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ACCIDENT AVOIDANCE
Let other drivers know what you plan to do. By following the suggestions below, you may be able to avoid an accident.
Keep Your Car Where It Can Be Seen
The driver's blind spots are shown in the picture below. The driver cannot see vehicles in these blind spots when looking only in the mirrors. The driver must turn his or her head in order to see a car in one of these blind spots. Drive through another driver's blind spot as quickly as you can or drop back. Adjusting Speed "Basic Speed Law" says that you must never drive faster than is safe for the current conditions. No matter what the speed limit sign may say your speed should depend on: - The number, and speed, of other cars on the road
- Whether the road surface is smooth, rough, graveled, wet, dry, wide, or narrow
- Bicyclists, or pedestrians walking on the edge of the road
- The amount of rain, fog, snow, ice, wind, or dust
For example, if you are driving 45 kph in a 55 kph speed zone during a dense fog, you are driving "too fast for conditions". On the other hand, even though you may think it is safe, you may never legally drive faster than the posted speed limit.
What Is The Road Like
The faster the speed, the less control you have of your vehicle. Rather than just looking at the legal posted speed limit, you should consider what may affect the safe operation of your vehicle. Many new drivers do not slow to safe speeds for each road. That is one reason why new drivers have more "out-of-control" accidents than experienced drivers.
Curves
On curves, there is a strong outward pull on your vehicle. Watch out for it, especially when the road may be slippery. Rain, mud, snow, or gravel make a slippery road. Judge how sharp the curve is and change your speed if necessary. Slow down before you enter the curve as braking on a curve may cause you to skid.
| BE EXTRA CAREFUL TO STAY IN YOUR LANE WHILE DRIVING THRU A CURVE. IF YOU CHANGE LANES UNINTENTIONALLY, YOU MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. |
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Water On The Road
Slow down when there is a lot of water on the road. In a heavy rain, your tires can lose all contact with the road at about 55 kmph. Your car will be riding on water or "hydroplaning". A slight change of direction or a gust of wind could throw your car into a skid. If your vehicle starts to hydroplane, slow down gradually-don't apply the brakes.
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 more slowly than you would on a dry road.
Some road surfaces are more slippery than others when wet. These roads usually have warning signs. Here are some clues to help you spot slippery roads: - 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
- Close to the freezing point, the road is icy and may be more slippery than at colder temperatures
How Fast Is Traffic Moving?
Accidents tend to happen when one driver is going faster or slower than other cars on the road. If you are going faster than traffic, you will have to keep passing other cars. Each time you pass another car, there is more risk of an accident. The car you are passing may change lanes suddenly. On a two-lane road, an oncoming car may appear suddenly. Studies have shown that speeding does not save more than a few minutes in an hour's driving. Going slower than other cars or stopping all of a sudden can be just as bad as speeding. It tends to make cars bunch up behind you and it could cause a rear-end crash. If many cars are pulling out to pass you, maybe you should increase your speed or move over into the left (slower) lane.
HANDLING EMERGENCIES
Sometimes a road that is normally safe becomes dangerous when slippery. Ice, water and gravel 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.
To help avoid skidding on slippery surfaces, you should: - Drive more slowly and stay farther 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 should not be pumped)
- Shift to low gear before going down a steep hill
If the brakes get wet, dry them by lightly 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.
HANDLING EQUIPMENT PROBLEMS
Brake Failure
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
Tire Blowout - 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
Power Steering Failure
If the engine dies: - Move to the side of the road as safely as possible. The steering wheel may take more force to turn than normal
- 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
Headlight Failure
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
Stuck Gas Pedal - 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
When You Are Stuck In Mud Or Snow - 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. Drive as far as possible to the left side of the roadway before installing your chains. Put them on before driving in snow or mud.
Drive Defensively To Avoid Accidents
What is defensive driving? It is driving to defend yourself against possible accidents caused by bad drivers, drunk drivers, poor weather, and heavy traffic.
If you look ahead, and keep your eyes moving, you will spot a hazard more easily. Once you have seen the hazard and decided what to do, act. Never "wait and see." Never think that everything will be all right. Children playing in the street may not see you. The boy on the bike may ride in front of you. The man opening a car door in your lane may not see you. If you have an accident, you may not be legally at fault; however, you may be morally at fault, if you could have prevented the accident, but didn't. Remember, you can prevent most accidents if you drive defensively.
You should think about every "close shave" or accident you have. Decide what went wrong and who made the mistake. Could you have avoided the accident or near accident? What did you do wrong? By asking yourself these questions, you can see if you need to change your driving habits. Such change might help you avoid a serious accident later on.
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
- Improper or frequent lane changes
- Swaying into other lane on a turn
PROTECTING YOURSELF IN ACCIDENTS
Most drivers hit the brakes first to avoid an accident. Sometimes this locks the wheels and the car begins skidding, making things worse. Remember, you can do three things to avoid an accident. You can stop quickly, turn, or speed up. - To stop quickly, apply firm, steady pressure on the brake. If the car begins to skid, release the brake. Step on the brake again, using firm, steady pressure. Repeat this process until the car stops.
NOTE: Antilock brakes must not be pumped. - If you don't have time to stop, then turn. Run off the road if you have to and if there is room. Running off the road is usually better than hitting another car. Try not to brake as you turn
- Sometimes you can speed up to avoid an accident. This may work if a car is going to hit you on the side or rear. If you can't avoid an accident, protect yourself as well as you can
If you are going to be hit from the rear: - Be ready to brake so that you won't be pushed into another car
If you are going to be hit from the side: - Brace yourself with the steering wheel. Perhaps you can keep yourself from being thrown against the side of the car
If you are going to be hit from the front: - Use your arms and hands to protect your face if you are wearing a shoulder strap
- If you are not using a shoulder strap, throw yourself across the seat so that you don't hit the steering column or the windshield
DRUNK DRIVING
Some Basic Facts
Everybody has probably heard the old slogan "Alcohol and driving don't mix." To avoid being involved in a fatal traffic crash, you should not drive a vehicle or operate a vessel after having alcoholic drinks.
It is extremely unsafe to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) that is 0.08% or more. Some myths about drinking alcohol say that taking cold showers, drinking black coffee, or exercising will sober a person up, which is not true. Only time, body weight, the number of drinks, and how much has been eaten, can affect how long it takes anyone to "sober up". It takes about an hour for the body to get rid of each "drink". If a person has had more than one drink an hour, one hour of "sobering up" time should be allowed for each extra drink. Better still, someone who has not been drinking should drive.
Women react differently to alcohol than men and you must be aware of the effect alcohol has on you. Remember, if you drink and drive you not only risk your own life but life of other people involved in an accident caused by you.
DRUGS AND DRIVING
Much of what has been said about alcohol also applies to drugs (over-the-counter medicines, legally prescribed medicines, and illegal drugs). The law does not have to say which drugs are involved. Many medicines can affect the way one drives. Alcohol can enhance some of the dangerous side effects of many drugs or medicines, even those that are prescribed by your physician or purchased over the counter. It is important that you check with your doctor or pharmacist before driving after taking any medication. Read the warning label. Here are some facts: - Most drugs taken for colds, hay fever, allergy, or to calm nerves can make a person drowsy and this can affect his or her driving
- Medicines taken together, or used with alcohol can be dangerous. Many medicines have unexpected side effects when taken with alcohol
- Pep pills, "uppers," and diet pills can make a driver more alert for a short time. Later, however, they can cause a person to be nervous, dizzy, and not able to concentrate. They can also affect vision. Make sure you read the label and know the effects of any drug you use. If it is a common drug, read the label. Any drug that "may cause drowsiness or dizziness" is one you should not take before driving
If a traffic police officer suspects that you are under the influence of drugs, the officer can require that you take a breath, blood or urine test.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF PEDESTRIANS
When crossing or walking on a roadway at places that are not intersections or marked crosswalks, yield the right-of-way to vehicles. Making eye contact with the driver does not mean that the driver will see you or yield the right-of-way. You can make yourself more visible at night by wearing white clothing and retro-reflective materials, or carrying a flashlight. Wearing only white clothing at night does not always guarantee your safety. If you "jaywalk" across a street between intersections, where no pedestrian crosswalks are provided, you must yield the right-of-way to all vehicles.
You must not suddenly leave a curb or other safe place and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is close enough to be a danger to you. This is true even though you are in a crosswalk. The law says that any driver must take care for the safety of any pedestrian-but if the driver can't stop in time, the law won't help you.
You must always obey traffic signals. Many intersections have signals that show the "WALK" (walking person in green) or "DON'T WALK," (walking person in red) signs. Whether it has these signals or the usual traffic lights, you must obey the pedestrian rules. When a signal first changes to green or "WALK" for you, look left, right, and then left again, and yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection before the signal changed.
Common Sense Driving
Next time you sit behind the wheel focus on your driving pattern and habits. Ask yourself the following questions and rate yourself as a driver. - Starting your vehicle: When leaving the curb, do you use your mirrors and turn your head and look back for passing vehicles? Do you signal, and wait until it is safe before entering traffic?
- Controlling your vehicle: Do you use the gas pedal, brake, steering wheel, and other controls correctly? Do you have complete control of your vehicle?
- Driving in traffic: Do you use the proper lane? Do you signal, change lanes carefully, and follow other vehicles at a safe distance? Do you honk frequently?
- Do you turn your head and look back before pulling away from the curb or changing lanes? Do you signal the proper distance before turning?
- How you obey the traffic signals and posted signs.
- How you drive through blind or crowded intersections. Do you scan carefully for signs, signals, pedestrians, and other vehicles?
- Do you yield and take the right-of-way correctly?
- How you steer your vehicle. Do you turn from the proper lane into the proper lane? Is your turn too wide or too sharp?
- Stopping: Do you stop smoothly and at the right spot? Can you stop quickly and safely in an emergency?
- Do you keep the vehicle in gear or push the clutch in and coast to a stop?
- Backing up: Do you look over your right shoulder while backing? Can you back in a straight line?
- How you change your speed to suit the number and speed of vehicles nearby, the people crossing the street, road conditions, weather, the amount of light, and the distance you can see ahead.
- Keeping the distance: Do you stay a safe distance away from other cars when following or passing? Do you stay a safe distance away from people walking or riding on the road?
- How you respect the rights of others. Are you courteous to other drivers and pedestrians?
DO YOU PAY FULL ATTENTION TO THE JOB OF DRIVING?
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