Chapter 5

Prevent a Collision

• Be Alert: never think 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 suddenly happens

Aggressive Driving/ Road Rage •

Road Rage

•

Aggressive Driving

• emotions can have a great affect on a motorist’s driving

• Aggressive driving is defined as a progression of unlawful driving actions such as speeding, improper or excessive lane changing, or improper passing

• Aggressive drivers fail to consider how their actions may affect other motorists on the road

• Extreme cases of aggressive driving may lead to road rage

• NJ is waging a campaign against road rage

• To report aggressive motorist call ( 888) saf-road or cell phone #77

Distractions

• in many cases, collisions are caused by distracted motorists

• Inattentive motorists often tailgate go too fast, or drift out of their lanes

• WHAT ARE SOME COMMON DISTRACTIONS WHILE DRIVING????

Tired Driver/ Highway Hypnosis

• a tired driver is a dangerous driver

• a tired driver can be a dangerous as a drunk driver

• Maggie’s Law, which was enacted in 2003 makes it illegal to knowingly drive a vehicle while impaired by lack of sleep

• This law establishes driving while fatigued as reckless under the vehicular homicide statute

Highway Hypnosis

• highway hypnosis is a trance like state

• This may be avoided by not looking at one object for more than a few seconds

• It is recommended that a motorist rest every two hours and share the driving with another licensed driver

Communicating and Driving

• Communicate with other motorists by all available means and signals

• Turn signals ( hand signals) allow a motorists to tell what he/she is going to do

• At night a quick flip of the headlights from low to high and back to low might be helpful

Tailgating

• A motorist should always keep a safe distance from other vehicles on the road

• This give plenty of time to react in an emergency

• Tailgating refers to following too closely behind a vehicle directly in front of you

• Tailgating is often the cause of rear end collisions

One Car Length

• Although there is no perfect rule for following distance, the rule of thumb is one car length for every 10mph

• At high speeds or bad weather, following distance should be increased

Three Second Rule

• Since most people having trouble judging distance, the three second rule helps determines a safe following distance

Changing Lanes and Passing

• ALWAYS SIGNAL LANE CHANGES

• only change lanes or pass when necessary

• Keep a safe following distance

• Check traffic ahead and behind

• When pavement marking permits

• Signal every lane change

Wet Roads

• Drive slowly

• Three second plus rule should increase

• Quick turns or changes can cause you to skid

• ** road surfaces are the most slippery during the first few minutes of a rainfall

• When driving through a puddle make sure you pump to test and dry your brakes

Hydroplaning

• Wet roads can cause hydroplaning, or riding on the film of water starting at 35 mph

• This would cause you to loose control over the vehicle

• After 55 mph, tires may leave the road surface entirely

• This makes stopping or turning impossible

Snow and Ice• Before driving in cold weather, start the

engine and let it warm up

• all snow and ice must be removed from the entire vehicle

• Gently apply the brakes when you first begin driving to judge how slipper the roads are

• A good rule is to keep a 6 second following distance on snow or ice roads

Snow and Ice

• Snow tires typically do not provide good traction on ice

• Chains are the best for traction

• In NJ, motorist may use studded snow tires or chains between November 15 – April 1

• When driving on snow and ice keep the engine speed and gear low

Reduced Visibility

• Head lights should be kept on low in the fog

• Sun visors should be adjusted and used on sunny days with intense glare

Night Driving

• nearly 90% of driving decisions are based upon what motorist sees at night] drive with headlights on at dusk, night and dawn

• Headlights should be on when weather reduces visibility to less than 500 feet

Construction and Work Zones

• In NJ, traffic fines double for motor violations committed in an area of roadway construction zones

• At the end of the work area ( designated by signs) motorist can resume normal driving

Ignition System

• Motorists in an emergency situation on the highway may attempt to turn off the vehicle while it is still in motion believing it will bring the vehicle to a stop

• The basic rule the motorist must follow when operating a vehicle with steering wheel ignition system is to never turn the ignition to lock position while the vehicle is in motion

Ignition System

• The steering will lock as the vehicle turns and the motorist will lose control over the vehicle

Skids• A motorist should handle a skid in both front

wheel and rear wheel drive vehicles the same way• If the rear of the vehicle starts to slide, a motorist

should take his/her foot off the gas pedal• A vehicle may spin if the steering wheel is quickly

turned away from the direction of the skid• To avoid a spin, the motorist should turn in the

direction the rear of the vehicle is skidding without over steering

• During a skid avoid using brakes

Emergency Stops

• Never block tail lights at night by standing or working behind the vehicle

• Day or night, put a flare or other warning sign just behind the vehicle

• Put another warning device at least 300 feet back

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

• this might throw the vehicle off balance

• A motorist should stay on the shoulder and ease up on the gas pedal

• After the vehicle has slowed down to 25 mph or less, the motorist may turn back onto the road

Plunging into Water

• Water causes more panic then any other emergency

• A vehicle with windows and doors closed will float for about three to ten minutes

• While the vehicle is still floating escape through the window

Tire Blowout

• Hold the steering wheel firmly and keep vehicle straight while gradually slowing down

• Remove your foot from the gas pedal but don’t use the brakes!

Last Minute Choices

• If a collision looks possible…..

• Driving off the road, rather than skidding, this gives the motorist more control over the vehicle

• The motorist should choose to hit something that gives way such as a bush or shrubs rather than something hard

• choose to hit something moving in the same direction rather than opposite direction

What To Do In Case of a Collision

• If a motorist witnesses or is involved in a collision he/she should follow these tips:

• 1. Stop the vehicle• 2. Remain calm• 3. Assume the worst and get help ( notify

the police, call and ambulance)• 4. Wait at the scene, but try not to block

traffic• 5. Ask for assistance from passing motorist

if needed

Reporting Accidents

• NJ law requires motorists to notify the police of accidents where there is injury, death, or vehicle property damage

• When damage to property is more than $500 or there is personal injury, a motorist must:– Send a written report to the MVC within 10 days if no

police report is filed by police. A motorist can get a written copy of the report from police

Reporting Accidents

– Notify his/her insurance company at once, giving complete information about the accident

– If the motorist is shaken up, he/she should see a doctor as soon as possible