Transcript Hazardous Materials/Cargo Security

Contributing Factors vs. Cause
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Contributing factors are the conditions found in the operating
environment:
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Equipment
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Driver Condition
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Road Conditions
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Weather
Although these factors or conditions do contribute to the
causation of the accident – they are not the cause of the
accident. The cause of the accident is the over-riding decisions
that the driver makes given the conditions found in the
operating environment.
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The cause of the accident comes down to human error
Cause – “Human Error”
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The preventable factors, which are
the true “cause” of most accidents
are:
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Lack of Focus or Misguided Focus
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Poor Judgment of Time or Space
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Improper assumptions about other
drivers
Lack of Training and Knowledge
Lack of Understanding or Proper
Reaction to Adverse Conditions
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Attitude
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Impairment
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Improper Vehicle Inspections
Scan-Ahead Driving
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Your eyes are moving every 2
seconds which expands your
central vision.
Your focus is at least 15 seconds
ahead of your vehicle so your
focus includes what will happen
as well as what is happening.
Pro-Active Driving versus ReActive Driving.
Awareness of Future as well as
Present.
Make informed decisions.
Scan-Ahead Driving
Reactive Vs. Proactive Driving
Reactive Driver
Proactive Driver
Tailgating
Has Proper Buffer-Zone around Vehicle
Last Second Lane Changes
Plans Lane Changes in Advance
Excessive Braking
Rarely Needs to use Brakes
Sudden Steering Changes to Avoid Objects
Sees and Responds to Objects before They become Problems
Surprised by Adverse Driving Conditions
Is Aware of and Responds to Conditions before They Occur
Screeching to Halt at Stoplights and Stop Signs
Is Aware of Approaching Stops and Slowly Arrives
Speeding
Speed is Relative to Conditions and at (or under) Posted Speed Limit
Excessive Lane Changes
Only Changes Lanes when Necessary
Surprised by Overhanging Branches
Saw the Branches 3 Blocks before
Focus is on Vehicle in Front
Focus is 15 Seconds Ahead of Vehicle
Lets Mind Wander
Focuses on Driving
Often Has a Blank or Fixed Stare while Driving
Moves Eyes Every Two Seconds
Uses Excessive Fuel
Conserves Fuel
Wears out Tires, Brakes, and Transmission
Normal Wear on Brakes, Tires, and Transmission
Is Always Racing the Clock
Plans Ahead and Arrives at Stops on Time
Finds Driving Stressful
Finds Driving to be a Rewarding Profession
Scan-Ahead Driving
Making Informed Decisions
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Knowledge and/or Information
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Deciding between two options is a game of
chance unless you are fully aware of what
those choices are and what the
consequences of your choices will be.
In scan-ahead driving your eyes will
provide the information as to what is
all around you and ahead of you:
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What is traffic like up ahead?
What are the road-surface conditions like
ahead?
Are there overhead clearance concerns
ahead?
Awareness of
Operational Environment
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You have a total awareness
of all aspects of your
Operational Environment so
there are no surprises.
You utilize Proper Following
distance (6-7 seconds).
You use proper techniques
for removing tailgaters from
behind you.
You check your mirrors every
5-8 seconds.
You are prepared to stop or
yield.
Awareness of
Operational Environment
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Elements of your
operational environment:
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Environmental Concerns or
Reactionary Measures:
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Truck
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Information overload
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Trailer
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Solid pre-trip inspections
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Climate
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Topography
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Route
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Stopping distances
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Traffic
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Distractions
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Pedestrians
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Animals
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Driver
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Awareness of the entire
vehicle
Utilization of other vehicles as
a warning system
Evaluation of visual input
Avoid Fixed Stare
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You use 100% of your
vision to gather as much
information as possible
Your decisions are based
on:
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What you see ahead,
behind, and beside you;
What you know about the
conditions ahead; and
Signals from other
vehicles such as brake
lights and turn signals.
Avoid Fixed Stare
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Fixed Stare and Blank Stare:
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A fixed stare is a
concentrated focus on a
singular point, usually off in
the distance; a blank stare
is a concentrated focus on
some inner point, or line of
thought, while the person’s
eyes appear focused on a
singular object.
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Keeping your eyes moving or
shifting every two seconds
will ensure that you avoid
these visual traps.
Establish Eye Contact
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You broadcast your
intentions.
You are a predictable
driver.
You make every effort to
ensure that other drivers
are aware of your
intentions.
You are a deliberate
driver who does not
hesitate once a decision
has been made.
Establish Eye Contact
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Establish your intentions:
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Horn
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Headlights
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Brake Lights
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Turn Signals
Predictability
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If we are predictable
drivers then other drivers
can more safely navigate the
roads around us; we will be
successfully broadcasting
our intent to other drivers.
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Decisive Actions:
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If you are a driver who pulls
part of the way into traffic
and then changes your mind
you cause problems not only
to the flow of traffic into
which you are attempting to
merge, but the vehicle
behind you will be
maneuvering based on what
he or she perceives to be
your intent. Avoid indecision
and Hesitation
Look for an Escape Route
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You have a path through
traffic
You know ahead of time
what you will do in any
given situation at any
moment
You are aware of Blind
Spots
You maintain a ‘Vehicle
Buffer Zone’
You utilize proper
following distance
Look for an Escape Route
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3 Elements of an Escape Route:
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Buffer Zone - Leaving yourself room to maneuver
through any traffic situation
Blind Spots - areas to your left, right, and rear that
cannot be seen by way of your side-view or bubble
mirrors
A Path Through Traffic - You should mentally create a
path that you intend to follow to go through the traffic
ahead of you that includes various obstacles, such as
construction, shady patches, ice, snow or other
weather-related issues, variances in road surface, etc
SAFER Summary
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Safer Component Integration:
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The Five Steps to SAFER Driving are not separate steps that you leave
behind as you go from one to the next; they are each a foundation upon
which the other steps rest. Looking for an Escape Route is impossible
without an Awareness of your Operational Environment or Scanning
Ahead. The system is an integrated one. It requires constant practice
and vigilance. It requires an acceptance of the Ethics involved, and it
requires an adherence to the Techniques.