CHAPTER 5

DEFENSIVE DRIVING

Preventing Accidents

A. Most accidents are caused by driver error.

B. Standard Accident Prevention Formula:

1. Be Alert

2. Be Prepared

3. Act In Time

Distractions- see page 83

A. According to NJ State Police, in 2008 there were 375 Fatal accidents, caused by:

1. Inattentive Driving

2. Drunk Driving

3. Traveling too fast for conditions

4. Aggressive Driving

5. Disregard of Stop Sign

Tired Driver

Maggie’s Law- illegal to knowingly drive while impaired by lack of sleep

Establishes driving while fatigued as reckless under the vehicular homicide statute

Guide Lines to Avoid Falling Asleep Behind the wheel Most importantly, get a good night’s rest

before a long trip Bring a friend along to share the driving

duties and talk to you when you’re behind the wheel

Stay away from alcohol—its effects are multiplied when you are tired.

If you’re too tired pull over & take a nap

Watch for the danger signs: Difficulty focusing Trouble remembering the last few miles Yawning, nodding, rubbing your eyes Missing exits or traffic signs Drifting out of your lane or hitting the

shoulder

Turning the air conditioner on, rolling down the window, or playing the radio loud will

NOT help you stay awake!!!!!!!

Highway Hypnosis

Driving behind the wheel for a long period may experience highway hypnosis

Trance like state Should try to rest every 2 hours or 100 miles

Keep A Space Cushion

A. To avoid a collision you need time to react.

B. Keep space on all sides of your car.

C. Don’t get boxed in.

Communication

A. Use signals horn and lights to communicate with other drivers.

B. Try to make eye contact with other drivers.

C. At night quick flip of headlights

Adjusting To Different Roads

A. City Driving- you must be able to handle more:

1. Heavy traffic, pedestrians, less visible vehicles

2. You need to look at least 12 seconds ahead.

3. Be ready for anything.

Highway Driving

A. Speeding is a factor in 29% of fatal crashes on dry roads, 32% on wet roads, 47% with snow, & 54% on ice.

B. Slow Down , don’t be in a rush to die.

Curves

A. Slow down before the curve.

B. On right hand curves don’t drift into the other lane.

C. On Left hand curves, watch for other vehicles drifting into your lane.

Construction Zones

A. Slow down, fines for moving violations are doubled in a construction zone.

B. Annually there are nearly 800 fatal and over 300,000 serious injury crashes in work zones.

Changing Lanes & Passing

A. Check Traffic, Signal, Shoulder Check, Smooth change when safe.

B. Decide if you really need to pass, Decide if you can pass without speeding.

C. Slow down when being passed.

Following Distance p. 86

A. Tailgating is a common cause of accidents.

B. One car length for every 10 MPH

C. 2 second rule – Changed to the 3 second rule, 4 seconds or more in the rain.

1. road surfaces are most slippery during the first few minutes of rainfall.

Following Intervals

2 Seconds… Permits driver time to steer out of problem areas at all listed speeds on a dry surface and braking out of problems at speeds under 35 mph.

3 Seconds… Permits driver time to steer out of problem areas at all listed speeds on dry surface and braking out of problems at speeds to 45 mph.

4 Seconds… Permits driver to steer out of problems at all listed speeds on dry surface and braking out of problems at speeds to legal limit of 65 mph.* Factory equipped passenger car tires may not

be designed to steer out of problem areas at speeds beyond 75 mph. Speed rated tires are required due to sidewall flexion problems at higher speeds and turning movements.

Wet Roads

A. Tires can ride up on a film of water like water skis at speeds of 35 MPH or more.

B. To avoid hydroplaning, slow down in heavy rain, standing water or slush and do not drive on bald or worn tires.

C. Quick turns or changes in speed may cause car to skid

Snow and Ice

A. Motorists are liable if ice flies from their vehicle and causes death, injury or property damage.

B. You will skid if you: Accelerate to quickly, Turn to fast, Brake improperly

C. Snow tires can be used between Nov. 15 & April 1 of each year.

Night Driving

A. 90% of driving decisions are based upon what a motorists sees.

B. Drive with in the range of your headlights

500 feet with high beam350 feet on low beam

C. Driver should slow down 25 to 30% from daytime speeds.

Reduced Visibility

Under these increase your following distance Frost/Ice Fog – low beam Sun Glare

Driving Problems

Ignition system Skids Emergency stops Running off Pavement Car Fires Plunging into water

Vehicle Failure

Brake failure Tire Blow out Power Steering failure headlight Failure Gas Pedal problems Hood latch failure Windshield Wiper failure

Carbon Monoxide

A. A gas given off by your cars exhaust.

B. It has no odor so may be hard to notice.

C. Symptoms: Yawning, Dizziness, & Stomach Upset.

D. Get Fresh Air quickly

E. To Avoid: don’t idle car with windows closed, don’t warm car while in a closed garage.

Avoid collisions

Stop quickly

Turn quickly

Speed up

Avoiding Collisions cont..

Avoid Head-On CollisionsAvoid Head-On Collisions Drive off road rather than skid off road Hit something soft rather than something hard Hit something going your way rather than

something stationary Hit stationary object with glancing blow Hit stationary object rather than an approaching

object Steer to avoid oncoming traffic

Types of Collisions

Rear Side Head-on Parked Vehicle