The document provides extensive safety tips and guidelines for driving. It discusses common causes of accidents such as reckless, distracted and drunk driving. It provides guidance on proper vehicle maintenance, safe driving techniques for different road and weather conditions, and tips for emergencies. Maintaining alertness, following traffic laws, and being courteous to other drivers are emphasized as important ways to drive safely.

1. DrivingDriving
SafetySafety
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2. Safe Driving
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• Someone is injured every 18
seconds
• Over 2 million injuries annually
are disabling
• A person dies in a
crash every 11 minutes
• Motor vehicle accidents are the
most common cause of death
• 1 in 4 fatal work injuries
involves a vehicle accident

3. Driving Hazards
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∗ Reckless driving
∗ Distracted driving
∗ Fatigue
∗ Aggressive driving
∗ Failure to keep vehicles in
good operating condition
∗ Driving under the
influence

4. Setting Up
• Adjust your seat so your arms are slightly bent at the elbows when
gripping the wheel.
• Keep your hands at the ten o’clock and two o’clock or nine o’clock and
three o’clock positions on the steering wheel.
• Hold the wheel tightly enough so your palms do not slip off.
• Adjust side mirrors so you can either see the door handles or angled
away to cover blind spots.
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5. Adjusting Side Mirrors forBlind Spots
• Park car and have
someone walk in both
left and right blind
spots.
• Set mirrors so person is
in view.
• Check mirrors to see
which areas remain
invisible.
• Re-adjust and check
again.
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6. Safe Driving Tips - Merging
• Merging requires attention to many different factors.
• Traffic moving at posted speeds = use the acceleration lane to
speed up and match traffic flow.
• Use your signal and look for an opening where you can smoothly
ease into traffic.
• If traffic is congested and moving slowly, proceed down the ramp
slowly and look for an opening.
• Try to avoid stopping at the bottom of the ramp because it can
disrupt traffic flow.
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Safe Driving Tips - Intersections
• Do not closely follow a large vehicle through an intersection
with stoplights. You can’t see if the light has changed.
• Leave enough space so you have a clear view of everything
before proceeding.
• When making a left turn, slow down and yield if there is not a
green arrow giving you the right-of-way.
• Don’t turn your wheels until you’re ready to move (if your
vehicle is hit from behind, you could be pushed into oncoming
traffic).

8. Safe Driving Tips - Four-Way Stop
• First car to arrive at an intersection with a four-way stop
(whether sign or traffic light) should be first to go.
• When it's unclear which vehicle arrived first, general rule
is driver to the right has the right-of-way.
• Don’t count on other drivers; proceed with caution.
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10. Vehicle Maintenance
• Neglecting maintenance can cause crashes.
• Monitor condition of and air pressure in your tires. Not doing
so could cause blowout or a flat.
• Change wiper blades regularly.
• Check your owner's manual for a maintenance schedule, and
stick to it.
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11. Vehicle Maintenance - Tires
• Check tire pressure regularly, including the spare (at least
once a month).
• Inspect tires for:
• Uneven wear patterns
• Cracks
• Foreign objects
• Other signs of wear
• Ensure tire valves have valve caps.
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12. Vehicle Maintenance - Tires
• Check tire pressure before a long trip.
• Do not overload vehicle – check tire info placard for
maximum recommended load.
• If towing a trailer, remember that some weight of loaded
trailer is transferred to vehicle.
• Try not to strike curb when parking.
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13. Flat Tire/Blowout - Highway
At the first sign of trouble:
• Firmly grip the steering wheel
• Do not slam on brakes
• Take foot off the gas pedal
• Work vehicle toward the shoulder or exit
• If changing lanes, use turn signals
• Steer as vehicle slows down
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14. Flat Tire/Blowout - Highway
• Once off road, place reflective triangles
• Keep emergency flashers on
• Change tire, if you know how
• Keep away from traffic
• Call for professional help, if necessary
• Do not stand behind or next to vehicle
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15. 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
place to head if a crash occurs - Think about other drivers’
blind spots
• Don’t linger while passing.
• Don’t follow too closely (“tailgate”).
• Avoid “packs” of vehicles.
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16. Safe Driving Skills
• Ensure other drivers see you – keep headlights on both day
and night.
• Always use turn signals well ahead of time.
• Never assume what other drivers will do.
• Maintain an average speed on highways; going too fast or
too slow creates a hazard.
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17. Safe Driving Skills
• Use average traffic speed when merging.
• Think ahead – avoid making sudden movements when
exiting highways.
• Obey all traffic signs and signals.
• Keep your eyes on the road, not on a cell phone or music
device.
• Watch for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists.
• Scan the road ahead for animals.
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18. Safe Driving Skills
Stopping on Highways:
• Don’t be a stationary object or semi-stationary obstacle.
• Stopping at the end of an entrance ramp is dangerous;
learn to time a safe merge.
• Avoid stopping on the shoulder of road; exit highway
before stopping, if possible.
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19. Safe Driving Tips - Sleepiness
Driving sleepy is driving impaired!
• Reaction time and vision deteriorate when
you are tired.
• Pull over, take a short “cat nap” or just close
your eyes for a while.
• Sometimes taking a short walk will work.
• Stop every two to three hours if driving long
distances.
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20. Safe Driving Tips - Familiarization
Be familiar with your vehicle:
• Know what every button, switch and lever does.
• Know where the oil, brake fluid, engine coolant and
window washer reservoirs are.
• Know how to fill those reservoirs.
• Know what every indicator light means.
• Know how to operate basic items, such as the defroster,
wipers, radio and headlights.
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21. Safe Driving Tips - Nighttime Driving
• Traffic deaths are three times greater at night than during
the day (Source: National Safety Council).
• Prepare car for nighttime driving: clean headlights,
taillights, signal lights and windows (at least weekly).
• Have vehicle headlights properly aimed.
• Don’t drink and drive!
• Reduce speed and increase following distances.
• Don’t overdrive headlights – should be able to stop inside
illuminated area.
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22. Safe Driving Tips –
Nighttime Driving
• When following a vehicle, keep your headlights on low
beam.
• If oncoming vehicle doesn’t turn high beams down, look to
the right side of road.
• If tired, stop and rest.
• If you have car problems, pull to the side of the road and
place reflective devices; turn on emergency flashers.
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23. Safe Driving Tips - Seasonal Changes
• Winter driving = slippery roads, visibility issues, cold, etc.
• Spring = rain can cause slippery roads.
• Summer = high temperatures can cause vehicle problems;
there’s more traffic on roads.
• Fall = wet leaves on road can make it slippery.
• Daylight saving’s time = sun's position in sky changes
causing darkness and glare.
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24. Safe Driving Tips - Rain
• Drive slowly and carefully – especially on curves.
• Steer and brake with a light touch.
• When slowing/stopping, do not brake hard or lock the
wheels – could cause skidding.
• Maintain mild pressure on the brake pedal.
• Adjust your speed to the wet road conditions.
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25. Safe Driving Tips - Skids
• Remain calm.
• Ease your foot off the gas.
• Steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to
go (“steering into the skid”).
• If vehicle has ABS (anti-lock brakes), avoid slamming on the
brakes, brake firmly while steering into skid.
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26. Safe Driving Tips - Hydroplaning
• Occurs when water in front of tires builds up faster than
vehicle’s weight can push it out of the way.
• Water pressure causes vehicle to rise up and slide on thin
layer of water between tires and road.
• Can cause skidding, drifting out of lane, leaving roadway.
• To avoid: keep tires properly inflated, maintain good tread,
slow down, avoid puddles.
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27. Safe Driving Tips - Hydroplaning
• If hydroplaning, do not brake or turn suddenly.
• Ease foot off gas until vehicle slows down and you can feel
the road again.
• If you need to brake, do so gently, with light pumping
actions.
• If vehicle has anti-lock brakes, brake normally.
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28. Safe Driving Tips - Winter
• Ensure vehicle wiper blades are in good condition and
washer fluid is filled.
• Ensure vehicle battery is in good condition and
appropriately charged.
• Clear snow/ice from all windows, lights, hood, trunk and
top of vehicle before driving.
• Adjust your speed accordingly.
• Check tire pressure regularly.
• Dress warmly with layered clothing that is loose-fitting and
lightweight.
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29. Safe Driving Tips - Winter
If in vehicle and stranded due to road conditions:
• Stay in vehicle.
• Display trouble sign (ex: brightly-colored
cloth on antenna).
• Occasionally run engine with heater on to
keep warm.
• Keep exhaust pipe free of snow and open a
window to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia.
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30. Safe Driving Tips - Winter
If in vehicle and stranded due to road conditions:
• Do minor exercises to keep up circulation.
• Clap hands and move arms and legs frequently.
• Try not to stay in one position for too long.
• Use newspapers, maps, mats, etc., for warmth.
• Avoid drinking fluids containing caffeine or alcohol:
can quicken effects of cold.
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31. Safe Driving Tips - Winter
Stopping Distances and Wet/Snowpack/Icy Roads:
• Vehicle may travel 4x the stopping distance than on dry road.
• Dry pavement vehicle traveling 70 mph requires 600 feet to
stop; wet road requires 800 feet.
• Snowpacked road requires approximately 1300 feet stopping
distance @ 70 mph.
• Icy road requires 2,500 feet @ 70 mph.
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32. Safe Driving Tips - Winter
Winterizing Vehicles:
• Ensure ice scraper and windshield de-icer are on board.
• Carry spare set of wiper blades.
• Carry kitty litter, oil dry or sand for traction.
• Carry blankets, flashlight, road flares.
• Have lock de-icer available.
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33. Safe Driving Tips – Vehicle Fires
• Get yourself and all others out of and away from the vehicle.
• Move a safe distance from the vehicle and call fire department.
• Do not stand near vehicle bumpers.
• Remain away from vehicle; do not attempt to get back into burning
vehicle.
• If trained, are comfortable and fire is small, use appropriate fire
extinguisher.
• If you suspect fire under hood or in trunk, do not open.
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34. Vehicle Safety - General
• Always use seatbelts!
• When backing up, use caution: if you have passenger, ask
them to get out and direct; if not, get out and check area
before backing.
• If vehicle is not operating properly, report and discontinue
use.
• Shut off motor and do not smoke or use cell phone while
refueling.
• Do not leave engine running in an unattended vehicle.
• Report all work accidents, no matter how minor, to your
supervisor.
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35. Vehicle Safety - General
Inspect vehicle before driving:
• Ensure the horn, lights and turn signals work.
• Ensure tires are in good condition.
• Ensure brakes are working (test upon moving).
• Ensure emergency brake works.
• Check gauges after starting (e.g., fuel, battery, temperature, etc.)
to ensure they’re working.
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36. Vehicle Safety - General
Distracted Driving:
• Nearly 6,000 people killed and 500,000 injured as a result of
distracted driving (2008; USDOT).
• Distracted driving is a factor in more than 20 percent of
crashes.
• Drivers on cell phones fail to see up to half of information in
driving environment.
• Do not text while driving – pull over!
• Pull over to talk on phone – even using a “hands free” device is
distracting.
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37. Preventing Road Rage
• Don’t offend, don’t engage.
• Adjust your attitude (stay calm).
• Avoid cutting people off.
• Don’t tailgate or follow closely.
• Don’t make obscene/questionable gestures.
• Avoid eye contact.
• Don’t start a fight – give angry drivers lots of room.
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38. Summary
• Operating a motor vehicle is dangerous, but it can also be a
pleasant experience.
• Use common sense, obey speed limits, drive defensively and
observe “road safety rules.”
• Distracted driving can be just as dangerous as alcohol-
impaired driving.
• Be careful, alert, courteous and safe.
• Have a safe trip!
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39. Questions
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