1. CHAPTER 5
DEFENSIVE DRIVING

2. WHAT IS AGGRESSIVE DRIVING?
GIVE EXAMPLES

3. AGGRESSIVE DRIVING / ROAD RAGE
Occurs because people lose their temper or
become frustrated
Speeding
Tailgating
Improper, unsafe lane changes
Flashing high beams
Illegally passing on the right

4. Beware of distractions
CELL PHONES
Lighting a cigarette
Trying to fasten a seat belt while driving
Trying to remove a coat
GPS
Eating
Adjusting radio or AUX cord
Full attention must be on the road at all times

5. Highway Hypnosis
HIGHWAY HYPNOSIS: (you feel trance-like with the sounds of wind, tires, and engine)
BEFORE YOU DRIVE:
GET REST
AVOID HEAVY, FATTY FOODS
DON’T DRINK ALCOHOLIC
BEVERAGES
WHILE YOU DRIVE:
GOOD AIR FLOW, TURN ON RADIO, OPEN WINDOW, EXERCISE, STOP REGULARLY

6. Maggie’s Law

7. COMMUNICATING AND DRIVING
TURN SIGNALS
HORN
HEADLIGHTS
BE ALERT AND
DRIVE DEFENSIVELY

8. HYDROPLANING- TIRES RIDE UP ON A FILM OF WATER
ICE AND SNOW – MAY USE STUDDED SNOW TIRES BETWEEN NOVEMBER 15 AND
APRIL 1

9. CITY DRIVING DRIVE SLOWER WATCH FOR PEDESTRIANS
LOOK AT LEAST 12 SECONDS AHEAD

10. CONSTRUCTION ZONES
FINES ARE DOUBLED FOR MOTOR VEHICLE VIOLATIONS
STAY ALERT
PAY CLOSE ATTENTION
TURN ON HEADLIGHTS
DO NOT TAILGATE
DO NOT SPEED
BE PATIENT
MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS
EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

11. SKIDS
Do not touch the gas pedal
Turn in the direction in which the rear of the vehicle is skidding
Do not over-steer
Look in the direction that you want to go

12. RUNNING OFF THE PAVEMENT
SLOW DOWN
REGAIN CONTROL
STEER SLOWLY BACK ONTO THE ROADWAY WHEN SAFE

13. TIRE BLOWOUT
GRIP STEERING WHEEL FIRMLY - KEEP THE VEHICLE GOING STRAIGHT
REMOVE YOUR FOOT FROM THE GAS PEDAL – SLOW DOWN GRADUALLY
DO NOT PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL
COAST TO A STOP

14. LAST RESORT – EMERGENCY BRAKE
BRAKE FAILURE
SHIFT TO LOW GEAR
PUMP BRAKE PEDAL
LAST RESORT – EMERGENCY BRAKE

15. AVOIDING COLLISIONS Turn away from oncoming traffic
Hit something that gives way
Avoid hitting anything
head on

16. REPORTING A COLLISION Notify police
Injury, death, or vehicle or property damage
Notify insurance
company