Driver’s Safety and Rules of the Road CH. 3

Seat Belt Law  All front seat passengers required to wear a seatbelt  Motorists are responsible for passengers under 18 years old. Front passengers 18 years and older are responsible for themselves.

Why Do We Wear Seatbelts?  Increases motorist chancing of surviving a crash by 60%.  Keep the motorist from being thrown from the vehicle in the collision  They slow a body down with the vehicle.  Keep a motorist/passenger from sliding on the seat during sudden stops and turns.

Car Seats  Child car seat must be placed in the backseat. If car does not have a backseat, move the front seat as far back as possible from the dashboard and make sure the child is buckled properly in the restraint for his/her weight.  Never place rear-facing infant safety seats in the front of a vehicle with a front passenger-side airbag

Child Restraint Law  Children up to age eight or a weight of 80 pounds must ride in a federally approved safety or booster seat in the rear seat of the vehicle.  Children under age 8 and over 80 pounds must be in rear seat and use seatbelt.

Air Bags  According to National Highway Safety Airbags have saved the lives of 5,303 front seat drivers between the years of 1986 and  Airbags inflate at speeds of 200 mph to protect adults in front end collision. An average sized adult who is correctly belted is not likely to come in contact with the airbag until it is fully inflated.

SRS and SIR  (SRS) Supplemental Restraint System  (SIR) Supplemental Inflatable Restraint

Car Condition  Backup Lights: When driving in reverse back-up lights should be on. It is against NJ Law to have backup lights on when a vehicle is moving forward  Braking: Smoothly & Quickly. Should be able to stop within 25 feet at 25mph  Headlights: Can check against a wall. If another motorist flashes their light at you it can mean your lights are out of line.

Car Condition  Horn  Steering  Tail Lights  Tires  Turn Signals  Windshield  Snow/Ice: Must remove snow/ ice from windshield before driving

Starting a Parked Car  What is the first thing you should do before getting into a vehicle?  Look behind it and front of it

Starting a Parked Car  Clean Windows  Adjusted Seat( arms length from the steering wheel)  Adjust rearview mirrors  Fastened seatbelts  Vehicle should be in park or neutral gear  Doors should be locked

Starting a Parked Car Blind Spots  Areas in which the driver cannot see behind his/her vehicle  Before starting car look back

Vehicle Idling  Motorists should restrict vehicle idling to 3 minutes or less  Fines of $250 to $1,000 for each violation of this law.

Steering  9 and 3 o’clock  Reduces risk of wrist, hand, and arm injury

Steering  Hand Over Hand: Opposite hand crosses over and eventually returns to original position

Stopping Distances  Stopping Distance Depends on:  Motorist Reaction Time  Weather and Road Conditions  Vehicle Weight  Brake Conditions  Condition and type of tires  Roadway Conditions  Speed

Driving Signals Left Turn Right Turn Stop or Slow

Driving in Reverse  Make sure path is CLEAR  Steering to left will direct vehicle to left. Steering to right will direct vehicle to right.  Motorists hand and body should be turned to the right until he/she can see clearly out of the back window  Right arm on back of front passenger seat, left hand should grip the top of steering wheel  Should not turn forward until the vehicle is stopped

Turning a Vehicle  Law requires a motorist to get in a proper lane and signal at least 100 feet before making a turn  Always stay in same lane until turn is completed

3-Point Turn (K Turn)  Point-Turn Point-Turn

Parking  Downhill: Vehicles wheels should be turned towards the curb  Uphill: Vehicles wheels should be turned away from the curb

Parking  Angle Parking  Parallel Parking Parallel-Park http:// Parallel-Park