CTS SECTION 4 WEB - Comedy Traffic School® · be equipped with two such windshield wipers, one mounted on the right half and one on the left half of the windshield, except that any

ComedyTrafficSchool.com Section # 4, “Safety” Page 1

SECTION 4


Brakes that fail, engines freezing from lack of oil, lights that do not work, or power and engine failure that lock steering. Any of these problems can be a recipe for disaster. Can you tell what they all have in common? You got it. They all could have been avoided by properly maintaining the vehicle. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" is a well known platitude. So it is with safety on the road. If drivers keep their vehicle in good repair and service it regularly and frequently, many of the dangers of the road will pass them by. Just remember, we are not talking about your car, we are talking about your life. Your vehicle has to meet certain requirements to be able to drive safely on the road. You must be sure to keep good maintenance on your vehicle so that it operates safely for you and others. For example, headlights, windshield wipers, brake lights, mirrors; you must ensure that these are operating properly at all times. If they are not, then you should consider not driving until you can get them fixed. The engine of your car is the power factory of your car. All other systems in your car control something. Some systems control the engine, and others control heat, friction and waste. Properly maintaining all your vehicles systems will not only make your car run better, but help ensure your safety on the road. In this section we will discuss your car's systems.

YOUR TIRES CAUTION: Under-inflated tires wear out faster, are subject to blow-outs (due to flex, the cords get too hot and weaken) and hydroplane at lower speeds. If your tires are Over-inflated, the center of the tread rises and closes the rain grooves, forming a channel for water to rise and lift. Traction is what gives the tires control over the road.

Also:

• Traction is provided by contact with road. • Tread provides Drainage (squee-gees water away).


• Tires are rated by tread type and wear, traction, and temperatures.

• Temperatures will affect pressure 1 pound per 10 degrees. • Tires are bonded with heat. Heat will cause them to unbond. Over

or under inflation, overloading, skidding, spinning and high speeds all generate heat and will lower tire efficiency and life.

• Pressure must be a compromise - performance vs. ride. (lower pressures give smoother rides, but keep above factors in mind. 3 pounds under maximum is reasonable).

• Rotation and alignment can also add life and safety to your tires. There are marks built into your tires (tread wear bars) to show degree of wear. Look for uneven wearing - shows poor alignment, balance, or inflation.

• Get a pressure gauge and learn to use it. Inspect for wear, nails, and damage regularly.

• Make sure your spare tire is in good condition and keep it properly inflated. Also, be sure your tire repair/changing kit is in good condition.

TREAD DEPTH The minimum legal, though not necessarily safe, tread depth for your tires is 1/32nd inch. To check your tire's tread depth, examine the tread-wear bars that are built into the tire. When the tread-wear bars are even with the surface of the tread at more than two spots around the tire, the tire is no longer legal or safe to use.

27465. Tread Depth of Pneumatic Tires

THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD LIGHTING Headlamps: During darkness, every motor vehicle other than a motorcycle, shall be equipped with at least two lighted headlamps, with at least one on each side of the front of the vehicle, and, except as to vehicles registered prior to January 1, 1930, they shall be located directly above or in advance of the front axle of the vehicle. The headlamps and every light source in any headlamp unit shall be located at a


height of not more than 54 inches nor less than 22 inches. (Vehicle code 24400)

24407. Upper and Lower Beam

24252. Lighting Equipment Requirements

On Cloudy days, fog, dusk, and nighttime lessens your ability to see and be seen. Make sure all your lights, front, side, rear, and brake, are functional. Be sure to check both your high and low beams. You may find that the high beams work, and the low ones don't.

Never use high beams in fog, rain, or snow. It is important always to turn on your low beams in fog, rain, or snow to increase visibility.

24406. Multiple Beams 24409. Use of Multiple Beams 24400. Required Usage of Headlights

The law requires that you use your headlights 30 minutes after sunset, and leave them on until 30 minutes before sunrise. Additionally, headlights must be used anytime a driver cannot see at least 1000 ft. ahead and when windshield wipers are being used.

24250. Lighting During Darkness

24251. Lighting Distance Requirements

REAR LIGHTING EQUIPMENT - THEIR PURPOSE AND REQUIREMENTS Tail lights: During darkness, every motor vehicle shall be equipped with at least two lighted tail lamps, red in color, which shall be plainly visible from all distances within 1000 feet to the rear (500 feet prior to 1969). These are needed so that drivers traveling behind you can identify your vehicle at night.


Brake lights: Every vehicle, other than a motorcycle, shall be equipped with two stop lamps, red or yellow in color, visible from a distance of 300 feet to the rear both during normal sunlight and at night. These are needed so that drivers traveling behind you can identify when you are slowing down or stopping.

24603. Stoplamps

24600. Tail lamps

Back-Up lights: Every motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, shall be equipped with one or more backup lamps. Back-up lamps shall be so directed as to project a white light illuminating the roadway to the rear of the vehicle for a distance not to exceed 75 feet. These are needed so that drivers traveling behind you can see that you are intending to back-up. 731- Equipment of Vehicles- (Amendment to CVC 24602) This bill amends the minimum height requirement for red fog tail lamps to not lower than 12 inches (previously 15 inches) or higher than 60 inches. SIGNAL LAMPS AND DEVICES Turn Signal System: Vehicles shall be equipped with a lamp-type turn signal system that are capable of clearly indicating a driver’s intention to turn either to the left or to the right.

24951. Turn Signal System 24606. Backup Lamps

24953. Turn Signal Lamps

Visibility Requirement of Signals: Vehicles with lamp-type turn signals must have signals that are plainly visible and so that other drivers can understand them during the day and during the night from a distance of at least 300 feet to the front and to the back of the vehicle, except


for turn signal lamps on vehicles of size required to be equipped with clearance lamps which shall be visible from a distance of 500 feet during such times.

24952. Visibility Requirements of Signals

Maintaining your lights is very important. Keep all your lights clean. Make sure to maintain and clean your headlights, taillights, mirrors, windshield, and windows. The position of your headlights is important as well. Headlights aimed too high will blind oncoming drivers and create a potential disaster for both drivers.

Auxiliary Driving and Passing Lights: A vehicle may be equipped with no more than two auxiliary driving lamps on the front of their vehicle at a height of no more than 42 inches and no less than 16 inches.

24402. Auxiliary Driving and Passing Lamps 24403. Foglamps 24410. Single Beams

Fog lamps, driving lamps, and passing lamps look similar to one another, but must meet different photometric specifications and the laws concerning their use are different. Single Beam: It can be very dangerous spotting a motorcycle at night. Motorcycles are only equipped with a single beam and they must drive with their lights on at all times to help add visibility to themselves. Oscillating beam headlights are legal in daylight driving. FLUID LEVELS Make sure that your auto's fluid levels are correct. Learn how to check your oil, water, antifreeze, battery electrolyte, transmission and power steering and brake fluids. You can save time, money, and trouble. Make sure you have enough gas. 70% of all disabled vehicles are out of gas!


1. Electrical - ensure basic systems are in good order: Lights (connections good, no shorts, bulbs, etc.) These are REQUIRED systems to be used in times of darkness and low visibility, or to provide extra visibility for safety. Includes headlights, turn signals, brake and back-up lights, emergency flashers, etc. Also: starter motor, relay, solenoid, etc. Plug wires, distributor cap, points, plugs, etc. Make sure battery terminals are clean and connections and wires are good. 2. Brakes - very important! REQUIRED on all vehicles. If disc, make sure pads, calipers, and discs are all in good repair. If drums, check shoes, drums and cylinders periodically. Some firms offer free checks. Make sure the fluid (power/hydraulic)is up to the correct level. If you drive through deep water on road, slow down then after you pass through tap brakes several times to vaporize water that may have gotten on shoes. Parking/emergency brakes are also very important! According to statistics, over 70% of all cars have improperly adjusted parking brakes.

26450. Required Brake Systems

26451. Parking Brake System

3. Belts - your car’s engine has belts required to run the engine properly. One of the most important belts is the timing belt. Without this belt, the engine can't run. Checking your timing belt for wear or looseness will let you know if the belt may likely break soon. Look for signs of wear, such as cracks, shredding or excessive slack. Also look for signs of oil leaks from the adjacent seals, which can damage the belt and considerably shorten its life. Your vehicle owner's manual will recommend at what mileage the timing belt must be replaced. These intervals range from every 60,000 miles to every 105,000 miles. If you don't periodically inspect your timing belt, it might break at an inopportune time.

4. Power Train: Starting system (as above); Engine properly tuned and timed, all cylinders operating at proper compression levels; transmission: if automatic: proper fluid levels, smooth operation, no


slipping. If standard: smooth operation, no slipping, missing, clutch operates smoothly and does not slip or drag. 5. Miscellaneous - Safety warning lights, shocks, and wheel bearings are all important. Horns are emergency signaling devices, NOT for voicing anger/frustration! Must be audible for at least 200 feet, not excessively loud or harsh. Body should be sound, & not pose a hazard to the driver or others. Windshields must be kept clean, wipers in good condition, reservoirs full of cleaning fluid. You are responsible for your car's maintenance. WINDSHIELDS Windshields: A passenger vehicle other than a motorcycle; every bus, motor-truck, or truck tractor; and every fire truck, fire engine or other fire apparatus, whether publicly or privately owned, must be equipped with an adequate windshield.

26700. Windshields: Exception

Windshield Wipers: Every motor vehicle, except motorcycles, equipped with a windshield must also be equipped with a self-operating windshield wiper. Every new motor vehicle, except motorcycles, must be equipped with two such windshield wipers, one mounted on the right half and one on the left half of the windshield, except that any motor vehicle may be equipped with a single wiper so long as it meets the wipe area requirements in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards Governing Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems.

26706. Windshield Wipers

Condition and Use of Windshield Wipers: Windshield wipers must be maintained in good operating condition and must provide clear vision through the windshield for the driver. Wipers must be operated under conditions of fog, snow, or rain and be capable of effectively clearing the windshield under all ordinary storm or load conditions while the vehicle is in operation. Defective Windshields and Rear Windows: It is unlawful to operate any motor vehicle upon a highway when the windshield or rear window is in such a defective condition as to impair the driver's vision to the front or rear.


Sun screening Devices: Sun screens or “sun-visors” are permitted in all automobiles if certain requirements are met. They help block the glare from the sun and help you concentrate on the road. They may only be applied to the front side windows if the driver or front seat passenger has in their possession a letter or document signed by a licensed physician and surgeon certifying that the person must be shaded from the sun due to a medical condition. The devices may not be used during darkness.

26708.2. Sun Screening Devices: Requirements

MIRRORS Every motor vehicle subject to registration in this state, except a motorcycle, shall be equipped with not less than two mirrors including one affixed to the left hand side, so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of such vehicle. The following describe types of when a vehicle shall be equipped with mirrors on both left and right hand sides.

1. When a driver’s view to the rear is so constructed or loaded that it is obstructed.

2. If you are towing a vehicle and that vehicle or load obstructs the driver’s view to the rear.

3. When it’s a bus or a trolley. (NOTE* These do not apply to a passenger vehicle if the view is obstructed by a load which consists of passengers.)

26709. Mirrors


HAVING CLEAR WINDOWS AND MIRRORS Keep your windshield and side windows clean inside and out. Bright sun or headlights on a dirty window make it hard to see out. You should clear ice, frost, or dew from all windows before you drive.

26710. Defective Windshields and Rear Windows It is illegal to block your view of the road by putting signs or other objects on the front windshield. Don't hang things on the mirror. Don't block your view through the back or side windows with objects or signs. Tinted safety glass is allowed in a vehicle if the glass meets U.S. Department of Transportation standards and it is installed in a location permitted by those standards. Motorists with sun-sensitive skin can use removable sun screens on their vehicle's side windows during daylight travel if they have a letter from their physician. Windshield stickers, etc., are permitted only in four places:

• A seven inch square in the lower corner of the windshield farthest from the driver.

• A five inch square in the lower corner nearest the driver. • A seven inch square in the lower corner of the rear window

farthest removed from the driver. • Side windows to the rear of the driver.

26708. Material Obstructing or Reducing Driver's View

Make sure you are able to see and be seen. If you drive in rain or snow, you may have to stop sometimes to wipe mud or snow off your windshield, headlights, and taillights.

ADJUSTING YOUR SEAT AND MIRRORS You should always adjust the seat, mirrors, and safety belt before starting your car. You may have a collision if you try to adjust them while driving. Adjust your seat so that you are high enough to see the road. If you are still too low, you should use a seat cushion. Do this before putting on your safety belt.


Adjust your rear and side mirrors before you start driving. If your vehicle has a day/night mirror, learn how to use it. The night setting reduces the headlight glare from cars behind you and helps you see better.

SUNGLASSES

Did you know that while you’re driving in the sunshine you run the risk of actually being blinded by the light? That can put you in a dangerous situation. Before you cruise off into the sunset, be sure to wear a pair of sunglasses.

! You may be inside the car, but you’re not protected from the sun. Wearing sunglasses while you drive prevents exposure to UV rays as well as sun damage to the eyelids which can lead to skin cancer.

! Sun glare can be extremely dangerous to drivers. Blinding sunshine can block oncoming vehicles, traffic control devices and pedestrians from your sight. Wearing a pair of sunglasses will help to reduce the risk of sun blindness. Just be sure to pay attention to the type of lens you choose.

WINDSHIELD WATER REPELLANT A great aid that can be used to enhance your driving is the use of an auto designed water repellant on your windshield. These specially formulated chemical solutions are applied to windshields, where they form a bond with the glass and help to repel rain, sleet and snow, in effect creating an “invisible windshield wiper” that can vastly improve visibility in wet, wintry weather. When water hits the surface of a windshield treated with this product, the chemical compound in the treatment causes the water to bead and roll off the windshield.

The benefits of water-repellent glass treatment are many: improved all-weather visibility and safety; increased driving comfort; and easier removal of


visibility-hindering objects like frost, ice, salt, mud and bugs.

A university-administered test found that water-repellent glass treatment improved the driving response of a person up to a full second by increasing visibility in wet conditions. To put that into perspective, that’s about four car lengths of extra stopping distance at highway speeds—a distance that can mean the difference between a close call and an expensive, bumper-crunching collision.

Also, because water is more easily removed, these treatments can also make removing snow and ice easier. In addition, the treatment helps wiper blades be more effective by beading any moisture on the windshield so the wipers can easily whisk it away.

Application of the treatment is quick and easy, something that can easily be performed by your automotive technician while your vehicle is being serviced. The treatment is generally applied with a sponge or other applicator and allowed to dry briefly.

Depending on the climate where you live, the water-repellent glass treatment can last as long as a year, but on average it should be reapplied every six months for best results.

Safety is no small matter on wet, slick winter roads, where every last bit of visibility can help you avoid a collision. Make sure you’re as prepared as possible for winter driving by asking your service technician for more information about water-repellent glass treatment.

CONVEX MIRROR The more road you can see, the more trouble you can avoid. Countless collisions occur every day because people simply don't notice each other. The use of a convex or panoramic mirror is a great addition to your car to enhance your driving. Like having eyes in the back of your head, this wide-angle, convex glass mirror gives you an expansive view of what's going on behind you for greater driving safety. Sure, an owl can twist its head around nearly 360 degrees for major visibility, but our human anatomy just doesn't work that way. Besides, taking your eyes off the road is a sure-fire recipe for disaster. With a convex or panoramic mirror onboard, you can keep a close eye on your backside and your blind spots.


BACK UP WARNING DEVICE Drivers often have a limited view of objects behind the vehicle when a vehicle is being reversed. This can result in advertent collisions resulting in personal injury to unseen individuals, such as small children playing on driveways, or in damage to the vehicle from striking short posts or walls in parking lots. An audible backup warning device provides an alert to the vehicle driver if the presence of an unseen object behind their vehicle is detected.

Backup warning devices may use radar or ultrasonic transmitters and receivers facing to the rear of the vehicle in order to detect any objects in the path as the vehicle reverses. The detector is wired into the vehicle's reversing light circuit so that it is only in operation when the vehicle is in the reverse gear. The system detects objects behind the vehicle and gives either audible warnings or illuminates a series of lights to indicate the vehicle's proximity to the object.

Some systems use a rearward-looking camera to identify objects behind a vehicle that is reversing. The resulting image can be monitored directly by the driver on an in-vehicle display screen or in a specially modified rear view mirror. Alternatively, computer-based image processing can be used to automatically detect fixed objects and/or pedestrians and issue an alert.

An audible backup warning device is something to consider adding to your car as another aid to enhance your driving. It’s an extra precaution that can be taken to help avoid collisions and improve safety to those around your car that you may not see or may not see you.


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Amendment to CVC 27315 (d)- Seat Belts Allows penalty assessments and court costs to be added to maximum $20 or $50 fine imposed on first and subsequent seat belt violations, this raising the maximum amount of the fine that may be imposed. The use of your safety belt is required by law if your vehicle is a (an):

• 1968 or later model car • Housecar • Enclosed 3-wheel vehicle (not less than 7x4 feet) with an

unladen weight of 900 pounds or more) • Truck tractor (excludes passenger in sleeper berth).

The safety belt must be in good working order. If it is damaged or not working properly, it needs to be replaced. You and your passengers must wear a safety belt while the car is moving. If not, you or your passenger (age 16 or older) may be given a traffic ticket for not wearing a safety belt.

27315. Mandatory Seat Belt Law


In fact, a seat belt is required for each person in the vehicle. A child who is under the age of eight years of age or at least 4 feet 9 inches in height must be put in a child safety seat in the rear seat of the vehicle. If a child is 8 years of age or younger, the driver, parents, or legal guardian, if present, must put the child in the rear seat, in an approved child safety seat. A change to California’s Child Passenger Safety Seat law now requires children to ride in a car seat until the age of eight, or until they reach a height of 4 feet 9 inches. This law also requires children who do not meet the age or height requirement to ride in the rear seat of a vehicle unless the vehicle has no back seats, the restraint system cannot be properly installed or the rear seats are already occupied by children under age eight. However, the law still maintains that a child may not ride in the front seat of a vehicle with an active passenger airbag if they are under one year of age, less than 20 pounds, or riding in a rear-facing child safety seat. Here are some additional tips for using a child safety seat:

• The back seat is generally the safest place in the car for all children 12 years of age or younger.

• Babies up to 20 lbs. and about age one shall ride in a safety seat secured to the back seat facing the rear of the car. Babies should not be placed forward or backward in the front passenger seat if the vehicle has a passenger-side air bag.

• Children over 20 lbs. and about age one or older shall ride buckled up in the back seat.

• Make sure the vehicle's seat belt is put through the correct slot in the safety seat. Incorrectly fastened safety seats defeat their purpose and can result in injury.

Safety belts can reduce injuries and deaths. Many studies and actual crash tests have proven this. Crash tests have also reinforced the proper way for pregnant women to wear lap and shoulder belts. Wear the lap belt as low as possible under the abdomen and the shoulder strap between the breasts and to the side of the abdomen's bulge. If you wear only a lap belt when driving, your chances of living through a collision are twice as good as those of someone who isn't. If you wear a lap and shoulder belt, your chances are three to four times better. You must wear both your lap and shoulder belt if the vehicle is equipped with both and if the vehicle is equipped with air bags. WARNING: The use of seat belts reduces the chance of being thrown from your vehicle in case of a collision. If you don't install and use a


shoulder harness with the lap belt, serious or fatal injuries may happen in some crashes. Lap-only belts increase the chance of spinal column and abdominal injuries especially in children. Shoulder harnesses may be available for your vehicle, if it is not already equipped with them.

A lot of scary stories are still told about safety belts. Many of the stories are not true. Have you heard some of these before?

• "Safety belts can trap you inside a car." It actually takes less than a second to take off a safety belt. This type of scare tactic often describes a car that caught fire or sank in deep water. Accidents like these seldom happen. Even if they do, a safety belt may keep you from being "knocked out." Your chance to escape will be better if you are conscious.

• "Safety belts are good on long trips, but I don't need them if I'm

driving around town." Half of all traffic deaths happen within 25 miles of home. Deaths can occur when drivers are going 40 mph or less. Don't take chances. Buckle up every time you drive.

• "Some people are thrown clear in a crash and walk away with hardly a scratch." Your chances of surviving a collision are five times as good if you stay inside the car. Even if your car is hit from the side, a safety belt can keep you from being thrown out into the path of another car.

• "I'm only going to the store. My little brother or sister doesn't

need a child's car seat, anyway. It's too much hassle." Car collisions are the No. 1 preventable cause of death of children. More deadly than leukemia or muscular dystrophy, accidents also cripple or disfigure thousands of youngsters for life. Crash-tested child car seats reduce injuries and save lives. An older child can be placed on a crash-tested "safety booster seat," to properly fit a standard shoulder/lap belt. In a collision, a child can "fly" back and forth within the car, even at low speeds. Protect any small children in your car. Take time to buckle them up in safety belts or car seats. It's worth it, and the law requires that you do.


Most drivers, no matter how carefully they drive, will be involved in at least one traffic collision during their lifetime. The chances of being injured or killed are greater than you might think. About one person in three will be injured or killed in a traffic collision. Since there is no way a driver or passenger can completely eliminate the possibility of being involved in a collision, the best thing is to increase your chances of surviving by always using seat belts. Penalties: First Citation - $20.00 Second Citation - $50.00 and it goes on record.

A child safety seat is required for children who are under eight years old or under 4’9” in height. The driver, parent, or legal guardian, if present, must put the child in an approved safety seat in the rear seat of the vehicle if the child is under eight years of age or under 4’9” tall. Don't put a rear-facing restraint in the front seat. Starting with the first trip home from the hospital, put an infant in the center back seat. Make sure the rear-facing restraint is tightly secured to the vehicle with an adult safety belt and the baby is buckled snugly in. If there's no choice but to put a baby in the front seat, then an on/off switch for the passenger airbag is essential. But before you do this, remember the back seat is safer. Even without airbags, kids riding in back are much less likely to be killed. When babies outgrow their rear-facing restraints, they should graduate to forward-facing ones or booster seats attached to a vehicle's back seat with an adult safety belt. As kids later graduate to adult belts, proper restraint use still is essential. Don't put the shoulder portion of a belt behind a child or under the arm and don't let a youngster do this either because it compromises protection. A lap belt should be positioned so it's low and snug across a child's hips, not up over the abdomen. Older kids should continue riding in a back seat. Only if there are too many children to put them all in back should a child be allowed to ride up front. Then make sure the seat is all the way back. Leaning forward, for example, to fiddle with radio dials can put a child at risk. If you worry about keeping a child sitting back, you may wish to consider getting an on/off switch for the passenger airbag.


NOT ALL child seats can be installed in all vehicles and all seating positions. With numerous models of child seats, almost 300 models of passenger vehicles, and the wide range of belt systems available today, correctly installing a child seat can be challenging. The best way to be sure your child seat is compatible with the vehicle you are considering is to test it before you purchase or lease the vehicle. Be sure to read the child seat's instruction manual and review all information in the vehicle owner's manual concerning correct installation. Once the seat is installed, check it by firmly pulling the base of the child seat from side to side and forward. The child seat should not move more than one inch in any direction.

27360. Child Passenger Restraints: Requirements

Kaitlyn's Law: The purpose of this law is to help prevent injuries to, and the death of, young children from the effects of being left alone in a mo/tor vehicle. This law states that a parent or legal guardian cannot leave a child under the age of 6 years old or younger inside a motor vehicle without supervision of a person who is 12 years of age or older under certain conditions. These conditions are if there is a significant risk to the child's safety and health or when the vehicle's engine is running or the keys are in the ignition. This is punishable by a fine of $100.00. Amendment to California Vehicle Code section 21212: As of January 2003 California law requires all persons under 18 years of age to wear a properly-fitted and fastened bicycle helmet while operating a bicycle or riding upon a bicycle as a passenger, operating a non-motorized scooter or skateboard, wearing in-line or roller skates, or while riding upon a non-motorized scooter or skateboard as a passenger. Child Safety Restraints- Amendment to CVC 27360 Requires that a child who is required to be secured in a child safety seat (Under 8 years of age), be secured in the rear seat of the vehicle. A child is allowed to be properly secured in child safety seat in the front seat of the vehicle if:

• There is no rear seat • The rear seats are side facing jump seats • The rear seats are rear-facing seats • The restraint system cannot be installed properly in the rear seat


• All rear seats are occupied by children under the age of 7 years • Medical reasons necessitate that the child not ride in the rear

A child may not ride in the front seat of a motor vehicle with an active passenger air bag if they are under one year of age, weigh less than 20 pounds, or riding in a rear-facing child passenger restraint system. Vehicle Code Section 12814.6 and Health and Safety Code 118947 This bill makes it an infraction for a person to smoke a cigarette, pipe, or cigar in a motor vehicle when a minor is present in the vehicle. The law applies whether the vehicle is at rest or in motion, is secondary enforcement and punishable by a fine not exceeding $100. Health and Safety Code 118947 This act shall be known, and may be cited, as the Marco Firebaugh Memorial Children's Health and Safety Act of 2007. Section 118948 of the Health and Safety Code:

• It is unlawful for a person to smoke a pipe, cigar, or cigarette in a motor vehicle whether in motion or at rest, in which there is a minor.

• For the purposes of this section, “to smoke” means to have in one's immediate possession a lighted pipe, cigar, or cigarette containing tobacco or any other plant.

• A violation of this section is an infraction punishable by a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100) for each violation.

Section 118949 A law enforcement officer shall not stop a vehicle for the sole purpose of determining whether the driver is in violation of this article.

• The back seat is generally the safest place in the car for all

children 12 years of age or younger.

• Babies up to 20 lbs. and about age one should ride in a safety seat secured to the back seat facing the rear of the car.

• Babies should not be placed forward or backward in the front

passenger seat if the vehicle has a passenger-side air bag.


• Children over 20 lbs. and about age one or older should ride buckled up in the back seat.

• Make sure the vehicle's seat belt is put through the correct slot in

the safety seat. Incorrectly fastened safety seats defeat their purpose and can result in injury.

These permanent seats are designed to restrain children at least 1 year old and at least 20 pounds in a forward-facing position. Because they are built into the vehicle, these seats are an effective restraint system for children. Built-in child seats have an advantage over add-on child seats because they do not have compatibility problems with the vehicle's seat design or seat belt systems. Some manufacturers offer vehicles with a "Top Tether Anchorage System". This is a metal plate or ring-like object bolted into the vehicle. Depending on the vehicle, the anchorage may be located on the shelf or back of the seat, on the floor, or on the ceiling. This anchorage will attach to a top-tether strap that comes with some child safety seats and may improve protection by attaching the top of the child seat more securely to the vehicle. Note: Some manufacturers have introduced the next generation lower anchorages in a few models.

CHILD SAFETY LOCKS Child safety locks are built into the rear doors of most cars to prevent rear seat passengers from opening the doors both during transit and while the vehicle is stationary. Although called a child lock it is equally effective for adult passengers. The lock is typically engaged via a small switch on the edge of the rear doors that is only accessible when the door is open. Some cars implement the locking mechanism as a rotary device which must be turned with the vehicle key, this design prevents "sticky fingered" passengers from disabling the lock as they enter the vehicle. In both designs the lock is completely inaccessible, especially to the passenger, when the door is closed. When the child lock is engaged, the interior handle is rendered useless, usually by disconnecting the handle from the latch mechanism, or by locking the handle in place. In this state the


passenger cannot open the door from the inside and is effectively "locked in", the passenger can only be released by someone lifting the outside handle. Some vehicles implement window-locking mechanisms as well.

As well as the above mentioned mechanism, on many cars there are also window locks. These window locks prevent the windows in the back two doors of the car from opening all of the way. The windows only open to about three quarters. These were put into place from fear of a child 'falling' out of the window.

PROPERLY SECURING HEAVY ITEMS It is illegal to drive any vehicle with an unsafe, unsecured load that is a safety hazard. If you load or secure heavy items incorrectly, it can be a danger to others and yourself. Loose heavy items that fall off a vehicle can cause traffic problems and others could be hurt or killed. Loose heavy items can hurt or kill you during a quick stop or collision. Your vehicle can be damaged by an overload. Steering can be affected by an improperly loaded vehicle making it more difficult to control. Some questions to ask when securing your load: 1. Is there any chance of debris falling (or blowing) out of my vehicle? 2. Would I feel safe if I were driving behind my vehicle? 3. Would I want my loaded vehicle driving through my neighborhood? 4. What would happen to my load if I had to brake suddenly or if I hit a bump? 5. Do I need to drive slower than I normally do? 6. Is my load secured on top, on the sides, and in back? 7. Am I regularly checking my load in the mirror while driving?

CHILD ENDANGERMENT It is illegal to leave a child six years of age or younger unattended in a motor vehicle. Be aware if:

• Weather conditions or other conditions present a significant risk to the child’s health or safety. Example: Leaving a child in a closed vehicle on a very hot day. It is against the law to leave unattended minor children in a vehicle. Additionally, and equally important, it is dangerous and deadly to leave children and/ or animals in a hot vehicle. After sitting in the sun, with even a slightly opened window, the temperature can rise rapidly inside a parked vehicle. The temperature inside a vehicle can rise approximately 40-50 degrees higher than the outside temperature.


Dehydration, heat stroke, and death can result from overexposure to the heat. Remember, if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for children and pets.

• The vehicle’s engine is running, keys are in the ignition, or both. Children may start or move the vehicle causing injuries and/or deaths to themselves or others. With the key in the ignition, automatic transmissions may be shifted "out of park" even if the vehicle's engine is off and the driver's foot is not on the brake. If you leave the key in the ignition and turned to the accessory mode (to listen to the radio, open/close the windows, etc.), your vehicle's automatic transmission may be shifted out of "Park" if you or a child moves the gear selector.

Prevention Tips:

! Teach children not to play in or around cars. ! Supervise children carefully when in and around vehicles. ! Check around your vehicle prior to entering and leaving to

make sure no objects, and especially children are around where you would be driving out and running over them.

! Keep vehicle locked when unattended. ! Never leave keys in the car. ! Engage your emergency brake every time you park. ! Verify whether or not your vehicle has a Brake Transmission

Safety Interlock (BTSI). Read the owner's manual.

What you need to know, now:

! When the vehicle is set in motion, children may become scared and jump out of the vehicle only to be injured or run over. They can also be hurt inside the vehicle, especially if they are unbelted and the vehicle is in motion. Sometimes, the vehicle may end up running over someone else.

! Many vehicles today have a BTSI which is a safety technology intended to prevent children from accidentally putting a vehicle into gear.

! All vehicles with automatic transmission with a Park position, manufactured for sale after September 1, 2010, must have BTSI.

EXCEPTION: The child may be left under the supervision of a person 12 years of age or older.

The court may fine a violator and require him or her to attend a community education program. Also, DMV and court penalties for leaving an unattended child in a vehicle are more severe if the child is injured, requires emergency medical services, or dies.


Virtually all new cars have airbags and they're saving lives. They're reducing driver deaths by about 14 percent and passenger air bags reduce deaths by about 11 percent.

People who use safety belts may think they don't need airbags, but they do. Airbags and lap/shoulder belts work together as a system and one without the other isn't as effective. Deaths are 12 percent lower among drivers with belts and 9 percent lower among belted passengers. However there also are problems with airbags. Inflating bags have caused some serious injuries and deaths. Position is what counts. Serious inflation injuries occur primarily because of people's positions when airbags first begin inflating. Anyone, regardless of size or age, who's on top of or very close to an airbag is at risk. Most airbag deaths have involved people who weren't using safety belts, were using them incorrectly, or were positioned improperly.

People without safety belts or using them incorrectly, especially passengers, are at risk because they're likely to move forward during hard braking or other violent maneuvers before crashes. Then they're likely to be very close to, or on top of, airbags before inflation begins. Improperly positioned people at risk include drivers who sit very close to the steering wheel--10 inches or closer-- and infants in rear-facing restraints in front seats.


MANUAL AIR BAG ON-OFF SWITCH Vehicles with no back seat, or a back seat that is too small to hold a child seat, may be equipped with a special switch that lets the driver control the passenger air bag. The switch has a warning light that must be clearly visible to all front seat passengers that will tell them when the air bag has been turned off. A rear facing infant seat should NEVER be placed in the front seat of a vehicle equipped with an active passenger airbag. Infants and children can be injured or even killed if the air bag deploys. Refer to the vehicle owner's manual for information on the proper use of the air bag on-off switch. Please note: Children are safest when properly restrained in the back seat, whether the vehicle has an air bag or not. In addition, drivers and passengers fitting certain risk profiles can get authorization from NHTSA to have an on-off switch installed by a dealer or repair facility if a switch is available for the vehicle they own. The four risk profiles are:

• Cannot avoid placing rear-facing infant seats in the front passenger seat.

• Have been advised by a physician that you have a medical

condition that places you at specific risk.

• Cannot adjust the driver's position to keep your breastbone back approximately 10 inches from the steering wheel.

• Cannot avoid situations, such as a car pool, that require a child

12 or under to ride in the front seat. Some manufacturers offer vehicles with a system that deactivates the passenger air bag when a special child restraint, sold by these manufacturers, is properly installed. At the time of publication, two vehicle manufacturers offer these systems: Mercedes-Benz and Porsche.

You can get a brochure about on-off switches and an installation request form from local vehicle dealerships, AAA offices, state motor vehicle offices, and NHTSA. Since on-off switches are not available for all vehicles, verify availability of a switch for your vehicle before you request authorization for its installation.


• Sound your horn when necessary to avoid collisions. Don't honk at other times.

• Try to get "eye contact" with other drivers. Sometimes it may be necessary to tap your horn to alert another driver who may want to turn in front of you.

• If a driver is going slowly, don't honk just to make a slow driver hurry. The driver may be ill, lost, or may be having problems with the car.

• Never honk if slowing or stopping your car will prevent a collision. It's safer to use the brakes than push the horn.

• Don't honk simply to show other drivers that they have made a mistake. Your honking may upset them so much that they may make more mistakes.

• Never honk because you are angry or upset.

27000. Horns or Warning Devices 27001. Use of Horns

• Use your headlights when it is cloudy, raining, snowing, or foggy.

• On frosty mornings when other drivers' windows may be icy or foggy.

• Any time you have trouble seeing other cars. Other drivers will be

having trouble seeing you, too. • On small country or mountain roads.


• It is a good idea to drive with your headlights on, even on sunny days. This will help other drivers see you. Your headlights may help you avoid a head-on crash. Don't forget to turn them off when you park!

SEEING CLEARLY As a driver, it is important to adjust to the DRIVING ENVIRONMENT, taking into account the following: Is it day or night? What are the road conditions? Are there any other types of driving distractions? What are the weather conditions?

If you can't see 400 feet ahead, it means you can't drive safely at 55 mph. If you can't see 210 feet ahead, you can't drive safely at 35 mph. By the time you saw an object in your path, it would be too late to stop without hitting it. Adjust your driving to the weather. You should slow down in rain or fog. Turn on your lights during the day if it is hard to see. It is always illegal to drive with only your parking lights on.

Fog: The best advice for driving in the fog is DON'T. You should consider postponing your trip until the fog clears or at least carefully planning your route before you drive. If you must drive, then slow down and turn on your low-beam headlights because the light from high beams will reflect back and cause glare. Never drive with just your parking or fog lights. Increase your following distance and be prepared to stop within the space you can see in front of your vehicle. Avoid crossing or passing lanes of traffic unless absolutely necessary. Listen for traffic you cannot see. Use your wipers and defroster as necessary for best vision. If the fog becomes so thick that you can barely see, pull completely off the road. Look in the rear view mirror for vehicles approaching. Do not continue driving until you can see better. Turn off your lights or someone may see your taillights and drive into you.


Darkness: Be very careful when you drive at night. Go slower because you cannot see as far. Motorcycles are harder to see at night because most have only one taillight. You will have less time to stop if a hazard lies ahead. Make sure you can stop within the distance lighted by your headlights. The law says you must turn your headlights on 30 minutes after sunset and leave them on until 30 minutes before sunrise. You must turn your lights on any time you can't see at least 1000 feet ahead. Use your low beam headlights whenever it is raining. Remember, it is always illegal to drive with only your parking lights on. Use low beams in fog, snow, or heavy rain. Light from high beams will reflect back and cause glare. Remember, it is just as important to BE SEEN by other drivers as it is for YOU to see THEM. Do not blind other drivers with your high beam headlights. Dim your lights by switching to low beams before you are 500 feet from a vehicle coming toward you. If you are following another vehicle, change to low beams when you get closer than 300 feet. Use your high beams whenever possible as long as it is not illegal (i.e., in open country when other cars are not near or on dark city streets when no other traffic would be affected by your high beams). CVC section 24400 - Required usage of headlights

Windshield Wipers On = Headlights On - every motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, be operated with headlamps whenever weather conditions prevent a driver from clearly discerning a person or other motor vehicle on the highway from a distance of 1000 feet, or when driving in conditions that require windshield wipers to be in continuous use.

Speed and Stopping Distances


There are three things that add up to total stopping distance: Perception Distance + Reaction Distance + Braking Distance = Total Stopping Distance.

Perception distance. This is the distance your vehicle moves from the time your eyes see a hazard until your brain knows it. The perception time for an alert driver is about 3/4 of a second. At 55 mph you travel 60 feet in 3/4 of a second.

Reaction distance. The distance traveled from the time your brain tells your foot to move from the accelerator until your foot is actually pushing the brake pedal. The average driver has a reaction time of 3/4 of a second. This accounts for an additional 60 feet traveled at 55 mph.

Braking distance. The distance it takes to stop once the brakes are put on. At 55 mph on dry pavement with good brakes, it can take a heavy vehicle about 170 feet to stop. (About 4 and 3/4 seconds.)

Total stopping distance. At 55 mph it will take about 6 seconds to stop and your vehicle will travel about the distance of a football field (60 + 60 + 170 = 290 feet).

By the time your foot hits the brake, your vehicle has traveled about as many feet forward as the number of miles per hour you are traveling.

26454. Control and Stopping Requirements

REACTION TIME: Use your foot to “cover the brake” as you proceed through an intersection. By covering the brake pedal, you significantly reduce the reaction time necessary to respond to a hazard and also allow the vehicle to slow by removing your foot from the accelerator. The “covering the brake” technique can be used effectively in the following situations: (1) When driving next to parked cars, (2) when you see the brake lights of other cars, and (3) when approaching intersections or signal lights.


If you are traveling at 50 miles per hour, it will take 50 feet just for you to react and put your foot on the brake. Of course, the stopping distance varies depending on the surface of the road, the condition of the brakes, and the skill of the driver in recognizing and reacting to hazards.

Below are average Braking Distances in different conditions. (in feet)

Dry Concrete Gravel Wet Pavement

Packed Snow

Ice or Sleet

20 mph – 47 feet

20 mph – 70 feet

20 mph – 78 feet

20 mph – 105 feet

20mph – 235 feet

30 mph – 88 feet

30 mph – 135 feet

30 mph – 147 feet

30 mph – 194 feet

30 mph – 430 feet

40 mph – 149 feet

40 mph – 232 feet

40 mph – 252 feet

40 mph – 336 feet

40 mph – 745 feet

50 mph – 243 feet

50 mph – 374 feet

50 mph – 404 feet

50 mph – 541 feet

50 mph – 1215 feet

60 mph – 366 feet

60 mph – 561 feet

60 mph – 607 feet

60 mph – 808 feet

60 mph – 1830 feet

70 mph – 532 feet

70 mph – 818 feet

70 mph – 882 feet

70 mph – 1184 feet

70 mph – 2648 feet

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Maintaining control of your vehicle is a key to safe driving. Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) technology has become available to maintain rolling traction, offering skid-free stopping and steering control. ABS allows the driver to steer his/her vehicle out of potentially damaging situations. The anti-lock brake system is engaged only under potentially dangerous conditions and engages when it detects impending wheel lock. ABS is not engaged under normal braking conditions and it will not impair normal braking actions. What is the difference between ABS and conventional automobile brakes? Conventional brakes allow wheels to be locked by the driver and produce a loss of rolling traction. ABS engages when a wheel speed sensor detects impending wheel lock-up, allowing the vehicle to be steered while helping maintain vehicle stability. The two ways that the anti-lock brake system can be deactivated by the driver are by removing the hard pressure from the brake pedal or by pumping the brakes. With ABS, brakes may feel harder to push, have a vibration, and noises may occur. Stopping distance may be longer on some surfaces, such as freshly fallen snow or loose gravel, but the ability to steer the vehicle remains.

FOUR THINGS ONE SHOULD NOT DO WITH ABS:

• Don't drive more aggressively • Don't pump the brakes • Don't forget to steer after checking for clearance • Don't be alarmed by noise and vibration which may occur


If your brakes suddenly give out:

• Downshift to low gear. • Pump the brake pedal fast and hard to build up brake fluid

pressure. You will know in three to four pumps if the brakes will work. Do not pump antilock brakes.

• Apply the parking brake, but be ready to release it if the car begins to skid.

• Remember, you can still steer and swerve. You could steer into bushes or something soft.

• Sound your horn and flash your lights to warn other drivers. • When you no longer need to change direction, turn off the

ignition.

PARKING BRAKE The parking brake is called the parking brake for a reason: you should use it when you park your car. Many people think you only need to use your parking brake (also called the emergency brake) when parking on a hill or if your car has a manual transmission. This is incorrect; whether your car is a manual or automatic, the terrain is hilly or flat, you should use your parking brake every time you park.

The parking brake will hold the car in place while it is parked. A parking brake is capable of a stronger hold than only putting the car in “park”. Of course, you still need to put the car in “park”. Additionally, if your car was hit while parked, the parking brake would provide further stability, lessening the risk of your car rolling away. You should set the parking brake while your foot is still on the brake pedal and before shifting into “park”. Parking brakes can be hand-operated levers located in the center console or a foot pedal located on the far left side of the driver’s pedal area. To set the hand-operated lever parking brake, pull up on the lever. To release the parking brake, press the button on the end of the brake handle and lower the lever. To set the foot pedal parking brake, push firmly on the pedal. To release the parking brake depends on your vehicle. In some vehicles,


the pedal is pushed down until you hear a click. In other vehicles, you must pull on a brake release lever located near the parking brake pedal. Lastly, don’t forget to disengage the parking brake before driving again. Trying to drive with the parking brake on does not sound good and it is not good for your car either. Setting the parking brake when you park and disengaging the parking brake before you drive should become habit, so you should never forget to do either part.

The faster the speed, the less control you have of your car. Rather than just looking at the legal posted speed limit, you should consider what may affect the safe operation of your car. For example, should you drive 35 mph (the posted speed limit) on a curve down an icy mountain road? Many new drivers do not slow to safe speeds for each road. That is one reason why new drivers have more "out-of -control" collisions than experienced drivers.

Unmarked farm and field driveways are an added danger in driving. Pick-up trucks, tractors and other slow moving vehicles can be hard to navigate around. Tall crops and other farm equipment can also diminish a drivers' visibility. Livestock is another potential hazard when driving. You must treat livestock like a pedestrian and give them the right-of-way the entire time. Like pedestrians, livestock can get confused crossing the road. Rough road conditions are yet another obstacle to deal with while driving. Loose gravel, bumps, and potholes can cause your vehicle to lose control.


The unmarked shoulder can cause your car to skid. In rural settings, gas stations or roadside stands can be dangerously close to the road. Be aware for vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Curving, winding two-lane roads in mountains present another adjustment demand on drivers not accustomed to using them. Signaling distances are greater; the act of passing and being passed requires more space allowance between vehicles, and driving, in general, requires a different set of expectations. Motorists unfamiliar with these requirements create dangers for themselves and others. Curves are tough to maneuver in city settings and even harder in a mountainous two-lane settings. Hazards can come in the form of dirt on the roadway, blind corners and unpredictable vehicle speeds. To be safe, lower your speed while braking going through a curve. Visibility is another key factor in a successful mountainous drive. An upcoming hill in the road won't allow you to see what is up ahead. It's a good idea to maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you and watch his brake lights for upcoming dangers. Hills are tough to negotiate because gravity tends to slow a car down or speed it up. Use a lower gear setting while going up a hill for added power and oddly enough use a lower gear while going down a hill. The lower gear will slow your vehicle and save your brakes. Snow, mud, and loose gravel can make it difficult to negotiate. Be aware and take caution while driving in these tough conditions. Brake failure and over heating are other dangers involved in uphill and downhill driving. While traveling down a hill, don't ride your brakes. This can cause your brakes to burn out. Use your lower gears to slow your vehicle down. While climbing up a hill your car can work too hard and over heat. Keep plenty of coolant in your car and turn your air conditioner off to help keep your car from getting too hot. Your vehicle condition is important because driving on hills can cause your car to do what it normally doesn't do. High altitudes can accelerate the overheating of your car because the air is thinner and makes your car work harder. Before you take a big trip, make sure your fluid levels are correct and that your car is in good mechanical condition. You must allow other vehicles to pass when 5 or more vehicles are following you. Safely pull to the side of the road and let the other vehicles pass. When passing slower vehicles be sure to never drive off the road to pass on the left.


According to DMV California law, drivers of vehicles proceeding in opposite directions shall pass each other to the right; and except when a roadway has been divided into traffic lanes, each driver shall give to the other at least one-half of the main traveled portion of the roadway whenever possible.

Slow down when there is a lot of water on the road. When you are driving in heavy rain or a downpour, remember not to switch on your high beam lights. This is because high lights will be reflected by water and it will be harder for you and other road users to see the road clearly. Remember to turn on your wipers as well when you are driving.

Driving in these extreme weathers, you should drive slower than the allocated speed limit. Speeding may cause your car to spin when the road is slippery. Also, keep a safe distance from the other cars so that you have ample time to break if an emergency stop is needed. Stay away from large vehicles like Lorries and trailers because the tires will splash water up on your windscreen. The splashes might cause collisions if you stay too close to them because you will not be able to see the road clearly.

Keep off the curbs and the sides of the roads because if there is heavy downpour, the sides of the roads are prone to floods. Drive on the center of the road and try to follow the tire tracks of the car in front of you. Try to avoid puddles of water as there might be large potholes underneath the water.


Pull over for a rest if you are not in a good state for driving. When you have pulled over, make sure that your hazard lights are on so that oncoming cars are able to see and avoid you on time. Do not turn on hazard lights when you are driving even though your initial attention is to warn the others about your existence. It might lead to the misjudgment of your location from the other drivers. Use the lights wisely and turn them on when they are needed.

If water on the road is deeper than the tread of the tires, a fast moving vehicle may glide over the water and not touch the road surface. This condition is called hydroplaning. A slight change of direction or a gust of wind could throw your car into a skid. If you can see reflections on the pavement, or the car ahead leaves no tracks on the water, your car could hydroplane. To avoid hydroplaning:

• Drive slowly. • Have good tire tread. • Have tires properly inflated. • If possible, steer around water. • If you hear a slushing sound from the tires, especially when

changing directions, slow down.

When a car hydroplanes the most important thing to remember is not to panic. First, do not brake or accelerate suddenly. Since hydroplaning is a loss of traction to the front tires sudden braking slows the front tires but locks the rear tires which can cause a spin out. Also sudden acceleration could pull the vehicle straight ahead which could be dangerous if the vehicle is pointed toward the edge of the roadway.

What you should do depends on the type of vehicle you are in. If you are in a front wheel drive with or without ABS and traction control or a rear wheel drive with ABS and traction control and you begin to hydroplane, you should look for open space and plan to travel in that direction. Stay lightly on the accelerator and steer gently toward the open space you have identified. If you are in a rear wheel drive without ABS and traction control then look for open space and plan to travel in that direction. Ease off the accelerator and steer toward the open space you have identified.


It’s also important not to have the cruise control engaged in heavy rain due to a sudden acceleration problem. The vehicle will recognize the build-up of water as a slow down and ask for more power. This may cause the car to shift to a lower gear and build even more water under the tires. When it comes to speed on a wet road, slow down by about one third of what you would normally drive.

SLIPPERY ROADS Slow down at the first sign of rain on the road. This is when many roads are the most slippery because oil and dust have not been washed away. If the road is slippery, it will not give your tires the grip they need. You must drive slower than you would on a dry road. Here are some guidelines to help you adjust speed:

• Wet road, go 5 to 10 miles slower • Stay on the paved portion of the roadway • Drive in the tracks of the car ahead • Allow more of a space cushion • Avoid sudden movements • Packed snow, cut speed in half • Ice, slow to a crawl

GOING THROUGH DEEP WATER Going through deep water can be a very dangerous situation. The water could be so deep that it may leak into your engine and stall it. This is especially dangerous in a flood situation. If you travel through deep enough water, your brakes will also be affected. Remember to safely pump your brakes to help remove excess water that could slow the performance of your brakes.


Keep in mind the time of year you are driving in. This is most important when you are taking a long trip. The road and weather conditions during the summer may be vastly different from the wintertime. VAPOR LOCK AT HIGH ALTITUDES Driving in high altitudes may promote overheating and vapor lock in some vehicles. Vapor lock occurs when the fuel in your vehicle vaporizes, causing your vehicle to act as if it were out of gas. If it should occur, usually allowing the vehicle to cool will solve this problem. Carrying extra water in the trunk is generally a good idea and will help should a driver find that his or her engine has overheated.

When you drive in snowy areas, carry chains in case you find yourself in conditions where you can't drive without them. Make sure you carry the correct number of chains and that they will fit your drive wheels. Learn how to put the chains on before you need to use them. Also remember to maximize your visibility by utilizing your defrosters and windshield wipers. Close to the freezing point, the road is icy and may be more slippery than at colder temperatures.

• On cold, wet days, shade from trees or buildings can hide spots of ice. These areas freeze first and dry out last.

• Bridges and overpasses can also hide spots of ice. They tend to

freeze before the rest of the road does.


• If it starts to rain on a hot day, pavement can be very slippery for the first few minutes. Heat causes oil in the asphalt to come to the surface. It makes the road slippery until the oil is washed off.

In a very heavy rain or snowstorm, you may not be able to see more than 100 feet ahead. When you can't see any farther than that, you cannot safely drive faster than 30 mph. You may have to stop from time to time to wipe mud or snow off your windshield, headlights, and taillights. It is wise to turn on your low beam headlights when visibility is poor even in daylight. Light from high beams will reflect back and cause glare. You may have to flash your headlights under certain circumstances to get the attention of another driver who may not see you. Driving in snow and ice affects how your vehicle turns as well. As a result of reduced traction, stopping distances are increased and when the pavement is slippery from ice or snow, turning a vehicle requires reducing the speed and beginning the turn sooner. To help avoid skidding on slippery surfaces, you should:

• Drive more slowly and stay further behind the vehicle ahead. • Slow down as you approach curves and intersections. • Avoid fast turns. • Avoid quick stops. "Pump" the brakes to slow or stop. (Antilock

brakes do not require pumping.) • Shift to low gear before going down a steep hill. • Watch for any troubles where ice or deep water collects.

If the brakes get wet, dry them by pressing the gas pedal and brake pedal at the same time so that the car drives against the pressure of the brakes. Do this only until the brakes begin working. Avoid especially slippery areas, such as ice patches, wet leaves, oil, or deep puddles.

A sand or dust storm usually arrives suddenly in the form of an advancing wall of sand or dust and debris which may be miles long and several thousand feet high. They strike with little warning, making driving conditions


hazardous. Blinding, choking dust can quickly reduce visibility, causing collisions which could lead to chain collisions, creating massive pileups. Sand /dust storms usually last only a few minutes, but the actions a motorist takes during the storm may be the most important of his or her life. Here are some safety tips:

• If dense dust is observed blowing across or approaching a roadway, pull your vehicle off the pavement as far as possible, stop, turn off lights, set the emergency brake, take your foot off of the brake pedal to be sure the tail lights are not illuminated.

• Don't enter the sand/dust storm area if you can avoid it. • If you can't pull off the roadway, proceed at a speed suitable for

visibility, turn on lights and sound horn occasionally. Use the painted center line to help guide you. Look for a safe place to pull off the roadway.

• Never stop on the traveled portion of the roadway.

Many collisions happen because a driver didn't see a stalled car until it was too late to stop. If your vehicle STALLS or you are having car trouble and have to stop, follow these rules:

• If at all possible, pull off the road away from all traffic. • If you cannot get completely off the road, try to stop where

people can see you and your car from behind. Don't stop just over a hill or just around a curve.

• Turn on your emergency flashers to show a hazard or collision is ahead. You should also use your emergency flashers if you are not moving. If your car doesn't have flashers, turn signals may be used instead.

• If it is safe, lift the hood to signal an emergency. • Give other drivers plenty of warning. If you have them, place

emergency flares or triangles 200 to 300 feet behind the car. This allows other drivers time to change lanes if necessary. Be very careful when using flares. They may cause fires, especially when used near flammable liquids.


If you don't have emergency flares, follow the rules listed above and stay in your vehicle until help arrives. Be careful for your safety and stay off the road. Remember, don't even try to change a tire if it means you have to stand in a traffic lane.

Sometimes a road that is normally safe becomes dangerous when slippery. Ice and packed snow on the road can cause the car to skid, especially if you are driving fast or going downhill. If you do go into a skid, ease off the gas pedal, stop braking, and turn the steering wheel in the direction of the skid. If you can't control your car on a slippery surface, try to find something to stop you. Try to get a wheel on dry pavement or on the shoulder of the road. You may have to slowly edge into a snow bank or some bushes to stop.

When the rear end of a vehicle slides back and forth, this is known as fishtailing. It usually involves only the rear wheels and happens when the tires lose traction on the road surface. It is the result of a driver losing control of the vehicle and can be very dangerous, although it isn't always a sign of bad driving. Hidden conditions like black ice can cause a responsible driver to fishtail even when he or she drives perfectly. Generally, fishtailing is more common among vehicles with rear wheel drive, although front wheel drive vehicles are not exempt from this problem. There are several things that can cause fishtailing. Conditions like ice, water, and snow can cause a car to fishtail because they reduce traction on the roadway, which can cause the rear wheels of a vehicle to slide out of control. The risk of fishtailing also increases at high speeds, or when a driver brakes very suddenly. In some cases, a car may start to fishtail when a driver approaches a curve poorly. Drivers who deliberately fishtail usually try to turn the fishtail into a slide, as is the case with people who engage in drifting.


Fishtailing can be a scary experience for a driver. The whole car tends to shake and wobble, and it will drift out of control across the roadway since the rear wheels have lost their traction. In some cases, a bout of fishtailing can cause a car to turn completely around, or it can launch a car into a lane of oncoming traffic. It is also sometimes possible to hear the gas in the tank sloshing around, which is why some people call fishtailing “tank slapping.” To recover from a fishtail, drivers should stop accelerating and steer in the direction of the skid as best they can. The wheel should not be yanked or jerked, as this can cause the fishtail to get worse. Sharp or sudden braking should also be avoided as this can make the skid worse too. It is better to ease off the gas and then pump brakes lightly, but quickly. Steer in the direction of which the rear end of the vehicle is skidding and be careful NOT to over steer. For drivers who start fishtailing in traffic, it is a good idea to try and direct the skid to the side of the road so that they are not thrust into the path of oncoming cars. (Note: if you have a stick shift, keep the clutch engaged.) Ideally, of course, drivers should avoid fishtailing altogether. If you know that you are going to be driving on low friction roads, drive slowly, avoid sudden braking, and take turns slowly, accelerating out of the turn to increase your traction. If you live in a region which is prone to black ice, try to avoid driving in the early morning and evening, when black ice is at its worst. If you have a stick-shift, keep the clutch engaged.

IF YOU GET INTO A LOCKED WHEEL SKID A locked wheel skid is usually caused by a person braking too hard at a high rate of speed and locking the wheels. The vehicle will skid no matter which way the steering wheel is turned until you release the brakes to unlock the wheels. Then, straighten the front wheels as the vehicle begins to straighten out. Slow the vehicle gradually until you are at a safe speed to continue your trip. STEERING WHEEL LOCKING DEVICE Never turn your vehicle's ignition to the "lock" position while it is still in motion. This will cause the steering to lock if you try to turn the steering wheel and you will lose control of your vehicle. Chronic traffic congestion is the California commuter's biggest headache, but even small changes in driving


habits could provide fast relief, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS).

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Several driving behaviors which contribute to congestion were identified by a task force of experts from the OTS, Highway Patrol, Department of Transportation and the DMV. To deal with driving in congestion, avoid these following behaviors:

• Rubbernecking - perhaps the most frustrating of behaviors. Slowing down to look at collisions or virtually anything else out of the ordinary, is one of the worst congestion offenders.

• Tailgating - following too closely is common on California freeways, accounting for innumerable collision, which in turn clog major freeways, often for hours.

• Unnecessary lane changes - although it produces virtually no improvement in arrival times, many motorists insist on weaving in and out of freeway lanes, which slows down all traffic.

• Inattention - commuters can commonly be seen eating, grooming in the rearview mirror, talking on a cellular telephone, and even reading the newspaper as they drive to work.

Traffic congestion can also be caused by drivers who do not watch the fuel gauge or maintain their vehicles properly. These vehicles can malfunction or stall on freeways or surface streets and cause bottlenecks and major slow downs in traffic flow.


If your car ever breaks down or you have mechanical failure, you should always make safety your number one concern. There are some basic precautions you should follow if your car does break down.

• If you are stuck on the side of a busy highway or street, do not get out of the vehicle to make repairs or inspect for damage. If possible, get your vehicle to a safer location.

• If the vehicle is not drivable, you should stay inside with your seat belt on and your doors lock. Most often, standing outside your vehicle is inadvisable and dangerous.

• Make sure you carry a roadside emergency kit, which has flares or reflective triangles that give other drivers advance warning of your vehicle's location. Also, always turn on your blinking hazard lights.

If someone stops to help, don't get out of your car. Roll down the window slightly and ask the person to contact the police or a tow service. Also, you should never stop to assist a stranger whose car broke down. Instead, help by driving to the nearest phone and calling police for help.

Any tire can have a blowout, but heavily worn tires are the most likely candidates. Tires with less than 1/32 of an inch of tread remaining are prime candidates for a blowout. If a driver's front tires blow out, steering will be affected; consequently, front tire blowouts are much more dangerous than rear tire blowouts. For this reason, it is always a good idea to mount your best tires in the front. The first thing a driver should remember during a rapid deflation or blowout of a tire is never to slam on the brakes. Hitting the brakes will only make the situation worse. The first thing drivers must do is to get control of the vehicle. They should grab the steering wheel tightly and steer straight ahead. Simultaneously, they must ease off the


accelerator and allow friction to reduce the speed of the vehicle. When motorists have regained a certain amount of control, they should tap the brakes and steer onto a shoulder. Once on the shoulder and moving slowly (about 20 miles per hour), they should finally brake the vehicle to a safe stop.

Handling blowouts on freeways is similar except that drivers have to be especially careful of traffic in other lanes. Unless the blowout occurs in the far right lane, they will be forced to cross other lanes to get to the shoulder. They must be sure to signal first and to avoid braking at all until they are on the shoulder. Fortunately, freeways usually have wide shoulders, allowing drivers to move completely away from the flow of traffic. Drivers should never attempt to change a tire on the shoulder of the road unless they are completely out of the flow of traffic - and never attempt to change a tire on a sloping shoulder. In the first case, they can be hit by on-coming traffic; and in the second, the car can fall over on you.

• Hold the steering wheel tightly and steer straight ahead.

• Slow down gradually. Take your foot off the gas pedal slowly but don't apply the brakes.

• Slow to a stop off the road. • Apply the brakes when the car is almost stopped.

• Turn the steering wheel HARD, with both hands on the wheel, to get to the side of the road.

• Stop the car. You may have to push the brake pedal hard if your car has power brakes.

• Restart the engine and proceed with caution.

If your headlights suddenly go out at night:


• Try the dimmer switch. That will often put them on again. • Try the headlight switch a few times. • If that doesn't work, put on the parking lights, emergency

flashers, or turn signals. • Pull off the road as quickly as possible and leave the

emergency flashers on.

If your hood suddenly flies up:

• Slow down. • Try to look under the hood to see. If you can't...

o Put your head out the window and look around the hood. o Use the center line or the lane marking as a guide.

• Pull off the road as soon as possible and put on the emergency flashers, if you have them.

• Shift to neutral.

• Apply the brakes. • Keep your eyes on the road. • Look for a way out. • Warn other drivers by blinking and flashing your emergency

lights. • Try to drive the car safely off the road. • Turn off the ignition when you no longer need to change

direction.


• Shift to low gear and keep the front wheels straight.

• Gently step on the gas pedal. • Avoid spinning the wheels. Drive forward as far as possible. • Shift to reverse and slowly back up as far as possible. Don't spin

the wheels. • Shift to low again and drive forward. • Repeat this forward backward rocking motion until the car rolls

free. • Put boards or tree branches under the tires in deep mud or snow.

Never do this when the tires are spinning.

You may avoid getting stuck if you always carry chains in your vehicle. Put them on the tires before driving in snow or mud.

When you have a collision, you must report it to the DMV if:

• More than $750 in damage was done to the property of any person.

• Anyone was injured (no matter how slightly) or killed. Each driver must make a report to the DMV. This can also be done by the driver's insurance agent or broker or legal representative. The CHP or police will not make this report for you. You must make this report, whether you caused the collision or not and even if the collision occurred on private property. Report the collision within 10 days, if you don't your driving privilege will be suspended. Using the information you give in the collision report, DMV may ask the insurance company to verify that you had coverage in effect for the collision. If you did not have the proper insurance coverage, your driving privilege will be suspended for one year. To get your license back, if it is suspended, you will need to provide proof of financial responsibility and maintain it for the next three years.


Every collision reported to DMV by law enforcement will show on your driving record unless the reporting officer says another person was at fault. Every collision reported by you, or another party in the collision, will show on your record if any one person has over $750 in damage or if anyone is injured or dies. It does not matter who caused the collision. The law says DMV must keep this record. Amendment to California Vehicle Code section 16000 : Reporting a collision to the DMV- When you are involved in a motor vehicle collision, you must report it to the DMV within 10 days if; More than $750 in damage was done to the property of any person. Anyone was injured (no matter how slightly) or killed. Each driver is responsible for making a report to the DMV. The driver's insurance agent, broker, or legal representative can also do this. The CHP or police will not make this report for you. You must make this report, whether you are at fault or not, even if the collision occurred on private property. Submit the report on the California Traffic Collision Report form (SR1). You can get this form from any DMV or CHP office, or download it from the DMV's website. If you don't make this report, your driving privilege will be suspended. Below are the most recently reported statistics for collisions and fatalities per the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). The first set of charts are for the state of California by the type of violation, next is the time of day, then by age groups, type of person, and lastly by gender.


California 2009

Type of Violation Total

None 1676Drowsy, Sleepy, Asleep, Fatigued 23Ill, Passed Out/Blackout 12Emotional (e.g., Depression, Angry, Disturbed) 2Under the Influence of Alcohol, Drugs Or Medication 588Operating the Vehicle in Careless or Inattentive Manner 38Aggressive Driving / Road Rage 1Other Physical Impairment 5Mother of Dead Fetus 1Police or Law Enforcement Officer 5Traveling on Prohibited Trafficways 2Leaving Vehicle Unattended with Engine Running. Leaving Vehicle Unattended in Roadway 19Overloading or Improper Loading of Vehicle with Passengers or Cargo 3Failing to Dim Lights or to Have Lights on When Required 4Operating without Required Equipment 67Following Improperly 5Improper or Erratic Lane Changing 51Failure to keep in Proper Lane 135Illegal Driving on Road Shoulder, in Ditch, on Sidewalk or on Median or on Seperator 1Making Improper Entry to or Exit from Trafficway 5Starting or Backing Improperly 12Passing where Prohibited by Posted Signs, Pavement Markings, Hill or Curve, or School Bus Displaying Warning not to Pass Line 7Passing on Wrong Side 2Passing with Insufficient Distance or Inadequate Visibility or Failing to Yield to Overtaking Vehicle 24Operating the Vehicle in an Erratic, Reckless or Negligent Manner, Operating at Erratic or Suddenly Changing Speeds. 13Police Pursuing this Driver or Police Officer in Pursuit 13Failure to Yield Right-of-Way 219Failure to Obey Actual Traffic Sign,Traffic COntrol Devices or Traffic Officers;Failure to Obey Safety Zone Traffic Laws 120Failure to Signal Intentions 1Driving Less than Posted Minimum 3Making Other Improper Turn 524Driving on Wrong Side of Road (Intentional or Unintentional) 19Operator Inexperience 3Unfamiliar with Roadway 2Stopped or Stopping in Roadway (Vehicle Not Abandoned) 11Locked Wheel 14Overcorrecting 20Getting Off/Out of or On/In to a Vehicle 2Driver has not complied with LearnerÆs Permit or Intermediate Driver License Restrictions (GDL Restrictions) 8Driver Has Not Complied With Physical or Other Imposed Restrictions (not including GDL Restrictions) 4Tire Blowout or Flat 1Debris or Objects in Road 3Ruts, Holes, Bumps in Road 1Live Animals in Road 1Vehicle in Road 7Phantom Vehicle 12Ice, Snow, Slush, Water, Sand, Dirt, Oil, Wet Leaves on Road 8Driver Has a Driving Record or Driver's License From More Than One State 8Non-Traffic Violation Charged - manslaughter, homicide or other assault committed without malice. 9Other Non-Moving Traffic Violations 325Cellular Telephone Present In Vehicle 66Cellular Telephone In Use In Vehicle 4Computers/Fax Machines/Printers 1On-Board Navigation System 4Two-Way Radio 1Unknown 90TOTAL 4,205


Below are the most recently reported statistics for collisions and fatalities per the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). These charts show National statistics by the type of violation, next is the time of day, then by age groups, type of person, and lastly by gender.

California 2009

Day of Week

Time of Day Sun Mon Tues Weds Thurs Fri Sat Unknown Total

Midnight to 2:59 a.m. 110 38 21 26 48 43 87 0 3733 a.m. to 5:59 a.m. 56 25 27 46 23 32 62 0 2716 a.m. to 8:59 a.m. 20 46 29 47 30 44 42 0 2589 a.m. to 11:59 a.m. 39 32 38 30 33 30 46 0 248Noon to 2:59 p.m. 41 46 39 35 57 52 55 0 3253 p.m. to 5:59 p.m. 70 61 67 54 49 72 61 0 4346 p.m. to 8:59 p.m. 69 68 67 52 71 80 79 0 4869 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. 52 37 44 40 58 69 79 0 379Unknown 7 5 4 10 5 7 4 0 42TOTAL 464 358 336 340 374 429 515 0 2,816

California 2009

Age PersonsKilled

< 5 525-9 4910-15 5816 - 20 35121 - 24 33625 - 34 52935 - 44 39245 - 54 50055 - 64 34365 - 74 204> 74 263Unknown 4TOTAL 3,081

California 2009

Sex Total

Male 2196Female 885Unknown 0Total 3,081

California 2009

Person Type PersonsKilled

Vehicle OccupantsDriver 1,293Passenger 689Unknown Occupant 3Subtotal 1,985

Motorcyclists 394Subtotal 394

NonmotoristsPedestrian 563Pedalcyclist 99Other/Unknown 40Subtotal 702Total 3,081


USA 2009

Type of Violation Total

None 15669Drowsy, Sleepy, Asleep, Fatigued 529Ill, Passed Out/Blackout 372Emotional (e.g., Depression, Angry, Disturbed) 52Reaction to or Failure to Take Drugs/Medication 6Under the Influence of Alcohol, Drugs Or Medication 5222Operating the Vehicle in Careless or Inattentive Manner 3240Restricted to Wheelchair 6Aggressive Driving / Road Rage 130Impaired Due to Previous Injury 9Other Physical Impairment 68Mother of Dead Fetus 6Mentally Challenged 5Seat Back Not In Normal Upright Position, Seat Back Reclined 3Police or Law Enforcement Officer 33Traveling on Prohibited Trafficways 20Legally Driving on Suspended or Revoked License 2Leaving Vehicle Unattended with Engine Running. Leaving Vehicle Unattended in Roadway 97Overloading or Improper Loading of Vehicle with Passengers or Cargo 30Towing or Pushing Vehicle Improperly 7Failing to Dim Lights or to Have Lights on When Required 29Operating without Required Equipment 180Following Improperly 315Improper or Erratic Lane Changing 262Failure to keep in Proper Lane 5150Illegal Driving on Road Shoulder, in Ditch, on Sidewalk or on Median or on Seperator 201Making Improper Entry to or Exit from Trafficway 18Starting or Backing Improperly 50Passing where Prohibited by Posted Signs, Pavement Markings, Hill or Curve, or School Bus Displaying Warning not to Pass Line 95Passing on Wrong Side 25Passing with Insufficient Distance or Inadequate Visibility or Failing to Yield to Overtaking Vehicle 208Operating the Vehicle in an Erratic, Reckless or Negligent Manner, Operating at Erratic or Suddenly Changing Speeds. 520Police Pursuing this Driver or Police Officer in Pursuit 101Failure to Yield Right-of-Way 2559Failure to Obey Actual Traffic Sign,Traffic COntrol Devices or Traffic Officers;Failure to Obey Safety Zone Traffic Laws 1163Passing Through or Around Barrier 2Failure to Observe Warnings or Instructions on Vehicles Displaying Them 8Failure to Signal Intentions 5Driving Less than Posted Minimum 12Making Right Turn From Left-Turn Lane. Make Left Turn From Right-Turn Lane 10Making Other Improper Turn 696Driving Wrong Way on One-Way Traffic 35Driving on Wrong Side of Road (Intentional or Unintentional) 775Operator Inexperience 102Unfamiliar with Roadway 13Stopped or Stopping in Roadway (Vehicle Not Abandoned) 96Locked Wheel 19Overcorrecting 668Getting Off/Out of or On/In to a Vehicle 6Driver has not complied with LearnerÆs Permit or Intermediate Driver License Restrictions (GDL Restrictions) 33Driver Has Not Complied With Physical or Other Imposed Restrictions (not including GDL Restrictions) 134Severe Crosswind 14Wind from Passing Truck 2Slippery or Loose Surface 17Tire Blowout or Flat 79Debris or Objects in Road 36Ruts, Holes, Bumps in Road 13Live Animals in Road 134Vehicle in Road 86Phantom Vehicle 79Pedestrian, Pedal Cyclist or Other Non-Motorist 74Ice, Snow, Slush, Water, Sand, Dirt, Oil, Wet Leaves on Road 482Trailer Fishtailing or swaying 10Driver Has a Driving Record or Driver's License From More Than One State 94Hit & Run 373Non-Traffic Violation Charged - manslaughter, homicide or other assault committed without malice. 56Other Non-Moving Traffic Violations 606Cellular Telephone Present In Vehicle 376Cellular Telephone In Use In Vehicle 45Computers/Fax Machines/Printers 4On-Board Navigation System 7Two-Way Radio 1Head-up Display 1Unknown 869TOTAL 42,454


USA 2009

Day of Week

Time of Day Sun Mon Tues Weds Thurs Fri Sat Unknown Total

Midnight to 2:59 a.m. 1072 316 270 328 422 525 1024 0 39573 a.m. to 5:59 a.m. 635 245 221 259 276 337 614 0 25876 a.m. to 8:59 a.m. 324 451 388 400 428 429 378 0 27989 a.m. to 11:59 a.m. 392 420 409 373 395 452 493 0 2934Noon to 2:59 p.m. 559 572 542 493 524 622 669 0 39813 p.m. to 5:59 p.m. 700 687 677 663 659 767 791 0 49446 p.m. to 8:59 p.m. 768 627 594 628 680 807 884 0 49889 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. 523 448 484 540 592 892 880 0 4359Unknown 31 31 30 40 28 36 53 0 249Total 5004 3797 3615 3724 4004 4867 5786 0 30,797

USA 2009

Age PersonsKilled

< 5 4305-9 38010-15 72816 - 20 393221 - 24 328725 - 34 568935 - 44 482645 - 54 539755 - 64 378165 - 74 2374> 74 2914Unknown 70TOTAL 33,808

USA 2009

Person Type PersonsKilled

Vehicle OccupantsDriver 17,640Passenger 6,770Unknown Occupant 64Subtotal 24,474

Motorcyclists 4,462Subtotal 4,462

NonmotoristsPedestrian 4,092Pedalcyclist 630Other/Unknown 150Subtotal 4,872Total 33,808

USA 2009

Sex Total

Male 23726Female 10070Unknown 12Total 33,808


• If you are the first person at a collision scene, pull completely off

the road after you have passed the collision. Check to see if anyone is injured.

• Tell the next person who stops to call 9-1-1. Give that person

information on the injured persons.

• Ask other people to warn approaching traffic and put out flares or emergency triangles, if any are available. Watch for and avoid gasoline.

• Help anyone who is not already walking and talking.

• Do not move the injured unless they are in a burning vehicle or in

other danger. Moving often makes injuries worse.

• If a motorcyclist is unconscious, removing his or her helmet could make the injuries worse. If possible, let a trained medical person remove the helmet.

• Move the vehicle(s) involved out of the traffic lane if it is not

disabled. Turn off the ignition of wrecked autos. Don't smoke! Fire is a great danger.

• Search the area for victims thrown from the vehicle. They may be

hidden in grass or bushes. Whenever you drive past a collision, and emergency help is already at the scene, do not slow down to "take a look." Keep on going. Pay close attention to the orders and directions of law enforcement or fire department personnel. Their expertise will only ensure your safety! If you see vehicle warning hazard lights ahead, slow down. There may be a collision or other road emergency ahead. Stop and give assistance, or pass very carefully, if possible. Sometimes on your car


radio, you'll hear collision reports. Radio or news reports of collisions or roadwork often refer to numbered traffic lanes. The left or "fast" lane is called the "Number 1 Lane." The lanes to the right of the #1 lane are called the #2 lane, then the #3 lane, etc.

The Most Common Causes of Accidents

• Unsafe speed • Driving on the wrong side of the road • Improper turns • Violation of the right-of-way rules • Violation of stop signals and signs • Driver distractions

Head-on collisions are surprisingly rare; but when they do occur, they are almost always devastating. It is not uncommon for the drivers and passengers in both vehicles to be killed. By following the outlined rules for safe passing, you will minimize your risk of a head-on collision; but if you are ever faced with that possibility, avoid direct impact. One option is to turn your vehicle to take the impact on one side/corner of the frame instead of straight ahead. If possible, drive off the road. Your chances of surviving an oblique impact, a side impact or even a rollover are better than if you take the impact head-on.


When you are driving and enter a roadway in the wrong direction, you might have made a mistake that could cause a horrific crash. Driving on the wrong side of the road is an especially hazardous top cause of car collisions because it often leads to fatal head-on automobile collisions, and the results can be deadly.

Common Wrong-Way Driving Scenarios That Cause Car Collisions

1. Getting on the wrong freeway entrance ramp. This is the most common occurrence of wrong-way driving when a motorist drives in the opposite direction of oncoming traffic that is either entering or exiting the freeway.

2. Turning on to one-way street in the wrong direction. This sort of collision occurs many times in urban areas because downtown streets and metropolitan roads tend to have traffic flow in one direction instead of two.

3. Driving on the wrong side of the road or highway. After taking a wrong exit or getting your directions turned around, it is possible to find yourself going the wrong way.

PREVENTING COLLISIONS CAUSED BY WRONG WAY DRIVING In addition to a standard “ONE-WAY” sign, you will often see “DO NOT ENTER” (DNE) and “WRONG WAY” (WW) signs on roadways as an added alert for drivers. The problem is that most of these wrong-way driving car collisions occur during nighttime driving when visibility is low. While signs are designed to reflect the light from a car’s head lights, sometimes drivers do not see them when it is dark out.

As a result, the Department of Transportation is installing larger DNE and WW signs while also separating them for added effect with the idea being that the more chances for a driver to find out that he or she is wrong-way driving, the better.

There is also the added danger of avoiding a driver other than yourself who has made the mistake of wrong-way driving. If you see a car


driving towards you in the wrong direction, flash your high beams to try to get their attention and pull over to the side of the road immediately. By clearing their pathway, you may be able to avoid a collision.

There are a lot of serious collisions that happen every year that are caused by improper turning, which can put a car directly in front of or into the path of an oncoming automobile. That is why the simple oversight of not looking before making a turn is one of the top causes of collisions and often leads to major personal injuries or traumatic deaths.

Examples of Improper Turns That Can Lead To Collisions

• Turning when there is a “No Turn on Red” sign at a red light. • Turning at a stop sign or red light without coming to a complete

stop or yielding to traffic or pedestrians. • Making a left at a red light where doing so is prohibited. • Turning without signaling, which is also called “Improper Turn

Signal Use.” • Turning without having the right-of-way.

Factors of Improper Turns That Cause Collision

Knowing about the terrain or topography where the collision occurred is important when determining the cause of a crash. Furthermore, having information that indicates if the responsible party was taking any type of medication or if they were driving drunk could show that their ability to safely operate an automobile was impaired.

In short, these indicators can help to determine if a collision was caused by improper turning, because the physical features of the road and the abilities of a driver are always called into question when a motorist makes a turn that should not have been made in the first place.

On the other hand, physical terrain and impairment are not always linked to the cause of improper turning. In order to get a driver’s license, all car drivers need to show an instructor from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) that they know how to make a proper turn.


This should be common knowledge to all licensed motorists, yet many drivers get lazy, relying on their outside mirrors without looking, or make poor decisions while rushing to make a turn.

No matter the cause, the outcome of improper turning is usually not good.

The reason that we have stop lights, turn signals, and lanes designated for moving either right or left as opposed to straight is because when drivers ignore the rules of the road, collisions are often the result. To prevent collisions, always look for signs and obey the proper right-of-way before you make a turn.

Tips to Avoid Collisions Caused By Improper Turns

• Turn in one single, smooth motion. • Take your time and slow down. There is no need to rush,

especially when making the actual turn. • Do not let other automobile drivers intimidate you into making an

unsafe turn by honking their horn or other actions. Only turn when you believe it is safe, not others.

• If it is illegal to make your intended turn at a particular spot, look to the road signs as indicators and follow them completely.

• Turn on your turn signal at least 100 feet from your intended turn.

• Always look for oncoming traffic before turning. Never make a turn without checking to make sure that you have the right-of-way and that there are no other cars for a potential collision.

Respecting the right-of-way of others is not limited to situations such as yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks, or watching carefully to ensure the right-of-way of bicyclists and motorcyclists. Motorists must respect the right-of-way of others by not violating traffic laws, such as failing to stop at a stop sign or traffic light, speeding, making unsafe lane changes, or illegal turns. Statistics show that right-of-way violations cause a high percentage of injury collisions in California.

The concept of the right of way is important to understand since the law never really grants the right of way. The law simply states when the right of way must be yielded. Right of way can be used when the law permits its use by requiring that others yield the right of way to


you. Failure to yield the right of way leads to collisions. There are some ways for you to reduce this probability when you are driving however. Here are some instances when the right of way must be yielded to others:

• At a yield sign; • To pedestrians in a crosswalk; • To persons using a seeing eye guide dog; • To persons using a white cane with or without a red tip; • At uncontrolled intersections where vehicles are already in the

intersection; • At “T” intersections where you must yield to vehicles on the

through road; • When turning left in which case you must yield to oncoming

pedestrians, cars, etc.; • When driving on an unpaved road that intersections with a paved

road; • When returning to the roadway after the car is parked.

The law gives the right of way to no one, but it does state who must yield (give up) the right of way. Every driver, motorcyclist, moped rider, bicyclist, and pedestrian must do everything possible to avoid a crash. When you yield the right of way to another vehicle, you are letting them go before you in the traffic situation. Few areas of traffic safety are more misunderstood than the “Yield to the Driver on the Right” rule. This is the rule that controls most intersections when drivers arrive at an intersection simultaneously. The driver should never assume that other drivers will start or complete any maneuver and should never insist on the right of way nor attempt to force their way into traffic. Drivers should try to anticipate other driver’s actions as well as yielding whenever needed or required by law. Giving up the right of way to other drivers also helps to avoid collisions, as does gaining eye contact with all operators of motor vehicles that come directly into conflict with you. Drivers should attempt to be both courteous and conscientious toward other drivers.

Stop signs should never be ignored, but when they are, serious collisions are often the result. Each year, thousands of collisions occur because one driver ran a stop sign. Many rollover collisions and side-


impact collisions result from drivers that run stop signs. You should always look both ways when proceeding through a stop sign.

Stop sign running is often caused by impatience. People that run stop signs are often in a hurry or just merely assume that no one is coming as they blow through an intersection. Even worse, some drivers run stop signs without even realizing it until it is too late. Often these distracted drivers or reckless drivers also make unsafe lane changes, run red lights and cause many other assorted horrors on the road. One way or another, collisions caused by drivers that ran a stop sign need to stop.

Law enforcement officials are trying to pull over as many drivers that run stop signs as they can, but there are only so many patrol officers to go around. Police officials believe that increased traffic on main roads is causing drivers to look for alternative routes on smaller roads. These roads, often not used to heavy traffic, tend to have more stop signs than populated areas. With less traffic, drivers will be more likely to run a stop sign — and also more likely to cause a collision.

• Always come to a complete stop at a stop sign.

• Count to three after stopping and check for cars in each direction (not just left and right, but also the street directly across from you).

While there will always be collisions, you should still do your best to avoid causing one. If you take extra precaution and follow the rules of the road, you are one step closer to making it home safely. Please do not let one stop sign and impatience keep you from coming to a complete stop.

When one vehicle collides with another at the high speeds when running a red light, the effects can be catastrophic. As you approach a traffic signal, red means stop and not doing so usually leads to collisions. Drivers that violate stop signals, run the risk of causing wrongful death because they often cause side-impact collisions at high speeds. To avoid a collision, look both ways for oncoming cars as you approach a green light.

Many Drivers Rush Through Red Lights and Cause Collisions As our country’s population grows, more and more red


lights have been appearing at intersections. Red lights help ease the traffic flows that can sometimes get bogged down by four-way stop signs and blinking lights.

Unfortunately, red lights do not ease traffic jams enough for those drivers that are in too much of a hurry. When drivers rush and speed up as they approach a yellow light, which cautions drivers to slow down to a stop, often times people speed through an intersection well after the light has turned red. The leading excuse cited by people that run a red light is “being in a hurry”. This concept, that someone’s time is more important than other drivers’ safety, has led to a high number of collisions and make violating a stop signal another common cause of collisions.

Another group of red light runners are the inattentive or distracted drivers, who were not paying attention to the road. Driver distractions are an even larger problem that is not merely limited to running red lights.

Distracted drivers are quietly causing a staggering amount of serious collisions. Here are some common driver distractions:

• Talking on a cell phone • Sending text messages • Reaching for a moving object inside the vehicle • Looking at an object or event outside of the vehicle • Reading • Eating food • Applying makeup.

In order to safely drive a car, you must give the road your full attention. Drivers that divert their awareness, whether it’s to talk on their cell phone or send text messages, they risk the lives of the other drivers on the road. Distracted driving is especially dangerous because, whereas drunk driving usually occurs at night, collisions caused by distracted drivers can happen all day. It’s a scary thought.


When you think about your actions in a car, other than just driving, you can see that they often involve more than one type of distraction. For instance, if you change your radio station, not only do you take your hand off the steering wheel to press a button, but you also take your eyes off the road to look at what button you want to press. Also, drivers who engage more frequently in distracted driving are more likely to be involved in a collision or near-crash.

Driving is a skill that requires your full attention to safely control your vehicle and respond to events happening on the roads around you. Driving involves constant and complex coordination between your mind and body. Events or things that prevent you from operating your car safely are distractions. There are three types of distractions and they are anything that takes your:

• eyes off the road (visual). • mind off the road (cognitive). • hands off the steering wheel (manual).

When you think about the actions you make in your vehicle, other than just driving, you can see that they often involve more than one type of distraction. For instance, if you change your radio station, you take a hand off the steering wheel to press a button, and take your eyes off the road to look at what button you want to press.

Driver distractions are the leading cause of most vehicle crashes and near-crashes. According to a study released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI), 80% of crashes and 65% of near-crashes involve some form of driver distraction. The distraction occurred within three seconds before the vehicle crash!

According to the NHTSA and VTTI study, the principal actions that cause distracted driving and lead to vehicle crashes are:

• cell phone use.


• reaching for a moving object inside the vehicle. • looking at an object or event outside of the vehicle. • reading. • applying makeup.

Drivers who engage more frequently in distracted driving are more likely to be involved in a vehicle crash or near-crash.

In 2009, there were 30,797 fatal crashes in the United States, which involved 45,230 drivers. In those crashes, 33,808 people were killed. Distraction was reported for 11 percent (5,084) of the drivers involved in fatal crashes. In these crashes reported to have involved some form of distraction, 5,474 fatalities (16% of overall fatalities) occurred. (NHTSA)

“Dial D” for Disaster

Cell phone use has become so popular these days that many times we don’t realize when, where, and how often we are utilizing our “cellular telephones.” Cell phone use while driving has increased so significantly within the last few years that at any typical daytime moment, as many as 10% of drivers are using either a hand-held or hands-free phone.

Studies have shown that driving performance is lowered and the level of distraction is higher for drivers who are heavily engaged in cell phone conversations. The use of a hands-free device does not lower distraction levels. The percentage of vehicle crashes and near-crashes attributed to dialing is nearly identical to the number associated with talking or listening.

Make and finish your cell phone calls before you start your vehicle and drive. If your phone rings while you are driving, let your voicemail pick up the call. If you must answer your phone, pull over to a safe location and park before using your cell phone. However if you are on the freeway, you must exit the freeway first. Then pull over to a safe location, stop and park to use your cellular phone. This is the safest precaution you can take.

New cell phone laws took effect July 1, 2008 in California. Drivers age 18 and over may use hands-free devices while driving. Drivers under the age of 18 may not use any type of hand-held or hands-free wireless phone while driving.


Here are some guidelines for cell phone safety:

• If you are under the age of 18, you cannot use a cell phone while driving. Even if you have a hands-free device available, it is against the law for you to use a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle.

• Pull over to the side of the road to use your cellular telephone. However if you are on the freeway, you must exit the freeway first, then pull over and stop to use your cellular phone. This is the safest precaution you can take.

• Know your cellular telephone. Get to know your phone and its many features such as speed dial and redial. Take advantage of these features so you won't take your attention off of the road.

• Use hand free devices. You must use a hands free device as it is required by law. Two hands on the steering wheel are always safer than one.

• Your phone should be within easy reach. If your phone is within reach you can grab it without taking your eyes off of the road.

• Don't use the telephone during hazardous conditions. If your driving conditions are hazardous (heavy traffic, hazardous weather conditions, etc.), tell the person you are talking to that you are driving and will call back. Remember, your first responsibility is to pay attention to the road.

• Pay attention to the road. While you are driving, don't take notes or look up phone numbers and especially NO TEXTING. It is against the law to text and drive. If you are busy doing things, you are not paying attention to your driving.

• Be sensible about dialing. If possible, place your calls when you are not moving or before pulling into traffic. However, if you need to dial while driving, dial only a few numbers at a time and check traffic and your mirrors in between. Then continue dialing.

• Don't engage in distracting conversations. Stressful or emotional conversations don't mix with safe driving. This combination can be dangerous because you are not paying attention to your driving. Tell the person you are talking with that you are driving and will call back. Be safe!

• Use your phone to call for help. Dial 9-1-1 for emergency help. This is a free call on your cellular phone. For other non-emergency situations (broken-down vehicle, broken traffic signal, etc.), call roadside assistance or other special non-emergency wireless number.

If you look over at the driver next to you and you see that they have a cell phone, make sure you increase the distance between his/her car and yours. Cell phone users can react erratically, from inattention or distraction.


He or she may react to your braking signal slowly, and can easily rear-end your car. If possible, brake mildly, or move into the other lane instead of braking. CVC Section 23123 - Cell Phones Prohibits a person from driving a vehicle while using a wireless telephone unless the person uses a system that allows hands-free listening and speaking. CVC sections 23124 This law prohibits a person who is under the age of 18 years from operating a motor vehicle while using a wireless telephone, even when equipped with a hands-free device, or while using a mobile service device. The law provides an exemption for the use of wireless telephones or mobile service devices for emergency purposes. (a) This section applies to a person under the age of 18 years. (b) Notwithstanding Section 23123, a person described in subdivision (a) shall not drive a motor vehicle while using a wireless telephone, even if equipped with a handsfree device, or while using a mobile service device. (c) A violation of this section is an infraction punishable by a base fine of twenty dollars ($20) for a first offense and fifty dollars ($50) for each subsequent offense. (d) A law enforcement officer shall not stop a vehicle for the sole purpose of determining whether the driver is violating subdivision (b). (e) Subdivision (d) does not prohibit a law enforcement officer from stopping a vehicle for a violation of section 23123. (f) This section does not apply to a person using a wireless telephone or mobile service device for emergency purposes, including, but not limited to, an emergency call to a law enforcement agency, health care provider, fire department, or other emergency services agency or entity. (g) For the purposes of this section, “mobile service device” includes, but is not limited to, a broadbrand personal communication device, specialized mobile radio device, handheld device or laptop computer with mobile data access, pager, and two-way messaging device. No text Law CVC section 23123.5 Writing, sending, or reading a text-based communication while driving is against the law for all drivers in California. This law applies to electronic wireless communications devices used to manually communicate with any person using text-based communication, including, but not limited to, communications referred to as a text message, instant message, or electronic mail. Violating this law is punishable by a base fine of $20 for a first offense


and $50 for each subsequent offense. With the addition of penalty assessments, fines can be more than triple the base fine amount.

If you are eating in your vehicle while driving, you are focusing on your food and not on your driving. You are not only chewing and swallowing; you are also opening packages, unwrapping and re-wrapping food, reaching, leaning, spilling, wiping, and cleaning yourself or your vehicle. These are quite a number of distractions for one driver on one trip. You are safer when you stop to eat or drink. Allow yourself plenty of time to stop, rest from driving, and enjoy your meal.

As mentioned previously, a staggering 80% of all car accidents and 65% of near misses are caused by some form of driver distraction within three seconds before the crash. One of those distractions are that drivers are more focused on their burgers than the road.

"Distractions like eating can become a problem for drivers who can't react quickly to a sharp curve," according to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In addition to burgers, the study has ranked the worst foods to eat behind the wheel based on a survey of drivers.

1. Coffee: It is the worst, bringing new meaning to the adage "don't drink and drive." Even with a travel lid, hot coffee can find its way out of the opening when you hit a bump.

2. Hot soup: Many people drink it like coffee and run the same risks.

3. Tacos: "A food that can disassemble itself without much help, leaving your car looking like a salad bar. 4. Chili: The potential for drips and slops down the front of clothing is significant.


5. Hamburgers: From the grease of the burger to the ketchup and mustard on top, plenty of goop can end up on your hands, clothes and steering wheel. 6. Barbecued food: Similar issue arises for barbecued foods as for hamburgers. The sauce may be great, but it will end up on whatever you touch. 7. Fried chicken: Another food that leaves you with greasy hands, which means constantly wiping them on something, even if it's your shirt. It also makes the steering wheel greasy. 8. Jelly- or cream-filled doughnuts: Has anyone ever eaten a jelly doughnut without some of the center oozing out? And jelly can be difficult to remove from material. 9. Soft drinks: Not only are they subject to spills, but they also can fizz as you're drinking them if you make sudden movements. Most of us have childhood memories of soda fizz in the nose; the sensation isn't any more pleasant now. 10. Chocolate: Like greasy foods, chocolate can coat your fingers as it melts against the warmth of your skin, leaving its mark anywhere you touch. Try to clean it off the steering wheel and you could end up unintentionally swerving.

What do children, friends, and pets all have in common? All can be a dangerous distraction to you while you are driving.

For many parents, there are pint-sized distractions every day in the back seat. Yes, driving with kids in the car can be particularly distracting especially if there is crying, spilled drinks, thrown or dropped toys, arguments with siblings—all are things that can steal your concentration, thereby putting yourself, your kids, and other drivers around you at risk.

• Be prepared. Before you put the kids in the car, make sure you have items that they may need easily on hand or within reach. For babies, plan for snacks before you depart as eating in the car may not be the best practice due to your limited ability to react to choking or spills. For older kids, put snacks and drinks so that they are accessible and toys within easy reach. In all cases, make sure that any heavier items such as video games or larger books have a place to be stored such as in the seatback pockets so that they won’t become potential projectiles in the event of a crash.

• Make them wait. As unpleasant as it can be, tell your kids that you cannot help because you are driving and that they will need


to wait until you can pull over or until you get to your destination. You may have to listen to a tantrum, but at least the child is restrained in a seat and cannot hurt anyone.

• Keep your eyes forward. Resist the urge to reach back or take your eyes off the road even when you’re stopped. It only takes a second for an accident to occur.

• Pull over. If you cannot deal with screaming and need to tend to your child immediately, pull over to a safe spot. It’s safer to get off the highway and go into a gas station, rather than move to the side of the road where you could face other hazards such as the possibility of getting struck by another vehicle.

• Use your mirrors. If your children are in rear-facing car seats, attach a mirror to the head restraint to be able to monitor them. It’s better than having to turn around and taking your eyes off the road.

• Set the ground rules. Educate children on car safety. Tell them that parents need to pay attention to the road, so that everyone is safe. If they know you can’t and won’t react then they won’t expect it.

• Distract your children. Try to distract them by engaging them in a song or game outside of the car. Children’s music in the CD player or on satellite radio is a nice addition.

When you are driving with friends and relatives, establish some strategies to keep your passengers under control. A carload of friends can be very distracting with loud talking, quarrelling over music selections, or horseplay. Arguments and other disturbing conversations should be held in a safe, appropriate place, not while you are driving in your vehicle.

A loose pet in a moving vehicle can be very dangerous. Properly secure your pet in a pet carrier, portable kennel, or specially designed pet harness when you are driving. Never allow your pet to sit in your lap while you are driving your vehicle.

Nearly 90 percent of pet owners say they travel with their pets. The worry isn’t just about an unrestrained animal contributing to unsafe driving or an accident. During a crash, a flying dog or cat represents a serious hazard to everyone in the car. In a 35-mile-per-hour accident, an unrestrained 60-pound dog would carry the force of a 2,700-pound projectile. Unrestrained dogs and cats can impede rescue workers in more serious accidents, and they also are more likely to be harmed or even thrown from a vehicle in minor fender benders.


Making destination entries on an in-vehicle navigation system, radio surfing for a good song, or adjusting your vehicle’s climate controls are distracting activities that can put you in danger of a vehicle crash or near-crash. The availability of in-vehicle Internet and e-mail access from cell phones, blackberries, and other portable devices are added distractions that increase your risk of a crash if you engage in these activities while driving.

• Adjust vehicle’s controls (climate controls, mirrors, radio, seat, etc.) before you begin to drive.

• Check your e-mail, voicemail, and any other portable devices you have before you begin driving.

• Take advantage of normal stops to adjust controls. • Ask your passenger to adjust the radio, climate control,

navigation system, etc. for you.

Looks Can Kill…

Looking out your window at what you are passing while you are driving can be a distraction if you are concentrating on getting a good look at:

• an accident • a vehicle pulled over by law enforcement • construction work • a billboard advertisement • a scenic view • street names and addresses

Always focus on your driving. It’s crucial that you remain alert while on the road to arrive at your destination safely.

Distractions and Young

The leading cause of death for 15-20 year olds are vehicle crashes. Vehicle crashes make up approximately one-third of all deaths for this age group. More crashes occur when passengers, usually other teens, are in the vehicle with a teen driver. Two out of three teens die as passengers in a vehicle driven by another teen.

These statistics are caused by a teenager’s immaturity, driving inexperience, overconfidence, and risk-taking behaviors. Before your


teen takes to the road, explain to him/her the dangers of participating in distracting activities and driving. Many teens do not see the connection between the things that distract them and their age group’s high rate of vehicle crashes and death.

• The age group with the greatest proportion of distracted drivers was the under-20 age group – 16 percent of all drivers younger than 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported to have been distracted while driving. (NHTSA)

Give your teen strategies and rules to help them keep their passengers under control. No horseplay, inciting the driver to speed or engaging in any other type of dangerous activity while riding in a vehicle.

Instruct your teen to set up his/her in-vehicle radio, CD player, IPOD or any other in-vehicle music playing device before driving and to play the music at a listening level that is not distracting. Wearing headphones or earplugs is illegal in California regardless of the age of a driver.

Talk with your teen about how to deal with driving distractions. Discuss what could happen if he/she tries to answer a cell phone, send a text message, search for music, or spill a drink on themselves while they are driving. Explain the importance of driving safely and staying alive.

CVC Section 23124 This law prohibits a person who is under the age of 18 years from operating a motor vehicle while using a wireless telephone, even when equipped with a hands-free device, or while using a mobile service device. The law provides an exemption for the use of wireless telephones or mobile service devices for emergency purposes.

No Text Law CVC section 23123.5 - Writing, sending, or reading a text-based communication while driving is against the law for ALL drivers in California. This law applies to electronic wireless communications devices used to manually communicate with any person using text-based communication, including, but not limited to, communications referred to as a text message, instant message, or electronic mail. Violating this law is punishable by a base fine of $20 for a first offense and $50 for each subsequent offense. With the addition of penalty assessments, fines can be more than triple the base fine amount.


Stats

• 75% of all American teens ages 12-17 own a cell phone, and 66% use their phones to send or receive text messages.

• Older teens are more likely than younger teens to have cell phones and use text messaging; 82% of teens ages 16-17 have a cell phone and 76% of that cohort are cell texters.

• One in three (34%) texting teens ages 16-17 say they have texted while driving. That translates into 26% of all American teens ages 16-17.

• Half (52%) of cell-owning teens ages 16-17 say they have talked on a cell phone while driving. That translates into 43% of all American teens ages 16-17.

• 48% of all teens ages 12-17 say they have been in a car when the driver was texting.

• 40% say they have been in a car when the driver used a cell phone in a way that put themselves or others in danger. (Distraction.gov)

In this age of multi-tasking, it is common to do more than one task at the same time. You already multi-task when you are driving; your mind and body are working simultaneously to drive your vehicle. You should not add another task on top of what you already need to do to drive safely. These tasks should never be done while you are driving:

• Reading a newspaper, a book, or a map. • Personal grooming, such as hair grooming, shaving, or applying

makeup. • Smoking and dealing with lighting up, putting out cigarettes, or

falling ashes. • Working in your car: typing on a laptop, making business calls,

and writing notes or reports.


When you are driving, the condition of the roadway you are on and the behavior of other drivers can change abruptly, leaving you little or no time to react. When you are driving, follow these rules:

• Stay focused. • Pay attention. • Expect the unexpected.

These tips can help you continue to drive and arrive at your destination safely:

• Follow the tips just given on this topic • Ensure all passengers are buckled-up properly. • Be well-rested and in the appropriate mindset to drive. Driving

while you are upset or angry can be just as dangerous as driving when you are tired.

• Help your teen identify and reduce distractions when he/she is driving.

• Do not tailgate. • Allow sufficient time to reach your destination. • Ensure your vehicle is properly maintained.

Driver distractions reduce your awareness to your driving environment, your decision-making process and your driving performance. This results in crashes or near-crashes and corrective actions having to be taken by you and/or other drivers on the road.

Drive safe and stay alive. Keep your mind on your driving, keep your eyes on the road, and your hands on the wheel!


"Honking" Henry lives and dies by the horn. When Hank drives down his favorite Boulevard, "Honking Blvd." he hungers to honk his happy horn. We'll get into Henry's horn abuse in a second. I just remembered there was this one time when Henry made a good move. Henry was driving down Blowout Blvd and guess what, his tire had a blowout. Now, your instinct might be to turn your wheel and slam on your brakes, but that's not what Henry did. He did the right thing and slowed down gradually. He took his foot off the gas pedal slowly and did not apply the brakes. He then slowed to a stop off the road and applied the brakes when the car was almost stopped. Good Move Hank! However Henry wasn't always that smart. In fact, on one occasion, Henry was angered as another driver pulled too close in front of him. Of course, our pal Henry laid on the horn to let the driver know that his driving was less than considerate. Should Henry be doing that? When is it O.K. to use your horn? Henry should never honk in anger. In fact, the only time he should be using his horn is to help avoid a collision. Honking in anger will only anger other drivers and possibly make them crash.

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