Driver Education Chapter 3 Driver Safety Rules of the Road Safe driving is the responsibility of all individuals who operate a vehicle on NewJersey roads. Motorists are responsible for the safety of all passengers in the car.

New Jersey Seat Belt Law pg 37 All front seat occupants must wear a seatbelt Driver is responsible for all passengers under 18 years old Front seat passengers 18 years old and over are responsible for themselves

Seat Belt Law Continued… State law requires the driver, front seat passenger and children under 18 years old to wear a seatbelt. Not wearing a seat belt is a primary offense. 3 exemptions to not wear a seat belt, what are they?

Seat Belts 3 exemptions to seat belt law 1- Vehicle manufactured before July 1, 1966 2 - Medical Reason (verified in writing by a Dr.) 3 – Physical Reason (verified in writing by a Dr.)

Seat Belts Save Lives Wearing a seat belt improves your chances of surviving an accident by 60% Chances of surviving a collision are 3-4x better when wearing seat belt and shoulder strap Only takes 3 seconds to do How do seat belts help?

Seat Belts Help How? Keep occupants from being ejected Slow the body down with the vehicle. If a vehicle hits something it will stop but the person keeps going at the same speed the vehicle was moving. Hitting dashboard at 30mph = falling from 3-story building Keep you from sliding on the seat during sudden stops and turns. Keep you in position to control the vehicle.

Car Seats pg.39 Traffic accidents are a leading killer of children Infant Car Seat Protects baby up to 20lbs and 26inches Must face the rear, never face forward! Why? Convertible Car Seat Used for infant or toddler up to 40lbs and 40inches Seat can be adjusted to reclining position and positioned facing the back. When baby weighs at least 17lbs and can sit up without help the seat can be placed in upright position and face forward

Child Restraint Law Children up to age 8 or weigh 80lbs must be in a booster seat in the rear seat of the car Children under age 8 and over 80lbs must be seated in the back seat of car with seat belt Failure to comply with law $54 fine and court cost

Air Bags Federal standards required all manufacturers equip all new cars and trucks with air bags by 1999. Between 1986-2000 front air bags saved the lives of 5,303 front seat riders.

Air Bags continued… Air bags inflate at speeds up to 200mph. They protect front seat passengers in front end collisions. Combined with a seat belt increases chances of survival. Always have children 12 years old and younger ride in the back seat. Air bags can seriously hurt children. SRS = Supplemental Restraint System

Car Condition pg. 43 Things to check before driving! Backup Lights Brakes (ABS) Brake Lights Headlights Horn Steering Tail Lights Tires Signals Windshield

Window Tinting State law prohibits add on tinting on windshields and front side windows

Snow and Ice and Blind Spots pg. 44-45 State law requires a motorist to remove snow or ice from the vehicle before driving. Very important to check mirrors and adjust seat before driving your car to eliminate blind spots. Blind Spot – areas where the driver cannot see behind the vehicle (on both sides) through the mirrors.

Blind Spots

Starting Checklist All windows should be clean Make sure seat is adjusted properly Arms length away from steering wheel and can reach all controls and pedals easily Mirrors should be adjusted Seatbelts fastened Vehicle should be in park or neutral and parking break should be set Doors locked

Idling Your Vehicle What does Idling mean? Idling of your vehicle should be restricted to 3 minutes or less. Fine $250-$1000 Why do you think we have this law?

Driving Techniques pg. 46-47 Correct hand position on the steering wheel is 9 and 3. Hand over hand steering is used for precision maneuvers, steering through curves, intersection entry and exit, and skid recovery. Stopping distance depends on: Motorist reaction time Weather and road conditions Vehicle weight Brake conditions Conditions and types of tires Roadway conditions Speed The faster a vehicle is going the longer it will take stop.

Proper Braking pg. 48 2 different braking systems Conventional drum and disc brake system Anti Lock Braking system (ABS) Common mistake of new drivers is slamming on the brake pedal. Steady gentle pressure ABS brakes do not pump the brakes Always use RIGHT foot for both the brake and gas pedal Manual transmission (left foot)

Driving Signals pg. 49 Use proper signal when… 100 Feet in advance Turning Changing lanes Stopping Slowing down 100 Feet in advance NJ law requires all motorists to know correct hand signals for stopping and turning. Never Rely On Another Drivers Signals!!!

Driving In Reverse Make sure there is no one around. Use Mirrors and turn around to check. In reverse, turning the steering wheel to the right will direct the vehicle to the right. Front end opposite direction. Drivers right hand placed over the back of the passenger seat. Left hand on top of steering wheel (Straight Line Only) Reverse slowly 2-4mph 2 hands on wheel when reversing not in a straight line (parallel parking).

Turning Allow enough time to get into proper lane before turning. 100 feet in advance to get into lane and signal Use mirrors to make sure it is safe. Check for less visible vehicles Signal first Slow down Keep a steady speed and follow pavement markings Stay in same lane until turn is complete Turn signal off when turn completed

3 Point Turn (K Turn) pg. 51 video

Parking Parking when facing downhill Parking when facing uphill Hand brake set, turn vehicle wheels toward the curb Parking when facing uphill Hand brake set, turn the wheel away from the curb

Angle Parking and Parallel Parking Angle parking most often used in shopping centers Signal when turning Careful backing out of the spot Parallel parking is most common parking on city street. Signal first 6” or less from the curb Practice in empty Parking lot