Pre-Drive In-Car Instruction: Lesson 7

Driving in the Rain

·         First and foremost: slow down! It takes longer to stop or adjust in wet weather.

·         Stay toward the middle lanes - water tends to pool in the outside lanes.

·         Maintain proper following distance (3 Second Rule). This needs to be increased in wet weather.

·         Drive in the tracks of a car ahead of you.

·         Don't follow large trucks or busses too closely. The spray created by their large tires reduces your vision. Take care when passing them as well; if you must pass, do so quickly and safely.

·         Be more alert when driving in wet or slippery conditions. Watch out for brake lights in front of you.

·         Avoid using your brakes; if possible, take your foot off the accelerator to slow down.

·         Turn your headlights on even in a light rain, or in gloomy, foggy or overcast conditions. Not only do they help you see the road, but they'll help other drivers see you. If your car has daytime running lights you still should put them on, so vehicles behind you can see you better.

·         Before it starts to rain, replace old or brittle wipers.

·         Avoid off-road driving: it's hard to judge the actual depth of puddles and you can easily become stuck, even in an SUV.

·         Never drive beyond the limits of visibility. At night rainy roads become especially treacherous. The glare of oncoming lights, amplified by the rain on your windscreen, can cause temporary loss of visibility while substantially increasing driver fatigue. In rainy conditions pedestrians, livestock, and wildlife are extremely hard to spot and even harder to avoid.

·         Never drive through moving water if you can't see the ground through it; your car could be swept off the road.

·         When driving through a puddle of uncertain depth, go slow. If it's deeper than the bottom of your doors, turn around and find another route. Deep water can cause serious damage to a modern car's electrical system.

·         Avoid splashing pedestrians.

·         If possible, stay off the road during heavy thunderstorms. Large flashes of lightning can temporarily blind and disorient drivers, and the accompanying high winds and heavy rain can create deadly driving conditions.

Slow down! This should be obvious but it also very important. People are so used to driving certain speeds on certain roads that sometimes they forget the need to slow down when inclement weather presents itself.

Before you go - Wet-weather driving demands gentle use of all the main controls - steering, clutch, brake and accelerator - and a larger allowance for errors and emergencies. When you begin a journey in rain, your shoes will be wet and liable to slip off the pedals. Scuff the soles on the rubber matting or carpeting of the car before you start the engine. All motorists should regularly check that their headlights, tail lights, brake lights and turn signals are working properly.

How are your tires? - Check your tires on a regular basis. Bald tires significantly reduce your traction on wet roadways, and offer little resistance to hydroplaning. When your tires run over water, the water is displaced and it needs somewhere to go quickly. The best place is between the treads of your tires. If your tires are bald, the water has no place to go and you end up riding on a layer of water, like a boat. (See Hydroplaning, below.)

Turn on your wipers - Replace your wipers regularly, at least once a year. Wiper blades in bad condition don't clear water from the windshield very well and distort your view. Older vehicles may need to have the whole wiper arm replaced. The arms bend over time and sometimes can't keep enough downward pressure to clear the windscreen, even with new blades installed. Wipers will often clear light rain from the windscreen with a few sweeps, then run on an almost-dry screen and leave smears of drying dirt. Don't be afraid to use the windscreen washers liberally: the fluid is cheap (99 cents a gallon) and the safety benefit is high. Carry extra during the winter.

Don't follow large trucks or busses closely. Splash and spray from these vehicles can obscure your vision, creating a potentially disastrous driving situation. Keep your distance, and your windshield wipers on, when other traffic is in front of you.

Turn on your lights - Whenever visibility is poor or it rains, headlights are a good way to let other drivers know where you are. It's both helpful to other travelers and makes you more safe. Remember, you are not the only one affected by poor visibility. You may be able to see cars without their headlights on but others may not have vision or windshield wipers as good as yours. Many states require headlights to be turned on when it is raining or when visibility is reduced to less than 500 feet.

Heavy rain - Heavy rain can overload the wiper blades, allowing an almost continuous sheet of water to flow over the screen. When visibility is so limited that the edges of the road or other vehicles cannot be seen at a safe distance, it is time to pull over and wait for the rain to ease up. It is best to stop at rest areas or other protected areas. If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guard rail, and wait until the storm passes, seldom more than a few minutes. Keep your headlights on and turn on emergency flashers to alert other drivers.

Handling a skid - Losing control of your car on wet pavement is a frightening experience. You can prevent skids by driving slowly and carefully, especially on curves. Brake before entering the curves. Steer and brake with a light touch. If you find yourself in a skid, remain calm, ease your foot off the gas, and carefully steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go. This procedure, known as "steering into the skid," will bring the back end of your car in line with the front. For cars without anti-lock brakes, avoid using your brakes. If your car has ABS, brake firmly as you "steer into the skid."

Expressway driving - Leave lots of space between you and the car in front because it takes longer to stop. You're supposed to leave a few seconds between cars in dry weather. Make sure you add space in wet weather because if you have to hit the brakes hard, your tires will lock up, you will hydroplane and you will most likely hit the car in front of you. If available, drive in the fast lane, where there are fewer cars and less oil deposited on the road. Also, because of the built-in slope of the road, water drains towards the slower lanes. Avoid lane changes, as water tends to build up between the tire ruts in the lanes.

Driving Through Water - Where water has flooded onto the road, drive very slowly and cautiously. Never drive through moving water if you can't see the ground through it: you and your car could be swept off the road, possibly finishing you both. Stop the car before entering the flooded area and check the water level ahead. Generally, if the water is deeper than the bottom of your doors or the bottom third of your wheels, it is inadvisable to attempt driving through it. Seek a detour rather than braving the flood and risking damage to your electronic control systems. Attempting to go through deep water can ruin any of these systems, creating a repair bill in the thousands of dollars.

Driving in the Rain Video One

Driving in the Rain Video Two

Driving in Snow & Ice

The best advice for driving in bad winter weather is not to drive at all, if you can avoid it.

Don't go out until the snow plows and sanding trucks have had a chance to do their work, and allow yourself extra time to reach your destination.

If you must drive in snowy conditions, make sure your car is prepared (TIPS), and that you know how to handle road conditions.

It's helpful to practice winter driving techniques in a snowy, open parking lot, so you're familiar with how your car handles. Consult your owner's manual for tips specific to your vehicle.

Driving safely on icy roads

1.     Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.

2.     Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.

3.     Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.

4.     Keep your lights and windshield clean.

5.     Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.

6.     Don't use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.

7.     Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.

8.     Don't pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you're likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.

9.     Don't assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.

If your rear wheels skid...

1.     Take your foot off the accelerator.

2.     Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. If they're sliding right, steer right.

3.     If your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you recover, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get your vehicle completely under control.

4.     If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.

5.     If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes. Apply steady pressure to the brakes. You will feel the brakes pulse — this is normal.

If your front wheels skid...

1.     Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, but don't try to steer immediately.

2.     As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in "drive" or release the clutch, and accelerate gently.

If you get stuck...

1.     Do not spin your wheels. This will only dig you in deeper.

2.     Turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push snow out of the way.

3.     Use a light touch on the gas, to ease your car out.

4.     Use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car.

5.     Pour sand, kitty litter, gravel or salt in the path of the wheels, to help get traction.

6.     Try rocking the vehicle. (Check your owner's manual first — it can damage the transmission on some vehicles.) Shift from forward to reverse, and back again. Each time you're in gear, give a light touch on the gas until the vehicle gets going.

If You Become Stranded...

·         Do not leave your car unless you know exactly where you are, how far it is to possible help, and are certain you will improve your situation.

·         To attract attention, light two flares and place one at each end of the car a safe distance away. Hang a brightly colored cloth from your antenna.

·         If you are sure the car's exhaust pipe is not blocked, run the engine and heater for about 10 minutes every hour or so depending upon the amount of gas in the tank.

·         To protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia use the woolen items and blankets to keep warm.

·         Keep at least one window open slightly. Heavy snow and ice can seal a car shut.

·         Eat a hard candy to keep your mouth moist.

 Driving in Snow & Ice Video One

Driving in Snow & Ice Video Two

Driving in Snow & Ice Video Three

Driving with Snow Removal Vehicles

∙ Use caution when following, passing or approaching snow removal equipment.

∙ Drive a safe distance behind snowplows. Plows often travel slower than other vehicles to remove snow, apply sand and liquid anti-icers and assist stranded vehicles.

∙ Before attempting to pass snow removal equipment, check direction of snow discharge to avoid snow and debris thrown from equipment. Remember that plows are wider than most vehicles and portions of the plow and blade may be obscured by blowing snow.

∙ Don’t crowd the plow. Only pass snow removal vehicles when a safe, legal passing area is available and adequately clear of snow and/or treated with salt and sand.

∙ Don’t travel beside a snowplow. They can shift sideways after hitting snow packs or drifts.

∙ When a plow approaches you, allow the plow room to operate by reducing speed and moving to the right side of the road if there is room to safely do so.

∙ Do not brake with unnecessary sudden movements when in front of a snowplow - plows cannot stop as quickly as an automobile.

∙ Don’t drive through white out conditions caused by swirling snow around a snowplow. Safely pull to the side or slow to allow visibility to improve.

∙ Remember that a snowplow operator’s field of vision is restricted. You may see them, but they may not see you.

Driving with Snow Removal Vehicles Video One

Driving with Snow Removal Vehicles Video Two

Driving in Flash Floods

Floods can occur anywhere, with floodwaters rising gradually or flash floods striking suddenly. Flash floods are the number one weather-related killer in the United States — most flood fatalities happen because people try to drive through deadly waters rather than avoid them.

How to Drive in a Flood

Pay attention to barricades.

Don't ignore them by driving past them.

Do not drive through standing water on roads or in parking lots.

The average automobile can be swept off the road in 12 inches of moving water, and roads covered by water are prone to collapse. Attempting to drive through water also may stall your engine, with the potential to cause irreparable damage if you try to restart the engine. If you come upon a flooded street, take an alternate route.

Take extra precautions if you're forced to drive through water.

If no alternate route exists and you have no other reasonable alternative but to drive through standing water.

• Do your best to estimate the depth of the water (if other cars are driving through, take note of how deep the water is).
• Drive slowly and steadily through the water.
• Avoid driving in water that downed electrical or power lines have fallen in — electric current passes through water easily.
• Watch for items traveling downstream — they can trap or crush you if you're in their path.
• If you have driven through water up to the wheel rims or higher, test your brakes on a clear patch of road at low speed. If they are wet and not stopping the vehicle as they should, dry them by pressing gently on the brake pedal with your left foot while maintaining speed with your right foot.
• Stay off the telephone unless you must report severe injuries.
• If your vehicle stalls in the deep water, you may need to restart the engine to make it to safety. Keep in mind that restarting may cause irreparable damage to the engine.
• If you can't restart your vehicle and you become trapped in rising water, immediately abandon it for higher ground. Try to open the door or roll down the window to get out of the vehicle. If you are unable to get out safely, call 911 or get the attention of a passerby or someone standing on higher ground so that they may call for help.

• Do not drive unless absolutely necessary.
• Do not drive through flooded areas. If you see a flooded-out road ahead, turn around. Find another route to your destination.
• If there is no other route, get to higher ground and wait for the waters to subside.
• Even if the water appears shallow enough to cross, don’t try it. Water hides dips in the road. Worse yet, there may be no road at all under the water. Flooding can scour away the entire road surface and a significant amount of ground beneath.
• If your car stalls, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground.
• Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars, causing loss of control or possible stalling.

Driving in Flash Floods Video One

Driving in Flash Floods Video Two

Pedestrians & Crosswalks

A pedestrian is a person traveling on foot, whether walking or running. In some communities, those traveling using tiny wheels such as roller skates, skateboards, and scooters, as well as wheelchair users^[1] are also included as pedestrians. In modern times, the term mostly refers to someone walking on a road or sidewalk, but this was not the case historically.

A crosswalk is a designated point on a road at which some means are employed to assist pedestrians wishing to cross. They are designed to keep pedestrians together where they can be seen by motorists, and where they can cross most safely across the flow of vehicular traffic. Marked pedestrian crossings are often found at intersections, but may also be at other points on busy roads that would otherwise be too unsafe to cross without assistance due to vehicle numbers, speed or road widths. They are also commonly installed where large numbers of pedestrians are attempting to cross (such as in shopping areas) or where vulnerable road users (such as school children) regularly cross. The pedestrian must be more than halfway across the crosswalk before the driver proceeds. Signalized pedestrian crossings clearly separate when each type of traffic (pedestrians or road vehicles) can use the crossing. Unsignalized crossings generally assist pedestrians, and usually prioritize pedestrians, depending on the locality. What appear to be just pedestrian crossings can also be created largely as a traffic calming technique, especially when combined with other features like pedestrian priority, refuge islands or raised surfaces.

When You are Driving

·        Look out for pedestrians everywhere, at all times. Safety is a shared responsibility.

·        Use extra caution when driving in hard-to-see conditions, such as nighttime or in bad weather.

·        Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or otherwise entering a crosswalk.

·        Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and stop well back from the crosswalk to give other vehicles an opportunity to see the crossing pedestrians so they can stop too.

·        Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. There may be people crossing that you can’t see.

·        Never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

·        Follow the speed limit, especially around people on the street.

·        Follow slower speed limits in school zones and in neighborhoods where there are children present.

·        Be extra cautious when backing up – pedestrians can move into your path.

A great number of pedestrian injures and deaths are due to the failure of both drivers and pedestrians to follow the vehicle code, which states that 1) The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.

 Pedestrians & Crosswalks Video One

Pedestrians & Crosswalks Video Two

For Miles and Miles Video

Super Dude Texting Video

Driving in School Zones

On each and every road, avenue and street outside American schools, you are likely to find a sign that says, "School Zone," followed by a speed limit. Though it often differs between cities, counties and states, the standard speed limit in a school zone is 15 miles per hour (24 kilometers per hour). These special speed limits were created to spread a cautious psychology around schools, helping drivers slow down and be aware that there very well may be pedestrians, especially young children and adolescent children, in the area. Not only is it dangerous to drive too fast in a school zone, but fines are also usually doubled in these areas, so it is also extremely expensive. No matter what your reason, it just makes sense to slow down whenever you're driving in a school zone.

Steps

1.     Look at the signage. A roadside sign entailing that a school is down the road usually precepts a school zone. If you know a school is coming up, you won't have to brake hastily and can slow down safely for the lower speed limit.

2.     Watch for bicycles. Schools are not only a haven for pedestrians, but children biking to school, too. While some children will bike on the sidewalk, others will bike on the right side of the road. Always be cautious around bicycles, and pass them slowly and with plenty of room. Always be on the lookout for bicycles crossing the streets in front of you.

3.     Respect school buses. It's illegal to pass school buses in many states-see what the rule is where you live. Either way, always be cautious if you choose to pass a school bus, and never pass one that is making a stop. Whether you are in front or behind a school bus when it makes a stop, you must also stop. As a driver, you never know when a child may be crossing the street to get on or get off their school bus before or after school. Frankly, it is simply not worth the risk to endanger a child's life just to get to your destination quicker.

4.     Check for blinking lights. Many school zone signs will have blinking lights while they are in effect. This is usually from well before the school day to well after school gets out to compensate for after-school activities. Some school zones are in effect 24 hours a day and whether or not school is in session.

5.     Approach cautiously. When approaching a school zone, brake well before you pass the school. You never know when a child may not be paying attention and cross the street without looking.

6.     Coast as much as possible. Stay off your accelerator and keep your right foot above your brake pedal in case you need to make a sudden stop. This is very likely in a school zone and is, after all, the reason why school zones have lower speed limits to begin with.

Driving in School Zones Video One

Driving in School Zones Video Two

Motorcycle Awareness

1. Over half of all fatal motorcycle crashes involve another vehicle.  Most of the time, the motorist, not the motorcyclist, is at fault.  There are a lot more cars and trucks than motorcycles on the road and some drivers don't "recognize" a motorcycle - they ignore it (usually unintentionally).

Motorcycle Awareness Video One (first 1:35)

Motorcycle Awareness Video Two

Motorcycle Awareness Video Three

Lane Selection in Traffic

Many roads have two or more lanes going in your direction. Drive in the lane that has the smoothest flow of traffic and is less congested. If there are only two lanes going in your direction, pick the right lane for the smoothest driving. Don't weave.

If you can choose among three lanes on your side of the road, pick the middle lane for the smoothest driving. Use the left lane to go faster, pass, or turn left. Use the right lane to drive slowly, enter, or turn off the road.

Being Followed

You may have learned the value of driving your car at speeds you can handle but how do you deal with a driver who offensively drives too close behind you? This will give you some ways to practice simple, safe, and effective measures to get out of a potentially dangerous tailgating situation. 

1.     Remain calm! Losing your cool means losing control, and losing control of your vehicle is the last thing you want to do. Deep breaths are a big help. Focus on your situation, and not on the radio or passengers or cell phones, (which you might want to avoid using while driving, especially in a tense situation).

2.     Consider your own judgment of what is too close. Drivers who are accustomed to driving in urban areas tend to be more comfortable driving closer to other cars that drivers from rural areas where traffic is generally less dense. It could be your judgment of the situation that is causing you stress rather than the reality of distance between cars and the other driver may not agree that they are tailgating. The important goal is to relief stress for both drivers since either driver is subject to "road rage" behavior based on their individual perception of the situation.

3.     Always know your local driving laws. Tailgating is generally against the law, as is causing an accident by driving into someone's back bumper. While you don't want to be in an accident, the aggressive driver behind you will most likely be at fault if he or she drives into you. Chances are they know the outcome if they hit you, and will want to avoid doing so.

4.     Pull over and allow the vehicle behind you to pass, if it is safe to do so. This is always the most rapid way of getting rid of a tailgater. If the car behind you is catching up, there's a good chance the driver wants to go faster. If it's safe to do so, let him/her.

5.     On narrower roads, use turnouts to allow others to pass when it is safe to do so. In many places, it is required that slower traffic use turnouts. Elsewhere, it is simply polite.

6.     On a winding road, do not speed up so drastically at passing lanes that others cannot pass. Many drivers go slowly and cautiously around curves and then get on a straightaway and feel that they have the space or visibility to dart ahead. Have the patience to let others past.

7.     If at all possible, slow slightly and move away from the center of the road; allowing the tailgater to pass safely. Normally a tailgater just wants to drive faster, so they will pass and leave you alone. If you know people want to pass you, try to stay out of the high speed (passing) lane(s).

8.     Above all else, do not be a source of the problem. If you cannot switch lanes for any reason, various laws of physics are going to prevent the tailgater from driving through you. However, if you're matching speed with a vehicle beside you, perhaps you should consider slowing down and switching lanes. Diffusing the dangerous situation is far more advantageous than bickering over the speed limit.

Passing Others

Impatience, timing errors, and poor judgment of space when passing often result in disastrous head-on collisions.

The major responsibility for passing safely belongs to the driver who is passing. The driver needs to make the correct decision quickly.

So, before you pass a vehicle, ask yourself:

A.   Is it legal?

B.   Is it safe?

C.   Is it worth it?

Avoid passing other vehicles, including motorcycles and bicycles, on two-lane roads; it is dangerous. Every time you pass, you increase your chances of having a collision. This is because whenever you pass another vehicle on a two-lane road, you must enter a lane that belongs to oncoming cars.

A safe passing maneuver also depends on your vehicle’s condition, e.g., its acceleration, braking, steering, and other performance capabilities.

Passing is illegal and unsafe in the following conditions:

A.   Your line-of-sight is restricted or limited by a curve, hill, or weather conditions, e.g., fog, rain, snow.

B.   When space is narrowed, and your front zones are closed.

C.   Cross-traffic is present, even if there are no warning signs.

D.   When there is a solid yellow line on your side of the roadway.

E.   A school bus is loading or unloading children.

F.    Attempting to pass a long line of vehicles.

G.  A vehicle ahead has indicated an intention to turn or stop.

H.  Traffic is too close.

I.      If you are unable to complete the pass before reaching the no-passing zone lane marking.

J.     The vehicle ahead is at or near the speed limit.

STEPS FOR SUCCESSFUL PASSING

A.   When overtaking an ongoing car, you should:

B.   Scan for hazards, e.g., oncoming vehicles, vehicles approaching from rear, merging vehicles;

C.   Check for blind spots;

D.   Signal your intention and accelerate into passing lane;

E.   Accelerate quickly to an appropriate speed;

F.    Concentrate on the path ahead;

G.  Check the mirror for following cars.

When returning to the lane, do the following:

A.   Check the rearview mirror for the front of the car being passed

B.   Signal your intention

C.   Change lanes and maintain speed

D.   Cancel turn signal

Texting in Traffic Video

Texting Behind the Wheel Video

Oncoming Traffic

It is hard to judge the speed of oncoming vehicles one-third of a mile away. They don't seem to be coming as fast as they really are. A vehicle that is far enough away generally appears to be standing still. In fact, if you can really see it moving closer to you, it is probably too close for you to start to pass.

Driving Distractions

WHAT IS
DISTRACTED DRIVING?

Distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person's attention away from the primary task of driving. All distractions endanger driver, passenger, and bystander safety.

These types of distractions include:

·         Texting

·         Using a cell phone or smartphone

·         Eating and drinking

·         Talking to passengers

·         Grooming

·         Reading, including maps

·         Using a navigation system

·         Watching a video

·         Adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player

There are three different classifications of distracted driving:

• Visual — taking your eyes off the road
• Manual — taking your hands off the wheel
• Cognitive — taking your mind off what you’re doing

But, because text messaging requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention from the driver, it is by far the most alarming distraction.

The best way to end distracted driving is to educate all Americans about the danger it poses.

Key Facts and Statistics

Driving Impaired

Impaired driving is dangerous and is the cause of more than half of all car crashes. It means operating a motor vehicle while

• Affected by alcohol
• Affected by illegal or legal drugs
• Too sleepy
• Distracted, such as using a cell phone or texting
• Having a medical condition which affects your driving

For your safety and the safety of others, do not drive while impaired. Have someone else drive you or take public transportation when you cannot drive. If you need to take a call or send a text message, pull over.

Did You Know?

§  Drunk driving is often a symptom of a larger problem: alcohol misuse and abuse.

§  Alcohol-impaired motor vehicle crashes cost more than an estimated $37 billion annually.

§  In 2010, more than 10,000 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes - one every 51 minutes.

Who is most at risk?

·         Young people:

o    At all levels of blood alcohol concentration (BAC), the risk of being involved in a crash is greater for young people than for older people.6

o    Among drivers with BAC levels of 0.08 % or higher involved in fatal crashes in 2010, more than one out of every 3 were between 21 and 24 years of age (34%). The next two largest groups were ages 25 to 34 (30%) and 35 to 44 (25%).

How can deaths and injuries from impaired driving be prevented?

Effective measures include:

·         Actively enforcing existing 0.08% BAC laws, minimum legal drinking age laws, and zero tolerance laws for drivers younger than 21 years old in all states.3,8,9

·         Promptly taking away the driver's licenses of people who drive while intoxicated.10

·         Using sobriety checkpoints.11

·         Putting health promotion efforts into practice that influence economic, organizational, policy, and school/community action.12,13

·         Using community-based approaches to alcohol control and DWI prevention.10,14,15

·         Requiring mandatory substance abuse assessment and treatment, if needed, for DWI offenders.16

·         Raising the unit price of alcohol by increasing taxes

What safety steps can individuals take?

·         Don’t break the law and consume alcohol before you turn the age of 21.

·         Don’t let your friends drive impaired. Take their keys away.

• Move with the flow of traffic. By going just five miles per hour slower or faster than the average vehicle, you can disrupt the flow of traffic.

• Anticipate lane blockages. Maintaining a visual lead of 20-30 seconds enables you to identify approaching conflicts with enough time to change lanes if necessary.

• If there’s no gap to change lanes, don’t force it. Always signal before trying to change lanes and don’t bully your way in. Your impatient driving could lead to a multi-car accident.

• Predict where traffic is going to stop at an intersection. Don’t allow yourself get stuck in the middle of an intersection. By looking 20-30seconds ahead, you should be able to judge whether or not the signal will turn red while you are in the middle of the intersection. This is why it’s important to determine a point of no return.