Everyone knows that accidents occur more frequently at higher speeds and if an accident does occur, fatalities are more common when speeding is a factor. Speeding can also cost you money in other ways like insurance premiums and maintenance costs. Studies show that increasing from 50mph to 60mph causes a 38% increase in overall maintenance costs and increasing from 60mph to 70mph can cost up to 80% more over the life of the vehicle.
It is well known that how fast you’re traveling affects how well you’re able to control and stop the vehicle. Stopping distance is determined by three factors; perception distance, reaction distance, and braking distance. Perception distance is the length a vehicle travels from the time you see a hazard until your brain recognizes it as a hazard. In alert drivers this takes about ¾ of a second, at 55mph a vehicle will go about 60 feet in ¾ of a second. Reaction distance is the length a vehicle travels in the time it takes the brain to tell the foot to push the brake pedal. This reaction takes another ¾ of a second and consequently another 60 feet. This basically means that every time one must unexpectedly stop his or her vehicle it will take an extra 1½ seconds and (at 55mph) an extra 120 feet. This does not include braking distance, which is the actual length the vehicle will travel once you have applied the brakes.
It is also important to consider adverse factors like the weather, grade, and which vehicle you are driving. For example: Rain is always more dangerous to drive in than dry conditions, but rain is especially dangerous the first day of rainfall because it will mix with the oil on the road surface and become more slippery. When driving on a downgrade, downshift to allow your engine to share some of the braking, this will save your brakes from going out. And remember, heavy vehicles are meant to work fully loaded and take more time to stop than an empty vehicle.
The most important thing anyone can do to avoid an accident is successfully anticipate the accident and who will cause it. But how can we know when or where an accident may occur? By increasing alertness and keeping track of your surroundings you will be able to predict what other drivers will do. The first thing to do is establish a space cushion around your vehicle. Imagine an invisible bubble around your car that encompasses the area one car length in every direction from your vehicle, you should try your best to keep this area clear but at least be aware of what is there. Next thing you should establish is your escape route (like an empty shoulder or sufficient space behind you); you don’t ever want to be boxed in while in motion.
Once you have established a space cushion and have a plan to escape an accident you should look around for unsafe drivers. Usually if you keep your eyes moving and take a second to examine how each person is driving you can anticipate who is a risk and who isn’t. Examples include: a woman doing her make-up on the freeway, a man screaming into his cell phone, or a groggy/intoxicated driver. A quick look around can tell you many things you need to predict and avoid accidents.
Another trouble spot that we as drivers need to be aware of is reversing. While CHP reports backing as the most common type of vehicle accident, speed is the most common cause of accidents. When you are backing, make sure that you do so slowly.
Before you move, if possible, place your arm along the seat backs and turn your head to the left and right to look directly out the sides and back of the vehicle. As the next step, or if you cannot look directly out of the vehicle, use your side and rear-view mirror to look in all directions to the rear of the vehicle. Backup cameras and sensors are good tools that can help you keep watch around your vehicle.
If your vehicle is equipped with a backup alarm and/or is required to use the alarm, make sure that it is working properly. If you do not have a backup alarm but feel that it is necessary to notify others that you are backing, you can put on your flashers and honk the horn as you back. Make sure that the area behind you is clear of obstacles, pedestrians and, other vehicles before you move. If you see pedestrians or vehicles approaching, judge their speed and distance before backing.
When reversing in any of our Heavy Equipment (Digger Truck, Bucket Truck, etc.) and towing any type of trailer a spotter must be used to assist you with a backing maneuver by sharing the responsibility for watching the rear of the vehicle. When using a spotter make sure that you can see each other in the side-view mirror at all times. Do not proceed with backing if you lose sight of the spotter. Two-way radios and/or hand signals can be used to help communicate.
If you are acting as a spotter or work near backing vehicles, listen for the backup alarms and watch vehicle movement. Never assume that the driver sees you and knows where you are going. Do not walk alongside or ride a backing vehicle. Wear highly visible clothing if you are going to be working on foot around backing vehicles.