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