Do Now Do you always wear your seat belt? Why?

Driver Safety and Rules “Seatbelts don’t save lives, the people who use them do.” -Unknown-

Seat Belt Law Requires all front seat occupants of passenger vehicles to wear a seat belt The driver is responsible for all passengers under 18 Front seat passengers over 18 are responsible for themselves Motorists with GDL permit or provisional license must use seat belts and must require all passengers seated anywhere to use seat belts

Seat belt safety Seat belts can improve your chances of surviving a crash by 60 percent.

Ways seatbelts help Keep passengers from being thrown from car

Ways seatbelts help Prevent passengers from hitting dash or windshield

Ways seatbelts help Keep passengers and driver from sliding on the seat

Tips for seat belt use Buckle up with lap/shoulder belt on every trip Lap belt and seat belt position Adjusting/Releasing Wear in Back One person in belt

Car Seats Traffic accidents are a leading killer of children.

Types of car seats Infant Seat –Protects a baby up to 20 pounds and 26 inches and faces the rear Convertible seat –Used for an infant or toddler up to 40 pounds and 40 inches

Car Seat Safety Note: –When possible, child car safety seats should be placed in the back seat. –If there is no back seat, move the front seat as far back as possible –Never place a rear-facing infant safety seat in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger side airbag

Child Restraint Law Children up to age 8 or a weight of 80 pounds must ride in a safety or booster seat in the rear of the vehicle Children under age 8 and over 80 pounds must be in a rear seat and use a seat belt Failure to comply could mean a $54 fine and court fees

Air Bags Are designed to supplement seat belts When combined with seatbelts, save many lives but can seriously injure or kill children in the front seat Children safest in backseat Children 12 or younger always ride in back seat

Car Condition Always check a vehicle’s condition before driving it.

Backup Lights Should light when driving in reverse Make sure they work

Brakes Should be smooth/stop car quickly Unusual sounds Test –Conventional –Antilock

Brake Lights Help prevent accidents Replace broken bulbs Replace broken covers

Head lights Help prevent accidents Replace broken bulbs

The horn Don’t over use Tap when coming out of blind area

Steering Should be easy No vibrations/shimmy No play

Taillights Prevent accidents Signal other drivers Kept in working order

Tires No bumps, cuts or bad tread No thumping Check pressure Check tread

Turn signals Clicking sound Flashing Repair Hand signals

Windshield No chips/cracks Clean Wipers work No tint

Snow/Ice State law requires a motorist to remove snow or ice from a vehicle before driving it.

Check around car Look behind and in front of car checking for –Children playing –Animals –Bottles –Etc…

Starting a Parked Car Check windows Adjust seat Adjust mirrors Seatbelt Car in park Doors locked

Check windows Make sure windows are clean and there is nothing blocking you lines of sight

Adjust Seat Adjust seat so all pedals and controls are easily reached

Adjust Mirrors Adjust inside and outside mirrors to reduce blind spots

Seatbelt Fasten seatbelt and shoulder harness, adjusting them for firmness and comfort

Car in Park Make sure car is in park or neutral gear and parking brake is set

Lock the doors Lock Doors to protect yourself and passengers

Posture When seated properly you should be able to see clearly and glance to the rear –Mirrors –Twist of neck

Eye glasses Adjust eyeglasses More than 95% of info a motorist needs is visual

Blind Spots Areas where a motorist cannot see behind his/her vehicle through the mirror Inside and outside mirrors should be adjusted to reduce blind spots

Reducing Blind Spots Adjust mirrors –The outside mirror should be adjusted so that the motorist can see the tip of the driver side door handle in lower right of the mirror

Mirror safety Make sure the path is clear by turning and looking back. Don’t depend on your rearview mirrors.

Reducing Blind Spots Check mirrors –Allow vehicle to pass on left as it disappears from inside rearview mirror you should see its front bumper in outside mirror

Steering Hand Position –For normal driving Both hands on wheel Hold steady 9 and 3 Firm grip

Hand over Hand steering Allows driver to make adjustments while keeping both hands on the wheel Push wheel up from 9 or 3 position then the opposite hand crosses over to the 9 or 3 position

Hand over Hand steering To straighten out do the reverse or allow wheel to slip through your fingers Is well suited for precision maneuvers, steering through curves, intersection entry and exit and skid recovery

Speed control Start slowly Keep steady speed Decrease speed slowly Press brake pedal slowly Quick glance to check speed

Stopping distance What are some factors that affect stopping distance?

Stopping Distances Factors –Reaction time –Weather/road conditions –Vehicle weight –Brake conditions –Condition and type of tires –Roadway conditions –Speed

Stopping distance Look on page 48 of driver manual to follow the chart.

Proper Braking Know your type of brakes Apply gentle pressure to brake Do not pump abs brakes Use right foot for gas/brake left for clutch

Driver Signals Always give proper signal when changing directions or lanes, or stopping or slowing down. Signal at least 100 before turning

Driving in Reverse Check path Steering wheel to right moves car to right Steering wheel to left moves car to left Examples…

Driving Straight in Reverse Head and body should be turned to right Right hand and arm over back of passengers seat Left hand on top of wheel Always drive slowly in reverse

Turning in Reverse Keep two hands on the wheel Turn head and body to see out of rear Using one hand may result in failure of road test

Turning If you miss your turn just make the next one Before turning –Use mirrors and look behind and to both sides –Check for less visible vehicles –Signal first –Slow down before reaching intersection –Keep steady speed and follow markings –Stay in same lane until turn is finished –Turn off signal after turn

3-point turn (K turn) Step 1 –Start at right edge of road –Signal left –Move forward while turning the wheel left –Stop several inches from curb

Step 2 – Signal right – Back slowly while turning the wheel to the right Stop several inches from the right curb

Step 3 – Move forward – Signal left while turning the wheel left Straighten wheels

Parking Downhill wheels towards curb Uphill away from curb Always set brake and put car in park

Angle Parking Watch for traffic Signal and slow down Rear of vehicle must clear parked vehicles Steer sharply into space then straighten the wheels Shift to park apply parking break

Leaving an Angled parking space Check around car Back up slowly check traffic Tap horn Check traffic again Front will swing opposite of turn Back out turning until left front wheel passes rear bumper of vehicle on left Straighten wheels

Parallel Parking Common on city streets –Turn wheels right –Straighten wheels –Turn wheels left –Straighten wheels center car –6 inches from curb