Driver Vehicle Readiness Developed by North Dakota Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association Funded by The North Dakota Department of Transportation North Dakota Driver Risk Prevention Curriculum Guide

Driver Fitness Means Never Driving While Impaired Drunk or Drugged Drunk or Drugged Drowsy Distracted Underlined elements contain hyperlinks to video clips. Click on link to play. Use speakers.

Pre-drive Procedures 1. Approach with Awareness - Key in Hand 2. Enter Car 3. Lock Door 4. Insert Key in Ignition 5. Adjust Seat & Head Restraint 6. Adjust Rear View Mirrors 7. Fasten Safety Belt 8. Make Sure Others Are Belted

Pre-Entry Checks ► Approach vehicle with awareness ► Key in hand ► Check around the outside of the vehicle for: Broken glass (windows, lights), Body damage, Condition of tires, Fluid leaks, Direction front tires are turned, Obstacles that prevent movement, Children, Pets, etc.Broken glass (windows, lights), Body damage, Condition of tires, Fluid leaks, Direction front tires are turned, Obstacles that prevent movement, Children, Pets, etc. ► Check inside the vehicle before entering ► Store valuables in trunk, out of sight

Pre-Drive Procedures Lock doors Gives you security from carjackers and better protection during a crash Get your rear end in the seat Push your rear all the way back into the seat, then sit up straight. You will gain a firm support and be in the best position for establishing vehicle control. Keep your windows up When windows are partially open, a side impact can send ones head onto the window’s edge, making it like a guillotine.

Seating Position Head Restraint Positioned to reach middle of the back of the head to better prevent neck injuries during rear end crashes Adjust Seat and Steering Wheel Allow for good visibility (bottom of chin should be level with top of steering wheel) Provide maximum braking and steering control Allow for 9 & 3 or 8 & 4 hand positioning Allow safe deployment of airbag (chest approx. 10” from steering wheel)

Adjusting the Seat for Maximum Braking Control Operating Foot Controls Position heel on floor in front of the brake to maximize braking controllability Ball of foot makes and maintains contact with pedals for smooth braking and accelerating Pivot on heel to accelerator from brake Left foot on dead pedal for balance and stability

Dead Pedal AcceleratorBrake Left foot on dead pedal. Pivot toe of right foot on the heel from the brake to the gas pedal

Adjust Mirrors Traditional Settings Inside rear view mirror Sit up straight and adjust the main mirror to see straight out the rear window. Allows the driver a view to the rear of 200 feet. Outside rear view mirrors Sit up straight and adjust the mirrors to see a very small portion of the side of your vehicle, so views seen through the right 1/3 and left 1/3 inside rear view mirror overlap.

Traditional side mirror settings overlap and widen inside mirror view RIGHT MIRROR VIEW VIEW WITH INSIDE MIRROR RIGHT BLIND SPOT LEFT BLIND SPOT LEFT MIRROR VIEW

Adjust Mirrors – Enhanced Setting Inside rear view mirror Sit up straight and adjust it to see straight out the rear window. Left outside rear view mirror Lean to the left, place your cheek on the window glass, then adjust the mirror as you would for the traditional view. Right outside rear view mirror Lean to the right, aligning your head with the inside mirror. Then adjust the right outside rear view mirror for the traditional view. Blind Spot Reduction and Glare Elimination Settings

The enhanced mirror settings eliminate glare from headlights and reduce the size and position of the right and left side blind spots ENHANCED LEFT SIDE MIRROR VIEW ENHANCED RIGHT SIDE MIRROR VIEW REAR MIRROR VIEW REDUCED SIZE AND POSITIONS OF RIGHT BLIND SPOTS REDUCED SIZE AND POSITIONS OF LEFT BLIND SPOTS

Occupant Protection: Myth vs. Fact Myth 1.I am safer if thrown clear of the car in a crash. 2.If the car catches fire or is submerged in water, I cannot get out. 3.I can protect my pet by holding him/her on my lap. Fact 1.You are more likely to be severely injured or killed if ejected. 2.Less than one-half of one percent of collisions involve fire or submersion. 3.You and your pet are initially thrown into the crash at impact. You need to be belted, and your pets need crated and secured to avoid injury.

Movement of Belted Occupant Head 1.9 feet in 30 mph crash Head 1.9 feet in 30 mph crash Chest 1.3 feet in 30 mph crash Chest 1.3 feet in 30 mph crash Pelvis 1.2 feet in 30 mph crash Pelvis 1.2 feet in 30 mph crash Based on lb. male data

Occupant Protection Safety Restraints Seat Belts Snug lap belt after fastening low across hips. Adjust center post mounting for height, if vehicle is so equipped. Belt over top of shoulder and across chest to distribute force in event of crash. Check frequently for snug fit. Keep seat back in upright position to avoid sliding out of the seat in frontal crash.

Occupant Protection Safety Restraints Reconstruction - Delta V = 24mph Driver Teenager – Male Frontal steering column air bag deployment No manual seat belt use Seatback full recline Injuries: Right and left knees, hands contact with windshield, and hip Seattle CIREN Team University of Washington Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center

Advantages of Safety Belt Use ► You stay in the driving compartment behind the wheel ► Stay in the vehicle Stay in the vehicle Stay in the vehicle ► Slow your body down gradually ► You’re not thrown into the crash ► Occupants will not crash into you Occupants will not crash into you Occupants will not crash into you Underlined advantages contain hyperlinks to video clips. Click on link to play. Use speakers.

After starting the vehicle Turn on your headlights They make your vehicle more visible to others in all conditions: Bright SunlightBright Sunlight Dark ShadowsDark Shadows Heavy TrafficHeavy Traffic Rain, Fog, Snow etc.Rain, Fog, Snow etc. When others are able to detect your vehicle, you have fewer problems to solve.