Activity 5 Flashcards
Before you drive, what 6 things should you do
1- Trip Planning- Each time driving, determine overall transportation needs.
2- Check the Vehicle- MAy not want to drive by yourself, drive w/ someone to public transportation
Braking system, lights, windshield
3- CLEAN THE GLASS- Dirt on lenses can reduce visibility by 50%
4- Adjust Seat and Mirrors
5- Use safety belts
6- child restraints-age 8 or 65 pounds
Whats Bad. Info about driving
Safety belts can trap you inside
Safety belts are good for long trips, not for driving locally
Some are thrown in a car and leave unscratched
Better of being thrown across the car
I can brace myself
Basic Driving
Starting- PArking break must be onn
Accelerating- Smooth and gradual
Steering- 9&3 or 10&2
Speeding- Know how fast ur going
Stopping- Avoid panic stops by seeing events well in advance
Braking- W. ABS hard and steer; W/O, BRAKE HARD BY DONT LOCK IT UP
Seeing- Depends on what you see
Scanning- Well down the road. Look @ least 10 seconds ahead.
Look to sides
Intersections
Any place where traffic merges. b4 entering-scan, Look across intersection b4 moving. Dont block Intersection.
Railroads
When approaching, slow down, look u and down tracks. Dont assume no train is coming- this is the leading cause of death @ RR
Look behind
Check more often when traffic is heavy. Only way to know if someone’s following too closely/fast
Lane Changes
Must check that there’As no vehicles in lane you want to enter, check traffic to sides and behind b4 changing. Includes merging, entrance ramp,entering roadway from curb/shoulder.
When slowing down
must check behind vehicle when slowing. When slowing quickly or @ points where following , driver would not expect you ti slow down
When backing up
Do as little as possible. check behind vehicle b4 gettin in, place right arm on back of seat & turn around to look through rear window. Dont depend on side mirrors
When going down a long steep/hill
Check mirrors when going down hills/mountains. vehicle usually builds speed. Be alert for trucks & buses that may be going too fast
____ ALL THE TIME
SCAN all the time
Communicating
It’s important for drivers to let other road users know they are there& what they plan to do.
5 things to do to let others know youre there
Use headlights use horn when not to use horn Use emerg. signals Stay out of blind spot
2 things to do when letting others know what youre doing
Signal when changing direction
Signal when slowing down
Adjusting Speed
The faster your vehicle is going, more distance it’ll take to turn,slow,stop
Road Conidtion: Curves
Vehicle travel faster in striaght line than curve. Too fast- tires cant grip= skid. Slow down before entering curve,so you dont have to use the break. Braking in a curve causess sidding
Road Conditions: Slippery Road
Slow down @ first sign of rain,snow,sleet. On wet road reduce speed approx. 10mph. On packed snow cut speed in half. Use snow showers or tire.chains. “crawl” on road.
Road COnditions: Water on ROad
Slow down. Most tires have gppd traction up to 35mph. faster=hydroplane. In heavy rain, can loose all traction, @ lower speeds . Takes 2in of moving water to move vehicle. Ease foot of gas pedal. Keep steering straight. Only try to turn in emerg. if must turn- do slowly. Don’t stop till all tires grip ground.
Keeping pace with traffic
Keep pase w/ others. Each time you pass-chance for crash.`
Entering Traffic
Enter @ same speed of traffic. Roadways have ramps to build speed on ramp b4 pull onto road. Dont drive to end then stop, or wont have time to build speed IF have to wait to enter roadway, slow down on ramp to have some room to speed up b4 merging
LEaving traffic
Keep pace. if traveling on exit ramp, don’t slow down until moving onto exit ramp. When turning from high speed to two lane roadway try not to slow too early if traffic is behind.
Slow moving traffic
SOme vehicles are slow- change lane. Watch for large trucks, underpowered cars on steep grades when entering traffic- can loose speed on steep hills-takes longer to build speed. Farm tactors, animal-drawn vehicles, roadway maintence.
Trouble spots
Lower speed to have time to react. Shopping centers, parking lots, down town areas, rush hours, narrow beidges, toll lazas, school,playgrounds,resident, RR
NIGHT DRIVING- DONT OVER DRIVE YOUR_____
dont overdrive your HEADLIGHTS
Drive defensively
DOnt trust driver to DO WHAT YOU THINK THEYRE GOING TO DO, OR WHATD YOUD DO IN THEIR PLACE
How well can you see and react @ 50mph
400ft to react & stop, length of city block. If cant see 400ft, not driving safley at 50mph
HOw well can you see and react at 30mph
200ft to stop 1/2 city block. IF cant see 200ft ahead not driving safely at 30mph.
Darkness
must be able to stop w.in distance of headlights. Headlights should see350ft ahead should drive @ speed that allows you to stop w.in this istance (About 50mph)
Rain,fog,snow
must be able to see 200ft ahead. IF not- cant drive faster than 30mph. In heavy downpour may not be able to see well enough to drive If so, pull off road in safe place-wait
Hills and Curves
may not know whats on other sideadjut speed 2 stop if needed
parked vehicles
Parked vehicle may block view. Give as much room as possible
Sight Distance Rule
If reach object b4 “4” traveling too fast. Can use @ night
Speed Limits
Must comply based on road and vehicles. They’re based on design on road and vehicls that use them. Speed limits posted are for ideal conditions
Space ahead
Rear end crashes-common 3 sec. rule- Watch 4 when rear of vehicle ahead passes sign,pole,stationary point. Count secs. it takes to reach same spot If following too closely-you’re passed the mark b4 finish counting. If so start over
Space Behind
Always maintain safe distance behind vehicle. Do so when: stopping 2 pick up/drop of passengers, parallel parking, driving slowly, being tailgaited
Space to the sides
needed when changing turning lanes. Avoid driving next to other vehicles on multi-lane roads. Keep as much space as possible- make room for vehicles entering roadway that has 2+ lanes
Space to merge
Need gap approx. 4 secs. Dont attempt to merge into gap too small. If want to cross several lanes, take them 1 @ a time
Space to Cross/Enter
Need large enoguh gap to completely cross roas. Need enough space to turn & get up to speed. IF turning left, make sure theres no vehicle/pedestrians blocking. EVen if you have a green light-don’t start to cross intersection if theres vehicle & parked cars. Give extra space to pedestrians/bikes, especially children.
Space to pass
Dont count having enough time to pass several vehicles. Gen. rule-pass 1 vehicle @ a time. Oncoming vehicles-@55mph need 10 secs. to pass. At 55mph you’ll travel 800 ft in 10 secs. So, you’ll need over 1600ft or a third of a mile to pass safely.
Intersections, Lane restrictions,space to return, RR crossing.
Space for Special Situations
Give extra room to those who cant see you, distracted people,drivers in trouble
BE IN SHAPE TO DRIVE- Your ability to be a safe driver depends on…
being able to see clearly, not being overly tired, not driving when on drugs or alcohol, being generally healthy & emotionally fit to drive.
What 3 things does vision help with/what you need vision for
1- Side Vision
2- Judging Distance
3- NIght Vision
Hearing
Helpful. To hear Sound of horns,siren, etc. to alert you. People having hearing problems tend to stay more alert & drive like good like everyone else
Fatigue
Cant function effciently,safely when tired, Could fall asleep behind wheel, crash,injure yourself or others. Be well rested, dont take drowsy meds, eat lightly,take nreaks
Drinking and Driving
NAtionally, alcohol is involved in 41% of traffic crashes in which someone is killed. If even a lil’ alcohol -chances of having accident much greater. No one can drink and drive safely
Health
Cold, sinus infection etc., Heart condition, Epilepsy, Diabetes, can effect driving. If not well let someone else drive.
Emotions
can effect driving greatly. If angry/excited give time to calm down. If worried-focus on driving. IF impatient leave early, give extra time 4 drving
