Prevent a Collision (crash)

The accident prevention formula:• Be Alert• Be prepared• Act in Time

Road Rage• Aggressive driving – Defined as a progression of

unlawful driving actions. #77 on cell to report • Failing to consider how their actions affect others. • Road Rage occurs when a motorist loses their temper

and their actions turn into aggressive driving. • Emotions affect driving ability

• Stop and take the time to “cool down”

Distractions

#1 cause of all accidentsTTLB: Since I can remember I have dreamed of

the day I could drive. Don’t waste the thrill by doing something else now that you are driving.

(Will you be texting and cell phoning on your honeymoon?)

Highway Hypnosis

Maggie’s Law – driving while fatigued is considered reckless driving

Highway Hypnosis – Putting yourself in a trance like state while driving. Usually cause by being tired and staring at a constant object. More susceptible when driving at night and on highways. To avoid this avoid driving when tired rest every couple of hours when driving and constantly move your eye focus

Communication & Defensive Driving

• Every action you take communicates the type of driver you are. The horn & signals are the best way to “talk” to other drivers. Other ways: speed, eye contact hand gestures, quick flash of your lights.

• Are you a defensive or offensive driver? • Defensive – do whatever it takes to avoid

incidents and accidents• Offensive – See Aggressive driver

Safe Following Methods

One Car Length – Legal, for every 10 mph you travel you should leave 1-car length of space, which is about 20 feet. So at 50 mph, you should leave 5 car lengths

3-Second Rule – better method, leave 3 seconds of space between you and the car in front of you. When the car passes a stationary object count the time it takes you to pass that object. If it’s 3 or more seconds you are at a safe distance

Adjustments

For either system you must make adjustments when the conditions are less than ideal.

• Rain or wet pavement – double• Snow – triple• Ice – quadruple

Changing Lanes & PassingThree things to ask yourself before you pass:

1. Is it legal?

2. Do I have to?

3. Is it safe?

• Signal, complete within the zone, look ahead and behind, return to lane when safe, cancel signal

• When being passed slow down and allow the pass to be completed

Road Conditions

Wet Roads – Driver slower on wet roads. The road is the most slippery during the first few minutes of a rainfall.

When driving through puddles a motorist should test brakes by pumping them

Hydroplaning – starts at about 35 mph and is when the wheels lose contact with the road surface. At 55 mph the wheels may be completely of the road

Road Conditions continuedSnow & Ice• Car should be warmed up according to manual. • All snow & ice must be removed, driver liable• Snow tire improve traction in snow, but not ice• Tire chains are best for iced & packed snow• Studded tires - permitted from Nov. 15th to April 1• Use low gear and

rock car

Road Conditions continued

Reduced visibility

Always completely scrap ice or frost from windows

Fog – Head lights on (low beam), fog lights if you have them, use the road markings to follow.

Sun Glare – Adjust sun visor & use sun glasses

*In case of all visibility impairments – slow down, pull off the road if it’s to bad and use low beams

Road Conditions continuedNight Driving – 90% of driving is based on vision.

The key to driving at night is being sure you can stop within the distance you can see.

• High Beam – 500 feet of vision• Low Beam – 350 feet of vision

At 60 MPH a car takes about 359 feet to stop and you have very little side vision

Driving SituationsCity Driving – in urban environments there is typically

more traffic (auto, pedestrian & bikes), which requires even more attention while driving.

Look 12 to 15 seconds ahead or through the next intersection.

Focus on intersections for

controls & pedestrians. Always

slow when approaching

Highway Driving

Tips for the highway:

Look down the road about ½ mile.

Look in blind spot before changing lanes

Avoid traveling in blind spot

Beware of truck debris

Reacting to Driving ProblemsIgnition – NEVER turn the to the locked position

while car is in motion. Wheel will lock and you will lose control of the car

Skids – rear is moving opposite the front end• Take foot of gas• Turn in direction of skid• Avoid breaking and over steering

Reacting to Driving ProblemsEmergency Stops:

Paved shoulder: Signal, turn off road, slow down

Unpaved: Signal, slow down, then turn off

• Turn on hazards• Carefully exit vehicle• Raise hood• Place flares or markers • Ties white rag to car• Avoid standing on road or behind car

Reacting to Driving Problems

Running off pavement – This situation is handled the opposite of emergency stops on unpaved shoulder.

• Slow down• Regain control• Slowly turn back onto road

Car Fires – Get out and away from car, don’t attempt to put out fire unless you have the proper type of fire extinguisher

Reacting to Driving ProblemsPlunging into Water – Two key are don’t panic and

wear your seatbelt.• Attempt to open a window first and climb out.• Attempts to open door will fail, don’t waste time.• If window won’t open try others, then attempt to kick out

window • If these fail, wait until car is almost filled with water then

attempt to open door again. While waiting get in back seat (front will sink first)

Reacting to Driving ProblemsStalling on train tracks –

Attempt to restart

Shift car to neutral

Get out & check for train

Clear attempt to push car off tracks

If train is coming walk toward train

Vehicle FailuresBrake Failure• Shift to low gear• Pump brakes• If this fails gradually apply parking brake keep

hand or foot on release

Tire Blowout

Grip wheel firmly

Take foot off gas

Keep car going straight

When going slow pull off road

Vehicle FailuresPower Steering Failure

Keep firm grip, steering still works but you’ll have to turn hard. Car may have stalled try to restart. Brake may also fail, be prepared to press hard

Headlight Failure

Bring vehicle to stop

Try switch again, if still out don’t try to drive car

Turn on parking lights or hazards

Call for help

Vehicle FailuresGas Pedal Problem

Don’t attempt to reach down to adjust

Keep eyes on road

Shift to neutral

Steer to safe place to stop

Hood latch failure

If hood should pop up try to look under hood to see, if that doesn’t work look out side window. Use road marking to guide you to a safe stop

Vehicle CollisionsAvoiding Collision (not accidents)

Choices:

1. Speed up

2. Stop

3. Turn

Last minute choices

React properly & quickly can minimize damages

Turn away from on coming traffic

Driving off the road may be a better option

Choose to hit something that will “give”

Vehicle CollisionsIf involved in a collision or crash:

Stop vehicle

Remain calm

Assume the worst and call for help

Try not to block traffic

You must notify police when someone is injured or property damage of $500.

You should always notify police when others are involved.

When should you report an accident

• Always• A police report protects you from…

– Uninsured motorists– Unlicensed drivers– Forgetful people– Your insurance company– Fraud & scams