All drivers face risks, but the factor that contributes most to crashes and deaths appears to be inexperience.1Newly licensed drivers, primarily teenagers, have the highest crash rates, but even drivers well into their twenties have higher crash rates than older drivers. Hit your emergency flashers and pump the brake quickly three or four times, Solomon says. Car pulling out. Be aware of hazardous conditions and always drive defensively. Pay special attention to speed limit and warning signs, such as those warning of curves, steep hills, or other hazards. In addition, floor surfaces should be properly maintained and suitable for the location and activities being undertaken. If youre stuck between trucks on a three-lane highway, decrease your speed by about five miles and let both trucks overtake you. It could be a: As drivers gain experience they develop skills in scanning the road ahead and around them, and they become better at recognising that a potentially dangerous situation is developing. Cars stopping in front. parked car door opening. It may go back into the other lane. mechanical failures, e.g. This will require that they are wide enough and, where appropriate, high enough to allow safemovements of vehicles. Turning, vehicles approaching. What to Do: First, dont assume your brake lights are still working. 1. Car pulling out on the right up ahead. If I cant see the drivers rear-view mirror, he cant see me, Solomon says. Downhill driving can be unpredictable and dangerous especially if its an extended decent, even on multi-lane roads. Drivers moving through a roadway work zone will come across unexpected road signs, signals and traffic control measures. Read your owners manual.) Fit your car with snow tires if you are likely to drive in winter conditions regularly. Parked vehicles as well. Car waiting to pull out in front. If your car begins accelerating past a safe downhill speed, this feature will further apply the brakes. (Some cars have an electronic brake that only requires a button push. brakes / tyre bursts. Please see our privacy policy for more details. Driving safely at night hinges on maintaining a reasonable speed, and appropriate use of headlights. As with rain, drivers must stick to their low-beam headlights as high-beams may cause glare and worsen visibility. Remember, they must not be used on bare pavement that is not covered in ice or snow. Multi-lane road. It is relatively harder because you need to consider a number of things such as preserving your car's brakes--failure to do so may result into a not-so-happy ending. Brake failure..+ B. Dehydration C. Engine overheating D. Velocitation Collisions caused by fatigue are particularly likely to involve __________ . Preventive Measures: If necessary, you may lightly pump the brakes during a skid. Car entering on the left. Bad weather. Due to the force of gravity, a car travelling downhill: May accelerate on its own if not controlled properly. Car entering on our right. ), This newly legislated training is designed to decrease the number of truck-related collisions by increasing and standardizing the training new drivers receive. As you are about to enter a decline, reduce your speed below your features activation threshold. one and a half times. If youre pushing the brake pedal and nothing is happening, you need to take immediate action. A hazard can be any possible source of danger on or near the road that could lead to a crash, and it can come from any direction. Dont attempt to travel down hills or other declines that are steeper than you would normally attempt to traverse when using hill descent assist. Keep your gas tank at least half-full as fuel may freeze in extremely low temperatures. Speed: your speed should not be too fast for road and weather conditions. Head on collisions happen for a multitude of reasons from distracted driving to drunk driving to fatigued driving and more. Very busy area. For instance, it is always better to avoid a head-on collision, as it is to collide with a stationary object rather than with one that is moving toward you. Check them. (Following distance is the amount of time it would take for your car to pass a landmark, like a roadside sign, after the driver in front of you has passed it.) Driving through it can reduce visibility in a manner similar to a bad snowfall. Drive with two hands on the wheel, put your emergency flashers on, check your mirrors, and get over to the right shoulder of the road if at all possible, Solomon says. Was the crash caused by the brakes burning out? Cars changing lanes. hoosing not to drive in rain, snow or fog, at night or during any other hazardous conditions is always the smartest decision. Spotting a hazard in time to take suitable evasive action and avoid a crash is an essential part of safe driving. Distances that drivers have to coverIt is not unusual for some company drivers to spend half their working hours on the road. Scanning through the corner. Winter or summer, the sun sometimes has a way of shining through your windshield just the right angle to effectively blind you. Looking through the corner. Dislodging it while the vehicle is in motion is dangerous, so prevention is key: Make sure your mat is the right fit for your vehicle, is snapped in place if that option is available, and that you haven't stacked mats on top of each other. Intersections on both sides. As you are about to enter a decline, reduce your speed below your feature's activation threshold. Parked vehicles on the left. In 2020, 16% of children age 14 and younger killed in traffic crashes were pedestrians. Cars waiting to turn right. But never, ever park under an overpass. Veteran truck drivers like Boblett understand how to react to various driving situations. Car crossing the bridge. You can consider a different route or recommence your journey when conditions have improved. Every risk you face during wet and rainy weather can be diminished by reducing your speed; this should be the first action you take. Strong winds can be a problem for all car drivers, though they are a particular hazard for drivers of light-weight vehicles, vehicles towing trailers and high-sided recreational vehicles. If the tires sidewall blows out, the car will probably move in the opposite direction of the break. To correct this type of skid, you must remove your foot from the brake pedal. Traffic lights are still green. When you are going down, gravity works against your intent to slow down . This feature uses the engine and transmission to down shift to help keep the vehicle speed under control so you dont rely solely on the brakes. What to Do: All cars come equipped with a sun visor, Solomon says. If not, its time to brake: Swerving off the road at highway speeds is risky and can cause serious injury to the driver and passengers. There are several different kinds including: Distracted driving. It could be a: child chasing a ball onto the road. Again many cars parked. Boards or tree branches will work well. What might a driving at work policy include? It is essential to reduce your speed and drive within the reach of your headlights, otherwise you will not have time to react to hazards as they enter your field of vision. What management control activities are required in high risk areas? Use a low gear to help slow your vehicle down. The Motive Automated Operations Platform combines IoT hardware with AI-powered applications to automate vehicle and equipment tracking, driver safety, compliance, maintenance, spend management, and more. Sun glare is incredibly dangerous as it can impair vision and in extreme cases, cause momentary blindness. Fleet safety is a shared goal. Some versions of this feature will operate while traveling downhill in reverse, such as reversing out of a driveway that was built on a hill. You can attract attention by securing a brightly colored piece of cloth to the outside of the car. vehicle entrance doors that are open to the elements). Looking at the parked cars on the left. All it takes is a split second for someone to come into your lane without warning. Reduce your speed and keep to the right-hand side of your lane, as it is common for drivers in this situation to drift too close to the centerline. Check your drivers handbook to find out what the laws regarding snow chains are in your region. Reduced traction can be caused by a variety of factors and will leave your vehicle susceptible to skidding. If a collision cannot be avoided, you must know how to minimize the impact of the crash to protect yourself and other drivers. If you see a deer up ahead, take your foot off the gas to slow your speed, then flash your lights. Vehicle suddenly approaching on the left, wants to come across. Cyclist on the footpath on the left. Car waiting to enter on our left. The beam shines further into the fog and reflects off the water particulates, shining the light right back into your eyes. Instead, keep your lights dim and slow down. ; Actually HAVE brakes at the end of the hill! In front-wheel skids, this logic does not apply. Telephone box. Pedestrians on the footpath on the right. Car entering our lane. Car turning left in front. Going over the crest of the hill. Shift to reverse and repeat this step traveling backward. Brake or steer to safety if a hazard enters your downhill driving path. In darkness, it is much harder to see and be seen by other drivers. Car is trying to enter on our left. It could be a: child chasing a ball onto the road parked car door opening vehicle merging into your lane or stopping suddenly in front of you slippery road surface after rain. Be mindful of slick roads and reduce your speed when the roadway is wet. Commercial fleets save up to 13% on fuel costs, study shows. HIABs) to load or unload vehicles can be hazardous.Working at heightThis can be an issue when working on a loading bay or perhaps the trailer or tail-lift of a vehicle. A well-rounded and comprehensive fleet safety program can help with driver training, changing unsafe driving habits, and improving driver retention. Be aware of these high-risk situations, stay alert, and keep both hands firmly on the steering wheel. If I can, Ill signal, move to the right-hand lane, and that will generally take care of it. If you cant, wait for an intersection so you can make a right turn or drive into a service station. Information that has been provided by the National Transportation Safety Board draws attention to some of the hazards associated with driving through a tunnel. Wherepossible, one-way systems and/or turning circles should be incorporated into the design of vehicle routes to minimise the need for reversing. Lighting should also be adequate, and efforts should be made to minimise the number of blind corners, concealed entrances or other potential areas where poor visibility for vehicle drivers or pedestrians could create a risk. In some places, you will see a sign warning of a steep hill as shown in this figure. I-15 between Las Vegas, NV and Salt Lake City, NV The posted speed limit is 70 mph, which may be too fast. When driving downhill, scan the road ahead for any dangers and be prepared to steer to safety if necessary. If your vehicle experiences difficulties traveling up steep roadways, pull off the road at the first place you may do so safely, or stay in the right lane to allow other vehicles to pass. Checking over the crest of the hill. Helps smooth out driving by adjusting each wheels brakes with every turn. (Kitty litter may also work for traction, but the mats are reusable.) This hazard occurs when your car hits a pool of water fast enough to glide across its surface. Vehicles passing us on the right. As they spin, they cant find any grip on the slick powder, and youre going nowhere fast. In 2020, the Federal Motor Carriers Association (FMCSA) will introduce Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) to enhance current driver training and increase fleet safety on the roads. Car still may pull out. Youre a sitting duck there, Solomon says. Some versions may be activated from your multifunction display or in your terrain management control's dial. What to Do: A little foresight is best here. 1997-2023 DriversEd.com. Pedestrians wanting to cross the road. Bus approaching. Every driver will occasionally find themselves in a situation where an accident or collision seems unavoidable. Heres what he had to say. Your vehicle's engine may get overheated when driving on a steep incline for an extended time. If youre stuck, make sure you have enough room to move the car forward and backward and that there isnt any snow blocking the exhaust pipe. List the ways in which forklift trucks may overturn? Steering and counter-steering should be done three to five times while braking. Keep doing it until you feel the wheels grip the pavement. Of those, 13% say they fall asleep while driving at least once a month, and 4% say they have caused a crash by falling asleep while . Person crossing the road up in front. When driving a forklift on a ramp, OSHA CFR 1910.178 sets these standards: Grades shall be ascended or descended slowly. You can estimate depth by sticking a penny upside-down in the tread: If the top of Lincoln's head is visible, it's time for new tires. Car turning left. Braking in front of another driver B.) defensive driving courses, off-road driving for forestry workers. What to do in the event of vehicle breakdown, bad weather conditions and/or any other delays that might occur. Prohibition of the use of handheld mobile phones if driving Frequency that breaks from driving should be taken, e.g.15 minutes in every two hours or every 100 miles The factors influencing the choice of vehicle and, if appropriate, the drivers input to that choice, e.g. You are most likely to be exposed to high winds or strong gusts of wind during a storm, or when traveling through exposed areas such as bridges, culverts and mountain passes. The hill descent assist will ensure your vehicle doesn't reach an unsafe declining speed by further applying the brakes if needed. Reading the traffic up ahead. Have any insights, questions or comments? If your vehicle has an anti-lock braking system, you should apply firm and consistent pressure to the brakes without pumping them. The big question about this new training is: Is it enough?. Pedestrian crossing. Most cars differ in their allowable operating range for hill descent assist, with some allowing you to go as slow as 3 mph or as fast as 38 mph. May step out in front of us without thinking. Checking on the footpath. A load must be tilted back across all grades, if applicable. It's important to learn how to recognise and avoid hazards while driving to improve road safety for yourself and other road users. A National Sleep Foundation poll says 60% of adults have driven while they were tired, and another 37%, or 103 million people, have fallen asleep at the wheel. Also, you should be able to maintain a safe speed on winding mountain roads. Maintenance of vehicles brakes; flashing beacons and horns; steering; tyres; leaks from hydraulic pipes; and correct operation of the vehicle.Choice of vehiclesVehicles should be appropriate for the work that is being carried out. When driving on a grade that exceeds 10%, loaded trucks must drive with the load facing upward, regardless of whether a truck is traveling up or down a ramp. Water on the roads surface can seriously impede your vehicle control, while the rain itself impacts visibility. All rights reserved. Chad discusses driving issues truKkers face on some U.S. highways where hard braking and cornering triggers a warning on the ELD. Docks & Ramps. If youre in a skid, you may have to keep your foot on the accelerator a little bit to force the wheel to move forward.. Left lane appears to be ending. Even if you manage to avoid hitting one, a yearling could be nearby, ready to do serious damage in a collision. Preserve your car's brakes. Scan well ahead, look amongst the parked cars. Traffic control personnel often known as flaggers or flagmen may be positioned around a work zone to manage the flow of traffic through the site. A blown front right tire will cause the vehicle to drift left, for example. First, you need to activate your hill descent assist, which is typically found somewhere on your dashboard near your vehicles traction control button. An overinflated tire can cause the side tread to leave the surface, leaving only the center tread in contact with the road.