Avoiding Objects On The Road

1. Avoiding Objects On The Road Purpose The purpose of this presentation is to raise the awareness of the hazards of sudden evasive action and to provide learning from a review of such incidents. Background There have been several incidents in recent months whereby Shell Oil Products HGV drivers have taken sudden evasive action to avoid objects (animals, trees, pot holes, vehicles, pedestrians) on the road. This evasive action has in some cases led to greater damage (property, people, environmental). A fatal incident in Uganda where a person committed suicide in front of a bulk fuels truck. The driver took evasive action but killed a cyclist coming in the opposite direction. If the driver had not swerved (because he couldn't avoid the pedestrian anyway) then the second fatality would have been avoided. A fatal incident in Cameroon where a bulk fuels tanker swerved to miss a pedestrian, hit the pedestrian and, in swerving, brushed a taxi cab coming the other way that was carrying 6 people. All 6 luckily were uninjured but it could have been much worse.

2. Avoiding Objects On The Road Background, contd. A fatal incident in France where the driver of an LPG cylinder truck, having no safe alternatives, maintained his line (whilst braking) and collided with an oncoming van that had pulled out from a stream of moving traffic. The van driver was killed by the collision. A rollover in Portugal, when the driver of a bulk tanker swerved onto the soft verge at the side of the road in order to avoid a car that had pulled out from a stream of moving traffic, lost control when moving back onto the road. The tanker ended up rolling over on the opposite side of the road, colliding with a van in the process. Tanker driver uninjured, van driver injured, van and tanker damaged, no loss of LPG. An incident in France, when the driver of a bulk tanker swerved to avoid two deer on a country road and drove into a ditch at the left hand side of the road. The tanker stopped, immobilized, with its left-side wheels in the ditch and its right-side wheels raised off the road surface. A crane had to be used to lift it out of the ditch. Driver uninjured, minor damage to tanker, no loss of LPG.

3. Avoid The Situation The main message for the HGV driver is to avoid situations where a sudden evasive manoeuvre is needed. This can be done by applying defensive driving skills, including: Drive where you are going to be, not where you are Travel at a safe speed for the conditions (road, level of congestion, weather) Scan ahead, look long, try to anticipate forward problems Keep your eyes moving, keep checking your mirrors Leave a space cushion around your vehicle, leave yourself a way out given an unexpected problem Make sure they see you, make eye contact with other motorists and pedestrians Expect the unexpected Make use of the horn and / or headlights to get the attention of other road users when needed On top of this: A well-rested driver is more likely to be alert and quicker to respond to an unexpected event. Do not drive when tired.

4. Looking well into the planning zone is our first defence to reduce speed as soon as you see a possible situation developing. This gives the other driver more time to get back to his side of the road. Move to your side of the road and if required, get right off the road to give the oncoming driver more space. Warn the other driver by flashing the headlights or sounding the horn. Sometimes we are faced with a situation where another driver just pulls out in front of us without warning. In this case, brake hard (if you have time) If it still looks like you will hit, release your brakes and drive off the road. Stress that you should always use your side of the road! Looking well into the planning zone is our first defence to reduce speed as soon as you see a possible situation developing. This gives the other driver more time to get back to his side of the road. Move to your side of the road and if required, get right off the road to give the oncoming driver more space. Warn the other driver by flashing the headlights or sounding the horn. Sometimes we are faced with a situation where another driver just pulls out in front of us without warning. In this case, brake hard (if you have time) If it still looks like you will hit, release your brakes and drive off the road. Stress that you should always use your side of the road!

5. Almost anything is better than a head-on collision. This is why we want to examine all the steps for preventing a head-on crash. Almost anything is better than a head-on collision. This is why we want to examine all the steps for preventing a head-on crash.

6. Explain that we must know how to reduce the likelihood of a head-on crash. Explain the rules which are Read the road ahead, Look well into the planning zone Reduce your speed as soon as you see a threat Don't wait to see how it develops, Get your speed down immediately. Give the other driver more time and space Explain that we must know how to reduce the likelihood of a head-on crash. Explain the rules which are Read the road ahead, Look well into the planning zone Reduce your speed as soon as you see a threat Don't wait to see how it develops, Get your speed down immediately. Give the other driver more time and space

7. Explain that you move to your side of the road. Give the other driver the space they need to get back onto their side of the road. Warn the other driver with the lights or horn. Explain that you move to your side of the road. Give the other driver the space they need to get back onto their side of the road. Warn the other driver with the lights or horn.

8. Way Forward Discuss this safety presentation at drivers toolbox meetings and / or monthly safety meetings. Let drivers share their experiences. Discuss these and other defensive driving technique AND ALWAYS