Rules and Regulations for SAFE DRIVING

Speed Control  Exceeding the speed is a common cause of fatal and other types of accidents.  Speeding affects almost everything that can happen while driving.  Rules: Keep up with the flow of traffic at the legal speed. Keep enough distance from surrounding traffic.

New Jersey Speed Limits  25 MPH- Business or residential districts  35 MPH- Suburban business and residential areas  50 MPH- All other roadways  55 MPH- Certain Highways (as posted) & all interstates  65 MPH- Certain Highways (as posted) **Drivers pay double fines for exceeding a 65MPH limit by 10 MPH or more!!!

Remember:  Never drive faster than weather, roads or other conditions allow, REGARDLESS OF THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT  Judge your speed control by existing conditions.  Motorists should slow down and be able to see clearly and stop in traffic.

It is important to slow down especially here:  On narrow or winding roadways  At intersections or railroad crossings  On Hills  At Sharp or blind curves  Where pedestrians or driving hazards are present  On wet or slippery roads

Driving too Slowly  Some accidents result from driving too slowly and backing up traffic.  NJ law prohibits blocking traffic through slow driving. **Mean old People VideoMean old People Video

Safe Corridors  Beacame a law in 2003  Safe Corridors law doubles fines on certain highways for Speeding and aggressive driving Put on highways that have 1,000 or more crashes reported over a 3 year period.

Passing  Know the proper lane for normal driving and how to change lanes safely.  Rules for passing depend on the road type.  Stay to the right of the center lanes.  Only pass when you must and when it is safe! You cannot pass if the center lanes are both solid (prohibited). If one of the center lines are broken, passing is allowed only on the broken lane side. If both center lines are broken, passing is allowed on both sides

PASS ONLY WHEN SAFE!! DO NOT PASS WHEN: - On a hill or a curve - At a street crossing or intersection -At a railroad crossing - On narrow bridges, or in an underpass and tunnels - When a sign prohibits passing or lines prohibit - When behind a vehicle that has stopped to let pedestrians cross

Keep to the Right  New Jersey law requires drivers to keep to the right, except when passing.

Yielding the Right-of-Way  Laws govern which vehicle has the right of way, but drivers should always be prepared to yield.  You must always yield to: Police Fire trucks Ambulances *When giving warning signs; sirens and lights.

Pedestrians in a Crosswalk  NJ State law requires all motorists to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk.  Whenever a vehicle is stopped to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk, it is against the law for any vehicle to pass the stopped vehicle.  All pedestrians in a crosswalk must be given the right of way.

Controlled Intersections  Is an intersection where traffic is regulated by a traffic signal or regulatory sign.  Always stop at a multi-way stop or stop intersection.  Always yield to the driver on the “RIGHT” if arriving simultaneously at a controlled intersection; 4-way stop.  Always yield to any driver already at or in an intersection  When making a left turn at an intersection, yield to oncoming traffic and all pedestrians within a crosswalk.  Diagram

Uncontrolled Intersections  Is when 2 or more roads join and there is no traffic signal or regulatory device.  Can potentially be dangerous!! See Why???

Blind Intersections  Buildings, parked cars, or bushes can obstruct motorists’ line of sight.  Trees, crops etc. may obstruct motorists line of sight.

Circle Intersections  There are no set rules for driving into, around and out of a traffic circle in New Jersey.  Use common sense and caution.  History usually determines the right of way.

Entering Highways, Parkways & Turnpikes  Motorists enter these roadways on acceleration lanes or extra lanes used by motor to speed up to join the traffic flow.  Must yield to traffic already on roadway.  Try to avoid coming to a complete stop in the acceleration lane.

Leaving Highways, Parkways & Turnpikes

Disabled Vehicles  When you see one ahead  Reduce speed and increase space  If your vehicle becomes disabled you must: Pull off as far as possible onto the shoulder or median Turn on flashers Raise hood signal for help Stay in vehicle lock doors Use cell phone to call for help Ask someone who stops to go to a phone and call forhelp Never get into a strangers vehicle

Construction areas and Toll Booths  Motorist should adjust spped and adjust position to maintain space around vehicle in a construction area  At a toll booth Begin reduing speed early Green lights or signals will highlight open booths Be aware of EZ Pass booths and lanes

Curves  It is important to adjust steering and speed when approaching a curve in a road.  The best way to enter a curve in a road is to slow down before entering.

Turning Regulations Right Turn on Red Unless a No Turn on Red signs is posted, NJ law permits motorists to make a right turn on right after coming to a full stop and checking traffic.

Right Turns  To make a right turn, drive to the intersection as closely to the right as possible.

Left Turns  When two vehicles converge at an intersection and both have signaled to turn left, use extra caution!  When safe, each driver should turn to the left of the center of the intersection.

Stopping Regulations When a Motorist Must Stop: - At an intersection with a stop sign -At an intersection with a red light, flashing or otherwise -When a traffic officer orders a motorist to stop -When there is a yield sign and traffic does not permit a safe merge -School bus is picking up or dropping off kids; or bus lights are flashing red -At a bridge which is about to open -For Pedestrians in a crosswalk/intersection

Stopping a Railroad Crossings  Motorists must stop at least 15 feet from railroad crossings when there are flashing lights.  Some vehicles ALWAYS stop at railroad crossings, such as school buses /tractor- trailers.  Never stop on tracks!!  If a vehicle stalls on the tracks, get out a walk clear if a train is coming!! Note: 500 people/year are hit by trains.

Stopping for School Buses & Ice Cream Trucks  Do not pass or closely approach a school bus with flashing red lights.  State laws require that motorists stop at least 25 feet away if traveling  When approaching an ice cream truck with flashing red lights, be prepared to stop!

Pulling Over & Stopping for Emergency Vehicles  NJ state law requires all motorists to yield to emergency vehicles sounding sirens or flashing light  Do not park within 200 feet of a fire department vehicle in service. Never drive over a fire hose unless told to do so by officials.

Move over Law  All motorists approaching stationary emergency vehicle flashing their lights must change lanes Safety and trafic conditions permiting If a lane change is impossible- MUST REDUCE SPEED If law is violated- fine of $100-$500 Move over law video

Using Lights  NJ law requires all motorists to turn a vehicle’s headlights on whenever windshield wipers are in use.  Headlights must also be used between ½ hour after sunset and ½ hour before sunrise. Other types of beams: Overhead lights- inside a vehicle should be used briefly.

Parking Regulations  Except to avoid an accident or directed by an officer do not park : ○ On a crosswalk ○ Between a safety zone for pedestrians ○ Near property marked street construction ○ In a handicapped marked spot ○ On a highway ○ In a bus stop zone ○ In front of private or public property ○ Within an intersection

○ Within 10 ft. of a fire hydrant ○ Within 25 ft. of a crosswalk ○ Within 50 ft. of a railroad crossing ○ Within 50 ft. of a stop sign ○ Within 75 ft. on the street opposite of a fire station ○ On any bridge ○ Next to another vehicle parked at the curb (double parking) ○ In any area where parking is prohibited

Helmets & Cellular Phones  Bicycle riders, skateboarders etc. under 17 must wear a helmet.  Effective July 1, 2004 in NJ it is illegal to use cell phones when operating a vehicle. Hands-free cell phones are usable. **Cell Phone Video

Littering  Fines of up to $1,000 can be issued.

Defensive Driving

The Accident-Prevention Formula  1. Be Alert ○ Never think the other driver will not make a mistake ○ Tired drivers increase your risk of an accident tremendously  2. Be Prepared ○ Learn what to do in case you need to make a quick decision  3. Act in Time ○ Try not to panic

Road Rage  What is Road Rage? Rude gestures, verbal assaults, driving in a threatening manner, making threats  Emotions can and do effect driving.  Aggressive Driving  Impatient drivers tend to speed and rush.

Statistics  In the U.S., more than 300 cases of road rage annually have ended with serious injuries or even fatalities – 1200 incidents per year, according to the AAA Foundation study, and rising yearly throughout the six years of the study that examined police records nationally.

Distractions List 5 Common Distractions when driving

Distractions  Lighting a cigarette  Fasten seat belt while driving  Reaching across the seat  Removing your coat  Eating  Adjusting mirror while driving  Using cell phone  Adjusting the radio  Shaving  Using Laptop  Applying makeup

Tired Driver/Highway Hypnosis  A tired driver is as dangerous as a drunk driver. Maggie’s Law: it is illegal to knowingly drive a vehicle when impaired by lack of sleep Maggie’s Law: it is illegal to knowingly drive a vehicle when impaired by lack of sleepLaw  Highway Hypnosis – trance-like state when driving for extended periods of time  Don’t look at any one thing for more than a few seconds.  Rest every 2 hours.

Communication & Driving  How can you communicate to other drivers, pedestrians, etc? Hand signals Horn Lights Eye contact

Keep a Space Cushion  DO NOT TAILGATE!! Tailgating- Is following too closely behind the vehicle directly in front of you.

Following Distance  The One Car-Length Method There is no perfect rule for determining following distance; KEEP AT LEAST 1 CAR LENGTH for each 10 miles per hour of speed.  Example: 30mph 3 car lengths  Distances increased in bad weather

Continued:  The Three-Second Plus Rule To use this rule as a gauge safe following distance locate an object During bad weather, the three-second rule should be increased to 6 or more. Chose a fixed object ahead (one-one- thousand, two-one-thousand, three-one- thousand) Chose a fixed object ahead (one-one- thousand, two-one-thousand, three-one- thousand)

Changing Lanes and Passing  Keep the following points in mind when passing or changing lanes: Only pass or change lanes if necessary Only pass if it can be completed without speeding Keep a safe following distance, do not tailgate Check traffic ahead and behind Only pass if road permits to do so Signal every lane change Tap horn if necessary to signal to the driver ahead

When being passed:  Stay in the proper lane  Be careful  Consider slowing down to make the pass easier

Wet Roads  Wet roads- take extra caution!- road surfaces are most slippery during the 1 st few minutes of rainfall  Hydroplaning- starts at about 35 mph Can cause a driver to lose control At 55mph, tires may totally leave the road To avoid hydroplaning, slow down! If “ABS” kick in keep break pushed to floor, do not pump

Hydroplaning  This is caused by wet roads  DO NOT DRIVE ON BALD OR WORN TIRES AND SLOW DOWN

Snow and Ice What should we do before we start driving in the cold, snow, or ice?  NJ Law States that motorists are responsible for any ice that flies from his/her vehicle and causes death, injury, or property damage. ○ Up to $1500 Fine  NJ motorists can use snow tires between November 15th and April 1 st

Reduced Visibility  Frost or Ice: Defroster  Fog: Fog Lights  Sun Glare: Visor  What can we carry in our cars to be prepared for the unexpected?

Night Driving  Nearly 90% of driving decisions are based on what a person sees.  When driving at night visibility is reduce.  At night a motorist should always be sure the vehicle can stop within the distance that he/she sees ahead. High Beams – 500 ft. Low Beams – 350 ft. Vehicle travels 88 ft/sec at 60 mph

Driving Situations  City Driving  Night Driving  Highway Driving  Road Hazards  Construction or Work Zones

City Driving  Be very alert  Always yield to pedestrians.  Look at least 12 seconds ahead  See about 1 block ahead.

Reacting to Driving Problems  Ignition System: Never turn the ignition to lock when the vehicle is still in motion  Skids: Foot off gas, turn in direction the rear end of the car is skidding, without over steering. ○ When the vehicle is back under control and straighten the wheels.

Driving Problems  Emergency Stops: Signal and Pull over onto shoulder and turn on hazards ○ Paved: at or near traffic speed ○ Unpaved: slow down before pulling off Put a flare or other warning sign just behind the vehicle. Put another warning sign at least 300 feet back, raise the hood, and tie a white handkerchief on the antenna if you need help.

Dead Battery  Jump starting your car video

Driving Problems  Running off Pavement Slow Down Regain Control Turn Slowly onto Road

Driving Problems  Car Fires: Get out and away from vehicle and call for help.

Driving Problems  Plunging into Water Vehicle with doors and windows closed will float for at least 3 minutes Escape through window, doors are too heavy

Vehicle Failure  Brake Failure Shift to a lower gear and pump the brakes hard and fast

 Tire Blowout Hold steering wheel firmly and keep the vehicle straight while gradually slowing down Remove foot from gas pedal and do not use the brakes Changing a tire

 Power Steering Failure when the engine dies, a vehicles power steering will fail keep a firm grip on the wheel

 Gas Pedal Problems Gas pedal sticks motorist should keep his/her eyes on the road while quickly shifting to neutral  Hood Latch Failure Look under the hood or outside the wind. Slow down and pull over.  Windshield Wiper Failure Slow down, pull off and use hazard lights

Collisions  Stop Quickly  Turn Quickly  Speed Up

 If a collision looks possible: Avoid hitting something hard but something that will give way (Shrub or bush) Choose to hit something moving in the same direction, rather than straight on Never hit anything head on. Sideswipe will slow the vehicle down

Collisions  Rear Collision Be ready to apply pressure to the brakes press back of head firmly against head rest (if vehicle has one)

Collisions  Side Collision tight grip on steering wheel motorist should be ready to turn fast

Collisions  Head- On Collision Use arms or hands to protect his/her face If no airbags, motorist should throw himself across the seat to keep from hitting the steering wheel

Focus Questions  When should horns be used?  Define hydroplaning.  Define uncontrolled intersection.  Define acceleration lane.  How close to a stop sign can a motorist park?  When are right turns on red allowed?