Defensive Driving Chapter 5

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Defensive DrivingChapter 5
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CHAPTER FIVE Defensive Driving PREVENTING
ACCIDENTS Prevention Formula 1. Be Alert 2.
Be Prepared 3. Act In Time Describe the
Actions of an Aggressive Driver 1.
Speeding 2. Improper or excessive lane
changing 3. Improper passing
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• Define Road Rage
• Occurs when motorists lose their tempers or
  become frustrated because of a traffic
  disturbance.
• Seven Characteristics of Road Rage
• 1. Run stop signs or red lights 4. Weave
  through traffic
• 2. Speed 5. Honk horn/flash high beams
• 3. Tailgate 6. Unsafe lane change
• 7. Hand or facial gestures

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Distractions

• Collisions are caused by distracted drivers!!
• Smoking eating cell phone
• Applying make-up Adjusting radio
• Reading maps or newspapers shaving
  Remove coat watching children or pets
• Finding toll money texting using laptop
• fastening seatbelt while driving

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• Highway Hypnosis
• Definition
• After long hours of driving you feel trance-like
  with sounds of the wind, tires and hum of the
  engine dulling your senses.
• Tips to Prevent Highway Hypnosis
• 1. Rest before you start.
• 2. Do not take any drugs that may make you
  drowsy.
• 3. Do not drive long hours or late at night.
  Only 300-400 miles a day
• 4. Rest stops every two hours.
• 5. Switch off with another driver every hour or
  so.
• 6. Keep shifting your eyes from one part of the
  road to another.
• 7. Chew gum or sing with the radio.
• 8. Roll down window and get fresh air.

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Communicating with Other Drivers

1. Turn signals or hand signals
2. Catch other motorists eyes
3. Tap Horn

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• FOLLOWING DISTANCES
• Tailgating is a common cause of accidents in
  NJ!!
• 1. One Car Length Method
• One car length back for each ten
  miles per hour of speed.
• 2. Three-Second Rule
• Choose a fixed object as the car in front of
  you passes it. Begin counting to three seconds.
  It should take three seconds before you pass
  the object.
• 3. In bad weather, the three-second rule
  should be increased to four or more seconds.

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• Passing Changing Lanes
• A. List points necessary when passing or
  changing lanes
• 1. only pass if necessary 6. signal
  every lane change
• 2. only pass if it can be completed
  7. tap horn to signal
• without speeding driver
  ahead
• 3. keep a safe following distance 8.
  return to lane when vehicle
  being passed is
• seen in rearview mirror
• 4. Check traffic ahead and behind 9.
  cancel the turn signal
• 5. Only pass when road signs and
• pavement markings permit
• B. What should you do when being passed?
• Slow down and make it easier to
  pass you

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• ROAD CONDITIONS
• Wet Roads
• 1. Drive more slowly
• 2. Complete turns and stopping with care
• 3. Increase two-second rule to four or more
  seconds
• 4. When are the roads the most slippery
  during a rain storm?
• First few minutes rain mixes with
  oil on road surface
• 5. If you drive through a deep puddle,
  what should you do to test the brakes?
• Test brakes by applying gentle
  pressure

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Hydroplaning

• Definition a driving condition where tires lose
  traction on a wet road and float on a layer of
  water or slush.
• 2. To avoid hydroplaning do not drive on
  badly worn tires, slow down when raining or
  standing water or slush on road.

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• Snow and Ice
• What should be done before driving in cold
  weather?
• 1. Let vehicle warm up
• 2. Remove all snow and ice from car,
  including roof!
• 3. Check for windshield wiper fluid
• Braking precautions
• 1. Anti-lock brakes- apply steady pressure
  (DO NOT PUMP)
• 2. Conventional brakes- gently pump brakes
  do not lock wheels

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• Fog
• Increase following distance to 6-seconds
• 1. SLOW DOWN!!
• 2. Keep headlights on low beam and use fog
  lights
• 3. Use pavement markings and other vehicles
  lights to guide you.

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• Night Driving
• Vision is reduced, what should be done to remain
  safe while driving at night?
• a. Keep a safe speed.
• b. Drive within the range of your headlights
• What factors should be considered when driving
  at night?
• a. Speed
• b. reaction time (distance traveled before
  hitting brake)
• c. braking distance (distance needed to
  completely stop)
• d. Watch for unlit vehicles, pedestrians and
  animals

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• ADJUSTING TO DIFFERENT ROADS
• City Driving
• 1. A driver must handle many more
• driving tasks in the city.
• 2. Drive more slowly and watch for the movements
  of others.
• 3. Develop the habit of looking 12 seconds
  ahead.
• 4. When approaching an intersection, reduce
  speed, look right and left, COVER your brake.
• 5. Watch for uncontrolled intersections-no signs
  or lights.

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• Highway Driving
• 1. Stay alert!!
• 2. Stay within the speed limit!
• 3. Keep eyes moving!
• 4. Keep mind alert!
• 5. Always be ready to react to the unexpected!

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• Secondary Roads
• These roads are not designed for heavy traffic.
  SLOW DOWN!!
• Curves
• 1. Slow down before getting to the curve. Your
  car will tend to go straight.
• 2. Once in the curve, maintain a steady speed.
• Road Hazards
• 1. Include hills, dips narrow bridges, bumps
  and railroad tracks.
• 2. Slow Down!
• 3. Speeding and applying the brakes hard can
  cause a skid.
• Construction Zones
• 1. Traffic fines double!! Slow Down!!