IDriveSafely_Course

Introduction
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)'s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, the number of alcohol-related fatalities declined in 2009. The Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) studies show that as a percent of total fatalities in California, alcohol-impaired fatalities decreased from 30% in 2009 to 29% in 2010. Although we have been making progress, alcohol is still the third leading factor for drivers involved in fatal crashes.

Even if you do not drink, it is still important for you to understand how alcohol affects driving behavior. Anyone who drives or rides in a vehicle is exposed to drunk drivers.

Over the past several years, a great number of resources have been focused on solving the drinking and driving problem. Today more police patrols and roadblocks are used to find and arrest impaired drivers.

In many areas in the U.S., impaired drivers may lose their license, pay huge fines, have their vehicle impounded, have the cost of their insurance doubled or tripled, and/or serve time in jail for a first offense.

As a host or hostess, you have the responsibility to ensure that your guests do not get behind the wheel after drinking. To help solve the drinking and driving problem, everyone in our society should clearly understand why this combination is so dangerous.

It is a fact that alcohol is a key factor in vehicular crashes.

One person every two minutes is injured in an alcohol-related crash. Over 327,000 people are injured per year in alcohol-related crashes. In California, there were 950 alcohol-related fatal collisions in 2009 (CHP).

About three in every ten Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some time in their lives.

This module is about alcohol-impaired driving. The topics that will be addressed include:

Alcohol-related Traffic Crashes
Alcohol and Driving Behavior
Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)
Eliminating Alcohol
Intervention Techniques

Alcohol-related Traffic Crashes
Alcohol is the deadliest drug when it comes to motor vehicle safety. Alcohol is a depressant that affects judgt, vision, reaction time and coordination – abilities critical to safe driving. Alcohol alters judgment, and under the influence, people take risks they otherwise would not take – this includes driving while impaired.

Mixing alcohol with driving is an issue for any age. On average in the U.S., one friend, parent, or family member dies every 45 minutes in alcohol-related crashes.

Research conducted by the NHTSA and OTS cited that:

All 50 states had enacted laws making it a criminal offense to operate a motor vehicle at or above a specified alcohol concentration--.08 g/dL.
The highest percentage of drivers with blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels .08 g/dL or higher was for drivers ages 21-24, followed by ages 25-34 and 35-44. In California, the 21-24 age group had the highest percentage of drivers in fatal crashes with BAC levels of 0.08 or higher – 30% in 2010, down from 33% in 2009.
Over 20% of the children age 14 and younger who were killed in motor vehicle crashes were killed in alcohol-related crashes.
The percentage of drivers with BAC .08 g/dL or above in fatal crashes was highest for motorcycle operators.
California’s alcohol-impaired driving fatality rate dropped from 0.31 in 2008 to 0.28 in 2009, compared to the national average of 0.36.
Nationally, in 2009, 36% of the young drivers killed in crashes had been drinking (.07 BAC or less) and 26% of young drivers who were killed had a BAC of .08 or higher.

Alcohol and Driving Behavior
All people are affected by the consumption of alcohol. Drinking too much of any beverage with alcohol will make a person impaired. And no two humans are physically or emotionally the same.

In addition, expectations, mood, fatigue, and the combination of alcohol with other drugs can have a synergistic effect and alter or increase the effect of alcohol.

Anger, depression, and excitement combined with alcohol increases risk and can be unpredictable.

Since alcohol is a depressant, being tired can affect how you react to alcohol.

Many medications react with alcohol and some people may be more sensitive than others. When used in combination with alcohol, legal medications and illegal drugs can have serious drug interactions and sometimes fatal effects.



Alcohol's Physical Effects on Driving
Safe driving requires sound judgment, reasoning and concentration. Drivers need to be focused, see clearly, interpret the situation, and react quickly. Once in the brain, alcohol affects these critical skills - judgment, reasoning, and concentration are all impaired.

Alcohol works quickly to distort depth perception. It relaxes eye muscles and affects focus and peripheral vision.

Alcohol-impaired drivers are less able to interpret what they see. They make errors in judging speed, have trouble interpreting shapes, and lack muscle coordination.

As Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) increases, the area of the brain that controls muscular movements begins to slow down - the brain takes longer to process information and react. Muscular reactions become slow; steering and braking movements become uncoordinated.

No matter how good a driver is, alcohol slows reaction times and impairs judgment when driving.

After only one drink, alcohol enters the bloodstream and then quickly enters the brain.

Consuming alcohol faster than the body can eliminate it results in intoxication, and in some situations can lead to alcohol poisoning - a pathophysiological state produced by a toxic substance.

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)
Alcohol begins to affect a person's ability to function moments after it enters the body.

The amount of alcohol present in the bloodstream is called blood alcohol concentration. Precise legal measurements are used to determine the amount of alcohol in the body, and if a driver is impaired or illegally driving under the influence. It is a criminal offense in all 50 states to operate a motor vehicle with a BAC at or above 0.08%. For drivers under 21, a BAC of 0.05% constitutes an arrest for DUI, but having a BAC of even 0.01% can result in license suspension.

Many factors can affect an individual's BAC – such as gender, weight, number of drinks, and size of drinks.

Also, the more a person drinks, the higher their BAC.

Alcohol is metabolized by the liver, where dehydrogenase enzymes break down the alcohol. The BAC level does go down after the body begins to eliminate alcohol from the system - but this is a very slow process that does not occur at the same pace for everyone.

Implied Consent and Admin Per Se (VC 13353 ~ VC 13353.2)
In most jurisdictions, any person who is driving a vehicle has given his or her consent to take a test of blood or breath if arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or both. If the blood and breath tests are unavailable, the driver is a hemophiliac, or the driver is on anticoagulant medicine, the driver has deemed his or her consent to a urine test. If the person who is lawfully arrested is in need of medical treatment, he or she may choose whatever test is available at the medical facility (23612).

If you are under 21 years of age and an officer has detained you because he or she believes you have been drinking any amount of alcohol, a Preliminary Alcohol Screening (PAS) or other chemical test is also required.

If you have a BAC of 0.08 percent or higher, or you refuse or fail to complete a test, the officer will take away your license and serve you with an order of suspension or revocation, which will take effect in 30 days and during which you can request a hearing.

Refusal of Chemical Test (VC 13353)
If any person refuses the officer's request to submit to, or fails to complete, a chemical test or tests and the officer's sworn statement states that the officer had reasonable cause to believe the person had been driving a motor vehicle, and that the person had refused to submit to or did not complete the test or tests after being requested by the officer, the Department of Motor Vehicles shall do one of the following:

Suspend the person's privilege to operate a motor vehicle for a period of one year.
Revoke the person's privilege to operate a motor vehicle for a period of two years if the refusal occurred within ten years of either a separate violation or a suspension or revocation of the person's privilege to operate a motor vehicle for an offense that occurred on a separate occasion.
Revoke the person's privilege to operate a motor vehicle for a period of three years if the refusal occurred within ten years of:
two or more separate violations that resulted in convictions,
two or more suspensions or revocations of the person's privilege to operate a motor vehicle for offenses that occurred on separate occasions, or
any combination of two or more of those convictions or administrative suspensions or revocations.
The suspension or revocation shall not become effective until 30 days after the giving of a written notice, or until the end of any stay of the suspension or revocation.

PAS Preliminary Alcohol Screening Test (VC 13353.1)
If any person under the age of 21 refuses an officer's request to submit to, or fails to complete, a preliminary alcohol screening test, upon receipt of the officer's sworn statement that the officer had reasonable cause to believe the person had been driving a motor vehicle in violation of section 23136 and that the person had refused to submit to, or did not complete, the test after being requested by the officer, the department shall do one of the following:

Suspend the person's privilege to operate a motor vehicle for a period of one year.
Revoke the person's privilege to operate a motor vehicle for a period of two years if the refusal occurred within ten years of either a separate violation or a suspension or revocation of the person's privilege to operate a motor vehicle for an offense that occurred on a separate occasion.
Revoke the person's privilege to operate a motor vehicle for a period of three years if the refusal occurred within ten years of:
two or more separate violations that resulted in convictions,
two or more suspensions or revocations of the person's privilege to operate a motor vehicle for offenses that occurred on separate occasions, or
any combination of two or more of those convictions or administrative suspensions or revocations.
The suspension or revocation shall not become effective until 30 days after the giving of a written notice, or until the end of any stay of the suspension or revocation.

California's DUI Penalties
The penalties for receiving a DUI in California can range from financial (you will be fined and your insurance rates may increase) to legal (you will lose your license and face jail time) to emotional (it will impact your quality of life as well as the lives of those affected by your decisions).

Listed below are the consequences of receiving a DUI in California (VC 21352).

First offense:

A fine of $390-$1,000 (plus penalty assessments)
License suspension for a minimum of 6 months; for BAC .20 or higher, license suspension for a minimum of 10 months
3 months of a DUI program for BAC .20 or below; for BAC .20 or higher, 9 months minimum
Not less than 96 hours in jail and no more than 6 months
Probation (length determined by court)
Second offense:

A fine of $390-$1,000 (plus penalty assessments)
License suspension for a minimum of 2 years
18-30 months of a DUI program
Not less than 90 days in jail and no more than 1 year
Probation (length determined by court)
Vehicle impound 1-30 days
Third offense:

A fine of $390-$1,000 (plus penalty assessments)
License revocation for a minimum of 3 years
18-30 months of a DUI program
Not less than 120 days in jail and no more than 1 year
Probation (length determined by court)
Vehicle impound 1-30 days
Effective January 1, 2012, the court will be able to revoke a person’s driver license if they have been convicted of a third or subsequent DUI violation. The person may apply for a possible driver license reinstatement after five years. The court will consider a 10-year revocation based on the person’s:

Level of remorse
Previous conviction date
Level of participation in an alcohol treatment program
Blood-alcohol concentration at the time of conviction
Risk of public safety
Your license will not be reinstated if you committed a drug- or alcohol-related offense during your revocation period, did not complete your driving-under-the-influence program, or if you are driving with the knowledge of your suspension or revocation, as stated in Vehicle Code 14601. The punishments for driving with the knowledge that your license is suspended or revoked are:

First conviction: imprisonment in a county jail from 5 days to six months, and a fine of $300 to $1,000 (14601.b1)
Second conviction within five years of the first conviction: imprisonment from 10 days to more than one year, and a fine of $500 to more than $2,000 (14601.b2)
Second conviction within five years of the first conviction while on probation: imprisonment for at least 10 days (14601.c)
A certified ignition interlock device will be installed on your car for three years if you plead guilty to any of the above violations, as ruled by the court. (14601.f)
Five years after the date of their conviction, the person may apply to have their license reinstated if they agree to operate a motor vehicle with an ignition interlock device for two years. The person’s revocation may be reinstated (and remain effective for the remaining period of the original revocation) if this device is tampered with or fails three or more times to comply with the device’s maintenance or calibration requirements.



Driving Under the Influence Repeated Offense (VC 13353.2, 22651, 42009, 422010, 13389, and 23154)

Makes it unlawful for a person who is on probation for a driving-under-the-influence offense to operate a motor vehicle at any time with a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.01 percent or greater.
Imposes an admin per se driver license suspension on persons found to violate this probation.


Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol While on Probation for Prior DUI (VC 23154)
According to Vehicle Code 23154, if you are driving under the influence of alcohol while on probation for a prior DUI:

You may not operate a motor vehicle with a BAC of 0.01 or greater (23154.a)
You are automatically giving your consent to a chemical or preliminary alcohol screening test simply because you are driving, but the test must be administered by a police officer who has reason to believe you were in violation of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol (23154.c1 and 23154.c2)
You will be told your license will be suspended or revoked for one to three years if you fail to take or complete the preliminary alcohol screening or chemical test (23154.c3)
Ignition Interlock Device: Pilot Program (VC 23700)

The four counties of Alameda, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Tulare have a pilot program to assess the effectiveness of ignition interlock device installation in reducing driving under the influence violations in these counties. This law requires first-time and repeat DUI offenders to install an ignition interlock device for a term ranging from 5 months to 36 months for various DUI violations and for a term ranging from 12 months to 48 months for various DUI violations involving an injury. In these counties, a driver's license suspension will not be lifted until they show proof of installation of an ignition interlock device.

Eliminating Alcohol
Males have higher amounts of the dehydrogenase enzyme, so males can eliminate alcohol faster. Men also have more water in their bodies than women so they can dilute alcohol faster.

Females take longer to eliminate alcohol than males, even though they might be the same weight.

Elapsed time is also a factor. For most males, it takes the liver around one hour to process approximately one drink or one shot of liquor. Typically for females it takes longer.

One drink equals one 12-ounce beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, or one shot (1.5 ounces of hard liquor or spirits).

No matter what you have heard, there is no way to disguise BAC or speed up the liver's elimination process. The following charts provide a quick reference to see the relationship of drinking and BAC. Notice the difference between males and females.

No matter what age, drinking and driving do not mix; it is just too dangerous to consider. There are so many other people who do not obey the rules that the risk of sharing the road with an impaired driver is already high enough.

Remember three in every ten Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some time in their lives.

Intervention Techniques
Most people who drink, drink to relax or have "fun." This is called recreational drinking.

Drinking in excess or frequently to obtain the side effects of alcohol is classified as alcohol abuse.

The third reason for drinking is classified as "experimentation," which is typically associated with teenagers who have not yet experienced the effects of alcohol on their own system.

Unfortunately, most people have a limited knowledge about alcohol and how it impacts their judgment and health. Regardless of the reason, the effects of alcohol are unpredictable.


The Host
As a host, do not keep everyone's glass full and do not expect your guests to drink to excess in order to enjoy themselves.

Serve amounts that are comparable to what would be served in a bar. Your guests need to understand how much alcohol they are consuming in the drinks you have prepared. Try to monitor and control the amount being consumed.

Serve high protein or high starch foods which slow the absorption of alcohol.

It is everyone's social responsibility to keep drinkers from driving. Establish designated drivers or carpools in advance. Try to include non-alcoholic beverages and non-drinkers at social gatherings. Ask the non-drinkers if they can provide transportation.

Responsible adults should limit their alcohol consumption. Preventing drinking and driving situations is not always easy. Rely on your best judgment and call a cab if you or your driver has been drinking.

As a host, be prepared for overnight guests just in case someone needs to stay over. Consider the potential legal liabilities for providing alcohol to guests and make an informed, safe decision.

The Designated Driver Program
From the California Drivers Handbook: The Designated Driver Program is an anti-DUI effort that works. The program encourages one individual to abstain from consuming alcoholic beverages for an outing so that he or she can be responsible for transporting the other members of the group safely. To participate as a designated driver, an individual:

Should be at least 21 years of age and must possess a valid driver license.
Must be part of a group of two or more persons and verbally identify himself or herself as the designated driver to the server.
Must abstain from consuming alcoholic beverages for the duration of the outing.
Must not be an otherwise impaired driver.
Must understand that management reserves the right to refuse service to anyone at any time.

Review
Alcohol enters the bloodstream very quickly and begins to affect the body almost immediately. It is quick to find its way to the brain because the brain contains more blood than any other organ. The amount of alcohol present in the bloodstream is called blood alcohol concentration (BAC).

Many factors can affect an individual's BAC - such as gender, weight, number, and size of drinks.

Typically, one drink equals one 12-ounce beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, or one shot. The male liver takes about one hour to process one drink.

Alcohol-impaired drivers are less able to interpret what they see. They make errors interpreting shapes, have altered depth perception, and experience difficulty in judging speed.

Never ride with an impaired driver. If intervention is not working, call a cab.

Consider how many drivers you know that operate their vehicle under the influence of over-the-counter, prescription, and/or illegal drugs. The use of almost any drug will have an effect on driving performance.

Drugs are designed to alter specific body functions and consequently can alter the ability to perceive, make sound judgments, and react quickly.

The majority of drug users are under the influence of legal drugs such as medicine for colds, a headache, muscle or joint pain. Less than 5% of the population uses illegal drugs.



Everyone's Body is Different
If you have prior experience with a drug and its reactions, do not assume it will react the same, especially if you take additional medication. How a drug interacts with your body depends on the dosage, other drugs, food intake, and body weight/metabolism. Taking medicine can cause driving problems such as:

Lengthened reaction time
Reduction in your mental or physical abilities
Intense or unexpected reactions
If you are taking over-the-counter or prescribed medication, read the warning labels and follow the instructions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist. Inform your doctor of all medications you are taking. When you have this discussion, if applicable, be honest about the amount of alcohol being consumed while taking the drug.

Combinations of medicine can produce unpredictable and strong side effects that make it hazardous for you to drive.

This module addresses the risk associated with drug-impaired driving. Topics include:

Types of Drugs
Physiological Effects of Drugs
Dangers of Combining Drugs
Dangers of Drug-impaired Driving
Avoiding Drug-impaired Drivers

Types of Drugs
With all medication, it is important to know what you are dealing with. Here is a quick review of the types of legal and illegal drugs and their effect on the body.

Legal drugs include non-prescription (over-the-counter) or those requiring a doctor's prescription. Legal drugs are tested for safety and are labeled with consumer warnings.

The categories or types of drugs include:

Depressants
Stimulants
Narcotics
Hallucinogens

Depressants affect the central nervous system by slowing down or "depressing" reflexes and coordination. Depressants include:

Alcohol
Analgesics (pain pills)
Anti-diabetics (sugar medicine)
Barbiturates (downers)
Sedatives (ludes)

Stimulants "stimulate" or speed-up the central nervous system. They increase heart rate and generate a false sense of alertness and well-being. Stimulants include:

Nicotine (tobacco)
Caffeine (soft drinks, chocolate, coffee)
Amphetamines (speed)
Designer Drugs (Ecstasy)
Cocaine (crack/coke)

Narcotics are strong depressants that are often prescribed for severe pain. They act to shut down the central nervous system. Narcotics include:

Opiates (codeine, heroin, morphine)

Hallucinogens alter the mind. They change the way the mind perceives, processes information, and reacts. They are unpredictable and illegal. Hallucinogens include:

Cannabis (marijuana, pot)
Lysergic Acid (LSD/acid)
Mescaline and Peyote (mesc)
Phencyclidine (PCP)
Inhalants (fumes)
Psilocybin (shrooms)

Physiological Effects of Drugs
Drugs alter body chemistry. Prescription drugs and non-prescription drugs have been developed by pharmaceutical companies and approved for public consumption by the Food and Drug Administration.

Legal drugs have been tested for reactions and side effects before going on the market.

Side effects vary and may include:

Drowsiness
Blurred vision
Sensitivity to bright light
Muscle ache
Nausea
Slowed reaction time

All of these side effects alter a driver's performance.

The list of drug-related side effects is endless and can vary depending on the individual. Never assume you will not react differently or will not be adversely affected after taking some type of drug.

Legal drugs carry warning labels. The issuance of prescription drugs requires the pharmacist to tell you how and when to take the drug and what to do if there are side effects. Warning labels also carry specific instructions, such as: "Do not operate heavy machinery or equipment while taking this medication."

As a driver, if you take medication, read the label and know what is in your system. Before driving, conduct an inventory of how you are thinking and feeling. If you are experiencing any "side effects" that affect your vision, thinking, or reaction time, do not drive.

Dangers of Combining Drugs
Combining different drugs may cause a more intense effect than if you only take one drug at a time. This effect is called synergism and is unpredictable and extremely dangerous. Just like any chemical reaction, chemicals might be stable alone, but when mixed, a dangerous chemical reaction can occur.

If you combine similar drugs, for example, two depressants, the effect of combining two might be similar to taking three. This is especially true with alcohol.

The same is true for combining drugs that have opposite effects. You may have different reactions to the individual drugs.

Many over-the-counter (OTC) medications have side effects that can include drowsiness, dizziness, slowed reaction time, and poor judgment. These tips will help you handle OTC and prescription medications safely:

Tell your doctor about every drug you are taking, including OTC medicines and those prescribed by other doctors.
Ask your pharmacist about possible side effects for each medicine or combination of medicines.
Ask how these side effects may affect your driving.
Always read the warning labels completely and carefully.
Never take more of any drug than is prescribed.
Never take a drug prescribed for someone else.
If you must drive after taking any medication, be extra careful. Almost any medicine can affect your driving.

Never combine drugs without consulting with your physicians, and only use them as directed.

Dangers of Drug-impaired Driving
Most state vehicle codes state that you shall not drive a motor vehicle after taking a substance which alters the central nervous system. This includes over the counter, prescription, and of course, illegal drugs.

The following categories of drugs have known side effects that include impaired attention, reaction time and vision:

Depressants slow the brain's processing ability to perceive and also slow the muscle response or reaction time.

Stimulants temporarily excite and accelerate the central nervous system. Over stimulation can cause aggressive behavior.

Narcotics depress the central nervous system. They slow down the brain's ability to process information and react.

Cold medicines can also have serious side effects that impair driving. Read all warning labels carefully and follow the instructions. Most suppress cold symptoms and therefore the "side effects" slow the driver's ability to think and react quickly.

Reference the following chart to help recognize common drugs, their source and how they can impact your ability to drive safely.

How Drugs Affect Your Ability to Drive
Types of Drugs - Examples	Source	Known Side Effects
Amphetamines (diet pills, pep pills): Benzedrine, Dexedrine	Prescription for fatigue and mild depression	Dizziness, hallucinations, hyperactivity, decreased ability to concentrate, headaches
Painkillers - Analgesics: Aspirin, Excedrin	Over-the-counter	Bleeding in stomach and intestines
Antibiotics - For infection: Penicillin	Prescription for infection	Nausea
Allergy and Cold Pills - Antihistamines: Benadryl, Dramamine	Prescription and over-the-counter	Drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, inattention
Sedatives - Barbiturates: Seconal, Nembutal	Prescription for insomnia, high blood pressure, epilepsy	Drowsiness, impaired judgment, impaired reflexes
Anti-anxiety - Benzodiazepines: Valium	Prescription for mild anxiety	Blurred vision, drowsiness, fatigue
Tranquilizers - Librium, Valium	Prescription for severe anxiety and emotional problems	Blurred vision, drowsiness, fatigue, faintness, vomiting, tremors, dizziness
Narcotics - Cough syrup and painkillers: Morphine, Codeine, Demerol, Tylenol with Codeine	Prescription for pain, cough suppressant and insomnia	Nausea, blurred vision, drowsiness, impaired concentration
Alcohol - Beer, wine, liquor	Regulated sales, age restrictions	Impaired judgment, concentration and reasoning, nausea, blurred vision, drowsiness
Marijuana and Hashish	Illegal	Distorted depth perception, impaired coordination, depression, panic, fear, hallucination
Hallucinogens - LSD, PCP, mescaline	Illegal	Impaired senses, hallucination, panic, depression
Stimulants: Cocaine: crack, crank, "ice," freebase	Illegal	Dizziness, impaired alertness, hallucinations, hyperactivity, decreased ability to concentrate, headaches

Review
Drugs are designed to alter specific body functions and consequently can alter the ability to perceive, make sound judgments, and react quickly.

The categories or types of drugs include:

Depressants
Stimulants
Narcotics
Hallucinogens

Depressants affect the central nervous system by slowing down or "depressing" reflexes and coordination. Your ability to focus and respond quickly is impaired. Sedatives are a type of depressant.

Stimulants "stimulate" or speed-up the central nervous system. They increase heart rate and generate a false sense of alertness and well-being. They excite and accelerate the central nervous system. Moderate amounts may produce blurred vision, hallucinations and paranoia.

Narcotics are strong depressants that are often prescribed for severe pain. They shut down the central nervous system. They can produce a wide variety of side effects including nausea, dizziness, and vomiting. Drivers also may experience slowed reaction time and drowsiness.

Hallucinogens alter the mind. They change the way the mind perceives, processes information, and reacts.

Combining different drugs and alcohol may cause a more intense effect than if you only take one drug at a time. This effect is called synergism and is unpredictable and extremely dangerous. Never combine drugs and use legal drugs only as recommended.

Watch for indications that other drivers might be impaired:

Erratic changes in speed
Weaving from side to side
Traveling in the wrong lane
Running stop signs and lights

Distance yourself from the impaired driver by increasing the amount of space between you and the other vehicle.


Fatigue-impaired Driving
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Introduction
Have you ever nodded off while driving and snapped awake without remembering what just happened on your journey?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that there are 100,000 police-reported crashes resulting in 1,550 deaths and 71,000 injuries annually as the result of drowsy driving.

62% of drivers drive when they are tired.

50% of fatal crashes involve single vehicle collisions where the vehicle travels off the road, rolls over, or collides with a fixed object.

40% of adults are so tired that it interferes with their daily activities.

Studies have shown that sleep-deprived drivers' reaction times and performance skills are as poor as alcohol-impaired drivers'.

There are two types of fatigue:

Physical - A tendency toward inactivity brought on by physical exhaustion.
Mental - A tendency toward inactivity brought on by mental or emotional stress.
Your body and mind both get tired. Recognize physical and mental fatigue so that you can be sure you never get in a vehicle when your body needs to sleep. Your brain will find the sleep it needs when you are fatigued, and falling asleep at the wheel or experiencing a microsleep (temporary loss of concentration) can happen when you least expect it.

Fatigue may be brought on by mental or physical exertion, stress, boredom, illness, or lack of sleep. Drowsy driving is now recognized as one of the leading causes of traffic crashes.

Do not drive tired and do not ride with a tired driver.

This module is about how being tired affects your ability to drive. The topics that will be addressed include:

Circadian Rhythm
Physical and Mental Effects of Fatigue
Micro-sleep
Sleep Driving
Driving on Long Trips

Circadian Rhythm
When do you find yourself wanting a nap - sometime in the afternoon after lunch? Avoid scheduling a drive when your circadian rhythm is low. These times are when you are more likely to zone out, blank out, or experience microsleeps at the wheel.

According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, most sleep crashes occur during "the middle of the night" and during the early morning hours. Less obvious, though, there is also a peak in sleep-related crashes in the mid-afternoon. Our natural circadian rhythms dictate that we will be most sleepy during the middle of our nighttime sleep period, and again 12 hours later, between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Vehicle off-road rollovers most often occur during these hours.

If you work a late shift or stay up late into the night for whatever reason, be aware that fatigue affects your mind, body, and all your senses, especially vision.

It is not safe to drive if you have stayed awake during your natural sleep time.

Fatigue-impaired Driving
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Physical and Mental Effects of Fatigue
Fatigue affects your body and your mind. When tired, you are not as alert as you should be and your senses are dulled.

Your vision is affected because your eye muscles are tired along with the rest of your body and focusing becomes difficult. Your peripheral vision shrinks. Your ability to search is also reduced, delaying hazard recognition.

You may miss critical information such as road signs and traffic signals. Or worse, you may not see an animal or pedestrian approaching from the side.

When you are tired, your body is relaxed and it takes more time to steer and brake. Your brain is slowing down and your ability to react quickly is reduced.

Lack of sleep is one of the leading causes of traffic fatalities. Fatigue has many of the same dangerous effects as drinking alcohol. According to DrowsyDriving.org:

18 hours awake = same effect as .05 blood alcohol concentration

24 hours awake = same effect as .1 blood alcohol concentration
Be aware that any of these blood alcohol levels could be illegal, and you could be considered as impaired as if you were drinking alcohol.

Do not drive tired or after drinking. Never risk driving under this combination of risk factors.

atigue-impaired Driving
Page 5 of 9
Microsleep
Microsleep is a term used for sudden, unexpected moments of sleep - microsleeps last 4-5 seconds.

In 4-5 seconds, traveling 50 mph, your vehicle can travel the length of a football field. Close your eyes and count to five - imagine what can happen when you are asleep even for a few seconds at the wheel.



In about half of the drivers who experience microsleep, there are no warning signs. Be attentive to the warnings that your body may give when you are about to fall asleep. Those warnings and symptoms include:


Discomfort - heavy arms and legs
Tense muscles
Heavy eyes
Constant yawning
Leaning forward while driving
Feeling tired
Headache
Your eyes close or go out of focus by themselves
Trouble keeping your head up
Wandering, disconnected thoughts
You are easily distracted.
You don't remember driving the last few miles
Drifting between lanes and wandering in your own lane
You tailgate
You miss traffic signs.
You hear the noise of rumble strips or lane markings.
You keep jerking the vehicle back into the lane.
You have drifted off the road and narrowly missed something.

When you notice these warning signs, get off the road. Do not depend on warning signs because sometimes microsleeps occur without any warning. You cannot predict when you will fall asleep at the wheel.

Do you have health issues that disrupt your sleep patterns? Do you have a difficult time getting the needed 8 hours of sleep recommended by the National Sleep Foundation?

If so, you are a likely candidate for microsleep, or "nodding off" while driving.

If you experience microsleep, pull off where it is safe and you can rest. Prevent microsleep by:

Driving only when rested
Scheduling your drives to avoid your circadian rhythm "low-times"
Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule
Avoiding mental and physical exertion before driving
Rest is the only cure for the effects of fatigue. Do not even consider driving if you are tired.

Fatigue-impaired Driving
Page 6 of 9
Sleep Driving
In March 2007, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued new warnings for prescription sleep aids, alerting patients that the drugs can cause allergic reactions and complex sleep-related behaviors, including “sleep driving”.

The agency has asked the makers of more than a dozen drugs to alter drug labels and officially warn doctors and patients of the risks associated with sedative-hypnotics. These commonly prescribed sleep aids are widely used and frequently advertised on television.

Some patients who have taken the drugs, have reported participating in behaviors similar to sleepwalking, but far more complex - such as driving, all with no memory of the events.

If you are taking these types of drugs, reduce the risk of unpredictable "sleep driving" by taking no more than the prescribed amount and do not mix it with alcohol.

This information may not apply to you directly, but add it to the list of reasons you need to be a defensive driver, stay focused, and be aware at all times - the driver next to you could be asleep with their eyes wide open.

Fatigue-impaired Driving
Page 7 of 9
Driving on Long Trips
Driving on long trips is a unique experience:

You are behind the wheel for a greater distance and time than you are normally used to.
There are different driving environments and unfamiliar roads, which require you to be alert and attentive.
Time zone changes interfere with your normal body clock and schedule.

Tips for preventing fatigue when driving on long trips include:

Get plenty of sleep before you depart.
Ensure your vehicle has good air circulation.
Wear your seatbelt - it "holds" you in your seat and your muscles do not tire so quickly.
Take frequent breaks. Schedule and plan to stop every two hours, get out, and walk around.
Rest. If necessary, find a hotel to prevent a fatigue-related crash.

Fatigue-impaired Driving
Page 9 of 9
Review
Lack of sleep is one of the leading causes of traffic fatalities. Fatigue has many of the same dangerous effects as drinking alcohol. For example, being awake for 18 hours straight has the same effect as a .07 BAC.

The circadian rhythm is built into the human body to seek rest for itself.

We will be most sleepy during the middle of our nighttime sleep period, and again 12 hours later, between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

When you are tired, your body is relaxed and it takes more time to steer and brake. Your brain is slowing down and your ability to react quickly is reduced.

Fatigue blurs your visual acuity, shrinks your peripheral vision, and slows your hazard recognition abilities. You may miss critical information such as road signs and traffic signals.

Microsleeps are sudden, unexpected moments of sleep that last 4-5 seconds. In 4-5 seconds, traveling 50 mph, your vehicle can travel the length of a football field.

If you experience microsleep, pull off where it is safe and rest.

If you are taking sedative-hypnotic drugs such as Ambien or Lunesta, reduce the risk of unpredictable "sleep driving" by taking no more than the prescribed amount and not mixing it with alcohol.

Tips for preventing fatigue when driving on long trips include:

Get plenty of sleep before you depart.
Ensure your vehicle has good air circulation.
Wear your safety belt - it "holds" you in your seat and your muscles do not tire so quickly.
Schedule and plan to stop every two hours, get out and walk around.

Emotions and Driving
Page 1 of 9
Introduction
Anger, fear, anxiety, and extreme happiness are examples of emotions that can interfere with your ability to make safe driving decisions.

Emotions affect the body physically and mentally. Emotional stress also causes dangerous fatigue. As a driver, when you are physically and mentally off-balance you need to recognize the warning signs and take control of your emotions.

We all experience stress as a part of our daily lives. At extreme levels, stress causes an increase in your heart rate, an increase in your breathing rate, muscle tension, headaches, and fatigue. All of these reactions impair your ability to operate a vehicle.

Learn the warning signs. Recognize why and when your ability to make good decisions is affected by emotions.

One of the ways to manage emotions, especially anger while driving, is to leave early - allow yourself plenty of time to get from point A to point B. This reduces the need to speed and allows you time to be patient and courteous.

Work on adjusting your attitude and staying calm - especially when someone cuts in front of you or is tailgating and honking at you because you are traveling the speed limit.

This module is about emotional impairment and how it affects driving. The topics that will be addressed include:

Emotional Impairment
Why Driving Makes People Angry
Aggressive Driving
Recognizing Aggression Within
Managing Your Emotions

Emotional Impairment
Driving requires interaction between your body and mental processes. Drivers routinely drive in mental states that interfere with the ability to perceive risk and react quickly. You are impaired when your ability to operate a vehicle is limited or hampered.

Emotional impairment leads to unpredictable behavior, which increases the risk for everyone in the driving environment.

Emotional impairment factors are hard to manage because they often arise suddenly, without warning. The most common factors that create an emotionally impaired driver include:

Stress
Anger or rage
Fear, anxiety, or panic accompanied by irrational thoughts
Depression
Grief
Speed addiction
Risk addiction
Habitual disrespect for the law
Negativity that condones hostility on the highway
Denial of one's own driving mistakes

Drivers who drive recklessly while experiencing these emotions are characterized as unwilling to exercise self-control because of fear, vengeance, prejudice, or disrespect for others.

Avoiding collisions requires complex decisions and skilled responses. Other drivers depend on you to be rational and predictable.

Emotions and Driving
Page 3 of 9
Why Driving Makes People Angry
Driving is a dynamic activity that involves high-risk incidents and interaction with thousands of unpredictable drivers. Routine events are mixed with incidents that are not routine such as being cut off, tailgated, or having to follow a very slow moving vehicle.

We enjoy the freedom and independence of driving when and where we please. Many drivers do not react well when that expected freedom is interrupted by restrictions, regulations, congestion, and the unexpected actions of other drivers.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, the following is a list of emotional challenges that are common reasons why drivers get angry, hostile, and exhibit aggressive behavior:

Restriction. In a traffic jam, when drivers cannot get where they are going on time or at the expected speed of travel, anxiety builds up to "escape" the confinement of congested traffic. This anxiety causes drivers to perform aggressive maneuvers to get away from or get ahead of others.

Being confronted with danger. Congested traffic filled with impatient drivers who make unpredictable moves, cause "close calls" and near collisions. Being confronted with dangerous situations increases stress, fear, resentment, and rage.

Regulation. Government regulation, and all of the rules associated with driving, angers some people because they feel like it is an imposition, prompting them to disregard the rules because they do not agree with them or they are just rebellious.

Lack of control over the situation. When drivers have no control over their driving environment and are stuck in traffic, the lack of control over the traffic event is frustrating and often leads to anger vented towards a nearby driver. It is the application of the old adage, "frustration leads to aggression."

Aggressive Driving
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines aggressive driving as “the operation of a motor vehicle in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger persons or property.”

Although aggressive driving is not clearly defined by California law, both the Department of Motor Vehicles and the California Highway Patrol define it as "road rage." According to the DMV Handbook, "Road rage occurs when one driver reacts angrily toward another driver."
When you think of an aggressive driver, what image comes to mind?

Law enforcement agencies categorize observable aggressive driving behavior as:

Failure to yield the right-of-way
Cutting drivers off when passing
Not allowing someone to pass safely
Incorrectly yielding when entering traffic
Making unsafe U-turns
Not signaling before slowing for a turn
Driving across highway dividers
Passing in no-passing zones
Passing stopped school buses when warning lights are flashing
Speeding in marked construction areas
Throwing an object from the vehicle
These behaviors are considered "aggressive" by law enforcement because they demonstrate a disregard for the law.

According to Vehicle Code 13210, if you are convicted of road rage, on top of fines and/or imprisonment, the court may order a license suspension for six months for a first offense, and a one year suspension for second or subsequent offenses.

The aggressive driver typically denies that these crash-causing behaviors are aggressive. But it is clear that drivers who put others in danger by the way they choose to drive are hostile, dangerous and selfish. They want to force others out of their way. These drivers feel justified in dominating others and that's what labels this type of behavior "aggressive driving".

Research conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) cited that aggressive drivers injure two to four times more people than drunk drivers.

Aggressive Driving

These behaviors are considered "aggressive" by law enforcement because they demonstrate a disregard for the law.

The aggressive driver typically denies that these crash-causing behaviors are aggressive. But it is clear that drivers who put others in danger by the way they choose to drive are hostile, dangerous and selfish. They want to force others out of their way. These drivers feel justified in dominating others and that's what labels this type of behavior "aggressive driving".

Research conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) cited that aggressive drivers injure two to four times more people than drunk drivers.

Road rage is an escalation of emotions generally provoked by aggressive drivers. Road rage is characterized by a driver using their vehicle or some other object to threaten or cause physical harm to another highway user as a result of a traffic incident.

Aggressive drivers are more likely to allow their emotions to take control and participate in road rage. Examples of road rage behavior include:

Using the vehicle to cut other drivers off or run them over
Chasing other vehicles in pursuit
Throwing objects from the vehicle
Physical fighting
Rude and obscene gestures
Shouting, swearing, name calling
Honking to protest another driver's actions
Shining high-beam headlights in retaliation


Assault and Battery on Highway Workers (PC Sections 241.5 & 243.65)
(a) When an assault is committed against a highway worker engaged in the performance of his or her duties and the person committing the offense knows or reasonably should know that the victim is a highway worker engaged in the performance of his or her duties, the offense shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000) or by imprisonment in a county jail up to one year or by both that fine and imprisonment.

(b) As used in this section, "highway worker" means an employee of the Department of Transportation, a contractor or employee of a contractor while working under contract with the Department of Transportation, an employee of a city, county, or city and county, a contractor or employee of a contractor while working under contract with a city, county, or city and county, or a volunteer as defined in Section 1720.4 of the labor Code who does one or more of the following:

Performs maintenance, repair, or construction of state highway or local street or road infrastructures and associated rights-of-way in highway or local street or road work zones.
Operates equipment on state highway or local street or road infrastructures and associated rights-of-way in highway or local street or road work zones.
Performs any related maintenance work, as required, on state highway or local street or road infrastructures in highway or local street or road work zones.

Recognizing Aggression Within
Negative emotions encourage negative, judgmental, and self-serving thoughts. Negative thoughts often surface in the form of hostile verbal expression. Recognize the effects of emotions on your personality when you drive.

Watch for anger caused by the need for revenge or retaliation:

Do you slow down if someone is tailgating you?
Do you want to ram a vehicle that cuts you off or takes the space directly in front of your vehicle?
When bicyclists are in your lane do you want to get right behind them and honk the horn?

Recognize your competitive nature:

In heavy traffic do you want to weave in and out to get ahead?
When you are running late, do you tailgate slow moving vehicles?
When a vehicle pulls in front of you, do you speed up and try to get around it, even though it is risky?

Identify characteristics that you have that are associated with impulsive, reckless driving – if you recognize any of these it is time to consciously alter your behavior.

Do you drive as fast as you want when the road is clear and you do not think you will get caught?
Do you run yellow lights?
Do you drive when you are tired?
Do you drive after consuming alcohol?

Managing Your Emotions
When you detect your emotions dominating your judgment and actions, practice a technique called self-regulation. Just forget about the gratification of getting even or engaging in a hostile act. Short-circuit the buildup of rage.

Do not be competitive. Driving is not a contest.
Do not take the aggressive actions of other drivers personally. Try not to be judgmental. Do not jump to conclusions about their behavior or actions. Put yourself in the other driver's shoes. Perhaps they are dealing with an emergency.
Listen to soothing music.
Cool off when you are angry or frustrated.
Go with the flow of traffic. Do not try to beat it or fight it.
Give yourself more time than you think you will need to complete your trip. Leave early.
Stay focused on the driving task.
Demonstrate the kind of courtesy you would like to receive from others.
Adjust the air conditioner to keep yourself cool and calm.

Turn a negative driving situation into a positive scenario. Concentrate on the safety of your vehicle, yourself, and your passengers. If you demonstrate courteous behavior, you and society in general will benefit from your decision.

Enjoy your driving experience.


Emotions and Driving
Page 9 of 9
Review
Driving requires interaction between your body and mental processes. Drivers routinely drive in mental states that interfere with the ability to perceive risk and react quickly. You are impaired when your ability to operate a vehicle is limited or hampered.

Drivers who drive recklessly while experiencing these emotions are characterized as unwilling to exercise self-control because they are experiencing fear, vengeance, and prejudice or expressing disrespect for others.

If you are stuck in a traffic jam and you can feel your anger rising, you are experiencing an emotional challenge called restriction.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines aggressive driving as “the operation of a motor vehicle in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger persons or property”.

Examples of aggressive driving behavior include:

Improper passing
Speeding
Improper lane changing
Failure to obey traffic controls
Reckless, careless or inattentive driving
Tailgating
Failure to signal
Shouting, honking, swearing, name-calling
Using the vehicle to cut off other drivers
Chasing other vehicles in pursuit

Aggressive drivers injure two to four times more people than drunk drivers.

Concentrate on the safety of your vehicle, yourself, and your passengers. Be a courteous driver and enjoy your journey.

Inattention and Distraction
Page 1 of 8
Introduction
When you drive, distractions are everywhere, not just in your vehicle.

At a typical intersection, you are surrounded by other drivers that are distracted or not paying attention.

An NHTSA survey of 4,010 drivers concluded that drivers participated in the following actions while driving:

81% talked to other passengers
66% changed the radio stations or looked for CDs
49% ate or drank something
24% had children in the back seat
12% read maps or directions
8% groomed themselves
4% read printed material

This module is about how important it is to stay focused on the task of driving when you are behind the wheel. Inattention and distraction are becoming more difficult to manage. Topics to help you manage your distractions include:

Importance of Staying Focused
Inattention and Distraction
Distractions You Can Control
Managing Distractions You Can Control

Inattention and Distraction
Page 2 of 8
The Importance of Staying Focused
You need your eyes on the road ahead and both hands on the wheel to be capable of reacting quickly and controlling your vehicle.

Split attention or focusing on distractions may narrow your field of view, shrink your peripheral vision and may cause a delay in hazard recognition.

Distractions may also cause your hands to come off the wheel and steering can be affected.


Road Events and Driving Decisions
The average driver travels 24 miles per day to and from work in heavy, or rush hour traffic.

For each mile driven, there can be up to 200 events that you have to see and decide what to do. During that single mile, you will make approximately 20 decisions - decisions that tell your hands to steer, your feet to brake, or both.

Out of those 20 decisions, most drivers make two driving errors; that's one out of ten. Drivers make about two incorrect decisions per mile, which averages 48 incorrect decisions per day, per driver.

To be able to steer effectively and react quickly while driving, you need to be focused on driving with:

Your eyes and mind on the driving environment.
Both hands on the wheel to be prepared for the unexpected.

Inattention and Distraction
Page 3 of 8
Inattention

Inattention is a general lack of focus on the task of driving.

Inattention is generally caused by intense mental concentration on highly emotional issues, such as relationships, health problems, family events, and money issues. It is also associated with daydreaming when your mind just wanders away from driving onto another subject.

When these problems consume your thoughts, it's hard to focus on driving.

If you are experiencing a highly emotional event in your life, assess your capability to remain focused behind the wheel.

Clear your mind so you are able to react quickly to the unexpected events that you will encounter.


Distraction
Driver distraction is characterized as any activity that takes a driver's attention away from driving.

Outside of the vehicle there are more distractions than inside. External distractions could include:

Other drivers
Crashes
Road signs and billboards
Unpredictable things, such as animals, pedestrians, and emergency vehicles.

Distractions inside the vehicle could include:

Music
Navigation systems
Talking
Wireless devices
Drinking and eating
Your passengers

Reading road maps, signs, and looking for street addresses are also visual distractions.

It is important to remember that any distraction has the potential to cause or contribute to a crash.

Inattention and Distraction
Page 4 of 8
Distractions You Can Control
Eliminate as many distractions as you possibly can while driving. Do an inventory of the distractions you actually can control.


Inside the Vehicle
Inside the vehicle there are obvious potential distractions you can prevent - using a mobile phone, text messaging, tuning the radio, changing CDs, eating, and grooming.

Passengers also have a large potential to distract the driver. Control conversations and actions of those sharing the vehicle with you - including children and pets.


Outside the Vehicle
You have no real control over events that occur outside the vehicle. You can plan your route to avoid construction zones and watch the traffic report to avoid congestion. When driving, you consistently encounter events that are unexpected - prepare for them by being focused on the task of driving while your vehicle is in motion.

Inattention and Distraction
Page 5 of 8
Managing Distractions You Can Control

Manage Your Wireless Device
Before driving, become familiar with the features of your phone and program the numbers you use most often. If you have a phone in your vehicle, do not use it while the vehicle is in motion. To avoid the distraction of it ringing, turn the phone off or set it to go to voicemail.

If you need to have a conversation, pull over and use the phone only when you are parked in a safe and secure location. Note: Do not pull over on the freeway to have a phone conversation. Stopping on the freeway for non-emergency purposes is illegal; if you must use your phone, exit the freeway before stopping.

Text messaging or surfing the internet on your wireless device while driving takes your hands off the wheel and your eyes off the road. This makes using a wireless device a distraction with one of the highest risks. When texting you are not looking at the road ahead and you are not using your hands to control the direction of your vehicle. To compound the risk, using a wireless device requires your thought process to be diverted from the task of driving. National statistics show that about 20% of fatal accidents are due to texting and driving.
On January 1, 2009, writing, sending, or reading text-based communication while driving became illegal in California. The law applies to electronic wireless communication devices used to manually communicate with any person using text-based communication, including, but not limited to, communications referred to as text message, instant message, or electronic mail. An exception is made if you are using a hands-free phone and you are using it hands-free while driving and, as of January 1,2014, you also must be over the age of 18 years(CVC 23124.b). Minors under the age of 18 are prohibited from using any electronic wireless communication device, even if it is hands-free.

A first offense results in a $20 fine, and subsequent offenses are $50. You may, however, use a cell phone if you are making an emergency phone call, you are an emergency services professional operating an emergency vehicle, you are driving a school or commercial bus, or you are driving a vehicle on private property.

If you are traveling at 60 mph, you will travel almost the length of a football field in three seconds. A lot can happen in that amount of time with your eyes off the road and hands off the wheel.


Manage Your Music
Program stations in advance. Load CDs and ensure they are not loose inside the vehicle. Keep the volume down so you can hear events outside of the vehicle. If you need assistance, have your passenger adjust the audio device.



Manage Telematics
The new high technology systems being introduced into today's vehicles such as in-vehicle navigation systems, embedded cellular phones, and forward looking infrared warning systems offer incredible capabilities to the operator. However, they also bring with them distraction from the task of driving.

The new technologies can actually place inordinate mental and physical demands upon the driver at very inopportune times. Studies done by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have shown that operating the controls on in-vehicle navigation systems impacts the ability to control the vehicle.

The most distracting telematic activity, resulting in the greatest number of momentary losses of control was inputting data into a navigation system using touch keys. Follow the manufacturer's warning and only input data when your vehicle is stopped. If you have a passenger in your vehicle, let him or her operate the system for you.

Televisions (VC 27602)
A person may not drive a motor vehicle if a television receiver, video monitor, television or video screen, or any other, similar means of visually displaying a television broadcast or video signal that produces entertainment or business applications, is operating and is located in the motor vehicle at any point forward of the back of the driver's seat, or is operating and the monitor, screen, or display is visible to the driver while driving the motor vehicle. This does not include vehicle information displays, global positioning displays, mapping displays, or visual displays used to enhance or supplement the driver's view forward, behind, or to the sides of a motor vehicle.

If a television or other similar equipment is positioned at a point forward of the back of the driver's seat, it must have an interlock device that, when the motor vehicle is driven, disables the equipment for all uses. Any equipment that applies must be designed, operated, and configured in a manner that prevents the driver of the motor vehicle from viewing the television broadcast or video signal while operating the vehicle in a safe and reasonable manner.

Inattention and Distraction
Page 6 of 8
Managing Distractions You Can Control

Manage Your Passengers
Passengers are serious distractions. Keep passengers and conversation to a minimum. Try to let the passengers do most of the talking.

Refrain from emotional conversation and do not look at your passengers when you are talking with them. You are not the entertainment. If you are traveling with children, plan to keep them occupied with a quiet activity. Ensure they are safely secured and cannot move about the vehicle.



Manage Grooming
Avoid this distraction because it takes both your hands off the wheel and your eyes off the road.


Manage Reading
Reading includes looking for street signs, reading maps, or trying to follow directions. Reading takes your focus away from driving and your eyes off the road. Avoid this distraction by knowing your destination before getting behind the wheel.

If you need directions, stop your vehicle, then read the map. If you have a passenger, have him or her assist you in locating your destination.


Manage Eating and Drinking
Plan to eat in advance of driving. On long trips, stop to eat and obtain rest so you do not get fatigued. If you have to eat, purchase car-friendly food. Prepare drinks so they fit in your vehicle's drink holder and will not spill. Plan ahead to minimize the mess of eating and drinking and the distraction that goes with it.

Inattention and Distraction
Page 8 of 8
Review
Inattention and distractions are dangerous because they take YOUR MIND off of driving. Inattention is a general lack of focus on the task of driving.

Stay focused on the task of driving because in one split second an unexpected event can occur, and you have to be ready to see it and react quickly!

Most distractions are outside of the vehicle, and you cannot control them, but you CAN control the urge to look and stare. Do not take your eyes off the road ahead and keep both hands on the wheel so you can control your vehicle. Plan your route to avoid distractions outside of your car.

Keep in mind that there are occasions when your vehicle can become a distraction.

When engaged in a conversation, even on a hands free phone, the conversation involves your thought process and often emotions, which take your mind off driving. If you need to have a conversation, pull over and use the phone only when you are parked in a safe and secure location.

If you need directions, stop your vehicle and then read the map.

Groom yourself before your vehicle is in motion. Control your passengers - while you are driving, you are responsible for their lives. If you have to eat or drink, buy "car-friendly" food and get it ready before you are in motion.

Enjoy the radio and CDs... load your CDs and set your radio stations before driving. Keep the volume down so you can hear events that occur outside of the vehicle.

Watch out for others who are not paying attention - they are everywhere! And always stay focused behind the wheel.

Signs, Signals, and Markings
Page 1 of 11
Introduction
The highway transportation system uses traffic control devices to visually communicate messages to drivers using signs, signals, and road markings. Traffic controls are necessary to ensure orderly, predictable movement of traffic.

Transportation professionals create traffic rules and regulations with careful consideration of driver capabilities, roadway structure and vehicle crash history. Signs, signals and markings warn you of changing road conditions, tell you what to do, and help guide your way.

Not obeying traffic signs and signals is a leading reason for fatalities on our roadways. It is unlawful for any driver of a vehicle to fail to obey any sign or signal (VC 21461).

This module is about the purpose and meaning of road signs, signals, and markings. Topics include:

Signs
Signals
Markings
New or Unfamiliar Traffic Controls
Responding Appropriately to Traffic Controls

Signs, Signals, and Markings
Page 2 of 11
Signs
There is a national standard for road signs which uses symbols designed for quick and easy understanding. The standards are published by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). The standards mandate the use of uniform colors and shapes so all drivers can quickly interpret their meaning.

The three categories of signs are regulatory, warning, and guide signs.



Regulatory Signs
Regulatory signs communicate laws. Stop signs and yield signs are regulatory signs which warrant such emphasis; they were assigned unique, distinctive shapes.

Stop signs are red and octagonal with white letters and a white border. Most stop signs are supplemented with a broad white stop bar painted on the road, indicating the best position to stop your vehicle. When stopped, yield the right-of-way to pedestrians or other vehicles that are approaching or already in the intersection.

Yield signs are red and white or yellow inverted triangles, located where roads cross or merge. Allow others in your intended path of travel to use the intersection before you enter. To yield the right-of-way means you give the privilege of the roadway to another road user.

Other important regulatory signs include the railroad crossbuck, do not enter, wrong way, speed limit, turning restriction, lane use, and signs restricting parking.



Warning Signs
Warning signs "warn" drivers of road and traffic conditions and communicate hazards that lie ahead. Most warning signs are yellow and diamond-shaped. Diamond-shaped warning signs communicate danger and are read from the top to the bottom. Be prepared to adjust your speed and position when you see a warning sign.

Warning signs do not tell you what to do; they warn you of approaching or potential danger. Warning signs with a speed posted on them indicate a reduction of speed may be necessary. These speeds are determined to be the safest speed to travel in good conditions; do not assume you can safely travel faster than the sign indicates.

Traffic engineers are improving the visibility of advance warning signs with the use of fluorescent reflective shielding. You may begin to notice this particularly in school zones and construction zones.



Guide Signs
Guide signs provide information about routes, exits, location, distances, points of interest, and services. Exit signs are green.

Route markers are posted on local, U.S., and interstate routes. Interstate route signs are red, white, and blue shields. Route signs vary according to the type of roadway. State and county signs vary from state to state. Route signs have the road number posted on them.

Other guide signs include destination and mileage signs, roadside service signs, and signs that direct you to recreational areas.

New signs to help guide you into the proper lane well in advance of an intersection are currently being implemented on all types of roads. These signs are called advance channelization signs. Their purpose is to provide an unfamiliar driver with information that allows lane changes to occur before the busy intersection. Advance street name signs are being installed to inform you of what street you are approaching well ahead of when you have to struggle to read the actual street name sign posted at the intersection.

You may also begin to notice overhead street name signs that are internally illuminated. These improvements are being implemented across the country by the Department of Transportation.

Click on the "signs list" link below to review the extensive road sign inventory of the Highway Transportation System.

Signs List

Signs, Signals, and Markings
Page 4 of 11
Signals
Traffic engineers use signals in combination with signs and markings to help control busy streets, roadways, and highways. Signals are bright enough to be easily seen both day and night. They are positioned to be seen above and to the side of traffic flow. New signals may be seen mounted on mast arms across the intersection to improve visibility by keeping the signals in the driver's forward field-of-vision.

It is important to recognize signals well ahead of an intersection to have plenty of time to plan your maneuver. To improve the visibility of signals in advance of the intersection, traffic engineers are beginning to install larger signals. The old standard was the use of 8" lenses. Now 12" lenses with light emitting diodes (LEDs) are replacing the old signals in many communities. These lenses provide brighter light which is easier to see from a distance. In addition, on roads running in east and west directions, backplates are being added to signals to improve their visibility at dawn and dusk.

Always obey traffic signals – it is the law.

Green lights mean cross traffic should be stopped, but it doesn't necessarily mean it is safe to go. Enter the intersection after scanning to be sure it is clear of traffic. The most dangerous time to enter an intersection is immediately after the light has turned green; this is when other drivers accelerate to "beat the yellow light" (VC 21451).

Yellow or amber means the signal is about to turn red. Prepare to stop at an intersection when you see the yellow light. If you are too close to stop safely, go through the intersection with caution. It is illegal to enter an intersection after the signal turns red (VC 21452).

At a red light, stop your vehicle before entering the intersection. You must stop with your front bumper positioned just before the painted line. Remain stopped until the light turns green, check for any traffic, and when it is safe, proceed with caution through the intersection (VC 21453).

Right-turn-on-red is allowed in California. If there is no sign that prohibits a right-turn-on-red, come to a full stop. Yield to other vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists. When there is no traffic in the intersection, and a safe distance with no cross-traffic, complete your turn (VC 21453).

Flashing red and yellow lights control some intersections in rural areas, or during times when there is a low traffic flow.

A flashing red light means you must come to a complete stop and yield the right-of-way to cross traffic. Enter the intersection only when it is clear (VC 21457).

California's anti-gridlock law states:

A driver may not enter an intersection or marked crosswalk unless there is enough space on the other side of the intersection or crosswalk to accommodate the vehicle without obstructing traffic
A driver making a turn at an intersection with a steady yellow signal may not enter an intersection or marked crosswalk unless there is enough space on the other side of the intersection or crosswalk to accommodate the vehicle without obstructing traffic
A driver may not enter a railroad crossing unless there is enough space on the other side of the crossing to accommodate the vehicle without obstructing railway traffic (VC 22526)

Signs, Signals, and Markings
Page 5 of 11
Signals
A flashing yellow light means slow down, and be prepared to stop. Proceed with caution; scan for traffic in your path before crossing the intersection (VC 21457).

Lighted arrows control the direction traffic flows; they point in the direction you should drive.

A green arrow means turn or drive forward in the direction that it is pointing. When a green left turn arrows displays, the opposing traffic has a red light; however, there is never a guarantee that opposing traffic will yield the right-of-way. Proceed cautiously through any intersection (VC 21451).

Yellow arrows give you warning that a red arrow is about to appear; stopped traffic in that direction is about to move. Prepare to stop when you see a yellow arrow (VC 21452).

A red arrow means do not travel in that direction (VC 21453).

Large cities utilize lane control signals when large numbers of vehicles have to travel over bridges or through tunnels. Drive in the lane with the green arrow located above it. Do not travel in the direction of a yellow arrow - it is telling you that your path will soon have oncoming traffic. Never travel in a lane with a red arrow located above it, especially through a tunnel!

X signals are also used in controlled lanes. A solid yellow X means move over to a lane with a green arrow. The yellow X is telling you the lane is about to switch directions and oncoming traffic will soon head your way.

A flashing yellow X allows you to use the lane to make left turns, but only for a very short period of time. Use extreme caution when making a left turn on a yellow X. You only have a short distance to make this maneuver before the oncoming traffic will block your path.

A red X over a lane means DO NOT drive in this lane.

Pedestrian signals are used to control pedestrians at intersections with heavy traffic. Pedestrian signals are mounted near traffic lights. These signals inform pedestrians when to walk and they also help drivers know what to do. The WALK signal and the green light are normally on at the same time for drivers and pedestrians going the same direction.

New pedestrian countdown signals are being installed to help pedestrians judge the actual amount of time in seconds they have before traffic signals change.

Pedestrians must clear the intersection when the DON'T WALK signal flashes or remains lit. Search to be sure the intersection is clear of pedestrians before entering. ALWAYS give pedestrians the right-of-way.

Any required stop shall be made at a sign, crosswalk, or limit line indicating where the stop shall be made, but in the absence of any such sign or marking the stop shall be made at the signal (VC 21455).

The driver of any vehicle approaching an intersection which has official traffic control signals that are inoperative shall stop at the intersection, and may proceed with caution when it is safe to do so. This shall also apply to traffic control signals that become inoperative because of battery failure (VC 21800).

Markings
Markings communicate the law and are painted on the road for your safety and to regulate the flow of traffic. Markings provide drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists with important information, warnings, and direction regarding the use of the road.

Markings signify roadways, lanes, and are often used to reinforce the messages provided by signs and signals. Lines, words and arrows are used to help control traffic moving on the road.

Lines are the most common marking and are primarily used to signify traffic lanes. Lines inform drivers where to position their vehicles and communicate when it is not safe or legal to change lanes or pass. Lines also communicate where to stop, when the road narrows, and where pedestrians may safely cross the road.

Text on the road is used to reinforce signs and signals. Text is also used with a diamond symbol to represent reserved lanes.

Arrows are used to help the driver position his or her vehicle in the proper lane for turning left, right, or going straight.

Most markings are yellow or white. Yellow lines separate traffic traveling in opposite directions. White lines separate traffic moving in the same direction.

If you have a SOLID yellow line on your side of the road, do not pass or cross over into the oncoming lane. If you have a broken yellow line, give the right-of-way to oncoming traffic.

Slanted stripes indicate where vehicles should not change lanes.

White lettering and symbols painted on the surface of the roadway are used to supplement signs and signals.

Curb Markings (VC 21458)
Curbs are painted to regulate parking. There are special parking rules that go with each color.

Yellow - Indicates stopping only for the purpose of loading or unloading passengers or freight for a specified time (time may be specified by local ordinance).
Green -Indicates time-limit parking specified by local ordinance.
White - Indicates stopping for either of the following purposes:
Loading or unloading of passengers for a specified time (time may be specified by local ordinance).
Depositing mail in an adjacent mailbox.
Red - Indicates no stopping, standing, or parking, whether the vehicle is attended or unattended; however, a bus may stop in a red zone marked as a bus loading zone.
Blue - Indicates parking limited exclusively to the vehicles of disabled persons and disabled veterans. To park here, you must have a special permit.
NOTE: You may not park your vehicle and leave it unattended within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. Also, when parking alongside a curb, the front and back wheels must be parallel and within 18 inches of the curb. If your car is facing downhill, the car front tire should be turned into the curb and set the parking brake.

If your car is facing uphill, turn the front tires all the way to the left and let the vehicle roll back a few inches until the tire touches the curb (again, make sure to set the parking brake). On a two-way road, you must park along the right side of the road. On a one-way road, you may park along either side, as long as your vehicle is facing in the same direction as the road.

If you are parking where there is no curb, turn the wheels so the car will roll away from the center of the road if the brakes happen to fail.

Distinctive Roadway Markings (VC 21459)
Distinctive roadway markings are used to designate any portion of a highway where the volume of traffic or the shape of the roadway makes it hazardous to drive on the left side of the marking.

Two-way Left Turn Lanes (VC 21460.5)
A two-way left turn lane is a lane near the center of the highway used by vehicles making left turns in both directions from or into the highway.

Two-way left turn lanes are designated by parallel double yellow lines, interior line dashed and exterior line solid, on each side of the lane.

Do not drive your vehicle in a designated two-way left turn lane except when:

Preparing for or making a left turn from or into a highway
Preparing for or making a permitted U-turn.
You shall not drive in that lane for more than 200 feet while preparing for and making the turn or while preparing to merge into the adjacent lanes of travel. Do not use this lane for passing (VC 21460.5).

New or Unfamiliar Traffic Controls


Improved Pavement Markings
New pavement markings with messages help guide drivers into the proper lane and avoid confusion at major intersections. These messages include route signs, merge arrows and skip strips. Skip strips are short white markings that define your turn lane through intersections. Watch for pavement markings to help you navigate and reduce your risk as you travel through these busy environments.

Pedestrian crossings are being marked with bigger, bolder white stripes to help drivers recognize from a distance where pedestrians may be crossing.


Electronic Message Boards
New electronic highway message boards are another way of getting safety messages and potentially life-saving information to the public in a timely manner.

The messages may contain information such as: "Warning, Congestion Ahead", "Warning, Hazard Ahead, Detour...", "Child Abduction Reported...," etc.

The message boards are also used to send weather warnings and report road conditions to travelers.

When you see a message board with an amber dot flashing in each corner, this indicates the shoulder is closed. This board is typically found in construction zones and indicates if you have to exit the road.


Pedestrian or School Zone Signs
New pedestrian and school zones signs exist on the roadway to warn drivers of an approaching crosswalk and the actual crosswalk itself. You will see lines representing a sidewalk added to the new fluorescent yellow-green diamond-shaped sign or the five-sided sign shaped like a house; its purpose is to warn drivers of a pedestrian or school crossing.


HOV or Diamond Lanes
In high traffic areas, many cities and states have carpool lanes which are called diamond lanes or High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes. The HOV lanes are clearly marked with a large white diamond in the middle of the traffic lane. The rules and regulations for use of these lanes vary.

High occupancy vehicles are those containing a specified number of passengers. HOV signs define the number of passengers required to travel in this lane. Some areas require one passenger and others require a minimum of two to ride in the HOV lane (Driver Handbook). Some HOV lanes have specific time restrictions and require tolls. Some states allow motorcycles or alternative fuel vehicles to use the HOV lane with a single occupant.

Travel in these lanes only if you meet the criteria for the drivers in these designated lanes. Single occupant, low-emission vehicles were previously expected to no longer be permitted in the HOV lanes as of January 1, 2011. However, vehicles with a yellow sticker will now be permitted to drive in the HOV lane until July 1, 2011 and vehicles with a white sticker will be permitted to use the HOV lanes until January 1, 2015. After January 1, 2012, single occupant, plug-in hybrids will be granted with a third sticker, which will allow for the use of HOV lanes from January 1, 2012 to January 1, 2015 (5205.5 and 21655.9 VC). Single occupant vehicles without any of these stickers are no longer permitted to drive in HOV lanes—this includes the Prius and Honda rated 45 MPG.

You may only enter carpool/HOV lanes when a single broken line is in place to the right of the lane. You may not enter the lane when a double parallel solid line is in place to the right of the lane. It is illegal to cross these double lines (VC 21655.8).

If you violate the regulations and get caught in an HOV lane it is considered a moving violation and the fine is expensive - some states fine over $350 and assess points on your license. As a driver, you are responsible for knowing the HOV laws in your state.



Controlled Entrance Ramps
Some urban areas have traffic signals that control traffic as it enters the expressway. These signals are often used during rush hours to provide interval space for vehicles to enter. Follow the signs and wait for your green light. Be prepared to accelerate quickly or decelerate to enter the traffic flow.

Responding Appropriately to Traffic Controls


Multiple Turn Lanes at an Intersection
Position your vehicle in the proper lane well ahead of the intersection or turn.

Follow this procedure when approaching a controlled intersection with multiple turn lanes:

Search the intersection and the roadway for traffic controls, pedestrians, and other users.
If you need to change lanes, check your blind spot in the direction you are about to maneuver.
Signal your intentions.
When you have identified a safe gap, change lanes.
Identify multiple turn lanes and watch for road markings. Select the lane you want to travel in well in advance.
Search ahead, to the rear, and to the sides. Check the signal and if possible calculate an estimate when it will change.
Adjust your speed and position your vehicle to minimize conflicts.
As you approach the intersection, continue to search for pedestrians and conflicts.
Watch for oncoming vehicles that are turning in the same direction.


Shared Left-turn Lanes
Sharing a lane with oncoming traffic to make a left turn can be dangerous. Safe guidelines for using a shared left-turn lane include:

Do not move into the lane too soon. The longer you stay in the lane, the more likely you will meet someone coming in the opposite direction.
Watch for vehicles pulling out of entrances and side streets. They may cut in front of you or turn into the shared lane and wait for a gap in traffic.
Do not use a shared left turn lane as a through lane. If you do not want to turn, stay out of the lane. Never use the center lane for passing.



Construction Signs and Barrels
Orange, diamond shaped, or rectangular signs alert drivers of construction zones. Be ready to slow, stop, or drive around equipment and workers.

Travel through construction zones carefully and follow the directions received from construction workers or law enforcement officers. Be cautious about your position in the lane; often construction zones have no shoulder or extra space in which you can maneuver.

Construction zones present a very high risk to all present. In 2009, 667 persons lost their lives in work zone crashes (NHTSA).

Traffic Breaks
Traffic breaks are used by law enforcement to:

Slow or stop traffic to remove hazards from the roadway
Conduct emergency operations
Prevent traffic collisions in heavy fog or unusually heavy traffic
During a traffic break, the officer turns on the rear emergency lights of the patrol vehicle, slows the vehicle, and drives across the lanes of traffic in a snake or serpentine manner. To assist the officer in conducting a traffic break, you should:
Activate your emergency flashers to warn other drivers there is a hazard ahead.
Slow to the same speed as the officer, while keeping a safe distance from the patrol vehicle ahead of you.
Do not attempt to drive past the patrol vehicle and do not accelerate until the patrol vehicle has turned off its emergency lights.

Review
Warning signs "warn" drivers of road and traffic conditions and communicate hazards that lie ahead. New pedestrian and school zone signs exist on the roadway to warn drivers of an approaching crosswalk. They are fluorescent yellow-green diamond-shaped.

Guide signs provide information about routes, exits, location, distances, points of interest, and services.

Regulatory signs communicate laws. The regulatory speed limit sign is the most common sign on our roadways.

Traffic engineers use signals in combination with signs and markings to help control busy streets, roadways, and highways.

Lines are the most common road marking and are primarily used to signify traffic lanes. Lines also communicate where to stop, when the road narrows, and where pedestrians may safely cross the road. A broad white stop bar painted across your lane at an intersection indicates the best place to stop your vehicle. Text is also used with a diamond symbol to represent reserved lanes.

Arrows are used to help the driver position his or her vehicle in the proper lane for turning left, right, or going straight.

If you have a SOLID yellow line on your side of the road, do not pass or cross over into the oncoming lane.

Electronic highway message boards communicate safety messages. When you see a message board with an amber dot flashing in each corner, this indicates the shoulder is closed.

Construction zones present a very high risk to all who are present. Each year motorists injure thousands of roadway workers in construction zones.

Introduction
You share the road with vehicles, pedestrians, and animals and they need to be able to anticipate what you will do. Always communicate your intentions prior to maneuvers.

Drivers communicate by using:

Turn signals
Brake lights
Headlights
Emergency hazard lights
The horn
Vehicle position
Eye contact
Body movements and hand signals

The use of turn signals and your brakes are the methods of communicating to other road users that are used most often.

This module covers communication. The topics that will be addressed include:

Turn Signals
Lights
Brakes
Horn
Vehicle Position and Body Movement

Turn Signals
Turn on your signal well in advance of your maneuver to turn or change lanes. Signal far enough ahead so other drivers in your vicinity can make adjustments to your change in speed and direction.

Do not turn it on too much in advance; other drivers might think you don't know it is on and not pay attention or may assume you want to turn into a driveway prior to an intersection or corner.

In California, you are required to signal for at least 100 feet before making your turn (VC 22107 and VC 22110).

Turn Signal System (VC 24951)
Any vehicle MUST be equipped with a lamp-type turn signal system capable of clearly indicating any intention to turn either to the right or to the left. These vehicles include:

Motor trucks, truck tractors, buses, and passenger vehicles, other than motorcycles, manufactured and first registered on or after January 1, 1958.
Trailers and semi-trailers manufactured and first registered between December 31, 1957, and January 1, 1969, having a gross weight of 6,000 pounds or more.
Trailers and semi-trailers 80 or more inches in width manufactured on or after January 1, 1969.
Motorcycles manufactured and first registered on or after January 1, 1973, except motor-driven cycles whose speed attainable in one mile is 30 miles per hour or less.
Turn signal lamps should not be mounted lower than 15 inches.

Visibility Requirements of Signals (VC 24952)
A turn signal should be clearly visible both in daylight and during nighttime, from a minimum distance of 300 feet to the front and back of the vehicle. Certain vehicles (depending on their size) must have clearance lamps that are visible from at least 500 feet during both day and night (VC 24952).

Turn Signal Lamps (VC 24953)
Turn signal systems, which are used to indicate which way a driver intends to turn, shall emit a flashing light that is either white or amber and can be seen on the front of the vehicle. The turn signals on the rear of the vehicle shall flash either red or amber light.

Turn signals that are mounted on the side of the vehicle and project an amber light that flashes may also be used to supplement the turn signals on the front and rear of the vehicle. If these side-mounted mirrors are to the rear of the vehicle's center, they may project a red, flashing light, so long as no part of it is visible from the front.

As well as the turn signal lamps that are required, a vehicle may have rear turn signal lamps which are mounted on the vehicle behind the driver's seat (VC 24953).

Turn Signal System Required (VC 24959)
Whenever you are towing a trailer coach or a camp trailer, the combination of vehicles must be equipped with a lamp-type turn signal system.

Lights
If you drive a newer vehicle, use your daytime running headlights (DRLs) to communicate your presence to other road users every time you drive. If you do not have them, always drive with your low-beam headlights on.

Communicate you are passing by using your signals to alert drivers behind you.

If you are far enough away, flash your high-beam headlights to oncoming drivers that have their high-beam headlights on.

Use your emergency hazard lights to communicate to others that you are in trouble, there is trouble ahead, or when you are moving very slowly.

Tail Lamps (VC 24600)
When it is dark, all independent motor vehicles, as well as all motor vehicles at the end of an attachment of vehicles, are required to be have taillamps that are lighted and mounted on the rear of the vehicle in accordance with the following:

Every vehicle must have at least one taillamp.
Every vehicle (with the exception of motorcycles), that was manufactured and first registered on/after January 1, 1958, shall have at least two taillamps; however, trailers and semi-trailers manufactured after July 23, 1973 and are under 30 inches in width, may have one taillamp so long as it is mounted at or near the vehicle's vertical centerline.
When there is a minimum requirement of two taillamps, at least one shall be mounted on either side of the vehicle (left and right), respectively, at the same height.
It is required that taillamps be red and clearly visible from any point within 500 feet behind the vehicle. This rule is slightly different for vehicles manufactured after January 1, 1969, on which taillamps shall be clearly visible from any point within 1,000 feet behind the vehicle.
For vehicles manufactured on/after January 1, 1969, taillamps must be mounted not any lower than 15 inches, and not any higher than 72 inches (except on low trucks) (VC 24600).
Stop Lamps (VC 24603)
Stop lamps must be mounted on the rear of every independent motor vehicle and every vehicle at the end of a line of attached vehicles according to the following rules:

Every vehicle that fits these criteria must have at least one stop lamp.
Every one of these vehicles (with the exception of a motorcycle), that was manufactured and registered for the first time on/after January 1, 1958, must have two stop lamps, though trailers and semi-trailers with a manufacture date after July 23, 1973 that are less than 30 inches wide may be equipped with only one stop lamp, so long as it is mounted at or near the trailer's vertical centerline.
Stop lamps must be mounted no lower than 15 inches nor any higher than 72 inches on vehicles that were manufactured on/after January 1, 1969, with the exception of low trucks.
When stop lamps are required, a minimum of one shall be mounted on each side, both left and right, of the vehicle; both must be at the same height.
Stop lamps on vehicles built on/after January 1, 1979, shall give off a red light, but stop lamps on vehicles built before January 1, 1979 shall give off either a red or yellow light.
The stop lamps of all vehicles shall be clearly visible from at least 300 feet behind the vehicle during both daylight and nighttime. However, on vehicles large enough that they must have clearance lamps, stop lamps shall be visible from at least 500 feet during both day and night.
Stop lamps must be activated when either the foot brake or electric brake is put into use.
Supplemental stop lamps are allowed on any vehicle, but they must be red in color and may not be mounted any lower than 15 inches above the street (VC 24603).
Back-up Lamps (VC 24606)
Every motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, must be equipped with one or more back-up lamps either separately or in combination with another lamp.

Back-up lamps must project a white light illuminating the highway to the rear of the vehicle for a distance of no more than 75 feet.
A back-up lamp may project incidental red, amber, or white light through reflectors or lenses that are adjacent or close to, or a part of, the lamp assembly.
Back-up lamps should not light except when the vehicle is about to back or is backing or for a temporary period after the ignition system is turned off.
License Plate Lamps (VC 24601)
All vehicles are required to have either a taillamp or a separate lamp that uses white light to illuminate the vehicle's rear license plate when it is dark; the license plate shall be legible from at least 50 feet behind the vehicle. When the rear license plate is lit up by a lamp other than the taillamp, both lamps must always be turned on/off only by the same control switch (VC 24601).

Brakes
Recognize how effectively your brakes operate. Have a good feel for the amount of pressure you need to “tap” on your brakes and the amount of pressure you need to apply to slowly decrease your speed and come to a smooth stop.

If you see brake lights in a traffic jam ahead, signal to drivers behind by slightly tapping on your brakes.

If a vehicle ahead of you activated a turn signal, there is a strong possibility it will be slowing prior to turning. Inform the drivers behind you that they will have to slow down by tapping your brakes.

Required Brake System (VC 26450)
Every motor vehicle must have both a service brake system and a parking brake system (though a parking brake system isn't necessary for motorcycles). Both types of brakes must be used separately.

If the two braking systems are connected at all, they must be built in a way that the failing of one part does not cause the vehicle to have ineffective brakes. However, this does not apply to the drums, brake shoes, or other parts of the wheel brake assemblies that are mechanical (VC 26450).

Parking Brake System (VC 26451)
Every motor vehicle's parking brake system must adhere to these rules:

The parking brake must be able to hold the vehicle (and any other attached vehicles) still on any grade on which it is being operated under all loading conditions, on a surface where there is no loose material, ice, or snow. No matter what, the parking brake must be able to lock the braked wheels to the traction limit.

The parking brake shall be put into use in one of three ways: by the driver's actions, by spring action, or by another type of isolated energy that is used solely for the parking brake's operation or the combination of both the parking brake and the emergency stopping system.

The parking brake must only be held in the applied position through the use of the vehicle's mechanical system (VC 26451).
Condition of Brakes (VC 26453)
All brakes and component parts must be maintained in good condition and good working order. The brakes should be adjusted so they operate as equally as practicable with respect to the wheels on opposite sides of the vehicle.

Horn
Using your horn can be beneficial or very irritating to other drivers.

Honk when you are approaching a blind curve to warn others that cannot see you coming.
"Tap" on your horn to warn other drivers or pedestrians who cannot see you coming.
Press hard or "lay" on the horn if you see a potential collision about to occur.
Do not use your horn if you are behind a slow moving vehicle.
Do not use your horn to greet other drivers or pedestrians.
Do not use your horn directly behind a bicyclist or a horse rider on the side of the roadway.

Horns or Warning Devices (VC 27000)
A properly functioning car horn should be heard from a distance of 200 feet. You cannot mechanically alter it to amplify its sound, it cannot emit harsh or unreasonably loud sound, and it must be maintained in proper working order.

An authorized emergency vehicle may be equipped with an air horn that can be used with the siren on that vehicle. It does not need to comply with the regulations of regular passenger vehicle horns.

Every refuse or garbage truck should also be equipped with an automatic back-up audible alarm that can be heard from a distance of not less than 100 feet.

Vehicle Position and Body Movement
Use the position of your vehicle to communicate your intentions to change lanes.

Position the vehicle in the right side of your lane before turning right and move toward the centerline when you are about to turn left.

Use your body to communicate with hand signals. Wave your appreciation and thank other drivers when they give you the right-of-way. Never use obscene hand gestures when driving.

Never direct other traffic with hand gestures because you may be liable should a crash occur.

Hand signals can be used to supplement or provide extra emphasis on mechanical signals. Standard hand signals are the same for bicycle riders and vehicle drivers. Roll down your left window and use your arm to supplement your signals:


To signal your intention to turn right, extend your left arm out and bend it up at the elbow.
To signal your intention to turn left, extend your left arm straight out to the left, at shoulder height.
To signal your intentions to slow or stop, extend your left arm down to the left side of your vehicle.

Eye contact is an effective form of communication.

Avoid eye contact unless you are making a courteous gesture. Eye contact is a trigger for road rage when you are communicating a negative message.

Review
Communication, if used consistently, can reduce the risk of collision.

Turn on your signal well in advance of your maneuver to turn or change lanes. Signal far enough ahead so other drivers in your vicinity can make adjustments to your change in speed and direction.

If you see brake lights in a traffic jam ahead, signal to drivers behind by slightly tapping on your brakes.

Use your low-beam or daytime running headlights to communicate your presence to other road users every time you drive. Flash your high-beam headlights to other drivers you are behind and about to pass. Flash your high-beam headlights to oncoming drivers that have their high-beam headlights on.

Use your emergency hazard lights to communicate when you are in trouble, there is trouble ahead, or when you are moving very slowly.

Be familiar with the location of your horn and the pressure required to operate it. Do not use your horn unless it is necessary to warn other road users of a hazardous situation. Using your horn can be beneficial or very irritating to other drivers.

Position the vehicle in the right side of your lane before turning right and move toward the centerline when you are about to turn left.

Use hand gestures as a courtesy. Never use obscene hand gestures when driving.

Avoid eye contact unless you are making a courteous gesture. Eye contact can be a trigger for road rage when you are communicating a negative message.

Introduction
When you share the roadway with other drivers and pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcycles and animals, you need to know and obey basic laws. You also need to know when to yield the right-of-way and try to anticipate what actions they might take that could cause you problems.

Identify high-risk situations in time to avoid a collision. The more complex the driving situation, the more you have to search and identify potential conflicts.

When you perceive what you think might be a potential problem situation ask yourself:

What are the rules-of-the-road that govern this situation?
What might cause a collision?
What will I do to avoid a conflict?
What might other drivers do when they notice what is happening?

Train yourself to search for hazards. Predict the actions of other road users that are sharing your traffic path.

This module covers basic traffic laws and the many issues associated with sharing the road with other road users. The topics that will be addressed include:

Basic Traffic Laws
Other Drivers
Pedestrians and Bicyclists
Motorcyclists
Animals

Basic Traffic Laws
There are basic laws that always apply, with no exceptions. Driver improvement programs require inclusion of the rules-of-the-road as a reminder of our traffic laws:


Buckle up. It is the driver's responsibility to buckle up and ensure all passengers are secured with fastened safety belts or in safety seats (this is discussed further in Unit 7, Module 4, in the "Safety Belts and Air Bags" page).

Obey traffic controls. Follow the regulations and warnings communicated by signs, signals, markings, and other traffic controls. Stay in your lane, do not weave. Stop, yield, and go as directed.

Pass on the left. Pass other vehicles on the left and only when there is time and space to safely conduct the maneuver. On multi-lane or one-way streets, passing or overtaking on the right is permitted. This can be dangerous because it is more difficult for the driver being passed to see you.

Signal your intentions. Always communicate your intention to turn or change lanes by using your turn signal at least 100 feet prior to the maneuver.

Travel at a safe speed. Drive at a speed not greater than or less than what is safe. Make reasonable decisions about traffic, the road surface, and weather conditions that might increase risk or compromise your safety while driving. Based on your speed, maintain enough space in front of your car to allow you to stop without hitting another vehicle or object. Obey the posted speed limit.

Do not tailgate. When following another vehicle, drivers must maintain a reasonable, prudent, and safe distance, considering speed, visibility, road, weather, and traffic conditions.

Do not stop quickly without a warning. When there is time and opportunity to signal, drivers must not stop or suddenly decrease speed without first giving a signal to the driver of any vehicle immediately to the rear by tapping the brakes.


Right-of-way
Never assume you have the right-of-way; another driver must give it to you. Drivers make mistakes and demonstrate a lack of courtesy even when they know the rules. Do your best to communicate your intentions when there is confusion about the right-of-way.

Follow the rules of the following scenarios:

Emergency vehicle is approaching. You must yield to any emergency vehicle visible from within 1,000 feet of your vehicle that is using its siren and at least one lighted red lamp. The driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to the right-hand edge or curb of the highway, clear of any intersection, and thereupon shall stop and remain stopped until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed. If you are driving a vehicle in an exclusive or preferential use lane shall exit that lane immediately upon determining that the exit can be accomplished with reasonable safety. Furthermore, if you are driving a street car, must immediately stop the street car, clear of any intersection, and remain stopped until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed (VC 21806).

It is illegal to follow within 30 feet of any authorized emergency vehicle that has a siren sounding and at least one lighted lamp emitting red light (VC 21706). When passing a stopped authorized emergency vehicle that is displaying emergency lights, or a stationary tow truck that is displaying flashing amber warning lights, or a stationary marked Department of Transportation vehicle that is displaying flashing amber warning lights, you must make a lane change into an available lane not immediately adjacent to the emergency vehicle or tow truck when driving on the freeway if practical and not prohibited by law. If you cannot make a safe lane change, slow to a reasonable and prudent speed that is safe for existing weather, road, and vehicular, or pedestrian traffic conditions. Any violation of this law would be punishable by a fine of no more than $50 (VC 21809).

Turning left and right. When you turn left, give the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching that are close enough to be dangerous. Also, look for motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. When you turn right, be sure to check for pedestrians crossing the street and bicyclists coming up behind you on the right.

U-turns. Signal your intention when making a U-turn. Yield to all oncoming traffic until there is a gap providing you with sufficient time and space to safely turn. A U-turn is a way to reverse your direction of travel, turning so as to proceed in the opposite direction. This can be accomplished by one continuous movement (in the shape of a "U") or in a multiple-point turn (VC 665.5). General guidelines as to when U-turns are permitted are listed below. You may legally execute a U-turn:

On a road with double yellow lines separating lines when it is safe to perform the maneuver, unless a road sign prohibits a U-turn.

When driving in a residential area if the road is clear, or if any approaching vehicle is at least 200 ft away.

When you encounter a green traffic light or a green arrow turn signal, unless a sign prohibits a U-turn.

When you are traveling on a divided highway and there is a clear and safe open area within the division that allows traffic to pass through.

General guidelines as to when U-turns are illegal are listed below. It is illegal to make a U-turn:

When you are traveling across a railroad crossing.

When you are traveling on a divided highway and completing the maneuver you cross a divided area of the road, a curb, median, or two instances of double yellow lines.

When you are unable to see a minimum of 200 feet in each direction due to an obstruction, poor visibility conditions, or any other issue that hinders your line-of-sight.

When you are specifically prohibited to do so by a road sign.

When the maneuver could lead to a collision with another vehicle.

In the driveway of a fire station or in front of a fire station.

When traveling in a business district, with the exception of a school. (California Driver Handbook)

Exiting a driveway or parking space. Yield to all vehicles already traveling in the roadway.

Pedestrians present. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked or unmarked crossings. Drivers must also exercise "due care" to try and avoid hitting a pedestrian even if they are not in a pedestrian crossing.

Blind persons present. Always yield to persons who carry a white cane or have a guide dog, whenever they are in the roadway. If you fail to yield the right-of-way, you are guilty of a misdemeanor.

Blocked lane. If your lane is blocked, you must yield the right-of-way to other vehicles around you before you prepare a lane change to go around the vehicle blocking your lane.

Your lane is ending. If your lane is ending, you must yield the right-of-way to vehicles already traveling in adjacent lanes.

Funeral Processions. In California, you must give the right-of-way to all vehicles, including any officer directing or leading a procession (VC 2817). The fine is no more than $100 for a first offense; no more than $200 for a second offense; and no more than $250 for a third or subsequent offense.

Other Drivers
According to NHTSA, about 69% of the vehicles involved in fatal crashes in 2009 were passenger cars or light trucks - including pickups, vans, and sports utility vehicles.

The open and rugged tread design of the tires limits the vehicle's ability to stop and turn. On average, pickups and SUVs need between 10-20% more distance to stop than passenger cars traveling at highway speeds.

Although light trucks are similar to passenger cars, they are usually taller, heavier, and have different tires and suspension systems than cars. A taller vehicle allows the driver to see over surrounding traffic and search farther down the road ahead for potential dangers. The extra height may cause problems when entering certain garages and enclosed parking spaces.

Pickup truck, small van, and SUV drivers pose other problems to car operators. These taller vehicles make it more difficult for passenger car drivers to see through, around, or past them. In a crash, the bumpers of tall vehicles cause more damage and increase the possibility of injury to the car's occupants. They also cause more glare when approaching or following other traffic because headlights are higher. The square shape and taller height of the light trucks mean they are more likely to be blown off the road by high winds.

Light trucks are heavier than passenger cars and take longer to stop, turn, or accelerate than do lighter vehicles. In an evasive emergency maneuver, the higher center of gravity of these vehicles makes them prone to roll over or pitch forward more easily than a car.

Step vans (delivery trucks) and 15-passenger vans are large vehicles with limited visibility to the rear. These vehicles have the same performance and handling characteristics of pickup trucks, SUVs and light trucks. Seldom is there an interior mounted rear-view mirror available for the driver to see to the rear of the vehicle. Avoid placing your vehicle at the rear or directly to the side of a van on the road. Increase space between your vehicle and a large van if possible. If you have to pass, ensure there is space in your lane to quickly overtake and reenter your lane.

Large Trucks and Service Vehicles
According to NHTSA, in 2009, large vehicles including single-unit trucks and semi-trucks (18 wheelers) weighing more than 10,000 pounds accounted for approximately 11% of the vehicles in fatal crashes.

In general, the bigger and heavier the vehicle, the longer it takes to accelerate and stop. Larger vehicles are also less maneuverable than smaller vehicles.

Drivers of large vehicles sit up high and have an excellent view of the road ahead; however, the size of their vehicle limits their vision to the rear and to the sides.

A large blind spot exists on the left (and several hundred feet directly behind the trailer). The entire right side of these vehicles also presents an equally dangerous blind spot.



Driving Behind Trucks
When traveling behind large trucks, increase your following distance. If you follow too closely, the large truck will obstruct your view of the road ahead. If you are in traffic following too closely, the truck driver cannot see you. Slow down and re-position your vehicle so you have a better view of the road ahead, and you can see the side mirrors on the truck.

Trucks that are loaded usually travel very slowly uphill and have a tendency to increase speed traveling downhill. If you are in front of a truck that is traveling downhill, change lanes, out of the truck's path. If you are traveling behind a truck going uphill, pass it only when it is safe to do so. If you cannot pass, adjust speed, and prepare to drive the same speed the truck is going. Even if it is very slow, be patient. You have no other safe choice. Do not follow too closely behind a truck going uphill. Mechanical failures could cause the truck to roll back and collide with your vehicle.

When following, passing, or while being passed by a truck in wet weather, be cautious of the tire spray. As you pass or are being passed, turn your wipers to high, anticipate the spray, maintain a straight path in your lane until you regain visibility.

No-Zones
Blind spots around large vehicles are called "no-zones" because occupying these zones is extremely dangerous and not recommended.

Stay out of the "no-zones". If you have to enter the no-zone, get in and out quickly! Do not enter a no-zone and linger - a truck driver might see you before you enter and forget you are there. If you see a truck begin to enter your lane when you are in the no-zone, never assume the driver is aware of your vehicle location. Maneuver out of no-zones as soon as possible.

If a truck has a long and broad hood, the driver may also have restricted vision up to 20 feet beyond his or her front bumper. Long semi-trucks can have a blind spot of up to 200 feet behind the truck.


Passing Trucks
Before deciding to pass a large truck, be sure to gauge the total length of the truck. Is the tractor pulling two or possibly three trailers? Can you see that far ahead?

Drop back, maintain a long following distance so you can search well ahead of the truck for hazards down the road. Ensure that you have sufficient space ahead of the truck to allow you to easily re-enter the lane after overtaking and passing. Check for curves ahead and no-passing zones. Try to plan an escape route if you get caught in a hazardous situation during the maneuver. Never pass if you have to linger for any amount of time in the truck's "no-zone."

Never pull quickly into a space directly in front of a truck or "cut-off" a large truck in traffic. This is a major cause of truck-car crashes and in most cases the driver of the car is the one who gets injured.


Merging Trucks
When a large truck enters a highway or freeway, demonstrate courtesy and create space for the truck to enter. Recognize when you have entered a "no-zone."- if you are in one, maneuver your vehicle out of the "no-zone."as soon as it is safe to do so.

Commercial Buses

Commercial buses transport an assortment of passengers, and many commercial buses transport children to help supplement the school bus system.

Commercial buses make frequent stops that delay traffic, often in the right lane. They often block your view of cross traffic and of passengers getting on and off the bus.

If you see a commercial bus on its route ahead of your vehicle, change lanes well in advance to avoid their frequent stops. If the traffic is congested, be patient and stop behind the bus' rear no-zone. Allow the passengers on board the bus to disembark and make their way safely to the sidewalk.



School Buses
When meeting or overtaking any school bus that is stopped for the purpose of loading or unloading any school children and displays a flashing red light signal and stop signal arm, you must bring your vehicle to a stop immediately before passing the school bus and you must not proceed past the school bus until the flashing red light signal and stop signal arm, if equipped with a stop signal arm, cease operation (CVC 22454). If you fail to stop for a bus flashing its lights, you may be fined up to $1,000 and your license could be suspended for one year (CVC 22454).

When driving on a divided highway or multiple-lane highway (any highway that has two or more lanes of travel in each direction), you do not need to stop if the school bus is on the other roadway (CVC 22454).

Search for small children and other pedestrians around school buses prior to the bus stopping and after it departs. Be extra cautious and resume driving slowly, only after you are sure there are no pedestrians in your path.

Pedestrians
According to the CHP, over 550 pedestrians were killed in California in 2009. Children under the age of 15 accounted for 19.6% of pedestrian victims and 15.8% of bicycle victims (victims killed and injured).

Pedestrians often enter an intersection before it is safe, or they dash across the street when they are in a hurry. Even though they might know better, it is your responsibility to yield the right-of-way to them. However, pedestrians crossing a roadway at any point other than a marked crosswalk or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection must yield the right-of-way to all vehicles on the roadway (VC 21954).

While between adjacent intersections controlled by traffic control signal devices or by police officers, pedestrians shall not cross the roadway at any place except in a crosswalk (VC 21955).

In bad weather, watch for pedestrians to unexpectedly cross your path when they are trying to get out of the cold or stay dry in a rain storm. Watch out for the unpredictable pedestrian with an umbrella; it is likely that they can see no more than their feet as they shield themselves from the weather. They cannot see you - compensate for their unpredictable actions, slow down and yield the right-of-way.

Elderly, disabled, or blind pedestrians might move slowly through intersections. Be patient and courteous as you wait for them to cross; do not honk your horn or shout at them.

On roads without sidewalks, pedestrians are supposed to walk along the left side of the road facing traffic. A pedestrian may walk close to his or her right-hand edge of the roadway if a crosswalk or other means of safely crossing the roadway is not available or if existing traffic or other conditions would compromise the safety of a pedestrian attempting to cross the road (VC 21956). This is a law designed for road users to "see and be seen". If you see a pedestrian along the side of the road, slow down and increase the space between your vehicle and the edge of the road.

As a driver, you become a pedestrian as soon as you exit your vehicle. Remember other drivers might not see you; you should anticipate that they might not extend you the proper courtesy. You have just become the vulnerable one!

As you approach the vehicle, check for the presence of pedestrians, especially in parking lots. When backing out of a driveway, watch for children playing near or behind the vehicle.



Bicyclists
Bicyclists are sharing the roadway more often than ever - they use bicycles to commute, deliver packages, for recreation, and for exercise.

Bicyclists are supposed to obey traffic laws and the other rules-of-the-road like other highway transportation system users, but do not assume that they will. Some bicyclists may ride in the middle of the road or ignore traffic signs. Always be careful when driving near bicyclists.

Beware of bicycle lanes. They are designated traffic lanes for bicyclists, marked by a solid white line, typically breaking into a dotted line ending before it reaches the corner. You should treat a bicycle lane the same as other traffic lanes. Do not turn into the lane if there is a bicyclist in the bike lane. When you are making a right turn and are within 200 feet of the corner or other driveway entrance, you must enter the bicycle lane only after ensuring there is no bicycle traffic, and then make the turn.

Anticipate how road conditions, the environment, or traffic situation will affect bicyclists' actions. Bicyclists might enter your path without warning, swerve to avoid obstacles, unintentionally fall from their bike, etc. A bicyclist is just as unpredictable as a person driving a car.

California law requires everyone under 18 years of age to wear a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet while operating a bicycle, riding as a passenger on a bicycle, operating a non-motorized scooter or skateboard, or wearing in-line or roller skates (VC 21212).



Three Feet for Safety
Be patient and follow bicyclists at a distance until it is safe to pass. From a distance, communicate your intention to pass by signaling with a tap on your horn. Do not drive closely behind a bicyclist and use your horn.

As you approach a bicyclist, adjust your speed and position. Slow down and create a wide space. Consider traffic conditions, weather, and visibility. Also consider the surface and overall width of the highway. Do not pass if you cannot safely complete the maneuver on the left with a minimum clearance of three feet (AB1371 - Three Feet for Safety Act effective September 16, 2014).

A violation of the Three Feet for Safety Act (which may cause a collision resulting in bodily injury to the bicyclist) could be punishable by a fine.

Motorcyclists
Motorcycles are small and difficult to see as they approach you from the opposing direction or from the side. Motorcycles can accelerate very quickly and can make extremely fast maneuvers. The driver has virtually no protection against injury during a crash. Beginning in 1999, California motorcyclist victims began to increase over the all time low experienced in 1998. Motorcyclists killed in 2009 decreased 27.6% from 2008 and those injured decreased 10.9% over that same year (CHP).

When sharing the road with motorcycles, first you need to know they are there. Motorcycles can overtake you quickly from behind. Search for motorcycles at all times, especially before changing lanes, turning, or passing.

It is the law that motorcycles must always operate with their headlight on if their engine is running. This requirement is in effect for all motorcycles that were made and registered after January 1, 1978; it does not include motorcycles that are authorized emergency vehicles (VC 25650.5). Scan your mirrors for the presence of an approaching motorcycle by looking for the single headlight. Often, you might hear it before you see it.

Because motorcycles are small, it is more difficult to judge their speed. Before changing lanes or maneuvering your vehicle, check the speed of the motorcycle - be sure you and the motorcycle are not about to merge into the same space.

Motorcycles have small mirrors. If you are behind or to the side, do not assume the motorcyclist sees you. In California, motorcycles must have at least one mirror, which reflects a distance of 200 feet behind the driver's view (VC 26709).

Motorcycles take up a small amount of space in the lane, but they need every bit of the lane in case they need to make a fast, evasive maneuver. Anticipate sudden movements, swerving, and quick lane changes without signals.

In California, motorcycles may "lane split," which is when motorcycles ride between two lanes. This usually occurs when there is heavy traffic.

Give the motorcyclist plenty of space and increase that space when the condition of the road is rough, irregular, or slippery as the result of inclement weather.

When being passed by a motorcycle, maintain your lane position and prepare to adjust your speed to let the motorcycle in front of you. If you see a motorcycle rapidly overtaking you from the rear, maintain your lane position until it passes. Don’t try to change lanes.

California law requires all operators and passengers, regardless of age, to wear helmets when operating a motorcycle or other two-wheel vehicle. All helmets should meet U.S. Department of Transportation and state standards (VC 27803).

California law also requires a person under 21 to complete an approved motorcycle safety course before being issued a motorcycle instruction permit, and requires the permit to be held for six months before being issued a class M motorcycle driver license (AB 1952/Niello).

Animals
Each year, about 1.5 million animal-vehicle collisions cause about $1 billion in damage, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). When a vehicle collides with a deer or, in some northern states, a moose or elk the average damage is about $2,500, though it can exceed $10,000. According to NHTSA, in 2009 there were 173 fatal crashes involving animals and motor vehicles.



Deer, Moose, Elk
Animal-vehicle collisions can happen any time of year, but autumn is the peak season for deer-car collisions. Deer and other large animals that live in wooded areas are likely to be more active and roam outside of their territory during autumn because it is mating and hunting season.

As a driver, there are a few guidelines to help reduce the risk of colliding with a deer, moose, or elk:

Scan well ahead and far off to the sides of the roadway when you see "deer crossing" signs.
At night, use your high-beam lights, conditions permitting, to illuminate the road's edges.
Conduct extensive visual search in areas near woods and water, especially at dawn and dusk, when these animals venture out to feed. If you see one deer, there may be several others nearby.
Do not flash your headlights.
If there is no vehicle close behind you, brake hard.
If a collision is inevitable, do not swerve to avoid the animal; your risk of injury may be greater if you run off the road. Maintain control of the vehicle. Report the collision to the police and your insurance company.

Livestock
Animals are unpredictable and easily startled. Encountering animals on the road can be dangerous whether it is a herd of cows, a single horse and rider, or a wandering pet.

When you are driving on rural roads, be aware that you could encounter livestock at any time. Farmers often use rural roads to move animals between paddocks, or graze stock at the side of the road. Watch for livestock if you see broken fences, open farm gates, or droppings on the road. If there are animals on the road or roadside:

Reduce your speed and be ready to stop.
Do not sound your horn or rev your engine.

Animals

Horses
Horses can frighten easily, behave unpredictably, and move into the road very quickly. Horses also have very good hearing and are easily alarmed by loud, unexpected noises. The average horse is so heavy, a collision with a car can kill the horse, its rider, and those in the vehicle. Do not overtake a horse as you would another vehicle. When approaching a horse in the roadway:

Slow down and give the horse plenty of room, especially on bridges or narrow roads.
Do not sound your horn or rev your engine.
Stop if the horse appears frightened.
At night, do not use high-beam headlights.

Collisions with Animals
If a smaller animal like a rabbit, cat, or dog crosses your path, do not swerve. Brake firmly if safe to do so. Small animals will do minimal damage to your vehicle if you cannot stop in time. Do not risk injury to yourself to avoid hitting an animal.

Take extra care at sunset as the temperature cools; this is the time nocturnal animals feed and seek water.

If you injure a domestic or farm animal on the road, contact the animal's owner. If you are unable to contact the owner, contact an inspector from The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) or a police officer no more than 48 hours after the collision.

In the event that you hit a small animal, it may need medical assistance. If the animal has been killed, contact your local authorities to remove the animal from the roadway.

Review
Do your best to communicate your intentions when there is confusion about the right-of-way.

Yield to any emergency vehicle that is using its siren and has at least one lighted lamp emitting red light.
Signal your intention when turning left at an intersection or when making a U-turn. Yield to all oncoming traffic until there is a gap providing you with sufficient time and space to safely turn.
Yield to all vehicles already traveling in the roadway.
Drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked or unmarked crossings.
Always yield to persons who carry a white cane or have a guide dog, whenever they are in the roadway.
If your lane is blocked, you must yield the right-of-way to other vehicles around you before you prepare a lane change to go around the vehicle blocking your lane.
If your lane is ending, you must yield the right-of-way to vehicles already traveling in adjacent lanes.


Light trucks have a high center of gravity which increases their susceptibility to roll over.

When you approach a school bus on an undivided roadway, be prepared to stop. When you see the flashing red stop lights, stop before reaching the bus zone and wait for the bus to unload or load. Proceed only after the bus driver turns off the red flashing lights. Watch for children.

When traveling behind large trucks, increase your following distance. Avoid traveling in “no-zones” that are ahead, to the sides, and behind large trucks. If you find yourself in one of these areas, maneuver to get out of it quickly so you will be seen by the driver.

As you approach a bicyclist, adjust your speed and position. Slow down and create a wide space. Do not pass if the road is too narrow for you to pass safely. Do not pass them if you cannot safely move out of your lane. Be patient and follow them at a distance until it is safe to pass.

When being passed by a motorcycle, maintain your lane position and prepare to adjust your speed to let it in ahead of you. If you see a motorcycle rapidly overtaking you from the rear, maintain your lane position until it passes.

A few guidelines to help reduce the risk of colliding with large animals include:

Scan well ahead and far off to the sides of the roadway when you see "deer crossing" signs.
At night, use your high-beam lights, conditions permitting, to illuminate the road's edges.
If you see a deer on or near the roadway and think you have time to avoid hitting it, reduce your speed, tap your brakes, and sound your horn to warn other drivers of the hazard ahead.
Do not flash your headlights.
If there is no vehicle close behind you, brake hard.
If a collision is inevitable, do not swerve to avoid the animal, your risk of injury may be greater if you run off the road. Maintain control of your vehicle. Report the collision to the police and your insurance company.

An intersection is a point where any two or more roadways intersect or come together.

Statistically, an intersection is one of the most dangerous locations within the highway transportation system.

In 2009, about 1.1 million urban crashes in the U.S. occurred at intersections (NHTSA).

Intersections are unforgiving environments. Traffic can be traveling 25-55 mph or faster. Often there is very little time to judge distance and make the right response. When drivers misjudge gaps, lethal outcomes result from head-on and side collisions.

Intersections can be very complex and require wide visual scans of rapidly changing situations. As you approach any intersection, you will be faced with many decisions. Manage your distractions, predict the actions of other road users, signal your intentions, and focus on maneuvering through the intersection.

This module is about how to approach and manage traffic conflicts that are present in intersections. Topics include:

Types of Intersections
Maneuvering Techniques
Speed and Vehicle Position
Blocked Line-of-sight
Railroad Crossings

Types of Intersections
There are through or cross-intersections, "T" and "Y" intersections, and traffic circles or roundabouts. Usually intersections have traffic controls to regulate traffic flow, yet some are uncontrolled. As you approach an intersection, quickly assess if the intersection is controlled or uncontrolled.



Controlled Intersections
Controlled intersections have signs, signals, and/or pavement markings to tell drivers what to do. The most common controlled intersection is one controlled with a stop sign. Yield signs and traffic signals are also used depending on how light or heavy the traffic flows through that particular intersection.

If a signal is out on a controlled intersection, police or traffic control officials may be present to "control" traffic through the intersection. They give direction with whistles, flags, and hand signals. Obey their directions. It is illegal to disregard the direction of a traffic control official.




Uncontrolled Intersections
Uncontrolled intersections do not have any traffic controls to regulate traffic. Typically uncontrolled intersections are located in rural areas or in residential neighborhoods.

As you near an uncontrolled intersection, advance intersection signs may be in place to warn drivers of the approaching junction. Some advance intersection signs communicate the type of intersection you are approaching.








Rotary Traffic Islands
Rotary traffic islands confuse some drivers but they actually are safer environments than cross-intersections. All traffic is going in the same direction. Judging gaps in traffic is easier and driver mistakes are typically not lethal. They present no demand to judge closing speeds of fast traffic.

In a traffic island the number of potential conflict points for vehicles and pedestrians is substantially less than in a cross-intersection.

There are up to 32 potential vehicle conflict points in a single-lane cross-intersection versus 8 in a single-lane roundabout. In the same cross-intersection for pedestrians, there can be up to 24 pedestrian/vehicle conflict points versus 8 in the roundabout. This is one of the reasons you will begin to see more of these intersections being incorporated into our road system in the future.

When entering a roundabout, yield to traffic already in the roundabout. Travel on the right side of the road in a counter-clockwise direction and signal your intentions prior to exiting.

Controlled Intersections
As you near a controlled intersection search the entire intersection and surrounding area to identify other road users and potential conflicts:

Check your lines of sight to determine if any trees, buildings, or other objects obstruct your full scanning capability.
Check for markings, signs, and signals that control the traffic movement.
If you need to turn, determine if turns are allowed and look for markings or advance channelization signs that give you direction on which lane you need to be in.
Maintain your vehicle's position in your lane. Maneuver through the intersection only when you can do it safely.
If you are turning, signal your intentions and reduce your speed.
Prepare to yield to anyone that is already in the intersection.
Exercise "due care" to avoid colliding with any pedestrian or other vehicle operator.

At the intersection, conduct another thorough search sequence. Repeat the search sequence if you are in a busy or confusing situation. Exercise situational awareness - notice the speeds, direction, and intended maneuvers of the others sharing the intersection.

If you approach a yellow or red signal in your lane, you are required to slow and stop.

Check your rear-view mirror for traffic behind you.
Tap the brake to communicate to drivers behind you that you are about to stop.
Search for the stop line or crosswalk markings. Plan your stop before these markings or at the edge of the crossroad.
Determine where you want the vehicle to go and bring your vehicle to a smooth stop.

After you stop:

Remain stopped and wait for the green signal. Delay your start until you are sure the intersection is clear and there are no potential red-light runners.
Search left, center, right, and left again. Repeat this process if the intersection is not clear enough for you to proceed. During your search, anticipate that others might be entering your intersection after running a yellow light or because they are distracted or inattentive. Always yield to others who are already in the intersection.
Do not allow the front of your vehicle to enter the intersection until it is clear.

Often impatient drivers violate the right-of-way by rolling into the intersection before it is clear. How does this impact the driver who thinks they are about to lose the right-of-way? Sometimes they overcorrect and swerve into another lane.

At an intersection controlled by a stop sign, yield sign, or flashing red light, yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection or vehicle approaching from across the road.



Uncontrolled Intersections
Drivers may not notice uncontrolled intersections. Some uncontrolled intersections have advance intersection warning signs. Many are hidden from the line of sight. Continuous scanning is important to pick up clues that you are approaching an uncontrolled intersection. Look for changes in the environment at the edge of the roadway. Lights, mailboxes, fence corners, and parked vehicles are all indications that you are approaching an intersection.

Moving traffic in the intersection has the right-of-way. When approaching an intersection, drivers must yield to any other vehicles approaching on a roadway without traffic controls.

As you approach the uncontrolled intersection, adjust your speed and/or position, check for traffic to the rear, be prepared to brake, and plan an evasive maneuver if another driver pulls unexpectedly into the intersection, and into your path.


Intersections
Page 5 of 10
Speed and Vehicle Position
When scanning, identify a large gap that gives you time to turn and accelerate to match the speed of traffic without interruption. If traffic is going fast, increase your search distance and identify a larger gap to enter. Watch for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other road users.

When you enter traffic from a stopped position, always yield the right-of-way to vehicles, pedestrians, and through traffic already in the intersection or close enough to pose a hazard.

Identify your path of travel. Imagine the track or line that you will be driving. Keep your eyes moving and be aware of your entire traffic situation. If your line-of-sight is obstructed in the intersection or beyond, slow down - there may be hidden hazards.

If you are in traffic and other vehicles are blocking your view, re-position your vehicle or increase following distance so you can see to react.


Railroad Crossings
All vehicles for hire carrying passengers, all buses carrying passengers, and all vehicles carrying explosives or flammable liquids must always make a full stop at railroad tracks. These vehicles must stop no closer than 15 feet and no more than 50 feet away from the nearest rail.

Blocked Line-of-Sight
When you are stopped at an intersection, before entering the intersection, scan the intersecting roadways for traffic. If your view is obstructed to the left or right in any direction, your line-of-sight is blocked and risk is increased.

This situation can occur when exiting parking lots with many drivers pulling out and in from all directions. SUVs or large vehicles often block your view. Also, trees and hedges are often overgrown and can block your line-of-sight.

To reduce conflict at intersections with reduced visibility, proceed as if someone was approaching.

Stop at the stop bar, crosswalk, or before the intersection. Do not accelerate. Inch forward very slowly by easing off the brake.

Approaching vehicles may honk: if your radio is on, turn it down or off so you can hear.

Continue to inch forward until you can see past the obstruction and into the intersection. If another vehicle is approaching, it has the right-of-way. When your path of travel is clear, begin to accelerate and turn or go through the intersection.

Review
An intersection is a point where two or more roadways intersect. There are both controlled and uncontrolled intersections.

As you near a controlled intersection, search the intersection to identify other road users. Locate traffic controls and begin to follow their direction. If you need to turn, look for special turn lanes. Reduce your speed. Yield to anyone that is already in the intersection.

At the intersection, search left, center, right, and left again.

If you approach a yellow or red signal in your lane, you are required to slow and be prepared to stop. After you stop, keep pressure on the brake and wait for the green signal. Remember to delay your start to avoid being struck by a red light runner. When the intersection is clear, maneuver your vehicle through the intersection.

When you are stopped at an intersection, if your view is obstructed in any direction, your line-of-sight is blocked. Do not accelerate. Inch forward very slowly by easing off the brake. Continue to inch forward until you can see past the obstruction and into the intersection. If another vehicle is approaching, it has the right-of-way. When your path of travel is clear, begin to accelerate and turn or go through the intersection.

Approach a railroad crossing with extreme caution. Look both ways, roll your windows down to hear, and be prepared to stop. If signal and bells are flashing and ringing, do not enter the intersection. Do not try to beat the train. Never stop your vehicle while over the railroad tracks or between the gates.

Two-way roadways with a posted speed limit of 55 mph are typical in rural areas. These roads may have dangerous hills, curves and intersections.

There are fewer vehicles, yet drivers travel at very high speeds. Rural roads have many unique, high-risk characteristics. In 2009, over 67% of all fatal crashes occurred on two-lane, undivided roadways (NHTSA).

These roads are dangerous because you are driving at high speeds often with only a lane marking that separates you from oncoming traffic. Typically there are fewer traffic controls. Most rural intersections are only controlled by stop signs. Occasionally, busy two-lane rural intersections are controlled by signals.

This module is about the dangers and challenges of driving on two-way roadways. The topics that will be addressed include:

Rural Driving Environments and Speed
Roadside Hazards
Driving on Hills and Mountains
Curved Roadways
Passing and Being Passed

Rural Driving Environments and Speed
Rural or country driving involves unique characteristics and risk factors:

Fewer intersections (many hidden or uncontrolled)
Undivided, two-lane roads with oncoming traffic
Limited shoulders and guardrails
Wild animals
Horse-drawn carriages, farm equipment, and other slow-moving vehicles
Fewer vehicles, less traffic
Drivers tend to travel at higher speeds with lower seat belt use
Limited access to advanced medical care (in the event of injuries related to a crash, the average time to reach an emergency care facility in a rural area is 53 minutes versus 37 minutes in an urban area)
Another risk associated with rural driving is boredom. When driving in the country, keep your mind focused on the task of driving. If you get bored, practice various "what-if" driving scenarios.



Road Conditions
Rural roads can be made of various materials and have many different surfaces, each with different and often low-traction conditions. Surfaces can include concrete, asphalt, brick, gravel, crushed stone, and dirt. Each of these surfaces affects traction quite differently. Rural roads can also be covered with water, wet leaves, or mud. Also, the surface might be rough, irregular (ruts) or have unexpected potholes or falling rocks.

Some other characteristics of rural roads include narrow lane widths and poor lighting. Shoulders are typically small, sloped, or non-existent. This limits escape routes which are also difficult to navigate because of roadside trees, ditches, and steep embankments.

When driving on rural roadways, surface and road conditions can change quickly with little warning. Be extra alert and watch for warning signs that communicate changes in road conditions. Because there are few intersections, they often appear when you do not expect them. Watch for indications that other traffic might be entering your travel path.



Speed
Posted speed limits on rural roads are often higher than in urban areas; however, the older rural roads were originally designed and built for vehicles traveling at slower speeds.

When you travel at higher speeds on these roads remember you will need a longer stopping distance. Your vehicle is more difficult to control and in the event of a collision the risk of you being injured is significantly higher.

Adjust your speed to road and weather conditions. Listen to the sounds of your tires on the surface. If the road sounds rough or you experience difficulty with traction, slow down and be prepared to adjust your steering. Sudden changes in traction can occur when transitioning from a paved road to a dirt road and may result in a loss of control. Use low-hand steering and keep both hands on the wheel at all times.

Watch for signs that warn you of an approaching intersection or curve. Do not depend on signs being there to warn you of all the hazards you will encounter.

Do not drive faster than the posted speed limit or suggested warning sign.

Roadside Hazards
Rural hazards include hidden intersections, roadside businesses, slow-moving vehicles, oncoming traffic, pedestrians in the road or near the roadside, and animals in your path.

Rural intersections are typically marked with signs and have no signals. Watch for approaching warning signs. When you see an approaching warning sign, it might be your only visual indication that the road is about to change. Be ready to respond quickly to what these signs are communicating to you.

Drivers on rural roads will encounter "T" intersections, where side roads join a main road at a right angle. These intersections are dangerous because drivers traveling at high speed sometimes have difficulty seeing vehicles as they enter the road ahead. Vehicles that enter the through roadway enter very slowly and need time to accelerate to the posted speed limit. When a vehicle enters the roadway from a "T" intersection ahead of you, slow down until you are able to judge the required speed and space requirements needed to avoid a collision.

Drivers will also be faced with "Y" intersections, where roadways intersect at unusual angles. "Y" intersections can be confusing, and are usually an intersection of a minor and major road. As you approach a "Y" intersection, watch for slow-moving vehicles as they enter the through road. If you are not sure which road is the through road, slow down and look for directional signs.

Roadside traffic can enter your path quickly. When you see vehicles about to enter the road, slow down because they may enter your path. You might encounter a vehicle stopped in front of you, waiting to turn left. Do not leave the road and drive around it on the shoulder. Be patient. Communicate to traffic approaching from behind that they will need to slow and stop by tapping on your brakes.

Slow-moving vehicles such as farm equipment might be blocking your path. Overtake these vehicles only if you have time and space to make a safe maneuver. If it is not safe, back off and wait; drivers of these vehicles frequently will pull over to allow backed-up traffic to pass. Exercise courtesy and patience.

On rural roads, oncoming traffic might be difficult to see and the speed of these approaching vehicles might be hard to assess. It is recommended to travel with your headlights on at all times so you can be seen. You are required by law to travel with your headlights in darkness, adverse weather, and in times of decreased visibility of less than 1000 ft (VC. 24400). On narrow roadways, oncoming traffic might be driving in a portion of your lane. If you see this situation ahead, slow down and try not to meet the oncoming vehicle at a point where there is no shoulder. Extend courtesy and pull your vehicle over to the right edge of the roadway and gesture for the other driver to go through.

Pedestrians without sidewalks and animals on the side of the road also present potential problems. Search the road as far ahead as possible and watch for these hazards. Avoid quick steering movements at high speeds. Slow when you see a pedestrian and yield the right-of-way. Look far ahead so that you have time to react and avoid these hazards.

Driving on Hills and Mountains
Before traveling on hills and mountains, prepare your vehicle's brakes and tires for extreme road conditions.

These roads are built to follow the contour of the terrain resulting in sharp curves and very steep grades. Because of these grades and curves, drivers must travel at various speeds. Some mountain roads have curves so sharp that the roadway actually bends back in the opposite direction - this is called a switchback curve.

Also, if you are being tailgated, or there is a long line of vehicles behind you, watch for turnouts and passing lanes. Turnouts are areas designated for slow-moving vehicles to pull over and allow the cars behind the slower vehicle to pass. These slow-moving vehicles described about are traveling below the minimum speed limits for the conditions. Turnouts are generally found on two-lane highways where it is unsafe to pass due to traffic or road conditions. Pull over if you are being pressured by aggressive drivers behind you (VC 21656).

Before leaving on your drive through the mountains, know what you are heading into. Have plenty of gas and make sure that your medications and emergency kit are with you. Avoid traveling in this terrain at night or in bad weather. Weather in the mountains can change very quickly. Tune in a local radio station to check on changing mountain weather and road conditions. In some mountainous regions a particular radio station is identified as the one to tune to for this type of information; the frequency will be displayed on informational signs along the roadway.

Road conditions are also subject to change in areas where there is falling rock and in high elevations where there is snow.



Height and Altitude's Effects on
Passengers and the Driver
Before driving in the mountains, remember to think about how the altitude, motion, and potential vertigo might affect you and your passengers.

Is anyone afraid of heights? If so, have them sit away from the edge of the roadway. When they look out they will be seeing the road instead of the distance below.

Is anyone prone to motion sickness? Even though your safety belt holds you in position as you drive, the motion of going back and forth and up and down will pull and move you and your passengers around in their seats.

Be aware that at very high elevations, above 5,000 feet, there is substantially less oxygen available and you can become tired very quickly. The lack of oxygen at high elevations can also cause shortness of breath, headache, nosebleeds, and an increase in your heart rate.



Altitude's Effects on the Vehicle
The air is thinner at high altitudes and the change in oxygen levels may affect your vehicle performance. Altitude affects climbing power and you might experience slow acceleration. Because liquids boil and evaporate easier, your engine may overheat. If your temperature light comes on, pull over and let the engine cool off. Turn on the heater to help circulate hot air away from the engine. When you shut off the overheated engine, gasoline can vaporize in the fuel line (this is called "vapor lock"). Allow your engine to cool off and then try to restart it.

If you plan to drive in the mountains frequently, have a mechanic adjust your engine for maximum performance in high altitude conditions. This will allow your engine to start only after it has safely cooled down.

Driving on Mountain Roadways (VC 21662)
Follow these rules when driving on mountain roads:

If the roadway has no marked centerline, the driver should drive as near the right-hand edge of the roadway as is reasonably possible.
If the roadway has insufficient width to permit a motor vehicle to be driven entirely to the right of the center of the roadway, the driver should give audible warning with the horn of the motor vehicle upon approaching any curve where the view is obstructed within a distance of 200 ft. along the highway.
Required Lane Use and Use of Turnouts (VC 21656)
Many mountain roadways have special passing lanes at periodic intervals that allow you to pass safely. Special turnout areas also provide you and other drivers with a place to pull over, allowing others to pass.

On a two-lane highway where passing is unsafe because of traffic in the opposite direction or other conditions, a slow-moving vehicle, including a passenger vehicle, behind which 5 or more vehicles are formed in line, shall turn off the roadway at the nearest designated turnout (or wherever sufficient area for a safe turnout exists) in order to permit the vehicles following it to proceed. Remember, even when passing, you may not exceed the designated speed limit.

Narrow Roadways (VC 21661)
Whenever you drive on a roadway that is too narrow to allow two vehicles to pass at the same time, the driver of the vehicle going downhill shall yield the right-of-way to the driver going up the hill and shall, if necessary, back his or her vehicle to a place on the highway where it is possible for the other vehicles to pass.

Approaching Vehicles (VC 21660)
When you encounter oncoming traffic (traffic proceeding in the opposite direction) you must remain on the right side of the roadway. You must also, except when a roadway has been divided into traffic lanes, give the oncoming traffic at least one-half of the main traveled portion of the roadway whenever possible.

Passing over the center line of travel, especially if there is a solid lane divider, is illegal. According to VC 21752, you may not pass:

When your view is obstructed upon approaching within 100 feet of any bridge, viaduct, or tunnel
When you are approaching within 100 feet of or when traversing any railroad grade crossing
When you approaching within 100 feet of or when traversing any intersection

Curved Roadways
As you go into a curve, you can feel the inertia pulling you toward the outside of the curve. If you are going left, it will pull you to the outside edge of the roadway. If you are going right, inertia will pull your vehicle to the center of the road, or possibly into an oncoming traffic lane.

Curved roadways vary by the degree of the curve and the slope of the roadway. To maintain traction on a flat road, drive slowly through the curve.

A crowned roadway is higher in the center for water drainage. A left curve on a crowned road that is not banked is very dangerous and should be approached with reduced speed.

The surface condition can also vary and affect how you need to adjust your speed or position.

Watch for advance warning signs that communicate a curve and the suggested speed. These speeds are designated for ideal conditions. Adjust your speed so you enter the curve no faster than the sign indicates. Enter the curve slower than the posted speed if there is reduced traction or visibility. Look ahead for oncoming vehicles entering the curve too fast. Be prepared for an oncoming vehicle to take the curve wide - plan to reposition your vehicle or visualize an escape route. You may be forced to take evasive action. After passing the sharpest point (apex) in the curve, accelerate gently. Stay to the right of your lane while driving through the curve. When you are through the curve, accelerate to a safe speed.

Enter a curve slower than the posted speed if:

Your vehicle is tall, has a high center of gravity, or if it has substantial weight loaded high
Road conditions are slippery or if surface traction is less than ideal
You are entering a blind curve that you cannot see around

Blind Curves
If you are traveling where there are tight curves that you cannot see around, stay to the right and tap your horn before entering the “blind” curve. Tapping on the horn warns traffic ahead that you are about to enter the curve. This is important when sharing the road with vehicles such as RVs that need to make wide turns to maneuver around tight curves. In this situation, be sure your audio system is off so you can hear other drivers if they signal to you with their horns. Be prepared to stop and yield the right-of-way to other vehicles that are using your lane as they maneuver through a blind curve. You may not pass another vehicle when approaching the crest of a grade or upon a curve in the highway where your view is obstructed so that it creates a hazard if another vehicle might approach from the opposite direction.

Passing and Being Passed
Passing is one of the most dangerous maneuvers drivers perform. Did you know that there are more than 4,100 head-on crashes every year? In 2009, over 67% of all fatal crashes occurred on two-lane, undivided roadways (NHTSA). Make the decision to pass only if it is legal, safe, and beneficial.

Most roads have pavement lane markings that indicate whether you may or may not pass.

It is illegal to pass when there is a solid line on your side of the road.
Passing is permitted if there is a broken line on your side of the road and there are no oncoming vehicles in the passing lane.

Passing another vehicle on a two-lane roadway requires you to quickly make critical time, space, and visibility decisions. Judging the speed of other vehicles accurately is one of the most difficult skills in driving.

Passing and Being Passed
In the interest of self preservation, you must judge if you have enough room to pass when you approach large vehicles, hills and curves, intersections, and restricted lanes. Passing larger vehicles requires more time and space. At highway speeds of 60 mph you will need an additional five to seven seconds to pass a large vehicle such as a tractor-trailer truck or bus traveling 50 mph. During the 25 to 27 seconds needed to complete the pass safely you will travel 2,250 feet to 2,450 feet. And remember, if oncoming traffic is also traveling 60 mph, you will need almost one mile of clear space in the opposing lane.

When traveling on a two-lane roadway, remain on the right side of the roadway unless you are passing. Then, pass only when you have enough room to return to the right side of the roadway and when your field of vision is clear (VC 21751).

Passing is illegal in the following situations (VC 21752):

When your sight is restricted - Sight restrictions, such as those you might have when driving on hills, curves, or when you are behind an oversized vehicle, make passing unsafe. If it is unsafe to pass on a section of highway, it will be marked as a no-passing zone by signs or markings. You MUST NOT drive on the left side of a roadway when coming to a curve or the top of a hill where you can't see far enough ahead to be sure it is safe to pass.

When you do not have sufficient clearance - At highway speeds of 50 to 55 mph, you need a 10- to 12-second gap in oncoming traffic to pass safely. If you are trying to pass and another vehicle is approaching you from the opposite direction, you will need about 1600 feet (about 20 seconds) to safely pass if you are traveling at about 55 mph. If you do not have at least this much clearance, do not pass.

At bridges, viaducts, or tunnels - Unless specifically stated on road signs, passing is prohibited when your view is obstructed upon approaching within 100 feet of a bridge, viaduct, or tunnel.

At railroad crossings - It is illegal to pass when approaching within 100 feet of, or when crossing, any railroad grade crossing.

Close to intersections - It is illegal to pass when approaching within 100 feet of or when traversing any intersection.

When roadway markings indicate no passing - The pattern of yellow lines determines whether passing is permitted. For example, two solid yellow lines means that passing is prohibited. A combination of a solid yellow line and a broken yellow line means that you can pass only on the side with the broken yellow line. If a single broken yellow line is present, either lane of traffic may pass when it is safe to do so.

When you are behind a school bus - Do not pass a school bus if the red light is flashing.

On hills or curves - You need to be able to see at least one-third of a mile ahead to safely pass a vehicle on a hill. If you cannot see this far ahead, it is not safe to pass.
Do not begin the passing maneuver unless you are certain there is enough space ahead to return to your lane. Never assume you have enough space to pass several vehicles at once and do not rely on other drivers to make space for you to return. Before you return to your original travel lane, make sure you leave at least one second of space between yourself and the vehicle you passed. To accomplish this, make sure you see the entire front end of the vehicle you passed in your rear-view mirror.

Before passing, assess the real benefits of performing the maneuver. Is it worth the effort and risk?

Being Passed
The driver doing the passing has the majority of responsibility for passing safely. If you are the driver being passed, you also have certain responsibilities.

Regularly glance in your mirror to ensure you are aware that another vehicle is passing. Do not rely on the other driver to communicate the maneuver by tapping the horn or flashing the headlights.

Position your vehicle in the right side of your lane to help the other driver get a better view ahead and allow them more space when passing. Determine if the passing driver is having difficulty completing the pass safely. If so, help the other driver by slowing down. It is illegal to speed up while being passed.

Sometimes the passing driver decides not to pass and drops back. If this happens, accelerate slightly to open up space behind you.

Review
Rural or country driving involves unique characteristics and risk factors:

Fewer intersections (many hidden or uncontrolled)
Undivided, two-lane roads with oncoming traffic
Limited shoulders and guardrails
Wild animals
Horse-drawn carriages, farm equipment, and other slow-moving vehicles
Fewer vehicles, less traffic
Drivers tend to travel at higher speeds with lower seat belt use
Limited access to advanced medical care (in the event of injuries related to a crash, the average time to reach an emergency care facility in a rural area is 53 minutes versus 37 minutes in an urban area)

Slow-moving vehicles such as farm equipment might be blocking your path. Overtake these vehicles only if you have time and space to make a safe maneuver. If it is not safe, back off and wait; drivers of these vehicles frequently will pull over to allow backed-up traffic to pass. Exercise courtesy and patience.

Before traveling on hills and mountains, prepare your vehicle's brakes and tires for extreme forces of gravity and inertia. When going through a curve, stay to the right side of your lane.

Never coast down a hill in neutral or in overdrive - your vehicle could speed up beyond your control. Coasting downhill is illegal in California (VC 21710).

When traveling on rural roadways at higher speeds, remember you will need a longer stopping distance. Increase your following distance - make sure you have plenty of room to stop between you and any vehicle ahead.

Many head-on, passing crashes occur because drivers fail to see and accurately judge the speed and distance of approaching vehicles. When you see oncoming vehicles getting closer, it is too close for you to start the pass. Always be sure there is safe space to return.

Introduction
Driving on multi-lane roadways and freeways can be an efficient and fast way to travel. Freeways are designed for safe driving at high speeds. Traffic travels in one direction in two or more lanes, and you can be passed on either side of your vehicle.

Freeways have fewer collisions than highways because they are well maintained and their overall design provides drivers with a good view of the road ahead.

Although they are convenient and allow drivers to get to their destination quickly, high rates of speed, congestion, and entering/exiting increase the risk of a crash. In 2009, almost 8,000 fatal crashes occurred on multi-lane roadways and freeways with three or more lanes (NHTSA).

Freeway driving demands quick reaction time and the ability to search a great distance ahead because higher speeds require a longer visual lead. Use visual search techniques to scan at least 10 to 15 seconds down the road.

This module is about driving on freeways. Topics include:

Freeway Characteristics
Entering Freeways
Position and Speed
Maneuvering on Freeways
Exiting Freeways
Highway Hypnosis and Velocitation

Freeway Characteristics
A freeway is a limited-access, controlled-access highway. Vehicles are allowed to enter and leave a freeway only at designated locations. There are no intersections, traffic flows in one direction and cross-traffic is eliminated.

Freeways have maximum and minimum speed limits. Pedestrians, bicyclists, any nonmotorized traffic or any other person operating a motor-driven cycle, motorized bicycle, motorized scooter, are prohibited from using them.

The curves on freeway entrance and exit ramps are banked or sloped to maximize safety at higher speeds.

Large directional signs are placed in locations that allow drivers plenty of time to maneuver if they need to get on or off the freeway. Usually, one mile prior to each exit, at least three signs are posted to help drivers prepare to exit. Watch for signs that indicate the distance to the exit and exit lane signs. There are also "exit" signs to inform drivers specifically where the exit is located.

Interchanges are designed to connect drivers to other highways going in another direction, through a carefully developed system of ramps and over/underpasses. Interchanges allow for fewer interruptions of the traffic flow but they can also be complex, confusing, and disorienting.

Entering Freeways
Before entering a freeway, search for entrance signs in the direction you intend to travel. Directional signs are posted at most entrances and communicate the route number and direction (north, south, east, or west) where the entrance will lead you.

If you are unfamiliar with your route, be cautious not to enter a freeway using an exit ramp - prevent this critical mistake by searching for signs that say, "DO NOT ENTER".

Enter most entrance ramps at low speeds and anticipate sharp curves. Be extra cautious if you are driving a large vehicle, SUV, or truck.

Use the acceleration lane to adjust your speed to the traffic flow before merging onto the freeway. Select a gap, signal, check mirrors, and check blind spots. Be prepared to slow or accelerate quickly depending on the flow. Avoid very crowded and congested times of day.

Prevent an emergency situation by merging without stopping. If there is a slow vehicle ahead of you on the ramp, drop back and create space ahead of your vehicle to accelerate when it is your turn to enter the traffic flow.

Position your vehicle at least three seconds behind the vehicle you plan to follow. Merge smoothly. Turn off your signal. Adjust your speed to the traffic flow and recheck your rear-view mirror.


Weave Lanes
Be prepared to maneuver quickly when you encounter an exit and an entrance that share a common lane. Generally, the right-of-way is given to exiting traffic; however, traffic conditions may alter this approach. Avoid collisions by adjusting your speed to change lanes, signal, and adjust to openings or closures in traffic.

Lane Position

After you have entered the freeway, select the lane you want to drive in based on the traffic flow, road conditions, and how far you have to travel to your exit.

Right lanes are used to enter and exit freeways and are often moving slower than the left lane. Sometimes entrance and exit ramps are located in the left lanes.

If you are in heavy traffic at rush hour, use the center lane to avoid vehicles constantly entering and exiting in your path. Drivers who are already on the freeway have the right-of-way over those entering the freeway (VC 21658).

Never travel in between lanes, or straddle lanes. Select a lane and position your vehicle in the middle of the lane. Try to maintain an equal space cushion around all sides of your vehicle by adjusting speed or repositioning your vehicle.

Drive in the center lanes through cities to avoid busy merging and exiting lanes. Watch the signs and do not get caught in a lane that is about to end or is designated as an "EXIT ONLY" lane for a route that you do not want to enter.

Watch for unexpected exit and entrance ramps to the left. These are dangerous because the fastest lanes are typically on the left.



Go with the Flow
If traffic is traveling faster than the speed limit, resist going above the posted limit. The best approach is to be a "loner" and try to position your vehicle between packs of vehicles. If this is not possible, position your vehicle in the lane that allows you to travel as close to the speed limit as possible without blocking traffic.

Scan your mirrors for drivers speeding and weaving in and out of traffic. If you are traveling in a passing lane and are being tailgated, or if a driver flashes his or her high-beams at you, signal to change lanes and do so as soon as it is safe.

The following guidelines apply to slow-moving vehicles:

Traffic moving slower than the highway’s speed limit and the flow of traffic on multi-lane roadways shall drive in the far right lane. This is not required if the slow-moving vehicle is turning left or passing another vehicle. All vehicles are required to obey the speed limit posted. It is illegal to pass any vehicle by driving faster than the legal limit.

The Department of Transportation may place official signs directing slow-moving traffic to use the right-hand traffic lane or another designated lane except when overtaking and passing another vehicle or preparing for a left turn (VC 21654).


Following Distance
If you find yourself in a "pack" of vehicles traveling close together, drop back or move ahead by adjusting speed and space.

Keep a 3-second following distance. If the road is slippery or wet, increase the distance to 4 or more seconds.

Changing Lanes
Signal your intentions before you change lanes. Do not anticipate other drivers will open a gap for you if one does not exist - check your mirrors and blind spot before maneuvering. Use low hand steering to avoid over steering.

Change lanes only when it is clear. Be courteous - if another driver drops back and creates space to let you in, communicate your "thanks" with a slight wave.

Extend courtesy to other drivers who are trying to enter your path - create space for them to enter by slowing down, speeding up, or changing lanes.


Passing and Being Passed
Passing on freeways is dangerous because of the high speed and potential for traffic conflicts. Typically, passing is conducted on the left. Passing on the right is permitted if slower traffic occupies the left lane.

Select a lane that allows others to pass you on the left. If you are being passed on the right, those drivers are hard for you to see and they are communicating that you are going too slowly for the lane you are in. Maneuver to the right as soon as it is safe.

When passing, search and identify vehicles that might conflict with your maneuver. Signal. Check your mirrors. When it is clear, enter the passing lane smoothly. As you maneuver, position your vehicle with adequate space between your vehicle and the one you are passing. If you are going to return to the original lane, wait until you can see the front end of the vehicle you passed in your rear-view mirror.

As you are being passed, position your vehicle so there is adequate space to the side you are being passed on. Keep your speed steady or slightly decelerate to assist the passer.



Tollbooths
As you approach tollbooth areas be aware of drivers that make quick, last second decisions and change lanes quickly without warning. Watch for clues.

Well in advance of the tollbooth, look for signs that indicate which lane you need to be in. A green light indicates the open lanes. Select the appropriate payment option lane, signal, and position your vehicle in the proper lane. Be prepared to pay the toll (if applicable) well in advance, so you do not create traffic delays.


Exiting Freeways
Before driving on a freeway, make it a point to know your route. Memorize the exit, interchange names, and numbers. Watch for directional signs. Recognize the location (how far away the exit is) and the lane you need to be in well in advance of having to exit.

As you approach the exit, signal, change lanes, and position your vehicle in the exit lane. Approximately 1/2 mile before you exit, signal your intention to exit.

Predict the actions of other drivers who are using the same exit. Decide the correct speed. Adjust your speed.

Check your mirrors, exit smoothly to the deceleration lane or into the exit ramp. Turn off your signal. Slow down and maintain a safe space cushion ahead and behind your vehicle.

If you encounter a very short deceleration lane, watch for warning signs and be prepared to slow quickly. If you drive a high-profile vehicle, slow in advance of entering a tight, exit curve. Search for conflicts; check traffic ahead and behind.

Driving on Divided Highways (VC 21651)
A multi-lane highway that uses a physical barrier to separate traffic going in opposing directions is called a divided highway. You must always drive to the right of the barrier or median that separates multiple lanes of opposing traffic. If the separating element is two feet wide or larger, certain vehicle maneuvers involving the median are prohibited:

You may not drive across the median or dividing barrier
You many not may a left or make a u-turn across the median or dividing barrier, unless there is a designated labeled opening for turning.
It is unlawful to drive any vehicle upon a highway, except to the right of an intermittent barrier or a dividing section which separates two or more opposing lanes of traffic (VC21651).

Three-lane Highways (VC 21659)
When driving on a three-laned highway, you must not drive in the extreme left lane at any time, or in the center lane except:

When overtaking and passing another vehicle where the roadway ahead is clearly visible and the center lane is clear of traffic within a safe distance
In preparation for a left turn
Where the center lane is at the time allocated exclusively to traffic moving in the direction the vehicle is proceeding and is sign-posted to give notice of such allocation.
This does not apply to a one-way roadway.

Highway Hypnosis and Velocitation
Staying focused on driving can sometimes be hard if there is little traffic or when driving long straight routes hour after hour. Watch out for a mental condition called "highway hypnosis" which is related to drowsy driving. Drivers can fall asleep or just enter a state of inattention easily.

If you notice fatigue setting in, sit up straight, change your seat position slightly, and then turn on the air conditioning. Stop at the next exit and take a stretch, walk around, or drink something refreshing.

Long monotonous drives might create a sensation that you perceive you are driving slower than you really are. Luxury vehicles are so comfortable the driver may not feel high-speed sensations. New vehicles are also quiet and sound levels of the traffic environment are often low or not present.

After long periods of high speed travel, the eyes become fatigued in the horizontal plane due to images streaming through the windshield. This condition is referred to as velocitation. You will notice it when entering slower traffic after long periods of freeway driving. A sudden drop in speed gives the illusion that you are traveling much slower than you actually are. When you experience velocitation, your eyes are fatigued and are unable to judge horizontal velocity accurately. Consequently, it may be difficult to judge safe following distances or the proximity of exits. The remedy is to stop for several minutes and allow the eyes to rest.

Watch for drivers tailgating without making an attempt to pass. This driver may be subconsciously staring at the rear of your vehicle rather than scanning the road ahead. In this situation you may essentially be steering both cars. Slow gradually to encourage the tailgater to pass.

Conduct a self-test to be sure you are not losing your concentration. Check yourself to be sure you are not staring aimlessly at the vehicle in front of you.

The key to safe freeway driving is:

Guard against highway hypnosis.
Search for and process information.
Stay focused.
Adjust for other drivers.

Review
Freeway driving demands continuous searching skills, smooth maneuvers, speed adjustment, and positioning.

Signal your intention to merge as you enter the acceleration lane. Quickly evaluate the freeway traffic, look for a space to merge, and adjust your speed. Be prepared to slow or accelerate quickly depending on the flow. Prevent an emergency situation by merging without stopping. Position your vehicle with at least a 3-second following distance from the vehicle you plan to follow. Merge smoothly. Turn off your signal. Adjust your speed to the traffic flow.

When you enter the freeway, select the lane you want to drive based on traffic flow, road conditions, and how far away your exit is. Reserve your use of the center and left lanes for passing. If you are in heavy freeway traffic at rush hour, use the center lane to avoid vehicles constantly entering and exiting in your path.

Travel at the speed of the flow of traffic to avoid conflicts. Maintain a 3-second following distance. If the road is slippery or wet, increase the distance to 4 or more seconds. Increase your following distance if you have limited visibility. Avoid truck and large vehicle "no-zones."

As you are being passed, position your vehicle so there is adequate space to the side to be passed. Keep your speed steady and do not accelerate.

If you drive a high-profile vehicle, slow in advance of entering a tight curve on an entrance or exit ramp.

Watch out for a mental condition called "highway hypnosis" which is related to drowsy driving. If you notice fatigue setting in, sit up straight, change your seat position slightly, and then turn on the air conditioning. Stop at the next exit and take a stretch, walk around, or drink something refreshing.

Velocitation is caused by long periods of high speed travel. The eyes become fatigued in the horizontal plane due to images streaming through the windshield. Velocitation can be noticed when entering slower traffic after long periods of driving. A sudden drop in speed gives the illusion that you are traveling much slower than you actually are. When you experience velocitation, stop for several minutes and allow the eyes to rest.

Introduction
Urban or city roadways have large populations, high traffic flow, many road controls, and a large amount of visual stimulation. With congestion and traffic jams, speeds tend to be lower, but there is quite a bit more sensory input that you have to pay attention to.

Since we get most of our driving information from what we see, the busy urban environment can induce visual overload.

In addition, all of the visual information requires more driving decisions.

This module is about the unique characteristics of the urban environment and how to manage your risk when you drive in the city. Topics include:

Visual Issues
Plan Your Drive
Congestion
One-way Streets
Urban Pedestrian Issues


City Driving
Page 2 of 8
Visual Issues


Limited Vision
Urban driving often involves limited visibility. Limited visibility or line-of-sight often eliminates advance warning of traffic obstacles. High buildings, delivery trucks, and other large vehicles can restrict your field-of-view. Bicyclists and pedestrians are everywhere and can also block your line-of-sight.

Carefully scan for signals and signs. Signals are often located at the side of the road. Signs are posted everywhere, and they are not all traffic related.

If you want to pass in the city, never pass more than one vehicle at a time because often your field of vision is diminished.


Visual Overload
In the city, there is a lot going on. It is an overcrowded environment filled with an abundance of vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, billboards, and other visual distractions. More visual information means more decisions. Do not drive impaired or fatigued. Be mentally alert and manage your distractions. Do not let the bustle of city life take your mind off the task of driving.

Plan Your Drive
You should carefully plan your route every time you drive; however, this becomes even more important in the city. Keep the following tips in mind:

Think about the time of day you are planning to travel and select a time frame that has the least amount of traffic.
Carry a map with you and plan an alternative route in case you encounter construction or road closures.
Be sure your vehicle is in proper working order and is filled with gas.
Leave early because potential detours and heavy traffic can cause delay.
Plan where you will park. Urban parking is more difficult to navigate to and locate. Also be sure you have money to pay for parking fees.
If you will be traveling on toll roads, watch for signs and have money available within easy reach so you will not be distracted while navigating the toll area.
Travel when the weather is good and you have plenty of daylight.
Decide whether it is better to use through streets or travel on side streets. Side streets may help you avoid traffic, but they may not be as safe and they may increase your travel time because of traffic control lights.
Consider whether it is better to use one-way or two-way streets on your route.

Congestion
Perhaps the most irritating part of driving in the city is all the traffic that you must share the road with. Plan for traffic jams and delays around rush hour, but also anticipate that congestion will occur for other, unexpected reasons. If you find yourself in heavy traffic demonstrate patience and courtesy. Becoming angry or aggressive will not get you to your destination any sooner.



Covering the Brake
In all this congestion, you must be prepared to stop or slow suddenly – cover the brake. Your foot will be in position for a sudden stop. Be careful not to actually rest your foot on the brake. This technique is beneficial in the following circumstances:

When you are driving next to parked vehicles
When you see the brake lights of other vehicles
And when you approach signal lights


Vehicle Position
As a general rule when driving in the city, choose a lane that is not congested or at least less congested than the other lanes. Do not dart in and out of traffic as you make your way to this lane. That practice is a dangerous one. Instead, stay in the lane you have chosen until you need to turn, pass another vehicle, or avoid a hazard. Be sure to plan a lane change well enough in advance so you avoid blocking multiple lanes. Search well ahead and position your vehicle in the proper lane well ahead of a required turn.

The position of your vehicle is important. Remember to:

Keep up with traffic speed but be sure to drive within legal limits
Avoid another driver's blind spots
Avoid letting another driver drive in your blind spot
Avoid side-by-side driving
Avoid driving in groups

If traffic is heavy and moving slowly, do not enter an intersection until you can travel through it without stopping. Never get caught in the middle of an intersection when the cross-traffic light turns green. If your vehicle blocks traffic, it could trigger road rage; avoid this situation at all costs. Also, when stopping at an intersection, leave space in front of your vehicle for an “out” if you need it.

One-way Streets
Another unique feature of the city traffic environment is driving on one-way streets. Watch for signs identifying a street as one-way. For example, you may see signs that say ONE WAY, DO NOT ENTER, WRONG WAY, NO LEFT TURN, or NO RIGHT TURN. Other clues that indicate a street is a one-way street include the following:

All vehicles are pointing in the same direction
Yellow lines are absent
Begin preparing to enter a one-way street at least one block before you reach it, and turn into the first available lane that is heading in the proper direction. Drive slowly since one-way streets may turn into two-way streets.

You may make a left turn on a red light if you are turning left onto a one-way street from a one-way street (VC 21453). You may also encounter hazards, such as drivers who have gone the wrong way down the one-way street. If you discover that you or another driver are traveling the wrong way on a one-way street, slow, steer out of the way, and sound your horn. Flash your headlights if there is time. Do not panic!

Choose the lane with the fewest hazards. The middle lane is often the best choice. If there are only two lanes, drive in the right-hand lane or select the one that is farthest from any parked cars.

When exiting a one-way street, carefully check the signs to be sure you are turning onto the correct street. If you are making a right turn, use the right lane. If you are making a left turn, use the left lane. If you are going straight, use the center lane if it is available. Check signs to determine if you are turning onto another one-way street or onto a two-way street.

Urban Pedestrian Issues
In the city, drivers need to make a continuous search for pedestrians because there is a high pedestrian population, they are usually in a hurry and they are hard to see.

There is a higher concentration of pedestrians in urban environments because buses and other transit systems such as trains and subways shuttle people into the city in large groups. In addition, the drivers that enter urban areas to go to work become pedestrians after parking and exiting their vehicle.

Pedestrians are often in a hurry and will dart and dash between parked cars. Several pedestrians may exit a commercial bus all at once. Your line-of-sight may be blocked so scan low for hidden pedestrians. Check for shadows under other vehicles.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is doing several things to help pedestrians cross the road with lower risk. They are implementing count-down pedestrian signals to help pedestrians gauge the amount of time they have to cross before traffic enters their path. Also, mid-block crossings and pedestrian refuge areas are being installed. New, bolder crosswalk markings are being painted on the road so drivers will quickly and clearly recognize these areas.

As a driver, you are required to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk. Watch the pedestrian signals so you are aware of the direction they are about to walk. Use the pedestrian signals to estimate when your signal is about to change.

Scan in all directions before entering an intersection to ensure there are no pedestrians in your path. Be extra cautious when you are turning. If your light is green, pedestrians may be walking in the cross-lane directly in your path – they have the right-of-way.

Review
Urban or city roadways have large populations, high traffic flow, many road controls, and a large amount of visual stimulation. With congestion and traffic jams, speeds tend to be lower, but there is quite a bit more sensory input that you have to pay attention to.

Urban driving often involves limited vision. Limited vision often eliminates advance warning of traffic obstacles. High buildings, delivery trucks, and other large vehicles can restrict your field-of-view. Bicyclists and pedestrians are everywhere and can also block your line-of-sight.

If you find yourself in heavy traffic, demonstrate patience and courtesy. Becoming angry or aggressive will not get you to your destination any sooner.

In the city, be prepared to slow or stop suddenly – cover the brake. Your foot will be in position for a sudden stop.

As a general rule when driving in the city choose a lane that is not congested or at least less congested than the other lanes. Do not dart in and out of traffic.

Watch for signs identifying a street as one-way. Begin preparing to enter a one-way street at least one block before you reach it, and turn into the first available lane that is heading in the proper direction. Drive slowly since one-way streets may turn into two-way streets.

Introduction
Your tires need to grip the road and you need to be able to see where you are going. These fundamental necessities for safe driving are affected when you are faced with poor traction and poor visibility conditions.

Anything on the roadway that makes it wet, slippery, or unstable will affect your tires' ability to hold on to the road. Low tire tread will also affect your tires' ability to channel moisture away and increases the risk of hydroplaning.

Anything that makes it hard to see through your windows or distorts what your mirrors are reflecting presents a poor visibility condition.

Inclement weather has the potential to cause low traction and/or low visibility. This module is about how to prepare for and manage adverse conditions while driving. Topics include:

Preparing to Drive in Adverse Weather
Reduced Traction
Managing Visibility in Adverse Weather
Hydroplaning
What to Do if Your Vehicle is Stuck

Preparing to Drive in Adverse Weather


Preparing to Drive in Wet Weather
Before the rainy season begins, prepare your vehicle for wet weather driving. Carry an umbrella and keep your windshield, windows, and headlights clean.

Service your vehicle. Ensure the following systems are in good operating condition:

Tire inflation, tread depth
Windshield wipers, fluid, and blades
Battery
Lights
Brakes
Ignition

Prepare yourself for driving in wet weather by allowing ample travel time, and be mentally alert for common driver mishaps caused by weather. Eliminate as many distractions as you can inside the vehicle - what is happening outside the vehicle will be more challenging and require your undivided attention.


Vehicle Preparation for Winter Driving
In many parts of the country the winter months are harsh and very rough on your vehicle. If you have to drive in ice and snow, conduct the following maintenance checks before the winter months arrive:

Change the engine oil to an oil with a viscosity designed for cold temperatures.
Check the battery; clean the terminals and make sure it is operating at maximum strength.
Check the hoses for cracks.
Replace tires with "all-season" or "snow" tires - check inflation regularly.
Test the heating and air-conditioning system.
Check coolant/antifreeze to determine the lowest temperature that it will go to without freezing.
Install winter wiper blades and fill the windshield wiper fluid reservoir with a washer solution containing an antifreeze additive.
Check and adjust the brakes.
Check the exhaust system for leaks, holes, and rust.
Purchase and practice installing the tire chains.
Carry booster (jumper) cables, flares, emergency warning triangles (or other warning device), a small tool kit, first aid kit, and a flashlight with spare batteries.
Keep your fuel tank at least 1/2 full.


If you are traveling in a remote area, carry a blanket or sleeping bag, non-perishable food, candles, matches, warm clothes, and gloves. You should be dressed for the elements but if you are not and just in case you get stuck, carry boots and warm outerwear. In addition, throughout the winter, make sure you have a few other things just in case you need to clear off your windows or in case you get stuck:

Snow brush, combination ice scraper
A bag of sand or kitty litter
Lock de-icer fluid (be sure to not store this in your trunk - carry it with you)
Snow shovel

If you can, park inside a garage. Always have at least half a tank of gas to keep moisture from forming in your gas line and freezing.

Reduced Traction
Driving on slippery surfaces requires increased visual range. Focus your attention far ahead on the roadway to ensure you can gauge the distance between you and the obstacles ahead; ensure that you have ample time to start, turn, slow, and stop.

When rain first starts falling, the water mixes with dust, dirt, sand, and oil on the road surface, creating an extremely slippery substance. The first 20 minutes of a rain shower is the most dangerous time to be driving. As the rain continues to fall, this slippery mixture is washed away; however, the road is still wet and it continues to present a low traction driving environment.

On wet roads reduce your speed by 5-10 mph
If there are wet leaves on the road, reduce your speed by half

When traction is poor, accelerate gradually. Steer with smooth, precise movements. Try to do one thing at a time - increase your following distance and avoid puddles and flooded areas of the road. Position your tires to follow dry tracks created by other vehicles in your path ahead.

Be conscious of spray from your vehicle and other vehicles. Be considerate and go very slowly if you encounter pedestrians.



Winter Driving
Make sure you know what the weather and road conditions are before departing.

If it is raining and the temperature is supposed to drop below freezing, then the moisture will begin to freeze as the temperature drops below 32 degrees. Ice might not be easily seen but it will still create a slick, low traction surface on the roadway. If it occurs on an asphalt road the condition is known as "Black Ice" and is a true hazard. Shaded areas, over passes, and bridges are locations that can conceal spots of ice. These areas freeze first and dry out last.

Some of the most dangerous conditions occur when temperatures are hovering around freezing, when snow begins to turn to watery slush. The combination of snow and water can be extremely slippery.

If you are forced to drive in windy conditions, and it is snowing, be cautious of snow drifts which make it difficult to pass and see.

If the snow is melting just before the sun goes down, it is likely the temperature will drop at night, turning melted snow into ice.

There are some basic tips for driving on ice and snow that will make the experience safer. Different types of snow have different degrees of traction:

Fresh, dry (powder) snow has more traction than packed, tight snow. However, be cautious of slick ice that may be hiding under the powder surface.
When you park, create an escape path for your tires in the snow. Drive past the space you want to park in, and back up. This creates a path with less resistance when you exit the parking space.

Adjust your speed in icy conditions:

If you encounter packed snow, reduce your speed by half.
If you are traveling on ice, reduce your speed to 10-15 mph.

During the winter, add a few steps to your pre-drive procedures:

As you approach your vehicle, check around the tires for frozen chunks of snow or ice.
Clean the tires and wheel well and knock off accumulated snow or ice.
Start the engine and let it warm up - turn on the defroster.
Clean snow off the windows, hood, and top of the vehicle.
If there is ice on the windows, scrape it off all windows; do not just clear the windshield (you need to be able to see in all directions).

Managing Visibility in Adverse Weather
Rain, snow, and fog impair visibility and make it difficult to see the road and obstacles. If there is a significant temperature difference between the outside and inside of your vehicle, moisture will accumulate on the inside of your windshield and on your windows-making it more difficult for you to see.

Always clean your windows and windshield, inside and out before you drive in any reduced visibility situation. To "be seen" by other road users, clean or remove dirt and dust from the outside of your headlights and signal lights. Carry window cleaner and some paper towels, plus a snow brush and ice scraper in winter. Secure these items in your cargo area. If you live in an area that has temperatures below freezing, make sure your windshield washer fluid contains an additive that prevents it from freezing. It is also recommended you use an auto designed water repellant on your windshield.

Rain will affect your ability to see and be seen. Turn on your windshield wipers as soon as you encounter rain. You are also required to have on your headlights at this time (CVC 24400). Watch for oncoming drivers who have not yet turned on their lights; these vehicles will be very difficult to see as they approach. Reduce your speed to increase traction and maximize your ability to see.

If your windows begin to fog over, turn on your defroster. On cold days, to prevent moisture from forming on the inside of the glass, turn the heater on high and let the engine warm up before you turn on the defroster. In wet conditions, as you are passing or being passed, turn on your windshield wipers. Also, if you are on a two-lane road and are approaching an oncoming vehicle, activate your wipers. Be prepared to clear your windshield because dirt and water can be sprayed all over your vehicle.

Fog occurs when the air's dew point matches the air's temperature. Dew is composed of water droplets, and when the particles consolidate it becomes fog. This mixture becomes a light reflector. When driving in fog, your visibility can quickly be reduced and you can become blind to what lies ahead. Reduce your speed, use your low-beam headlights, and if your vehicle is equipped with fog lights, turn them on as you approach a fog bank.


Zero Visibility Conditions
If conditions are so bad that you cannot see the road ahead, pull completely off the road. Do not continue driving until you can see well. Turn off your lights and keep your foot off the brake pedal or someone may see your taillights, think you are moving, and drive into your vehicle. If you cannot see the road, other drivers will have the same problem and will have a hard time seeing your vehicle. If possible, pull off to a location that positions a barrier between your vehicle and all approaching traffic. This technique offers you the best chance of preventing a collision.



Sandstorms
If you can avoid it, do not drive when sandstorms or dust storms are forecast. If you are forced to drive into these conditions, scan the horizon for what appears to be a dark cloud moving along the surface of the terrain. If you see a sandstorm coming your way, slow down immediately. Carefully drive off the roadway and park your vehicle on a firm, well packed surface. Roll up your windows and keep the air conditioner on.

When you return after traveling through a sandstorm, service your vehicle. Change the oil filter, the air filter, the oil, and lubricate the joints. Your paint can also be severely damaged and your windshield can be "pitted" by the blasting sand. If visibility through your windshield is not clear, have the windshield replaced. Do not drive if you cannot see.



Flash Floods
A flash flood is a sudden rush of water caused by heavy rain in a short amount of time. Even if the rain appears to be in the distance, the water from the rainstorm can rush quickly down hills and mountains and cover the roadway. Flash floods occur infrequently and can occur with little to no notice. Desert terrain is dry and can wash away with the water of a flash flood.

If you are caught in a flash flood, or see water rushing your way, avoid ditches, creeks, and drainage areas. The water can and probably will continue to rise. Even a relatively shallow depth of rushing water has enough force to wash your vehicle away. Drive to the highest elevation available and wait for the water to recede before continuing.

Review
Wet weather driving increases risk due to reduced traction and visibility. Reducing speed minimizes traction loss and helps you see your stopping zone.

Before a rainy season begins, service your vehicle for wet weather. Keep your windshield, windows, and headlights clean. Prepare yourself for driving in wet weather by being mentally prepared to drive. Consider alternate routes and departure times.

The first 20 minutes of a rain shower is the most dangerous time to be driving. Accelerate gradually and steer with precise and smooth movements. Avoid puddles and flooded pavement. To avoid hydroplaning, reduce your speed; do not brake hard or steer aggressively. Never drive in water that is flowing across the roadway.

Turn your windshield wipers on as soon as it starts raining. Make sure your headlights are on at all times when you are driving at night, in inclement weather, or conditions causing visibility of less than 1,000 ft (VC 24400). Watch for oncoming drivers who have not yet turned on their lights. If conditions are so bad that you cannot see the road ahead, pull off the road.

Try to avoid sandstorms and flash floods. The desert is extremely hard on your vehicle - have your vehicle checked when you return from your trip.

If you have to drive in ice and snow, complete your maintenance checks before the winter months. Always keep your gas tank at least half full. Carry the equipment you will need if you break down. Watch for ice on bridges and expressway overpasses.

If you get stuck, do not spin the wheels. Rock the vehicle out or call for help.

Introduction
Your vehicle is fully integrated and all systems are designed and engineered to work smoothly together. However, a breakdown of any of these systems can be not only costly; it can be extremely dangerous.

The vehicle's engine provides the power required to move the vehicle across the surface of the road. Your engine should always operate smoothly with no strange or irregular noises.

Always ensure that your tires are inflated to the pressure recommended by the manufacturer and presented in your vehicle's user manual.

Avoid fast starts, abrupt stops, and sharp turns. Tire failure can occur suddenly and without warning. A “blowout” occurs when a tire suddenly loses all of its air pressure.

Power steering makes changing your vehicle's direction almost effortless - until it fails. Loss of power steering makes it harder to control the vehicle's direction. Regaining control of the vehicle's direction will require substantial upper body strength, arm strength, and flexibility.

Another emergency situation that requires quick and decisive actions is brake failure, which causes you to lose your ability to stop.

If the vehicle accelerator malfunctions you can quickly lose control of the vehicle's speed.

If your hood flies up on the highway your visibility can be significantly impaired and you could be traveling blind in high speed traffic.

This module addresses the correct emergency procedures to follow in the event you experience vehicle system failures. Topics include:

Engine Failure
Steering Failure
Tire Failure
Brake Failure
Accelerator and Hood Malfunction

Engine Failure
Whether you are driving a vehicle equipped with an automatic or manual transmission, remember to drive at moderate vehicle speeds and engine revolutions until the engine has warmed up. This allows the engine lubricants and parts to warm up and operate smoothly.

Engines fail for many reasons - overheating, lubrication system failure, or malfunctioning fuel or electrical system. Make sure to reference your owner's manual for routine maintenance schedules and instructions for the proper operation of your vehicle's engine.

If your engine should suddenly fail:

Keep your eyes on the road.
Select the best place to exit traffic.
Shift into NEUTRAL and keep moving.
Signal and steer out of traffic without braking. The brakes and steering will be harder to operate because the hydraulic system that controls your power brakes and power steering has failed.
Position your vehicle safely on the shoulder and try to restart the engine.
If it fails to start, turn on your emergency flashers and exit the vehicle away from traffic and raise the hood.
If you have a cell phone, use it to call for roadside assistance.
If you have them, place flares or warning triangles to warn other drivers.

Fire
A vehicular fire is an emergency situation that is potentially life threatening. Engine fires are usually caused by a fuel or electrical problem. If you detect a fire in the engine compartment by seeing flames or smoke, or if you smell smoke follow these procedures:

Keep your eyes on the road.
Search for a safe departure path off the roadway and a safe open area (avoid service stations and buildings).
Signal, slow, and steer out of traffic and off the road.
Turn off the engine.
Immediately exit the vehicle along with all your passengers.
DO NOT touch the hood.
DO NOT try to put the fire out.
Move at least 100 feet away from the vehicle and traffic.
If you have a cell phone, call 911 and describe the problem indicating that you need the fire department.
Remain at a safe distance away from the vehicle until the fire department arrives; the fuel tank could explode.


Oil Pressure
If you are driving and the oil pressure warning light in your instrument cluster illuminates, pull off the road as soon as it is safe. Shut off the engine and DO NOT drive your vehicle until you determine what caused the light to illuminate.


Electrical Failure
If your battery should become low or die, call a road service provider to professionally recharge or replace your battery. If you have to jump start your vehicle's battery using jumper cables, refer to your owner's manual for the proper procedure. There can be subtle differences between vehicles with respect to where cables should be connected.

If you lose your headlights, concentrate on "being seen" and getting off the road as quickly as possible to a safe location. Check your headlight's high beams and low beams; they are on different circuits with different bulbs and can serve as a back-up for each other if there is a malfunction. If switching to high beams does not work, turn on your parking lights, emergency flashers, or use your turn signals to give you enough light to get off the road. Park your vehicle and do not drive the vehicle until you get the lights fixed. If you have a cell phone, use it to call for assistance.

Steering Failure
Power steering failure is much more common than total steering failure.

The steering wheel will suddenly become very difficult to turn when the power steering fails. If your power steering fails, grip the steering wheel firmly and turn it with more force. Keep your eyes on the road, select a place to exit traffic, signal, and when it is safe to do so, steer off the road out of traffic and stop. Do not drive the vehicle again until you have a mechanic fix the problem.

Total steering failure happens very rarely. However, if the steering or suspension system does fail, your ability to steer the vehicle is lost. If you experience total steering failure, bring the vehicle to a stop as quickly and safely as possible.

Downshift to a lower gear.
Lift your foot off the accelerator. Use the parking brake to slow and stop the vehicle. Hold the parking brake release button down as you operate the handle to keep the rear wheels from locking and sending the vehicle into a skid. Do not use the foot brake because it might cause the vehicle to pull sharply to one side.

Tire Failure
Maintain your tire pressure as recommended by the manufacturer in your vehicle's user manual. If your tires are over-inflated they will tend to wear in the center of the tread and not provide you with the maximum "grip" to the road's surface.

If the tires are under-inflated they will tend to wear on the outer edges and adversely affect vehicle handling, fuel economy and ride quality.

You can extend the life of your tires by avoiding driving on under-inflated tires. When you replace your tires they should be the same size and type that were delivered by the original vehicle manufacturer.


Tire Failure
Tire failure can occur suddenly and without warning. However, the most frequent cause of a flat tire is a gradual loss of air that the driver does not notice. It is important to remember that tires wear quickly if you constantly drive in unfavorable conditions or fail to conduct routine tire maintenance. Abnormal tire wear can be caused by several things all of which can lead to tire failure. Several of the factors are listed below:

Under inflation (low tire pressure).
Repeated hard and abrupt braking
Sharp and overly aggressive steering maneuvers
Unbalanced wheels
Poor wheel alignment
Frequently driving over bumps and through potholes

A "blowout" occurs when a tire suddenly loses all of its air pressure. Old and badly worn tires have a high risk of going flat or having a blowout if you hit a pothole, strike a curb, or run over an object in the roadway. When you experience a tire failure in your front tires, the vehicle will pull hard in the direction of the deflated tire. When you experience a tire failure in a rear tire, the rear of the vehicle may fishtail, or swerve in one direction and then the other. If you are in an emergency situation, react quickly and concentrate on regaining control of the vehicle. You should follow these procedures:

Keep your eyes on the road.
Grip the steering wheel firmly with both hands.
Do not brake (braking may increase the pull or swerving effect).
Slow the vehicle by easing off the accelerator.
Check traffic ahead, to the sides, and to the rear.
Select a gap in traffic, signal, and steer off the road out of traffic.
Drive slowly off the road and onto the shoulder.
Once you have control of the vehicle, gently apply the brake with a steady pressure and come to a stop on a flat surface.
Turn on your emergency flashers.
If you are in an unsafe location, continue to drive on the flat tire until you locate a safe location. You may ruin the tire but your personal safety is the first consideration.
Once you locate a safe location and are able to pull off the road, park as far away from the traffic lane as possible.
If you have a cell phone, call for roadside assistance.
Make sure other drivers can see you. Use flares or reflective triangles set 100 and 200 feet behind your vehicle along the side of the road.


Did you know?

Tires sold in the U.S. are evaluated and rated using two major safety factors - traction and temperature resistance. In addition to those factors, tires can also be rated for their fuel economy and projected tread wear.

The traction rating for a tire is a measure of the tire's ability to stop on a wet surface. The three ratings are A, B, and C. The A rated tire offers the best traction.
Temperature resistance is also rated A, B, and C. Tires rated A are the most heat-resistant and the least apt to have a heat-induced blowout.

Treadwear grades are an indication of a tire's relative wear rate. The higher the treadwear number is, the longer it should take for the tread to wear down. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's control tire is assigned a rating of 100. Of current tires: 15% are rated below 200; 25% are rated 201-300; 32% are rated 301-400; 20% are rated 401-500; 6% are rated 501-600; and 2% are rated above 600.

The required depth for tires is 1/32 of an inch in any two adjacent grooves throughout the tire. There are two exceptions:

For vehicles that have three axles and are over 10,000 lbs. the required thread depth is 4/32 of an inch in all grooves throughout the tire on the steering axle and 2/32 of an inch in all grooves throughout the tires on the additional axles (VC 34500).
When using snow tires the tread depth must be 6/32 of an in all grooves throughout the tires.
Dealers and retail stores are prohibited from selling, or making available to customers tires that do not meet the tread depth safety standards defined above. An exception to meeting the requirement is if the tire in question is used as a spare to drive an otherwise inoperable vehicle to a safe location (VC 27465).

The measurement of tread depth cannot be made where tie bars, humps, or fillets are located.

Brake Failure
If your brakes fail, it is an emergency situation that requires quick and decisive actions. Follow these procedures:

Shift to a lower gear to decrease the speed of the vehicle.
Pump the brake pedal in an attempt to restore pressure to the brake system. If pressure is restored, stop pumping.
If this technique does not restore your brakes, use the parking brake to aid in slowing and stopping the vehicle. Be careful; applying the parking brake too abruptly may lock the rear wheels and put the vehicle in a skid. To prevent this, use your thumb on the release button, or pull the brake release as you alternately apply and release pressure using the parking brake.
If necessary, steer towards something soft (sand or pea gravel) or into a clear area off the roadway.
If a collision is unavoidable, steer to sideswipe rather than colliding head-on; this will reduce the force of impact.

If you detect that your brakes are beginning to fade or do not seem as effective after prolonged use, pull off the road, park, and let the brakes cool. If you drive through water the brakes may become wet, slippery, and ineffective. To dry the brakes off, apply your brakes gently as you accelerate - this will create friction and dry them off. Increase your speed and test the brake stopping power. If necessary, repeat the procedure.

Accelerator and Hood Malfunction
If the accelerator malfunctions or sticks, you quickly lose control of the vehicle's speed. If your accelerator does not return to an idling speed when you release pressure, the accelerator may be “stuck.”

If you encounter an accelerator-related problem, follow these procedures:

Apply the brakes.
Shift into NEUTRAL. This may ruin your engine or transmission, but this action may also prevent a collision. (If you have a manual transmission, depress the clutch which removes power being transferred to the wheels).
Scan ahead and to the sides for an escape path.
Steer down your selected escape path and continue to use your brakes until you are safely off the roadway.
Turn off the ignition, shift to PARK, and apply the parking brake. This would prevent the car from moving while shifting.
If you have a cell phone, use it to call for roadside assistance.

Do not attempt to fix the problem or malfunction until after you safely bring the vehicle to a stop on the side of the roadway. Test the operation of the pedal before you continue to drive. If the problem persists, have it repaired before driving again.

Would you know what to do to avoid a collision and get off the road if the hood of your vehicle suddenly flies up while you are driving? Here's how to handle this emergency:

To get a view of the road ahead, lean forward and look through the space between the dashboard and the hood. Roll down the side window and look around the hood if this view is limited or blocked. Look and steer in the direction you are moving.
Check your mirrors for traffic behind, and check traffic on both sides of your vehicle.
Maintain your lane position, select a gap in traffic, signal, and steer off the road.

Review
The vehicle's engine provides the power required to move the vehicle across the surface of the road. Your engine should always operate smoothly with no strange or irregular noises. If you suddenly lose power, be prepared to steer out of danger without braking.

Pull off the road as soon as it is safe and DO NOT drive if your oil pressure warning light is illuminated.

If you detect a fire, exit the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.

If you lose your headlights, concentrate on "being seen" and getting off the road as quickly as possible to a safe location.

If you lose steering, safely leave the traffic stream, and if that is not possible, use the parking brake to quickly slow and stop the vehicle.

Tire failure can occur suddenly and without warning. A "blowout" occurs when a tire suddenly loses all of its air pressure. DO NOT brake hard; slow the vehicle - then gently apply the brake as you drive slowly off the road and onto the shoulder.

If your brakes fail, downshift and use your parking brake to slow or stop the vehicle. If that does not work, steer towards something soft or into a clear area. Manage your collision.

If you experience a stuck accelerator, apply the brakes, shift into neutral, and steer into an escape path or off the roadway. Turn off the ignition.

Introduction
In many cases, when a crash is about to occur, there are maneuvers and techniques you can use to escape the event or minimize the severity of the crash.

Collision avoidance begins with the proper seat position for optimal control of the vehicle. Next, position your vehicle where you have clear visibility and time to react to what you see. A 3-second following distance provides a safe following space under most conditions; however, sometimes you need a much greater distance. Examples of when you should allow a four-second or more cushion include when you are being crowded by a tailgater, when you are driving on slippery roads, and when you are following large vehicles that block your view ahead.

Your space margins must be large enough to provide the time and distance you need to execute an evasive maneuver. The space in front of your vehicle is the easiest to control and the space to the rear is the most difficult.

Always be prepared to conduct an emergency maneuver so when you are faced with a hazardous situation, you will be ready.

This module addresses techniques you can use to avoid a collision or minimize the severity of a crash. Topics include:

Driver Positioning
Emergency Stops
Steering Out of Trouble
Steering and Braking
Evasive Acceleration

Driver Positioning
Many drivers limit their ability to control the vehicle in an emergency because they sit too low or too close to the steering wheel. Sitting too close to the steering wheel increases the risk of being seriously injured in a crash or by the air bag.

Before an emergency situation presents itself, be ready to respond by being in the proper seat position and secured in your restraints with your hands firmly grasping the wheel in the push-pull steering position.

Being secured by your safety belt helps you maintain your balance when weight transfer occurs and also diminishes the force of impact to the body should a crash occur. The restraint system also holds you in the seat during sharp steering and helps braking maneuvers.

Sitting up straight in the proper seating position also helps you see, steer, and brake quickly. Adjust your seat so that you can see the road clearly and reach the floor pedals and other vehicle controls easily. Sit erect and back in the seat, making sure you are at least 10 inches away from the steering wheel. This allows room to move your arms and reduces the chance of injury to the fingers, hands, and forearms if the air bag deploys.

Maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel with your hands at the 8 o'clock and 4 o'clock position. This keeps your hands low with both hands on the steering wheel throughout the steering maneuvers. This low hand position also helps minimize injury to your hands if the air bag deploys.

Emergency Stops
Identifying problem situations early can help you avoid a collision. To avoid panic stops, look well down the road and locate places where others may cross your path.

At times, drivers in front of you slam on the brakes for no apparent reason. Maintaining an ample following distance gives you space and time to stop safely if your path is blocked suddenly by a stopped vehicle. Allow more space when traveling at higher speeds because of the increased stopping distance.

The faster you travel, the more distance you need to stop. Factors such as your attention level, where you are looking, fatigue, impairment, weather conditions, and even the condition of the road surface also affect stopping times and distances.


The 3-second Following Distance
Maintaining a 3-second following distance is a good practice when you are following another vehicle on dry pavement and you have good visibility and a safe alternate path of travel (escape route) to at least one side. Drivers who are ill, fatigued, or older than 55 years old should increase the space ahead.

A 3-second space margin ahead (4-5 seconds for a truck or bus) when you are following another vehicle provides you enough time to find an alternate path you can steer into rather than having to make a panic stop.

When three seconds is not enough...

If a stationary object suddenly appears in your path or you encounter intersecting traffic, three seconds does not provide you enough time or distance to safely maneuver out of harm's way. At higher speeds, the time and distance needed to bring the vehicle to a stop may be greater than the distance you can see ahead.



The 4-second Stopping Zone
When driving through hills, curves, inclement weather, or low-light conditions, increase the space ahead to at least four seconds.

Maintain a four-or-more-second space margin ahead in the following situations:

When following motorcycles - They provide little or no protection for riders, and motorcyclists stop more quickly than drivers of other vehicles.
When following large trucks - They block your view ahead and you need extra room to see around and to the sides.
When driving an RV, SUV, or van - The additional weight of recreational vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and large passenger vans cause them to require longer stopping distances.
When you are following school buses and tank trucks carrying flammable liquids - These vehicles must stop at railroad crossings. Anticipate these stops and allow extra space.
When on slippery roads - You need more distance to stop your vehicle if the driver of the vehicle ahead slows or stops.
When you have a heavy load or are pulling a trailer - Larger vehicles require more time and space to enter traffic or stop. For every 10 feet of trailer length, add one second of space.

Steering Out of Trouble
Space margins provide visibility, time and distance you need to avoid collisions. This distance or space should provide for quick steering or a way out if you find yourself in an emergency situation. When you need to steer away from a collision, use the push-pull steering method for the best control of your vehicle.


Space to the Sides
To lower the probability of a collision, try to maintain at least one car width of space to one side of your vehicle at all times. When possible, it is best to maintain space on both sides of your vehicle. When you must drive through an area with less than one car width of space on the sides, reduce your speed to allow more space to the front.

Space margins to the sides provide distance for you to react when traffic conflicts approach your vehicle.

Identify an alternate path you can steer into when threatened from the front or the side.
Keep space between you and pedestrians, bicyclists, and parked vehicles. A pedestrian may step into your path or a vehicle may suddenly pull out.
Avoid driving directly next to other vehicles on multi-lane streets. Change lanes, move ahead of the other vehicle, or drop back to a more visible position.
Keep as much space as possible between your vehicle and oncoming vehicles. Oncoming vehicles may cross the centerline or swerve into your lane. When possible, stay out of the lane next to the centerline. This is important at intersections when another driver could turn left in front of oncoming traffic.
Do not drive directly next to other vehicles at freeway exits. An exiting driver could suddenly swerve in front of you to get off or back onto the main highway.
Make room for vehicles entering the freeway. Change lanes when there is no one next to you to allow easy entry for other drivers.

Driving Off the Roadway
When you are faced with a crisis and the only escape path is the road's shoulder, you can drive on the shoulder safely, if it is handled properly. The most important thing to remember when driving on the shoulder, or any dirt or gravel surface, is your tires do not have the same level of traction as they do on pavement. This means you cannot turn as sharply or brake as hard as you can on the roadway.

Turn the steering wheel only enough to get off the road, then slowly turn the steering wheel back in the opposite direction just enough to straighten the vehicle. Once on the shoulder, if the path is clear, it is generally best to stay there and slow gradually. Check traffic and when it is clear, steer back onto the roadway.

Steering and Braking
Managing space to the sides of your vehicle is more difficult than controlling the space in front of it. This is particularly true when you try to cope with multiple dangers on both sides of your vehicle at the same time. Reducing risk in these situations requires proper timing, which involves adjusting the vehicle's speed and position.



Separating Dangers
Whenever an object moves or appears in your 4-second stopping zone, decrease or increase your speed and position the vehicle to maximize visibility and space. Maneuver to separate dangers when your current speed and path will place you in a situation where you will encounter two or more hazards at the same time and place.

For example, if you see an oncoming truck approaching a narrow bridge, deal with one danger at a time. Instead of meeting the truck on the narrow bridge, slow down and let the truck pass. This is advisable as long as you are not blocking other vehicles or impeding typical traffic flow (VC 22400). Then travel across the bridge with a greater cushion of space on both sides of your vehicle. Good timing and speed management will enable you to separate hazards, lowering your risk of collision.


Compromise
When you are faced with two dangerous situations that you cannot "separate," execute a maneuver that would result in the least amount of damage or injury.

For example, on a narrow residential street you see a bicyclist on your side of the road. A truck is approaching in the oncoming lane, followed by a line of cars. The bicyclist is unpredictable and does not see you approaching. The oncoming truck driver probably sees you and can predict you will give the bicyclist space when passing. If you hit the bicyclist versus the truck, the consequence of collision would probably result in death. You compromise and maneuver to give the bicyclist space as you pass.


Handling Dangers Behind

Traffic statistics indicate that rear-end crashes account for about 5% of all fatal collisions.

The space behind your vehicle is the most difficult to control. Whenever anything in the path ahead indicates you might have to change speed or position, check your rear-view mirror.

When you are being followed too closely by another vehicle, increase your space ahead and identify an escape route to at least one side. Maneuver to allow the tailgater behind you to get in front of you. Slow gradually and move to the right side of the lane or roadway. You may be forced to locate a wide, flat shoulder and pull off the road to let a tailgater pass.

If you have to leave the road:

If possible, avoid using the brakes until your speed has dropped to about 20 mph.
Brake very gently to avoid skidding on a loose surface.
Try to keep one set of wheels on the pavement to help maintain vehicle control.
Stay on the shoulder until your vehicle has come to a stop.
Signal and check your mirrors before pulling back onto the road.

If you are forced to return to the road before you can stop:

Hold the wheel tightly and turn sharply enough to get right back on the road safely.
Do not try to edge gradually back on the road; if you do, your tires might grab unexpectedly and you could lose control.
When both front tires are on the paved surface, counter-steer immediately; the two turns should be made as a single "steer, counter-steer" move.

Evasive Acceleration
Most hazards or obstacles will be detected in front of your vehicle, requiring you to brake or steer to avoid a collision. The accelerator can also be used effectively to avoid potential crashes from the side or the rear. These events often occur at intersections and in merging situations.

Accelerate out of danger when you detect a vehicle in cross-traffic about to hit you broadside in an intersection. Hard acceleration may get you out of their path or at least alter the point of impact to the rear of your vehicle, away from the passenger compartment.

Evasive acceleration is also an effective maneuver when merging, or when another vehicle is merging into your path.

The accelerator can also be used effectively to avoid being hit from the rear. Maintain a cushion of space in front of your vehicle and if possible an escape path in the event you detect a vehicle coming too fast from the rear. Use that space and accelerate out of danger.

If you use evasive acceleration, remember to slow back down to the posted speed limit.

Review
In many cases, when a crash is about to occur, there are maneuvers and techniques you can use to escape or minimize the severity of a crash.

The first step to collision avoidance is being in the proper seat position to ensure optimal control of the vehicle. To avoid panic stops, look well down the road and locate places where others may cross your path.

Maintaining a 3-second following distance is a good practice when you are following another vehicle on dry pavement and you have good visibility and a safe alternate path of travel (escape route) to at least one side. When driving through hills, curves, inclement weather, or low-light conditions, increase the space ahead to at least four seconds.

To lower the probability of a collision, try to maintain at least one car width of space to one side of your vehicle at all times. When possible, it is best to maintain space on both sides of your vehicle. When you must drive through an area with less than one car width of space on the sides, reduce your speed to allow more space to the front.

The most important thing to remember when driving on the shoulder, or any dirt or gravel surface, is your tires do not have the same level of traction as they do on pavement. On low traction, you cannot turn as sharply on off-road surfaces or brake as hard as you can on the roadway.

When you are being followed too closely by another vehicle, allow more space ahead and identify an escape route to at least one side.

Evasive acceleration is an effective maneuver during merging situations or when you detect another vehicle about to hit you from the side.

Introduction
Occasionally you encounter unexpected obstacles that demand more skill than you practice with your everyday driving maneuvers. Emergency maneuvers are often required to avoid collisions or regain control of the vehicle.

Be prepared in the correct seating position with your hands in the low-hand steering position. To reduce the probability of serious injury keep your safety belt securely fastened at all times.

To quickly avoid an obstacle, steering is often more efficient than braking.

If you find yourself in a skid, make every effort to regain traction. Look and steer in the direction you want the vehicle to go and remember not to over-correct your steering.

These are a few advanced driving tips that are presented in detail within this module about emergency maneuvers. Topics covered include:

Braking Methods
Steering Methods
Off-road Recovery
Skid Detection
Skid Recovery

Braking Methods
Braking may be the best choice if you have enough time and distance to avoid colliding with an object in your path. Just before a crash occurs, many drivers panic and "slam" on the brakes. Unfortunately this may lock the wheels and put the vehicle into a skid.


Anti-lock Brake Systems
The primary benefit of anti-lock brakes is to enable the driver to steer the vehicle while bringing it to a stop during an emergency situation. Anti-lock brakes may not make much difference in stopping distances on dry roads,	but they do help drivers maintain control of the vehicle during sudden stops on wet or slippery surfaces.

It is important to know if your vehicle is equipped with an anti-lock brake system (ABS). Check the instrument panel to see if the "ABS" light illuminates for a short period of time after you start the vehicle you are driving.

In a vehicle equipped with anti-lock brakes, a sensor on each wheel monitors speed and detects when a tire starts to skid. As soon as the skid is detected, the ABS automatically pulses the brake pressure (up to 20 times a second) on any wheel to get it to turn again. The purpose of ABS is to prevent the wheels from locking so the driver can steer the vehicle while continuing to bring it to a stop.

In an ABS-equipped vehicle, when you put on the brakes hard enough to make the wheels lock momentarily, you will typically feel the brake pedal pulse back against your foot. This is a normal pulsing action and indicates that the ABS is working.

Braking Methods


Vehicles Without Anti-lock Brakes
In an effort to stop the vehicle quickly, many drivers will lift their heel off the floor and slam down on the brake pedal with the ball of their foot. In a vehicle not equipped with anti-lock brakes, this over reaction will generally lock the wheels and put the vehicle into a skid. If you must stop suddenly in a vehicle without ABS, use the threshold braking method. Follow these procedures:

Pivot your foot from the accelerator to the brake pedal.
Quickly press the brake firmly, stopping just short of locking the wheels.
If the wheels begin to lock, let up slightly with your toes to release brake pressure one or two degrees, just enough to get the wheels turning again, then immediately reapply it with slightly less pressure.
Continue pressing the pedal until the vehicle comes to a stop.

Threshold Braking
In some emergency situations, the best action is a combination of controlled braking and evasive steering. The purpose of controlled braking is to achieve the shortest possible stopping distance without losing directional control. With or without ABS, the best way to make a controlled stop in an emergency is to use the threshold braking method. With the heel of your foot on the floor, use your toes to quickly apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal just short of lockup--the point at which the wheels stop turning.

It is recommended that vehicles with ABS brakes are treated the same way as vehicles without them. It is important to keep steady pressure on the brake pedal. You should depress the brakes at the same rate in which you want your vehicle to slow. Slamming on your brakes is not recommended. When you are driving on a low traction or slippery road, you should press down on the clutch and the brake simultaneously.

Below are some additional features of ABS:

Controlled steering: increased stability; lowers risk of jackknifing
Fail-safe Electric System: If an electrical problem is present, ABS will discontinue, and regular braking will take effect
Traction control: Reduces spinning and skidding
Self-diagnosing System and Diagnostic Tool Compatibility: Alters when maintenance is required and makes it easier to find or evaluate problems
ABS Malfunction Indicator Lamp: Warns and detects some problems
(Technician Guidelines for Antilock Braking Systems, FHA)

Steering Methods
What would you do if a truck ahead of you suddenly dropped a ladder in your path?

You are traveling too fast to stop, but you might have enough time to steer and avoid hitting the ladder. Search and adjust speed/space for improved visibility and room to maneuver.

If you see a hazard directly in your path requiring an immediate evasive maneuver, rely on your ability to quickly and effectively operate your steering wheel and brakes. In some emergency situations, it is best to use a combination of the controls.

If you are traveling over 30 mph and an obstacle suddenly appears in your path, you may or may not have enough time or distance to stop. If you do, you should brake so that you are still able to maintain your position in a straight line, or have the ability to turn if necessary. If you have anti-lock brakes, you may brake firmly, but you should keep steering wheel movements to a minimum. If you do need to steer significantly in a different direction, take your foot off the brake. Slamming on your brakes is not the safest option in this situation. Once your speed has slowed and you have regained control over your vehicle, you may use your brakes, if it is necessary to come to a complete stop. If not, and you have fully recovered from the evasive maneuver, you may continue driving.

If you do not have enough time or distance, you may steer to avoid the obstacle. However, you must be careful to avoid other obstacles and sharp, abrupt, uncontrolled steering movements or over-correcting.

Identify a clear path to one side of the vehicle.
Look and steer with precise control in the direction you want the vehicle to go; do not apply the brakes while turning. Be cautious not to steer into another hazard. Do not cross lanes into oncoming traffic.
Stabilize the vehicle and return to your lane (Pennsylvania School Bus Driver's Manual, "Unit H - Crash and Emergency Procedures", H-8-H-10).



Controlled braking will reduce the damage to your vehicle when there is not enough time or distance to stop.

When you cannot stop in time to avoid hitting something, steer around it. To make quick turns you must hold the steering wheel correctly. Place your hands on opposite sides of the steering wheel at the 8 o'clock and 4 o'clock hand positions.

Why the 8 and 4 position? The new recommendation allows more freedom of movement based on your height, arm length, seat height and steering wheel position. It also gives room for the air bag to deploy without injuring your hands.

For most drivers, when properly seated, an 8 and 4 hand position allows a smooth rotation of the steering wheel in either direction of nearly 90 to 160 degrees in either direction without crossing your arms. With the push/pull or push/pull/slide method, while one hand pushes or pulls the steering wheel up or down in the direction of the turn, the other hand slides up or down to make fine adjustments as necessary.

Off-road Recovery
What would you do if a driver in an oncoming vehicle on a two-lane undivided roadway suddenly loses control of his vehicle and swerves into your lane?

This is a manageable situation. You should steer to the right. Here are successful techniques to execute a controlled off-road recovery.



Going Off the Road
Do not panic - release the accelerator and stay off the brake.
Look at your escape route to the right - your two right wheels or all four wheels may be on the unpaved shoulder.
If there is enough time and space, let the vehicle slow gradually before leaving the paved surface.
Turn the steering wheel right just enough to get onto the shoulder - your two right wheels or all four wheels may be on the unpaved shoulder. The off-road wheels should be 12 to 18 inches from the edge of the pavement.

Returning to the Road
Look for a spot where the unpaved shoulder is about the same height (no more than two inches lower) as the paved road.
Check your rear-view mirror, side-view mirror, and blind spots for obstructions.
Signal your intentions before returning to the roadway.
When the path is clear, turn the steering wheel 1/16 to 1/8 of a turn to the left. Immediately after you feel the front tire(s) make contact with the edge of the pavement, turn the steering wheel to the right about 1/8 of a turn. At the same time, accelerate to prevent over-steering.
Once you are back on the road, position your vehicle in the center of your lane and accelerate to the proper speed.

Note that the height difference between the paved road and the shoulder may affect the stability of your vehicle. Avoid panic braking or acceleration which could cause your vehicle to skid. Finally, if you turn the steering wheel too sharply, your vehicle may skid, roll over, or head directly across the roadway into oncoming traffic.

Skid Detection
Most drivers feel helpless during a skid because they lose traction and control of the vehicle's direction. Early detection is key to safe recovery. Most skids are caused by drivers traveling too fast for conditions.

Excessive speed and wet, snowy, icy, or sandy road conditions combined with abrupt braking, steering, or acceleration can cause a skid. When you drive on reduced traction surfaces and try to change speed or direction too quickly, or try to change speed and direction at the same time, you greatly increase the risk of skidding.

Early skid detection includes recognizing the cause. Skids are caused by: hard braking, abrupt acceleration, or traveling too fast.

Braking skid. Braking skids occur when the brakes are applied so hard that the front or rear wheels lose traction. Regardless of which wheels lock, steering control will be lost. If the front wheels lock or lose traction (understeer), the vehicle skids straight ahead. If the rear wheels lock or lose traction (oversteer), the rear of the vehicle slides sideways.
Power skid. A power skid occurs when you suddenly press too hard on the accelerator and the drive wheels (front or rear) lose traction. A vehicle with front-wheel drive plows straight ahead. The rear end of a rear-wheel drive vehicle will skid to the side (fish tail).
Cornering skid. If you drive too fast while making a turn or traveling through a curve, the front or rear wheels may lose traction. In a front-wheel skid, the vehicle will plow through the corner and tend to run off the outside corner. In a rear-wheel skid, the rear end of the vehicle may slide sideways.

As you continue to drive and encounter conditions that cause skids, think about the keys to early detection. Doing so will help you to handle these rare driving emergencies when the "real thing" happens.

Skid Recovery
Even for experienced drivers, skids can be frightening and dangerous. When road conditions change and traction is reduced, your tires could lose their grip on the road's surface, causing a skid and loss of vehicle control.

Regaining control of your vehicle when you find
yourself in a skid requires you to:

Respond quickly and don't panic.
Look and steer in direction of the skid.
Make smooth steering corrections.
Don't give up. You may have to make several steering corrections before you regain steering control.

Slightly different procedures are required to recover from various skids:

Braking skid. Recover from a braking skid by releasing the brakes just enough to allow the wheels to turn. When the wheels begin to roll, steering control will return. If you still need to slow the vehicle, use the threshold braking method.
Power skid. Recover from a power skid by easing off the accelerator until the wheels stop spinning. Then make steering corrections as necessary until you are back on your intended travel path.
Cornering skid. To correct a rear-wheel skid, ease up on the accelerator, avoid using the brakes and steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go. A number of steering corrections may be necessary. To correct a front-wheel skid, ease up on the accelerator and steer toward your intended travel path. If you release the accelerator too quickly in this situation, the rear of the vehicle may slide sideways.
Most skids are caused by driver error, although only about 15% of collisions are the direct result of a vehicle skidding. Most crashes happen because drivers take no action, the wrong action, or last-minute actions. Do not be one of those drivers. Understand the environment you are traveling in and compensate as necessary.

Review
We encounter unexpected obstacles that demand more skill than we practice with our everyday driving maneuvers.

Be prepared in the correct seating position with your hands in the low-hand steering position. To reduce the probability of serious injury, keep your safety belt securely fastened at all times.

Braking may be the best choice if you have enough time and distance to avoid colliding with an object in your path.

If you have ABS, apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal. Do not pump the brake pedal or remove your foot from the brake.

There are major advantages of using push/pull steering with lower hand positions:

Injuries to the arms, hands, face, and eyes are greatly reduced during a collision when the driver-side air bag deploys.
Maintaining a hand position more closely associated with a normal seating position reduces muscle fatigue.
The driver tends to not turn as much; a common mistake in emergency maneuvers which can result in running off the road.

Excessive speed and wet, snowy, icy, or sandy road conditions combined with abrupt braking, steering, or acceleration could cause a skid. If you experience a skid:

Respond quickly and do not panic.
Look and steer in direction of the skid.
Make smooth steering corrections.
Do not give up. You may have to make several steering corrections before you regain steering control.
Remember, skids are usually caused by driver error.

Introduction
The goal of every driver is to get to their destination safely. Unfortunately, achieving this goal is not always possible. In the U.S., in 2009, there were 33,808 total automobile-related deaths and over 3,000 were in California (NHTSA). Plan to address these dangerous situations before they arise.

Today, drivers on U.S. highways are safer than they have ever been because cars are safer, more people use safety restraints, and stronger safety laws have been enacted.

Unfortunately, bad driving behaviors continue and people are killed and injured by persons who drive impaired and ride in vehicles without buckling their seat belts.

This module contains information about how to reduce the consequences of a crash if one is unavoidable. These driving habits and practices are designed to help you minimize the negative results of a collision. Topics addressed in this module include:

Safety Belts and Air Bags
Child Restraints
Locking Doors and Securing Loose Articles
Minimizing the First Collision
Preparing for a Driving Emergency

Safety Belts and Air Bags
Every year the number of licensed drivers, registered vehicles, and miles traveled increases. Surprisingly, over the last two years the number of traffic crashes, injuries, and deaths has declined. NHTSA estimates safety belts have saved over 260,000 lives since 1975. California’s 2011 seat belt usage rate was 96.6% – up from 96.2 percent in 2010.

NHTSA estimates that 1,243 Californian lives and 12,713 national lives were saved at the current seat belt use rate. California’s 96.6 percent seat belt use rate is much higher than the national average of 85 percent.

Motor vehicle manufacturers continue to make seat belt and air bag design improvements--adding seat belts that self tighten and air bags that deploy from the side. Using seat belts and air bags is definitely in your best interest. Seat belts and air bags are so valuable that every new passenger car sold in the U.S. must have them as standard equipment. Currently 49 of the 50 states have mandatory seat belt use laws.

In California, a person may not operate a motor vehicle on a highway unless that person and all passengers 16 years of age or over are properly restrained by a safety belt. A person 16 years of age or over may not be a passenger in a motor vehicle on a highway unless that person is properly restrained by a safety belt (VC 27315).

Passengers under the age of 16 and over the age of 8 must be properly secured by a safety belt. Children under 8 years of age who are 4 feet 9 inches in height or taller may be properly restrained by a safety belt, rather than a federally-approved child passenger restraint system (VC 27360).

This does not apply to a passenger or operator with a physically disabling condition or medical condition that would prevent appropriate restraint in a safety belt, if the condition is duly certified by a licensed physician and surgeon or by a licensed chiropractor who shall state the nature of the condition, as well as the reason the restraint is inappropriate.

Make this safe driving practice a part of your pre-drive routine. There is no time to buckle up after an emergency begins. In order for seat belts to protect you, you have to buckle them before you start the engine! Fasten the lap belt securely but comfortably across your hip bones. Adjust the shoulder harness so the belt lies across your chest. Properly worn and adjusted seat belts provide comfort and maximum protection. See the vehicle owner's manual for more information.

Currently, about 75 to 80% of drivers and passengers wear seat belts. Some believe safety belts and air bags do not work or are not worth the trouble. What do you think the nearly 8,000 people who were not wearing seat belts and died in motor vehicle crashes would do differently?

NOTE: It is a violation for any driver to knowingly permit a person to ride in the trunk of a vehicle. Additionally, any passenger found guilty of riding in the trunk is guilty of an infraction (VC 21712).

Child Restraints
Motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death for people ages 3-33. Did you know eight out of ten child safety seats are installed incorrectly??

Set a good example for children by buckling up every time you drive or ride in a vehicle. You help them develop a life-long habit when you insist they wear belts also.

California's child restraint law requires that children, up to age 8 and a height of 4 feet 9 inches, be secured in a federally-approved child safety seat. The benefits of these laws are huge when you consider that the average person will be in at least two motor vehicle crashes during their lifetime.

Be sure to read your vehicle owner's manual and child safety seat manufacturer's instructions when installing your child safety seat.
Child safety seats are 71% effective in preventing death to infants, and 54% effective in preventing death to children ages 1-4.

The safest place for all children to be is properly restrained in the back seat. Children should never ride in the front seat of a vehicle equipped with a passenger-side air bag, unless the air bag can be deactivated by a safety switch. Research has shown that young children can sustain serious injuries from an air bag which deploys in low-speed crashes.

Purchase only new child passenger restraints. Used restraints may have cracks and may have experienced structural stress that you cannot see as a result of being in a crash. It is a good idea to replace seats every five to six years or after a moderate to severe crash.

California's Child Restraint Laws


Child Passenger Seat Restraints (VC 27360)
Children must be properly secured in a child restraint (safety seat or booster, depending on the age and size of the child) until they are at least eight years old and 4 feet 9 inches in height.

(Note: if the child places the shoulder belt under the arm or behind the back, which is extremely dangerous, the parent or driver may be cited.)

NOTE: The law requires that a child who is required to be secured in a child safety seat (under 8 years and under 4 feet 9 inches in height), be secured in the rear seat of the vehicle. A child is allowed to be secured 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 12 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.

Kaitlyn's Law
Leaving young children unattended in motor vehicles has caused serious health and safety harm to children and is an unacceptable public health and safety hazard. The dangers of leaving young children unattended in motor vehicles include possible child access to ignition, brakes, clutch and gear shift lever, and other parts of the vehicle that could cause uncontrolled vehicular movement, exposure of the child to extreme cold or heat in those vehicles, and other dangers. Prior instances where young children have been left unattended in or around motor vehicles have resulted in serious injury or death. 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.

"Kaitlyn's Law," a section of VC 15620, makes it an infraction, punishable by a fine of $100, for the parent, legal guardian, or other person responsible for a child who is 6 years of age or younger to leave that child inside a motor vehicle, without being subject to the supervision of a person who is 12 years of age or older, and where there are conditions that present a significant risk to the child's health or safety, or when the vehicle's engine is running or the vehicle's keys are in the ignition, or both.

Locking Doors and Securing Loose Articles
If you are involved in a rollover or side collision, locked doors are less likely to open, thereby decreasing the chance of the occupants being ejected. Studies show that people are less likely to sustain serious injuries if they are restrained inside the vehicle than when they are thrown clear.

People are not the only things that need to be restrained in a collision. For example, in a head-on collision, items on the rear window shelf will fly off becoming lethal projectiles (remember that objects in the vehicle will continue to move with a high rate of momentum). Articles that have been placed on the backseat can be just as hazardous as those on the shelf. The best place to secure valuables and larger items is out of sight in the trunk. This will decrease your chance of injury as well as deterring break-ins and theft. You can place small items on the floor behind the front seat.

Minimizing the First Collision


Types of Collisions
Collisions can occur at points all around your vehicle - from the sides, rear, and in the front. You can collide with stationary obstacles or moving objects, or be involved in a multiple vehicle collision. Your vehicle could possibly malfunction or you could be the cause. Other drivers can cause crashes and sometimes the road itself can contribute to a collision.

Sometimes collisions are unavoidable. For example, when driving, you have little control over what is happening behind you. Often, when you are stopped, a rear-end collision can occur because the other drivers are not paying attention.

Side-impact collisions are extremely dangerous and often cause serious injury because the passenger compartment takes a direct hit.

Being involved in a head-on collision is the worst type of collision in which to be involved. The reason is this type of crash generates extreme collision forces during impact. Serious injury and death are much more likely to occur in head-on collisions versus the other types previously mentioned.



Choose What to Hit
If a collision is unavoidable and you have a choice of objects to hit, strike the object that is going to result in the least amount of impact force. If you strike a stationary object choose something that gives, such as a bush or some other small, soft object capable of absorbing energy.


Hit Something Going Your Way
If you strike a moving object, choose one traveling in the same direction that you are traveling.


Hit Something with a Glancing Blow
You can minimize crash consequences by hitting an object at an angle versus head-on. For example, many collisions have been classified as minor because the vehicle sideswiped a guardrail, bounced off, and the driver maintained control.



Choose How to Hit
If you cannot avoid a crash with another vehicle at an intersection, adjust your speed and steer so you can hit, or be hit, at or behind the rear wheels. These actions greatly reduce impact forces and allow the struck vehicle to spin instead of absorbing the force of the vehicle that strikes it.


Choose Where to Collide
If you have a choice between a head-on collision with another vehicle or striking some stationary object off-road, impact forces will probably be less if you choose an off-road path. If possible steer to the right side of the road and take evasive action. Steering left to avoid a collision is more apt to bring you into the path of oncoming traffic.

Preparing for a Driving Emergency
A number of factors contribute to traffic crashes. Many collisions are more serious than necessary because drivers are unaware that a collision is about to happen - they panic and do the wrong thing, or freeze and do nothing at all. Knowing what to do to minimize the consequences of a crash, and being able to do it, are two different things.

Seldom do you get the chance to practice dealing with real emergencies. However, you can practice some of the fundamentals. You can practice making quick stops and quick turns in places where there is no traffic.

In the winter, you may be able to find a place to practice controlling and recovering from skids. In addition, if you drive a vehicle equipped with an anti-lock brake system (ABS), find a safe place to apply hard brake pressure when traveling 25-30 mph so that you can experience the pulsation of the brake pedal that occurs when the brakes are suddenly applied hard in an emergency.

When you cannot actually practice things physically, you can practice them mentally. When you are driving along, practice "what-if" scenarios in your mind.

What would you do if you suddenly had a blowout?

What if an oncoming car suddenly pulls into your lane or your brakes fail?

Mental practice can help you to react correctly and quickly when a real emergency happens. Be prepared for the unexpected, plan ahead, and you should arrive at your destination safely.

Review
Every year the number of licensed drivers, registered vehicles, and miles traveled increases. Surprisingly, over the last two years the number of traffic crashes, injuries, and deaths has declined. Use the safety equipment installed in your vehicle.

Be sure that you and your passengers buckle up before putting the vehicle in motion. Ensure all children are properly secured:

Secure them with a car seat or by a safety belt in the back seat.
Do not put a small child in the front seat of a vehicle equipped with passenger side air bags unless the vehicle has a safety switch to deactivate the bag.

Make sure you secure all loose objects inside a vehicle.

There are ways to minimize the consequences of a vehicular collision such as being alert at all times, preparing to maneuver, and taking the brunt of the collision on the rear portion of your vehicle.

If you have a choice of what you are going to hit in a crash, hit the object that will transfer the least amount of force. The worst type of collision to be in is a head-on collision.

Introduction
Roadside emergencies and collisions happen suddenly. If an event should occur, here are several tips that can help you to be equipped to handle the situation.

If your vehicle breaks down or you are involved in a collision, it is often difficult to remain calm and focused.

This module will present guidelines to help you travel with the necessary knowledge to act quickly and with confidence in an emergency. These guidelines are developed by law enforcement officials, emergency responders, and traffic safety professionals and can assist drivers in emergency situations. Topics that are covered include:

Emergency Toolkit
Approaching an Emergency Scene
Roadside Breakdowns
After a Collision
Replacing Restraint Systems After a Collision

Emergency Toolkit
Carry a cell phone to communicate emergency situations or to call for help. Also keep supplies in your vehicle that will assist you in the event of an emergency breakdown or crash. Assemble an emergency toolkit to include:

First-aid kit
Gloves (both latex and work)
Hand tools
Pocket knife
Flares (warning triangles or reflectors)
Blanket
White flag or cloth
Bottled water
Flashlight with extra batteries
Jumper cables

In cold climates, add these items to your toolkit:

Appropriate protective clothing
Shovel
A small supply of non-perishable food
Kitty litter or sand
Ice scraper, snow brush

Be prepared to record an accurate account of an emergency event for the police and your insurance company. Keep a pen and notebook along with a disposable camera in the same location you store your proof of insurance and registration.

Approaching an Emergency Scene
If you can see warning triangles, flares, a vehicle's hazard lights, or emergency vehicles ahead, slow down. You may be approaching the scene of a collision. Warn drivers behind you by turning on your emergency flashers or tapping your brake pedal quickly three or four times.

Avoid driving near collisions if possible, watch for pedestrians and do not slow down more than necessary or stop just to look - this common curiosity causes other collisions and interrupts traffic flow.

Because of the high speed, erratic maneuvers, and hazards present, the space around dispatched emergency vehicles is a very high risk area for all nearby drivers. It is against the law to follow closely behind any fire engine, police car, ambulance, or other emergency vehicle with a siren or emitting a steady red light.

If you are the only one on the scene, call 911 (or the number for your local emergency service). DO NOT move any victims unless they are in immediate danger of sustaining life threatening injury.

Roadside Breakdowns
In the event of a roadside breakdown, it is important to remain calm and attempt to prevent further risk of damage or injury to yourself or others by moving the vehicle out of the roadway.

If you are having car trouble, and need to stop, but are still able to drive slowly:

Turn on your emergency flashers.
Maneuver to the right lane and locate a wide shoulder where there is clear visibility from behind and if possible, all other directions.
Use the shoulder to drive to the nearest exit or other location where it is safe to park. If you cannot make it to an exit, park as far from the travel lane as possible.
If you park in tall dry grass on the roadside, watch for potential fire that could be caused by heat from your exhaust system.
If you are unable to get safely to the right side of the road, park on the left in a clearly visible area.
Set out warning triangles and flares and return to your vehicle.
Call for roadside assistance and wait for help in a safe place. This may be outside the vehicle and away from traffic.
If your vehicle is in a safe location, clear of traffic:

Lock the doors and wait for your roadside service provider.
Do not open your doors to strangers that want to assist you. Have them call for help if you have not already done so.
Any vehicle that is left standing on a freeway (even if disabled) for more than 4 hours may be removed. Any vehicle left unattended blocking the roadway or deemed a hazard by the authorities may be towed immediately (VC 22651).



If there is smoke, fire, or limited visibility:

Quickly exit the vehicle if you see smoke or fire, or if other drivers are not able to clearly see your disabled vehicle.
Exit the vehicle away from the traffic lane.
As you walk away from the vehicle, walk as far away from the traffic lane in the direction traffic is approaching you - walk towards traffic that might strike your broken down vehicle. As a pedestrian, do not position yourself in harm's way of a potential collision.
Wait in a safe location.

If you lose engine power or control and cannot get completely off the road:

Turn on your emergency flashers.
Stop where people can see you and your vehicle from all directions - especially from behind.
Exit the vehicle if you are in danger of being struck by moving traffic.
Call for roadside assistance.
Set out warning triangles or flares only if it is safe to do so.
Wait in a safe location for assistance.

After a Collision
If you are involved in a collision:

Remain calm and turn on your hazard lights.
Do not leave the scene unless a medical emergency requires you to do so. In California in 2009, hit-and-run was indicated in almost 10% of the fatal and injury collisions (CHP).
Call 911 and request police or medical assistance. Be prepared to tell the 911 operator your specific location and the condition of the individuals involved.
If the vehicles are still operational, move the vehicles out of traffic, as far off the roadside as possible. If you are involved in a collision, you must stop and provide information to any other people involved. It is a serious crime to leave the scene and can result in the suspension of your driver's license.
Turn off the ignition switches in each damaged vehicle.
Stay away from traffic and do not cross any expressways on foot.
If your vehicle is in a safe location and is clearly visible to oncoming traffic, communicate your situation to other road users. Set out flares and warning triangles.



Location of Flares and Triangles
On a one-way or divided highway, the first warning device should be placed approximately 200 feet behind your vehicle. The second device should be placed approximately 100 feet from the rear of the vehicle. Place the third device about 10 feet from the rear of your vehicle.

On a two-way or undivided highway, position one device 100 feet behind your vehicle and one device 10 feet behind your vehicle. Place another device 100 feet in front of your vehicle.

If your vehicle breakdown occurs where there is an obstructed view, such as a hillside or curve, place one device 100-500 feet behind your vehicle and one 10 feet behind your vehicle.

Flares are the most visible warning you can give other drivers; however, they are fire hazards in dry conditions and are only effective as long as they are burning (about 15-45 minutes). Reflective triangles are not as easily seen, but they are safer, easily stored, and can be used as often as needed.



Collision Responsibilities
If you are involved in a collision:

You are required to stop immediately. If possible, pull over to a location that minimizes traffic obstruction. Turn on your hazard lights.
If injuries are involved, contact medical help. Call 911.
Remain at the scene.
Call the police if anyone was injured or killed. You must file a collision report to the DMV if more than $750 in property was damaged or if anyone was injured or killed. This report must be submitted within 10 days of the accident (Driver Handbook).
Present your license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance to the police. Be aware of your personal safety and protection if approached by the other driver or any passengers. Request identification and exchange information.
Obtain names and addresses of witnesses.
Notify your insurance carrier.
If you are injured, see a doctor.
If you damage another vehicle or other property and the owner is not around, leave your name, address and telephone number on a note where you are sure the owner will see it. You must also still notify the sheriff or a member of the State Police.

After a Collision


Stopping Requirements (VC 20001)
If you are involved in a collision, you must stop. If you don’t, you could be convicted of a "hit and run." Victims at the scene could be injured and need your help. Leaving the scene could result in further injury or death to collision victims.

Duty Where Property Damaged (VC 20002)
The driver of any vehicle involved in a collision resulting only in damage to any property, including vehicles, must immediately stop the vehicle at the nearest location that will not impede traffic or otherwise jeopardize the safety of other motorists. Moving the vehicle in accordance with this subdivision does not affect the question of fault. The driver shall also immediately do either of the following:

Locate and notify the owner or person in charge of that property of the name and address of the driver and owner of the vehicle involved and, upon locating that person, if requested, present his or her driver's license, and vehicle registration, to the other person. The information presented shall include the current residence address of the driver and of the registered owner. If the registered owner of an involved vehicle is present at the scene, he or she must also, upon request, present his or her driver's license information, if available, or other valid identification to the other involved parties.
Leave a written notice in a conspicuous place on the vehicle or other property damaged giving the name and address of the driver and of the owner of the vehicle involved and a statement of the circumstances. The driver must also immediately notify the police department of the city wherein the collision occurred or, if the collision occurred in unincorporated territory, the local headquarters of the Department of the California Highway Patrol.
Reporting Requirements (VC 20008)
When you have a collision, you must report it to the DMV if:

More than $750 worth of property damage occurred.
Anyone was injured (no matter how slightly) or killed.
Each driver involved in the crash 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. Make the report on the California Traffic Accident Report form SR 1. You can get this form from any DMV or CHP office. If you don't make this report to DMV, your driving privilege will be suspended. If you did not have the proper insurance coverage, your driving privilege will be suspended for four years. During the last three years of the suspension, your license can be returned if you provide a California Insurance Proof Certificate (SR 22) and maintain it during this period.


Replacing Restraint Systems
After a Collision
Restraint systems and safety sensors in your vehicle may be damaged during a collision without any noticeable evidence. Even if your vehicle has minimal damage from a collision, have the safety features thoroughly checked by a qualified technician before returning to the road.

Safety systems that are commonly compromised by collisions include safety belts, air bag systems, and child passenger restraint systems.



Safety Belts
After a very minor collision, there may be no damage to safety restraints. But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if worn during a more severe crash, have them checked and replaced.

If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision damage also may mean you will need to have safety belt or seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs may be necessary even if the belt was not being used at the time of the collision.


Air Bags
If an air bag inflates, you will need to replace air bag system parts. Also, have the sensors checked for malfunctions after a collision.


Child Safety Seats
The NHTSA's current position is that child safety seats do not always have to be replaced following a minor crash. Common sense should be used in deciding whether to replace such a seat. NHTSA's criteria for a minor crash were designed to provide a wide margin of safety between cases for which reuse is recommended and those crashes that might reasonably be expected to affect future child seat performance. A crash is considered to be minor – and the child seat involved in it is safe for reuse – if it meets all of the following criteria:

A visual inspection of the child safety seat, including inspection under any easily movable seat padding, does not reveal any cracks or deformation that might have been caused by the crash.
The vehicle in which the child safety seat was installed was capable of being driven from the scene of the crash.
The vehicle door nearest the child safety seat was undamaged.
There were no injuries to any of the vehicle occupants.
The air bags (if any) did not deploy.

For those situations where the caregiver determines that any of these criteria has not been met, or if they are unsure that damage to the seat has occurred, NHTSA advises caregivers to contact their automobile insurance company regarding its policy on replacement of seats.

Review
If you can see warning triangles, vehicle warning lights, or emergency vehicles ahead, slow down; you may be approaching the scene of a collision.

Do not follow too closely behind any fire engine, police car, ambulance, or other emergency vehicle. If you are the only person on the scene (other than those involved in the accident) DO NOT move any victim unless they are in immediate danger of sustaining additional serious or life threatening injury. Do not leave the scene - call 911 for assistance.

In the event of a roadside breakdown, remain calm and prevent further damage or injury by moving your vehicle out of the roadway. If you park off the shoulder after a breakdown, be mindful of tall, dry grass.

Set out warning triangles and flares in their proper positions to warn other traffic.

Quickly exit the vehicle if you see smoke or fire, or if other drivers cannot see your vehicle. Wait in a safe location.

If you are involved in a collision you are required to stop immediately. If possible, pull over to a location that minimizes traffic obstruction. Turn on your hazard lights.

Introduction
Vehicle breakdowns can be costly, extremely dangerous, and put you in harm's way. Common vehicle failures include engine, brake, tire, and electrical failure.

To prevent breakdowns, perform routine vehicle maintenance and vehicle inspections.

Your vehicle's systems include its engine, fuel, exhaust, steering, braking, tires, electrical, and lubrication systems. Each system requires maintenance. Regular servicing reduces problems associated with system failures.

In addition to maintenance, the way you handle and maneuver your vehicle can extend your fuel economy and prolong the life of your vehicle systems.

This module covers vehicle maintenance. The topics that will be addressed include:

Routine Maintenance Checks
Checks Before and During Driving
Mileage-based Maintenance
Fueling Issues
Selecting a Service Facility

Leaking Fluids

As you approach the vehicle, look underneath and around it for any leaking fluids. Color indicates the type of fluid leaking out. Check your owner's manual to be sure of the color and appearance of the fluids in your vehicle. Common fluid colors and their indications include:

Red: Transmission fluid (check transmission seals)
Purple: Power steering fluid (check system)
Black: Motor oil (check the engine, and replace the oil)
Green or Orange: Coolant (check the water pump)
Clear: Water (usually normal condensation or water from the air conditioner)

After Starting the Engine
After starting the engine, check the following:

Instruments (ensure warning lights are off)
Fuel gauge (if it is below the half-way mark, plan to refuel soon)
Brake action (Push down on your brake pedal. If you feel no resistance, there is a breakdown of hydraulic pressure in the brake line. This indicates a possible brake failure. DO NOT attempt to drive; obtain a professional towing service and have the system repaired before driving.)

On-board Systems Checks
If the engine does not start, or if it does not sound normal, hire a professional mechanic.

Do not attempt to jump start your vehicle if you are not familiar with the procedure and have not read the owner's manual for the specific procedures required for your vehicle.

Every 15,000 miles:
Check automatic transmission fluid level.
Inspect brake system.
Inspect hoses.

Every 30,000 miles:
Replace fuel filter.
Inspect exhaust system.
Replace engine air filter.
Inspect accessory drive belts.
Service automatic transmission.
Check battery.

In addition to these routine maintenance recommendations, consult your owner's manual for specific guidelines for your vehicle.

Some modern self-diagnostic systems are now in vehicles that alert the owner when some routine maintenance should occur - such as "replace the oil." Consult your owner's manual to see if your vehicle is equipped with these warning systems.

Fueling Concerns
Gasoline octane ratings are displayed on the fuel pump. Always fuel your vehicle with fuel that has the octane rating recommended by your vehicle manufacturer. Using an octane rated higher than your vehicle requires does not increase power or fuel economy.


Increasing Fuel Economy
Maintenance tips to increase fuel economy:

Keep your engine tuned.
Use the right grade of gas for your car.
Make sure your gas cap is tight. Loose, damaged, and missing gas caps allow gas to vaporize.
Make sure tires are properly inflated (under-inflated tires are a safety hazard) and wheels balanced.
Change the oil using the recommended viscosity motor oil.
Change the oil filter as recommended.
Replace dirty air filters.
Be sure ignition timing is set to specifications.
Be sure spark plugs are replaced regularly, are the correct type, and are properly gapped.
Replace the PCV valve (Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve) as recommended.
Ensure thermostat is operating properly (improper operating thermostat can delay engine warm up using twice as much fuel as a warm engine).
Make sure belts are in good condition and properly adjusted.
Be sure the battery is fully charged.
Be sure the front end of your car is properly aligned to prevent tire wear and rolling resistance.


Driving techniques to increase fuel economy:

Avoid extended warm-ups.
Avoid unnecessary idling (one minute of idling uses more gas than it takes to restart the engine).
Avoid excessive braking, sudden stops and starts (frequent stops and hard acceleration can use up to one third more gas).
Anticipate the need to adjust speed far ahead.
Select the proper gear for road conditions.
Do not be erratic and dart or weave through traffic (this kind of aggressive driving lowers mileage by as much as 33% on highways and 5% on city streets).
Plan your route and drive at a steady pace.
Drive at moderate speeds (higher speeds require more gasoline use to overcome air resistance).
Accelerate smoothly to avoid using extra fuel.
Maintain a safe following distance to avoid unnecessary braking and acceleration.

Refueling Safely
Static electricity can ignite highly combustible fuel vapors that are present during the process of refueling. Serious fires have been reported since the early 1990s, yet many consumers are still not aware this danger is present and how it can be prevented. To protect yourself and your passengers from fire during the refueling process:


Never smoke in the vicinity of a fuel pump.
Turn off your engine before and during refueling.
Before touching the fuel pump, discharge the static electricity from your body by touching your bare hand to another metal object such as your vehicle door.
Do not get in and out of your car while refueling. Your body contact with the upholstery of your seats can result in static electricity. Opening and shutting the car door can also produce a static charge.

If you experience a fire when refueling, leave the nozzle in your vehicle and back away. This will prevent any fire from becoming worse. If there is a fire notify the station attendant to shut off all pumps immediately.

Selecting a Service Facility
Identify a good mechanic before you experience vehicle failure.

New car dealers and repair shops display certificates and approvals earned by mechanics who have passed specialized repair courses. This is an indication that the repair shop has the expertise required to repair your vehicle.

Sometimes only your car dealer has the approvals, equipment, and diagnostics required to service sophisticated systems.

Ensure your repair facility has the manufacturer's approval to maintain your vehicle.

Before you have work done on your vehicle, require a detailed estimate. Shop around - eliminate the highest and lowest estimate. The estimate should list the service, the parts, and labor as separate line items. Do not authorize any work to be done that you have not approved on the estimate.

If parts are replaced, request the replaced parts be returned to you when you pick up your vehicle.

Keep copies of all service and maintenance records related to your vehicle.

Review
Conduct weekly, monthly, and mileage-based maintenance to prevent moving and non-moving vehicle failure.

Consult your owner's manual for specific guidelines for your vehicle.

As you approach your vehicle, look underneath and around it for any leaking fluids. Color indicates the type of fluid leaking out. Check your owner's manual to be sure of the color and appearance of the fluids in your vehicle. Common fluid colors and their indications include:

Red: Transmission fluid (check transmission seals)
Purple: Power steering fluid (check system)
Black: Motor oil (check the engine, and replace the oil)
Green or Orange: Coolant (check the water pump)
Clear: Water (usually normal condensation or water from the air conditioner)

After you start your vehicle, ensure that the warning lights are off. As you begin to drive, always check your brakes.

Do not authorize any work to be done that you have not approved on an estimate. Also, keep copies of all service and maintenance records related to your vehicle.

Using an octane rated higher than recommended for your vehicle does not increase power. One driving technique that could increase your fuel economy is to avoid unnecessary idling.

Introduction
When shopping for a new or used vehicle, shop for safety features and new vehicle technologies. Many of these new features are designed to assist you in maneuvering and controlling the vehicle.

Over six million police-reported crashes occur each year. Remember this when you are in the market to purchase a new or used vehicle. Shop for safety; research the vehicle's crash ratings.

One of the first considerations when purchasing a new vehicle is vehicle size and weight. Small, light vehicles generally provide less protection than larger, heavier ones. Deaths and injuries are more likely to occur in small vehicles because there is less structure to absorb the energy of a crash.

While the chance of death and injury is higher in lighter vehicles than heavier ones, size and weight are not the only considerations. Some vehicles have more crashworthy designs. Vehicle crash-test results are readily available to help you make comparisons. Purchase a vehicle in your chosen size class with good front, side, and rear crash worthiness ratings.

Until recently, restraint systems included a head restraint, basic lap/shoulder belts, and front air bags. Advanced frontal air bags now have inflation characteristics geared to specific crash circumstances. Other air bags are installed under the dash, in the doors, in the seats, and in the pillars. The new airbag technology is designed to reduce crash injury from several angles.

Anti-lock braking systems (ABS), stability control and other technologies are also featured on many newer vehicles to help you maintain control of the vehicle in poor traction conditions.

Be sure that safety and crash effectiveness are high on your checklist when it is time for your next new vehicle purchase.

This module is about required safety equipment and introduces new vehicle technologies. The topics that will be addressed include:

Required Safety Equipment
Traction Control
Suspension Upgrades
Cruise Control
Other Vehicle Technologies

Required Safety Equipment
If you are planning to buy a new or previously owned vehicle, it is important to be aware of minimal standard safety features that should be present and functional in the vehicle. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has mandated Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and Regulations under the Motor Vehicle Safety Code, which manufacturers of motor vehicle and equipment items must conform and comply with. These regulations state minimum safety performance requirements for motor vehicle types and components. When inspecting a used vehicle you are interested in purchasing, at a minimum, insist the following features are installed and functional:

Head restraints - Designed to absorb the force of a rear-end collision if your head is forced back. Make sure the head restraints are designed to be positioned high (no more than 3.5 inches below the top of the head) and close to the back of the head.
Door locks - Check the mechanisms, especially on a previously owned vehicle to ensure they are all functional.
Trunk and hood latches - Check for damage and functionality.
Seat assembly - Check the attachment assemblies and the installation, especially in previously owned vehicles. Minimize the possibility of seat failure as a result of a collision.
Safety belts - Ensure there is a lap and shoulder safety belt assembly for each seating position. Each belt should have a single point pushbutton release and emergency locking mechanism. If the vehicle has been involved in a collision, make sure the belts have not been stretched. Have them inspected and replaced if necessary.

Child restraint anchorage systems - Check for two lower anchorages and a tether anchorage above (usually on the rear window shelf). Again, if the vehicle has been in a collision ensure the attachment points are secure and mechanically sound.
Air bags - Since 1998, all new cars were required to have front-passenger air bags. According to NHTSA the combination of the front air bag and a seatbelt reduces the risk of serious crash-related head injury by 83%. Ensure the vehicle has front air bags at a minimum. If the air bags have been deployed they should have been replaced. If your budget allows, shop for a vehicle equipped with side or knee air bags as well.

Traction Control
Most vehicles have basic safety features that reduce the likelihood of a crash: daytime running lights; high-mount brake lights so other motorists can see you; and anti-lock brake systems (ABS) to enable drivers to steer the vehicle while bringing it to a stop. Innovative technologies are being added to vehicles to help drivers avoid crashes.

Other crash-avoidance technologies that are proving to be effective include electronic stability control (ESC) and traction control systems (TCS).

ESC stabilizes the vehicle and prevents skidding by active brake intervention on one or more wheels and by intelligent engine torque management.

This technology helps the driver keep the vehicle on the road. If the system detects that the vehicle is beginning to skid while you are driving on a curve or executing an evasive lane change, it uses selective brake application to restore traction and consequently, control of the vehicle's direction or body lean (yaw).

A yaw-rate sensor and a lateral acceleration sensor continuously monitor the movement of the vehicle about its vertical axis and compare the actual value with the target value calculated on the basis of the driver's steering input and the vehicle speed. The moment the car deviates from this ideal line, ESC intervenes to counteract any tendency to skid by applying a precisely metered braking force to one or more wheels. ESC systems combine the functions of ABS and traction control and complement them with directional stability assistance.

The traction control system is an extension of anti-lock brake technology and is designed to help drivers maintain vehicle control in acceleration maneuvers. Traction control systems deal specifically with front-to-back loss of traction when you accelerate. If you accelerate from a dead stop, or you speed up while passing another vehicle, traction control ensures maximum contact between the road surface and your tires. Traction control works at the opposite end of the scale from ABS – dealing with acceleration rather than deceleration. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, this technology lowers the risk of a fatal single-vehicle crash by half, so it is worth shopping for.

Some traction control systems are integrated and have safety features to control the loss of traction while you are driving on a curve or executing an evasive lane change. If one or more of the system's sensors detects that you are losing traction, it will initiate several events including:

Independent braking
Throttle control
Steering assist
Traction control systems are not designed to "take over" or replace the driver. They are designed to assist the driver in maintaining vehicle control. Integrated stability control systems have the ability to detect:

How fast the vehicle is traveling when there is a loss of traction
Lateral acceleration and g-loads

Traction control has vastly improved since its introduction and it will continue to become an integral part of tomorrow's vehicles. Research your new vehicle for the application of other stability control technology such as the following:

The vehicle anticipates the direction the driver is steering, activating stability controls.
Sensors examine steering angles, yaw rates, weight transfer loads (G loading) and wheel traction.
Systems automatically select the correct course of action and engage the correct brake to keep the vehicle headed in the right direction.

Suspension Upgrades
Just as traction control has made huge strides over the past few years, the vehicle's suspension has also undergone refinement.

Several manufacturers specialize in suspension upgrades. Look for a high performance, semi-active suspension control system. This type of system uses damping controls that can adjust the vehicle's suspension up to one thousand times per second. Systems can employ sensors to respond to road and driving conditions based on vehicle body and wheel motions. Added benefits include a smooth ride, precise control, and increased responsiveness.

Some manufacturers are replacing traditional springs with air ride technology. This suspension system includes air bags that inflate when the vehicle goes around a corner - air bags on the outside of the turn inflate. The air bags continue to inflate until the vehicle's lean is minimized. The air bags are supported by a compressor which provides the inflating air. The entire system is controlled by one of the vehicle's onboard computers. Additionally, if required, the system can raise the vehicle's ride height. The system will also lower the ride height as speed increases.

Cruise Control
The use of speed control while driving on an interstate or an expressway allows your right leg to relax and reduce some of the fatigue you normally experience when constantly holding your foot on the accelerator. The control that the cruise control exerts over the fuel controller also results in better gas mileage.

Cruise controls are designed for open roads and should not be used in city or urban settings or when driving uphill or downhill. Also note, you should not use cruise control when the road surface is slippery (i.e. rain, snow or ice).

New advanced cruise control (ACC) systems can sense if you get too close to the vehicle in front of you. Radar beams look ahead of your vehicle. If the system detects a vehicle in front of you, the computer compares the vehicle's speed against your speed. If the closure rate is too fast, the system will slow you down and can activate the brakes if necessary.

If you are approaching a vehicle at an unsafe speed, an audible warning will sound. The system can also detect if the vehicle in front of you is speeding up.

Other Vehicle Technologies
There are several other new technologies emerging in our current vehicle market. Manufacturers are focused on making the traffic environment as safe as possible.

Several years ago Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) appeared on the market. The ABS prevents your wheels from "locking-up," thereby enabling the driver to steer the vehicle while bringing it to a stop, especially on slippery surfaces.

Now, advanced anti-lock brake systems have emergency assist. Advanced ABS systems exert control over the amount of fluid pressure being applied in the system based on need, allowing the driver more control. In addition, the system can detect an emergency stop situation and force more pressure to the brakes.

Safety belts are now designed to react automatically to the force that is being applied to the occupants' bodies. These belts manage the distribution of force across the body, maintaining an acceptable range. New sensors also enable safety belts to provide pre-tensioning prior to a collision.

Night-vision systems are also becoming an option. The night-vision system amplifies existing light, enabling drivers to see obstructions in the roadway that are invisible in night, low-light conditions. This technology is based on the “night-vision goggles” worn by military services around the world. The new night vision systems use infrared light beams located on the front of the vehicle. A thermal imaging or Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) camera is mounted at the top of the windshield. It detects the heat generated by objects and develops a video presentation. The imagery is displayed on an existing monitor in the car or on a flip up screen. If you are driving at night, FLIR allows you to see animals and other heat generating obstacles alongside the road that your headlights can't pick up. You can also see pedestrians who are wearing dark clothing and in some cases you can see up to five times farther than you can using just your headlights.

If you have difficulty parking and a budget to purchase a vehicle to solve this problem for you, "park assist" technology is available to do your parallel parking for you. It works using various sensors on the car. These sensors use Sound Navigation and Ranging (SONAR) sensors which transmit sound to detect objects and their distance. The sensors on the car detect the parked cars, and the gap between them. When you stop and put the car into reverse you activate a wide-angle backup camera. You push a button. The car creeps backwards; the wheel turns itself left and right as it is parking. The sensors constantly measure distance beeping faster and faster as you get close to other objects. Once you have parked, the computer will tell you the car is parked.

Consider purchasing other assistive devices such as global positioning systems (GPS), rearward looking cameras, backing proximity sensors, lane departure warning systems, pre-crash systems and following distance warning systems.

The NHTSA has decided to require automakers to include Electronic Stability Control Systems on all new vehicles starting in 2012. One study found that stability control could lead to a reduction of 10,000 deaths a year if all vehicles had the technology, almost 25% of the more than 43,000 people killed on the roads annually. About 40% of new vehicles have it as standard equipment already.

Review
Manufacturers are striving to put the most advanced safety applications possible into today's vehicles. Technology cannot compensate for poor driving - although it might help prevent or reduce the consequences of a crash.

One of the first considerations when purchasing a new vehicle is vehicle size and weight. Small, light vehicles generally provide less protection than larger, heavier ones. Deaths and injuries are more likely to occur in small vehicles because there is less structure to absorb the energy of a crash.

Electronic stability control (ESC) and traction control systems (TCS) are not designed to "take over" or replace the driver. They are designed to assist the driver in maintaining vehicle control.

Cruise control reduces fatigue and can result in better gas mileage. Cruise controls are designed for open roads and should not be used in urban settings, when driving uphill or downhill, or when the road surface is slippery.

ABS prevents your wheels from "locking-up", enabling the driver to steer the vehicle while bringing it to a stop, especially on slippery surfaces. ESC helps drivers maintain control in the worst situations. For example, if a driver enters a curve too fast, the vehicle may begin to spin out. The ESC engages automatically to help bring the vehicle back in the intended lane of travel. This technology lowers the risk of a fatal single-vehicle crash by about half, so it is worth shopping for.

New safety belt sensors enable safety belts to sense pretension and imminent collisions.

Night vision systems amplify existing light, enabling drivers to see obstructions in the roadway that are invisible in night, low-light conditions.

As new vehicle technologies evolve, it is important to stay within the bounds of your driving capability. Always drive safely.

Introduction
Wherever you travel, be prepared to ensure a safe and successful trip.

Plan your route and your vacation events so you and your passengers will have an enjoyable, stress free experience. If you take your own vehicle, begin to pack and prepare the vehicle a week in advance. Get yourself, your passengers, and your vehicle ready to make the trip - try not to put the preparation off until the last minute.

This module presents some helpful guidelines for preparing to travel with your own vehicle, rental vehicles, and recreational vehicles. It also addresses issues that will help you prepare for traveling with children or a pet.

This module covers preparing for a trip. The topics that will be addressed include:

Trip Planning and Preparation
Rental Cars
Driving a Moving Van
Traveling with Children
Traveling with Your Pet

Trip Planning and Preparation
Prepare your vehicle, yourself and your passengers to have a safe, predictable journey. Any time you get behind the wheel, your vehicle needs to be in good driving condition.

For long trips, schedule your vehicle for service the week before you leave. Do not wait until the day before your trip since the vehicle may need repairs that could cause delays. Have a professional mechanic check the tires, wiper blades, brakes, fluid levels, exhaust system, belts, hoses, steering and alignment, lights and suspension.





Your Route
Begin planning well in advance by doing the following:

Plan your route with designated locations for getting fuel, food and rest. Have alternate plans to get to your destination by another route.
Preplan fuel availability. Most vehicles can travel approximately 300 miles on one tank of fuel. Check your directions and find populated places on the map that are less than 300 miles apart. On the open road, plan a fuel stop before your fuel gauge reads 1/4 of a tank remaining.
Go online and check the long range weather forecast for the areas you will be traveling through. Give yourself enough time and then add some time for unexpected weather delays.
Consider taking a route that maximizes your vehicle's operation and fuel economy. If you are pulling a trailer or traveling in a heavily loaded truck, SUV or RV, avoid routes with too many traffic signals and sharp curves. You will save on fuel cost by traveling on limited access highways.


Other Considerations
Be sure you get enough rest before getting behind the wheel.
On long trips, try to travel with at least one other competent, safe, licensed driver. Stop, stretch and rotate driving every two hours. Plan to eat lightly during the drive to avoid drowsiness.
If you have a cell phone, check on the service availability in the areas through which you will be traveling.
Do not try to drive more than eight hours in any one day.
Plan where you will spend each night and make your reservations in advance.

Select a good travel and departure time based on several considerations:

Plan to leave at a time where you will not find yourself in heavy or rush hour traffic when you arrive in a large city.
If you are in the desert in the summer months, avoid driving in the hottest time of day, early afternoon. Give yourself and your vehicle relief from the heat; drive during the morning and evening hours.
Never leave for a trip when you would normally be sleeping. Your body will want to sleep and your ability to concentrate will be impaired.
If you are driving in winter and the road is wet before nightfall, it might be a frozen sheet of ice in the morning. Check the local radio, television stations, or the roadway itself - if it is icy, delay your departure until conditions improve and it is safe to travel.
Check the local weather forecast the evening before you depart. Plan your departure time when there is no precipitation or fog in the forecast.

Packing
Pack the vehicle carefully. Overloading can have an adverse effect on your vehicle's handling, acceleration and fuel efficiency.

Pack emergency equipment (flares, safety triangle) and ensure your spare tire is properly inflated.
Pack maps and necessary documents in a safe and easily accessible area.
Do not obstruct your vision to the rear.
If you plan to pack the vehicle full or travel with heavy cargo, reference your owner's manual for the maximum load weight and tire pressure recommendations.
Pack the heaviest items at the bottom of the trunk or storage area.
Pack lighter items in a vehicle top carrier, if one is being used.
If you take medication, make sure to pack enough to last for the entire trip.

Personal Safety
While fueling, or when paying for fuel, never leave your keys in the ignition and your money or other valuables in a location where they can be seen by others. Try to re-fuel during daylight hours.
If you stop for the night, stop and re-fuel before dark. If you stop for food, try to park where you can see your vehicle from inside the establishment.
If you stop for lodging, park where your vehicle can be easily accessed and seen - park near an entrance, exit, or in a well-lit location (if you are towing a trailer, back into the parking location so that the rear is opposite your motel door).
If you have a travel companion, stay together.

Rental Cars
Renting a car can be a simple and easy process. But, for something so simple, many people end up with the unfortunate surprise. A quick, uninformed or misinformed decision can bring delays, unnecessary expenses or major legal hassles.

Often the rate quoted only includes the per day or week rental charge. Get an estimate of your total charges including all taxes, fees and any mandatory charges. Remember that this total may change based on your choices of coverage and fuel purchase options.



Saving Money on Your Rental Car
Check the mileage policy to avoid extra charges.
Make your reservation as soon as you have decided on plans. Most rental car companies increase their rates as reservations come in and their fleets become booked. Also, certain classes of cars will sell out and you may have to reserve and pay for a larger vehicle than you want.
Being flexible about your travel plans can save you money. Rental companies that focus on the business of replacement-market customers often have great weekend specials. The best rates are found during the off season and at other times when the rental companies have extra cars sitting around.
Check into booking your vacation as a package. You might be able to save by booking your car along with a certain airline, hotel or attraction ticket package.

Additional Drivers
Additional drivers are often required to meet most, if not all, of the same requirements as the renter. Upon receipt of the contract, the additional driver must usually be present to show his or her valid driver's license to the company representative.
Many rental companies will charge a fee to list an additional driver.
If someone else drives the car without the rental company's permission, you have most likely violated the contract terms and any protection you had under that contract may be voided. This violation could complicate or even negate claims against your personal insurance and negatively impact any coverage you receive from your credit card.
If the police stop an unauthorized driver, that driver can be detained or even arrested because he or she does not have any legal right to have possession of the vehicle.


Before Driving a Rental Car
Every type of vehicle is different. Before driving a car that you have rented, become familiar with its features and understand its handling characteristics.
Conduct your standard pre-drive procedure that includes a walk around. Take note of how big or wide the vehicle is compared to what you are used to driving. During the walk-around, make note of any existing damage. If there are scratches or dents, point the damages out to the agency before leaving the lot.
Check the location and condition of the spare tire.
Once you are seated in the vehicle, adjust your seat position, mirrors, and head restraint. Become familiar with the primary and secondary controls. Note the location of the parking brake. Adjust the tilt of the steering wheel; make sure your feet and hands are in the proper position.
Notice the differences in the gearshift, windshield wiper switch, light controls, audio system, and heat and air-conditioning controls.
Before departing on your trip, take the vehicle for a test drive to get a feel for the controls, turning radius and braking systems. Check for differences in blind spots and the overall visibility from the driver's seat.

Do not drive the rental car if you are not confident and comfortable with its unique handling characteristics.


Driving a Moving Van
Is it time to move and you need to rent a moving van? You do not need a special license to drive a moving van. Practice maneuvering this large vehicle and become comfortable with its handling characteristics before your move and especially before navigating through busy cities or on small, rural or mountainous roadways.

As an experienced small vehicle driver, you already have the mechanical skills necessary to drive a moving van. You are accustomed to operating standard features such as the automatic transmission, power brakes and steering. The challenge is making proper adjustments to the vehicle size, height and weight.


Before Driving a Moving Van
Ask the rental agent to review routine maintenance and operational features. Also review the insurance coverage before leaving the facility.
Walk around the vehicle. Check to see that all doors are closed and secure.
Look up, notice the height of the moving van and take into account the additional clearance requirements. Check the tires and look for leaking fluids.


Driving the Moving Van
Familiarize yourself with the vehicle's handling characteristics. Try several acceleration and brake applications. Practice and get comfortable with the exterior mirrors. Get help in adjusting the mirrors. Practice backing and turning in both directions. You may need more room to swing out to make turns. Allow more time and distance to brake and accelerate.

Frequently check side mirrors for vehicles around you, what they are doing, and whether they are keeping up with you, passing or falling back.

Match your speed as closely as possible to the traffic around you. Keep a 4-second following distance between the moving van and the vehicle in front of you.

Give yourself plenty of time for lane-changes and use your signals. Do not hesitate or linger once you decide to make a lane change, and do not slow down to merge.

The wind being pushed by large trucks traveling at highway speeds can move a moving van out of its lane or even off the road if immediate steering corrections are not made. When you see them coming, in either direction, have both hands on the wheel and be ready to make slight steering corrections to remain in your lane.

If you must drive in windy conditions, be sure to reduce your speed so you can maintain lane position. Remember to try to maintain the wheels in a straight line, even while the moving van yaws or rocks back and forth. If you over-correct, you may go into a skid.


Parking Tips
Look for spaces to park where you can pull through to leave - avoid backing out.
Scan high. Many gas stations, driveways, and side streets have overhead obstacles.
Have a passenger get out of the van and assist you in parking.

Backing and Maneuvering
Have someone assist you when backing. Have your assistant give you very simple (non-verbal is best) directions. Keep in mind that just as you cannot see all you need to see, neither can your assistant, and you must also continue to look where you are going while watching your directions. If you are not fully confident that there are no obstacles in your way, get out and walk completely around the moving van. Look up, look down, and look around. Maneuver slowly.

Traveling With Children
Traveling with children can be a joy and a challenge. You want to plan enough activities to keep kids happy and engaged, but you do not want to wear yourself out.



Plan the Trip Together
Children will behave better on a trip if they know what to expect and are actually looking forward and excited about it. The first step to a great travel adventure is planning the trip together. By planning travel with the children, you can share ideas and include activities that everyone will enjoy. Invite the child's suggestions, and incorporate their travel ideas when you can.

Try to remind yourself of what it was like to be a child. Keep reminding yourself of that childlike point of view and you will be well on your way to planning a trip that everyone will enjoy.


Safety First
When traveling with children, it is important to make safety the first priority.

Make sure you bring and properly install a federally-approved child seat for each child that requires one.
Does the child have any health, diet, or activity restrictions you should follow? Keep them in mind when you plan the trip, and remember to keep your own limitations in mind.
When packing, be sure to bring enough of everyone's medication to last through the trip and ask doctors for written prescriptions so you can obtain refills in case the medications are lost.
Keep a list of emergency contacts handy, in case you have questions while traveling.
If you are bringing children that are not yours, obtain written permission from their legal guardians that you can travel with them and make medical decisions for them in case an emergency arises.
Make sure to bring fruit, beverages, and other healthy snacks to keep energy up and hunger at bay.



Keep Them Busy
Bring an MP3 or CD player with their favorite music, plus several books, games, and other activities that are easy to transport. Children enjoy activities that engage their minds and bodies, so while you are traveling or planning the trip, look for opportunities that include playing and learning. Keep them busy with fun activities to give them a chance to work off their energy. This will make quiet times, nap times, and bedtimes more pleasant. Try to be flexible, especially when traveling with children. Leave room in the schedule for spontaneous activities, and for those inevitable times when an event takes longer than you expected.



Share Yourself
In years to come, the children may not remember which museums or sights they saw, but they will remember having your loving and undivided attention.

Along the journey, share your memories, stories, and songs, and let the children share theirs with you.
Take a lot of photos, and when you get home plan some time to make a scrapbook together. Talk about the trip - what you liked, and even what you did not like. You can use this shared information to plan the next adventure.

Traveling with children is a wonderful opportunity to create memories that will last a lifetime.

Before Traveling With Your Pet
Consult with your veterinarian to be sure that all required vaccinations are up-to-date. Obtain a health certificate within ten days of travel.
Be sure your pet is properly identified with a current tag or a microchip. In addition to a standard identification tag (which should be labeled with your name, home address and phone number), your pet's collar should include a travel tag with information on where you are staying while away from home. Should your pet become lost, this will allow you to be contacted locally.
If your pet is not accustomed to car travel, take it for a few short rides before your trip.
Groom the animal before the trip.
Pack a water bottle, leash, and their favorite food and toys.
Pack a simple pet first-aid kit that includes assorted bandages, antiseptic cream, an antidiarrheal medication that is safe for pets (ask your veterinarian to suggest a product), gauze squares, and the phone numbers of your veterinarian, a national poison control hotline, and local 24-hour emergency veterinary hospitals.
Consider bringing along a portable kennel for use in hotel rooms or the homes of friends or relatives who are not comfortable with your pet loose when no one is home.


On the Road
Passengers, including your pet, can be a serious distraction. Do not allow the animal to run loose in the vehicle. Dogs who enjoy car travel need not be confined to a carrier if your vehicle has a restraining harness or if a passenger can restrain the animal. Cats should be confined to a cage or crate to allow them to feel secure and to avoid having a pet under your feet while driving.

Establish a regular feeding routine - give the main meal at the end of the day or when you reach your destination. Feeding dry food will be more convenient, assuming your pet readily consumes it.

Perform a daily "health check" on your pet when away from home. In unfamiliar surroundings, your pet's appetite, energy, and disposition may change. Watch for unusual discharges from the nose and eyes, excessive scratching or biting of any body part, unusual lumps, limping, loss of appetite, abnormal waste elimination, or excessive water consumption. Visit a local veterinarian if you are concerned about any physical or behavioral changes.


Humane Society Guidelines
Dogs and cats should always be kept safely inside the car.
Pets that are allowed to stick their heads out the window can be injured by particles of debris or become ill from having cold air forced into their lungs.
It is illegal to transport a pet in the back of an open pickup truck unless the area is closed or has side and tail racks a minimum of 46 inches high, the animal is secured to the vehicle, or the animal is protected by a cage. All of these means must prevent the animal from being thrown from the vehicle (CVC 23117.(a)).
Stop frequently to allow your pet to exercise and eliminate waste.
Never permit your pet to leave the car without a collar, ID tag, and leash.
Never leave your pet unattended in a parked car. On warm days, the temperature in your car can rise to 120° in a matter of minutes, even with the windows opened slightly. Furthermore, an animal left alone in a car is an invitation to pet thieves.

Review
Plan your vacation events so you and your passengers will have an enjoyable, stress free experience. Do not wait until the last minute to prepare.

Plan your route with designated locations for getting fuel, food and rest. Consider taking a route that maximizes your vehicle's operation and fuel economy.
On long trips, try to travel with at least one other competent, safe, licensed driver. Be sure you get enough rest before you get behind the wheel.
Stop, stretch and rotate drivers every two hours. Plan to eat lightly during the drive to avoid drowsiness. Never drive longer than 8 hours in one day.
Select a good travel and departure time to avoid fatigue, heavy traffic and inclement weather.
Pack emergency equipment. Do not over-pack or obstruct your ability to see in all directions. Reference your owner's manual for maximum load weight.
While fueling, or when paying for fuel, never leave your keys in the ignition and your money and other valuables in a location where they can be seen by others. Try to re-fuel during daylight hours.

When renting a car, get an estimate of your total charges including all taxes, fees and any mandatory charges. Maximize coupons, deals and ways to save money.

Ensure any additional drivers are included on the rental agreement.
Before driving a rental car, become familiar with its features and understand its handling characteristics.

Introduction
Your vehicle can provide secure and mobile protection from threatening situations. Be acutely aware of your surroundings and safety at all times. Things happen that you do not expect, and you can eliminate some threats by using good judgment and safe practices.

Keep your doors locked at all times and if you have a cell phone, keep the phone programmed to 911 and keep it in an easy to reach location.

Do you know anyone who has been a victim of a stranger in a parking lot, car jacking, road rage, or broken down alone without help?

This module is about personal safety. Topics include:

Safe Parking Practices
Dealing With Road Rage
Rest Areas
Carjacking
Being Stopped by the Police

Safe Parking Practices
Before parking and exiting your vehicle, remember your vehicle offers you a form of protection. You are safer in it than you are without the protection of your locks and steel cage.

When you exit or travel to your vehicle in a parking lot, you are not protected from the elements and other dangerous situations. You might not be seen by another driver and could be hit. You might be selected as a victim of a crime. Select your parking location carefully, with an awareness of your situation.

Park as close as possible to the building you are entering. Secure objects inside your vehicle so they will not be seen from the exterior.

Park your vehicle in a well lit, populated area of the parking lot. If possible, back your vehicle into the parking space so you can drive out of the lot quickly.

Walk where you can be seen by others.

If you are alone, time your exit from the vehicle when others will be near by and easily see you. Avoid walking between cars or in dark spaces.

Lock the vehicle and exit quickly.

While walking in a parking lot you can carry your keys as a defensive weapon, with the keys between your fingers. Place the ignition key between your index finger and thumb. This provides you with protection and ensures quick entry into the vehicle if you are being followed. Also, if you have a key fob with a remote panic button, be prepared to push that to sound an alarm in your car.

Enter your destination fast and directly. As a pedestrian, do not walk where you cannot be seen or where you might get hit by another driver.

Remote locking systems are convenient and nice to have for quick vehicle entry. Plan to enter your vehicle and exit the lot as fast as possible - others might be waiting for your space or for you to pause long enough to car-jack your vehicle. As you approach your vehicle, look around it and in the front and back seat for possible danger lurking.

Be aware of your situation, personal safety and risk. If in doubt, seek safe shelter and contact help.

Dealing with Road Rage
Road rage occurs when an angry or impatient motorist or passenger intentionally attempts or succeeds in scaring, injuring or killing another motorist, passenger, or pedestrian.

People have been shot because they drove too slowly or played the radio too loudly. Violent traffic disputes are often the result of personal attitudes and accumulated stress.

Why does road rage happen so frequently?

On the road, you are surrounded by stressed, emotional motorists who can be angered and extremely provoked by a seemingly small incident. Road rage has been attributed to:

Arguments over parking spaces
Cutting another motorist off
Refusing to allow passing
Minor traffic crashes
Obscene gestures
Loud music
Overuse of the horn
Slow driving
Tailgating
Failure to use a turn signal

What are the warning signs and how can you as a driver avoid being a victim of road rage?


Recognize Road Rage In Others
Vehicle position is the best indication that another motorist is being overtly aggressive towards you. Be aware of signs such as being cut off, sudden reduction in speed in front of you, tailgating, continuous flashing of high to low beam lights, excessive horn use or inappropriate hand signals.


Why Is It Happening?
If you are experiencing these indications, in the majority of situations, your driving has triggered the road rage. Recognize this aggression and evaluate your driving behavior:

Did you cut someone off?
Are your high beams on?
Are you going slower than traffic?
Did you take someone else's parking space?
Did you use your horn or inappropriate hand communication?
Did you open your door on someone else's vehicle?

Dealing with Road Rage


If You Are In A Road Rage Situation
Avoid eye contact. In this situation, eye contact is perceived as a challenge.
Avoid stopping. Stopping is an invitation for conflict.
Position your vehicle as far away as you can from the aggressive driver. Change lanes and slow down.
If you exit, locate a highly populated area. Do not exit your vehicle; it provides you with protection and a way to exit the scene if your vehicle is assaulted.
In extreme situations, if you are having trouble removing yourself from the aggressor, drive to a location where you will have witnesses. The presence of other people could defuse the situation and provide you with assistance if needed. Ideally, find a location where law enforcement officials are typically present such as a police station, court house, inspection station or hospital emergency room.
While locating a safe, populated location, know your location and dial 911. Describe your situation and request assistance. Do not engage or confront the other driver. Ensure you have an exit route until police arrive.
Do not drive directly home or to work.


Don't Ask for Trouble
While you are driving be courteous and conscious of your driving behavior. Avoid the following invitations for road rage:

Tailgating
Cutting other drivers off
Changing lanes without signaling
Frequently changing lanes by weaving back and forth
Making a turn from the wrong lane
Traveling in the left lane at a slow speed
Driving behind or toward other cars with your headlights on "high beam" at night
Blasting your horn
Slowing down in front of others right after you pass them
Reacting too slowly after the red light turns green

Rest Areas
If you need rest or a break from driving on an interstate highway, avoid pulling off the road at an unfamiliar location. Rest areas are in place to encourage motorists to use a safe location off the roadway to take a break and return more alert to the highway.

Rest areas are open, convenient and accessible to all motorists, regardless of age, disability or language. Good lighting and security features allow comfortable use 24 hours a day.

The rest area system provides public stopping opportunities where they are most needed, usually between large towns and at the entrance to major metropolitan areas.

Rest areas provide telephones, maps and public information. Information generally includes roadway conditions, tourist and recreational opportunities, motorist-related commercial services, public service bulletins, missing children information and information about the local history, culture and regional environment.

If you are resting in your vehicle, lock the doors and hide valuables from view. Park your vehicle where there is light to discourage potential theft.

If you are traveling alone, walk where you can be seen by others. Even in rest areas designed to be safe, be aware of your situation and be cautious of strangers and the dangers of parking lots and dark driving environments.

Carjacking
Carjacking is a crime of opportunity for a thief searching for vulnerable prey. For some gang members, it may be a rite of passage, a status symbol, or just a thrill. Cars provide quick cash for drug users and other criminals. Don't set yourself up to be a victim.

Plan your trip ahead of time. Know where you are traveling and avoid high crime areas. If you have a mobile phone, make sure the batteries are charged and take it with you.

Always have your keys or remote ready to unlock your vehicle. Don't spend time fumbling for your keys. The more time you take, the greater your risk of being carjacked.

As you approach your vehicle, pay close attention to your surroundings. If you see suspicious persons or vehicles, do not go to your vehicle. Instead, walk to a safe place and call the police. Don't confront suspicious persons in or out of vehicles, let the police do it for you.

Always drive with your doors locked and windows up.

Avoid driving alone; carjackers generally do not want to deal with more than one person.

Pay attention to other vehicles that are following you. If you think you are in danger, drive into high-traffic parking lots (shopping centers and shopping malls), drive to a police station, or use your mobile phone to call 911.

Avoid driving in the far right lane. This lane is most vulnerable to carjackings.

When stopped in traffic, always leave room between your vehicle and the car in front of you. This space cushion gives you an escape path to maneuver out of danger in the event a carjacker attempts to get into your vehicle.

If you are carjacked, save yourself, not your car. Don't resist, immediately abandon your vehicle, run, and call 911.

Being Stopped by Police
If an authorized police vehicle is approaching you, with its lights on, it is your responsibility to yield the right-of-way and immediately drive to the right-hand edge of the roadway, and stop. Remain stopped until the police pass you or stop behind you.

The penalty for evading a police officer includes imprisonment in the county jail for up to one year. In addition, the penalty for anybody who causes bodily injury while evading a police officer has been enhanced to a minimum of 3, 5 or 7 years in the state prison and 4, 6 or 10 years should they cause a death (VC 2800).

If you are pulled over for a citation, for whatever reason, the officer expects your cooperation. Being stopped by the police may be confusing and you may become anxious or angry. These are natural feelings, but remember, traffic stops can also be stressful and dangerous for the police officer.


Recognizing a Police Officer
Police vehicles have a steady RED light, and may also have flashing/steady BLUE lights.
Police will position their vehicle behind your vehicle, typically not in front. They will not pull directly in front of your vehicle unless there is no other space.
Look for signage on the front of their vehicle.
Notice the uniform.
Police are trained to approach your vehicle with a very cautious posture. They will be on guard against aggression.

If you are not convinced that the encounter is official, continue cautiously driving and proceed to a populated location. Turn on your hazard lights to communicate that you recognize their presence and are attempting to locate a safe location. Dial 911 and notify the dispatcher you are being followed and are concerned about your safety.



When Stopped by Police
Remain in your vehicle unless the officer advises otherwise.
Keep your hands where the officer can see them, rest both hands on the steering wheel.
Avoid any sudden movements, especially toward the floorboard, rear seat or passenger side of the vehicle.
Do not reach for your license or other documents until the officer requests them. Many states require drivers to show their license, registration and insurance card to the police officer upon request.
If there are passengers in your vehicle, encourage them to remain quiet and cooperate with instructions. You, as the operator, are solely responsible for your vehicle and its occupants.
Be honest with the officer. If you really didn't see the stop sign, or were unaware of the speed limit, let the officer know.
Finally, if you receive a citation, accept it calmly. Signing it is not an admission of guilt; it's only a promise to appear in court at a later time.

Review
Park your vehicle in a well lit, populated area of the parking lot. If possible, back your vehicle into the parking space so you can drive out of the lot quickly. Walk where you can be seen by others.

Vehicle position is the best indication that another motorist is being overtly aggressive towards you. Be aware of signs such as being cut off, sudden reduction in speed in front of you, tailgating, continuous flashing of high to low beam lights, excessive horn use or inappropriate hand signals.

If you find yourself in a road rage situation, avoid eye contact, avoid stopping and position your vehicle as far away as you can from the aggressive driver. Change lanes and slow down. Drive to a location where you will have witnesses. Do not exit your vehicle. Do not engage and do not confront the other driver. Ensure you have an exit route until police arrive.

If you need a rest or break when driving on an interstate highway, avoid pulling off the road at an unfamiliar location. Take advantage of the rest areas that are in place for motorists to have a safe location off the roadway when they need to take a break and return to the highway more alert.

If an authorized police vehicle is approaching you with its lights on, it is your responsibility to yield the right-of-way and immediately drive to the right-hand edge of the roadway and stop after clearing any intersections.