Chapter 5

1. Chapter 5

2. Prevent a Collision • Be Alert: never think motorist will not make a driving mistake • Be Prepared: Learn what to do in any situation when you have to act fast and always expect the unexpected • Act in Time: Try not to panic. Know what to do if something suddenly happens

3. Aggressive Driving/ Road Rage

4. Road Rage

5. Aggressive Driving • emotions can have a great affect on a motorist’s driving • Aggressive driving is defined as a progression of unlawful driving actions such as speeding, improper or excessive lane changing, or improper passing • Aggressive drivers fail to consider how their actions may affect other motorists on the road • Extreme cases of aggressive driving may lead to road rage

6. NJ is waging a campaign against road rage • To report aggressive motorist call ( 888) saf-road or cell phone #77

7. Distractions • in many cases, collisions are caused by distracted motorists • Inattentive motorists often tailgate go too fast, or drift out of their lanes • WHAT ARE SOME COMMON DISTRACTIONS WHILE DRIVING????

8. Tired Driver/ Highway Hypnosis • a tired driver is a dangerous driver • a tired driver can be a dangerous as a drunk driver • Maggie’s Law, which was enacted in 2003 makes it illegal to knowingly drive a vehicle while impaired by lack of sleep • This law establishes driving while fatigued as reckless under the vehicular homicide statute

9. Highway Hypnosis • highway hypnosis is a trance like state • This may be avoided by not looking at one object for more than a few seconds • It is recommended that a motorist rest every two hours and share the driving with another licensed driver

10. Communicating and Driving • Communicate with other motorists by all available means and signals • Turn signals ( hand signals) allow a motorists to tell what he/she is going to do • At night a quick flip of the headlights from low to high and back to low might be helpful

11. Tailgating • A motorist should always keep a safe distance from other vehicles on the road • This give plenty of time to react in an emergency • Tailgating refers to following too closely behind a vehicle directly in front of you • Tailgating is often the cause of rear end collisions

12. One Car Length • Although there is no perfect rule for following distance, the rule of thumb is one car length for every 10mph • At high speeds or bad weather, following distance should be increased

13. Three Second Rule • Since most people having trouble judging distance, the three second rule helps determines a safe following distance

14. Changing Lanes and Passing • ALWAYS SIGNAL LANE CHANGES • only change lanes or pass when necessary • Keep a safe following distance • Check traffic ahead and behind • When pavement marking permits • Signal every lane change

15. Wet Roads • Drive slowly • Three second plus rule should increase • Quick turns or changes can cause you to skid • ** road surfaces are the most slippery during the first few minutes of a rainfall • When driving through a puddle make sure you pump to test and dry your brakes

16. Hydroplaning • Wet roads can cause hydroplaning, or riding on the film of water starting at 35 mph • This would cause you to loose control over the vehicle • After 55 mph, tires may leave the road surface entirely • This makes stopping or turning impossible

17. Snow and Ice • Before driving in cold weather, start the engine and let it warm up • all snow and ice must be removed from the entire vehicle • Gently apply the brakes when you first begin driving to judge how slipper the roads are • A good rule is to keep a 6 second following distance on snow or ice roads

18. Snow and Ice • Snow tires typically do not provide good traction on ice • Chains are the best for traction • In NJ, motorist may use studded snow tires or chains between November 15 – April 1 • When driving on snow and ice keep the engine speed and gear low

19. Reduced Visibility • Head lights should be kept on low in the fog • Sun visors should be adjusted and used on sunny days with intense glare

20. Night Driving • nearly 90% of driving decisions are based upon what motorist sees at night] drive with headlights on at dusk, night and dawn • Headlights should be on when weather reduces visibility to less than 500 feet

21. Construction and Work Zones • In NJ, traffic fines double for motor violations committed in an area of roadway construction zones • At the end of the work area ( designated by signs) motorist can resume normal driving

22. Ignition System • Motorists in an emergency situation on the highway may attempt to turn off the vehicle while it is still in motion believing it will bring the vehicle to a stop • The basic rule the motorist must follow when operating a vehicle with steering wheel ignition system is to never turn the ignition to lock position while the vehicle is in motion

23. Ignition System • The steering will lock as the vehicle turns and the motorist will lose control over the vehicle

25. Skids • A motorist should handle a skid in both front wheel and rear wheel drive vehicles the same way • If the rear of the vehicle starts to slide, a motorist should take his/her foot off the gas pedal • A vehicle may spin if the steering wheel is quickly turned away from the direction of the skid • To avoid a spin, the motorist should turn in the direction the rear of the vehicle is skidding without over steering • During a skid avoid using brakes

26. Emergency Stops • Never block tail lights at night by standing or working behind the vehicle • Day or night, put a flare or other warning sign just behind the vehicle • Put another warning device at least 300 feet back

27. Running off the Pavement • If a vehicle’s wheels drift onto the shoulder of the road, do not try to turn back onto the pavement right away • this might throw the vehicle off balance • A motorist should stay on the shoulder and ease up on the gas pedal • After the vehicle has slowed down to 25 mph or less, the motorist may turn back onto the road

28. Plunging into Water • Water causes more panic then any other emergency • A vehicle with windows and doors closed will float for about three to ten minutes • While the vehicle is still floating escape through the window

29. Tire Blowout • Hold the steering wheel firmly and keep vehicle straight while gradually slowing down • Remove your foot from the gas pedal but don’t use the brakes!

30. Last Minute Choices • If a collision looks possible….. • Driving off the road, rather than skidding, this gives the motorist more control over the vehicle • The motorist should choose to hit something that gives way such as a bush or shrubs rather than something hard • choose to hit something moving in the same direction rather than opposite direction

31. What To Do In Case of a Collision • If a motorist witnesses or is involved in a collision he/she should follow these tips: • 1. Stop the vehicle • 2. Remain calm • 3. Assume the worst and get help ( notify the police, call and ambulance) • 4. Wait at the scene, but try not to block traffic • 5. Ask for assistance from passing motorist if needed

32. Reporting Accidents • NJ law requires motorists to notify the police of accidents where there is injury, death, or vehicle property damage • When damage to property is more than $500 or there is personal injury, a motorist must: • Send a written report to the MVC within 10 days if no police report is filed by police. A motorist can get a written copy of the report from police

33. Reporting Accidents • Notify his/her insurance company at once, giving complete information about the accident • If the motorist is shaken up, he/she should see a doctor as soon as possible