Safe Driving Guidelines to Avoid Accidents

1. Rules of the Road Chapter 11

2. Defensive Driving • Plan ahead for the unexpected • Always be prepare to react to the other driver • Do not expect the other driver to do what you think he or she should do • If you can not avoid a crash, choose the least dangerous situation (run in ditch not head on collision

3. Vehicle Following Distances • Use a three second following distance • Three second following distances applies to your speed when you are on a good road and during good weather conditions • If conditions are poor, increase your following distances to four or five seconds • Rear end crashes are caused from people following too closely not too fast

4. Vehicles and Trains • Drive Carefully • Check for a second train after waiting for a train before you cross tracks • Never get trap on tracks (don’t stop your car on the tracks) • Never shift gears • Never race a train

5. Weather Conditions • Fog • If driving in fog, use your low beam lights • Do not overdrive your headlights. Stay within the limits of your vision • Use your turn signal long before you turn • Brake early when approach a stop to warn other drivers

6. Rain • When it starts to rain, water, dust oil, and leaves cause the roadway to become slippery • Increase your following distance • Your headlights must be on when operating your wipers • Hydroplane – riding on a thin layer of water, losing traction. If your car starts to hydroplane – ease off the accelerator and ride the skid out

7. High Winds • Reduce your speed • Make steering corrections when you go from a protected area to an open area, meeting large vehicles such as trucks and buses • Heavy rain and sleet often accompanies high winds

8. Winter Driving • Most difficult driving season • Road conditions may vary depending on the sun, shade or roadway surface • Remove all snow and ice from your vehicle • Clear all windows (law) • Non – freezing windshield fluid • Start slowly • Brake early when coming to a stop • Bridges, shaded spots and overpasses may remain icy after the rest of the roadway is clear and dry • Plan your winter driving – carry a blanket, food, phone and shovel in case you become stuck or stranded • Remain in your car if you become stranded

9. Equipment Failure • Blowouts • Ease off the gas pedal and keep a firm grasp on the steering wheel (do not brake suddenly)

10. Special Driving Situations • Driving on the Expressway • Check your rearview and side mirrors before changing lanes • Signal well in advance • If you missed your exit, go to the next exit (against the law to backup on the expressway) • Increase following distance • Right lane is used for slower traffic • Left lane is used for faster traffic and passing • Do not stop on the expressway, pull off the road

11. Night Driving • Do not over drive your headlights • Glare from lights may interfere with vision • Bright lights must be dimmed 500 ft. before oncoming vehicles and 300 ft. before over taking another vehicle • Roadway signs are more difficult to see • Use edge lines and center lines of the roadway as guides

12. Head – On Approaches • Slow down immediately, pull to the right side and sound your horn • Skidding • Ease off the accelerator and steer in the direction of the skid • Driving off the Pavement • Grip the wheel firmly, check behind you and gently steer back on the roadway • Do not jerk the wheel, it may cause you to drive into on coming traffic

13. Water Accidents • If your car runs off the roadway into water but does not sink right away, get out of the car • If it sinks, go to the back area where an air pocket usually forms and exit from the rear window

14. Cellular Phones • Beginning drivers should not use phones • Pull over and stop to use phone