Defensive driving is about driving to save lives, time, and money despite the conditions around you and the actions of other road users. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 1.2 million people are killed in road crashes each year, and as many as 50 million people are injured.
To be a safer driver and mitigate the risk of being involved in a traffic crash, you need to implement four features in your driving: manage space, control your speed, observe, and communicate effectively with other traffic. The Smith space cushion system, invented by Harold Smith in the 1940s, emphasizes the importance of leaving yourself an out, getting a big picture, making sure they see you, and aiming high on your steering. The host, Rick August, aims to provide actionable steps that can be put into place to improve driving, regardless of where you are in the world or the driving conditions.
In this webinar you will learn (Learning Objectives):
About the Speaker: Rick August, PhD
His expertise includes detailed accident investigations, where he analyzes the road users involved, their actions, the site conditions, available evidence, and peer-reviewed research. He has worked on cases involving a range of vehicles, including semi-trucks, transit and school buses, vocational vehicles (e.g., dump, garbage, and concrete trucks), passenger cars, motorcycles, cyclists, and pedestrians.
With a PhD in legal history from the University of Melbourne, Dr. August’s research focused on policing and law as these relate to traffic safety. He combines this academic foundation with hands-on driving experience, having driven semi-trucks and buses internationally. Dr. August has been an instructor since 1997, teaching air brakes and defensive driving in Canada, Australia, and the U.S. He has authored two e-books and creates educational videos to promote safer driving practices. His deep knowledge and practical experience make him a respected authority in the field of traffic safety and crash analysis.
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Accident Prevention, best of the internet, Defensive Driving, Driving Techniques, personal development, professional development, Road Safety