Chapter 3

Driver Responsibility

Instant Activity

Compared with other age groups, teens have the lowest rate of seat belt use…….

Why aren’t teens wearing seat belts?

Two-thirds of those killed in car crashes were not wearing seat belts…..

Are you surprised by this data?

Discuss with classmates

NJ Seat Belt Law

» Requires the driver, front-seat passengers, and children under 18 years old to be belted.

» All back seat passengers, 18 years of age and older, are required to buckle up.

» Driver is responsible for all passengers under 18.

» Front-Seat passengers 18 years of age and over are responsible for themselves.

Buckle Up

» Seat belts can save a life and improve a motorist’s chances of surviving a crash by 60%

» A motorist chances of surviving a collision are three to four times better if they are wearing

both a seat belt and a shoulder strap. » Fastening a seat belt only takes 3 seconds!

Seat Belt Safety

Tips for Seat Belt Use

» Buckle up with both lap and shoulder belts » Wear the lap belt under the abdomen and low

across the hips» Shoulder portion should come over the collar

bone away from the neck» Never put more than one person in one belt

Seat Belt Situation

A. You are riding with one of your friends to the mall to get a birthday present. Your friend doesn’t buckle up. When you ask them to, they respond by saying, “It’s no big deal.” What would you do?

B. You’re riding home from soccer practice with a parent of a friend.

They aren’t wearing a seat belt. What would you do?

C. You really like this boy (or girl) in your English class. You’re out on a date to the latest movie. They say that it’s not really that cool to

wear a seat belt. What would you do?

D. Your mom is taking you to school one morning, and she’s not wearing her seat belt. She says she is a safe driver and doesn’t

worry about wearing one. What would you do?

Car Seats

» Traffic accidents are a leading killer of children» Infant Car Seat = Up to 20 lbs – facing the rear

» Convertible Car Seat = Up to 40 lbs» An infant seat should NEVER be faced forward

Car Seat Safety

Child Restraint Law

» Children up to age 8 or a weight of 80 lbs must ride in a approved safety or booster seat in the

rear of the vehicle.» Failure to comply with this law could mean a

$54 fine and court cost.

Car Condition

» A motorist should always check the conditon of the vehicle before driving it.

Back up Lights

When driving in reverse, backup lights should be on.

Brakes

» A motorist should be able to brake smoothly and quickly.

» A motorist should be able to stop within 25 feet at 20 mph.

Brake Lights

» If a vehicle’s brake lights are not working, someone may crash into it from the back.

» Always check brake lights!

Headlights

» Bright & Dim lights must work and be in line. » Lights should be kept clean

» If other motorist flash their lights while a motorist lights are on low beam, it could mean

that the lights are out.

Horn

» Never overuse» Use the horn to signal when passing or when

coming out of a blind alley» Always used to alert or warn other driver’s

Steering

» On straight level road, a vehicle should hold a straight course

» The front end should not vibrate

Tail Lights

» Always keep tail and side lights in working order» They help prevent accidents

Tires

Feel or hear any unusual thumping while driving, should check the tires.

Tire pressure should be checked often, especially in cold weather.

Starting Checklist

» All Windows should be clean » Seat must be adjusted

» Inside & outside rearview mirrors adjusted to reduce blind spots

» Seat belts should be fastened » Vehicle should be in park or neutral

» Doors should be locked.

Turn Signals

» A motorist should be able to hear the clicking and see the lighted arrows flash on the

dashboard. » If they do not work, the signals must be fixed

as soon as possible.

Windshield

» Cracks or chips in a windshield could cause it to break

» Should be replaced » Windshield wipers should always work» Use non-freezing spray to stop icing.

» NJ Laws prohibit add on tinting on windshields and front side windows.

Snow & Ice

» State Law requires a motorist to remove snow or ice from a vehicle before driving it.

Blind Spots

Idling Vehicle

» New Jersey law require all motorist to restrict vehicle idling to 3 minutes or less.

Steering

» A motorist should grip the steering wheel by the outside rim at the 9 and 3 o’clock position

» For decades, drivers were taught to hold the wheel at the 10 and 2 o’clock positions. But that advice has changed because of airbag modules

mounted in the steering column.

Stopping Distance

» Stopping Distance depends on:

Reaction timeWeather and road conditionsVehicle weightBrake conditionsType of tires Speed

http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/pdf/Licenses/Driver%20Manual/Chapter_3.pdf

Proper Braking

» Many new motorist make the common mistake of slamming the brake to hard even if

there is no emergency. » The vehicle will jerk to a stop quickly and wear

out the brakes and tires» Motorist should use Right foot for both the

brake and gas pedal. » If manual car – use left foot for clutch pedal.

Driving Signals

» Always use proper signal when turning, changing lanes, stopping or slowing down.

» A motorist should turn on the turn signal at least 100 feet before turning and be sure to

cancel the signal after making a turn.

Hand Signals

» Stop or slowing down: Hand & Arm Downward, palm facing to the rear

» Right Turn: Hand and Arm Upward

» Left Turn: Hand and Arm straight out

Driving in Reverse

» In reverse, turning the wheel to the right will direct the vehicle to the right.

» Steering to the left will direct the vehicle to the left.

» To drive in reverse, a motorist’s head and body should be turned to the right until they can see clearly through the back window of the vehicle

without the use of mirrors.