Chapter 5 DEFENSIVE DRIVING

Prevent A Collision  BE ALERT- Never think the other motorist will not make a driving mistake  BE PREPARED- Learn what to do in any situation when you have to act fast, and always expect the unexpected  ACT IN TIME- Try not to panic. Know what to do if something happens suddenly

AGGRESSIVE DRIVING  Aggressive driving is defined as a progression of unlawful driving actions, such as speeding, improper or excessive lane changing, or improper passing  If a motorist is angry or excited, they should take time to cool off  Extreme cases of aggressive driving may lead to road rage.

ROAD RAGE  Occurs when motorists lose their tempers or become frustrated because of a traffic disturbance  May cause motorist to run stop signs and red lights, speed, tailgate, weave through traffic, pass illegally on the right, make improper and unsafe lane changes, make hand or facial gestures, scream, honk horns or flash high beams

DISTRACTIONS  Lighting a cigarette  Trying to fasten a safety belt while driving  Reaching across seat to close door or reach glove compartment  Reaching for coins in pockets when approaching toll  Watching children or pets in the vehicle  Reading maps and newspapers  Eating while driving  Adjusting mirrors while driving  Use of cell phones and other electronic devices  Adjusting radio  Applying make up  Using labtop computer

TIRED DRIVER  A tired driver can be as dangerous as a drunk driver  WHO IS MOST AT RISK?  Sleep deprived  Driving long distances without rest breaks  Driving through the night  Taking medicine that increases sleepiness, or drinking alcohol  Driving alone  Driving on long, rural, boring roads  Young people  Shift workers  Commercial drivers When a motorist is behind the wheel for a long time, they may experience “HIGHWAY HYPNOSIS”

COMMUNICATING AND DRIVING  Communicate with other motorists by all available means and signals  During the day use horn or try to make eye contact  At night, a QUICK flip of the headlights from low to high and back to low  Always be patient while driving!!!

KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE  A motorist should always keep a safe driving distance from other vehicles on the road so that they have plenty of time to react to emergencies.  Tailgating refers to following too closely behind a vehicle directly in front of you  A motorist should stay in the middle of the lane and make sure there is enough room ahead to stop or pass safely

ONE CAR LENGTH  Keep back one car length (20 feet) for each 10 miles per hour of speed.  At high speeds or in bad weather, following distances should be increased.

3 SECOND PLUS RULE  HELPS DETERMINE SAFE DISTANCE  Choose some fixed object(sign or tree) ahead of the vehicle in front.  As the vehicle in front passes the object, begin counting seconds  If it takes at least 3 seconds before your vehicle passes the object, a motorist should have enough distance to stop

FOLLOWING DISTANCES  Always know the condition of your brakes  A motorist should always increase following distances with poor road conditions MINUMUM SAFE FOLLOWING DISTANCES Road Condition 20 MPH30 MPH40 MPH50 MPH Ideal2 car lengths345 Wet Pavement4 car lengths6810 Gravel4 car lengths6810 Packed Snow6 car lengths912 Ice12 car lengths18

CHANGING LANES AND PASSING  Only pass or change lanes when necessary  Only pass or change lanes if it can be completed without speeding  Keep a safe following distance; do not tailgate  Check traffic ahead and behind  Only pass when signs and pavement markings permit  Signal every lane change  Signal your return to the right lane  Return to the right lane when well ahead of the vehicle that was passed  Cancel the turn signal

ROAD CONDITIONS  WET ROADS- Drive more slowly. Three second rule should be increased to a Four second rule  SNOW AND ICE- Winter driving has special dangers, including longer hours of darkness, fog, rain, snow, sleet, and ice.  Start you engine and let it warm up  Accelerate slowing  Turn slower than normal  Use brakes cautiously  HYDROPLANING- Riding up on a film of water  Chances increase as speed increases

REDUCED VISIBILITY  Frost or Ice- Always scrape and wipe windows. Turn on defroster to hear up windshield  Fog- Always slow down when driving. Headlights should be kept on low beam  Sun Glare- Adjust sun visors. Hold steering wheel firmly and slow down.  IN ALL CASES, IF VISIBILITY IS GREATLY REDUCED, A MOTORIST SHOULD STOP ALONGSIDE THE ROAD OR ON THE SHOULDER, OUT OF THE WAY OF TRACCING AND TURN ON EMERGENY FLASHERS.

NIGHT DRIVING  Nearly 90% of driving decisions are based upon what a motorist sees while driving.  Consider the following factors when driving at night  Speed  Reaction distance  Breaking distance SPEEDREACTION DISTANCEBRAKING DISTANCESTOPPING DISTANCE 20 MPH44 FEET25 FEET 69 FEET 30 MPH66 FEET57 FEET 123 FEET 40 MPH88 FEET101 FEET 189 FEET 50 MPH110 FEET158 FEET 268 FEET 60 MPH132 FEET227 FEET 359 FEET 70 MPH154 FEET310 FEET 464 FEET

DRIVING SITUATIONS  CITY DRIVING- Drive more slowly and watch for the movements of others.  Motorists must be more careful about pedestrians and less-visible vehicles such as bicycles, mopeds, motorcycles, motorized wheelchairs and mobility- assistance vehicles  Pedestrians and individuals in wheelchairs or mobility-assistance vehicles always have the right of way

 On city streets, a motorist will pass through intersections very often. Follow these tips  If a the middle of a block, check intersections ahead for traffic controls  When approaching or nearing an intersection, reduce speed. Glance left and then right. Keep foot on brake  When at a crosswalk, a vehicle should be at its lowest speed. A motorist must decide whether to stop or go across. Take quick glances around. If clear, proceed to cross. A MOTORIST SHOULD LOOK 12 SECONDS AHEAD OF THEM.

 HIGHWAY DRIVING  Exceeding the posted speed limit or driving too fast for road conditions is one of the most prevalent factors contributing to traffic collisions  Always drive defensively and stay within the speed limit. Always be ready to react to the unexpected

 HILLS, BRIDGES AND OTHER ROAD HAZARDS  A motorist should always be on the lookout for signs that warn of road hazards.  Includes HILLS, DIPS, NARROW BRIDGES, BUMPS, and RAILROAD TRACKS  Drive slowly in these areas  Motorists should be cautious when traveling in farm country or in open land where livestock or deer may cross the road.

 CONSTRUCTION ZONES/WORK ZONES  Fines are doubled for motor vehicle violations committed in the area of roadway construction zones  These work zones are identified by an advance warning sign or flashing lights on a vehicle up to one- half mile before the work area.  Flaggers may control traffic  Motorists might encounter detours  End Road Work sign will be placed at the end of the work area

 WHEN DRIVING THROUGH A WORK ZONE:  Stay alert  Pay close attention  Turn on headlights  Don’t tailgate  Don’t speed  Minimize distractions  Expect the unexpected  Be patient  Annually, there are nearly 800 fatal and over 37,000 serious injury crashes in work zones

REACTING TO DRIVING PROBLEMS  Ignition System- Permits key removal only when vehicle’s transmission is in the park position. Never turn the ignition to the lock position while the vehicle is in motion  Skids- Sudden turns, lane changes or hard braking can throw a vehicle into a skid. To aviod a spin, the morotist should turn in the direction the rear of the vehicle is skidding.  Emergency Stops- On a highway, signal towards shoulder and slow down. Once vehicle is pulled to the shoulder, turn on parking lights or emergency warning lights

 Running Off the Pavement- If a vehicle’s wheels drift onto the shoulder of the road, do not try to turn back onto the pavement right away.  Slow down  Regain control  Turn slowly onto the road  Car Fires- Get passengers out and away from the vehicle at once, and call for help.  Plunging into Water- Vehicles with windows and doors closed will float for 3 to 10 minutes  Seatbelts help survive the initial impact  Roll down or brake window to get out  Stalling on Railroad Tracks- Try to move by running in low or second gear. If vehicle cannot be moved, get as far away from car as possible and call for help.

VEHICLE FAILURE  BRAKE FAILURE- Shift to a lower gear and pump the brake pedal fast and hard several times. If fails, you the parking brake.  Tire Blowout- Hold the steering wheel firmly and keep vehicle straight while gradually slowing down. Remove foot from gas pedal but do not use the brakes, car will coast to a stop on its own  Power Steering Failure- Keep a firm grip on wheel to keep control. Pull off roadway safely  Headlight Failure- Pull off roadway safely. Try headlight or dimmer switches again. If fails to work, put on emergency flashers and call for help.

 Gas Pedal Problems- If gas pedal sticks, keep eyes on roadway while quickly sifting to neutral. Get off roadway safely, call for help.  Hood Latch Failure- If hood suddenly flies up, slow down immediately. Look around or under the hood pull to side of road and call for help  Windshield Wiper Failure- Slow down, pull to a safe area off the roadway and turn on emergency flasher. Call for help.

COLLISIONS  Avoiding Collisions- Proper reaction could save the life of the motorist and their passengers or others involved. If a motorist sees that their vehicle may hit something, one of three things can be done:  Stop quickly-  Turn quickly  Speed up  Last Minute Choices- If a collision look possible, turn away from oncoming traffic even if it means leaving the road.  Hit something that gives way like bushes or shrubs  Hit something moving in the same direction

 Rear Collision- Be ready to apply brakes to avoid being pushed into a vehicle ahead. Brace yourself for impact  Side Collision- Keep a tight grip on the steering wheel. Be ready to turn fast, so that if vehicle spins around you can try to control the vehicle  Head-on Collision- Use arms and hand to protect face if wearing a seatbelt and the car has airbags. If vehicle is not equipped with a seatbelt or airbags, the motorist should throw themselves across the seat to keep from hitting the steering wheel or windshield  Parked Vehicle Collision- Notify police. Try to find the owner of the vehicle that hit you.

WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF A COLLISION  If a motorist witnesses a collision or is involved in one, they should follow these tips to protect everyone involved:  Stop the vehicle  Remain calm  Assume the worst and get help  Wait at the scene, but try not to block traffic  Ask for assistance from passing motorist, bikes, or joggers  Depending on the location of the accident- local road, highway or in a busy city intersection- warn oncoming traffic

REPORTING ACCIDENTS  New Jersey law requires motorists to notify the police of accidents where there is injury, death, or vehicle or property damage. If someone has been killed, do not move body until emergency personnel arrive.