Page 130 - CARS Standard Program

Defensive Driving Techniques
Now that the tow truck has been properly checked for road worthiness, let us begin to look at the techniques used by the professional defensive driver. Following is the accident prevention formula developed and used over many years:
1. Recognize the Hazard
2. Understand the Defense
3. Act Correctly in Time
The driver’s ability to execute this formula is the very foundation of defensive driving. Let us examine and elaborate on this formula:
1. Recognize the Hazard: In order to recognize the hazard successfully, the professional driver will avoid driving with a “fixed’ stare on the vehicle ahead and will constantly “scan” the road ahead while driving in city traffic. For highway driving, a good rule is to scan the next curve, side road or hill. Potential hazards behind are recognized by checking rear view mirrors every five seconds.
2. Understand the Defense: It is raining, the road is wet and the driver ahead suddenly loses control of his vehicle and begins to slide. There are deep drainage ditches on either side of the roadway. Recognizing a potential hazard, you must understand what steps should be taken to avoid a collision by anticipating what will most likely happen.
3. Act Correctly in Time: Acting correctly will involve three possible options: braking (either slowing or stopping); steering to the left or right; or tapping the horn to alert another driver or pedestrian of your presence or intentions. In the above example the correct action would be to immediately slow down, slightly apply brakes so as not to skid and continue to slow until it is determined whether a complete stop is necessary.
Another Example: You are driving your tow truck on the highway, transporting a repossessed vehicle. You top a hill and immediately observe a collision which has blocked your lane of travel. You have recognized the hazard, which is the blockage of your lane by the wrecked vehicle.
You have also observed that the right shoulder of the road is sufficiently wide and safe for the weight of your tow truck and the towed vehicle. You understand that your defense is to slow down and move slowly to the shoulder of the road so that traffic behind you will also be able to see the hazard. You act by applying your brakes and moving to the shoulder until the roadway is clear. Speed is an extremely important factor here. One of the reasons for posted speed limits is so the driver will have time to follow the above formula.