Anyone who has working in the oil fields for very long knows that the most dangerous part of your job, is driving to and from from the job location. What you may not know, is how stacked the deck is against you, IF you speed.
Facts:
- In 2012 there were 9.8 million traffic crashes, of which over 35,000 were fatal. Another 2.09 million people were injured.
- For every 3.7 miles per hour you travel OVER the posted speed limit, your chances of dying DOUBLE.
- You will survive a head-on crash IF the closing speed is under 50. Think about that for a second. That means each vehicle can only be going 25 mph to survive. This also assumes that you have your seat belt on.
- 90% of all vehicle accidents are driver caused.
- Distracted Driving KILLS. Texting while driving is essentially the same as driving drunk.
What you can do to make driving safer
- Slow Down. XPAT’s Fleet Safety Policy states that all employees driving company vehicles MUST drive 5 mph UNDER the posted speed limit. (I realize that sometimes this is impossible, and I don’t want you to cause an incident or get run over, but there should NEVER be a reason to go over the posted speed limit).
- Raise your gaze. Most people tend to stare at the bumper of the car in front of them when driving, but what you should be doing is looking five or six cars ahead of you.
- Remember the 3 second rule. Always be prepared for the car in front of you to stop, slow down or hit unexpected road debris. Pick a fixed point that’s even with the vehicle in front of you, like a road sign, and start counting. If you reach that spot before your hit three, you’re driving too close to the vehicle in front of you. Increase the 3 seconds to 4 or 5 seconds if weather conditions are bad.
- Avoid target fixation. If an accident seems imminent, don’t focus on the obstacle you are trying to avoid colliding with. You’re more likely to do this when you’re tired, on your cell phone or under the influence of alcohol. Focus instead on your escape route. Almost anything is better than the impact of a collision. If you must hit something, hit something that doesn’t endanger human life — an object that you know you can push over or push down as you slow, such as safety cones. Avoid ‘sudden stop items,’ such as tree or utility poles, at all costs.
- Remember the four R’s: Read the road ahead, reduce your speed, drive to the right, and ride off of the road.
- Steer into a slide: A great way to help you remember the rule that you should always turn into a slide: A vehicle always turns better than it stops. If you find your vehicle sliding, with your foot off the brake, go in the direction of the skid or slide. Then steer the wheel to avoid any obstacles. Once out of harm’s way, use a little bit of power on the gas pedal and steer the wheel back into a straight position.
- Keep your hands at 10 and 2 o’clock when you turn: When turning the car, many drivers put their right or left hand on the inside of the wheel to get leverage. However, doing that can be dangerous. If you’re in an accident and the airbag engages, the force of the explosion would push your fists into your face at about 100 mph.
- Check your tire pressure and tread: Blowouts on the road can be terrifying and even deadly. You should monitor your tire pressure at least once a week. When your tire pressure is at its optimum level, you’re better able to safely drive around obstacles because the vehicle will perform the way you want it to.
- Take driving seriously: The act of driving deserves 100 percent of your focus. If you’re glancing down to read a text, fishing around in the console for pen or talking on your cell phone, you’re not being a responsible driver.
Conclusion:
Slow down, and always allow enough time to get to and from the job site WITHOUT speeding. Speeding is against company policy and will not be tolerated. XPAT’s policy is to drive 5 mph UNDER the posted speed. Remember, TX Highway 72 and US Hwy 285 are the MOST dangerous roads in Texas. Do not become another statistic!
Questions:
- It is XPAT policy to drive 5 mph under the posted speed. True or False?
- You double your chance of dying in a vehicle accident for every ______ mph over the posted speed.
By submitting this form, I agree to follow XPAT’s Fleet Safety Policy and realize that if I don’t, I will be written up and subject to disciplinary action.