Defensive driving comes down to
simple concepts: keeping a level head,
being aware of your surroundings and
reacting quickly and safely.
Remember the Four Rs, which serve
as the foundation of defensive driving.
• Read the Road
• Stay to the Right
• Reduce Your Speed
• Ride off the Road when Needed
The Four Rs are especially important
during higher-risk situations, such
as inclement weather, deer season,
towing or backing a trailer.
SAFE TRAVELS
September/October 2016 | The Davey Bulletin 15
Don Viers spends about 40 percent of his workday in his truck as a general
foreman for the North Central region utility services. Clay Carlson, a production
manager, estimated it's closer to 35 percent for him.
"At Davey, being a professional driver is part of the job description," Carlson said.
"That's why defensive driving is so important."
Both Viers and Carlson teach the annual Davey Defensive Driving Course (DDDC).
Students are taught how to defend themselves on the road, avoid collisions,
adjust driving to unpredictable conditions and save lives by driving safely.
"Each year, it serves as a refresher," Viers said. "We get to bring the most pressing
driving topics to the forefront and spend almost an entire day talking about them."
In the DDDC, which is also offered online, the group watches instructional
films, discusses various scenarios and reviews pressing topics like fatigue and
driving distractions.
"So much of what goes wrong on the road, especially the accidents, are
preventable," Viers said. "When I'm teaching, I always stress that how our
next drive goes is up to us. It's in our hands."
Carlson always encourages his employees to leave with plenty of travel time.
"When you plan and have the time to get to your destination, you aren't tempted
to take shortcuts," he said.
Carlson, Viers and other general foremen around the country talk about safe
driving often with their teams.
"By talking about defensive driving more, Davey drivers become more aware.
You avoid a lot of potential accidents that way," Carlson said. "You need to be
conscious of what's going on around you. You have to read the road, look for
potential hazards and be ready to react at any second. When you do that, you're
vigilant and prepared, which decreases your chances of accidents."
DRIVING DEFENSIVELY SAVES LIVES
Driving defensively ensures Davey employees arrive
at their destination safely, regardless of what they're driving.
Davey employees drive defensively,
whether in pick-up trucks or bucket trucks.
