CHAPTER THREECHAPTER THREE

Driver Safety & the Rules Driver Safety & the Rules of the Roadof the Road

Seat Belt LawSeat Belt Law

A.A. Primary Law; all occupants of Primary Law; all occupants of passenger vehicles must wear a passenger vehicles must wear a seat belt.seat belt.

B.B. Driver is responsible for all Driver is responsible for all passengers under the age of 18.passengers under the age of 18.

C.C. GDL- everyone in the car must GDL- everyone in the car must wear a seatbelt.wear a seatbelt.

D.D. Seatbelts improve your chances of Seatbelts improve your chances of surviving a crash by 60%surviving a crash by 60%

E.E. Chances are 3 to 4 times better if Chances are 3 to 4 times better if you are wearing both a lap belt and you are wearing both a lap belt and shoulder strap.shoulder strap.

F.F. Only takes 3 secondsOnly takes 3 seconds

How do Seatbelts Help?How do Seatbelts Help?

►Keep passengers from being thrown Keep passengers from being thrown from the vehicle in collisionfrom the vehicle in collision

►Slow down the body with the vehicleSlow down the body with the vehicle►Keeps passengers from sliding during Keeps passengers from sliding during

sudden turns and stops sudden turns and stops

Car SeatsCar Seats

A.A. Must meet all Federal Motor Vehicle Must meet all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Safety Standards.

B.B. Never place a rear-facing infant Never place a rear-facing infant safety seat in the front seat of a safety seat in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger side air bag.vehicle with a passenger side air bag.

C.C. Car seats for those up to 40 lbs., Car seats for those up to 40 lbs., booster seats for those up to 60 lbs.booster seats for those up to 60 lbs.

Child Restraint LawChild Restraint Law

A.A. A child under 18 months of age must A child under 18 months of age must be properly buckled into a Federally be properly buckled into a Federally approved car seat.approved car seat.

B.B. Children up to age 8 or that weigh 80 Children up to age 8 or that weigh 80 lbs. must ride in an approved safety or lbs. must ride in an approved safety or booster seat in the rear of the vehiclebooster seat in the rear of the vehicle

C.C. Failure to comply could mean $54 fine Failure to comply could mean $54 fine and court costs.and court costs.

Air BagsAir Bags

A.A. Designed to supplement safety Designed to supplement safety belts in frontal crashes.belts in frontal crashes.

B.B. Inflate at speeds of up to 200 MPHInflate at speeds of up to 200 MPH

C.C. In all new cars as of 1999.In all new cars as of 1999.

FYI- Air bags aren’t effective if FYI- Air bags aren’t effective if passenger is not buckled.passenger is not buckled.

Car ConditionCar Condition

A.A. Back-up lights-Back-up lights- must be in working order. must be in working order.

B.B. Brakes- Brakes-

1. conventional disc & drum- pump so 1. conventional disc & drum- pump so not to lock up.not to lock up.

2. Anti-lock braking system- don’t 2. Anti-lock braking system- don’t pump or jerk the wheel when you brake.pump or jerk the wheel when you brake.

C.C. Brake lights-Brake lights- replace when broken, why? replace when broken, why?

D.D. Headlights- Headlights- make sure both are make sure both are working. Only use brights on dark working. Only use brights on dark roads with no other cars around.roads with no other cars around.

E.E. Horn-Horn- use as a form of communication, use as a form of communication, don’t overuse.don’t overuse.

F.F. Steering-Steering- Should not shimmy; there Should not shimmy; there should not be to much play in the should not be to much play in the wheel.wheel.

G.G. Tires- Tires- Check tires before you get in Check tires before you get in the car. Don’t drive on tires that have the car. Don’t drive on tires that have less then 1/16 inch of tread.less then 1/16 inch of tread.

H.H. Turn Signals-Turn Signals- you should be able to you should be able to hear the clicking & see the flashing hear the clicking & see the flashing of the turn signal.of the turn signal.

I.I. Windshield- Windshield- Make sure to keep Make sure to keep clean, inside & out. Make sure clean, inside & out. Make sure windshield wipers are working.windshield wipers are working.

J.J. NJ law prohibits tinting on windshield NJ law prohibits tinting on windshield and front side windowsand front side windows

K.K. Snow/Ice Removal- NJ law requires Snow/Ice Removal- NJ law requires motorists to remove all snow & ice motorists to remove all snow & ice from vehicle before driving.from vehicle before driving.

Starting a Parked CarStarting a Parked Car

A.A. Pre-Start Routine:Pre-Start Routine:

1. adjust seat1. adjust seat

2. adjust mirrors – reduce blind 2. adjust mirrors – reduce blind spotsspots

3. put on seat belt3. put on seat belt

4. start car 4. start car

SteeringSteering

A.A. Place hands at 9 o’clock & 3 Place hands at 9 o’clock & 3 o’clock on wheel.o’clock on wheel.

B.B. Hand over Hand Turning.Hand over Hand Turning.

C.C. Vehicle should be kept in center Vehicle should be kept in center of the lane its traveling inof the lane its traveling in

Speed Control/Stopping Speed Control/Stopping DistancesDistances

A.A. Overall you should start slowly and Overall you should start slowly and gradually speed upgradually speed up

B.B. Chart on page 48.Chart on page 48.C.C. Stopping distances can depend on:Stopping distances can depend on:

1. reaction time1. reaction time2. weather, visibility and road 2. weather, visibility and road

conditioncondition3. weight of vehicle3. weight of vehicle4. condition of brakes4. condition of brakes5. condition of tires5. condition of tires6. speed6. speed

BrakingBraking

A.A. Most common braking mistake Most common braking mistake among new drivers is slamming on among new drivers is slamming on the brake.the brake.

B.B. Apply brakes gently with steady Apply brakes gently with steady pressure.pressure.

Driving SignalsDriving Signals

1.1. Stop or slow down- hand and arm Stop or slow down- hand and arm downward, palm facing to rear.downward, palm facing to rear.

2.2. Right turn- hand and arm upward.Right turn- hand and arm upward.

3.3. Left turn- Hand and arm straight out.Left turn- Hand and arm straight out.

B.B. Automatic turn signals – cancel after Automatic turn signals – cancel after making a turn.making a turn.

C.C. Turn signals must be given at least Turn signals must be given at least 100 feet before you turn.100 feet before you turn.

Turning GuidelinesTurning Guidelines

A.A. Don’tDon’t make a last minute choice to make a last minute choice to turn.turn.

B.B. If you miss your turn If you miss your turn don’tdon’t back up. back up.

C.C. Look around to make sure it is safe to Look around to make sure it is safe to turn.turn.

D.D. Always use turn signals.Always use turn signals.

TurningTurning

A.A. U-Turn:U-Turn: Right blinker-check traffic-left Right blinker-check traffic-left blinker- when clear move forward slowly blinker- when clear move forward slowly while turning the steering wheel all the while turning the steering wheel all the way to the left.way to the left.

B.B. K-Turn: K-Turn: Right Blinker-pull to right –check Right Blinker-pull to right –check traffic-left blinker-when clear move forward traffic-left blinker-when clear move forward slowly while turning all the way to the left-slowly while turning all the way to the left-stop before curb- reverse, turning wheel all stop before curb- reverse, turning wheel all the way to the right- stop-put left blinker the way to the right- stop-put left blinker on and drive forward into your lane.on and drive forward into your lane.

Driving In ReverseDriving In Reverse

A.A. Make sure path is clearMake sure path is clear

B.B. Turn the wheel in the direction you Turn the wheel in the direction you want the rear of the car to go. Front want the rear of the car to go. Front of car will go in opposite directionof car will go in opposite direction

C.C. To Back Up Straight:To Back Up Straight:

1. left hand at 12 o’clock1. left hand at 12 o’clock

2. right arm on passenger seat2. right arm on passenger seat

3. look over right shoulder3. look over right shoulder

D.D. To Back Up while Turning:To Back Up while Turning:

1. Both hands on wheel1. Both hands on wheel

2. look over right shoulder2. look over right shoulder

3. Hand over hand turning3. Hand over hand turning

Parking on a HillParking on a Hill

1.1. Up-Hill Up-Hill withwith Curb: Curb:

A. Turn wheels away from curb.A. Turn wheels away from curb.

2.2. Up-Hill without Curb:Up-Hill without Curb:

A. Turn wheels towards edge of the A. Turn wheels towards edge of the road.road.

3.3. Down-Hill with Curb:Down-Hill with Curb:

A. Turn wheels toward curbA. Turn wheels toward curb

4.4. Down-Hill without Curb:Down-Hill without Curb:

A. Turn wheel towards edge of road.A. Turn wheel towards edge of road.

ParkingParking

►Parallel see p. 53Parallel see p. 53►Angle parkingAngle parking