Talk:Defensive driving
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I'd like to dig up the history of defensive driving, eg: the first studies done, the first courses offered, etc... but I haven't had much luck, despite significant time wasted on Googling. Does anyone have any ideas?
--Peter bertok 11:33, 7 Apr 2005 (UTC)
- Some random thoughts: risk management, fleet management, insurance companies, state DMVs, probably started in Europe?, car manufacturers, consumer safety organizations, M.A.D.D., highway patrols, road rage, what academic disciplines would cover this?, doctoral theses in risk management/safety/transportation, "driving guide", "caution on the road", "preventing accidents"
- Hope that helps! jk 14:12, 7 Apr 2005 (UTC)
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[edit] Early Defensive Driving Research
I believe a guy named Harold Smith is responsible for some of the earliest defensive driving research. Shortly after WWII the number of vehicles on the road in the U.S. nearly doubled, as did the number of crashes and fatalities. Researchers at the time were asking the question, "What is causing these crashes?" The results of researching this question were largely unhelpful.
Smith came along and asked a much better question: "What are the good drivers doing?" Ford sponsored his research as he interviewed drivers with good records. He discovered five key elements that these drivers were taking into account. These keys, now known as the "Smith System" for defensive driving, are still taught in driver's ed classes to this day.
Hope this is helpful (a few months late). RS 07/35/05
This is an article detailing US Interactive's start of the "Alternative Delivery Method" for defensive driving courses: http://www.stp.uh.edu/vol62/130/Campusan/Camp3/Camp3.html This company is the one that opened the door for online defensive driving sites. Mhoskins 16:29, 6 October 2006 (UTC)
Also found: http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2003/10/13/smallb1.html (more details about US Interactive) Mhoskins 16:35, 6 October 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Avoiding collisions with bicyclists?
I wonder what, if anything, defensive driving classes teach about avoiding collisions specifically with bicyclists. If anyone could summarize what that is, I think it would be useful to have a section on it in this article. --Serge 05:51, 16 November 2005 (UTC)
[edit] Drive in the outer lane on freeways?
Does defensive driving training really teach to "Drive in the outer lane on freeways"? Is there any basis for this (like a link to defensive driving website that says this)? I've always heard that the outside lane on a freeway is where collisions are most likely because that is where all the merging between entering and exiting traffic is occuring, and that the safest lane is one lane out from the innermost lane (furthest away from all the merging and still allowing one more lane for passing you). --Serge 19:22, 25 January 2006 (UTC)
Serge, This item as I read it is to warn against the obvious danger of vehicles in both the right and left (motorway and not) lanes; merging to the centre lane at the same time!!
HOWEVER, in lane-use practice as relating to freeway/motorway class roads with INTERCHANGES, as opposed to lengths of roads with INTERSECTIONS, effectively 'keeping middle' on such a road with three or more lanes is NOT encouraged by road authorities in any case, particularly in those jurisdictions that have higher speed limits or a speed derestriction allowance so signaled by the UN Conventions - C,17a; "End of all local prohibitions on moving vehicles" sign (//). Here, such 'lane discipline' and 'driver behaviours' are not accepted, and typically-legally imparted in 'driver road code training manuals' and the like as being necessary for efficient and safe traffic flow.
It is not intended to in any way 'force' you to do so when you have traffic entering the motorway, here - you indicate from that lane well in advance to allow that traffic to merge safely, IF it is necessary to do so. Sometimes it is best simply to drop off the accelerator a moment. Traffic leaving the motorway is required to be in that lane in any case, so speed variation conflict should not be a wide problem.
NOW, That some might speed and 'cut-in' to exit abruptly is not a negative reflection of this lane discipline, rather its a reflection on that driver requiring highway patrol attention.
This motorway traffic lane-use item is taught in various places, - such as in EU jurisdictional driver training manuals, in NSW Australia and now China/Hong Kong R.O.C. The United Nations Convention (1968) on Road Traffic, Road Signs and Signals in effect states much the same.
These links are 'state' driver training examples of this practice:
NSW Australia: http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/downloads/2005_12ruh_english.pdf Page 93 of this English language edition "Driving on the Motorway". Pdf 2.92Mb
This page shows the above handbook in other languages:http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/downloads/gettitestsdrivieduca_dl1.html?plid=3
Hong Kong & China: http://www.td.gov.hk/road_safety/road_users_code/index/chapter_5_for_all_drivers/dual_carriageways_/index.htm
United Kingdom. See Rule 238. http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/23.htm#227
26 March 2006. JHP Mot Adv-NSW
[edit] Crash and vehicle break-down scenes
I have added this header above. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Kungfuadam had previously deleted this, and other edits, citing the WA Drife Safe manual and a copyright issue.
I write text for state motor driving handbooks on this subject in Australia and indeed wrote that specific text for that WA application you highlighted.
It will be used in other AUS jurisdictional handbooks and is freely edited by each agency as it desires, without legal issue. State transport service agencies outside Australia are free to adopt the exact same text or similar tutorial, and I encourage them to do so.
Warning triangle placement and the vest tutorial is harmonised with UN equipment regulations/specifications and transport road safety policy. Other text is based on US and AUS emergency services procedure, also recognised and used around the world in respective domestic context.
It, 'the text', forms part of my Signature by way of weblink on many motor discussion forums I frequent. I also write such tutorials for EU application, and in the future - middle eastern jurisdictions, do so now for NYS, NZ, PNG and so on. The WA text, as indeed all text relating to this subject are invariably similar, owing in particular, legislation governing same.
NO, copyright infringement exists in this text whatsoever, I am certainly responsible for it.
Jeremy H. Pritchard, Motorist's Advocate-NSW. Bay Street, BALCOLYN NSW 2264. AUSTRALIA
Email: mot.adv@gotalk.net.au;motorists_advocate@yahoo.com.au
