New Jersey’s Seat Belt Law All Passengers must wear there seatbelts.

The motorist is responsible for all

passengers under 18 years of age.

Front-seat passengers 18 years of age and

over are responsible for themselves.

Non-compliance is a primary offense. A

police officer can stop a motorist solely for a

violation of the seat belt law

Not wearing seatbelt in back seat is a

secondary offense.

Seat Belt Use How do seat belts help us in a

collision and while driving?

Stop us from being thrown from

vehicle in a collision

Keeps us from sliding when going

through sharp curves or bends

Slows body down in a crash

Child Restraint Devices

It is preferred that whenever possible, child car

safety seats be placed in the backseat.

New Jersey Child Passenger Law:

Children up to age eight or a weight of 80 pounds must

ride in a federally approved safety or booster seat.

Children under age eight and over 80 pounds must be in

a rear seat and use a seat belt.

Starting Checklist

1. A motorist should always check the condition of the vehicle before driving it.

Areas to Check: • Windshields

• Lights And Signals

• Tires

• Blind Spots

2. Adjust Seat

3. Adjust Mirrors (Inside and Out)

4. Put on Seatbelts (Make sure passengers do as well)

5. Make sure vehicle is in park or neutral before starting the car.

Blind Spots

These are areas where a motorist cannot see behind his/her vehicle (on both sides) through the mirror

When driving: you can check these

areas by turning and looking over shoulder

A driver should not adjust mirrors while driving, wait until vehicle comes to stop at red light or stop sign to adjust mirrors if needed

Steering and Hand Position

• Grip outside of steering wheel

• 9 & 3 o’clock

Hand over Hand Steering

Benefits include better control of vehicle when turning, and during vehicle recovery.

Stopping Distances

Stopping distance depends on: Reaction time

Weather and Road conditions

Vehicle weight

Brake and Tire Conditions

Speed (The faster a vehicle is going, the longer it will take it to

stop. )

Stopping Distance for Dry Surfaces

Speed Reaction distance

Braking distance

Total distance

10 mph 11 ft 6 ft 17 ft

20 mph 22 ft 25 ft 47 ft

30 mph 33 ft 55 ft 88 ft

40 mph 44 ft 105 ft 149 ft

50 mph 55 ft 188 ft 243 ft

60 mph 66 ft 300 ft 366 ft

70 mph 77 ft 455 ft 532 ft

For every 10 mph a vehicle is traveling it takes

11 feet to react

Hand Turn Signals

Left arm goes out window

Turning

∞ State law requires a motorist signal at least 100 feet before making any turn

Before turning, a motorist should always:

Check mirrors

Signal first (use turn signals or hand signals) and then move into the proper lane.

Slow down before reaching an intersection

Keep a steady speed and follow pavement markings

Always stay in the same lane until the turn is finished

Make sure turn signal is turned off after the turn is completed

Driving in Reverse Straight Line Back • Head and body should be turned to the right until you can see

clearly through the back window

• Right hand and arm should be placed over the back of the front passenger seat;

• Left hand at the top of the steering wheel (12 o’clock)

DO NOT TURN FORWARD UNTIL VEHICLE HAS COME TO COMPLETE

STOP

Driving in Reverse Cont…. Turning Vehicle in Reverse

Two hands must be on the steering wheel

(Same as forward driving position)

Always remember that the front of the

vehicle will swing in the opposite direction

of a turn

Parking on Hills Always turn wheels RIGHT…

Unless parking Uphill with a curb

Parallel Parking 1. Signal to the right to alert motorists that the

vehicle will back up to the right. And Turn / Check too see the way is clear.

2. Begin backing up slowly steering wheel all the way to the right.

3. Begin to REVERSE, once front of the vehicle has cleared the rear bumper of the vehicle in front, stop and check the angle.

4. Turn the steering wheel all the way to the left while beginning to back up slowly. Make sure the vehicle can clear its back bumper.

5. Turn the vehicle’s wheels straight, and center vehicle

6. The vehicle’s tires should be no more than six inches from the curb

K-Turn / 3 Pt. Turn 1) Start from the right edge of the road

2) Check traffic, signal left and move forward slowly while turning steering wheel to the left

3) Check traffic, signal right and back slowly while turning the steering wheel to the right. Stop several inches from the right curb or street edge

4) Check traffic, move vehicle forward, signal left, while turning the steering wheel to the left

5) Straighten the vehicle’s wheels as it faces in the direction you want to go.

No Right Turn No U-Turn Keep Right

Left Turn Only (In Left Lane)

Left Turn or Straight (In Right Lane)

REGULATORY SIGNS

Designate what is permitted on the roads