DEFENSIVE DRIVING

Most accidents are caused by: Driver Error

Everybody Hurts

1. BE ALERT -Never think the other driver won’t make a mistake -Avoid translike state called HIGHWAY HYPNOSIS caused

from driving on a long road for a while.

2. BE PREPARED -Learn what to do in any case that requires a quick driving

decision -Always assume you are surrounded by bad drivers and that

you will have to react to their mistakes.

3. ACT IN TIME Try not to panic. Know what to do if something happens quickly

Emotions effect drivingDriving when impatient, worried, afraid, or

angry is difficult. Cool off first and stay off road till calm.

Impatient drivers speed and rushIf your driver is upset, delay them or talk to

them, or stay out of car!

Lighting a cigaretteFastening a seat beltChildrenReaching across the carTaking off a coatReadingCell phonesEatingShavingPutting on makeup Mayhem Toddler

A tired driver can be as dangerous as a drunk driver

Maggie's Law = It is illegal to knowingly drive a vehicle while impaired by lack of sleep

Highway Hypnosis = Trance-like state caused from focusing on the road for too long.

Highway Hypnosis

-Sleep deprived peoplePeople who:Drive aloneDrive long distancesAre youngAre Commercial DriversAre taking medicines that may cause

drowsiness

Communicate using hand and turn signals.Use horn to warn other drivers and try to

make eye contact when communicating (not when aggressive)

Be patient in town or city traffic.Do not rely on other drivers.Know all traffic laws and rules

Communicating and Driving

Tailgating is following too closely behind the vehicle in front of you.

It is illegal and dangerousReduces reaction time greatly5 point ticket

Always signal lane changes!!Keep these points in mind when passing or

changing lanes:---Only change lanes or pass if necessary

---Only pass if it can be completed without speeding

---Do not tailgate

---Check traffic ahead and behind

---Only pass when signs and lines permit

---Tap horn if necessary(not in business or residential zones)

---Return to lane only when fully in front of vehicle

---Cancel turn signal when completed

Be carefulStay in proper laneSlow down to make pass easierReturn to proper speed after you’ve been

fully passed.It is illegal to speed up while another vehicle

is attempting to pass you.

Keep 1 car length (20 ft) for each 10 mph of speed.

Increase in bad weather.

Reasons to increase, or double the car lengths = Wet pavement, Gravel, Packed Snow, Ice

Choose a fixed object ahead of car you are following.

At least three seconds should pass between the car in front of you passing that object, and your car passing that object.

3 second comedy

Three Second Rule

Drive slowerStop and turn with careAre most slippery

during first few minutes of rainfall.

Decrease speed when driving through puddles.

Pump brakes to dry them

When tires rides up on a film of water.Starts at about 35 mphAfter 55 mph, tires may completely leave

road surface.If that happens, braking is virtually

impossibleTo avoid, do not drive on bald tires, and drive

slow in rain.

Uh Oh

Prepare for winter hazardsLet vehicle warm up before you drive.Remove all snow and ice from car.In NJ, you are liable if ice falls from you car

and causes death, injury, or property damage.Do not pump the brake too hard on ice, or you

may skid.Drivers may use studded tires between:driving in snow - YouTube

NOVEMBER 15 and APRIL 1

Increase following distances and alertness when in bad weather. (6 second following distance in snow)**********

Scrape off all ice from windows and turn on defroster to melt ice.

Slow down in fog. Use fog lights, or pavement markings. DO NOT use HIGH BEAMS!!

.

At night, vision is reduced.Drive at a slower speed and have enough

time to react.Keep in mind these things when driving at

night:1. speed2. reaction distance (distance traveled before

you hit the brakes.)3. braking distance (distance needed to

completely stop vehicle.)

City DrivingDrive slowerWatch for PedestriansLook at least 12 seconds ahead.

Highway DrivingExpect the unexpectedDrive CarefullyDo not go over posted speed limit

Stay alertPay close attentionTurn on headlightsDon’t tailgateDon’t speedMinimize distractionsExpect the unexpectedBe patient

There are usually warnings in advance, sometimes up to mile.

You may have to take a detour.Workers may hold signs to direct traffic.

Different problems that you may face:

If rear of car starts to slide, take foot off gas

To avoid a spin, TURN WHEEL IN THE SAME DIRECTION THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE IS SKIDDING

Do not use brakes

Skid

Signal and turn onto shoulder if needed

Turn on emergency lights on side of road

Never block taillights when fixing car

Put another warning device 300 feet behind car.

If you drift off road, do not try to turn back right away

Stay on shoulder, ease up on gas pedal and slow down.

Regain control of car and turn slowly back onto road.

Get out of the car!!!!Most are caused by

short circuits in the electrical system

Burn

Keep windows up and doors shut.

Keep seatbelt on.Once in the water, roll

down window, or break window to exit car.

Car will float 3-10 minutes if windows and doors are shut.

Swim to safety

Escape.

Put car in low gear, or neutral, and push it off tracks.

If you cannot push car and train is coming, get out away from car, move away from the tracks, watch your car get demolished, and call for help.

Shift to lower gear and pump brake fast and hard several times.

Also use parking brake

Look for safe place to stop off roadway

Hold Steering wheel firmly

Keep vehicle straight and gradually slow down

Remove foot from Gas peddle

DO NOT PRESS BRAKES

Video

Tire Blowout

Shift to Neutral and steer car to a safe area on the road.

Power steering failuresHeadlight failuresHood latch failureWindshield wiper failure

Always slow down and leave roadway to fix problem

If you see your car may hit something, you can do 3 things:

STOP QUICKLY - Put maximum pressure on brakes

TURN QUICKLY – If you cannot fully stop in time, or if you can turn away without hitting brakes, this will avoid any skidding.

SPEED UP – Try to pass the danger up. Regain speed after threat is gone.

Video

Do not turn into oncoming traffic

Choose to hit something moving in the same direction

Hit something that is moving away, or stationary, as opposed to hitting something coming at you

If something unavoidable is coming head on at you, try to steer away and make it a side swipe.

Some collisions

Rear Collision – Apply brakes to avoid being hit into car in front of you.

Side Collision – Keep tight grip on wheel so you do not get thrown from car, and be ready to turn

Head on Collision – Use hands and arms to protect face.

Stop vehicleRemain calmAssume the worst and get helpWait at scene but do not block trafficAsk for assistance if neededWarn oncoming traffic if needed.

More Collisions

AlsoNotify: Motor Vehicle, Police, Insurance Company, and Doctor

if medical attention is needed.