Defensive Driving Tools for Safety

Posted on 08/24/2022 by Traffic Safety Team

Defensive Driving Tools for Safety was written and presented by Jeff Hohlstein, a Community Traffic Safety Team member in Clay County, Florida. This educational driving and traffic safety presentation is geared toward aging road users. However, these are essential tips and reminders for all drivers.

Flip through the Defensive Driving Tools for Safety Presentation:

Learn about setting side view mirrors for blind spots. Understand the importance of keeping a safe following distance and obeying the speed limit. Maintaining a safe following distance is a good idea for all drivers to keep in mind. While this rule is flexible and isn’t always appropriate in every driving situation, it can foster good driving habits that reduce the risk of rear-end collisions and similar accidents. In addition, being a safe driver can earn discounts on auto insurance premiums.

Gain an understanding of observing a vehicle’s front wheels, approaching intersections safely, and scanning through a signalized intersection. Learn how to use the OODA Loop while driving. OODA is an acronym for Observe, Orient, Decide, Act. When you do it again and again, it becomes a constant decision loop. Retired Colonel John Boyd, USAF, developed this rapid decision-making tool. Today, OODA is used by many Armed Forces and Police agencies and can be used as a defensive driving tool for motorists.

Most people set their side view mirrors straight back and miss their blind spot completely. The video covers how to set your side view mirrors to cover your blind spot.

This video discusses how to use OODA to stay safe while driving. Defensive driving is much about managing space around your vehicle. The most controllable area you have is your safe following distance. OODA will help you do that right. OODA will also help you develop scan patterns for navigating intersections and avoiding a collision when someone unsafely enters your right-of-way.

Uses of OODA in defensive driving:

Observe > Following distance, traffic patterns; intersections of all kinds; vehicles around you.
Orient > Calculate the following distance; identify other potential conflicts.
Decide > Action to maintain safe following distance; plan to avoid those other conflicts.
Act > Establish/reestablish safe following distance; avoid those other conflicts whether or not the crash would have been your fault.
Do it again > Practice OODA until it’s as natural as driving itself.

Jeff Hohlstein presenting Defensive Driving Tools for Safety

Click here to read Jeff Hohlstein’s first article, Three Defensive Driving Tools to Avoid Great Impact, and what the video presentation from 2020.

4 E’s and More in Traffic Safety

Posted on 06/28/2022 by Traffic Safety Team

The Northeast Florida Community Traffic Safety Program in FDOT District Two has long since integrated and promoted the 4 E’s. Our local Community Traffic Safety Teams (CTSTs) were founded on the four core values of road safety: enforcement, emergency service, engineering, and education.

It’s time to reevaluate the 4 E’s and more in traffic safety

The 4 E’s remain fundamental in traffic safety. However, as we work towards our goal of Target Zero, perhaps it is time to expand the list. Bringing new partners to the table can create better insight and opportunities to reduce the number and severity of crashes. This will result in fewer fatalities and serious injuries.

Evaluation is sometimes mentioned as the fifth E. Evaluating our roadway safety programs and crash facts has always been a critical function.

Innovation and technology play a big part in traffic safety today and in the future. Embedded technology could officially be added to the list as a vital part of road safety for six E’s. It continues to expand and grow with improved vehicle systems. Some embedded technology safety features include:

adaptive cruise control
airbag
telematics
traction control

in-vehicle entertainment
emission control system
parking system
navigation systems

collision sensors
climate control
radio
anti-lock braking systems

Evaluation and Embedded Technology brings it up to 6 E’s

Over the years, new players have been invited to the table. We need to do things differently to change the number and severity of crashes. Innovation and technology have helped us get where we are. Therefore, embedded technology needs to be included to continue learning and adapting.

Traffic safety partners are vital for every CTST. We must enlist, engage, encourage, and have equity to be effective. In summary, “it takes a village” to tackle and change driver behavior on our highways. We need to engage ALL players. This graphic illustrates our adaptation of the four original E’s of road safety and expands with the new E’s to enhance and complete the process.

10 E’s in Traffic Safety:

Engineering
Education
Enforcement
Emergency Medical Services
Evaluation
Embedded Technology
Engage
Enlist
Encourage
Equity

The Northeast Florida Community Traffic Safety Teams are locally based groups of highway safety advocates committed to solving traffic safety problems through a comprehensive, multi-jurisdictional, multidisciplinary approach. Our teams comprise members from the four “E” disciplines of highway safety—Engineering, Education, Enforcement, and Emergency Medical Services. Members also include City, County, and State representatives, private industry, and citizens. The common goal of each team is to reduce the number and severity of traffic crashes within their community.

Engage, Enlist, Encourage, and Equity are four more E’s to consider

Community Traffic Safety Team members are a vital part of the program. They work together to help solve local traffic safety problems related to drivers, vehicles, and roadways. Four additional E’s have been brought to the table that could assist these members, partners, and agencies. The new categories include Engage Your Audience, Enlist Your People, Encourage Your Team, and Equity Sharing Opportunities.

In addition, it has been asked, “Should we expand safety strategies to include the 4 I’s?” These related topics benefit the Community Traffic Safety Program and improve the traffic safety culture. The 4 I’s include:

Information Intelligence
Innovation
Insight into Communities
Investment & Policies

In conclusion, the 4 E’s remain a core traffic safety function. However, there is room to grow. Adding additional strategies and insight can help work towards ZERO fatalities on our roadways.

Traffic Safety for Children

Posted on 05/10/2022 by Traffic Safety Team

Safety rules at home, school and around the neighborhood. The Northeast Florida Department of Transportation District Two Community Traffic Safety Program has developed special educational content highlighting traffic safety for children. It is never too early to educate kids on safety rules – at home, at school, and around the neighborhood.

Materials include the “Safety Town” activity booklet, coloring pages, social media graphics, and videos. Please share these free resources with children in your family, classroom, or neighborhood!

Free Traffic Safety Coloring Sheets & Activity Book for Children:

Traffic Safety Videos for Kids:

Great Safety Tips for Kids:

Stroll and Roll the Right Way!

Walk & ride during the day when it is light out.
Have a buddy with you.
Don’t enter the road between parked cars.
Cross the street at a corner or crosswalk.
Look left, right, & left again before crossing a street.
Sidewalks are the safest place to walk or ride.
Wear a helmet every time you bike or skate.
Ride your bike with the flow of traffic.
Obey traffic signs & signals.

Children Must Wear a Bike Helmet… It’s the Law!

Florida state law requires all riders under 16 years of age to wear a helmet when on a bicycle. Additionally, any bicycle passenger aged 16 or younger, like small children riding in a bike seat or trailer, must also wear a helmet. This applies if they are on the sidewalk, road or other public roadway. The helmet must meet federal guidelines. All bike helmets should be properly fitted and securely fastened on the head with a strap.

Stranger Danger!

Never go up to a car or to someone you don’t know.
Have a safe place and people you can go to in an emergency.

Traffic Safety Storytime Videos for Children:

Educating children on traffic safety is vital, so we made traffic safety storytime videos. Two of the videos were read by kids, for kids! The books include “Watch Out On the Road,” “Learn About Road Safety,” “Look Left, Look Right, Look Left Again,” “Be Careful and Stay Safe,” and “Franklin Rides a Bike.”

More traffic safety resources and activity sheets for children can be found by visiting the link below:

Safety for Kids

Traffic Safety Countermeasures

Posted on 12/13/2021 by Traffic Safety Team

FDOT District Two Community Traffic Safety Program in Northeast Florida created an educational countermeasure series based on proven measures of effectiveness by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The three videos below highlight cost effective safety engineering countermeasures which help reduce lane departure crashes and intersection crashes, and protect vulnerable road users.

Lane Departure Countermeasures

Intersection Countermeasures

Pedestrian/Bicyclist Countermeasures

These top three safety emphasis areas are part of Florida’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan and FDOT’s Vital Few safety focus. Fifteen digital cards were created to share, download, and print for Community Traffic Safety Team members, which include the 4E’s (Engineers, Educators, Law Enforcement, and Emergency Medical Personnel), city/county/state agencies, private industries, and local citizens. Visit the three blogposts below for more information and to access the educational cards.

Lane Departure Countermeasures

Intersection Countermeasures

Pedestrian/Bicyclist Countermeasures

Five Traffic Safety Countermeasures that Work in Preventing Roadway Departures:

Curves – Enhanced Delineation (Curve Signs) and Increased Pavement Friction
Rumbles – Center Line, Edge Line and Shoulder Rumble Strips and Stripes
Barriers – Roadside and Median Barrier Terminals and Crash Cushions
Clear Zone – Clear Zones and Widening Shoulders Provide for a Safe Recovery
SafetyEdge^SM – SafetyEdge^SM Technology Shapes Edge of Pavement at 30 Degrees

Traffic Safety Countermeasures that Work in Reducing Intersection Crashes:

Roundabouts Reduce Severe Crashes
Backplates with Retroreflective Borders
Left and Right Turn Lanes at Intersections Reduce Severe Crashes
Well-Timed Yellow Change Intervals Reduce Red-Light Running
Benefits of the Flashing Yellow Arrow Left Turn Signal

Traffic Safety Countermeasures that Work in Reducing Pedestrian-Vehicle Crashes:

Walkways, Shared Use Paths, and Sidewalks Improve Safety and Mobility
Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPI) Give Pedestrians a Head Start
Pedestrian Crossing Islands and Medians Reduce Pedestrian Crashes
Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons (PHBs) Assist with Safe Crossing
Road Diets – Roadway Reconfigurations Improve Safety for All Road Users

Additional Resources and Information:

National School Bus Safety Week

Posted on 10/18/2021 by Traffic Safety Team

National School Bus Safety Week (NSBSW) usually takes place the third week in October. The Northeast Florida Community Traffic Safety Program highlights school bus safety tips and information to share. Please join us in advocating for school bus safety to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities on our roadways.

Every year, approximately 440,000 public school buses travel more than 4 billion miles and daily transport 24 million children to and from schools and school-related activities. School buses account for an estimated 10 billion student trips each year.*

Also in honor of National School Bus Safety Week, we would like to thank all bus drivers and also acknowledge the shortage in our local communities. We appreciate everyone working together to make sure children get to school and back home safely.

School Bus Safety Rules for Drivers

Learn and obey the school bus laws in your state.
Be sure to acquaint yourself with the flashing light system that school bus drivers use to alert motorists.
Yellow flashing lights mean that the school bus is preparing to stop. Motorists should slow down and be ready to stop their vehicles.
Red flashing lights and an extended stop arm indicate that the school bus has stopped, and children are boarding or exiting.
Two-lane road: all vehicles in both directions must stop.
On a divided highway with a raised median, unpaved space, or a physical barrier of at least five feet: vehicles traveling in the opposite direction are not required to stop.
Divided highway where no median or barrier exists: all vehicles are mandated to stop.

School Bus Safety Reminders for Students

Arrive early.
Don’t push or cut in line.
Stay out of the “danger zone,” 10 steps away from the bus.
Wait for the bus driver to open the door before trying to get on.
Keep the aisle clear of your backpack, bag, or books.
Talk quietly during the entire bus ride.
Keep your hands, arms, and head inside the bus at all times.
Walk in front of the bus to cross the street, never behind it.

National Coalition for Safer Roads introduced the theme Expect the Unexpected. Know the Danger Zone. Click here to check out what they have to offer this year.

Additional Safety Information and Resources for Drivers and Children:

School Bus Safety

Illegal School Bus Passing Fines Doubled