--------- MCMDE Assignment Twelve Begins-----------
Pre-Drive In-Car Instruction: Lesson 6
| ROAD RAGE | SAFETY KIT | ONE-WAY STREETS |
| DRIVING TIRED | PARKING DOWNHILL | PARKING UPHILL |
| LIGHT TRAFFIC VS. HEAVY TRAFFIC | DRIVING ON BRIDGES | DRIVING THROUGH TUNNELS |
| DRIVING ON GRAVEL/DIRT ROADS | DRIVING AT NIGHT | BEING PASSED |
| DRIVING ON CLOSED ROADS |
Road Rage
Road rage is aggressive or angry behavior by a driver of an automobile or other motor vehicle. Such behavior might include rude gestures, verbal insults, deliberately driving in an unsafe or threatening manner, or making threats. Road rage can lead to altercations, assaults, and collisions that result in injuries and even deaths. It can be thought of as an extreme case of aggressive driving.
Don't Do This in the Driver Education Vehicle
Safety Kit
A roadside emergency can happen at
any time, whether your car is new or old. A range of problems can cause it, from
a tire failure or mechanical breakdown to running out of fuel. At best, it's an
annoyance; at worst, it can compromise your safety. Being prepared with a basic
emergency kit can increase your safety, reduce stress, and help you get back on
the road faster.
This kit is intended to aid you in
getting help, signaling your car's presence to other motorists, and tackling
simple challenges.
We don't recommend that you talk
on a cell phone while driving, but in an emergency, this can be the single most
valuable component of your kit. Keep a car charger handy. This device plugs into
the cigarette lighter or other power point in the car and charges the battery of
your cell phone. When traveling, it's best to leave your cell phone on.
Emergency tip: If you have to dial 911, remember that your location and phone
number aren't always available to an emergency operator when calling from a cell
phone. So give the operator your number and any information you have about your
location. Ignore any "no service" messages on the phone and try the call anyway.
If you have trouble connecting to 911 from inside a car, get out if possible and
call from the side of the road. That may help you get a better signal.
Choose one that allows you to
treat a range of problems, from small cuts or burns to ones that require major
bandaging. We also suggest you get familiar with how to use the kit before you
need to.
A car fire can start from
something as simple as a wiring short circuit or leaking oil. You should get
away from a vehicle that's on fire as quickly as possible. Still, for extra
security it's good to keep a fire extinguisher in the car that can be used in
any emergency or to quickly dose a small flame that's just begun. The quicker a
fire can be put out, the less damage it will cause. Multipurpose dry-chemical
fire extinguishers are available in a variety of sizes. We recommend carrying a
compact unit that's labeled 1A10BC or 2A10BC.
If your vehicle is stuck on the
side of the road, it's vital that you give other motorists as much warning of
its presence as possible, especially at night. Look for a battery-powered
warning light that can be placed far from the vehicle. Reflective hazard
triangles and flares are also effective and don't need batteries.
This should be used on a monthly
basis to check the inflation pressure in all four tires and the spare tire.
Because the ambient temperature affects tire pressure, it's also advisable to
check the pressure after a significant change in temperature. See our latest
Ratings and buying advice on
tire pressure gauges.
Almost all vehicles come with
these items for changing a tire. Refer to your owner's manual on where they're
located in the vehicle and how to use them. Models that come with run-flat tires
do not have a spare tire. Run-flat tires can be driven a limited number of miles
with little or no air in them. They have very stiff sidewalls, which provide
support when the tire is deflated. Learn more about the warning signs of
imminent tire failure.
For minor punctures, a foam tire
sealant can get your vehicle back on the road quickly. Only use it in an
emergency, however, as many tire shops will refuse to repair the tire because of
the sticky residue these sealants leave inside it. Be sure to choose a sealant
that's labeled as non-flammable, and don't consider this a permanent fix. A
portable DC-powered air compressor can also be used to inflate a tire--and is
especially handy for one that suffers from a slow leak. To fix a puncture,
however, you need to have it professionally repaired.
Jumper cables are easy to use as
long as you have a second car available to provide a jump. Refer to your owner's
manual for instructions. A portable battery booster eliminates the need for a
second car.
This can be critical at night.
Choose one that is bright and weatherproof. In addition, a flashlight with a
magnet, flexible mounting system, or a stand will free up your hands for other
tasks. Also, have extra batteries and a bulb available.
Even the simplest jobs can get
your hands dirty. Having these on hand will help keep that dirt from getting on
your clothes or your vehicle's interior.
If you belong to an auto club or
roadside-assistance program, be sure you have the necessary information in your
vehicle.
Keep this available for
miscellaneous use. And resist dipping into it for a spontaneous ice cream cone
on a hot day.
This can come in handy for a range
of uses, from leaving a note on the windshield should you have to leave your car
to jotting down information after an accident.
For the cold, wet conditions of
winter, you may need additional items in your emergency kit, especially if you
travel in remote areas or in severe conditions.
Good visibility is your most
important safety item, but persistent snow and ice can build up quickly and make
it hard to see. A long-handled, soft-bristled brush can also come in handy.
Familiarize yourself with how to
put the chains on your vehicle's tires or attach a tow strap before you need to
do it in cold and possibly dark conditions.
If you run out of fuel or if your
battery dies, the vehicle won't be able to provide heat. A blanket and hat can
help keep you warm if you have to wait for a long time in cold conditions.
These small, inexpensive packets
are available at ski shops and sporting-goods stores.
If you get stuck in snow, this can
be a vital tool. A folding camping-style shovel will require more digging effort
than a longer-handled shovel, but is more convenient to store in the vehicle.
This can help provide some
traction on an especially slick road surface.
Some sand
This can help provide some traction on an especially slick road surface.
Asphalt Shingles
This can help provide some traction on an especially slick road surface.
One-Way Streets
One-way traffic
(or uni-directional traffic) is
traffic that
moves in a single direction. A one-way street is a
street either
facilitating only one-way traffic, or designed to direct
vehicles to
move in one direction. One-way streets typically result in higher traffic flow
as drivers don't have to deal with on-coming traffic nor turns through on-coming
traffic. Residents may dislike one-way streets due to the circuitous route
required to get to a specific destination and the higher speeds impacting
pedestrian safety.
Signs are posted showing which direction the vehicles can move in: commonly an
upward arrow, or on a
T junction
where the main road is one-way, an arrow to the left or right. At the end of the
street through which vehicles may not enter, a
prohibitory traffic sign "Do Not Enter", "Wrong Way", or "No Entry" sign is
posted, e.g. with that text, or a round red sign with a white horizontal bar.
Sometimes one portion of a street is one-way, another portion two-way. An
advantage of one-way streets is that drivers do not have to watch for vehicles
coming in the opposite direction on this type of street.
Tips for Driving Safely on a One-Way Street
Particularly in unfamiliar areas, it’s a
common occurrence for drivers to accidentally pull onto a one-way street coming
from the wrong direction. If this happens, stay calm. Look for the nearest exit
to pull off the one-way street, or for the closest place to turn your car
around.
If you made it onto the street without
hitting a car, you’ll be okay. Other drivers are understanding and will wait
until you have righted the situation, if for no other reason than that they
can’t go anywhere either.
This means, also, that if you are driving and
someone pulls in the wrong way, that you must remain calm until they fix the
situation. Don’t panic – they want to right it just as much as you want them to.
One-way streets are always marked to make
sure drivers know they are there. These may be signs like “No Entry” at the
wrong end of the street, or a sign with an arrow pointing straight ahead, as
well as signs saying “One Way.”
Keep your eyes open for any signs indicating
that the one-way street becomes a two-way.
Try staying on the right side of the road if
there are multiple lanes in the one-way street. If you do need to change lanes
in your car, follow all the regulatory procedures – check your blind spot,
signal your intention, and be sure the way is clear.
Many one-way streets will have parking spots
marked with lines. It is perfectly legal to reverse into a spot only if the way
is clear and you are reversing a reasonable distance into the spot. Make sure,
also, that you are indicating your intentions. If you begin to back up on a
one-way street without signals showing that you are reversing into a parking
spot, other drivers may become nervous. Always signal your intentions when
driving your car on a one-way street.
The best thing to keep in mind when driving
your car on a one-way street is to stay calm.
Driving Tired
Falling asleep at the wheel is clearly
dangerous, but being sleepy affects your ability to drive safely even if you
don't fall asleep. Drowsiness—
Although it may be difficult to attribute a
fatal vehicle crash to drowsy driving, the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration estimates that 2.5% of fatal crashes and 2% of injury crashes
involve drowsy driving.2 These estimates are probably conservative,
though, and up to 5,000 or 6,000 fatal crashes each year may be caused by drowsy
drivers.3-5
Among nearly 150,000 adults aged at least 18
years or older in 19 states and the District of Columbia, 4.2% reported that
they had fallen asleep while driving at least once in the previous 30 days.7
Individuals who snored or usually slept 6 or fewer hours per day were more
likely to report this behavior.7
If you experience
any of these warning signs, pull over to rest or change drivers. Simply turning
up the radio or opening the window are not effective ways to keep you alert.
Don't Facebook and Drive Video
--------- MCMDE Assignment Twelve Ends-----------
--------- MCMDE Assignment Thirteen Begins-----------
Parking Downhill
When you stop your car headed downhill, turn your front wheels toward the curb.
Let your vehicle roll slowly until the front tire rests against the curb using
it as a block.
Parking Uphill
When headed uphill at a curb, turn the front wheels away from the curb (or to the left) and let your vehicle roll backwards slowly until the rear part of the front wheel rests against the curb using it as a block.
When headed uphill without a curb, turn your front wheels towards the edge of the road (or to the right).
Light Traffic vs. Heavy Traffic
Light Traffic
Two basic functions can be fulfilled by a road: the function of through movement and the function of access to adjacent lane. In the past when traffic volumes in the rural or small town areas were very low, there was no need to distinguish between these functions. A two-lane road could provide for the through movement and access to adjacent properties without any conflict between the two functions.
Heavy Traffic
As traffic volumes increase it becomes increasingly important to organize the network so that through traffic can be avoided or at least minimized on local streets and driveways can be minimized on through roads. Very often traffic problems and accidents can be related to a conflict in functional classification, whether it is regional through traffic on a residential road or an excess of driveways on state roads.
Driving on Bridges
The most insidious type of road icing threat comes from bridges and overpasses.
Those signs you always see ARE true. A bridge is exposed to air on all of its
surfaces - on top, underneath and on its sides. By contrast, a normal road
surface is only exposed to air on one side, its top surface. When temperatures
drop, this means bridges will cool and accumulate snow and ice faster than
roadways on solid ground.
An icy bridge's most dangerous threat is their element of surprise - they catch
drivers off guard, who are traveling at full speed because the rest of the roads
are either clear or just a little wet. The consequences of driving onto ice at
highway speeds can be catastrophic, as the loss of control and impacts happen
much faster than in most other conditions. Slides are often unrecoverable and
chain-reaction type accidents are common, as additional vehicles will often lose
control in the exact same location.
Texting While Driving Kills Video
--------- MCMDE Assignment Thirteen Ends-----------
--------- MCMDE Assignment Fourteen Begins-----------
Just Like Wearing Headphones While Driving Video
Driving Through Tunnels
Do you want to know the most important rule for driving in tunnels? Simply
follow the normal rules of the road. Many locations across North America are
filled with short and long tunnels that pass through mountains and under rivers.
Although tunnels can be stressful for a first time driver, they don’t need to
be. While there are some guidelines you should take into consideration, for the
most part, driving in a tunnel is much like driving on the open road.
Be Aware As You Approach The Tunnel
As you approach any tunnel in your car rental, pay close attention to your
vehicle, road signs, and other traffic. Signs approaching the tunnel may warn of
height restrictions, speed limits within the tunnel, lane closures and tunnel
length. Some of this information may also be available on local traffic radio
channels, including delays in the tunnel. In particular, this is true in
locations such as the Detroit Tunnel, where you’re also crossing an
International border. As you enter, you should also check your car rental
vehicle’s gauges to be sure your vehicle is running at a normal temperature, no
warning lights are illuminated, and you have sufficient gas. Breaking down
inside a tunnel is a safety risk and will cause long delays for other drivers.
As you enter the tunnel in your rental car, you will also want to switch on your
low beams to help light up the road, and remove sunglasses if you are wearing
any.
Use Extra Caution in the Tunnel
Although the road conditions will likely be clear and dry in the tunnel, it’s
important you still use extra caution. Leave extra space between car and the
vehicle in front of you, especially if the tunnel curves as you drive. It’s also
important to obey any signs, including speed limits, and passing restrictions
while you’re driving in the tunnel. Other maneuvers, including U-turns, are
often illegal and dangerous in tunnels. As well, once you’ve entered the tunnel,
continue moving unless the flow of traffic stops. Driving extra slow, or
stopping altogether can be dangerous to you, your passengers and other drivers.
When Things Get Slow
When things get slow, or if traffic stops completely in a tunnel, don’t worry,
it’s a relatively normal occurrence. With a restricted flow of traffic following
a single path, any disturbance – a flat tire, a stalled engine, construction
work inside or at either end of the tunnel, or a backed up toll booth – can stop
traffic. When you notice traffic slowing to a near stop, it’s important to turn
on your car rental’s four-way hazard lights to alert the vehicle behind you. As
well, if traffic comes to a complete stop, stay in your vehicle, and be sure to
leave at least one car length of space between your rental car and the vehicle
in front of you.
Stay Calm in an Emergency
Driving on Gravel/Dirt Roads
Gravel roads present their own special road safety challenge. The issue is
traction. Driving on loose gravel is harder than driving on pavement because
your tires don't have the traction needed to give you stable control. Throw
speed into the mix and you have a formula for trouble.
Construction materials, weather, traffic volumes, and vehicle weights can change
a gravel road's condition very quickly. That's why it's so important to approach
gravel roads with caution each and every time you encounter one. It may not be
the same road you traveled this morning.
Here
are some tips to decrease your risk when driving gravel roads:
----Slow down. Many drivers encounter problems when they
leave a paved surface for a gravel one. The first thing to do is to slow down.
Your vehicle is going to handle differently when it moves from one surface to
another. The gravel may be loose or it may be hard-packed; you want to know how
your vehicle handles before you speed up.
----Avoid sudden changes in direction, such
as a swerve to avoid an object or animal on the road. They can be particularly
dangerous, especially on loose gravel or at excessive speed.
----Accelerate and brake slowly and reduce your speed when
approaching intersections, curves and hills. Always drive at a speed that allows
you to stop easily for any hazard. Be considerate, too. As you approach other
vehicles, slow down and move over to the right so you can pass each other
safely.
----Increase following distance. Even if the visibility is
good and the road is hard-packed, stay at least six seconds behind other
vehicles. Increase this distance when conditions are less than perfect. This
reduces the danger from a cloud of dust obscuring vision or flying rocks
damaging headlights and windshields.
----Be ready for skids. A
vehicle can become difficult to handle in heavy gravel. If the vehicle starts to
skid, remove the cause of the skid by releasing your accelerator or brakes. As
you release them, look where you want to go, steer the vehicle in this
direction. If the tires on one side of the vehicle go off the pavement, do not
immediately turn the wheel to try to get back on the pavement. Let your foot off
the gas and steer the car so it follows the edge of the pavement. Slowly turn
the steering wheel to gradually guide the tire back to the road.
Driving on Gravel/Dirt Roads Video
Driving at Night
·
There are no bad
cars, only bad drivers. It's up to the operator to stay alert, especially at
night, when road dangers wax and alertness wanes.
According to the
National Safety Council,
vehicle death rates at night are three times higher than during the day. This is
an especially mind-jolting statistic considering fewer drivers occupy the roads
after dusk.
One problem is vision. Almost 90% of a
driver's reaction depends on it. Without the favor of sunlight, depth
perception, peripheral vision, and color recognition plummet, demanding more
sharpened focus at a time when weariness begins to weight the eyes.
Night also attracts greater numbers of
booze-addled drivers and roaming wildlife, creating an almost video
game-like setting of endless distractions.
Fortunately, there are many precautions you
can take to heighten your
driving
safety.
Night Driving Safety Tips
o
Keep headlights on one hour before dusk and one hour after dawn to increase your
vehicle's visibility.
o
Make sure headlights are properly aligned. Askew headlights can diminish road
coverage and blind oncoming traffic.
o
Wipe windshield's interior to eliminate glare.
o
Use low beams when driving through fog.
o
Be extra alert when driving at night on weekends. Drunk-driver-related car
fatalities are at their highest on Friday and Saturday nights.
o
Don't outdrive the beams of your headlights. In other words, reduce your speed.
o
Maintain a greater-than-normal distance from the car in front of you. Distances
are more difficult to gauge at night.
o
Switch to low beams when you're behind someone so you don't blind them.
o
To avoid glare from oncoming traffic, focus eyes on the right edge of the road.
o
Look for signs of oncoming traffic. Watch for headlight flashes when approaching
hills or hairpin curves.
o
Don't ignore eye fatigue. Address immediately with frequent stops and brisk
walks. Or pull into a rest area and catch a nap.
o Be aware that deer travel in herds. If you spy one, reduce your speed. Chances are good that more deer are lurking just out of sight.
Being Passed
You must constantly be aware of passing vehicles. Frequently check your mirrors and be aware of the space around you. When a vehicle begins passing, it is a good idea to move into far right side of the lane (lane position 3).
Never speed up when being passed. If you hear a warning honk from the driver
trying to pass, give the right-of-way to the right in favor of the overtaking
vehicle.
The
driver of the car behind passed must not increase speed until the pass is
complete.
Driving on Closed Roads
Traveling through a road barricade, whether it
is there due to a flood, blizzard, or other condition, is illegal.
Motorists driving on closed roads can face
fines of up to $1,000 and/or 90 days in jail. In addition, if a driver needs to
be rescued after crossing a barricade illegally, the state will charge for the
emergency help and will also add other penalties.
Remember, stay safe. Stay behind road
barriers. Remember to visit your state’s 511 road information website to check
current conditions, or call 511 for this information.
NRS484B.327 Unlawful
to remove barriers and signs stating highway is closed to traffic; driving on
such highway unlawful; additional penalty for violation committed in work zone.
It is unlawful for any person to remove any barrier 1. or sign stating
that a highway is closed to traffic.
It is unlawful to pass over a highway that is 2. marked, signed or
barricaded to indicate that it is closed to traffic. A person who violates any
provision of this subsection may be subject to the additional penalty set forth
in
NRS 484B.130
Driving on Closed Roads Video One
Driving on Closed Roads Video Two
--------- MCMDE Assignment Fourteen Ends-----------