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ORM 'Drive Smart' checklist

1. IDENTIFY THE HAZARDS 
Weather  
Rain, fog, ice/snow and winds 
Roads 
Narrow,winding, obstacles on or near the road itself  and speed limits 
Human Factors 
Perception - what is seen
Attention Management - complacency, distracters, channelized fixation 
Fatigue and  alcohol use 

2. ASSESS THE HAZARD 
     
Damage to your vehicle, another vehicle, or personal property, injuries to yourself or others and death to yourself or others

3. DEVELOP CONTROLS & MAKE DECISIONS

Slow down and don't use posted speed limits as a goal
Use seatbelts, airbags, and child car safety seats
Expect the unexpected. 
   
Take the necessary vehicle precautions and use less risky driving procedures to ensure you and your passengers arrive at your destination unharmed. 

4. IMPLEMENT CONTROLS 

Utilize vehicle equipped safety options like lights, ABS brakes, airbags, horn, and of course, restraining devices 

5. SUPERVISE AND EVALUATE 
     
Think of what you did and the eventual outcome
What did you do wrong?
What did you do right?
Did you do something and narrowly have a mishap?
What could you have done better?
What will you do the next time
Do other drivers have the same experience with this situation that can give you advice?

Being Prepared

  • A snow brush with an ice scraper
  • Battery-operated radio
  • Flashlight with fresh batteries and spares
  • Extra batteries
  • Blankets for each person in the vehicle
  • Mittens or gloves, hats and socks
  • Extra-warm clothing
  • Small shovel
  • Sack of sand or kitty litter
  • Jumper cables
  • Hazard sign, flares or flag
  • Windshield washer fluid
  • High-calorie, non-perishable food
  • Matches, candles or solid fuels. It's a good idea to keep them in old coffee cans.
  • First aid kit
  • Facial or toilet tissue
  • Basic tool kit 

    • Driving in Fog

  • Allow more time for your trip
  • Check and clean your windshield, windows and lights before driving. Use your windshield wipers and defrosters at all times. Using your air conditioner in conjunction with your defrosters works best.
  • Use low-beams instead of high-beams. The high-beams will reflect more light, making it harder to see.
  • If you drive into a patch of fog, slow down gradually so the car behind you has time to slow too.
  • Stay patient. Do not pass.
  • Don't speed up to get away from a vehicle which is too close behind you, and always resist the urge to overtake as you may find visibility ahead in much worse than you actually think.
  • Use the left side of the road for guidance.
  • If the fog gets too dense, pull off the road, leave your headlights on, start the flashers, turn on your interior lights, and sound your horn occasionally.
  • Remember that fog can drift rapidly and is often patchy. People often think that fog is clearing and suddenly find themselves back in thick fog.
  • If possible, find an off-street parking space for your car and never leave it on the "wrong" side of the road.
  • If your vehicle breaks down, get it off the road if you can. If you can't do this, make sure you turn the hazard warning lights on.

    • Winter Driving Safety

  • Beware of bridges, they freeze first. 
    Be aware of conditions and adjust to them.
  • Be careful on hills and grades.
  • Watch your following distance. Slick roads can increase distance it takes to brake safely. Try to triple your normal following distance; try for six seconds in between vehicles.
  • Drive at reduced speeds to ensure safe braking.
  • Signal your intention to turn sooner than normal.
  • Avoid quick acceleration- it could cause you to lose control.
  • Be aware of black ice. It is commonly found under bridges, overpasses and shaded areas.
  • Completely clear your windshield of all ice, snow and frost before driving. 

    • Safety Contacts

    RAF Lakenheath
    Local: 01638-52-3737
    International: 011-44-1638-52-3737
    DSN: 314-226-3737
    Email: 48FW.SEF@us.af.mil

     

    RAF Mildenhall
    Local: 01638-54-2255
    International: 011-44-1638-54-2255
    DSN: 314-238-2255
    Email: 100ARW.SEGV3@us.af.mil


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    Dangers of Speeding

    Although most people would have the same healthy fear of driving off a 50-foot cliff as they have of falling from a five-story building, most aren't afraid to drive 40 mph, and many overestimate their chances of surviving a crash at that speed.

    A car travelling 40 mph would strike a tree, a wall or a bridge abutment with the same force as a car hitting the ground after falling off a 50-foot cliff. An unrestrained occupant within that car, moving at 40 mph, would strike the windshield or dashboard with the same force he or she would experience hitting the ground after a fall from a five-story building.