Chapter 12 Chapter 12 Driving in Adverse Driving in Adverse

ConditionsConditions

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Chapter 12 Chapter 12 Driving in Adverse Driving in Adverse

ConditionsConditions12.1 – Reduced Visibility12.1 – Reduced Visibility

12.2 - Reduced Traction12.2 - Reduced Traction

12.3 - Other Adverse Weather 12.3 - Other Adverse Weather ConditionsConditions

Reduced VisibilityReduced Visibility

Whenever visibility is reduced Whenever visibility is reduced drivers need more time to use the drivers need more time to use the IPDE Process.IPDE Process. Your Vehicle WindowsYour Vehicle Windows

The most important rule for your vehicle’s The most important rule for your vehicle’s glass is “keep it clean!”glass is “keep it clean!”

A simple thing like moisture forming on the A simple thing like moisture forming on the inside of your windshield can make the inside of your windshield can make the difference between safe, low-risk driving difference between safe, low-risk driving and colliding with another vehicle. Take and colliding with another vehicle. Take these steps when the slightest amount of these steps when the slightest amount of moisture builds up:moisture builds up:

12.1 – Reduced Visibility12.1 – Reduced Visibility

Turn on your front-window Turn on your front-window defroster.defroster.

Switch on your rear defogger.Switch on your rear defogger.Use Use air conditioningair conditioning and/or and/or heater if it will help.heater if it will help.

Open windows as needed.Open windows as needed.Clean all windows and lights Clean all windows and lights ahead of time in bad weather.ahead of time in bad weather.

12.1 – Reduced Visibility12.1 – Reduced Visibility Sun GlareSun Glare

At times the sum can create severe and At times the sum can create severe and blinding glare conditions. Sun glasses blinding glare conditions. Sun glasses and a sun visor can help, but try to and a sun visor can help, but try to avoid looking towards the sun. avoid looking towards the sun.

By driving with low-beam headlights on By driving with low-beam headlights on all the time, you help other drivers see all the time, you help other drivers see you.you.

Glare on Icy Roads

Glare from Other Vehicles

Driving through deep Driving through deep waterwater

When in doubt When in doubt don’t!don’t!

Ask Coach HillAsk Coach Hill04/19/23 Driving in Adverse Conditions 9

Tips for driving in snow:Tips for driving in snow: If at all possible don’t drive in snow! If at all possible don’t drive in snow! Use all-season tiresUse all-season tires Use Use RockingRocking technique if stuck in technique if stuck in

snowsnow 1.Straighten wheels 1.Straighten wheels

2.Gently accelerate forward and 2.Gently accelerate forward and backwardsbackwards

3.Continue until tracks are made 3.Continue until tracks are made long enough to drive out.long enough to drive out.

ICEICE Predict the worst when ice Predict the worst when ice

begins to formbegins to formCheck for tractionCheck for tractionSlow gradually if car Slow gradually if car

begins to slidebegins to slide If you don’t have to drive If you don’t have to drive

don’tdon’t

Causes for Reduced Causes for Reduced VisibilityVisibility

Dawn and DuskDawn and Dusk RainRain FogFog SnowSnow

Dawn and DuskDawn and Dusk

RainRain

FogFog

SnowSnow

Reduced TractionReduced Traction

Other Reduced-Traction SituationsOther Reduced-Traction Situations Gravel RoadsGravel Roads

Loose gravel on roads can act like marbles Loose gravel on roads can act like marbles under your tires and cause skids.under your tires and cause skids.

LeavesLeaves Wet leaves on the road can decrease Wet leaves on the road can decrease

traction and reduce your stopping and traction and reduce your stopping and steering control.steering control.

Construction AreasConstruction Areas Construction trucks and other equipment Construction trucks and other equipment

can leave mud, dirt, or sand on the road.can leave mud, dirt, or sand on the road.

Reduced TractionReduced Traction SkiddingSkidding

In extreme reduced-traction situations, your In extreme reduced-traction situations, your tires may lose all or part of their grip on the tires may lose all or part of their grip on the road and skid. road and skid.

Skidding can happen on any surface while Skidding can happen on any surface while you are braking, accelerating, or steering.you are braking, accelerating, or steering.

Early detection is one of your best defenses Early detection is one of your best defenses to control skidding.to control skidding.

In all these situations, remember:In all these situations, remember:1.1. A locked or spinning wheel provides no steering A locked or spinning wheel provides no steering

control.control.2.2. Never give up trying to correct a skid.Never give up trying to correct a skid.

Reduced TractionReduced Traction

Over-Power SkidOver-Power Skid If you apply too much power to your drive If you apply too much power to your drive

wheels, they may spin, thus causing a skid. wheels, they may spin, thus causing a skid. To correct this, simply let off your To correct this, simply let off your accelerator.accelerator.

Over-Braking SkidOver-Braking Skid The wheels may stop while you are still The wheels may stop while you are still

moving. To correct this, release your brake moving. To correct this, release your brake pedal long enough to get your wheels pedal long enough to get your wheels rolling.rolling.

Reduced TractionReduced Traction Front-Wheel SkidFront-Wheel Skid

You are in a front-wheel skid if you turn You are in a front-wheel skid if you turn the steering wheel and your vehicle wants the steering wheel and your vehicle wants to slide straight ahead. To correct this to slide straight ahead. To correct this skid, you need to regain traction for skid, you need to regain traction for steering. steering.

To do this, you need toTo do this, you need to1.1. Release accelerator or brake pedal quickly.Release accelerator or brake pedal quickly.2.2. Quickly apply and release the brake pedal to Quickly apply and release the brake pedal to

slow if your vehicle does not have ABS.slow if your vehicle does not have ABS.3.3. Continue to look and steer at the path of travel Continue to look and steer at the path of travel

you want to follow.you want to follow.

Reduced TractionReduced Traction

Rear-Wheel SkidRear-Wheel Skid If you are steering straight and your If you are steering straight and your

vehicle starts to move off target to the vehicle starts to move off target to the left or right, you probably are just left or right, you probably are just starting a rear wheel skid.starting a rear wheel skid.

This skid can be caused by using too This skid can be caused by using too much power or braking on slick much power or braking on slick surfaces.surfaces.

The instant this skid starts, do the The instant this skid starts, do the following:following:

Reduced TractionReduced Traction

Skidding in a CurveSkidding in a Curve If you do skid in a curve, you probably If you do skid in a curve, you probably

are going to go off the road. If so, use are going to go off the road. If so, use the steps to correct a front-wheel or the steps to correct a front-wheel or rear-wheel skid and steer for an off-rear-wheel skid and steer for an off-road path of travel that is as safe as road path of travel that is as safe as possible.possible.

Controlled BrakingControlled Braking A panic stop can lock your wheels, causing A panic stop can lock your wheels, causing

a skid and loss of steering control.a skid and loss of steering control.

Other Adverse Weather Other Adverse Weather ConditionsConditions

WindWind Strong winds can reduce your vehicle Strong winds can reduce your vehicle

control.control. Anticipate a strong blast of wind from Anticipate a strong blast of wind from

the left after the truck passes.the left after the truck passes.

Other Adverse Weather Other Adverse Weather ConditionsConditions

Tips for Smooth Winter DrivingTips for Smooth Winter Driving You can help smooth the way by You can help smooth the way by

following these tips:following these tips: Look and Listen for Traffic ReportsLook and Listen for Traffic Reports Keep Windows ClearKeep Windows Clear Respect Lower SpeedsRespect Lower Speeds Keep a Safe Following DistanceKeep a Safe Following Distance Try to Keep Moving in SnowTry to Keep Moving in Snow Use a Lower Gear on Slippery RoadsUse a Lower Gear on Slippery Roads Avoid Cruise ControlAvoid Cruise Control

Slow down and live! It is most important to remember to slow down when the roads get slippery, and to practice anticipating what could be coming around the next curve. You have no control over who is behind the wheel of that vehicle approaching you. If you are going so fast that you are on the edge of control yourself, you will have no margin of error if the other driver suddenly loses control of their vehicle.