Which of the Following Visual Habits Can Help Reduce the Chances of a Collision

Affiliate 3

Chapter iii: Your Driving

Good driving is based on practice and beingness alert at the wheel. When driving, you must brand sure that nothing interferes with your ability to see the road, react to situations or operate your vehicle properly. You must look down the road, to the sides and behind your vehicle and exist alarm for unexpected events. Be alert to what is going on around you and do not take your optics off the route for more than a few seconds at the time. Exercise not have objects within your vehicle that might interfere with your ability to bulldoze safely. This might include objects that obstruct your view of the road or mirrors.

Bad Driving Habits: Good drivers develop habits that focus their full attending on driving. Some drivers can develop bad habits that can be very unsafe when driving.

Some bad habits that have your attention away from driving are:

• Driving sick, upset or aroused.
• Driving while eating or drinking.
• Driving while adjusting the radio or irresolute CDs/tapes.
• Driving while calling, answering or talking on a mobile telephone.
• Reading while driving.

Getting Ready to Drive

Before y'all start your engine:

• Make sure all windows are clean. Remove anything that blocks your view of the road.
• Adjust the seat and then you tin can reach all controls.
• Adjust the inside and outside rearview mirrors. Yous should not have to lean forward or backward to utilise them.
• Lock all motorcar doors.
• Put on your safety belts. Ask all passengers to practice the aforementioned.
• Make sure your car is in park or neutral gear before starting the engine.

Never move your car until you have looked in front end, behind and to the side for pedestrians and oncoming traffic. So, signal and pull into traffic when safety.

Defensive Driving

Defensive driving means doing all you can to prevent crashes. Equally a defensive driver, y'all volition "give" a fiddling. You lot volition modify your driving to fit the conditions conditions, the mode y'all experience, and the actions of other drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians.
Follow these steps to avert crashes:

1. Await for possible danger. Think near what might happen. If there are children playing by the road, plan what you will exercise if one runs or rides into the street.
2. Sympathise what tin be done to foreclose a crash. See the defensive driving tips which follow besides equally Handling Emergencies.
3. Act in time. Once you have seen a dangerous situation, act right away to prevent a crash.

Employ these defensive driving tips if you run across that you are nearly to be involved in a crash:

• It is better to swerve right instead of toward oncoming traffic to prevent a crash.
• Hitting a row of bushes is better than hitting a tree, post or solid object.
• Hitting a vehicle moving in the same direction equally you are is better than hitting a vehicle head-on.
• It is better to bulldoze off the road than sideslip off when avoiding a crash.
• It is better to hit something that is non moving instead of a vehicle moving toward yous.

When Yous Support

Check backside your vehicle before you get in. Children or pocket-sized objects cannot be seen from the commuter's seat. Place your right arm on the dorsum of the seat and turn effectually then that you lot can look direct through the rear window. Do not depend on your rearview or side mirrors equally yous cannot encounter directly behind your vehicle. Back slowly, your vehicle is much harder to steer while yous are bankroll. Whenever possible apply a person outside the vehicle to assist you support.

Avoiding Rear-end Collisions

Many crashes happen because ane vehicle runs into the back of another one. Here are some things y'all can practice to lower the adventure of someone running into the rear of your vehicle.

• Check your restriction lights often to make sure they are clean and working properly.
• Know what is going on behind you. Use your rearview mirrors.
• Signal well in advance for turns, stops and lane changes.
• Ho-hum down gradually. Avert whatever sudden actions.
• Bulldoze with the catamenia of traffic (within the speed limit). Driving likewise slowly tin be as unsafe as driving too fast.
• To avoid striking the vehicle in front of you, proceed at least two seconds following distance. This is done by following the instructions found under the department, Minimum Safe Post-obit Distances.

Bones Driver Comeback

Whatever driver can take a basic driver comeback course. The grade teaches ways of keeping crashes from happening. One driver tin sign upwardly, or a grouping tin ask for a class. Consult your xanthous pages nether, Driving Instruction , for the location of the schools.

Safety Belts

The commuter and front seat rider must wear seat belts. This seat chugalug constabulary applies to passenger cars manufactured beginning with the 1968 model year, and trucks start with the 1972 model year.
It is unlawful for any person to operate a vehicle in this state unless every passenger of the vehicle under the age of 18 is restrained by a safety chugalug or past a kid restraint device, regardless of seating position.

If the passenger is 18 years of historic period or older and fails to clothing a seat belt when required by police force, the rider will be charged with the violation.

The law exempts the following from the seat belt requirements:

• Any person certified by a physician as having a medical condition that causes the seat belt utilise to exist inappropriate or unsafe.
• Employee of a newspaper abode delivery service while delivering newspapers on home delivery routes.
• School buses.
• Buses used for transportation of persons for compensation.
• Farm equipment.
• Trucks of a net weight of more than 5,000 pounds.
• Motorcycle, moped or bicycle.

In a crash, you are far more probable to be killed if you are not wearing a safety belt. Wearing shoulder belts and lap belts make your chances of living through a crash twice equally good.

In a crash, prophylactic belts:

• Proceed you from being thrown from the vehicle. The gamble of death is 5 times greater if you are thrown from a vehicle in a crash.
• Go on you lot from being thrown confronting parts of your vehicle, such equally the steering wheel or windshield.
• Keep you from being thrown confronting others in the vehicle.
• Keep the driver backside the cycle, where he or she can control the vehicle.

SAFETY BELTS SAVE LIVES!

Clothing a lap belt around your hips, not your tum. Spike the chugalug snugly. Only habiliment a shoulder belt with a lap belt. Don't just use your safety belt for long trips or loftier-speed highways.
More than than half of the crashes that crusade injury or death happen:

• at speeds less than 40 mph, and
• within 25 miles of home.

Protecting Children

ALL CHILDREN five YEARS Quondam OR YOUNGER MUST USE A RESTRAINT DEVICE WHEN RIDING IN A MOTOR VEHICLE.

The number one killer of young children in the U.s.a. is traffic crashes in which children were not restrained at all. Over 90 percent of the deaths and 80 percent of the injuries in car crashes could exist prevented by using crash-tested kid restraints.

Children should be secure in the rear seat. Never secure a child in the front passenger side, especially if your vehicle has an air bag.

The law requires every driver to properly secure children five years of historic period or younger in child restraint devices riding in a rider car, van, or pick-upwardly truck, regardless of whether the vehicle is registered in this country. Infant carriers or children'southward car seats must be used for children three years old and younger. For children aged iv through v years, a separate carrier, an integrated child seat or a seat belt may be used. All infant carriers and automobile seats must be crash-tested and approved by the U.S. Government.

Children being carried or riding bicycles should wear properly fitted wheel helmets.

What is the Best Child Seat?

• The i that fits your child.
• The one that fits your vehicle.
• The one that y'all volition use correctly every time.

For more information on the best child seat, please visit: http://www.fhp.state.fl.us/html/CPS and obtain information on occupant Protection and Child Rider Safety News.

Leaving Children Unattended or Unsupervised in Motor Vehicles

Do not leave children unattended or unsupervised in a motor vehicle, and never leave a child unattended for any flow of time if the motor of the vehicle is running or if the health of the kid is in danger.

Alarm: WHEN It'S HOT OUTSIDE, DO Not Get out CHILDREN UNATTENDED!

On a hot summer twenty-four hour period, the interior of a car can get dangerously hot. One study establish that with the windows upwardly and the temperature outside at 94 degrees, the inside of a car could be 122 degrees in just half an hour, or 132 degrees afterward an hour.

Speed Limits

Speed causes many crashes. More drivers are convicted of speeding than any other offense. To avoid being fined or involved in a crash, obey the speed limits.
Speed is very of import in a collision. If you double the speed of a car, you increase its strength of touch on four times. If you triple the speed, the impact is nine times as great.

70 Does Not Ever Mean 70

Call back that speed limits show the fastest speed you may drive under expert conditions. Yous are responsible for adjusting your driving speed to the road conditions. For example, if the weather is bad or there is a lot of traffic, yous must drive more slowly than the posted speed. The safe speed is the one that allows you to have consummate control of your vehicle.

Florida "Standard" Speed Limits
Municipal Speed Areas	30
Business or Residential Areas	thirty
Rural Interstate Limited	70
Limited Access Highways	70
All Other Roads and Highways	55*
School Zone	20

^*The 55 MPH maximum speed limit is still in consequence in Florida except where otherwise posted. Speed limits are 70 MPH on some rural interstate highways. Speed limits may be inverse on other multi-lane highways. Drivers should not presume considering the area appears to exist rural, the limit is seventy MPH. Observe and obey the posted speed signs as there may be frequent changes from surface area to area along the selected roads and highways.

Driving Too Slowly is also Against the Law

Drive with the flow of traffic (within the speed limit). You should not drive so slowly that you cake other vehicles moving at normal, safe speeds. You tin can be issued a ticket for driving too slowly.

Post-obit Officeholder'southward and Fireman'southward Instructions

If you are stopped by a law enforcement officeholder, pull off immediately to the farthermost right, clear of traffic when possible. Turn off your engine. Reduce your headlights to the parking light position at night. Sit calmly and follow the instructions of the officer. Y'all must follow whatever lawful social club or direction of (ane) any police officeholder or (2) any fireman at the scene of a fire who is directing traffic. If a constabulary officer is directing traffic where at that place are signal lights, obey the officer — not the signals.

Crossing Intersections

More crashes happen at intersections than any other place. Be very conscientious when approaching any intersection or driveway.

• Expect both ways and be ready to brake or terminate.
• Drive at the slowest speed just before entering the intersection, not while crossing.
• Do non laissez passer or alter lanes.
• Be enlightened of vehicles behind you. Will they be able to finish if necessary?

If you lot are stopped, look for bicyclists and pedestrians who may be crossing the intersection from either direction.

Right-of-style

Who has the right-of-way in Florida? The reply is no one! The police but says who must yield (give up) the correct-of-way. Every commuter, motorcyclist, moped rider, bicyclist and pedestrian must do everything possible to avert a crash.

End Signs

You lot must yield the correct-of-way to all other traffic and pedestrians at stop signs. Move forwards but when the road is clear. At four-fashion stops, the showtime vehicle to stop should motility forward starting time. If ii vehicles reach the intersection at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the correct.

Open up Intersections

An open up intersection is one without traffic control signs or signals. When y'all enter i, you must yield the right-of-way if:

• A vehicle is already in the intersection.
• You enter or cross a land highway from a secondary road.
• You enter a paved road from an unpaved route.
• You plan to make a left turn and a vehicle is approaching from the opposite direction.

When two cars enter an open intersection at the same time, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right.

Roundabouts

Roundabouts are a new blazon of intersection, which improves traffic menstruum and reduces traffic crashes. Most roundabouts do not crave stopping, which allows vehicles to movement continuously through intersections at the aforementioned low speed. Roundabouts are designed to movement all traffic through a counterclockwise direction. Vehicles approaching the roundabout yield to circulating traffic; yet, drivers must obey all signs to determine the correct correct-of-way in the roundabout.

Safety Rules for Pedestrians

1. Look to the left and the right before stepping off any adjourn.
2. Cross simply at intersections or designated crosswalks. Drivers are e'er more alert for pedestrians when they arroyo intersections.
3. Cross with the light-green light or "WALK" signal. Make sure yous have enough time to cross. Although the motorist must yield, the motorist may not meet you in time.
4. While walking along a highway, always walk on the shoulder on the left side, facing traffic. Wear light colored clothing or utilize a flashlight to brand you more visible to drivers at night.

Pedestrians

It is the motorist's responsibility to do everything possible to avoid colliding with whatever pedestrians. Bicyclists, skaters and skateboarders in a crosswalk or driveway are considered pedestrians. Turning motorists must yield to pedestrians crossing the street or driveway at whatsoever marked mid-block crossing, driveway or intersections without traffic signals.

Bicyclists

In Florida, the bicycle is legally defined as a vehicle. Bicyclists using a public roadway are considered operators of motor vehicles and are responsible for observing traffic laws. With few exceptions, there is only 1 road and information technology is up to motorists and bicyclists to treat each other with care and respect. Adherence to the constabulary is the foundation of respect.

Blind Persons

The main traveling aids for a person who is blind are often either a white cane or a trained guide dog. Independent travel involves some chance that tin be greatly reduced when yous, the driver, are enlightened of the apply and meaning of a white cane or guide canis familiaris.

Drivers must always yield the right-of-way to persons who are blind. When a pedestrian is crossing a street or highway guided by a dog or carrying a white cane (or a white cane with a crimson tip), vehicles must come to a consummate cease.

School Buses

On a two-way street or highway, all drivers moving in either direction must stop for a stopped school bus which is picking upwards or dropping off children. You must remain stopped until all children are articulate of the roadway and the bus signal has been withdrawn. Violation of this law is considered a moving violation and is bailiwick to a mandatory hearing.

If the highway is divided past a raised barrier or an unpaved median at least v feet wide, you exercise not have to stop if you are moving in the contrary management of the jitney. Painted lines or pavement markings are not considered to exist barriers. If you lot are moving in the aforementioned direction equally the coach, you must always cease — and not go frontward until the bus stop signal has been withdrawn.

BOTH CARS MUST STOP!

School Crossings

Crossing guards are posted in areas where it is unsafe for children to cross lonely. When you see a guard, reduce your speed as you almost a school and children are in the expanse. Scout for school zone posted speed and stop if necessary at the marked stop lined only never in the cross walk. Obey signals from any crossing guard. It is the driver's responsibleness to practise everything possible to avoid colliding with pedestrians. Remember, children are unpredictable. Do your part to make every crossing a safety crossing.

Public Transit

All drivers should yield the right-of-way to public transit motorcoach traveling in the same direction which has signaled and in reentering the traffic menstruation from a specifically designated pullout bay.

Funeral Processions

Pedestrians and drivers must yield the correct-of-way to funeral processions. When the first vehicle in the funeral procession lawfully enters an intersection, other vehicles in the procession must have their headlights on as a signal to other drivers not to drive betwixt or interfere with the procession while information technology is in motion unless directed to do so by a police officeholder.

Driveways

Driveways form an intersection with sidewalks. Motorists must yield to bicyclists and pedestrians on the sidewalk.

Emergency Vehicles

Pedestrians and drivers must yield the right-of-mode to police enforcement cars, burn down engines and other emergency vehicles using sirens and/or flashing lights. Pull over to the closest edge of the roadway right away and terminate until the emergency vehicle has passed. Do not block intersections.

When driving on interstate highways or other highways with two or more than lanes traveling in the direction of the emergency vehicle, and except when otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer, drivers budgeted a law enforcement or other authorized emergency vehicle parked on a roadway with their emergency lights activated, will be required to leave the lane closest to the emergency vehicle, as soon equally it is safe to exercise and then.

When budgeted a law enforcement or other authorized emergency vehicle parked on a two-lane roadway with their emergency lights activated, and except when otherwise directed by a constabulary enforcement officer, drivers volition be required to slow to a speed that is xx miles per hour less than the posted speed limit when the posted speed limit is 25 miles per hour or greater; or travel at 5 miles per 60 minutes when the posted speed limit is twenty miles per hr or less.

Making Turns

Turning a corner may seem to be a elementary operation, but many traffic crashes are acquired by drivers who do not turn correctly.

There are 9 steps in making a expert plow:

1. Make up your mind nearly your turn before y'all become to the turning indicate. Never make "concluding minute" turns.
2. If you must change lanes, look behind and to both sides to see where other vehicles are located earlier making your turn.
3. Move into the right lane as yous near the intersection. The correct lane for the right turn is the lane next to the correct edge of the roadway. On a ii-lane road with traffic in both directions, an approach for a left turn should exist made in the function of the right half of the roadway nearest the center line.
4. Give a turn betoken for at least the last 100 feet before you lot make your plough. Permit other drivers know what you are going to practice.
5. Boring downwardly to a safe turning speed.
6. When you are slowing to make a right plough, the bicyclist you passed may exist catching upward to y'all. Search over your shoulder earlier turning. Yield to bicyclists and pedestrians.
7. Yield to pedestrians who may be crossing your path when turning left. Always scan for pedestrians earlier starting the turn.
8. Make the turn, staying in the proper lane. Yield the right-of-manner to vehicles (including bicycles) coming from the opposite direction.
9. Terminate your turn in the proper lane. A right turn should be from the right lane into the right lane of the roadway entered. A left turn may be completed in whatever lane lawfully bachelor, or safe, for the desired management of travel. Meet diagrams for making left turns from or into 1-way streets.

If you reach an intersection where you wish to make a correct or left turn and are not in the proper lane, you should drive to the next intersection. So make the plow from the proper lane.

Study these diagrams showing lanes to use in making turns.

Left and Right Turns

Left from one-way into 2-way

Left from ane-fashion into one-way roads

Left from 2-style onto two-means roads

Left from ii fashion onto i-way roads

Bike Lanes at Intersections

Wearisome downwardly and await for bicyclists. Signal your turn prior to crossing through the bicycle lane at the dashed striping. Yield to any bicyclist. Complete the turn from the designated right turn lane.

If there is no right turn lane, afterwards checking to make certain that no bicyclists are present, you may enter the wheel lane at the intersection or driveway.

Turnabout (Iii-Signal Plough)

Sometimes you will need to turn your car around in a very small space. Employ a three-indicate plow only if the road is too narrow for a U-turn and you tin can't become around the block. To make a three-bespeak turn:

1. Motion as far right as possible, bank check traffic, and indicate a left plough.
2. Turn the steering bike sharply to the left and movement forrard slowly. Stop at the curb, or border of roadway.
3. Shift to reverse, turn your wheels sharply to the right, check traffic, and back your vehicle to the right curb, or edge of roadway.

You lot tin now move in the opposite management. Cheque traffic, and move forward. Never make a three-point turn or a U-plow on a curve, a hill, or when a sign indicates that making a u-turn is prohibited.

Plough Signals and Emergency Signals

You must use hand signals or directional signals to show that you are about to turn.

It is confronting the law to employ your directional signals to tell drivers behind you that they can laissez passer. Iv-style emergency flashers should only exist used while your vehicle is legally stopped or disabled on the highway or shoulder.

right turn

left turn

slow or stop

Traffic Lanes

Always drive on the right side of a ii-lane highway except when passing. If the route has 4 or more lanes with two-style traffic, drive in the right lanes except when overtaking and passing.

Left lanes on some interstate roads are reserved for car pool vehicles with two or more than occupants in the auto — scout for diamond signs in the median. The center lane of a three-lane or v-lane highway is used merely for turning left.

If yous see reddish reflectors facing you on the lane lines, you lot are on the wrong side of the route. Get into the proper lane immediately! If you lot meet red reflectors on the lines on the border of the road, you are on the wrong freeway ramp. Pull over immediately! Scarlet reflectors ever mean y'all are facing traffic the wrong fashion and could have a head-on collision.

Blind Spots

Blind spots are areas about the left and right rear corners of your vehicle that you cannot encounter in your rearview mirrors. Before you move sideways to change lanes on an expressway or to pass on any road, turn your head to make certain these areas are clear.

Areas bordered by X'south are blind spots for a car with an outside mirror on the left side simply.

On the roads with more i lane in each direction, do not drive in someone else's blind spot. Speed up or driblet back and so the other commuter can encounter you.

Passing

• Stay a safe altitude behind the vehicle you desire to pass. The closer you get to the vehicle you lot want to pass, the less you tin run into alee. This is especially true when passing trucks, trailers, and other large vehicles.
• Before you pull out to laissez passer, check your blind spots and make certain that you have plenty of time and room to pass.
• On a two-lane route, tap your horn, or at dark blink your headlights to allow the other driver know y'all are passing.

• Give your signal before you move into the left lane.
• Do not render to the right side of the road until you can see the vehicle y'all passed in your rearview mirror.
• You lot must return to the right side of the road before coming within 200 feet of any vehicle coming from the opposite direction.
• Passing on the right is only legal when at that place are two or more than lanes of traffic moving in the aforementioned direction or the vehicle you lot are passing is making a left turn. Pulling off the pavement to laissez passer on the right is against the law.

Being Passed

• The driver of the car backside passed must non increase speed until the pass is consummate.
• Help other drivers pass yous safely. Move to the right side of your lane to give them more room and a better view of the road ahead.

When Y'all May Not Pass

You may not pass on a 2-lane road with traffic moving in reverse directions under these conditions:

• Where you see a "DO NOT PASS" or "NO PASSING ZONE" sign.
• Where a solid yellow line is painted on your side of the center line.
• On hills or curves.
• At intersections.
• Inside 100 feet of a bridge, viaduct, tunnel, or railroad crossing.

Violators may be arrested or issued a ticket.

Minimum Condom Following Distances

Leave plenty of space between you and the car ahead. If it stops quickly, you will demand time to run into the danger and finish.

Using the Two-Second Dominion

At any speed, you can use the two-second rule to run across if y'all are far enough behind the auto in front of you:

• Watch the vehicle ahead laissez passer some fixed betoken — an overpass, sign, contend corner, or other marker.
• Count off the seconds information technology takes yous to reach the same spot in the road ("one thousand and one, i thousand and ii...").
• If you achieve the mark before you end counting, you are following too closely. Slow down and check your following distance again.

The ii-2nd dominion applies to any speed in good weather and road atmospheric condition. If road or atmospheric condition conditions are not good, double your following altitude. Y'all should likewise double your following distance when driving a mobile home or towing a trailer.

Parking

When parking on a public road, move every bit far away from traffic as possible. If at that place is a roadside shoulder, pull as far onto information technology every bit you can. If there is a curb, pull close to information technology — you must not park more than i pes away.

E'er park on the right side of the roadway, unless information technology is a i-way street.

Make certain your vehicle cannot move. Fix the parking restriction and shift to park with an automated transmission or reverse with a transmission transmission. Turn off the engine and lock the vehicle. Florida law requires that you take the keys out of your vehicle before leaving it. Ever check traffic backside you before getting out, or get out on the curb side.

Before you leave any parked position, wait over your shoulder to the rear to make sure the manner is clear. Requite the proper plow signal if driving from a curb and yield to other traffic.

Parking on Hills

When parking on hills:

• Turn your wheels and so that if your car starts to move by itself it will roll away from traffic or into the adjourn. Written report the diagram provided.
• Fix the parking brake.
• Put automatic gear shift in park. Shift manual gears to contrary (downhill) or start (uphill).

Directly-in Parking

The rear markers represent the REAR corners of the parking infinite. The forward markers correspond the approximate CENTER of the parking space. When properly parked, the vehicle should be centered within the space with no office of the vehicle extending out into the traffic lane.

Where Parking is non Immune

• On the roadway side of another parked vehicle (double parking).
• On crosswalks.
• On sidewalks.
• In front of driveways.
• Past curbs painted xanthous or where "No Parking" signs are posted.
• Within intersections.
• Inside fifteen feet of a burn hydrant.
• Within twenty anxiety of an intersection.
• Within 20 anxiety of the entrance to a fire, ambulance or rescue squad station.
• Within l anxiety of a railroad crossing.
• On the hard surface of a highway where parking spaces are not marked.
• On whatever bridge or overpass or in whatsoever tunnel.
• Within 30 anxiety of a rural mail box on a expressway betwixt eight a.chiliad. and 6 p.m.
• Within xxx feet of any flashing bespeak, finish sign or traffic signal.
• In such a way that y'all block or create a hazard for other vehicles.

Parking Lights

Parking lights must be used at night on any vehicle parked on a roadway or shoulder outside of cities and towns.

Driving with parking lights but (in identify of headlights) is confronting the police force.

Parking Privilege for Disabled

Disabled persons do not have to pay parking fees on any public street, highway, or metered infinite. Their vehicles must display a valid parking placard from the rearview mirror or on the forepart dash. These may be obtained from a tag agent or revenue enhancement collector'south function and must be renewed every 4 years.

Disabled persons must park in spaces reserved for the disabled when possible. These spaces are marked by the wheelchair symbol and "Parking by Disabled Permit Only" signs. Vehicles illegally parked in spaces reserved for the handicapped will be ticketed and may be towed.

1. Proof of Eligibility: Statement from a physician licensed in the United States, the Partitioning of Blind Services of the Department of Education, or the Veterans Assistants to the effect that applicant is a severely physically disabled private with permanent mobility problems which substantially impair his or her ability to ambulate or is certified as legally blind.

   Procedure

   1. Contact your local County Tax Collector or Tag Amanuensis.
   2. Complete HSMV 83039 "Application for a disabled person'southward parking allow."
   3. Provide Proof of Eligibility — Doctor's Statement.
   4. Pay $1.50.
   5. Pay $15.00 for temporary disabled person parking permit.
   6. Present valid Florida driver license or identification card.

Expressway Driving

Expressways — also called interstate highways, freeways, and turnpikes — are multiple-lane roads with no stop signs, traffic lights, or railroad crossings. For these reasons, expressways tin give you lot a fast, safe way to get where you demand to go.

Pedestrians, hitchhikers, bicycles, brute-drawn vehicles or motor-driven cycles and motor scooters with 150 cubic centimeter displacement or less are not immune on expressways.

Entering and Leaving Expressways

Vehicles can enter and get out expressways simply at certain points. Because expressway traffic is commonly moving at or close to the maximum speed immune, you need to know how to enter and exit safely.

All expressway entrances take three basic parts: an archway ramp, an acceleration lane, and a merging area. Follow these guidelines to enter an expressway safely:

• On the entrance ramp, begin checking for an opening in traffic. Bespeak for your turn.
• As the ramp straightens into the acceleration lane, speed upwards. Try to adjust your speed so that you can motility into the traffic when yous attain the terminate of the acceleration lane.
• Merge into traffic when you tin can do then safely. You must yield right-of-manner to traffic on the expressway. You cannot ever count on other drivers moving over to give you room to enter, only do non stop on an acceleration lane unless traffic is likewise heavy and there is no space for you to enter safely.

When leaving an motorway:

• Get into the exit lane. Posted signs will tell yous which ane. Near freeway exits are from the right lane.
• Indicate your intention to leave the expressway past using your plow signals.
• Irksome down every bit soon as you lot are off the throughway. Cheque the posted safe speed for the leave ramp.
• Do not make concluding-minute turns into an exit. If you get by your exit, you must become to the next one.

Expressway Safety Reminders

• Plan your trip. Know only where you will get on and get off.
• Drive in the right lane and laissez passer on the left. If there are three lanes, use the right lane for lower speed driving, the left for passing. If you stay in the right lane, watch for cars entering the expressway. Adjust your speed or move into the center lane so they tin enter safely.
• Never terminate on the pavement, shoulder, or connecting ramp of an expressway except in an emergency. If your vehicle breaks downwardly, it may exist parked on the side of the thruway (completely off the pavement) for no more than 6 hours. Raise your hood and necktie a white cloth to your antenna or left door handle to show you demand assist.
• Never support on an expressway entrance ramp or exit ramp. The simply exception to this would be if you are trying to enter an express style through an exit. In this instance, y'all would meet a "WRONG Manner" or "DO NOT ENTER" sign. Then y'all must dorsum up or plow around.
• Do non cantankerous, drive on or park on the median strip.
• Do not follow too closely. Rear end collisions are the greatest danger on expressways. Ever exit room for emergency stops.
• End driving when yous feel tired. On long trips the hum of the engine and your lack of movement can make yous feel sleepy. Finish for a cup of coffee, a short walk, or a nap. Do not chance failing asleep at the bike.
• Stay out of other drivers' blind spots.
• Beware of turnpike hypnosis. Continuous throughway driving can become monotonous. Avert staring. Get into the addiction of shifting your optics left and right and using rearview mirrors.

Night Driving

You volition need to drive with actress care at dark. You cannot see as far alee or to the side, and glare from oncoming cars can reduce your vision even more than. Follow these guidelines for driving at night:

• Use your headlights (low beam or high beam) between the hours of dusk and sunrise.
• Low axle headlamps are only effective for speeds up to 20-25 mph. Yous must use special intendance when driving faster than these speeds, since y'all are unable to discover pedestrians, bicyclists and others.
• Loftier axle headlights tin reveal objects up to a distance of at least 450 feet and are most effective for speeds faster than 25 mph.
• Don't employ high-beam headlights inside 500 feet of oncoming vehicles.
• If y'all are behind other vehicles, utilise low beams when y'all are within 300 feet of the vehicle alee.
• When leaving a brightly lit place, drive slowly until your eyes abound used to darkness.
• If a vehicle comes toward you with high beams, wink your lights to high beam and back to low beam once.
• Don't expect direct at oncoming headlights. Instead, watch the correct edge of your lane. Look quickly to be sure of the other vehicle's position every few seconds.
• Drive as far to the right equally you can if a vehicle with one lite comes toward you.

Animals

Wild and domestic animals may movement unpredictably towards or across the travel path of an approaching motor vehicle. When an animal is seen in the route or on the road shoulder, you should tiresome down and, if necessary, yield the right-of-way. Exist especially conscientious in rural areas at night. Often an brute'southward eyes shining in the headlight beams will be seen first.

Utilise reasonable intendance when approaching a person who is riding or leading an animal upon the roadway or shoulder of the road. Horses take poor side vision and are easily frightened by loud noises or sudden movements.

Fog or Fume

It is all-time not to drive in fog or smoke. If you lot must, tiresome down, plow on your low beam headlights, and be set for a fast stop. Use windshield wipers in heavy fog. If the fog or fume becomes so thick that you lot cannot see well enough to proceed driving, pull all the way off the pavement and stop. Plough on your emergency flashers.

Rain

The kickoff few drops of rain mean danger. Roads are about glace just after the rain begins, because oil dropped from cars has non been washed abroad. Slow downwardly and plan for at least two times the normal stopping distance.

In a heavy rain, your tires can ride on a thin film of water, similar skis. This is called hydroplaning. When your tires are not touching the road, y'all tin can easily lose control and slip. Keep your tires on the road by slowing down when it rains, and by having tires with the correct air pressure and proficient tread.

Brakes frequently go wet later on driving through deep water or driving in heavy rain. They may pull to one side or the other, or they may not hold at all. If this happens, slow down and gently push on the restriction pedal until your brakes are working again.

Reduced Visibility

You must turn on your low beam (dim) headlights when driving at whatever time between sunset and sunrise including the twilight hours between dusk and sunrise including the twilight hours between sunset and full night or between full night and sunrise. Yous must also apply these lights during any pelting, smoke or fog. Parking lights exercise not meet requirements of this law.

Handling Emergencies

When you are driving, things tin can happen very quickly. Yous may have only a fraction of a 2nd to brand the right motility. Follow these guidelines for treatment emergencies.

Breakdowns

• If possible, park where the disabled vehicle tin can be seen for 200 feet in each direction.
• Move the vehicle so all 4 wheels are off the pavement.
• Plough on your emergency flashers.
• Get all passengers out on the side away from traffic.
• Tie a white cloth on the left door handle or antenna.
• Heighten the hood.

Tire Blowout

• Exercise not apply brakes.
• Concentrate on steering.
• Dull down gradually.
• Brake softly when the car is under control.
• Pull completely off the pavement.

Wet Brakes

• Test brakes lightly after driving through deep water.
• Brakes may pull to one side or may non hold at all.
• Dry brakes past driving slowly in depression gear and applying brakes.

Right Wheels off Pavement

• Take your foot off the gas pedal.
• Concord the bicycle firmly and steer in a direct line.
• Brake lightly.
• Wait until the road is clear.
• Turn back on the pavement sharply at irksome speed.

Machine or Motorcycle Budgeted in your Lane

• Sound your horn.
• Restriction sharply.
• Steer for the side of the road or the ditch.

Jammed Gas Pedal

• Keep your eyes on the road.
• Tap the gas pedal with your foot.
• Endeavor to pry the pedal up with the toe of your shoe.
• Shift into neutral.
• Turn off the ignition. (Practice non plow the cardinal to lock, or your steering will lock.)
• Utilise your brakes.

Restriction Failure

• Pump the brake pedal hard and fast.
• Shift to a lower gear.
• Apply the parking brake slowly, so you do not skid.
• Rub your tires on the curb to slow your vehicle, or pull off the route into an open up space.

Skidding

• Take your foot off the gas pedal.
• Practise not use your brakes, if possible.
• Pump the brakes gently if yous are about to striking something.
• Steer the car into the direction of the skid to straighten the vehicle out. And then steer in the management you wish to go.

Burn

• If the burn down is small and you have a portable extinguisher, you should attempt to extinguish the fire.
• If you cannot extinguish the fire and it continues to get larger, get away from the vehicle, due to the presence of toxic fumes and the possibility of explosion.
• Never utilize water to a gasoline or diesel fuel fire.

Sharing the Road with a Truck

Whether you are sharing the road with a automobile, truck, coach, or other large vehicle, information technology's important for condom'southward sake to obey traffic laws, abide by the rules of the road, and drive defensively.

Are there any special rules for sharing the road with a truck?
Yes! Here are some suggestions from professional truck drivers:

The No-Zone

• Side Bullheaded Spots. Trucks and buses take much larger bullheaded spots on both sides than do passenger cars. If a commercial driver needs to swerve or change lanes for whatsoever reason, contact with the car in such a spot tin occur.
• Rear Blind Spots. Dissimilar passenger cars, trucks and buses have deep blind spots directly behind them. Tailgating profoundly increases your chances of a rear-end collision with a commercial vehicle.
• Dangerous Passing. Another No Zone is just in front of trucks and buses. When passing a charabanc or truck, be certain yous can run across the cab in your rear view mirror before pulling in front end.
• Wide Right Turns. Truck and double-decker drivers sometimes need to swing wide to the left in guild to safely negotiate a right plough. They cannot see cars directly behind or beside them. Cutting in betwixt the commercial vehicle and the adjourn or shoulder to the correct increases the possibility of a crash.
• Backing Up. When a truck is backing up, it sometimes must block the street to maneuver its trailer accurately. Never cantankerous behind a truck that is preparing to back upwards or is in the procedure of doing and so. Remember, most trailers are eight and a half feet wide and can completely hide objects that suddenly come between them and loading areas. Auto drivers attempting to pass behind a truck enter a bullheaded spot for both drivers.

Passing

• When passing a truck, kickoff check to your front and rear, and move into the passing lane only if it is clear and you are in a legal passing zone. Let the truck driver know you are passing by blinking your headlights, specially at night. The driver volition make it easier for yous by staying to the far side of the lane.
• On a level highway, it takes simply iii to v seconds longer to pass a truck than a car. On an upgrade, a truck often loses speed, so it is easier to pass than a car. On a downgrade, the truck's momentum will cause it to go faster, and so you lot may need to increment your speed.
• Complete your pass as quickly as possible, and don't stay alongside the other vehicle.
• If the commuter blinks his lights subsequently you lot laissez passer, information technology'due south a signal that it is clear to pull back in. Exist certain to move back only when you tin can run across the front end of the truck in your rearview mirror. Afterwards you pass a truck, maintain your speed.
• When a truck passes you, you tin help the truck commuter by keeping to the far side of your lane. You'll make information technology easier for the truck commuter if you lot reduce speed slightly. In any event, practice not speed up while the truck is passing. Afterward passing, the truck driver will betoken to let yous know that the truck will be returning to your lane.
• When yous run across a truck coming from the reverse direction, keep equally far as possible to the side to avoid a sideswipe accident and to reduce the wind turbulence between the 2 vehicles. Call up that the turbulence pushes the vehicles autonomously. It does not suck them together.

Following a Truck

• In full general, trucks have slightly longer than cars to cease because of their size. However, at highway speeds or on moisture roads, trucks may have better traction and stability allowing them to stop more quickly. A automobile following also closely may not exist able to terminate apace enough to avoid rear-catastrophe the truck.
• If yous are post-obit a truck, stay out of its "bullheaded spot" to the rear. Avert following too closely, and position your vehicle and so the truck driver tin can see it in his side mirrors. Then you volition take a expert view of the road ahead, and the truck driver can requite you plenty of warning for a cease or a turn. You will have more time — to react and make a safe stop.
• When you follow a truck at nighttime, always dim your headlights. Vivid lights from a vehicle behind will blind the truck driver when they reverberate off the truck'southward large side mirrors.
• If you are stopped behind a truck on an upgrade, leave space in case the truck drifts back slightly when it starts to movement. Also, go along to the left in your lane so the driver can run into that you lot're stopped backside the truck.

Sharing the Road with a Bicycle

• Allow three anxiety of clearance when passing a cyclist. Reduce your speed if the roadway is narrow.
• After parallel parking, check for cyclists before opening the driver's side door.
• At night, avoid using high-beam headlights when a cyclist is approaching. The cyclist could exist temporarily blinded.
• Do not follow a cyclist closely. If y'all are as well shut and the cyclist must lay down their wheel down on the road in an emergency, yous could run them over.

Sharing the Road with a Motorcycle

• When you follow a motorcycle, retrieve that motorcycles have the ability of stopping much more speedily than other vehicles in emergencies. Following as well closely endangers your life and that of the motorcyclist. Do not follow a motorcyclist closely.
• Watch for motorcycles before turning and yield right of mode.
• Include motorcycles in your visual search blueprint.
• Do non share the lane with a motorbike. The motorcyclist needs the room to maneuver safely and is entitled to the entire lane.
• When your automobile is being passed by a motorcycle, you should maintain your lane position and speed. Let the motorbike to complete the maneuver and assume proper lane position as quickly as possible.
• Do not follow the motorcycle closely. Motorcycles tin can stop in a shorter distance than a auto.
• In traffic, especially in inclement weather or under sure route conditions, motorcycles operate differently than other vehicles:
  • Wind gusts tin can move a motorcycle beyond an entire lane.
  • Wet or icy roads impair a motorcyclist'southward ability to brake and maneuver.
  • Potholes or railroad tracks, often crave motorcyclists to change positions within their lane.
  • Gravel roads subtract traction and may cause a rider to slow down or restriction where a car would not.

• Become to Chapter iv
• Return to Table of Contents

fanninussighboult.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.stateofflorida.com/defensive-driving/

Share this post