Transcript MODULE 3 - Hettrick, Cyr & Associates, Inc.

MODULE 3
THE VEHICLE
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
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Reduces potential for accidents, breakdowns
and prolongs vehicle life.
Of the three factors involved in collisions, only
the driver and vehicle do we have control over.
Vehicle Maintenance
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On a routine basis, inspect;
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Tires (tread & pressure)
Mirrors (clean and properly adjusted)
Ensure windows are clean
Lights
Wipers
Oil level
Transmission, brakes, and power steering fluids
HANDLING THE ROADS
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The six most common types of travelling
errors that contribute to collision are;
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1. Speeding
2. Right-of-Way violations
3. Turning improperly
4. Driving left of center
5. Passing or overtaking improperly
6. Following too closely
SPEEDING
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Speeding is the contributing factor in one-third of all fatal crashes
In adverse conditions, even the posted speed limit may be too
fast.
For every 10 miles per hour over 50 mph the risk of death in a
traffic crash in doubled.
It is far safer to drive at the posted speed limit than to keep up with
the pace of traffic, and it is also the law.
Speeding Accidents
Statistics & Facts
Approximately 13,000 lives are lost per year as
a result of speeding
RIGHT-OF-WAY-VIOLATIONS
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More than half of all urban collisions occur at
intersections.
The law states who should yield the right of
way, not who has the right of way.
Always scan an intersection before entering,
and keep a two second distance from the car
in front of you.
TURNING IMPROPERLY
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Turning requires good judgment. Follow these three steps.
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1. Get in the correct lane to complete the turn from as soon as possible.
2. Signal your intention to make a turn.
3. Yield, and turn from the correct lane to the correct lane.
TIPS
*** Never enter an intersection to turn until it is clear.***
*** Never point your wheels in the direction of a turn, until you begin the
turn. If you are rear-ended while waiting for the intersection to clear,
you could be pushed into on-coming traffic.***
***Sometimes drivers cut the corners too sharply during left
turns. To protect yourself, stay back a few feet from the stop
line. This also leaves plenty of room for buses and other
large vehicles to complete their turns.
DRIVING LEFT OF CENTER
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Can you think of a reason someone would be driving
left of center?
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Car Problem
Fell asleep
Under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Avoiding an object in the road
Driver Distraction
Other???
By maintaining a safe speed, and following distance we give
ourselves a “cushion of safety”. If we stay attentative,
and use the “what-if” strategy, we reduce our chances of
having a head-on collision.
DRIVING LEFT OF CENTER,
CONT.
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A drivers worst nightmare is another vehicle crossing the
centerline and coming straight at you. We must remember to use
the “four-R’s”.
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Read the road ahead, and scan for hazards.
Drive to the right. If you spot an erratic driver, coming towards you, drive
as far to the right of the road as possible.
Reduce speed.
Ride off the road. As a last resort, ride off the road. Look for something
soft such as a bush. If you are to hit something, try and do it with a
glancing blow. A direct head-on collision is the most dangerous collision
you can have.
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NEVER DRIVE LEFT IF ANOTHER DRIVER IS IN YOUR LANE. THEIR
NATURAL INSTINCT MAY BE TO SWERVE BACK TO THERE LANE
WHERE THEY MAY STRIKE YOU.
SPACE MANAGEMENT
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To operate safely, we must keep a safe distance
from the vehicle in front of us.
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A minimum of a three second following distance
should be maintained (4 seconds in service trucks
and vans, 6 seconds in large trucks.
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To understand why this is so important, we need to
look at how long it takes to stop our vehicle.
STOPPING DISTANCE
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There are many factors that influence our
stopping distance.
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The vehicle (weight, tires, brakes, speed)
The driving conditions (road type, surface, weather)
The driver (perception time, and reaction time)
TIP
Anti-lock brakes give a noticeable kickback, and make a
loud noise when applied. Don’t pull your foot off the
brake because you hear and feel strange noises. These
noises are supposed to be there.
STOPPING DISTANCE (CONT.)
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Perception Distance: The number of feet your
vehicle travels from the time an event occurs, such
as the brake lights ahead coming on, until you spot it
and recognize the hazard. Average perception time
1 and ¾ seconds.
Reaction Distance: The distance a vehicle travels
while the driver moves his foot from the gas pedal to
the brake pedal.
Braking Distance: The distance it takes to
completely stop the vehicle after the brakes are
applied. This is affected by speed, road surface,
weather, and vehicle condition.
Reaction Distance
THE AVERAGE PERSON’S
REACTION TIME = ¾ SECOND
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Traveling at 30 mph ¾ second = 33 feet
Traveling at 55 mph ¾ second = 60 feet
Traveling at 65 mph ¾ second = 72 feet
STOPPING DISTANCE CONT.
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STOPPING DISTANCE =
PERCEPTION DISTANCE + REACTION
DISTANCE + BRAKING DISTANCE
At 55 Miles per hour,
At 65 Miles per hour,
- Perception distance is 141.2 feet
- Perception distance is 166.8 feet
- Reaction distance is 60.5 feet
- Reaction distance is 71.5 feet
- Braking distance is 144 feet
- Braking distance is 201.2 feet
The total stopping distance
is 346 feet
The total stopping distance
is 440 feet
FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY
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One of the most common errors, is tailgating. For some drivers,
tailgating is a thoughtless habit. It could also be a deadly one.
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Rear-end collisions are the most frequent type of automobile
accident. They are avoidable.
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Always keep at least a 3 second following distance from the
vehicle in front of you in a personal vehicle.
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Service vans maintain at least a 4 second following distance.
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In a large truck over 10K GVW a 6 second minimum following
distance is necessary. In adverse weather, this distance should
be increased.
Cushion of Safety
• Maintain at least a 3-second following distance (4 in van, 6 in large truck)
when traveling (in ideal conditions) under 40 mph; at greater speeds, add
1 second
• Add 1 second for each of the poor driving conditions listed in red:
• Limited traction concern (snow / rain / wet leaves / sand / fresh
asphalt / etc)
• Limited visibility concern (sun glare, snow glare, work zone lighting,
night driving, heavy rains, etc).
• Limited space concern (heavy traffic, toll booth, school zone, etc)
• Scan your driving environment at least 12-15 seconds down the road on
the high way, 1-2 city blocks on urban streets
• Frequently check both left and right mirrors every 3-5 seconds
Summary
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SLOW DOWN!
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Use good judgment when turning and at
intersections. NEVER assume others will yield the
right of way even where they are required to.
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Work at maintaining your default following distance
and increasing upon it where warranted.
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3 seconds minimum for 4-wheel passenger cars
4 seconds minimum for heavy service vans and larger pickup trucks
6 seconds minimum for vehicles over 10K GVW
END OF MODULE 3