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DEFENSIVE DRIVING

I want to preface this section with the following statement: “Never, ever, ever attempt
to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.”
There is never a justifiable excuse or reason to drive while impaired and the results of
such are often expensive and/or deadly.

A second important point: “NEVER ALLOW YOURSELF TO BECOME AGITATED
OR ANGRY AT OTHER DRIVERS’ FAULTY OPERATION OF THEIR
VEHICLE.” The professional, defensive driver will never allow “road rage” to dictate
driving habits. Your responsibility, as a professional, is to arrive at your destination safely
and without damage to your vehicle or your client’s collateral.

According to the National Safety Council, every year more than 45,000 Americans die
as the result of traffic accidents. In addition, 2 million are disabled or seriously
injured. Every nine minutes, someone dies in a motor vehicle collision. Statistically,
we have 30 times the potential of dying while traveling in a motor vehicle than in a
commercial airplane. With the average motorist driving approximately 600,000 miles in
a lifetime, and a Recovery Agent driving at least three times that amount, it is readily
apparent that we need as much education and training in the operation of motor vehicles
as possible.

One of the most important aspects of the collateral recovery process is transportation of
the recovered collateral to the storage area undamaged. The Recovery Agent must acquire
the skills of operating towing equipment, as well as other motor vehicles, on a
professional level. This requires knowledge of how to operate the towing equipment and
defensive driving techniques.

Defensive driving addresses methods of PREVENTABILITY. A preventable collision
is one in which the driver failed to do everything reasonable to prevent it. Professional
drivers realize that the most dangerous part of a trip is the mile directly in front of them
and they are constantly driving defensively. They realize that becoming involved in traffic
crashes, or accumulating traffic citations, may well cost them their jobs and careers.

The Recovery Agent, as a professional driver, learns as much as possible about: local
traffic laws; the vehicle and equipment he is operating; and what maintenance is necessary
to keep the equipment in top condition.

Defensive driving and improving our ability to avoid collisions requires conscious and
consistent development of knowledge, alertness and foresight in recognizing potential
crash situations as they appear, the exercising of good judgment and improving the skills
necessary to protect ourselves and others.