Bell Ringers

What is the Seat Belt Law?

Why do you think the government changed the Seat Belt Law?

How often do forget to buckle up?

Chapter 3

Driver Responsibility and Basic Vehicle Control

“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 beltThe driver is responsible for all passengers under 18Front 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 tripLap belt and seat belt positionAdjusting/ReleasingWear in BackOne 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 beltsWhen combined with seatbelts, save many lives but can seriously injure or kill children in the front seatChildren safest in backseatChildren 12 or younger always ride in back seat

Instrument Panel

Speedometer – This tells you that speed that you are traveling in both miles per hour and kilometers per hourTachometer – This indicates the engine revolutions per minute. Engine damage can occur if needle enters the redOdometer – indicates the total number of miles that a vehicle has been driven. – Trip Odometer – will indicate the number of miles for a

certain period of time and can be set back to zero

Instrument Panel

Fuel Gauge – Shows the amount of fuel in the tank, if tank gets below ¼ full you run the risk of running outTemperature Gauge/Light – warns you when the coolant in the engine is too hotOil Pressure Gauge/Light – warns you when the oil is not circulating at the proper pressureAlternator Warning Light/Gauge – warns that the battery is not being charged and is using stored electricity

Instrument Panel

Brake System Warning Light – reminds you to release the parking brake and warns is the braking system is not working properlyAntilock Braking System Light – tells you the ABS is working properlySafety Belt Light – This reminds you to fasten your safety belt before movingAir Bag Warning Light – tells you if the airbags are working properly

Instrument Panel

Turn-Signal Indicators – These tell you the direction that you have signaled to turnHigh-Beam Indicator – this is a light that glows when the high-beam headlights are on

Vehicle Controls

Steering Wheel – this controls the direction of the front wheels. The steering wheel adjustment lever can mover the steering wheel for better driving comfortSelector Lever – in a automatic transmission vehicle, this is moved to choose forward or reverse gearsThis is located on the steering column or on the center console

Vehicle Controls

Ignition and Starter Switch – the engine is started by putting the key in the ignition and turning the key to the start positionCruise Control – is a device that lets you maintain your desired speed without keeping your foot on the accelerator

Vehicle Controls

Parking Brake – This keeps the vehicle in place when it is parked. It is located either on the far left of the pedals or on the center consoleClutch Pedal – in a stickshift, pushing this down allows to to shift gears. Located to the left of the brake pedalFoot-Brake-Pedal – pushing this slows or stops the vehicleAccelerator Pedal – this is located to the right of the brake pedal. Pushing this will increase the speed of the vehicle.

Devices for Safety

Safety Belts – always wear belt when the vehicle is in motionHead Restraints – padded device on the back of from seats to prevent whiplash injuriesHorn – normally located on the steering wheel.

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 quicklyUnusual soundsTest – 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…

Getting Ready to Drive

Outside Checks – walk around vehicle and look forOil marksTires are inflatedWheels are pointed straightWindshield, headlights, and taillights are clear

Starting a Parked Car

Check windows Adjust seat Adjust mirrorsSeatbeltCar in parkDoors 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 reachedA motorist is properly positioned when he/she can see clearly and can glance to the rearMore than 95% of the info a motorist needs is visual

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 mirrorInside 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 wheelPush 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 fingersIs well suited for precision maneuvers, steering through curves, intersection entry and exit and skid recovery

Putting the Vehicle in Motion

Press firmly on the brakeShift the vehicle into driveTurn on left turn signalCheck for traffic in the rearview mirrorsLook over left shoulder for trafficWhen the roadway is clear, release the brake and gently press on the accelerator moving away from the side of the roadCancel your signal Reach your desired speed and let up on the accelerator

Speed control

Start slowlyKeep steady speedDecrease speed slowlyPress brake pedal slowlyQuick glance to check speed

Stopping the Vehicle

Check traffic in mirrorsLet off the acceleratorGently press on the brake pedalGradually press on brake until vehicle is stopped. Ease up just before stoppingKeep foot on brake if vehicle is still in drive

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 brakesApply gentle pressure to brakeDo not pump abs brakesUse 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 pathSteering wheel to right moves car to rightSteering wheel to left moves car to leftExamples…

Driving Straight in Reverse

Head and body should be turned to rightRight hand and arm over back of passengers seatLeft hand on top of wheelAlways 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 oneBefore 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 curbAlways set brake and put car in park

Angle Parking

Watch for trafficSignal and slow downRear of vehicle must clear parked vehiclesSteer sharply into space then straighten the wheelsShift to park apply parking break

Leaving an Angled parking space

Check around carBack up slowly check trafficTap hornCheck traffic againFront will swing opposite of turnBack out turning until left front wheel passes rear bumper of vehicle on leftStraighten wheels

Parallel Parking

Common on city streets– Turn wheels right– Straighten wheels– Turn wheels left– Straighten wheels center

car– 6 inches from curb

Chapter 3 Project Instrument panel

Demonstrate: Make a poster that illustrates the instrument panel on your family vehicle. Present the illustration to the class, describing the location, function, and operation of each device on the panel. The following page numbers will have illustrations to help you complete this assignment. Remember creativity is what I am looking for.