CHAPTER 5

1. CHAPTER 5 DEFENSIVE DRIVING

2. Most accidents are caused by: Driver Error Everybody Hurts

3. Standard Accident Prevention Formula 1. BE ALERT • -Never think the other driver won’t make a mistake • -Avoid translike state called HIGHWAY HYPNOSIS caused from driving on a long road for a while. 2. BE PREPARED • -Learn what to do in any case that requires a quick driving decision • -Always assume you are surrounded by bad drivers and that you will have to react to their mistakes. 3. ACT IN TIME • Try not to panic. • Know what to do if something happens quickly

4. Emotions • Emotions effect driving • Driving when impatient, worried, afraid, or angry is difficult. Cool off first and stay off road till calm. • Impatient drivers speed and rush • If your driver is upset, delay them or talk to them, or stay out of car!

5. Distractions • Lighting a cigarette • Fastening a seat belt • Children • Reaching across the car • Taking off a coat • Reading • Cell phones • Eating • Shaving • Putting on makeup Mayhem Toddler

6. Tired Driving/Highway Hypnosis • A tired driver can be as dangerous as a drunk driver • Maggie's Law = It is illegal to knowingly drive a vehicle while impaired by lack of sleep • Highway Hypnosis = Trance-like state caused from focusing on the road for too long. • Highway Hypnosis

7. Drowsy Driving – Who is at risk??? • -Sleep deprived people • People who: Drive alone Drive long distances Are young Are Commercial Drivers Are taking medicines that may cause drowsiness

8. Communicating and Driving • Communicate using hand and turn signals. • Use horn to warn other drivers and try to make eye contact when communicating (not when aggressive) • Be patient in town or city traffic. • Do not rely on other drivers. • Know all traffic laws and rules

9. Keep a Space Cushion, Do Not Tailgate • Tailgating is following too closely behind the vehicle in front of you. • It is illegal and dangerous • Reduces reaction time greatly • 5 point ticket

10. CHANGING LANES AND PASSING • Always signal lane changes!! • Keep these points in mind when passing or changing lanes: ---Only change lanes or pass if necessary ---Only pass if it can be completed without speeding ---Do not tailgate ---Check traffic ahead and behind ---Only pass when signs and lines permit ---Tap horn if necessary(not in business or residential zones) ---Return to lane only when fully in front of vehicle ---Cancel turn signal when completed

11. BEING PASSED • Be careful • Stay in proper lane • Slow down to make pass easier • Return to proper speed after you’ve been fully passed. • It is illegal to speed up while another vehicle is attempting to pass you.

12. FOLLOWING DISTANCES One Car-Length Method Three Second Rule • Keep 1 car length (20 ft) for each 10 mph of speed. • Increase in bad weather. • Reasons to increase, or double the car lengths = Wet pavement, Gravel, Packed Snow, Ice • Choose a fixed object ahead of car you are following. • At least three seconds should pass between the car in front of you passing that object, and your car passing that object. • 3 second comedy

13. Road Conditions Wet Roads • Drive slower • Stop and turn with care • Are most slippery during first few minutes of rainfall. • Decrease speed when driving through puddles. • Pump brakes to dry them

14. Hydroplaning • When tires rides up on a film of water. • Starts at about 35 mph • After 55 mph, tires may completely leave road surface. • If that happens, braking is virtually impossible • To avoid, do not drive on bald tires, and drive slow in rain. Uh Oh

15. SNOW AND ICE • Prepare for winter hazards • Let vehicle warm up before you drive. • Remove all snow and ice from car. • In NJ, you are liable if ice falls from you car and causes death, injury, or property damage. • Do not pump the brake too hard on ice, or you may skid. • Drivers may use studded tires between: driving in snow - YouTube NOVEMBER 15 and APRIL 1

16. REDUCED VISIBILITY • Increase following distances and alertness when in bad weather. (6 second following distance in snow)********** • Scrape off all ice from windows and turn on defroster to melt ice. • Slow down in fog. Use fog lights, or pavement markings. DO NOT use HIGH BEAMS!! • .

17. NIGHT DRIVING • At night, vision is reduced. • Drive at a slower speed and have enough time to react. • Keep in mind these things when driving at night: • 1. speed • 2. reaction distance (distance traveled before you hit the brakes.) • 3. braking distance (distance needed to completely stop vehicle.)

18. Driving Situations • City Driving Drive slower Watch for Pedestrians Look at least 12 seconds ahead. • Highway Driving Expect the unexpected Drive Carefully Do not go over posted speed limit

19. Construction Zones: Remember: • Stay alert • Pay close attention • Turn on headlights • Don’t tailgate • Don’t speed • Minimize distractions • Expect the unexpected • Be patient

20. Construction Zones • There are usually warnings in advance, sometimes up to mile. • You may have to take a detour. • Workers may hold signs to direct traffic.

21. Reacting to Driving Problems: Different problems that you may face:

22. Skids Emergency Stops • If rear of car starts to slide, take foot off gas • To avoid a spin, TURN WHEEL IN THE SAME DIRECTION THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE IS SKIDDING • Do not use brakes • Skid • Signal and turn onto shoulder if needed • Turn on emergency lights on side of road • Never block taillights when fixing car • Put another warning device 300 feet behind car.

23. Running off Pavement Car Fires • If you drift off road, do not try to turn back right away • Stay on shoulder, ease up on gas pedal and slow down. • Regain control of car and turn slowly back onto road. • Get out of the car!!!! • Most are caused by short circuits in the electrical system Burn

24. Plunging into WaterStalling on Railroad Tracks • Keep windows up and doors shut. • Keep seatbelt on. • Once in the water, roll down window, or break window to exit car. • Car will float 3-10 minutes if windows and doors are shut. • Swim to safety Escape. • Put car in low gear, or neutral, and push it off tracks. • If you cannot push car and train is coming, get out away from car, move away from the tracks, watch your car get demolished, and call for help.

25. Brake Failure Tire Blowout • Shift to lower gear and pump brake fast and hard several times. • Also use parking brake • Look for safe place to stop off roadway • Hold Steering wheel firmly • Keep vehicle straight and gradually slow down • Remove foot from Gas peddle • DO NOT PRESS BRAKES • Video

26. GAS PEDAL PROBLEMS • Shift to Neutral and steer car to a safe area on the road.

27. Other failures • Power steering failures • Headlight failures • Hood latch failure • Windshield wiper failure Always slow down and leave roadway to fix problem

28. Collisions • If you see your car may hit something, you can do 3 things: STOP QUICKLY - Put maximum pressure on brakes TURN QUICKLY – If you cannot fully stop in time, or if you can turn away without hitting brakes, this will avoid any skidding. SPEED UP – Try to pass the danger up. Regain speed after threat is gone. Video

29. Last Minute Choices (for collisions) • Do not turn into oncoming traffic • Choose to hit something moving in the same direction • Hit something that is moving away, or stationary, as opposed to hitting something coming at you • If something unavoidable is coming head on at you, try to steer away and make it a side swipe. • Some collisions

30. Collisions • Rear Collision – Apply brakes to avoid being hit into car in front of you. • Side Collision – Keep tight grip on wheel so you do not get thrown from car, and be ready to turn • Head on Collision – Use hands and arms to protect face.

31. What to do if in a collision…. • Stop vehicle • Remain calm • Assume the worst and get help • Wait at scene but do not block traffic • Ask for assistance if needed • Warn oncoming traffic if needed. • More Collisions Also Notify: Motor Vehicle, Police, Insurance Company, and Doctor if medical attention is needed.