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
Escape Route
How to prevent the head-on collision The 4 Rs

• Read the road ahead and look well ahead into your
  planning zone
• Drive to the Right
• Reduce speed Brake hard Release your brakes
• If you have time Warn the other driver
• Stay on the road if possible,
• if not..Ride off the road to the
  Right.Drive dont skid. STOP your vehicle.

5
Escape Route

• Look for (in order of preference!)
• A clean escape way without any obstructions or
  hazards.
• Something soft like bushes, small trees, or
  a fence.
• Something to glance off from . If you can
  not avoid a fixed object or oncoming car, do your
  best to glance off it. Avoid hitting it Head
  On.

• Remember
• A sudden and significant steering movement can
  lead to further hazards. Taking this action to
  avoid a small animal or debris should be
  discouraged.
• Once the decision has been taken to drive off the
  road, try to keep a straight line (if safe to do
  so).
• Many roll-overs are caused by the driver trying
  to get back on the road too quickly-at too high a
  speed. Bring the vehicle to a stop first, and
  then get back on the road once it is safe to do
  so.

6
Escape Route
Watch out for frustrated drivers ! Will you see
him ?
7
Escape Route
Never go to the opposite lane to avoid the
HEAD-ON COLLISION !
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