How nature affects driving

What are some other situations that might affect your ability to properly control a vehicle? ► Dawn/Dusk ► Rain ► Snow/Sleet ► Fog ► Smog ► Sand/Dust ► Wind

Dawn/Dusk - Decreased visibility at night and just before sunrise and sunset. Night driving’s biggest challenges:  Limits your view of the road ahead and its surroundings.  Glare- can be distracting or even blinding.

Driving safely when light is low… YOU MUST MAXIMIZE VISIBILITY AND MANAGE TIME AND SPACE WISELY Drive with your headlights on. Headlights and taillights help illuminate your vehicle.

When driving at night: It requires extra concentration It requires a greater level of awareness Use low beams and high beams correctly Do not over- drive your headlights Look beyond your headlights

WET WEATHER STATISTICS: Reduced visibility and wet weather are contributing factors to collisions. 17% of 6.5 million crashes in ’94 occurred during wet weather Many of these were single car crashes Wet or slippery roads account for 18% of all deaths in roadside hazard crashes 63% of deaths in crashes took place on wet/slippery roads 42% percent occurred on curves 39% occurred on hills

RAIN, SNOW, SLEET: Decreases your ability to see: Ahead Ahead To the sides To the sides To the rear To the rear Makes it harder for other drivers and pedestrians to see your vehicle

SNOW AND SLEET: Collection on windshields creates blind spots Collection on windshields creates blind spots Less tire friction with the road because it sticks to treads Less tire friction with the road because it sticks to treads Steps in controlling the risks of a collision: Steps in controlling the risks of a collision: –Prepare in advance –Allow an extra margin of safety –Drive in the tracks of the vehicle that is in front of you –Give plenty of notice –Be Alert –Lights on Low-Beam –Ease into turns and curves

SAFETY TIPS: ► If you are approaching a large vehicle on a slush-covered roadway, turn on your windshield washers and wipers about 2 to 3 seconds before you meet. This gets the glass wet and will help clean the glass quickly after you pass. ► Avoid using your high beams in heavy rain, sleet, or snow. Under such conditions, light is reflected back into your eyes, decreasing your visibility.

Driving Tip:  Remove all snow, ice, and frost from the vehicles windows, outside mirrors, headlights, and taillights before starting to drive.  Clear all snow from the hood, roof, and body of the vehicle so that it will not melt or blow onto the windows while the vehicle is moving.

Five other conditions other than snow and rain : FOG SMOG SAND WIND DUST

FOG Low-beam headlights are essential when driving in the fog. You might even want to use your emergency flashers to further increase the ability of other highway users to see you. (Smith system- Make sure others see you!!!)

FOG Windshield wipers are another option. Dense fog poses hazards also – THE WISEST THING TO DO IS TO SIGNAL, PULL OFF OF THE ROAD, AND WAIT FOR CONDITIONS TO IMPROVE. DO NOT STOP ON THE ROAD. STOP OUTSIDE OF A GUARDRAIL IF POSSIBLE TURN On ALL LIGHTS

SMOG……..  Methods for driving in fog are as equally useful for driving in smog conditions.

Sand and Dust: Produce severe visibility problems Produce severe visibility problems Greater risk of a collision Greater risk of a collision If you are caught in a storm, you should: If you are caught in a storm, you should: Signal Pull off of the road Turn on your flashers Wait for it to pass

WIND: Has the potential to be very dangerous…the bigger the car the more danger involved!!!! The weight of a vehicle can also be dangerous.

What to do in WINDY situations? Reduce speed Make sure you have a firm grip on the steering wheel Leave extra space

Other Windy situations: Other situations can be created by the following: Other situations can be created by the following: Bus Bus Truck Truck Tractor-trailer Tractor-trailer Always allow as much distance as possible to the side when passing to reduce the force of gusting wind. Always allow as much distance as possible to the side when passing to reduce the force of gusting wind.

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