Most accidents are caused by: Driver Error
Everybody Hurts
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
Emotions effect drivingDriving when impatient, worried, afraid, or
angry is difficult. Cool off first and stay off road till calm.
Impatient drivers speed and rushIf your driver is upset, delay them or talk to
them, or stay out of car!
Lighting a cigaretteFastening a seat beltChildrenReaching across the carTaking off a coatReadingCell phonesEatingShavingPutting on makeup Mayhem Toddler
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
-Sleep deprived peoplePeople who:Drive aloneDrive long distancesAre youngAre Commercial DriversAre taking medicines that may cause
drowsiness
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
Communicating and Driving
Tailgating is following too closely behind the vehicle in front of you.
It is illegal and dangerousReduces reaction time greatly5 point ticket
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
Be carefulStay in proper laneSlow down to make pass easierReturn to proper speed after you’ve been
fully passed.It is illegal to speed up while another vehicle
is attempting to pass you.
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
Three Second Rule
Drive slowerStop and turn with careAre most slippery
during first few minutes of rainfall.
Decrease speed when driving through puddles.
Pump brakes to dry them
When tires rides up on a film of water.Starts at about 35 mphAfter 55 mph, tires may completely leave
road surface.If that happens, braking is virtually
impossibleTo avoid, do not drive on bald tires, and drive
slow in rain.
Uh Oh
Prepare for winter hazardsLet 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
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!!
.
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. speed2. reaction distance (distance traveled before
you hit the brakes.)3. braking distance (distance needed to
completely stop vehicle.)
City DrivingDrive slowerWatch for PedestriansLook at least 12 seconds ahead.
Highway DrivingExpect the unexpectedDrive CarefullyDo not go over posted speed limit
Stay alertPay close attentionTurn on headlightsDon’t tailgateDon’t speedMinimize distractionsExpect the unexpectedBe patient
There are usually warnings in advance, sometimes up to mile.
You may have to take a detour.Workers may hold signs to direct traffic.
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.
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
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.
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
Tire Blowout
Power steering failuresHeadlight failuresHood latch failureWindshield wiper failure
Always slow down and leave roadway to fix problem
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
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
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.