Learning to drive is a big responsibility that many workers take for granted. Caught in the rush, safety turns into an afterthought on the road. This is why vehicular accidents continue to account for major fatalities across the globe.
Keep workplace operations safe and teach your team to be one step ahead with these ten defensive driving training programs. Topics include safe driving practices, vehicle inspections, maintenance, and more.
Defensive driving is the ability to predict hazardous events on the road, whether due to potential collisions or irresponsible drivers. It’s the discipline of always thinking one step ahead and aiming to prevent accidents before they happen.
This skill is important to develop among your crew, as it promotes awareness and responsibility. Faster doesn’t mean better on the road, especially when their safety is on the line.
What is defensive driving training?
Defensive driving training is a worthwhile investment, as it stamps out accidents on the road and saves your business from inflated expenses like vehicle repairs and high fuel consumption.
While some mistakes can be corrected, the same doesn’t apply to road accidents. A few seconds is all it takes for a driver’s life to be changed forever. Prevention is always better than cure, so you should never skip out on your team’s safety training.
What are the three main principles of defensive driving?
To avoid unwanted incidents, remember these three main principles of defensive driving:
Exercise caution
Keep your eyes on the road to prevent potential distractions. Make it a habit to check your surroundings regularly; this means adjusting your side mirrors properly to gain a better view of what’s around and taking a quick look before steering your wheel to the side.
Create space
Defensive drivers embrace the two-second rule to avoid tailgating. This is the recommended safe distance to keep between vehicles. Each time you find yourself behind another car, count to two from when it passes by a motionless object on the side. Remember, you must only pass the same object after getting to ‘two.’
Maintaining sufficient distance between the car in front prevents unwanted accidents if the driver ahead presses the brake unexpectedly. But when the roads are slippery or you’re driving behind large trucks, it’s wise to create more space (four to six seconds).
Communicate well
Don’t keep other drivers guessing what your next move is. Make sure to communicate your intentions clearly. So when making a turn, signal early to inform them you’ll be switching lanes. Also, don’t be afraid to use your horn! This will quickly grab the attention of other drivers and pedestrians ahead.
Protect your workers from road accidents through defensive driving training
A few minutes of training each day will make a huge impact on regular operations on the road. Prevent negligence from getting in the way of maximizing productivity, skills, and profit.
Keep workers’ safety on the top of your list by enrolling them in a defensive driving training program. Educating them to become responsible and proactive drivers boosts their confidence in performing their jobs well while assuring families of their safe return every day.
Choose the best provider of defensive driving training programs. Sign up for Mitti (by SafetyCulture) today.