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Driver Safety Meeting Topics

Whether a driver attends safety meetings because of a court order, employer requirement or the driver himself feels the need for a refresher course, sitting with other drivers who need to improve their skills can be a powerful vehicle for changing and improving driving habits. Driving schools, community centers and organizations that promote safe driving offer courses to help any driver fine-tune her skills.

  1. Driver Distraction and Fatigue

    • Discuss how to reduce driver distraction and fatigue. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration lists distraction and fatigue as major causes of traffic accidents. Talk about ways to keep a cell phone from distracting a driver. Think about methods for keeping children occupied during trips so they don't demand the driver's attention. Review indications that a driver is tired and should pull over to rest.

    Aggressive Driving

    • Talk about aggressive driving, another major cause of accidents according to the NHTSA. Aggressive driving includes tailgating, flashing lights, rude gestures, blocking other drivers, disregard of traffic signals, failure to yield right of way and unsafe lane changes. The New York State Police remind drivers to drive defensively. This means remaining calm, keeping a safe distance between cars, passing only when necessary and safe, and disregarding rude gestures and intimidation.

    Speed Limits

    • Review the need to maintain proper speed limits. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety points out that increased speed increases the energy released in a crash, so not only does the possibility of accidents increase when speed increases, but the severity of the accident increases, too.

    Driver Impairment

    • Relate the way that alcohol factors into driver safety. An NHTSA 2003 study found that 30 percent of weekday car crashes and more than 50 percent of weekend crashes were caused by drunk drivers. A Blood Alcohol Chart helps individuals estimate how much alcohol they can drink before their blood alcohol level reaches .08, the legal limit in all states at which a person may drive. Different people react differently to alcohol, so the best rule remains that people who have drunk alcohol should not drive. At all.

    Inclement Weather

    • Discuss the impact of inclement weather on driving safety. Rain, snow, sleet, ice, hail, high wind and fog affect the ability to drive safely. Drivers should always leave extra room between their car and the one in front of them during bad weather and, if necessary, pull over until the weather improves.

    Other Discussion Topics

    • Review other driver safety issues such as smooth gear transitions, braking, night driving, skid control and emergency stops.

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