Defensive Driving

By nature, construction work usually doesn't occur at a single location like a shop or yard. Defensive driving needs to be part of every worker's safety routine -- every day!

Some Facts

• Improper driving accounted for 68.6% of all vehicular accidents.

• In 1994, vehicle accidents accounted for 8,800 work related deaths and 3.4 million disabling injuries.

• More than half of all traffic accidents are caused by tailgating or following too closely.

• A solid yellow line on your side of the road means it's unsafe to pass. If a vehicle tries to pass you anyway, slow down, stay to the right and let it by!

• Driving too fast or changing lanes needlessly causes accidents directly.

It Really Happens

An electrician was driving on the freeway to a job site in Santa Cruz when she noticed the car behind her was tailgating. Suddenly traffic ahead stopped and her truck was "rear-ended". She had to have 6 months of medical treatment and her back will never be the same. Could this accident have been prevented? Possibly. Remember to leave a good cushion of space between you and the car in front of you. This will give you extra time in case of a sudden stop. It also allows you to move up if the car behind you comes too close. If someone is tailgating you, do not reduce your speed. Pull over or let them pass as soon as it is safe to do so.

Employer's Role

• Sponsor a defensive driving class for your employees.

• Make sure vehicles are properly maintained, and equipped with snow tires or chains when needed.

• If possible, schedule deliveries or other driving outside of morning or afternoon rush hours.

Worker's Role

• Stay alert and aware while driving. Avoid driving if you are overly tired or sleepy.

• Drive defensively. Never tailgate. Stay clear of (and never try to pass) vehicles that swerve in and out of traffic, brake inconsistently, fail to signal, drive very slowly or very fast, or that do not respond to traffic signals.

• Know the traffic laws and follow them. Use extra caution when driving through unfamiliar areas.

Discussing Defensive Driving

• Do you find yourself tailgating? How much distance should you allow between vehicles?

• Do you feel that you are a defensive driver? Why?

• Do workers drive company vehicles more carefully than their personal vehicles? Or do they drive their personal vehicles more carefully?

• What kinds of weather conditions affect your driving the most?