Bell Ringer 1. List some of the distractions while driving

2. Define Road Rage, Tailgating, and Space cushions

Learning Objectives

• Describe how to use the three second rule.

• Describe how you can safely manage a tailgater.

• Describe how far ahead you should look in city traffic.

• Explain how to select the proper lane for driving

Emotions/ Road RageCommunicating

Space Cushion

Changing Lanes

Passing/ Being Passed

Following Distance

Inclement Weather/ Road Conditions

City vs. Country Driving

Night Driving

Preventing Accidents

Reduce chances of accident by following this formula . . .

• #1--- BE ALERT• Never think the other driver will not make a

mistake• #2--- BE PREPARED

• Learn how to have a good reaction time• #3--- ACT IN TIME

• Try not to panic. Don’t get nervous, stay calm, cool, and collected

Road Rage

Road rage occurs when motorists lose their tempers or become frustrated because of

traffic disturbance.

• Smoking • Watching children and pets in car • Eating • Applying makeup • Using cell phones • Changing CD’s • Tuning radio stations or Ipod • Programming GPS

Avoid DISTRACTIONS

Smoking… should not be doing that anyway.

Watching children or pets in the car

Eating while driving

The most common of all!

Using a cellular phone

Distractions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Changing a CD

Checking out your brand new head unit

Getting that perfect song on your ipod

Tuning the right radio stations

Programming your GPS

• Get a good nights sleep• Don’t take medicines that can cause drowsiness• Do not drive long hours• Take rest stops even if you aren’t tired• Switch drivers• Do not stare • Chew gum or sing with radio• Open window for fresh air

Trance-like/ hypnotic state resulting from driving long hours on a monotonous, non-scenic road such as a highway.

HOW TO AVOID…

WHO IS AT RISK

• motorists• passengers • pedestrians

Turn Signals Brake lights Horn Left Slow or StopRight

Left Turn

Right Turn

Slow and/or Stop

The Wrong Thing To Do: Tailgating

• Tailgating is following too closely being the vehicle directly in front.

• Tailgating is dangerous because it decreases a driver’s time to react.

Tailgating

Why is it important to keep a safe following distance?

• The space provides motorists with time to react in case of an emergency or sudden shift in traffic flow.

• Increased reaction time helps drivers avoid accidents.

There are two methods drivers can use to determine a safe

following distance.

One Car-Length Method

• Keep at least one car length (about 20 feet) for each ten miles per hour of speed

• During bad weather or at higher speeds, increase following distance

You

Speed: 30 mph

Road Condition: Ideal

3 Car Lengths (about 60 feet)

How to:

1. Choose a fixed object such as a sign or a tree, ahead of the car directly in front of you.

2. Make sure the object does not cause any distraction

3. At least two seconds should elapse between the two cars passing the sign or tree.

Count…

OneTwo

Object You

Object

You

Three-Seconds- Plus Rule

• This rule takes into account the traveling speeds of the two cars.

• It can help develop good judgment for proper following distances.

• During bad weather, the three second rule should be increased to four or more seconds.

Three-Seconds-Plus Rule

• Stopping Distance = Perception Distance + Reaction Distance + Braking Distance.

Space Cushion

SPACE CUSHION• Space between your car and

others on all sides.

• The space between you and other vehicles gives you time to

react in emergencies.Space cushion between desks?

Here are the steps for making a lane change: 1. Check mirrors for a space in traffic where you

can enter safely. 2. Check blind spot by looking over your shoulder

in the direction of the lane change. Signal that you want to move left or right.

3. Check again to make sure the way is clear and that no one is coming too fast from behind or from two lanes over on a multi-lane road.

4. Steer gradually into the new lane. Do not slow down - maintain the same speed or gently increase it.

Changing Lanes

Passing on the Left

Your lane has a solid yellow center line.

You cannot safely return to the right lane before reaching a solid yellow centerline for the right line.

You cannot safely return to the right lane before any approaching vehicle comes within 200 feet of you.

You are approaching a curve or the crest of a hill on a two-way road and cannot see around or over it.

You are within 100 feet of a railroad crossing on a two-way roadway.

You are within 100 feet of a bridge or tunnel on a two-way road and your view is

obstructed.

Passing will interfere with oncoming traffic.

DO NOT Pass if…

What is the best thing to do in bad weather?

• It is best not to drive!

• =

But if you have too…

Reduced Visibility• Slow down and give yourself more time.• Scan in and around your path of travel.• Predict others will make maneuvers into

your path of travel.• Make maneuvers gently to maintain

control so that others know what you are doing.

Your Vehicles Windows• Keep them clean!• If windows fog up• Turn on front and rear

defrosters.• Use air

conditioning/heater if it will help.

• Open window if needed.

Sun Glare• At times the sun can

create severe and blinding glare conditions.

• Sun visors can help, but avoid looking directly into the sun.

• Having headlights on can help other drivers see you.

• Be prepared for other divers not to see your signals.

Hot Weather• Hot weather can cause

your vehicle to overheat.

• Watch your temperature gauge to make your engine is not to hot.

• If engine is overheating, you can put the heat on or pull over and let the vehicle cool down.

• Never remove the radiator cap on a hot engine.

When driving in the rain…

• Turn on windshield wipers.

WIPERS ON, LIGHTS ON!

• Allow additional stopping distance.• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxwgH

GCrrS4&feature=autoplay&list=PL61BBA0BBFD412110&index=12&playnext=2

Rain• Keep windshield clear

by using wipers.• If wipers are on your

headlights must be on.• If the rain is so heavy

that you can not see, pull over and find a place to sit out the storm.

• During the first few minutes of rainfall, road surfaces are the most slippery.

• Hydroplaning– 35 mph and up- contact with road surface is like a

windshield wiper– Like water skiing– At about 55mph the tire will lose control with the

road.– No friction to brake

Reduced Traction• Deep Water – when

you don’t know how deep water is, don’t driver through it.

• If you must, try to estimate the depth.

• If there is any possibility it will reach the bottom of your car do not enter.

• Drive slow and ride the brake.

• Test brakes after you get through the puddle.

Snow• The combination of snow,

slushly water, and ice can make very slippery surfaces.

• Gentle acceleration, steering, and braking are the keys to driving in the snow.

• To improve traction you can put chains on your tires. (Nov.15-April 1)

• Rocking a Vehicle – can help move you out of deep snow, mud, or sand by moving forward and back.

Ice

• Be alert if temperatures are below freezing for ice.

• Squeeze brakes in icy areas to check traction.

• Ice on Bridges – bridges will freeze before other roadway surfaces.

• Black Ice – thin sheets of ice on the road surface that is hard to see.

Before driving in cold weather (snow)…• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XzIcGr4S2Q&play

next=1&list=PL61BBA0BBFD412110&index=10• Let the vehicle warm up

• Remove all snow and ice from the car (including the roof).

• Always make sure the vehicle has windshield wiper fluid.

• In New Jersey, motorists are liable if ice flies from a vehicle and causes death, injury, or property damage.

• Use studded snow tires for better traction from Nov 15th – April 1st.

Fog• When your headlights

shine into fog, light is reflected back by water particles.

• Always use low-beams.• Fog can reduce ability to

judge distance. Cars may be closer than you think.

• Thick fog can be very dangerous, you may want to pull over and park on the side of the road.

When driving in fog…

• Slow down in patches of fog

• Turn on your low beam headlights or fog lights… why?

• Turn on your defroster and windshield wipers

• Be alert for surrounding traffic

• In heavy fog, roll all your windows down (one can hear cars before you see them)

Weather Driving Tips• Look and listen for traffic reports.• Keep you windows clear.• Respect lower speeds.• Keep a safe following distance.• Try to keep moving in snow.• Clear off snow from the hood, roof, and

trunk.

Night Driving• 90% of driving decisions are made based on

observations…..At night vision is reduced• Slow down• Be sure you can stop within the distance you can

see ahead• Drive within the range of headlights

– 500 feet-- high beams– 350 feet-- low beams

Headlights• Use high-beam lights to see

further down the road.• Only use high-beams when the

vehicle in front of you is more than ½ mile ahead.

• Switch to low-beams the instant you see headlights of oncoming traffic.

• Switch to low-beams if a vehicle passes you.

• Use low-beam headlights in bad weather, high-beams will reflect the light back at you.

Meeting Other VehiclesIf a driver fails to use low-

beams:• Briefly flick your headlights

to remind the driver to switch to low-beams.

• Slow, and look to the right edge of the road and follow the white line.

• Look ahead with quick glances to check for traffic.

• Do not stare directly into high-beams.

Night Driving

vs.

Driving situations

Traffic Complexity• Driving in heavy, fast

moving, city traffic is very challenging.

• Traffic is more dense• Move cars, buses, and

pedestrians per mile.• Traffic hazards are

closer to you and can quickly block you path.

Following Others• Look beyond the vehicle ahead of you. • Look over, through, or around vehicles ahead of you.• Be aware for brake lights.• Always try to anticipate what the driver ahead is likely to

do.

• Be alert in areas where sudden stops can occur.

• Intersections• Lanes next to parked cars.• Business driveways with high volume

traffic.

Looking Ahead While Staying Back

• By looking far ahead, you will be able to spot problems in time to adjust your speed and position.

• By maintaining a safe following distance you will e able to view the road ahead.

Carpool Lanes• To help move rush hour

traffic many cities now have special lanes like buses and carpool lanes.

• People who ride together save time, fuel, reduce parking problems, and reduce air pollution.

One-Way StreetsOne-way streets can move

a greater volume of traffic with less conflict.

• One-way signs are posted on most one-way streets.

• All moving traffic and parked cars point in the same direction.

• Broken white lines are used to separate lanes of traffic.

Leaving One-Way Street• Left turn – stay to the

far left of the street.• Right turn – stay to the

far right.• Straight – stay to the

middle of the street.• Watch for signs that

may warn that a one-way street will turn into a two-way street.

City Driving Motorists should• Drive slowly

• Look 12 seconds ahead

• Yield to pedestrians

• To avoid accidentsLook, Listen, and Think

Country Driving • On open country roads

motorist should use high beam lights

• Few or no street lights

• Windy/poorly maintained roads

• Deer/animals run towards oncoming cars

How does one drive defensively?

• Make sure everyone in the car is secured (wear seatbelts).

• Do not drive under the influence.

• Drive at the speed limit.

• Be aware of what other drivers on the road are doing, so you can react to them easily.

How to drive defensively… • Follow the laws that control the roads

– do not tailgate– abide by and anticipate the changing of the

traffic lights– read and follow road signs.

• Make sure your car is safe and all parts are maintained.

Why should one drive defensively?

• 41,000 people die each year from motor vehicle accidents.

• Over two million people receive disabling injuries from motor vehicle accidents each year.

• It is the driver’s responsibility to protect yourself and others on the road by driving defensively.

Dangers… People

• Drinking and Driving• Reckless Driving

• Inexperience• Elderly (poor eyesight)

Danger… Mechanical Dirty lights/windshields/mirrors

Wrong mirror angle

Stats• Traffic death rates are 3X as high at

night than during the day• 50 yr. old drivers need twice as much

light to see as well as a 30 yr. old driver• When smoking, the nicotine and carbon

monoxide hamper night vision• On average, 45% of all car accidents

with fatalities were the result of drunk driving

SourcesImages:http://www.flickr.com/photos/sovietuk/5861614/http://www.flickr.com/photos/ottoman42/24385675/in/set-569819/http://www.flickr.com/photos/pbo31/143596412/http://www.flickr.com/photos/fish_at_taipei/198024832/http://www.flickr.com/photos/miika/216440150/http://www.flickr.com/photos/pbo31/183862233/http://www.trucks.about.com/.../l/bl_ramsrt10_8.htm http://www.uniqueshoppes.com/rafflecorvette http://www.autobarthobraat.nl/productssimple1.html http://images.google.com/http://www.whatisnext.co.uk/files/night_driving_1280x1024.jpghttp://www.mpi.mb.ca/Images/WFPColumn/NightDriving.gifhttp://www.keacher.com/photos/images/small/1079591066.jpg

Information:New Jersey. Motor Vehicle Commission. New Jersey Driver Manual. New Jersey, 2006.

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