NCJ Number
47973
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
SAFE DRIVING GUIDELINES ARE PRESENTED IN A TRAINING PUBLICATION FOR POLICE OFFICERS.
Abstract
IT IS POINTED OUT THAT MOST POLICE ACCIDENTS OCCUR DURING ROUTINE PATROL ACTIVITY AT VEHICLE SPEEDS OF UNDER 40 MPH, AN INDICATION THAT THE DRIVER'S CONCENTRATION, WHICH IS AT ITS HIGHEST DURING PURSUIT AND PROBABLY AT A MINIMUM DURING ROUTINE PATROL, IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF SAFE DRIVING. REASONS BEHIND POOR DRIVING HABITS ARE DISCUSSED, WITH REFERENCE TO FAULTY ATTITUDES TOWARD DRIVING (E.G., OVERCONFIDENCE, MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE CAPABILITIES OF THE VEHICLE). PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO OR DETRACTING FROM SAFE DRIVING ARE NOTED, WITH PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO FACTORS AFFECTING CONCENTRATION. WAYS OF MAINTAINING CONCENTRATION ARE SUGGESTED, AND EQUIPMENT CHECKS THAT SHOULD BE MADE BEFORE BEGINNING A PATROL TOUR ARE LISTED. BASIC DRIVING TECHNIQUES COVERING STEERING, SCANNING TRAFFIC, MAINTAINING MANEUVERABILITY, ALLOWING FOR MISTAKES BY OTHERS, USING SEAT BELTS, AND ACCOUNTING FOR ROAD, WEATHER, AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS ARE DESCRIBED. OTHER GUIDELINES RELATE TO ROUTINE DRIVING, COURTESY, HIGH-SPEED DRIVING, VISIBILITY, SKIDDING, HYDROPLANING, NIGHT DRIVING, AND DRIVING IN HIGH WINDS AND THROUGH HIGH WATER. A TABLE SHOWING STOPPING DISTANCES FOR VARIOUS SPEEDS IS INCLUDED, AS ARE A QUESTION-AND-ANSWER SECTION AND READING SUGGESTIONS. (LKM)