Driver Education Section VI Day 2 - Adverse Driving Conditions

Driver EducationSection VI

• Day 2 - Adverse Driving Conditions

DE SOL 13

• The student will identify changes in the environment that affect visibility and traction and demonstrate an understanding of appropriate driver reaction to these risks

• a. driving at night

• b. smoke and weather related conditions

• c. road conditions and construction

Module Objectives

• Recognize driver and vehicular limitations in reduced-visibility driving conditions and evaluate and execute appropriate response times

• Describe extreme weather conditions relative to driving and evaluate and execute appropriate responses

Day 2–Adverse Driving Conditions

• Bell Ringer – #2

• Which tire (bald or with tread) would be better to have on your car? Which one would work better on a race car? Explain your answers.

DMV Manual p. 21-22

Answer the following questions using the DMV manual. Write the questions and answers

1. What is the biggest contributor to motor vehicle crashes?2. List 3 situations when you should use your headlights.3. What should your first response be when driving in bad

weather? What should you do with your following distance?

4. During what time of day should you turn on your headlights?

5. At what following distance should you use your low beam headlights?

6. Why is it recommended that you use your low beam headlights when driving in bad weather?

7. At what distance is it safe to use your high beam headlights when approaching another car?

8. During rain, when is it the most slippery on the roadways?

9. What part of the roadway tends to ice earlier during freezing weather conditions? Why?

Answers to Questions

1. Failing to identify a risk

2. Rain, fog, snow, sleet, visibility reduced to less than 500 ft., and when you use windshield wipers for bad weather

3. Slow down and increase following distance from 3 to 6 seconds

4. Sunset to sunrise

5. Within 200 ft of vehicle ahead

6. Weather reflects light

7. 500 ft.

8. During the first 30 minutes because of oil mixing with water

9. Bridges and shady areas

Adverse Driving Conditions

• Night Driving– Glare– Low & High Beam Headlights

• Fog• Rain• Snow/Ice• Other Hazardous Conditions

– Sand/dust – Wind – Floods– Extreme Temperatures

Night Driving

Glare– When the sun’s rays, street sign or lights, or

headlights of another vehicle shine directly into your windshield.

COPY THIS SECTION

Sources of Glare• Oncoming and following vehicle headlights• High Beam Headlights• Misaligned Headlights• Dirty Windshield• Paper on dashboard• Facing the sun at sunrise or sunset• Flashing advertisement

Night Driving

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Avoiding Glare

1. Slow Down and look to the right side of the road; make brief glances ahead to monitor path of travel

2. Use BGE mirror settings

Night Driving

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Night Driving

Headlights

The Code of Virginia requiresThe Code of Virginia requires

That you use your headlights from sunset to sunrise and during inclement (bad) weather, such as rain, fog, snow, or when you use your windshield wipers. At twilight, when the sun light begins to fade, turn your headlights ON. This will make your vehicle more visible to others.

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Night Driving

reduces the illumination of risks.requires the eyes to adjust quickly to glare.places limitations on gathering and processing information

in time.

The ability to identify risks depends on vision, and visual acuity is severely limited at night.

Driving at night:

When visibility is reduced at night a driver When visibility is reduced at night a driver needs more time to:needs more time to:identify hazards early and scan in and around

the path of travel to the target area, and

scan the road beyond the lighted zone. (If you only scan the lighted zone you may miss

important clues that warn you of hazards ahead.)

Night Driving

Visibility Limitations at Night

The distance you can see ahead is inadequate at The distance you can see ahead is inadequate at

higher speedshigher speeds

Your headlights provide limited illumination of off-Your headlights provide limited illumination of off-

road areasroad areas

A loss of contrast impairs your ability to judge A loss of contrast impairs your ability to judge

distancesdistances

Blinded by glare from lights of oncoming and Blinded by glare from lights of oncoming and

following vehicles following vehicles

Distance traveled during glare recovery timeDistance traveled during glare recovery time

Head Light Alignment & Speed

Properly aligned Properly aligned LOW BEAMLOW BEAM headlights headlights

beam hits roadway 100 to 150 feet ahead illuminates area above road 300 to 500 feet ahead load, load distribution, and vehicle height affect light beam

distancea maximum safe speed of 40 to 45 mph is based on your

ability to stop within the lighted arealighted area above

road300 to 500 feet

illuminated roadway

100 to 150 feet


Properly Aligned Properly Aligned High BeamHigh Beam Headlights Headlights

illuminated roadway300 to 500 feet

lighted area above road

500 to 1800 feet

the beam hits the roadway 300 to 500 feet ahead illuminates the area above the road 500 to 1800

feet ahead load, load distribution, and vehicle height affect

light beam distancemaximum safe speed is 65 mph based on your

ability to stop within the lighted area


Lower (dim)Lower (dim) high-beams headlights when you are:high-beams headlights when you are:

within 500 feet of an approaching vehicle

following closely behind another vehicle (within 200 feet)

driving on lighted roadwaysdriving in fog, heavy rain, sleet,

snow, or dust


OverdrivingOverdriving your headlightsyour headlights

Your vehicle’s stopping distance is greater than the distance lighted by your headlights.

To determine if you are overdriving your headlights, select an object the moment the headlights pick it up, and count off six seconds.

The posted speed limits are calculated for daylight driving and are often too fast for nighttime conditions.

Dirty headlights and improper headlight alignment will add to this traffic safety problem.

If the object is still ahead of your vehicle, you are driving at a safe speed.

If you have passed it, you are driving too fast.

Class Work #3

• Read Pages 218 and 219

“Driving Safely at low light and at night”

Come up with an answer to the Picture. (219)

“What Would You Do?”

1. List the visibility problems you face

2. Explain how you can manage time and

space to reduce your risk.

FOG

• Fog Reflects light and can reflect your own headlights back into your eyes. Use low beam headlights only and look for road edge markings to guide you. Even light fog reduces visibility and your ability

to judge distances, so slow down.

FOG

Slow downSlow downMake sure your headlights are on Make sure your headlights are on low beamlow beam (aimed at the road surface) to reduce the amount (aimed at the road surface) to reduce the amount of light/glare reflected back at youof light/glare reflected back at youTurn on your Turn on your windshield wiperswindshield wipersIf necessary, turn on the If necessary, turn on the defroster or air defroster or air conditionerconditioner

Driving in Driving in Drifting FogDrifting Fog

FOG

Reduce speed, but NEVER stop in a Reduce speed, but NEVER stop in a travel lanetravel lane

Turn on emergency flashersTurn on emergency flashers Look for an exit from the highwayLook for an exit from the highway

stop beyond end of guard railback up to outboard of the

guard rail turn off all lightswait for the fog to lift

Driving in Heavy FogDriving in Heavy Fog

If impossible to leave highway

Rain

• Use your low beam headlights when driving in rain

• Be extra careful during the first half hour after rain begins. • particularly the first 15 minutes of rain particularly the first 15 minutes of rain

after a long dry period when oil and rubber after a long dry period when oil and rubber particles have collected on the road surface particles have collected on the road surface and mix with waterand mix with water

Snow

• Before you start driving remove snow and ice from your entire car, including the roof, hood and rear of the vehicle.

• Be sure to clear all your windows, side view mirrors and front and rear lights of snow or ice so you can see and communicate with other drivers.

• Slow down before stopping or turning.– When you brake, apply the brakes gently.

• On slippery surfaces, you have the most traction and control when the front tires are rolling. Therefore, your vehicle will respond more effectively to steering than braking.

Snow

Snow & Ice • http://www.in.gov/indot/div/projects/pubs/video.html

Class Work #4

• Read “Minimizing Risk in Rain And Snow”

– Answer Lesson 3 Review Questions 1 & 2.• Question 1 – Write down all Six that are listed

• Answer question 2 as is.

Adverse Weather Conditions

WINTER DRIVING

In winter it is even more important to check that your vehicle is well maintained and serviced so plan ahead

• Keep your lights, windows and mirrors clear from ice and snow • Add anti-freeze to your car radiator and winter additive to the windscreen

washer bottle • Make sure that your wipers and lights are in good working order • Check that your tires have plenty of tread depth and are maintained at the

correct pressure • Listen to weather and travel reports for forecast and road condition

information • Carry warm clothing, blankets, hot drinks, a torch and suitable footwear • If you have to make a journey in bad weather then make sure you tell

someone where you are going and what route you plan to take

Visibility Limitations in Bad Weather

Slow down to accommodate shortened sight distance

Do not stop in travel lane or on shoulder

Turn headlights to low beams

Turn on emergency flashers when traveling below speed limit

Maintain appropriate lane position

If your stopping distance is longer than your sight distance,

you have created a high risk situation –

slow down

Precautions in Bad Weather

Turn on windshield wipers

Be alert for vehicles stopped on the roadway

Be prepared for effects of gusting or strong steady crosswinds

Make all steering, accelerating, and braking actions gently and

smoothly

Other Hazardous Weather Conditions

• Extreme Temperatures

• Floods

• Wind

• Sand and Dust

Flooding


Flash Flooding ConditionsFlash Flooding Conditions

Not Specific to Time of YearNot Specific to Time of Year

Affects braking, steering and Affects braking, steering and engine systemsengine systems


FloodingNearly 50% of flash flood fatalities are vehicle Nearly 50% of flash flood fatalities are vehicle related related

Search for flood prone areas: Search for flood prone areas:

- highway dips- highway dips

- bridges- bridges

- low areas- low areas

Most vehicles will float Most vehicles will float

Very little water on the road surface can Very little water on the road surface can cause loss of controlcause loss of control

HydroplaningHydroplaning


Flooding Two feet of water “carries” most cars Because visibility is limited at night,

driving during flooding condition is very dangerous

Pay attention to all flash flood watches and warnings

Monitor road conditions through the news media

Extreme Temperatures


Additional Demands on Vehicle SystemsAdditional Demands on Vehicle Systems

In Extreme Weather…

Check tiresCheck tiresCheck Check

fluidsfluidsCheck beltsCheck belts

Vehicles are designed to operate in a wide range of Vehicles are designed to operate in a wide range of temperatures, from very hot to extremely cold. However, temperatures, from very hot to extremely cold. However, these extreme conditions can cause stress to any vehicle these extreme conditions can cause stress to any vehicle part that is temperature sensitive.part that is temperature sensitive.

Cold Weather Precautions


• Tires should be balanced, aligned, Tires should be balanced, aligned,

the proper type, and have adequate treadthe proper type, and have adequate tread

- The legal minimum, 2/32 of an inch tread depth,

is inadequate on wet surfaces

• Check tire inflationCheck tire inflation

- Check cold tire pressure regularly

(noted inside driver’s door or in manual)

- The maximum tire pressure listed on the tire sidewalls

is NOT the recommended tire pressure

• Check radiator coolant, hoses, and connectionsCheck radiator coolant, hoses, and connections

Cold Weather Checks


Check heater, defroster and Check heater, defroster and

air conditioner systemair conditioner system

Winterized windshield wiper fluidWinterized windshield wiper fluid

Check drive belts for tension and wearCheck drive belts for tension and wear

Keep lights and glass areas clear and cleanKeep lights and glass areas clear and clean

Check windshield wiper bladesCheck windshield wiper blades

Hot Weather Checks


Tire inflation needs special attentionTire inflation needs special attention Underinflated tires

are subject to heat and pressure buildup due to

excessive flex especially when driving for extended

distances at higher speeds.

The air conditioner, radiator coolant hoses, The air conditioner, radiator coolant hoses,

connections, and drive belts need special connections, and drive belts need special

attention.attention.

due to the extra load placed on these cooling

systems.

• Read “Other Hazardous Weather Conditions”• Answer Lesson 4 Review Questions 1&2

Class Work #5

Other hazardous weather conditions – Sand & Dust, Wind

Adverse Weather Driving Clip

Remember Quiz Tomorrow

Documents

Driver Education Section VI Day 2 - Adverse Driving Conditions