered incapable of
behaving, reacting, etc.,
in a normal manner

Fatigued Driving 3
session
 Cant focus or keep your eyes on

the road
 Have trouble keeping your head up
 Cant stop yawning
 Wandering confused thoughts
 Don’t remember the last few miles
driven
 Drift out of the lane or hit a rumble
strip
 Keep jerking the vehicle back into
the lane
 Speed up or slow down often
Fatigue management 3
session
 Ensure good sleep the night before long journeys.
 Avoid starting long journeys if you’re not feeling fit and well
 Wherever possible, do not start long journey when already tired or after working for a
full day.
 Don't take medicines that cause drowsiness, if they are required then: DO NOT
DRIVE.
 Plan journeys and include rest breaks and/or stay overnight if necessary.
 Avoid driving at a time you would normally be asleep. And also try to avoid driving at
peak risk times, between 2am-6am and 2pm-4pm.
 Eat light meals, especially before starting a journey in early afternoon.

Fatigue management 3
session
 If possible, don't drive alone. So long as they hold valid licence and driving permits,
passengers can take turns driving and also serve as conversation partners to keep
drivers awake.
 Share the driving whenever possible.
 Adjust the vehicle environment so that it helps keep drivers awake and alert.
 Do not use cruise control; keep your body involved with driving.
 Watch your posture.
 Take frequent breaks.
 Break the monotony: Turn the radio on for a while, then off; Vary speed levels; Chew
gum; Stretch your legs; Talk to yourself; Sing; Keep your eyes moving.

Sleep Deficit 3
session
1. How many hours of sleep did

you get last night? ____
2. How many hours should you

be getting? ____
#1 minus #2 equals your sleep deficit.

Aggressive Driving Behaviors
3
session
 Excessive speed  Impaired driving

 Frequent or unsafe  Gestures
lane changes  Verbal altercations
 Failure to signal  Inattention to driving
 Tailgating  Obstructing traffic
 Failure to yield to  Aggressive horn use
right of way  Aggressive headlight
 Disregarding traffic use
signs and signal

Three Steps to Regain Control 3
session
Reflect
Reframe
Refocus

Session 4
Success on the Road

Six Unsafe Driving Behaviors 4
session
 Improper speed
 Violating Right of Way
 Driving left of center
 Turning improperly
 Passing improperly
 Following too closely

Video 4
session
Drive to Survive

Improper speed 4
session
 Exceeding the speed limit

 Driving to slow
 Driving to fast for current conditions

Speed Kills 4
session

Right of way violations 4
session
 Failure to yield
 Disregarding a traffic
signal
 Running or rolling
through a stop sign
 Improper merging
 Roundabouts ????

Avoiding Accidents at Intersections 4
session
 Rule of thirds
 Delayed acceleration
Always wait until the intersection is clear before

entering
session

Delayed Acceleration 4
session
If you are driving the first vehicle

Delayed Acceleration 4
session
If you are behind other vehicles

Roundabouts 4
session

Roundabout v/s Intersection 4
session

Roundabouts
The Defensive Driving Course 53

Roundabouts

Reasons for Driving Left of Center 4
session

Head on collisions - the 4 R’s

Read the road ahead
(Planning Zone)

Drive to the Right

Reduce speed - (brake hard
if necessary, then release your
brakes)

Ride off the road to the right if
necessary and STOP your
vehicle

Right Turns 4
session

Left Turns 4
session

Intersection 4
session

Intersection 4
session

Intersection 4
session

Blind Spots 4
session

Passing 4
session

The Four Rs 4
session
1 Read 2 Drive 3 Reduce 4 Ride

the Road to the Your off the
Ahead Right Speed Road

Stopping Distance 4
session

Three Second Rule 4
session

Session 5
Collision Proofing

RUA Defensive Driver? 5
session
Recognize the hazard.
Understand the defense.
Act correctly, in time.

Video 5
session
Recognize the Hazard

Road Sign Colors 5
session

Road Sign Shapes 5
session

Preventable Collision Defined 5
session
A preventable
collision is…
one in which the driver
fails to do everything
reasonable to avoid it.

Session 6
Driving for Life

Video 6
session
Drive Like Your Life Depends On It

10 Habits of Defensive Driving
6
session
1. Wear your safety belt. 6. Maintain emotional control.
2. Evaluate driving conditions. 7. Avoid fatigued driving.
3. Avoid impaired driving. 8. Maintain proper following

distance.
4. Use the “What If?” strategy.
9. Always have a plan.
5. Avoid distracted driving.
10. Consider other drivers.

6
session
Remember to drive defensively.

Protect yourself
and the people you care about!

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Course Goals 1

 Acquire the skills and knowledge you need to be a defensive driver

 Recognize that defensive driving is a matter of personal choice

 Recognize common hazards in the driving environment and react to prevent

 Describe the dangers of impaired driving

 Avoid the six most common driving errors

Copyright © 2010 National Safety Council 2

It’s All About Choices

Copyright © 2010 National Safety Council 1

Copyright © 2010 National Safety Council 4

Copyright © 2010 National Safety Council 3

Recognize the hazard.

Understand the defense.

Act correctly, in time.

Copyright © 2010 National Safety Council 4

Copyright © 2010 National Safety Council 7

We might have no need for Defensive Driving

Copyright © 2010 National Safety Council 8

Defensive driving is…

Copyright © 2010 National Safety Council 5

 Make safe and legal driving decisions.

Copyright © 2010 National Safety Council 10

Copyright © 2010 National Safety Council 11

 Most of us think we are good drivers

 Your attitude toward other drivers and driving

 Most of us take risks at some point (accept

Copyright © 2010 National Safety Council 12

Statistically you will be involved in a collision about every ten

Copyright © 2010 National Safety Council 13

When you are driving, look around at all other

Copyright © 2010 National Safety Council 14

Ready for the Road

Copyright © 2010 National Safety Council 8

 Everyday Driving Conditions

 Situations that Drivers Face

Copyright © 2010 National Safety Council 16

Copyright © 2010 National Safety Council 17

Copyright © 2010 National Safety Council 18

 Stressful Driving situations

Copyright © 2010 National Safety Council 19

Ready for the Road

Copyright © 2010 National Safety Council 20

Copyright © 2010 National Safety Council 21

What are some safety devices in modern cars ?

Copyright © 2010 National Safety Council 22

 Seatback slightly reclined (Approx 12 degrees)

 Seat belt across shoulder (not neck), lap belt

Copyright © 2010 National Safety Council 23

 Seat slid back as far as possible (min 10-12

Copyright © 2010 National Safety Council 24

Copyright © 2010 National Safety Council 25

Copyright © 2010 National Safety Council 26

Copyright © 2010 National Safety Council 27

Copyright © 2010 National Safety Council 28

Copyright © 2010 National Safety Council 29

Copyright © 2010 National Safety Council 30

Copyright © 2010 National Safety Council 31

Don’t Add Insult to Injury