CHAPTER 5 DEFENSIVE DRIVING

Preventing Accidents A. Most accidents are caused by driver error. B. Standard Accident Prevention Formula: 1. Be Alert 2. Be Prepared 3. Act In Time

Aggressive Driving/Road Rage Emotions can greatly affect a motorist’s ability to drive. Examples: Speeding Improper or excessive lane change Tailgating Pass illegally on the right Facial or hand gestures

Screaming Honking the horn Flashing the high beams New Jersey has specially trained enforcement patrols. To report an aggressive driver call (888)SAF-ROAD or cell phone #77

Distractions A. According to NJ State Police, in 1997 Fatal accidents were caused by: 1. Inattentive Driving- 154 deaths 2. Drunk Driving- 135 deaths 3. Pedestrian negligence- 120 deaths 4. Disregard of Stop Sign- 59 deaths 5. Traveling too fast for conditions- 35 deaths

Collisions are caused by a distracted motorist Tailgating Going too fast Drifting into other lanes Ignoring Traffic signs and signals Road markings These are all potential traffic hazards

Examples of Distracted Driving  Lighting a cigarette  Looking in the rear view mirror  Trying to fasten a seatbelt while driving  Watching children or pets in the car  Trying to remove a coat  Reading a book, newspaper, facebook, etc.  Eating  Adjusting the mirror while driving  Adjusting the radio or your music  Applying make-up  And anything else that takes your eyes off the road

Tired Driver Maggie’s Law- illegal to knowingly drive while impaired by lack of sleep Establishes driving while fatigued as reckless under the vehicular homicide statute

Highway Hypnosis Driving behind the wheel for a long period may experience highway hypnosis Trance like state Should try to rest every 2 hours

Drowsy Driving Motorists who are:  Sleep deprived  Have been driving long distances  Taking medications  Young People  Shift workers  Commercial drivers  Driving alone

Communication A. Use signals horn and lights to communicate with other drivers. B. Try to make eye contact with other drivers. C. At night quick flip of headlights

Keep A Space Cushion A. To avoid a collision you need time to react. B. Keep space on all sides of your car. C. Don’t get boxed in. D. One car length – following distances increase with poor road or weather conditions

Following Distance p. 85 A. Tailgating is a common cause of accidents. B. One car length for every 10 MPH C. 2 second rule – Changed to the 3 second rule, 4 seconds or more in the rain. 1. road surfaces are most slippery during the first few minutes of rainfall.

Following Intervals 2 Seconds… Permits driver time to steer out of problem areas at all listed speeds on a dry surface and braking out of problems at speeds under 35 mph. 3 Seconds… Permits driver time to steer out of problem areas at all listed speeds on dry surface and braking out of problems at speeds to 45 mph.

 4 Seconds… Permits driver to steer out of problems at all listed speeds on dry surface and braking out of problems at speeds to legal limit of 65 mph. * Factory equipped passenger car tires may not be designed to steer out of problem areas at speeds beyond 75 mph. Speed rated tires are required due to sidewall flexion problems at higher speeds and turning movements.

Changing Lanes & Passing A. Check Traffic, Signal, Shoulder Check, Smooth change when safe. B. Decide if you really need to pass, Decide if you can pass without speeding. C. Slow down when being passed.

Adjusting To Different Roads A. City Driving- you must be able to handle more: 1. Heavy traffic, pedestrians, less visible vehicles 2. You need to look at least 12 seconds ahead. 3. Be ready for anything.

Highway Driving A. Speeding is a factor in 29% of fatal crashes on dry roads, 32% on wet roads, 47% with snow, & 54% on ice. B. Slow Down, don’t be in a rush to die.

Curves A. Slow down before the curve. B. On right hand curves don’t drift into the other lane. C. On Left hand curves, watch for other vehicles drifting into your lane. D. You must turn the car or it will go straight.

Construction Zones A. Slow down, fines for moving violations are doubled in a construction zone. B. Annually there are nearly 800 fatal and over 300,000 serious injury crashes in work zones.

Wet Roads A. Tires can ride up on a film of water like water skis at speeds of 35 MPH or more. B. To avoid hydroplaning, slow down in heavy rain, standing water or slush and do not drive on bald or worn tires. C. Quick turns or changes in speed may cause car to skid

Snow and Ice A. Motorists are liable if ice flies from their vehicle and causes death, injury or property damage. B. You will skid if you: Accelerate to quickly, Turn to fast, Brake improperly C. Snow tires can be used between Nov. 15 & April 1 of each year.

Night Driving A. 90% of driving decisions are based upon what a motorists sees. B. Drive with in the range of your headlights 500 feet with high beam 350 feet on low beam C. Driver should slow down 25 to 30% from daytime speeds.

Reduced Visibility Under these increase your following distance Frost/Ice Fog – low beam Sun Glare

Driving Problems Ignition system Skids Emergency stops Running off Pavement Car Fires Plunging into water Stalling on RR tracks

Vehicle Failure Brake failure Tire Blow out Power Steering failure headlight Failure Gas Pedal problems Hood latch failure Windshield Wiper failure

Avoiding collisions Stop quickly Turn quickly Speed up

Avoiding Collisions Avoid Head-On Collisions Avoid Head-On Collisions Drive off road rather than skid off road Hit something soft rather than something hard Hit something going your way rather than something stationary Hit stationary object with glancing blow Hit stationary object rather than an approaching object Steer to avoid oncoming traffic

Types of Collisions Rear Side Head-on Parked Vehicle

What to do if you get in a collision A. Stop the vehicle B. Remain calm C. Get help (notify the police, ambulance) D. Wait at the scene and try not to block traffic E. NJ law requires you to report accidents where there is injury, death and/or damage.