Adverse Driving Conditions

Section 10

Reduced Visibility

WindowsMost important rule is

Keep Your Windows Clean!

Moisture Build-up

• turn on front defroster

• switch on rear defroster

• a/c or heater will help

• open windows as needed

Other Problems

Sun Glare

• try to avoid looking at sun

• use visors

• Drive with low beams on to increase other driver’s visibility of you.

• Other drivers may miss your signal or even not see your vehicle because of severe glare.

Dawn and Dusk

• Dawn and dusk driving can create a dangerous situation.

• Drive with low beams on to increase other driver’s visibility of you.

Night

• Use high beams to see further down the road only if over ½ mile or more behind another vehicle.

• Switch to low beams the moment you see an oncoming car or you the taillights of a vehicle you are approaching or the taillights of a vehicle that just passed you.

Night

• If an oncoming driver fails to switch to low beam,

• Flick your headlights• Slow, move to lane position 3, and glance

at the right edge of the road.• Look ahead with quick, frequent glances.• Do not stare into oncoming high-beams!• Be ready to adjust to unseen situations

after the car passes.

Night

• Overdriving your headlights means?

• driving at a speed that makes your stopping distance longer than the distance lighted by your headlights.

• Use the 4-second stopping rule.

Fog

• Always use low beams, high beams reflect more light back and reduce visibility.

• Fog may reduce your ability to judge distances.

• Avoid dangers by– slowing and– increasing cushion

around your vehicle.

Rain

• Use windshield wipers

• Keep defrosters on high

• Keep low beams on

Wet Roadways

• Rainfall

Roads are most slippery at the beginning of the rainfall. Oil rises to the top and the rain has not washed it off the roadway.

• Hydroplaning

When a tire loses road contact by rising up on top of the water.

Wet Roadways

• Deep Water

• If you do not know how deep the water is, DON”T DRIVE THROUGH IT!

• Floods cause more deaths than any other weather condition, 60% are vehicle related.

If You See Deep Water• Estimate depth by watching other vehicles.

• Look at objects such as hydrants, fence posts, parked vehicles.

• Proceed slowly if the water is just over your rims. Try to drive on the higher, center of the road.

• Tap brakes to create friction to help dry brakes. Continue after water until brakes are normal.

Ice

• Be ready for the worst when ice forms

Ice

• Ice on bridges– bridge and overpasses freeze first because of

air circulation

• Black ice– forms in thin sheets and is very difficult to see.

• Ice in tire tracks– snow can back down into ice in the normal

driving tracks.

Snow

• reduces visibility

• covers road markings

• makes steering more difficult

• increases danger of sliding

• increases braking distance

Snow

• Driving techniques – General

• gentle acceleration• gentle steering• gentle braking

– Rocking• drive forward a little, then• drive back a little,• repeat sequence to work out of snow

Cold Weather

• Check exhaust for leaks and blockage

• Do not race (rev) a cold engine

• Do not set parking brake

Things you need for the cold

• Look and listen for traffic reports• Keep windows clean• Respect lower speeds• Keep a safe following distance• Avoid cruise control

What should I keep in my car?

Blanket

Flares

Extra clothes

Skidding

• Skidding is when the tires lose all or part of their grip on the road.

• Remember– A locked or spinning

wheel provides no steering control

– Never give up trying to correct a skid.

Types of Skidding

• Over-Power Skid – applying to much power – let off the accelerator

• Over-Braking Skid (Non- ABS) – locking wheels during braking – let up on brakes

• Front-wheel Skid – front wheels lose traction – release accelerator, continue to steer

Types of Skidding

• Rear-Wheel Skid (fishtailing) – rear wheels lose traction – release accelerator, steer in direction of skid.

• Skidding in a Curve – probably skidding off the road – reduce speed and correct for type of skid and steer for an off-road path of travel that is as safe as possible.

Other Adverse Weather Conditions

Wind

• can reduce vehicle control

• strong blast after a truck passes or after driving out from under a bridge

Hot Weather

• Overheating, if temperature light goes on– turn off a/c– turn on heat– stop if light stays on and cool engine

Never remove a radiator cap when engine is hot!

Other Situations

• gravel roads– loose rocks act like “marbles”.– use well packed paths

• leaves– wet leaves on the road reduce traction

• construction areas– heavy equipment mud, dirt, or sand on

roadway. Use extra caution in these areas.

The End