Post on 25-Jul-2020
Ch. 5: Defensive DrivingCh. 5: Defensive Driving
MarxMarx
Preventing CollisionsPreventing Collisions
Be AlertBe Alert
�� Never think other motorists will not make a Never think other motorists will not make a
driving mistakedriving mistake
Be PreparedBe Prepared
�� Learn what to do in any situation when you have Learn what to do in any situation when you have
to act fast, and always expect the unexpectedto act fast, and always expect the unexpected
Act in TimeAct in Time
�� Try not to panic; know what to do if something Try not to panic; know what to do if something
happens suddenlyhappens suddenly
Road RageRoad Rage
Emotions have a big effect on motorists Emotions have a big effect on motorists
drivingdriving
You should cool off before driving if angry or You should cool off before driving if angry or
excitedexcited
Remain calm and follow the rules of the roadRemain calm and follow the rules of the road
DistractionsDistractions
Fastening seatbeltsFastening seatbelts
Reaching for money for tollsReaching for money for tolls
Remove a coat/sweatshirtRemove a coat/sweatshirt
EatingEating
Cell PhoneCell Phone
Make UpMake Up
Highway HypnosisHighway Hypnosis
When driving for a long time drivers can When driving for a long time drivers can
experience highway hypnosisexperience highway hypnosis
It is a trance like stateIt is a trance like state
�� Do not look at the same thing for more than a Do not look at the same thing for more than a
few secondsfew seconds
�� Motorists should rest every 2 hoursMotorists should rest every 2 hours
�� Share the driving if carpoolingShare the driving if carpooling
Drowsy Driving: Who is most at Drowsy Driving: Who is most at
risk?risk?
Sleep deprivedSleep deprived
Long distance driversLong distance drivers
Driving through the Driving through the
nightnight
Certain Meds.Certain Meds.
Driving aloneDriving alone
Long, rural, boring Long, rural, boring
roadsroads
Young peopleYoung people
Commercial driversCommercial drivers
Communicating with other DriversCommunicating with other Drivers
Hand signals
horn
headlights
Eye contact
Safe Following DistanceSafe Following Distance
Need a safe distance from other vehicles Need a safe distance from other vehicles
so they have plenty of time to react to so they have plenty of time to react to
emergenciesemergencies
One car length for each 10 mphOne car length for each 10 mph
Increased distance for bad weatherIncreased distance for bad weather
3 Second Rule3 Second RuleUsed to determine a safe following distanceUsed to determine a safe following distance
Chose a fixed object ahead (sign, tree)Chose a fixed object ahead (sign, tree)
As the vehicle ahead of you passes the As the vehicle ahead of you passes the
object start countingobject start counting……
If it takes at least 3 seconds for you to reach If it takes at least 3 seconds for you to reach
that fixed object, you have a safe distancethat fixed object, you have a safe distance
If it takes less than 3 seconds to reach the If it takes less than 3 seconds to reach the
object you need to increase your distanceobject you need to increase your distance
In foul weather, increase to 4+ secondsIn foul weather, increase to 4+ seconds
Changing Lanes & PassingChanging Lanes & Passing
Only pass when necessary & if it can be done Only pass when necessary & if it can be done
without speedingwithout speeding
Check in front & behindCheck in front & behind
Make sure passing is permitted (lines)Make sure passing is permitted (lines)
Use you signal!Use you signal!
Return to the right lane when well ahead of the Return to the right lane when well ahead of the
passed vehiclepassed vehicle
Use signal to return to right laneUse signal to return to right lane
Turn off turn signal!Turn off turn signal!
When being passedWhen being passed……
If you are being passed you need to be If you are being passed you need to be
alertalert
Stay in your lane and slow down to make Stay in your lane and slow down to make
the pass easier for the other motoristthe pass easier for the other motorist
Return to your normal speed after the Return to your normal speed after the
other car is well aheadother car is well ahead
Road ConditionsRoad Conditions
Wet RoadsWet Roads
�� Roads are most Roads are most
slippery during the first slippery during the first few minutes of rainfallfew minutes of rainfall
�� Test brakes when Test brakes when driving through a driving through a
puddle by pumping puddle by pumping themthem
HydroplaningHydroplaning
�� When driving through When driving through
a puddle and tires ride a puddle and tires ride up on a film of waterup on a film of water
�� Can happed at speeds Can happed at speeds as low as 35mphas low as 35mph
�� Lose control of vehicleLose control of vehicle
Snow & IceSnow & Ice
Snow tires help with driving in the snow by Snow tires help with driving in the snow by
providing more tractionproviding more traction
Do not have better traction on iceDo not have better traction on ice
November 15 November 15 -- April 1April 1
http://www.tirerack.com/videos/index.jsp?video=22&tab=winter
Reduced VisibilityReduced Visibility
Snow Covered Road = 6+ second Snow Covered Road = 6+ second
following distancefollowing distance
In the fog headlights must be on low. If In the fog headlights must be on low. If
your car has fog lights, use themyour car has fog lights, use them
When driving at night, a motorist should When driving at night, a motorist should
always be able to stop within the distance always be able to stop within the distance
they can see aheadthey can see ahead
City DrivingCity Driving
Watch for people Watch for people –– very busy!very busy!
Always stop for pedestriansAlways stop for pedestrians
Look ahead 12Look ahead 12--seconds (one block)seconds (one block)
Construction Zones/Work ZonesConstruction Zones/Work Zones
Fines are Fines are doubleddoubled in these areasin these areas
SkidsSkids
If the rear end of your car starts to skid:If the rear end of your car starts to skid:
�� Take foot off gas pedalTake foot off gas pedal
�� Turn in the direction the rear of the car is Turn in the direction the rear of the car is
skidding; be careful not to over steerskidding; be careful not to over steer
�� Avoid using the brakes during a side skidAvoid using the brakes during a side skid
Running off the PavementRunning off the Pavement
If a vehicle runs off the pavement:If a vehicle runs off the pavement:
�� Slow downSlow down
�� Regain ControlRegain Control
�� Turn Slowly onto the roadTurn Slowly onto the road
Brake FailureBrake Failure
What to do:What to do:
�� 11stst: Shift to a lower gear: Shift to a lower gear
�� 22ndnd: Pump brake pedal fast & hard several : Pump brake pedal fast & hard several
times times
�� 33rdrd: Use the parking brake: Use the parking brake
Tire BlowoutTire Blowout
Grip the steering wheel firmly and hold it Grip the steering wheel firmly and hold it
straightstraight
Gradually slow down by removing foot Gradually slow down by removing foot
from gas but from gas but do notdo not press the brakespress the brakes
Gas Pedal ProblemsGas Pedal Problems
If the gas pedal sticks keep eyes on road If the gas pedal sticks keep eyes on road
and shift to neutraland shift to neutral
Steer off the roadwaySteer off the roadway
Turn off engine & call for helpTurn off engine & call for help
What to do in a CollisionWhat to do in a Collision……
Stop the vehicle, remain calmStop the vehicle, remain calm
Assume the worst & get help (police, Assume the worst & get help (police,
ambulance)ambulance)
Wait at the scene, try not to block trafficWait at the scene, try not to block traffic
Ask for assistance if neededAsk for assistance if needed
Depending on location Depending on location –– warn oncoming warn oncoming
traffictraffic
Reporting AccidentsReporting Accidents
Required to notify police if there is injury, Required to notify police if there is injury,
death, or vehicle/property damagedeath, or vehicle/property damage
Do not move bodiesDo not move bodies
If damage is more than $500If damage is more than $500……
�� Send report to MVC within 10 days (if no Send report to MVC within 10 days (if no
police report filed)police report filed)
�� Notify the insurance companyNotify the insurance company
�� See a doctorSee a doctor