Safe Driving Practices. Topics Covered Your Safety First MSM & PSL Technique Safe distance Defensive driving Purpose & use of bye pass & flyovers Emergency.

Safe Driving Practices

Topics Covered

• Your Safety First

• MSM & PSL Technique

• Safe distance

• Defensive driving

• Purpose & use of bye pass & flyovers

• Emergency handling techniques

• Driving in difficult conditions

Stay Safe

• Use a seat belt at all times – driver and passenger(s).

• Be well-rested before driving.

• Avoid taking medications that make you drowsy.

• Set a realistic goal for the number of miles that you can drive safely each day.

Stay Focused

• Driving requires your full attention. Avoid distractions, such as adjusting the radio or other controls, eating or drinking, and talking on the phone.

• Continually search the roadway to be alert to situations requiring quick action.

• Stop about every two hours for a break. Get out of the vehicle to stretch, take a walk, and get refreshed.

Avoid Aggressive Driving

• Keep your cool in traffic!

• Be patient and courteous to other drivers.

• Do not take other drivers’ actions personally.

• Reduce your stress by planning your route ahead of time (bring the maps and directions), allowing plenty of travel time, and avoiding crowded roadways and busy driving times.

Remember this routine :

• Mirrors - Check the speed and position of traffic behind you.

• Signal - Signal your intention to change course or slow down in good time.

• Manoeuvre - Any change of speed or Position

MSM Technique

PSL Technique

P - Position

Your vehicle must always be in the correct position for the manoeuvre.

S - Speed

Ensure that the vehicle is travelling at the appropriate speed and in a

suitable gear.

L - Look

The look phase consists of four elements Looking - What can you see ? Assessing - What are your options ? Deciding - Deciding on what you see Acting - Either continue or wait

+Reaction Distance

BrakingDistance

Stopping Distance

Safe Distance and Stopping Distance

Reaction Distance :The distance covered in the time that you sense the danger to the time you start applying the brakes

Braking Distance :The distance covered in the time that you apply the brakes till the vehicle actually stops

Stopping Distance : Overall distance from the time that you sense the danger to where you actually stop

Stopping Distance

Reactiondistance (m) Speed in Kmph

10x 3

Braking distance (m)

(Speed in Kmph)2

100

Eg: for 40 Kmph; RD = 12 m

Eg: for 40 Kmph; BD = 16m

=

=

Maintain these Following Distances

On a speed of 15 km/h maintain a distance of one car with that you are

following and increase it accordingly.

15 Km/h

30 Km/h

45 Km/h

60 Km/h

75 Km/h

Double or triple this distance at night or in rainy or adverse conditions.

Defensive Driving

The driver often has to cope with unpredictable, irrational, offensive and some times dangerous driving behavior.

In such conditions, drivers need to learn and practice a defensive strategy.

This strategy is called ‘ Defensive Driving’ , sometimes known as ‘ Planned Driving’.

Defensive Driving Involves,

• Awareness

• Planning & Anticipation

Staying in control & driving with

Responsibility & care

Consideration and courtesy

Put Safety First

Effective Observation

You must make a mental note of the

• Speed

• Behavior

• Possible intentions of any other road user.

Without this you can’t assess a traffic situation correctly.

Defensive Driving

For this, four steps are ,• Look • Assess and • Decide before you Act

That’s what effective observation is all about.

Signaling

Signal to warn others of your intention and help other road users.

Signal clearly and in good time.

Use warning signals such as flashing with headlights only as an alternative to

the horn to remind others that you are there.

Defensive Driving

Use horn only if

You think someone may not have seen you.

You want to warn other road users of your presence, e.g. at blind bends or

junctions.

Some Other Tips

• Follow the MSM/PSL technique every time you recognize a hazard.

• Always leave yourself enough time and space to cope with what’s ahead.

Defensive Driving

• Always keep a view of lighting and weather conditions in mind. For these be careful and drive slowly.

• Always think of or take care of the other road users such as cyclist, motorcyclist, powered vehicles used by disabled people, buses and coaches, pedestrians, elderly persons, children, animals, horse riders etc.

Purpose & Use of Bye pass & Flyover

• To save time

• As safe approaching alternatives

• To reduce traffic congestion

• To lower driving hassles

Emergency Handling Techniques

Everyone hopes that he or she need not deal with difficult situations on the

road. However, no one can predict when an emergency will arise, so be

prepared for such eventualities.

Shattered Wind Screen

If the windscreen shatters-

1.Remain calm

2.Turn on the hazard lights

3.Slow down and move to the side of the road

4.Stop at the road side and remove the shattered screen and broken bits of glass

5.Do not use your bare hands to take away the glass. Use a rag or cloth

6.Drive slowly to a workshop

Fire

A short circuit in the electrical system of the vehicle or the alarming speed of the vehicle can cause a fire. If this happens -

1. Stop your vehicle quickly by the side of the road.

2. Get all passengers out of the vehicle in an orderly manner.

3.Move them as far away as possible from the vehicle.

4.Use a fire extinguisher to put out the fire. If you do not have one or are unable to put out the fire, call the Fire Brigade. The telephone number of the Fire Brigade is 101.

Stuck Accelerator Pedal

1. Try to lift the pedal up with the toe of your shoe. Do not take your attention off the road.

2. If you cannot free the pedal in this manner, turn on the hazard lights,shift to neutral gear and move the vehicle safely to the side of the road.

3. Stop the vehicle and switch off the ignition.

Foot Brake Failure

1. Turn on the hazard lights and move safely to the side of the road.

2. ‘Change Down’ quickly to a lower gear, preferably to the 2nd gear and release the clutch to use the engine brake.

3. Apply the handbrake.

4. Switch off the engine.

Loose Wheel

When any of the wheels are loose, the vehicle may wander from side to side accompanied by excessive noise from the loose wheel. You will also have difficulty in steering the vehicle.

In such a situation

• Slow down,

• Give the appropriate signal and stop at a safe spot by side of the road. Tighten the loose wheel before proceeding.

Tyre Blow-Out

When a tyre blows out, there will be a strong pull on the vehicle towards the side of the blown tyre. The pull is greater for the front wheel than for the rear wheel.

When this happens:

• Tighten you grip on the steering wheel

• Steer against the pull to keep on course.

• Brake gently and progressively and stop the vehicle by the side of the road.

Skidding

Skidding is triggered by:

• Abrupt steering, braking or acceleration

• Loss of traction on slippery roads

If you get into a skid:

• Stop accelerating

• Press clutch

• Do not brake

• Steer slightly in the direction of skid

• Do not over steer

Driving in Difficult Conditions

Driving in Rain

On wet roads stopping distance increases due to low friction.

Before rainy season a pre monsoon checkup is recommended.

In rainy season be cautious of -

• Pot holes

• Submerged causeway or bridge

• Test brakes after crossing a water-logged

road

• Your speed & following distance

On a rainy day, a thin layer of water forms on the road surface. Even good tires may not have good grip on the road. As speed increases, surface water builds up under the vehicle’s tires. When this happens, your vehicle will glide on the surface of the road and this is known as ‘Aquaplaning’.

Aquaplaning

If it occurs

1. Stop acceleration.

2. Press clutch and do not brake.

3. Hold steering in straight position.

Indications

• Steering will become light

• Skidding on increasing speed

To prevent

• Use tires with proper tread

• Drive slow through water-logged area

Aquaplaning

Driving in Fog

While Driving in Fog

• Do not get impatient

• Use dipped head light

• Use fog lamps

• Drive slow and increase

following distance

• Drive in your left lane near the kerb

• Use wipers to regularly clean your windscreen

• Do not overtake

• Avoid parking your vehicle on the road

Uphill Driving

• While attempting uphill climb from standstill

• Engage handbrake

• Press clutch and

engage first gear

• Press accelerator, release clutch until

vehicle just tends to move

ahead.

• Slowly release hand brake to move

forward.

Downhill Driving

While initiating downhill from standstill

• Engage vehicle in first gear.

• Before releasing hand brake, keep foot pedal pressed.

• Release hand brake and clutch simultaneously and drive forward.

Clutch pedalreleased

ENGINE BRAKE

Driving in Hot Whether

• Tire pressure should be checked and adjusted when they are cold.

• Check the level of coolant in the system.

• Keep the windscreen as clear as possible. This helps to cut down glare.

• The use of sun-visor or correct sunglasses can also reduce the glare.

• Make sure you use adequate ventilation inside the car air-conditioning helps.

• Take plenty of breaks and refreshment on a long trip.

• Take care of braking and cornering on road surfaces that becomes very soft in this weather.

Night Driving

Driving at night can be difficult as compared to driving during the day.

• Make sure you can see and be seen

• Use High beams only on Highways & that too when you are not following a vehicle.

• Use dipper for oncoming vehicle in the range of 150-200 m

• Always use low beam while city driving

Tips

• Before beginning a long drive, always get enough sleep and eat something before you go

• Pull over and take breaks every couple of hours, even if you don't feel sleepy; If you do have to pull over, move your vehicle off the road

• If you can, share the driving responsibilities with someone else.

• Before setting off on a long car trip, be sure your vehicle is in prime condition.

• Don't wait until your gas gauge is sitting on E to refuel.

• When traveling with kids, be sure to stop often .

Recap

Choose the correct answer:

1. In PSL technique, ‘S’ stands for:

a. Stop

b. Steering

c. Speed

d. Sign

2. During rainy season safe distance should

be :

a. 1.5 times the normal

b. 2-3 times the normal

c. 8-10 times the normal

d. Half the normal

3. In case of a skid

a. Steer in the direction of skid

b. Steer opposite to the direction of skid

c. Do not steer

d. Steer hard

Recap

4. Use low beam while :

a. Driving in Fog

b. Following other vehicles

c. Overtaking

d. All of the above

Thank You