Driver Errors and Roadway Hazards NV Driver Education Curriculum Unit 9: Sharing the Road and Handling Emergencies Presentation 2 of 5

Driver Error Driver errors cause most emergencies. Skidding Off-road recovery Too fast for weather and road conditions Attempting to avoid objects in the road The instant you approach or find yourself in an emergency situation, you need to be prepared to take the right actions to avoid conflict.

Skids Direction Speed In a skid, the vehicle careens wildly across the road as you lose control of: Rear tire skid Rear-end slides Front tire skid Front-end slides

Why Vehicles Skid Tires lose traction (slid, spin, and slide) due to driver actions (braking, steering, or accelerating) Skids can result from: Accelerating or braking too hard Steering too much or too quickly Entering a curve with too much speed Car rests against pole after skidding out of control in icy conditions.

Driving Through Curves Driving too fast into a curve can cause skidding Brake gently as soon as you realize you are entering a curve too quickly –If not yet in curve, brake more firmly –If already in curve, apply brakes but do not lock wheels –Half way through curve look at target area and accelerate gently

Types of Skids & Recovery Recovery Counter-steering: Steering in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go, (toward your intended path of travel). When you counter- steer, straighten the wheels as soon as you feel the rear of the vehicle begin to realign with your intended path of travel.

Wet Roadways Driving on wet roads can be dangerous. Any amount of water on the road will reduce traction (hydroplane) –increased skidding potential VERYFirst few minutes of a rain storm road are VERY slippery, mixing with dust and oil Slow down Do not use cruise control in a rain storm

Vehicles in Flood Water Never attempted to drive through deep water on the roadway Less than 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can sweep people off their feet and cause a driver to lose control A depth of 2 feet will float a car

Dealing with Skids Skidding can be frightening. Know what to do: Respond quickly and correctly Concentrate - Do not panic Do not brake (makes skid worse) Look and steer in direction you want the front of the vehicle to go –Make corrections quickly and smoothly Do not give up - Keep steering

Drifting Off-Road Drifting off the road is often caused by fatigue or inattention May steer onto the shoulder to avoid a collision Shoulders: –Provide less traction –May be narrow –Loose gravel, grass, or mud –Can be lower than road surface

Off-Road Recovery Driving off the edge of the roadway can be very dangerous. Avoid the urge to whip vehicle back onto the pavement 1.Firm grip on steering wheel 2.Ease off accelerator 3. Gentle pressure on brake 4. Quick steer when safe When returning to lane turn steering wheel about an one-eighth of a turn. As soon as front tire is fully on roadway, counter steer quickly to stay in correct lane. Both rear and front right tires straddle road edge

Emergency Swerve No matter how careful you are, you may find yourself in a position where your only maneuver to stay safe is to swerve sharply. The amount of time a driver has to respond is controlled by his/her speed and distance. Sharp swerve around close object Less sharp at a greater distance

Evasive Actions Sometimes it is difficult to determine whether or not you have sufficient time/distance to stop to avoid a crash. At speeds greater than 25 mph it takes less distance to steer that it does to brake to a stop. Yet, you must have an alternative path of travel.

Potholes Potholes develop as water collects in roadway cracks (freezing and expanding the crack) May have sharp edges –Damage tires Avoid hitting (drive around or straddle) Slow down if you must drive through a pothole

Work Zones Work zones need your undivided attention Orange signs, cones, and barricades Workers Equipment Flashing lights and arrows Slow down

Work Zone Safety Tips Be patient Don’t tailgate Pay attention to signs Stay alert, minimize distractions Keep a safe distance (workers, equipment, other vehicles) Expect the unexpected Stay calm Slow down

Driving Tip Be sensitive to your surroundings. When driving on wet or icy roads, be aware of other vehicles. space cushion It is important to give yourself a space cushion (manage speed and distance) in case the other vehicle begins to skid. Final Thoughts