Defensive Safety Driving Training in Nigeria

In this course, Defensive Safety Driving Training in Nigeria teaches that When driving we sometimes take on a different personality, and unfortunately that personality is often a reckless risk taker, or someone overly aggressive. The Safe and Defensive Driving training module discusses tips and techniques for avoiding risks and aggression. The course also identifies numerous factors that appear as innocent actions, but have the potential to cause accidents and injuries.

Who Should Take This Course?

Employees who must drive automobiles (cars, vans, pickups) as part of their job. Positions like field sales personnel, field technicians, or personnel visiting offsite locations including delivery of small parts or equipment will benefit from this course. Large delivery trucks are beyond the scope of this course.

Course Objectives:

After successful completion of this training module, students will understand:

• Recognize external factors that inhibit drivers’ ability to concentrate
• Apply techniques for focusing attention to the task of driving
• Detect behaviors and situations that may weaken driving ability
• Employ stress-reducing actions to avoid unsafe driving
• Complete a pre-trip checklist to ensure vehicle safety
• Recall procedures for contingency plans, in case of emergency situations

Prerequisites:

No prerequisites are assigned to this course.

The Defensive Safety Driving Course is an established, proven programme designed to produce:

• fewer company-vehicle collisions;
• less absenteeism due to injuries and court time; and
• Life-long safe driving habits.
• DDC is designed for the adult learner.

Complete concepts are presented so they are easily understood. Materials are fully integrated. This enables participants who can’t read well to learn visually and through group discussion.

Course outline

• Five core modules and choice of three optional modules, taught in six hours;
• Case studies and written exercises;
• Interactive class discussion; and
• Specific techniques to help drivers avoid all types of traffic collisions despite the actions of others or the driving conditions.
• Drivers learn the principles of defensive driving and essential collision avoidance techniques.

Course content

Your staff members can be certified to teach the Defensive Driving Course (DDC) to co-workers by successfully completing an Instructor Development Course (IDC) prior to delivering the DDC.

Day 1

Introduction

• You know how to drive safely, but do you make the choice to?
• Minimizing Your road driving Risk

Motor Vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death of the Nigerian driver.

• Improper speed,
• Following too close,
• Driving While Intoxicated or Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol, and
• Failure to obey traffic signals.
• Speeding results in 12,000 traffic deaths per year. For every 10 miles per hour over 50 mph you drive, the risk of death is doubled.
• By following traffic safety laws, being aware, and using common sense, you can minimize your risk.

Pre-trip Inspection

• Check in and around your vehicle before driving anywhere.
• Seatbelts usage before the event of a crash.
• Speed Limits discipline and important benefits

Following the distance during defensive driving situations

• Adverse weather conditions
• Heavy traffic
• Following a truck
• Night driving or poor visibility
• Being tailgated
• Driving while stressed or fatigued

Intelligent driving (Driver’s psychology)

Risk Management

Psychological Occupational health, Safety and Environmental Management

Blind Spot and Mirror handling

• Significance of driver’s mirror usage
• Importance to life and properties
• Developing a checklist for effective and efficient driving

Intersection

• Road Scanning operations and practices
• Anticipating what mistakes others may make and assume that they will make them!
• Predictive Intersection
• Preventive Intersection
• Corrective Intersection
• Failure Intersection

Passing

What then is passing?

• Pulling out into the oncoming lane without exceeding the speed limit.
• Effective Pull back into the lane using the rear mirror
• Knowing when to increase the distance before pulling

Day 2

Adverse Weather Driving

• Driving when absolutely necessary.
• Clearing your windows during the bad weather.
• Use the “What If” strategy: always have a way out.
• Detecting shaded road areas—proceeding over these with caution.

Distracted Driving—Email and Laptops

• Distracted driving results in 1.4 million crashes a year and it is against company policy?
•  Overcoming the temptation for less potential crash.

Distracted Driving—Mobile Phones

• Knowing when to say NO (Drivers who use phones are four times as likely to get into crashes, why?)
• Even with a hands-free device, cell phone use reduces the amount of brain activity associated with driving by 37%.
• Knowing when and how to talk when driving?
• Don’t put yourself or others at risk.

Distracted Driving—Driving Tired

• legally intoxicated drivers Vs. Tired drivers
• The point is, get plenty of rest.

Safe Backing

• Before getting into the vehicle, walk around the vehicle
• Seven habit of defensive driving

Day 3

Ergonomics for Management of Drivers’ physical posture

First Aid Management training for drivers

Accident Procedures

• Emergency Preparedness Planning
• Knowing what to do in threatening situation such as a fire and the occupant is unable to get out.
• Communication skills in during the scene of accident
• Company accident reporting kit and tools
• Taking photos of the accident scene showing vehicle locations, direction of travel, vehicle and other property damage, location of traffic control devices, the license plate of vehicles involved, etc.

Understanding the National Highway codes and conducts (Live Simulation session)

• Understanding the state law as it applies to injuries and minor damage.
• Obeying traffic Laws and knowing your right as a road user
• Avoid getting into trouble with the authorities
• Knowing the company Fleet and transportation Management policies and procedures
•  Gathering the required information, contacting your supervisor

Support material

The Instructor Kit includes:

• Instructor Manual with  demonstrative tools;
• PowerPoint presentations on CD / DVD;
• Set of five 10 minute videos in CD format and on DVD;
• Corporate driver card game; and
• Posters and pamphlets.