Defensive Driving & Safety Rules

RESTRAINT SAFETY Seat Belt Law GDL: All Who has to wear under basic license? All Seat belts prevent –Being thrown from the car –Hitting dashboard or window –Sliding in the seat The lap belt is worn low under the abdomen across the hips. Child Restraint Law Rear facing: –Under 1; under 17 pounds; 26 inches Convertible Car seat: –Up to 40 pounds &40 inches Booster seat: –8 years and 80 pounds No one under in front seat –12 & younger

Examples of Child Seats Rear Facing – new borns / infants Convertible Car Seat – toddlers Booster Seat– Children up to 8 yr. old or 80 lbs.

What are ABS? NOT Air bags; they are anti-lock brakes How do you test them? –Steady gentle pressure New drivers often –Slam the brake possibly causing a skid

Windshield If I do not clear…… –Snow or ice The fine may be….. –$25-$75 –Regardless if it does not becomes dislodged

HOW CLOSE IS TOO CLOSE? Stopping distance variables: –Reaction time –Weather conditions –Vehicle size & condition –Roadway conditions –Speed Stopping distance at –40 MPH=167 feet –60 MPH=343 feet

TURNING Always use a proper signal when: Stopping or slowing Turning Changing lanes At least 100 feet DRIVER SIGNALS

DRIVING IN REVERSE To drive straight a motorist’s head and body should be turned to the right see clearly through the back window The right hand and arm should be placed over the back of the passenger seat. ALWAYS TURN THE WHEEL IN THE DIRECTION YOU WANT THE REAR TO GO.

How to Parallel Park K-turn

“OH NO, PARALLEL PARKING!” 1.Select a space that is large enough. 2.Signal right to alert other drivers. 3.Check your mirrors before stopping. 4.Pull up alongside the vehicle in front of the empty space. 5.Check blind spots 6.Back up slowly, turning your steering wheel all the way to the right. Always look through the rear window when you are backing up. 7.Check to the side and front occasionally to make sure you are clearing the parked vehicle ahead. 8.When the front of your car can clear the rear bumper of the car parked in front of you, turn the steering wheel to the left while continuing to back up. 9.Look through the back window, and stop to avoid bumping the vehicle behind you. 10.Straighten your wheels and center your car in the parking space.

Parking on a hill Turn the wheel to the right (or towards the curb) Uphill with a curb away

SPEED CONTROL: most fatal collisions School Zone/Business/Residential 25 MPH Suburban Business/Residential 35 MPH Other roadways 50 MPH Highways MPH Drivers pay double fines for exceeding a 65 mph limit by _10 mph_. Double fines also apply to most other moving violations committed in a 65 mph zone. Fines are also doubled in _construction & safe corridor_ zones.

Always pass on the _ RIGHT _. You may not pass on the right or shoulder to avoid a car turning left. You may only pass on the right if there is a LANE TO DO SO You are to keep to the RIGHT unless passing, on a one way street, or when it is impractical to travel on that side of the roadway. You must yield to –Emergency Vehicles –Post Vehicles –Ice cream

State law requires that motorists always yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk Fined up to 500, 25 days in jail, 2 points. An intersection which is regulated by a traffic signal or regulatory sign is CONTROLLED –What is the importance of this? –What do I have to do different at uncontrolled intersections?. Driving on private property to avoid a traffic signal or sign is a motor vehicle violation.

FOUR WAY STOP 1.First to stop first to go 2.Yield to the driver on the right 3.Car turning left yields right of way to vehicle going straight

Right turn on Red Come to a COMPLETE stop Check all traffic and for pedestrians Yield right of way, then you may proceed with caution

The best way to enter a curve is to slow down

YOU MUST STOP –At an intersection with a _stop sign_, _flashing red signal_, _red traffic signal_. –If a traffic officer is present –At a railroad crossing with flashing lights, stop at least _15_ feet away. PARKING DISTANCES –Stop Sign: 50 feet –Fire Hydrant: 10 Feet –Crosswalk: 25 Feet YOU MUST MOVE OVER TO AN APPOPRIATE LANE IF POSSIBLE IF THERE IS A STATIONARY EMERGENCY VEHICLE. If lane change is not possible you must slow below speed limit to an appropriate speed.

Buses and Headlights……. –If a school bus has red flashing lights at least 25 feet away. –On the opposite side of a dived highway must slow to 10 MPH. Headlights must be used from ½ hour after sunset to ½ before sunrise When visibility is below 50 feet Windshield wipers are on.