Defensive

Driving

Chapter 5

Preventing Collisions…In order to be a successful defensive driver, a simple formula must be followed:

1. Be AlertUnderstand other drivers

will make mistakes

2. Be PreparedKnow what to do in all situations

3. Act in TimeTry not to panic and follow

the rules you learned

Situation 1: You are following a SUV on 295 with a mattress tied to the roof. You can see the mattress is not properly secured and looks like it may blow off any minute. You are in traffic traveling at 55mph.

Situation 2: A traffic light quickly changes to red and you have to brake hard to stop safely. You look in your rearview mirror and observe a driver on his cell phone not paying attention to the road. You think he is traveling too fast to stop before hitting you.

Activity: In your groups, use the formula you just learned to come up with an action the driver could do for each step in the formula for both situations…write them down.

Aggressive Driving…True or False: Emotions play the largest part in aggressive driving?

True!Aggressive Driving is when a driver displays unlawful driving actions such as:

-Speeding-Improper/Excessive Lane changing-Improper passing

Aggressive Driving may lead to Road Rage!

Activity: In your groups, come up as many signs of road rage as you can…write them down.

Signs of Road Rage-Speeding-Running stop signs or red lights-Tailgating-Weaving through traffic-Making hand gestures-Screaming-Honking your horn-Flashing High Beams

What is Road Rage?When a motorist loses their temper or becomes frustrated because of a

traffic disturbance.

Road Rage Continued…

Road Rage…it is real and it is scary…let's watch

Distractions…To be a defensive driver, you must not allow distractions…

Can you think of distractions to driving?

Always pay close attention…

Highway Hypnosis…

If you have been driving for a long period of time, you may experience “Highway Hypnosis”, or a trance-like state that reduces focus and attention.

To avoid highway hypnosis, a driver should avoid looking at any one object for more than a few seconds and rest every two hours when driving.

Maggie’s Law…

Has anyone ever heard of Maggie’s Law?

In 2003, Maggie’s Law made it illegal for a driver to knowingly drive while impaired by a lack of sleep.

True or False? Tired driving is more dangerous than drunk driving?

False…Tired driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving!

Defensive Drivers…

Remember, Defensive Drivers avoid all these bad habits when driving!

Keep a safe following distance…The One Car Length Rule: A driver should keep one car length (20 feet) back from the car in front of them for every 10mph.

1. How far back (in feet and car lengths) should you be when traveling 20mph?

2 car lengths, 40 feet

2. How far back (in feet and car lengths) should you be when traveling 50mph?

5 car lengths, 100 feet

How fast could the green car be traveling?

Following Distance…

The Three-Seconds-Plus Rule: A driver should pick a fixed object (overpass, sign, etc) and begin to count “one-one thousand, two-one thousand, three-one thousand when the car passes the chosen object. The driver should not reach the same object in less than 3 seconds.

Lets see how it’s done…

4, 5, or 6-

Second Rule!

(Wet Roads)

Rainfall…True or False: Road surfaces are most slippery during the first few minutes of rainfall?

True! Oil and Dirt is lifted during this time, but washed away after a few minutes.

Use extreme caution when driving during this time!

Steady Rainfall…During Steady rainfall, rain tends to accumulate on roadways…these conditions increase the chance of hydroplaning…Does anyone know what hydroplaning is?

Hydroplaning -Car has to be traveling 35mph or more -Tires ride up on a film of water, causing the driver to lose control -Controlling car becomes impossible

Hydroplaning…Activity: Get in your groups and create a list of ways a defensive driver would prevent hydroplaning. If you do begin to hydroplane, what actions can you take?

What to do if your car begins to hydroplane…

To Avoid Hydroplaning:

Slow down during steady rain

Do not drive on bald tires

Drive on the highest point of the road

Snow and Ice…During Snow, a driver must triple their following distance, or allow a 6-second following distance.

Question: If a driver is traveling at 30mph on snow, what is the correct following distance?

9 car lengths, or 180 feet

During Ice, a driver must multiply normal following distance by 6.

Question: If a driver is traveling at 20mph on ice, what is the correct following distance?

12 car lengths, or 240 feet

Snow and Ice Continued…In NJ, Drivers may use studded snow tires or tire chains to help keep traction with the road between November 15 and April 1.

Drivers who use these tires or chains are hoping to avoid situations like this…

What Would A Defensive Driver Do?Activity: In your groups, come up with an action a defensive driver would take if they encountered these situations:

#1 You are driving in snow or freezing rain and your defroster stops working.

Stop the car, close the windows and let the heater warm up the windows.

#2 You are driving and run into a bad fog storm. Immediately slow down, put on low beams (fog lights if you have them) and follow road markings.

#3 You are driving and over a hill you hit a very bad sun glare.

Immediately slow down, put down sun visor, put on sun glasses and follow road markings.

Night Driving…To drive safely at night, slow down and drive within the range of the vehicle’s headlights. You should be able to stop within the distance you see ahead.

Remember the stopping distance formula:

Reaction Distance+

Braking Distance=

Stopping Distance

Let’s see how speed affects braking distance…How would night affect

stopping distance?

City Driving…Defensive Drivers should use extra caution when driving in a city.

Follow the 12-second Rule:

A driver should be able to see an object far enough ahead so that it takes at least 12 seconds to get to it.

Country Driving…A defensive driver should be cautious when driving in the country as animals often run into the road without warning.

A driver should slow down and stop until the animal has passed through the road.

Does anyone have an animal story?

How to React to Driving Problems…

Skids…Activity: list as many instances as you can think of that will cause a vehicle to skid.

Caused By: -Sudden Turns -Lane Changes -Hard braking -Wet Roads -Icy Roads

How to Handle a Skid: -Take your foot off the gas pedal -Turn the steering wheel in the direction the rear of the vehicle is skidding, without over steering -Apply light pressure to brakes -Straighten the wheels when the vehicle grips

Let’s see what to do when your car is skidding…

Emergency Stops…

With a Paved Shoulder: -Signal a turn -Turn onto shoulder at near traffic speed -Slow down once in shoulder -Turn on Hazard Lights

With an Unpaved Shoulder: -Signal a Turn -Slow down to a safe speed while still on the roadway -Pull off onto shoulder once a safe speed is reached -Turn on Hazard Lights

Emergency Stops Continued…

Hazard Light Button Flashing Hazards

If Help is Needed: -Raise the Hood -Place marker 300 ft back -Tie a white cloth/bag to antenna or left door handle -Call for help

Driving off the Road…If you drive off the road by accident: -Slow down to 25mph or less -Regain control -Turn slowly (1/4 turn) back onto road

Let’s see how to correctly re-enter the roadway…

Car Fires…Most car fires are caused by a short circuit in the electrical system

What should you do in the event of a car fire? -Get passengers out and away from car -Call for help -Do not attempt to put out the fire

Plunging into Water…Activity: In your groups, come up with a step-by-step action plan on what you would do if your car plunges into water… Write it down.

If You Plunge into Water: -Close windows and doors to increase floating time (3-10 minutes) -Wear your seatbelt to survive impact with the water -Attempt to escape through an open window while car if still floating -Attempt to break glass if windows are not operational -Once pressure inside and outside the car is equal, the doors can be opened

Let’s watch what to do if your car plunges into water…

Stalled on Railroad Tracks…What to do: -Put the car in Neutral and attempt to move it from the tracks -If the car can not be moved, run as far away as possible…but in what direction?

These accidents are more common than you think…

Brake Failure…Activity: Can I have a volunteer explain what they would do in a situation where their brakes stopped working?

What To Do: -Shift to a lower gear (3rd, 2nd, 1st) -Pump brake pedal hard and fast (This may build pressure enough to stop the car)

If the car still does not stop…

Brake Failure Continued…What To Do if Pumping Fails: -The driver should use the parking brake while also holding the brake release

(This is done so the driver can let up on the parking brake if the rear wheels lock or car skids) -Look for a safe place to stop off the roadway

Let’s Recap…

Tire Blowout…What to do: -Hold steering wheel firmly -Drive straight -Remove foot from gas, but don’t brake!

How to handle a blowout safely…

Headlight failure…

What to do: -Retry headlight or dimmer switch -Turn on Parking lights, emergency flashers or turn signals -Pull safely off the road

Gas Pedal Stuck…What to do: -Keep eyes on the road -Shift into Neutral -Apply the brakes -Steer safely off the roadway

Don’t Panic!

Let’s see what to do if this happens…

Hood Latch Releases…

What to do: -Slow down immediately -Look under hood or out of the window to see -Use road markings as a guide -Pull off road safely

Windshield Wiper Failure…

What to do: -Slow down -Pull off roadway -Turn on hazard lights

Defensive Drivers Will Always Try to Avoid Collisions…

Activity: In your groups, come up with a list of actions a driver could do to if he/she sees their vehicle is about to hit something…Write them down.

Actions to take to avoid collisions:

-Stop quickly (pump or slam brakes and retain steering control) -Turn quickly (Turn off the road if necessary to avoid a collision) -Speed up (If a driver is gong to hit you from the side or behind)

If you are in a collision…What to do:

Rear Collision: -Slam on brakes to avoid being pushed into the car ahead of you -Brace yourself between the steering wheel and seat

Side Collision: -Keep a tight grip on the steering wheel to avoid being thrown sideways -Be ready to turn in case vehicle is spun around

If you are in a collision…

What to do (continued):

Head-On Collision: (Airbag or Shoulder strap) -Cover your face with hands and arms to protect from the airbag deploying

Head-On Collision: (No Airbag or Shoulder strap) -Throw body across seat to protect from getting hit with windshield or steering wheel

Reporting Accidents…A driver must notify the police if: -They hit a parked car -An accident involves:

-Property damage-Injury-Death-Vehicle damage

Remember…These are all actions a Defensive Driver would take!!!