Defensive Driving – NSC 6/8 Hour

Course Objective

• To provide delegates with knowledge on collision prevention through hazard recognition and the application of collision-avoidance techniques.
• To motivate delegates to change their behind- the-wheel behaviors and attitudes.
• Delegates will learn how to recognize both potential and immediate hazards, how to avoid collisions in a variety of driving conditions and situations, and how to choose safe driving behaviors.
• Delegates will learn coping techniques for dealing with speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving, and hazardous traffic conditions and more.
• To provide delegates with an understanding of best practices to prevent injury and death while driving a motor vehicle.

Course Design

• Power Point© / Lecture / Audio Video / Visual Aids
• Demonstrations
• Optional Ride Along Driver Evaluation

Successful Course Completion

• Requires a minimum score of 75% or better.
• Grades shall be calculated by dividing the number of questions answered correctly by the total number of exam questions.
• Delegates will have no more than thirty (30) minutes to complete the exam.
• Successful completion of practical session is mandatory.

Course Content Summary

• Classroom
• Optional Ride Along Driver Evaluation

Breaks: 10 minutes (approximately every hour)

Lunch: 1 Hour (if applicable)

Course Outline
Session 1 – It’s All About Choices

• Course Introduction
• Session Introduction
• Activity – Get Personal
• Session 1 Video: It Happened to Me
• Collision Prevention Formula: RUA Defensive Driver?
• Activity – How do You Drive?
• “What If?” Strategy

Session 2 – Ready for the Road

• Session Introduction
• Group Discussion: Who’s on the Road?
  • Age
  • Mobility
  • Hearing
  • Vision
  • Illness or Use of Medication
  • Fatigue or Drowsiness
• Group Discussion: Emotional/Mental Conditions and Actions of Other Drivers
• Session 2 Video: Ready for the Road
• Video Debrief
• Session 2 Video: 3 Stages of Impact
• Video Debrief
• Conditions You Can’t Control

Session3 – Don’t Add Insult to Injury

• Session Introduction
• Activity – Impaired Driving
• Session 3 Video: Don’t Add Insult to Injury: Impaired Driving
• Video Debrief
• Session 3 Video: Don’t Add Insult to Injury: Distracted Driving
• Video Debrief
• Session 3 Video: Don’t Add Insult to Injury: Sleep and Fatigue
• Video Debrief
• Session 3 Video: Don’t Add Insult to Injury: Aggressive

Session 4 – Success on the Road

• Session Introduction
• Session 4 Video: Drive to Survive
• The Six Most Unsafe Driving Behaviors (Introduction)
  • Improper Speed
  • Violating Right of Way
  • Driving Left of Center
  • Turning Improperly
  • Passing Improperly
  • Following too Closely

Session 5 – Collision Proofing

• Session Introduction
• Review: DDC Collision Prevention Formula and the “What If?” Strategy
• Session 5 Video Activity: Recognize the Hazard
• Activity: Road Sign Colors and Shapes
• Discussion: Collision Prevention

Session 6 –Driving for Life

• Session Introduction
• Session 6 Video: Drive Like Your Life Depends On It
• Video Debrief
• Important Points to Consider About Driving
• Group Discussion: Transporting Treasures
• Activity: What Are You Willing to Do?
• Course Exam

Practical Session
Ride Along/Driver Evaluations are not offered through the National Safety Council, but are offered by M&A Safety Services as a service, upon request.
The driver evaluation will evaluate the driver’s ability to:

• Wear Safety Belts
• Scan Effectively
  • Scans well ahead
  • Reacts early enough to respond to potential hazards
  • Not surprised by double parked cars, light changes, etc.
• Adjust Speed to Conditions
• Use Horn and Signals
• Maintain a Cushion of Safety
  • Keeps an adequate following distance-on open road
  • Follows proper techniques and distances when passing
  • Keeps an adequate following distance-in congested areas
  • Keeps an adequate following distance-with a tailgater
  • Avoids following oversized vehicles
  • Avoids driving in other drivers’ blind spots
  • Is aware of own blind spot
• Position the Vehicle
  • Changes lanes when necessary
  • Moves within the lane to avoid potential hazards
  • Tries to avoid hazardous situations
  • Safely parks the vehicle using recommended approaches and backing
• Use Mirrors Effectively
  • Properly adjust mirrors
  • Checks mirrors frequently
  • Moves in seat to improve sight angle
• Not Rely Solely on Eye Contact
  • Covers the brake in addition to making eye contact
  • Handles jaywalkers properly
• Handle Intersections Correctly
  • Is not surprised by light changes
  • Checks traffic in all directions before entering intersection
  • Leaves space in front when stopping in traffic
  • Keeps wheels straight while waiting to turn left
  • When in left lane, lags back to allow for off-tracking
  • Follows correct procedures for right-turn-on-red
• Cover the Brakes

Delegate Requirements

• None

Reference Material / Documents
National Safety Council DDC 8/6 Driver Safety Training Course Guide