what hazards are associated with driving

Driving safety hazards arise from the interaction of the driver, vehicle, road, environment, and work demands. Key risk factors include distracted driving, fatigue, speeding, impairment, adverse weather, poor road conditions, vehicle defects, and inadequate traffic control. A safe driving program should require pre-trip inspection, full driver attention, seat belt use, realistic scheduling, hazard assessment, and immediate removal from service of unsafe vehicles. [8] [8] [8] [8]

Major hazards and risk factors:

• Distracted driving: mobile phone use, GPS/radio adjustment, and any activity that takes attention away from the road.
• Fatigue: drowsiness, long or poorly planned schedules, night work, and inadequate rest can impair judgment and reaction time.
• Speeding and aggressive driving: higher speeds reduce stopping time and increase crash severity, especially in work zones and poor weather.
• Impaired driving: alcohol, drugs, some medications, and severe fatigue can affect driving ability.
• Adverse weather and visibility: snow, ice, rain, fog, darkness, glare, and black ice reduce traction and sight distance.
• Poor road conditions: potholes, debris, bridges icing before roads, stopped traffic, roadblocks, and work zones increase collision risk.
• Vehicle defects: problems with tires, brakes, steering, lights, wipers, mirrors, fluids, seat belts, and warning systems can make the vehicle unsafe.
• Work zone hazards: moving public traffic, backing vehicles, blind spots, limited lighting, and inadequate barriers or warning devices.

[17] [13] [18] Distracted driving should be treated as a critical hazard. Drivers need full attention on the driving task at all times. Non-essential phone use, texting, manual interaction with devices, eating, paperwork, and other in-cab distractions should be prohibited while the vehicle is moving. If communication or route changes are necessary, the driver should pull over to a safe location first. Even hands-free systems can create cognitive distraction, so they should be used sparingly and only when necessary. [8] [14] [2]

Fatigue is a major collision risk and must be managed as seriously as impairment. Drivers should not operate a vehicle when overly tired, should obtain adequate rest before driving, and employers should avoid schedules that contribute to fatigue. If fatigue develops during travel, stop in a safe place and recover before continuing. Night work and rotating schedules require extra controls because drowsiness, reduced alertness, and poor-quality sleep increase crash risk. [4] [4] [4] [5] [17]

Speed management is essential for collision prevention. Drivers must obey posted limits and further reduce speed when conditions are less than ideal, such as snow, ice, rain, darkness, congestion, work zones, bridges, intersections, or poor visibility. Safe speed is the speed that allows the driver to stop within the visible, clear distance ahead and maintain control without harsh steering or braking. [13] [10] [10]

Impaired driving includes alcohol, illicit drugs, impairing medications, and any physical or mental condition that reduces safe driving ability. Workers must never drive while impaired, and supervisors should have procedures for recognizing and responding to impairment concerns. In work zones, assume some members of the public may be impaired, inattentive, or aggressive, and design controls accordingly. [9] [14]

Adverse weather and poor road conditions require trip planning, vehicle preparation, and conservative driving. Before departure, check weather and road reports, postpone travel when conditions are severe, allow extra travel time, and carry appropriate emergency supplies. In winter, remove snow and ice from the vehicle, use low-beam headlights, increase following distance, avoid cruise control, and be prepared for skids and reduced traction. [7] [7] [13] [13] [10]

Vehicle defects and pre-use inspection:

• Inspect the vehicle before use, at least daily, and more often if conditions warrant.
• Do a walk-around to identify nearby hazards such as people, pets, posts, poles, holes, and other vehicles.
• Check that all items are in good working order, have no leaks or damage, and are properly secured.
• Do not operate the vehicle until you are sure it is safe; report defects immediately.
• Typical inspection points include tires and wheels, windshield, wipers, mirrors, lights, indicators, horn, steering, brakes, fluids, seat belts, cargo securement, warning lights, and emergency equipment such as first aid kits and fire extinguishers.
• For EVs, also check state of charge, charging port and cable condition, coolant, battery condition, and any manufacturer-specific items.

[6] [6] [11] [1] [3] Collision prevention depends on defensive driving. Defensive drivers anticipate hazards rather than merely reacting to them. Core practices include scanning well ahead, maintaining a safe following distance, keeping escape routes open, using mirrors frequently, signaling early, avoiding blind spots, adjusting speed and spacing for conditions, and expecting errors from other road users. Always wear a seat belt and ensure passengers do the same. [15] [13] [12]

Hazard identification and risk assessment should be completed before and during driving operations. Assess the route, traffic density, weather, road surface, visibility, work zone layout, vehicle condition, driver fitness, load security, reversing needs, and emergency arrangements. In work zones, the hazard assessment should define work areas, changing conditions, personnel locations, emergency situations, and hazard prevention methods. Controls should follow the hierarchy of controls where possible, including route changes, scheduling changes, barriers, signage, lighting, spotters, and training. [9] [9] [18]

Safe operating procedures should include:

• Verify the driver is licensed, trained, fit for duty, rested, and not impaired.
• Plan the route, schedule, weather check, rest breaks, communications, and emergency contacts before departure.
• Conduct and document a pre-trip inspection; remove unsafe vehicles from service.
• Secure cargo and confirm the cab area and pedals are clear of clutter.
• Wear seat belts at all times.
• Prohibit distracted driving and unnecessary device use while the vehicle is moving.
• Drive at speeds appropriate for conditions and maintain safe following distance.
• Use extra caution in work zones, around stopped traffic, during backing, and at night or in poor visibility.
• Stop work or postpone travel when conditions become unsafe.
• Report incidents, near misses, defects, and changing hazards promptly.

[8] [2] [2] [1] [8] For backing and work-zone driving, use additional controls because struck-by incidents are common. Establish traffic control plans, warning signs, illuminated flagger stations where needed, designated routes, no-backing or pedestrian-free zones, and trained signallers/spotters. Drivers must back slowly, maintain visual contact with the signaller, and stop immediately if contact is lost. Where exposure to public traffic is high, positive protective barriers should be used to shield workers from intruding vehicles. [19] [19] [16] [12] [9]

Applicable road safety requirements depend on jurisdiction, vehicle type, and work activity, but common regulatory expectations include compliance with traffic laws, seat belt requirements, vehicle roadworthiness, driver licensing, work zone traffic control rules, and employer safe-driving policies. In U.S. work zones, traffic control devices must conform to the MUTCD. Some vehicles and operations are subject to stricter legislation than ordinary light vehicles, so organizations should verify local legal requirements for inspections, emergency equipment, lighting, signage, and driver qualifications. [16] [6] [18]