Vehicle Malfunctions & Emergencies: Stay Safe on the Road

1. IDAHO PUBLIC DRIVER EDUCATION Dangerous Conditions and Emergencies

2. Vehicle Malfunctions • Driver Errors • Roadway Hazards • Collisions Types of Emergencies

3. 1. VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONS • Sometimes even the best maintained vehicle will malfunction. • The best way to be prepared for a possible malfunction is: • Prevention through good vehicle maintenance. • Detecting symptoms or malfunctions yourself. • Knowing how to take corrective actions when needed. • A car is an expensive purchase and should be treated with care. • A car that runs well is safer to operate. • Handling an emergency requires the driver to be securely fastened in the driver’s seat – BUCKLE UP! • Maintain a good posture while driving. • Keep both hands in a balanced position on the wheel.

4. Dashboard Warning Lights • Engine Pressure Engine Coolant Temperature Vehicle Charging System (battery)

5. Dashboard Warning Lights • When the key is first turned on, all the warning lights should illuminate. • Once the engine starts, they should go off. • If any of them stay on, it needs attention.

6. Tire Blowouts • The term “blowout” refers to a bursting tire following by rapid loss of air pressure. • Tires take about 1/4th of second to deflate. • What a driver does following a blowout can be the difference between a simple inconvenience and a serious incident.

7. Blowouts, continued… • Driving with one hand is a bad habit that, during a blowout, can cause the wheel to be jerked free from your control. • Tires blowout due to a cut, over inflation, or overloading the vehicle. what should you do?

8. First, what you should NOT do: 1. DO NOT STEP ON THE BRAKE! It may be instinct, but braking after a blowout can throw the vehicle out of control. 2. DO NOT QUICKLY RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR! This shifts the vehicle’s weight from the rear to the front and can throw the vehicle out of control.

9. Front or Rear Blowout? • A rear tire blowout will cause the vehicle to squat low in the back and fishtail. • A front tire blowout will cause the vehicle to pull abruptly in the direction of the blown tire. This can result in a head-on collision or an off-road crash!

10. Reduced-Risk Behaviors • At the first sign of trouble, firmly grasp the steering wheel. • Gradually release the accelerator. • Look and steer towards a safe place to pull off the road. • Gradually pull off the road, away from traffic. • Once stopped, turn on hazard lights. • Do not drive on the flat tire, if possible.

11. What do you do if the accelerator sticks? 1. Shift to neutral to remove power from the wheels. 2. Apply the brakes to reduce speed. 3. Lightly tap the accelerator pedal to see if it will release. 4. If that doesn’t work, signal and pull off the road, then shut off the engine.

12. QUESTION: Why shouldn’t you turn off the engine while in traffic? You might lock the steering wheel and be unable to steer the vehicle!

13. Check Engine Light • When this light comes on, it does not require immediate attention, but indicates a system is not operating perfectly. • Ignoring the light for a length of time may cause damage to the vehicle. See a mechanic. • Check that the gas cap is not loose. This can cause the light to turn on. • If the light FLASHES red, drive slowly to a mechanic.

14. Cooling Problems • Cooling system failures are one of the main reasons engines breakdown. • Other than the actual gauge, a warning light will come on if the temperature is too hot. It may say TEMP or be a thermometer symbol. • If not attended to, the engine may very well suffer a failure that will permanently damage the engine and cost thousands of dollars to repair or replace.

15. What should you do if your car is overheating? • Turn on the heater! It pulls heat away from the engine. • Pull off the road and let the car idle. • If it still doesn’t cool down, turn the car off. • Make sure the radiator is full of coolant. DO NOT REMOVE THE RADIATOR CAP WHILE THE ENGINE IS HOT! • Call for a tow truck and mechanic.

16. Oil Pressure Problems • If you see this warning symbol light up it means the engine has lost oil pressure! • Severe engine damage can occur within seconds! • Of all the warning lights, this one can be the most serious. • Checking the engine oil frequently, and having it changed regularly, will usually prevent any problems.

17. Steering Failure • On newer cars this is rare. • The most common occurrence is power-steering failure – when a belt breaks or slips off, the engine dies, or power steering fluid is low. Steering will take much more effort if this happens.

18. Electrical Problems • When this light goes on, the electrical system is not getting charged by the alternator. • If the alternator is not working the battery will slowly die. • Turn off the radio and other non-essential electric devices in the car (fan, air conditioning, etc.) • Check your fuses. • See a mechanic.

19. Lighting Problems • Idaho law requires that your headlights and taillights work. • Check your own exterior lights often from the outside. • To avoid getting a ticket for a broken light that still works, it is legal to put red or yellow tape over it.

20. Brake Failure! • If the ABS warning light comes on, it indicates a problem with the ABS braking system. • Make sure the emergency brake wasn’t left on. • If brakes fail: • Pump the brakes rapidly. • Shift into a lower gear • Apply the emergency brake off and on. • Pull off the road safely.

21. Vehicle Fire • Exit the vehicle and call 911. • Do not ever use water to put the fire out. • The gas tank could explode, so move far away!

22. Stalled Vehicle on RR Tracks! • If no train is coming, attempt to re-start. • If no train is coming and car won’t re-start, shift to neutral and attempt to push off the tracks. • If train is coming, run in the direction the train is approaching. Why? ANSWER: Any flying car parts will have less chance of hitting you.

23. 2. DRIVER ERROR • A car breaking down is one thing, but DRIVER ERROR is a much larger cause of emergencies! • Inexperience • Lack of attention • Poor decisions

24. Loss of Traction • Typically caused by driving too fast for the conditions.

25. Responding to Loss of Traction • Look and steer towards your target (intended path of travel) • Release gas and brake to gain rolling traction • Shift to neutral on slippery surfaces

26. Off-Road Recovery • A common cause of wrecks and fatalities is drifting off the road to the right and over-correcting, then rolling, and being ejected from the vehicle – especially if a seatbelt is not worn!

27. Responding to an Off-Road Situation • Let off the brake and gas. • Straddle the road edge with the car. • Firmly grip the wheel. • If time allows, quickly check traffic and signal to move back into traffic or onto the road. • Barely turn the wheel and gradually move back onto the road.

28. Preventing Driver Error • Drive an appropriate speed for the conditions at all times. • Look ahead and use IPDE. • Think of other drivers before yourself. • Drive defensively. • Control the zones around your vehicle.

29. 3. ROADWAY HAZARDS • Potholes • Can be deep • Can have sharp edges • Can damage tires or cause you to lose control • If you must drive through a pothole, do so slowly • Sharp Corners • Must be taken at an appropriate speed • Reduce speed in adverse weather

30. Dangerous Loads • Watch for overloaded trucks that might drop all or part of their load!

31. 4. COLLISIONS • How to avoid collisions • What to do to if a collision occurs

32. Avoiding Collisions • One of your main goals while driving should be to never get in a wreck! • But if a collision seems likely, brake hard. Slower speeds reduce the force of impact. Honk your horn and flash your lights. Prepare to drive completely off of the road if necessary – so look for a soft target. • For a rear-end collision, release brake just before getting hit, then step on brake to prevent rolling forward into traffic.

33. After a Collision All states require you to follow these 5 steps: 1. Stop immediately. 2. Aid the injured 3. Prevent further damage by directing traffic. 4. Call 911 if necessary (see next slide) 5. Exchange information (name, address, license plate number, DL#, insurance company) The Good Samaritan Law protects those who attempt to help others – regardless of the outcome. You can’t be sued! Call your insurance company too!

34. When to Call Police • Idaho law requires that you contact the police if: • Someone is injured. • Property damage is $1,500 or more.

35. If You are Pulled Over: • Immediately pull over and park parallel to the closest curb. • Stay in the vehicle. Keep both hands on the wheel. • Do not start looking for documents until the officer asks you to. • All current insurance, registration and driver’s license should be within easy reach.

36. Driving in Dangerous Conditions

37. Changing Visibility at Night • The distance you can see ahead is limited. • Headlights provide limited illumination of off-road areas and must be on after sunset and before sunrise. • Loss of contrast and impaired distance judgment. • Glare from lights of oncoming and following vehicles. • Glare recovery: on-coming cars can temporarily “blind” you.

38. Headlight Alignment and Speed • Beam hits roadway 100 to 150 feet ahead • Illuminates area 300 to 500 feet ahead • Load, load distribution, and vehicle height affect light beam distance • Maximum safe speed 40 to 45 mph based on ability to stop within lighted area Properly aligned low beams Visual Line

39. Headlight Alignment and Speed Properly aligned HIGH beams • Beams hit roadway 350 to 500 feet ahead • Illuminate area road 500 to 1800 feet ahead • Load and vehicle height affect light beam distance • Maximum safe speed 65 to 70 mph, based on ability to stop within lighted area Visual Line

40. Nighttime Precautionary Measures • Clean windshield inside and out • Reduce daytime speed • Increase following interval • Look to right of oncoming vehicles • Special problem of wind-blown sand/dirt particles • Diffused light gives appearance of halo around headlights of oncoming vehicle. Clean all lights. • 50 to 90 percent loss of headlight efficiency due to road grime

41. Nighttime Precautionary Measures • Turn off interior convenience lights • Proper use of high/low head-light beams • Use parking lights only when parked • If stopped beside road, take appropriate safety measures • Use day/night switch on rear-view mirror, if available.

42. Visibility Limitations in Fog • Reduce speed, but do not stop in a travel lane • Turn on emergency flashers • Look for an exit from the highway • If impossible to leave highway: Driving in Heavy Fog • stop beyond end of guard rail • turn off all lights • wait for fog to lift

43. Visibility Limitations in Fog • Reduce speed • Make sure headlights are on low beam to reduce reflected glare • Turn on windshield wipers • Turn on defroster or air conditioner Driving in Drifting Fog

44. Precautions in Bad Weather Precautions in Bad Weather • Turn on windshield wipers • Be alert for vehicles stopped in roadway • Be prepared for effects of gusting or strong steady crosswinds • Make steering, acceleration and braking actions gently and smoothly

45. Precautions in Bad Weather • In severe snow conditions, look for exit from highway and turn on radio for weather report • If impossible to leave highway, stop beyond the far end of guard rail • Use cell phone or radio to check conditions • Smoke, ice, and snow require use of windshield washer

46. Low Water Crossings • Flash Flooding Conditions • Not Specific to Time of Year • Dangerous Condition! • Water can cause vehicle to stop running • 2’ of water is enough to cause most vehicle to float

47. Low Water Crossings • Nearly 50% of flash flood fatalities are vehicle related • Search for flood prone areas: • highway dips • bridges • low areas • Largest and heaviest of vehicles will still float • Only six inches of water may cause loss of control

48. Hot and Cold Temperatures O +120 • High temperatures of summer • Cars can overheat, boil over, and stop running. • Low temperatures of winter • Cars may not start and can freeze. • If not addressed… • Impairs your ability to assess conditions • Impairs your ability to respond in a timely manner • Creates conditions of increased risk • May permanently damage vehicle Additional Demands on Vehicle Systems O +32 O -40

49. Cold Weather Precautions • Check tires for balance, alignment, and appropriate type and depth of tread. -Minimum legal 2/32 of an inch tread depth is inadequate on all wet surfaces • Tire inflation - Keep track of cold tire pressure (noted inside driver door) - Maximum tire pressure indicated on tire sidewalls • Check radiator coolant, hoses, and connections

50. Cold Weather Checks • Heater, defroster and air conditioner system • Drive belts for tension and wear • Winterized windshield wiper fluid • Windshield wiper blades • Lights and glass areas are clear and clean • Emergency kit in trunk should include antifreeze, windshield fluid, first aid kit, flashlight, jumper cables, spare tire, blanket, bottled water, and basic tools.