Automobile Safety Chapter 3 Automobile Dangers Carbon monoxide

Automobile Safety Chapter 3

Automobile Dangers • Carbon monoxide • Crash

Carbon Monoxide (CO) • • Produced by gasoline engines Exhaust system directs CO out of the car CO is odorless, colorless, and tasteless CO can cause sudden death CO Risks • • Leaky exhaust system Tailpipe blocked (for example, by snow) Operating vehicle in closed garage Operating vehicle with only the tailgate open CO Poisoning Symptoms Headache Chest pain Dizziness Confusion Weakness Drowsiness Nausea

Crashes Collision with another car Collision with a building, pole or other structure Collision with a person or animal Rollover or fall Over 25, 000 Americans die in automobile crashes each year • 1 in 3 Americans will be injured or killed in an automobile crash • Crashes are usually caused by unsafe cars, unsafe drivers or unsafe conditions. • • •

Safe Car

Safe Car • • • A safety belt for the driver A safety belt or child seat for each passenger Mirrors A horn A lock for the engine’s ignition Windshield wipers An exhaust muffler A foot brake and parking brake Lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights; directionals Good tires

Seat Belts • Every person who is not in a child restraint must wear a safety belt or face $25 fine. • Driver is responsible for self and any passengers under 16 years old. • Each passenger 16 or older is responsible for self. • Can only be fined if stopped for another violation. • Wearing a seat belt can save your life and other lives. • Children and small pets are often killed or injured when they are crushed by adults not wearing a seat belt during a crash. • Safety belts lower the chance of death or serious injury in a crash by 50%.

Seat Belt Exceptions • Cars made before July 1966 • Drivers of taxis, liveries, tractors, buses, or trucks of 18, 000 pounds of more • Passengers of emergency vehicles • Drivers of police and fire vehicles • A person who cannot wear a seat belt because of a disability (Must have doctor certify)

Hitting the Windshield • Hitting the windshield at 30 mph is like falling from a 3 rd story window and hitting the sidewalk.

Seat Belt Fit • Lap belt should fit low, tight, and flat over hips. • Shoulder belt should be worn across the shoulder and chest. • Should belt should never be worn under the arm or across the face or neck • Belts should not be twisted. http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=d 7 i. YZPp 2 z. YY Right Wrong

Child Seat Placement The safest place for a child to sit is in the back seat. The middle seat is best. Infant seats must face the back of the vehicle. Never put a back-facing seat in the front seat if your vehicle has an air bag for that seat. • Children under 12 generally cannot ride in the back of a pickup (and never over 5 mph). • Child seats must be attached permanently or by a safety belt or attachment system. • Child Safety seats must have sticker saying it meets government standards. https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=gi. YQE 1 Hskjc • •

Child Seat Types • Any infant or child under 8 years old and under 57 inches tall must be in a child restraint. Violators pay a $25 fine. • Infant seat (rear-facing): Up to 20 pounds • Toddler convertible seat: 20 -40 pounds • Booster seat: 40 -80 pounds • https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=sss. Isce. Kd 6 U

Air Bags • Designed to protect adults in front seat who are wearing seat belts. • Air bags do not replace seat belts. • Move seat as far back as you comfortably can for maximum safety. • Children are safest in backseat. • Back-facing child seats should never be in front.

Brakes • Pay attention to any changes in braking. • If the car pulls to one side when braking, your brakes might need adjustment. • Have your brakes checked immediately if you think you have a problem.

Tires • The treads of your tires allow you to grip the road • Worn tires don’t grip as well and increase stopping distance

Hydroplaning • Occurs when roads are wet and tires are worn or speed is too fast. • Tires lose contact with the road. • Leads to loss of control and increased stopping distance.

Checking Tire Treads • Use a penny to check for 2/32 inch tread or a quarter to check for 4/32 inch tread • Rotate tires to ensure even tread wear

Tire Wear and Stopping Tire Thread Depth Stopping Distance New 10/32 inch 195. 2 feet Worn 4/32 inch 290. 0 feet Worn-out 2/32 inch 378. 8 feet Hydroplaning Video: https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=spa. Oe. DD 3 rgo

Tire Pressure • Keep correct pressure in all tires • Look on driver’s door for correct pressure

Steering • Your steering wheel should not feel loose • Check power steering fluid level regularly

Lights, Glass and Mirrors • Check your lights, brake lights, and turn signals regularly. • Keep windows and mirrors clean. • Change your windshield wipers if they streak or do not clear the windshield properly. • Adjust and use your rearview and sideview mirrors to see what’s around you. • Don’t rely on your mirrors. • Beware of blind spots: your own and others. https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Rh_Jx 4 Q 2 B QM

Safe Driver Not distracted Sober; not on medication Alert; not sleepy Within speed limit; obey rules of road; grant right-of-way when appropriate • Wear safety belt • Wear sunglasses on bright, sunny days • •

Distracted Driving • Nothing should get in the way of your ability to see, react, or drive. • Nothing should block your view of the road or your mirrors. • Make sure nothing can roll under your feet or get in the way of the pedals. Common Distractions Text messages: illegal for all drivers! Mobile phones: illegal under age 18. CB radios Headphones: illegal for all drivers (one cell phone earplug allowed for drivers over 18) • Televisions: must not be visible to driver • •

Drinking and Driving • Legal limit for drivers 21 years of age or older is blood alcohol level of 0. 08 • Legal limit for drivers under 21 is 0. 02 • Even one drink can reduce your driving ability

Physical and Emotional Condition • Have eyesight checked regularly • Don’t drive when you are tired or when taking medication that can cause drowsiness • Don’t drive when you’re upset

Defensive Driving Obey the rules, but don’t expect others to do so Stay alert; prepare for the unexpected Keep safe distances around your vehicle Be aware of your surroundings Check your mirrors often Pay extra attention near playgrounds, schools, and shopping centers • Give the right-of-way to prevent unsafe situations • • •

Safe Distances • Use the “two-second” rule for minimum following distance under ideal conditions and moderate traffic • Use three to four seconds when traffic allows • Increase distances in bad weather • Allow extra space for bad drivers, blind driveways, drivers backing out of parking spaces, children playing near the road

Extra Distance • Keep extra space behind a motorcycle • Keep more space between your vehicle and heavy equipment

Tailgating • Tailgating is the main cause of rear-end collisions • Never tailgate a vehicle in front of you • If a tailgater is behind you, move to another lane or pull over to the side of the road

REAR-END COLLISIONS ARE THE MOST FREQUENT TYPES OF ACCIDENTS! CAUSED BY DRIVING TOO CLOSE TOO FAST

Braking and Stopping • • Break early and gently Don’t “ride the brakes” Know how to stop with standard & anti-lock braking systems ABS Always slow down near a curve Always slow down where you cannot see clearly Look far ahead to give yourself time to react It takes ¾ second to react and step on the brake

For a tractor trailer to stop It takes DOUBLE the distance!

If an animal goes in front of you… KEEP CONTROL OF YOUR VEHICLE

Horn • Correct uses of horn: o Warn pedestrians or other drivers of trouble o Avoid accidents • Incorrect uses of horn: o Show anger o Get another driver to go faster o Get other vehicles moving in a traffic jam

Headlights help you see and help other to see you. You must use headlights: • From ½ hour after sunset to ½ hour before sunrise. • In rain, snow, fog, or other weather that makes it hard to see. • Anytime you have trouble seeing other vehicles. • While driving through a tunnel. • When the setting or rising sun is behind you.

Night Driving Be extra careful Use headlights Don’t drive when tired or drowsy Slow down; don’t out-drive your headlights Keep more space between vehicles Put mirror in “night” position Keep inside lights off Don’t look directly at headlights; look to lower right side of your lane • Keep windows and headlights clean • •

If a driver behind you flashes headlights, what should you do? Get out of the way, pull over and let the person pass by.

High-Beam Headlights • Extend visibility from 100 feet to 350 feet • Use in dark areas when you cannot see road surface ahead • Reduce to low beam within 500 feet of oncoming vehicle or 200 feet of vehicle traveling ahead of you • If oncoming driver’s high beams are on, flick your headlights

Rain or Fog Rain and wet roads make it harder to start, stop, and turn. Hard rain, fog, and mist make it harder to see. Use windshield wipers to keep windshield clear. Use headlights when you use windshield wipers. Beware of hydroplaning: slow down. Increase distances between vehicles. Wet leaves can be as slippery as ice. Keep windshield wipers in good condition. Use window defoggers. Use low-beam headlights in fog. Always use turn signals. If you cannot see the pavement or signs, slow down and look for road edge markings. • Do not drive through puddles. • If you drive through a large puddle, dry your brakes by applying them lightly. • Dial 511 for weather, traffic, and construction information. • • •

Winter Driving • Lower our speed. Accelerate slowly • Never lock your brakes on ice • If you skid, turn into the direction of the skid

Winter Driving Leave more space between vehicles. Bridges and overpasses freeze first. Start slowly in snow; test your brakes. Keep wipers and defroster in good condition. Keep your gas tank at least half full. Keep windshield washer filled. Keep a blanket, flashlight, and small shovel in trunk. Remove ice and snow from vehicle. Clear the windshield, windows, wipers, headlights, and brake lights. • Clear the car roof too. • • •

Watch for Pedestrians • • • Take extra care to look for pedestrians 1 in 5 motor vehicle deaths involves a pedestrian. Children: unpredictable and hard to see. Joggers and skaters: do not always obey rules. Backing up: Pedestrians may be behind you: turn your head to look; if children are present, get out and look. Train and bus stops: pay close attention near areas where pedestrian traffic my be heavier. Senior centers: pay close attention where there may be more senior pedestrians. You must always slow or stop when necessary for a person walking in the street. Look ahead for places where pedestrians may be hidden: around curve, between parked cars.

Blind Pedestrians • Blind pedestrians may use a white cane or guide dog • The White Can Law requires you to stop completely for a blind pedestrian at a crossing • Always stop for a visually impaired or blind person at a crossing and wait for them to cross • Do not honk or wave them on • Never pass another stopped vehicle

Watch for Bicycles and Mopeds Bicyclists and moped riders have same right to use the road as drivers They must obey the same traffic laws Lower your speed when passing a bike or moped Leave a lot of room between your car and the rider If not enough room, wait until it is safe to pass Dim your headlights if a bicyclist is coming towards you When parked at side of road, always check for bicycles and mopeds before opening your door • Respect bicyclists and moped riders right to use the road • •

Mopeds • A moped (or motorized bicycle) has a maximum speed of 30 mph or lower • You must have a driver’s license or learner’s permit to drive a moped • Speed limit: 25 mph • Not allowed on limited access highways • Use correct signals; obey rules of road • No passenger if driving with learner’s permit

Watch for Motorcycles • Be aware of motorcycles and share the road • Watch for motorcycles when you change lanes on the highway • Use a 4 -second following distance • Never share a lane with a motorcycle • Watch for oncoming motorcycle when turning left

Motorcycle Riding • Requires special motorcycle learner’s permit or motorcycle license • Helmets are mandatory in Massachusetts • Motorcycle Manual is available from RMV • Rider training courses are available from RMV

Motorized Scooters • Two or three wheeled vehicles with handlebar and electric or gas motor • Rider must have a driver’s license or learner’s permit • Special rules apply

Limited Use Vehicle • Motorcycle or passenger vehicle • Maximum speed between 30 and 40 mph • Driver must have a valid license or learner’s permit • Not allowed on any road with speed limit greater than 40 mph

Low Speed Vehicles • Four wheel vehicle with top speed between 20 and 25 mph • Gross weight less than 3000 pounds • Driver must have a valid driver’s license or learners permit • Not allowed on any road with speed limit greater than 30 mph or in heavy traffic • Must obey all traffic laws and regulations