Chapter

1: Introduction


TVS: 5 D O L L A R TRAFFIC SCHOOL . COM
OLN: E1014

Welcome and thank you for choosing the California DMV licensed 5 Dollar Traffic School
Traffic Violator School. We know it's not fun to get a traffic ticket, but we want your traffic
school experience to be painless, educational, and convenient. Our course uses plain
English, gives you lots of examples, and doesn't bog you down with too many details. We
want to change the way you are driving, and we feel the best way to do this is by changing
your motivation to drive better. Rather than just tell you what you should be doing on the
road, we try to give you the internal motivation to do the right thing. We also repeat the
same concepts several times throughout the course, to help you pass the final exam in the
end.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
Reduce Traffic Collisions
Traffic collisions can be life-altering events that in many cases could have been avoided.
In this course we will cover the different ways in which you can avoid traffic collisions
and become a safer driver. What is a safer way to drive in bad weather? How can you
share the road, making it safer for all road users? Understanding and applying the
answers to these and other questions will make the road a safer place for everyone.

Reduce Traffic Law Violations
Have you forgotten when it is legal to make a u-turn? Do you remember what you need to
do at a four-way stop? We will tackle all of these important points, helping you become a
law-abiding driver. If you follow traffic laws you are less likely to receive a ticket. More
importantly, you will also play an important part in keeping the roads safe, ensuring your
own safety and the safety of those around you. The roads can't be safe if we don't all
follow the law!

Responsibility
Driving is part of our daily routine, but this does not mean that it is not a serious task. As
soon as you sit behind the wheel of a motor vehicle, you take on a huge responsibility.
Throughout this course, we will show you what an important part you play in road safety.
Once you sit behind that wheel, you are no longer only responsible for yourself, but for
the community of drivers and road users around you. Don't take this role on lightly!


COURSE REQUIREMENTS
In order to pass the course, you have to read and study all the material. Remember, you
have to be mentally present to study the material. Make sure you are awake and alert
when you are studying! If you get tired, take a break. It's important to remain alert and
focused while taking the course. To complete each section, you must take a short review
quiz for that section. Each review quiz consists of 4 questions. In order to pass a review
quiz, you must answer 3 questions (70%) correctly. Once you have completed all sections
of the course, you will take a final exam. The final exam will consist of 25 questions. In
order to pass the final exam and complete the course, you must answer 18 of these
questions (70%) correctly. After you have passed the final exam, we ask that you
complete the DMV course evaluation form.



WHAT TO EXPECT
The 5 Dollar Traffic School course is separated into four (4) short sections. You can study
the material at your own pace, and you can log off and log on as many times as you need.
You can re-enter the course by going to the Returning Students area located on the right
side of the home page.



Test Yourself Questions
Throughout the course you will see Test Yourself Questions at the bottom of many pages.
These questions are there to help prepare you for the review quizzes and final exam.
Don't skip over them! Take a few minutes and find the answers to these questions and
write them down. They will help you pass the review quizzes and final exam.


The Review Quizzes
After each section you must complete a short 4-question review quiz. You must answer
70% (3 questions) correctly in order to pass. If you don't score 70%, you will be required
to retake the quiz until you pass. Pay attention to the quizzes; they will help you pass the
final exam.


The Final Exam
At the end of the course you will have a 25-question final exam. You must answer at least
70% (18 questions) correctly in order to pass the course and get your certificate of
completion. If you don't get 70% right the first time, per §345.30 (d)(1)(E) of the
California Code of Regulations, Article 4.7, you will have one week to take the final exam a
second time. If you still do not pass, you can take the course again at no cost!

Warning
By registering for this program you certify under penalty of perjury that you will be
studying the course material and taking the final exam without any outside help. 5 Dollar
Traffic School retains the right to monitor your participation and cancel your enrollment
contract if we believe someone other than the enrolled student has been participating in
the course. You will not be eligible for a refund.

The information and graphics contained in the pages of the 5 Dollar Traffic School website
and course curriculum are copyright protected and remain the property of 5 Dollar Traffic
School. It is unlawful to copy or share any part of this website or course curriculum
without the written consent of 5 Dollar Traffic School.

Thank you again for choosing 5 Dollar Traffic School. If you have any questions, please call
our customer service department at 800-934-6285. Good luck!









California Department of Motor Vehicles Legal Notice and Disclaimer



The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) recognizes the right of private
enterprises to advertise and distribute information related to their business functions.
DMV promotes the free exchange of information, ideas, and opinions, except when the
content may invade personal privacy, violate property rights, constitute libel, or be a
violation of any applicable federal, state, or local laws.

While this lesson plan content may have been approved by DMV, the distribution,
advertising, and other information provided by this vendor is not guaranteed by DMV, nor
does it represent the views of the department.

You are advised that DMV, unless statutorily required, has no continuing obligation to
provide information to an approved course web site or printed publication.

DMV assumes no responsibility for erroneous, incomplete, or out-of-date information.
The user should contact the provider and/or DMV to ensure that the information herein is
current and accurate. All warranties of any kind, including, but not limited to, the
IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE,
freedom from contamination by computer viruses, and non-infringement of proprietary
rights ARE DISCLAIMED.

You are advised that DMV is not responsible for the content of any off-site web pages
referenced from or to an approved course web site or home study publication. In addition,
DMV and the State of California are not responsible for the content of files that are
uploaded for inclusion.

The user should not rely on the presentation of statutes or regulations referenced in an
approved web site or printed publication, but should consult the actual text of the law.
Legal requirements frequently change and the user may wish to seek the advice of
counsel.

If you find any errors, omissions, or have a complaint regarding the educational content,
we encourage you to report them to the education provider. In the event the issue is not
resolved to your satisfaction you may call the department at (916) 229-3154.

This course is not intended as training from a licensed driving school. It does not meet the
standards, training, or requirements in preparation for being issued a driver license. This
course has been reviewed and approved to meet the requirements for the traffic violator
school program. Completion documentation will not be issued to those not meeting the
traffic violator school program criteria.

Pursuant to Vehicle Code section 1808.7, the following situations are not eligible for
masking a traffic safety violation on a California driver record:

(1) The driver has already attended a traffic violator course within 18 months of the
conviction. (2) The driver holds a commercial license and is cited while operating a
commercial vehicle as defined in Vehicle Code section 15210. (3) The driver holds a
commercial driver license from out of state. (4) The violation occurred in a commercial
motor vehicle as defined in Vehicle Code section 15210. (5) The violator has not paid a
deposit of fees or bail, and has not pleaded guilty, no contest, or been convicted by the
court of jurisdiction. (6) The conviction would result in a violation point count of more
than one point pursuant to Vehicle Code section 12810. A list of Vehicle Code two point
violations may be found on the Department of Motor Vehicles web site, www.dmv.ca.gov.

This site will require your California driver license or California identification number, or,
if you do not have a California driver license or California identification card, your
birthdate, the court reference number (docket, ticket or citation number) and the court
code. These are requirements for receiving a completion receipt and to have the
information sent to the court of jurisdiction should you successfully pass this course. If
you are unable to provide the required information, your participation shall not be
credited toward satisfying the requirement.

The office business hours shall be listed. An instructor shall be available during business
hours to answer questions. An instructor shall respond to a call received after business
hours on the next business day.




Chapter 2: Purpose of Traffic Laws


RECENT CHANGES IN THE LAW AND THE REASONING BEHIND THEM
Every year on January 1, a new set of traffic laws are put into effect. They often reflect
technological changes or changes in driver habits. It's important to be aware of these
annual changes and how they will affect your driving habits. Here are some of the current
and upcoming law changes.


EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2016
Bicycle Reflector (VC 21201)
When operating a bicycle in the dark on a highway or a sidewalk the bicycle must be
equipped with a red reflector or a solid or flashing red light with a built-in reflector on the
rear of the bicycle.

Slow Moving Vehicles (VC 21656)
Vehicles moving at a speed less than the flow of traffic while on a two-lane highway where
passing is unsafe, must turn off the roadway at the nearest place designated as a turnout
or wherever sufficient area for a safe turnout exists if a line of 5 or more vehicles forms
behind them.

Driver License for Exonerated Persons (VC 14903)
The DMV must issue a no fee driver license to a person exonerated of a conviction and
released from state prison within the previous six months.

Electric Bicycle Classes (VC 312.5, 12804.9, 21113, & 24016)
There are now three classes of electric bicycles. All operators of a Class 3 (maximum
speed of 28 miles per hour) electric bicycle must be 16 years old or older and are
required to wear a bicycle helmet. There is no financial responsibility, driver's license,
registration, or license plate requirement for electric bicycles.

Expanded Pedicab Definition (VC 467.5, 21215, 21215.5, & 23229)
The definition of a pedicab (a small pedal-operated vehicle serving as a taxi) has
expanded to include provisions that allow for consumption of alcoholic beverages by
passengers until January 1, 2020. Additional operational and safety equipment is required
for this new type of pedicab.

EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2016
California Residency Requirement (VC 12801.5)
All original driver's license or identification card applicants must submit satisfactory
proof of California residency. DMV is prohibited from issuing an original driver's license
or identification card to a person who does not submit satisfactory proof of California
residency. Note, this change in law does not take effect until July 1, 2016.

EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2017
Increased Accident Reportability Threshold (VC 1656.2, 1808, 1808.1, 12517.1, 13369,
13558, 16000, 16000.1, 16020.1, 16020.2, 16075, 16251, 16430, & 16434)
The minimum damage threshold for collision reportability has increased from $750 to
$1,000. A driver of a motor vehicle involved in a collision with property damages greater
than $1,000 must submit a Report of Traffic Accident Occurring in California (SR 1) to
DMV. DMV is authorized to impose sanctions following an uninsured reportable collision.
Note, this change in law does not take effect until January 1, 2017.

Child Safety Seat Requirements (VC 27360)
In addition to the existing child passenger restraint system laws, any child who is under 2
years old must be secured in a rear-facing child passenger restraint system placed in the
rear seat of the vehicle unless the child is 40 pounds or more, or 3'4" or taller. Note, this
change in law does not take effect until January 1, 2017.

Handheld Wireless Telephones and Electronic Wireless Communication Devices (VC
23123.5)
In addition to existing laws regarding the usage of electronic devices while driving, it is
now against the law to be holding or manually operating an electronic wireless
communications device. The device must be specifically designed and configured to allow
for voice-operated and hands-free operation. This law exempts manufacturer-installed
systems that are embedded in the vehicle.

While operating the vehicle, the driver's hand may only be used to work a handheld
wireless telephone or electronic wireless communications device only if 1) the device is
mounted on the vehicle's windshield the same way a portable Global Positioning System
(GPS) is mounted. Pursuant to paragraph (12) of subdivision (b) of Section 26708 of the
Vehicle Code, it may be mounted in a seven-inch square in the lower corner of the
windshield farthest removed from the driver or in a five-inch square in the lower corner
of the windshield nearest to the driver and outside of an airbag deployment zone. It may
also be mounted on the vehicle's dashboard or center console in a way that does not affect
the driver's view of the road and 2) the driver's hand is used to activate or deactivate a
feature or function of the device with the motion of a single swipe or tap of the driver's
finger.

A violation of this law is an infraction punishable by a base fine of $20 for the first offense
and $50 for each subsequent offense.

This law does not apply to an emergency service professional while operating an
authorized emergency vehicle while performing his or her duties.

Electronic wireless communication devices includes but is not limited to, a broadband
personal communication device, a specialized mobile radio device, a handheld device or
laptop computer with mobile data access, a pager, or a two-way messaging device.


DUI Ignition Interlock Device (VC 23702)
This law extends the Ignition Interlock Device pilot program in Alameda, Los Angeles,
Sacramento, and Tulare counties until January 1, 2019.

Motorcycle Lane Splitting (VC 21658.1)
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) has been authorized to begin developing educational
guidelines relating to lane splitting and will consult with specific agencies and
organizations with an interest in road safety and motorcyclist behavior.

Public Transit Bus Lanes (VC 21655.1)
It is illegal to drive, stop, park, or leave a vehicle standing in the area of a road designated
for the exclusive use of public transit buses unless a vehicle must cross the lane to make a
turn. Signs will be posted to include the lanes are for "bus only" use.



RECENT CHANGES IN THE LAW AND THE REASONING BEHIND THEM (continued)

Changes to Technology
As technology changes the law must address these technological developments. As we
incorporate more and more gadgets and gizmos into our driving habits, the laws have to
change accordingly.

Dashboard
The dashboard of a car has changed drastically over the past years. Whereas it once
housed the speedometer, odometer and a few other necessities, it's now a complex
system with navigation systems, built in phones and more. Cell phones, smart phones and
navigation systems are everywhere, even inside cars!

Don't Try to Multitask
All these tools can be helpful. If you're driving on an unfamiliar road, you can use your
navigation system to guide you. If your car breaks down, you no longer have to search for
a call box to call the towing company or the police. You have your cell phone and access to
all the resources it offers. Unfortunately, many drivers think they can multitask while
driving. Distracted driving is very dangerous and is one of the most common causes of
collisions.

New Laws and Technology
For this reason, state legislators are passing laws to address the problems caused by
people using these gadgets while they drive. Laws regarding cell phone use and texting
for example are intended to ensure that the driver is focused on the road. These laws are
passed for your own safety and for the safety of other road users. Don't ignore them!


Changes to Driving Techniques
Technological advancements are not restricted to dashboards, cell phones, and navigation
systems. Technology has also advanced car performance and safety. Cars drive differently
than they used to and their drivers have to adjust accordingly. Cars now come equipped
with airbags, ABS (anti-lock braking system) brakes, front wheel and rear wheel driver,
electronic traction control system and computerized engine components.

Since cars have changed drastically over the past ten years, driving techniques have
changed as well. Drivers have had to adapt to these new technologies. The techniques our
parents learned to drive are very different from the ones we would learn today. Let's look
at a couple of examples that will illustrate this point.

Braking Systems
When cars were equipped with non-ABS brakes, drivers were instructed to pump the
brakes in order to prevent the brakes from locking. Pumping non-ABS brakes made them
more effective and reduced the braking distance (the distance required to bring the car to
a stop). But with the standardization of ABS brakes in all newer cars, people are now
taught to keep their foot on the brake pedal as hard as they can because the ABS does the
pumping for them.

Seat Belt Pretensioners
The modern car is also equipped with extensive safety measures that protect the driver
and its passengers in the case of a collision. Seat belts have been found in cars for over
fifty years. These seat belts however looked like the ones we have in airplanes today. It
was assumed that drivers and passengers would adjust the belt so that it fit snuggly. Many
people however were careless when it came to this. Even today, when you are on a plane,
look around you. How many have actually tightly fastened their seat belts? Oftentimes
they are loosely hanging around their waists or even hips! If the plane experiences
turbulence or worse, the passenger with the loose seat belt will get tossed around
inevitably. This is an even more dangerous prospect in a car, which unlike a plane, we use
to travel on a daily basis. Car companies began to consider alternatives. In the 1980s they
introduced seat belt pretensioners. Pretensioners automatically tighten the belt to
prevent the individual from jerking forward in a collision or at a sudden stop. You no
longer have to pull the adjustable strap to fit your body. This means that you are securely
fastened, lowering your chances of moving around in a crash.







REASONS FOR TRAFFIC LAWS
John, Pablo and Maria carpool to work together every morning. The traffic today is
especially bad and Pablo is getting frustrated. He has an important presentation at work
today and wanted to get to the office a few minutes early to prepare. At this rate, he might
even be late for the presentation. “Go faster so you can make the pass the red light!” “Pass
the car in front of you, he is going too slowly!” “Look, there’s the center lane, get in there
so you can zip into the left turn only lane before everybody else!” says Pablo.

But John doesn’t listen because he knows better. Maria says, “Pablo, I know you are in a
hurry, but is it really worth it to break all those rules to save a few minutes? There are
good reasons for traffic laws – By telling drivers what they can and can’t do, other drivers
know what to expect. If John did what you were asking him to, other drivers who weren’t
expecting us to pass the red light, or cut them off to the left turn lane, might not be able to
stop in time to avoid hitting us. Even if we were in a smallest fender bender, don’t you
think that would make you late for work? What if it were a bigger crash?”

“You’re right, Maria, I wasn’t thinking clearly. But at least we could have sped up and
passed a few cars on our way to the green light ahead.”

“So you wanted us to weave in and out of traffic?” says Maria. “All that would do is slow
traffic down. Sure we might save a minute or two ourselves, but it’s exactly that kind of
driving that creates problems on the road for everyone. I don’t see the point of doing that
either.”

Some traffic laws seem to be a hassle and often an expensive hassle. You might ask
yourself, why did someone think this was necessary? Why do we have so many traffic
laws? If you are playing a board game or a sport, you always have a set of rules that you
must follow. Without them, everyone would do as they pleased. How would you know
how to play? How would you know who won or who lost? People could just play without
taking turns. Eventually, you would have to stop the game because no one would know
what they were doing or why they were doing it. The same applies for laws about driving.
Traffic laws reduce chaos, keep traffic moving and give all road users a common
understanding of how the road should be used. Most importantly, though, their primary
purpose is to keep everyone safe.

Common Understanding
In the case of driving however, rules and laws are even more essential. Driving is not just
a game where your only options are winning or losing. Every time you step into a vehicle,
hop on a bicycle or go for walk, you could risk your life. Laws allow drivers to know what
to do and what to expect of other drivers. They allow drivers to anticipate the actions of
other drivers and limit the number of surprises on the road.

Keeping Order and Movement in Traffic
Traffic laws also ensure that the road remains orderly. Imagine the chaos if everyone who
used the road did anything they wanted? If we didn't have traffic laws, what would stop
someone from driving in oncoming traffic or making a right turn from the left lane? Traffic
would come to a stop and there would be chaos! It's because of laws that all the road
users know when to stop and when to go, when and where to turn from and more. These
laws help traffic move efficiently.

Safety
Without order we would be driving in chaos. And that can only mean one thing: danger.
Traffic laws ensure the safety of everyone who uses the road. What if people drove
through intersections at 60 mph? The lives of other drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and
motorcyclists would be endangered. Rules help make the road a safer place.

Sometimes it feels like there are too many laws, restricting what we do in the car.
Occasionally, they may be an inconvenience to follow these laws. You might think to
yourself, "They passed another law? Another reason I can get a ticket?" Before you even
consider breaking the law however, think about why that law was passed. It's not to
inconvenience you or to annoy you; rather these laws are here to protect us all. Driving is
a wonderful privilege but can be very hazardous. These laws minimize the risks and
dangers of the road. Protect yourself and other road users. Follow the rules of the road!







Chapter 3: The Price You Pay for Careless Driving


DAMAGE TO CARS AND PROPERTY




Minor Damage to Your Car
A minor collision, even a small dent or scrape, can be a hassle and force you to put your
life on hold. If you decide to get your car repaired, you have to take pictures of the
damage, make time-consuming phone calls to insurance companies and research repair
shops. Then when the time comes to leave your car at the repair shop for several days,
you have to figure out how you will get around. Will you rent a car or rely on friends and
family? If you have children, you will have to remove that tricky car seat and install it in
another car and then put it back into yours. In other words, this will just add to your long
list of errands that are already taking away from your free time.

Major Damage to Your Car
Major car damage has far worse consequences with an out-of-pocket cost that can make it
difficult or impossible to get your car repaired. If the repair is hugely expensive you will
have a limited number of options: getting into debt to pay for the repairs or if it's possible,
to hold off on the repairs until you can pay for them. If the damage is more than cosmetic,
however, that won't be an option. If you've damaged someone else's property, you'll have
to pay for that too. Can you afford to pay for all of this? Isn't it better to drive in a way that
avoids these problems?


PEOPLE CAN BE INJURED OR KILLED

Minor Injuries
Even a small injury can take weeks to heal and could be potentially painful. Minor injuries
will still mean scheduling numerous and costly doctor's visits and taking medications that
might interfere with your daily life.

Major Injuries
Minor injuries are often a nuisance; but major injuries can be devastating, either for a
short time or forever. A broken bone, such as a broken leg, could leave you home bound
for up to six weeks. These are six weeks that you will have to take off work, possibly
without pay. Also, you will be unable to function as you normally would, having to
inconvenience yourself and those around you. Those six weeks will be filled with hospital
and doctor's visits, x-rays, and casts that will be re-fitted accordingly.

A broken bone will eventually heal, but more severe injuries are also possible. Back
injuries are some of the most common types of injuries that happen after car collisions.
Back problems can stay with you for the rest of your life, forcing you to change your
lifestyle. If you are an active person and enjoy running, hiking, or skiing, a back injury can
jeopardize your ability to do what you love. A spinal cord injury can leave you paralyzed
forever.





Death
Collisions can lead to the death of a loved one, a stranger or yourself. The knowledge that
you were responsible for killing another human being, can leave you emotionally scarred
for life. Nightmares, anxiety and depression can take over your ability to function. Being
killed and leaving behind your grieving family and friends to deal with the loss isn't much
better. Therefore, it is in your interest and in the interest of those around you to be a
careful driver.




HOW YOUR AUTO INSURANCE IS AFFECTED

How Insurance Works
In the state of California, it is mandatory to have auto insurance. There are, however,
different kinds of coverage that vary in the types of damage and personal injury they
cover and how much they cost. The most basic (and required by law) is called minimum
liability coverage. This type of insurance pays for the damages done to another person's
vehicle or body and only for the amount of the coverage. In other words, if you are at fault
for a crash and only have a $15,000 liability policy, your insurance will only pay for
$15,000 of the damages done to the other person and their car. Anything more than the
$15,000 is your responsibility. Your own medical expenses and car repairs are your own
responsibility too.

In many cases, even a small at-fault crash will cost you a lot of money. Most insurance
policies have a deductible that you have to pay before the insurance kicks in. Let's say
you're in a crash and it's going to cost $7,500 to get the other driver's car fixed and your
deductible is $1,000. This means you have to pay $1,000 out of your own pocket before
the insurance company pays the rest of the $6,500 to get the car completely fixed. And
this doesn't even count your own expenses. Even with car insurance, there's good
financial incentive to avoid any type of collision.

Collisions Are Expensive
What happens to your insurance rate if you do get into a collision? If you are at-fault for a
minor collision (which will stay on your record for three years), the insurance company,
trying to recover the costs from the collision pay out, will charge you a higher premium
until it is off your record. Even worse, if you decided to get the cheapest option (the
insurance with minimum coverage) and are in a major crash, there will be some serious
out-of-pocket expenses. For example, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP)
the estimated cost for a victim who was severely injured in an auto collision is $247,000.
The minimum insurance coverage of $15,000 doesn't even cover 10% of that. Even minor
injuries cost $26,000. How will you pay for the rest?



Minimum insurance won't cover your own medical expenses or car repairs either - only
the other driver's and only for the specific dollar amounts. This means you are
responsible for and will have to pay for any damages that are more than the minimum
amount. Aren't there better ways to spend your money?




FINANCIAL, LEGAL AND DMV PROBLEMS

Financial Impact
As we've just seen, even if you have the minimum insurance required by the DMV, a
collision can cost you a small fortune. If you only have minimum coverage, you'll have to
pay for the damage to your own car, and for the medical attention that you and your
passengers require. And don't forget your deductible. The typical $1000 deductible is the
amount you have to pay out of your own pocket before your insurance even goes into
effect to pay the rest. Finally, expect to pay higher insurance premiums for at least 3
years.

Legal Action
In addition to your own costs, if the collision was your fault, you will probably have to pay
the other driver's costs too. Even if you have insurance, the other driver can sue you for
negligence and win. If you rear-end someone, for example, you will be considered
responsible for the collision and might get sued by the driver or his insurance company. If
someone dies in the collision, the victim's family could go after you for wrongful death. If
they do seek out legal action, then you will have to get a lawyer to defend yourself. If the
property damage is more than the insurance coverage (after all, there's only so much your
insurance will pay for), you could lose your house, car, and other assets.



DMV Action
Finally, you have to think about how this will affect your driving record and even your
privilege to drive. The California DMV operates on a demerit point system to track
careless and dangerous drivers. Every at-fault collision and traffic violation will add
points to your record. For example, a minor at-fault collision will cost you one point and
stays on your driving record for three years. More serious violations such as reckless
driving and speeding over 100 mph have a penalty of two points and stay on your record
for seven years. A DUI will stay on your record for a full 10 years! Get four or more points
in 12 months (six points in 24 months or eight points in 36 months) and your license can
be suspended or revoked. If you are eligible to get your license reinstated, you'll have to
wait at least 30 days. You will then have to pay hundreds of dollars in fees and fines.




QUALITY OF LIFE
Careless driving also impacts your quality of life. Much of your free time is devoted to
dealing with the aftermath of a collision. The out-of-pocket costs for repairs, lawyers' fees,
and higher insurance premiums mean less money to spend on yourself and your favorite
activities. If you are injured because of a collision, acute or chronic pain could alter your
mood and prevent you from having an active lifestyle. Finally, if you have a major collision
and seriously injure or kill someone else, you could carry around guilt and pain for the
rest of your life. Is it worth it?

WHAT CAUSES COLLISIONS?
There are a number of factors that can increase your chances of being in a collision. In this
section, we will look at why drivers have car crashes and what we can do to avoid them.
The US Department of Transportation has listed the following as some of the most likely
contributors to collisions.

Alcohol and Drugs
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is one of the most common factors that
lead to collisions, and one that can be easily avoided. When you are driving, you need to
use your eyes, hands, and feet to control the vehicle, but it is the brain that controls all
these parts of the body. When you use drugs or alcohol, your brain has a hard time telling
your body what to do. You can't make quick and safe decisions, which puts you and those
around you at risk.

Distracted Driving
Inattention is another factor that can lead to minor and serious collisions. Remember, in
order to drive safely, you need to use a number of senses and skills, including sight,
judgment, and proper reaction time. If you are distracted while you are driving by fiddling
with the gadgets and gizmos on the dashboard, eating, applying makeup, or doing any
number of things that drivers are known to do, you are not giving your full attention to
the most important task ahead of you - driving.

Sleepy Driver
A sleepy driver is as dangerous as a drunk driver. Just like someone who is driving while
using drugs or alcohol, a sleepy driver has a slow reaction time, difficulty processing what
he sees and hears and making safe decisions. Some of the most common signs of a sleepy
driver include constant yawning, trouble keeping your head up and your eyes focused,
and as a result, swerving into other lanes. The only solution for drowsiness is to pull over
into a well-lit, safe place and take a nap.




If you are feeling any of these symptoms, coffee or another caffeinated drink may improve
your alertness temporarily. This is a short term improvement, however, not solution. It
doesn't replace a good night's sleep.

Speeding
Even if you are a sober, alert, and focused driver, if you are speeding your chances of
getting into a collision dramatically increase. In fact, speeding is one of the top causes of
collisions. In 2010, the California Highway Patrol reported that speeding was the primary
factor in 29% of fatal and injury collisions. The higher the speed the less likely the driver
can respond in time to any obstacles or other drivers. If you do get into a collision and you
or the other party is speeding, you also increase your chances of getting seriously injured
and damaging your car. The faster you are driving, the greater the force and intensity with
which you will hit the other car, the pole, the tree, or whatever it is that you collide with.

Move Over/Slow Down (VC 21809, 25253)
The new law makes two previous laws indefinite. VC Section 21809 requires that if you
are driving on a freeway and approach in a lane immediately adjacent to a stopped
emergency vehicle with flashing emergency lights or a tow truck with flashing warning
lights, or a marked Department of Transportation vehicle with flashing warning lights you
must change your lane to give them space or slow down. VC 25253 requires tow trucks
that are used to tow disabled vehicles to be equipped with flashing amber warning lights.
If a tow truck is providing service to a vehicle, then its amber lights can be flashing. The
law however prohibits tow trucks from flashing these lights on a freeway unless there is
an unusual traffic hazard or an extremely hazardous situation.





THE DMV POINT SYSTEM
The California DMV, Highway Patrol and traffic court system take driving safety very
seriously. Driving is a privilege, not a right. The DMV point system, called NOTS, was
designed to keep track of drivers' offenses so they can suspend or revoke a license if
needed. If you can't follow the rules of driving safely, you will lose your privilege to drive.

Negligent Operator Treatment System
The Negligent Operator Treatment System (NOTS) is a program the DMV uses to keep
track of bad drivers. The system adds points to the driver's record for convictions
involving a moving vehicle violation (traffic tickets) and at-fault collisions. These points
stay on your record for 36 months. There are serious consequences for drivers who have
too many points.

Conviction for most traffic citations will add one point to your record. The exceptions,
which count for two points, are:

Reckless driving
Leaving the scene of a collision
Driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs
Driving the wrong way on a freeway
Speeding in excess of 100 mph
Participating in a motor vehicle speed contest on a highway
Vehicular manslaughter or causing injury or death while evading police
Using a motor vehicle while committing a crime
Transporting explosives illegally

If the driver causes a crash while committing a traffic violation, one extra point is added
to his record in addition to the violation points. That means a driver who was in a
collision because he was driving recklessly will get a total of three (3) points on his
record. A driver is a negligent operator if he/she accumulates:

Four (4) points in one year.
Six (6) points in two years.
Eight (8) points over three years.

The driver can be put on probation for one year (including a six month suspension) or
lose their license. At the end of the suspension or revocation period, drivers need to re-
apply for a license to drive.

DUI CHANGES LIVES FOREVER
One night of drinking and driving can change your life and the lives of others forever.

A DUI is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine and/or jail time. If anyone is injured from a
collision while a driver is under the influence, the charge becomes a felony. A felony is
punishable by a heavy fine, an automatic jail term, an extended probationary period, and a
permanent criminal record as a convicted felon.





Your Emotional Health
Getting a DUI can be a traumatic event. If you end up in jail for your DUI, it can be
embarrassing to explain this to friends and family. The emotional impact will be much
more devastating if your drunk-driving has injured or killed someone else.

DUI Is Expensive
DUIs are also very expensive offenses. The trial and attorney fees could range between
$5,000 to $8,000 and more. Fines and penalties on average cost about $4,000. And of
course, your insurance rates will skyrocket. Over the course of ten years you could be
paying an extra $20,000 to $30,000 for car insurance. Over a ten-year period, all of these
expenses could add up to over $40,000!

Keep in mind that this is only for the DUI itself. This doesn't include any of the costs
associated with causing a crash while under the influence, such as hospital expenses. The
victim or his family could also file a lawsuit against you and if they win, you can lose
everything you have.

DUI Will Take Away Your Freedom
Apart from the financial burden, a DUI also has other repercussions. You will face a
mandatory jail time of 96 hours to six months and your license can be suspended for up to
six months. If the vehicle is registered in the driver's name, it may be impounded for up to
30 days. You may also be required to have an ignition interlock device for up to three
years which will prevent the operation of the vehicle when alcohol is detected on the
driver's breath.

The Victims and their Families
Sometimes the drunk driver escapes a crash unharmed, but leaves behind a victim who is
severely injured or killed. The victim's family must live with this for the rest of their lives.




Society
Drunk drivers are not only a burden on themselves and their victims, but also on society
as a whole. It costs local and state authorities millions of dollars a year to pay for the
paramedics, police, and fire department that are responding to those drunk driving
crashes. That's why we have tax increases and service cutbacks every year.

Chemical Testing for DUI (VC 23612)
Prior to January 1, 2013, persons lawfully arrested for a DUI had the option of a blood,
breath, or urine chemical test. Under current legislation, however, the individual only has
the option of a breath or blood test unless there is special situation. A urine test may be
used if:

Both blood and breath tests are unavailable.
The individual is a hemophiliac.
The individual is taking anticoagulant medication.

Driving Under the Influence (VC 13352, 13352.5, 23109, 23550, 23550.5, 23552, 23566,
23568)
If you have been convicted of a DUI, you are not allowed to drive with a blood alcohol
level (BAC) of .01 percent or greater while on probation for the DUI. If you are pulled over
and asked to submit a to a Preliminary Alcohol Screening (PAS) test (a breathalyzer test)
you have to accept. If you refuse or if you agree and have a BAC of .01 or greater, a citation
will be issued, your license will be taken, driving privileges will be suspended and your
car will be impounded.

If you have been convicted of two misdemeanor DUIs, your license will be suspended for
90 days. After this point, you can obtain a restricted driver’s license. Regardless of
whether it’s a second or third conviction, you must enroll in a DUI program and must
install and maintain an IID in your vehicle.

If you are convicted of alcohol-related reckless driving and you have had a prior
conviction for alcohol-related reckless driving or DUI within the past ten years, the court
will order you to participate in a licensed DUI program for at least nine months. If you do
not enroll in, participate in, or complete a licensed DUI program, the court has to revoke
your probation.

If you are arrested with a BAC of .15 percent or greater, the court can consider installing
an IID for a first-time offender convicted of an alcohol-related DUI.



Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Repeat Offenders (VC 23597)
Under this law, if you have been convicted of three or more DUIs, the court could revoke
your license for ten years. However, you will have the opportunity to apply for a
reinstatement of your license after five years, if you have installed an Ignition Interlock
Device in your car.

Ignition Interlock Devices (IID) Pilot Program
A pilot program will be in effect from July 1, 2010 to January 1, 2019. This pilot program
has been extended from its original end date of December 31, 2015 and will be tested, in
the counties of Alameda, Los Angeles, Sacramento and Tulare. If you have been convicted
of a DUI and want to have your license reissued, you have to install an IID in any vehicle
you operate. The new law also establishes the requirements for installation. The length of
time the IID will be installed will depend on the number of DUIs you have and whether
they were misdemeanors or felonies.






Chapter 4: Rights and Responsibilities of a Pedestrian


We all know that we have to be careful when we drive. Even if you're walking however
you have to be cautious. The only way to make sure that both the driver and the
pedestrian are safe is to know the rights and responsibilities of pedestrians.

What should and shouldn't a pedestrian do? Let's see what Maria, a typical suburban
California mom, does when she is a pedestrian. Maria has decided to take a day off from
driving. Instead of driving to the grocery store like she usually does, she's going to walk
there. What are some of the things that Maria has to remember?




CROSS AT INTERSECTIONS AND CROSSWALKS
First of all, Maria knows that when she crosses the street she has to cross at intersections
and inside crosswalks. Maria knows that the grocery store is in the middle of the block
and there is no crosswalk there. It would be easier to run across the street, directly across
the grocery store. But she also knows that it would be illegal and dangerous. So instead,
she walks to the end of the block, where there is a crosswalk.

Once she reaches the crosswalk, she makes sure to look at the signal light. Even though
the light is green, she sees the red hand which tells her not to cross. After the light has
turned green she can safely cross, but only after looking left, right, and left before
crossing. She also makes eye contact with the drivers, so that she knows that they have
seen her.

FACE TRAFFIC
Maria lives in a neighborhood where there are sidewalks, so it's very clear as to where she
should be walking. What do you do if there is no sidewalk? By law, if you are walking in an
area outside of a business or residential district and there are no sidewalks, you are
required to walk facing traffic on the left hand side of the road. The only exception to this
law is if you have no safe place to cross the street to get to the left side then you may walk
on the right side of the road with traffic. For safety reasons anytime there are no
sidewalks it is best to walk in the direction facing traffic even if you are within a business
or residential district. It's only by facing the cars that you can ensure that drivers see you.
This is also the best way to see a problem, such as a possible collision, before it happens.
Also, stay as far to the side of the road as possible so that you are away from traffic. By
following these two rules, you will have more time to avoid a dangerous and possibly
deadly situation.

BLIND PEDESTRIANS
The final point drivers and pedestrians should remember is that blind or partially blind
pedestrians always have the right-of-way. These people can be identified by their white
canes or seeing eye dogs. They are the most vulnerable of all road users so it is up to the
drivers to ensure that they are not endangered. Drivers are always responsible for these
pedestrians.

Blind pedestrians navigate the streets differently and use different ways of
communicating. For example they rely on the sound of your vehicle to understand if a car
is near, or if they should begin to cross. So drivers should be sure to stop within 5 feet of
the crosswalk to give the pedestrian ample opportunity to hear the car. Drivers of electric
or hybrid cars should be extra cautious around blind pedestrians, because with a car so
quiet it may be impossible for the pedestrian to hear you approaching. Also, when a blind
person pulls in his or her cane and steps away from the intersection, this gesture usually
means that they will not be crossing at this time and for the driver to go.

It is up to the driver to ensure that these pedestrians are safe. If there is any collision or
injury to an impaired pedestrian it is always the driver's fault.




Remember, we are all using the road together, so we should make sure it's safe for
everyone. Pedestrians should know that they should cross at crosswalks and follow light
signals. Drivers should always be aware of pedestrians, scan the road, and make sure to
let pedestrians cross.



SECTION 1 REVIEW QUIZ RESULTS

You answered 4 questions correctly and scored 100%.

Click on Continue below to start the next section.


1. Blind or partially blind pedestrians can be identified by ______.
*A. Their white canes and seeing eye dogs, and should always be given
the right of way
 B. Their white flags and thick glasses, and should always be given the
right of way
C. Their reflective clothing and wheel chairs, and should always be
given the right of way
D. All of the above

2. If you have auto insurance, can you still be sued after an collision that was your
fault?
A. Yes, if property damage is more than your insurance, the other
driver can sue you for negligence and win
B. Yes, if the cost of a collision is more than your insurance coverage
C. Yes, if someone dies because of the collision, the victim's family can
sue you for wrongful death
*D. All of the above



3. As vehicle technologies advance ______?
A. The laws have to change accordingly
B. Increases distracted driving
C. Cars drive differently than they used to
*D. All of the above

4. When there are no sidewalks outside of a business or residential district
pedestrians shall ______.
A. Find another street to walk on
B. Use special gear so cars can see them more easily
*C. Walk along the shoulder facing traffic
D. Walk along the shoulder in the same direction as traffic





Chapter 5: Your Responsibilities as a Driver

Every time you get behind the wheel of a car, you are taking on a huge responsibility. You
should always remember that a car is a dangerous weapon. It is one ton of glass, metal,
and plastic that can be flying down a road. If anything gets in its way, it could destroy life
and property. Knowing that you have this powerful and potentially destructive weapon in
your hands, you should control it with care and respect. Driving is a privilege as well as a
responsibility. Every time you place your key in that ignition and start the car, you are
responsible for the safety of everyone using the road.
KNOWING WHEN NOT TO DRIVE
This is a huge responsibility! And it’s left up to you to know when you can and can’t drive.
Driving involves a variety of skills and senses. Before you get behind the wheel, you
should be sure that you are awake, alert, and undistracted. Many factors can alter your
mental state and your ability to focus and react quickly. The obvious factors, alcohol and
drugs, are not the only things you should be concerned about. You might be surprised, but
even commonplace factors like exhaustion and stress can affect your ability to drive.
Before you turn on the car and press the gas, ask yourself, “Do I feel awake and alert?
Would I be worried if I was sharing the road with a loved one?”


Personal Reasons
Tired or Drowsy
Much like being drunk or being an overwhelmed computer, when you are drowsy, you
have a slower reaction time and it takes you longer to process information. Not only are
you slower to respond to changes in your environment, but you are also likely to have
blurry vision. In fact, research has proven that sleepiness also impairs driving by
increasing the driver's carelessness.



If you are driving tired it can feel like you're back in high school sitting in one of your
most boring classes. You want to stay awake and you want to pay attention, but
sometimes it feels impossible! Inevitably, your head starts bobbing back and forth, your
eyes have a hard time staying open, and the next thing you know, your eyes are shut and
your teacher is yelling at you to wake up. It might be funny to think back on those
moments. But there is nothing funny about feeling drowsy while sitting behind the wheel.

Everyone, at one point or another, feels tired and drowsy. Certain groups of people,
however, have lifestyles or jobs that are more likely to make them drowsy while they
drive. These people are more likely to fall asleep while driving and these are the people
that need to be the most cautious. This group includes:

Young people: 18-26 year olds, especially young men, are more likely to be sleep deprived
because of a combination of factors that include late night socializing, school, jobs, and
extracurricular activities.
Shift workers: Shift workers refers to those groups of people who work night shifts or late
night shifts, work irregular hours, or simply work long hours.
Truck drivers: Truck drivers drive long distances, usually with a minimum daily mile
requirement. This forces drivers to drive at night, when there is less traffic, and to
continue driving with little or no breaks. If you've driven long distances, you know how
difficult it can be. Even if you don't feel drowsy at first, a couple of hours of driving can
make you feel exhausted and sleepy.
(Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)

What can you do?

Sleep and take naps: The best you can do to avoid driving drowsy is to get adequate sleep
every night. While everyone requires a different amount of sleep, 7-8 hours a night is
average. Even a few hours of lost sleep can affect your driving! If you don't manage to get
a full night's rest, try taking a break for a short nap.
Watch out for the warning signs: If you're driving and find yourself constantly yawning,
you feel your eyes closing or your vision blurring, these are all your body's way of telling
you that you're tired. If you are feeling any of these symptoms of drowsiness, you
shouldn't continue driving!
Caffeine: If you are feeling any of these symptoms one thing you can do is pull over and
drink some coffee or another caffeinated drink. Even in small doses, caffeine can improve
alertness. Two cups of coffee will last a few hours, but it doesn't replace a good night's
sleep.
Regular stops: If you're driving long distances, you should stop every hundred miles or
once every two hours. If possible, pull over at a rest stop step outside and take a short
walk. This will help you stretch out your legs and regain the ability to focus. If there is
someone in the car with you, why not share the responsibility of driving?
Alcohol and medications: Both alcohol and medications can make you feel extremely
drowsy. Avoid alcohol if you'll be driving and make sure your medications won't cause
drowsiness.



KNOWING WHEN NOT TO DRIVE (continued)



Feeling Overly Emotional
On an average Wednesday, you've come home from an exhausting day at work. You barely
survived the day; you almost got into an argument with your boss. But it's all over; you
are finally home and can relax. You walk in and after a brief hello from your spouse, you
are given a list of chores that he or she would like you to do before the day is over. Today?
Does this have to get done today? Yes, apparently it does. The stresses and anxieties of the
day now seem to be out of control and both of you start arguing with one another. Before
the yelling escalates, you grab your keys and head for the car. You think that a nice, long
drive will clear your head and calm you down.

This might have been the worst thing you could do to "relax." Most of us don't even think
about how our emotions can affect our driving. If you're upset or mad, you are likely to
transfer these emotions onto the road. Even if you're not usually prone to road rage,
you're more likely to experience it if you start driving when you're already angry or upset.
Because different parts of your mind and body impact one another. Your emotions impact
your alertness and your ability to perform tasks. For example, intense emotions physically
affect your body and your brain. Stress and anger put your body into "fight or flight mode"
-- your heart pumps faster, muscles tighten, adrenaline increases, and breathing quickens.
This interferes with your brain's ability to think and focus on driving. Besides, you are
probably going to spend that "relaxing" drive rehashing the fight and getting more and
more frustrated, distracting yourself and increasing your chances of a collision.

This, of course, is when your road rage emerges. You look at fellow drivers differently.
You start believing that everyone is on the road to inconvenience and aggravate you, and
to cut in front of you. So you decide to act accordingly. You were angry before you got
behind the wheel, but now you're furious. You're probably going to drive recklessly and
make some poor, last-minute decisions.

Avoid these situations! Don't drive when you're upset or angry. If you need to clear your
head and calm down, go for a walk instead and leave the car keys at home.

Can't Focus on Driving
When you decide to sit behind a wheel and drive, you are taking on a serious
responsibility. It is a skill that requires your full attention. You shouldn't be trying to eat
your breakfast, drink your coffee, or hold conference calls while you're in the car. You
might think that you are focused on driving, but if you are multi-tasking that means your
brainpower is divided between the different tasks and driving is not getting your full
attention.



The road is full of obstacles and surprises. Even if you're just daydreaming or chatting
with your passengers, you are distracted. If there is any change in the road, it's going to
take you longer to react, increasing your chances of a collision. Instead of taking a chance,
just focus on the road!



KNOWING WHEN NOT TO DRIVE (continued)


Poor Vision
As a driver, it is essential that you see well. After all, your sight gives you most of the
information you need to make the right decisions on the road. Your eyes take in the
information that your brain processes. It makes quick calculations and lets your body
know what to do.

For this reason the DMV requires licensed drivers to have at least a minimum visual
acuity (the ability to see items clearly and sharply including small details). Here are the
minimum requirements to get your license:


20/40 with both eyes tested together and
20/40 in one eye and
20/70, at least, in the other eye

Of course, the DMV only requires an occasional eye exam so that you can get your license.
Once the eye exam is over, it's up to you to monitor your vision. As we age, our vision
deteriorates, but without regular eye exams, only you can decide if your vision is getting
worse. If there is any change in your vision, you should take this seriously and make an
appointment with an optometrist. Deteriorating vision in drivers is dangerous to the
driver and to those he or she shares the road with. Loss of central vision, double vision,
and changes to your depth perception (the ability to figure out how far away an object is),
night vision or peripheral vision (the ability to see out of the corner of your eye) are
serious problems that make driving more difficult and dangerous. Keep everyone safe and
keep track of changes in your vision.



Medications and Alcohol
If you plan to drive, don't even have one drink! Alcohol will contribute to or even create a
sense of drowsiness. Just like alcohol, many drugs can induce drowsiness. Even if it's not a
prescription, it can still make you drowsy! Both prescription and over-the-counter
medications can make you sleepy, especially tranquilizers, antihistamines (most often
found in allergy medications), and cold medications. Before you get behind the wheel,
read the package or ask your doctor about the effects of your medication. The
combination of medications and alcohol can make you even drowsier and will have more
dangerous health effects. Never mix the two especially if you plan on driving!



KNOWING WHEN NOT TO DRIVE (continued)
External Reasons
Even if you make sure you're alert, not too emotional, and focused, there are external
factors that can affect your driving too. While you can't control some of these external
factors, such as the weather or how others drive, you can take the necessary steps to
make sure you are a prepared driver.

Weather or Road Conditions Are Beyond Your Driving Ability
The weather and the condition of the road are two of the most obvious external factors
that drivers can't control. Road and weather conditions can vary greatly and sometimes
change suddenly. You could be driving on a beautiful, clear day and suddenly, the clouds
could descend upon you and you find yourself in the middle of a heavy storm. At this
point, you have to decide whether or not it's safe for you to drive.

The skills you need to drive in a storm are very different from the skills you need to drive
on a quiet, country road. Just because you have a license and a car doesn't mean that you
are capable of driving in every condition. It's up to you to be a self-regulating driver. This
means you decide whether or not you can drive in certain conditions. If there is a sudden
storm and you feel uncomfortable driving, then exit the highway or pull over to the side.
Don't take chances. You don't have anything to prove, just wait for the storm to pass.
Make good decisions about driving and always consider the current driving conditions.



Your Vehicle's Condition
We've considered many factors within the car, such as yourself and other passengers that
can impact your ability to drive well. Don't forget, however, that you also have to take
care of your vehicle! It's fine if you're a cautious driver, but if your car is in dire need of
repairs or a wash, you're being a negligent driver. How can you expect your car to get you
around town if you don't take care of it? Keep your car in proper driving condition. Make
sure your windows and mirrors are clean and properly adjusted, all of your lights are
functioning, your tires have enough tread, you have enough gas, and you regularly check
the car's fluids. Just like you can't go for a jog with a sprained ankle or without proper
nutrition beforehand, you shouldn't drive a car that has mechanical problems or that's
low on gas.

License, Registration or Insurance Problems
It's not just your vehicle that you have to be concerned about maintaining. You need to
make sure your paperwork is in order and up to date. Apart from the legal and financial
consequences of driving without the proper paperwork, you could also lose the privilege
to drive.


Driving Without a Valid California License: If you choose to drive but you never had a
license or didn't get a California license after moving to the state, you can be charged with
a misdemeanor or an infraction. If you get charged with a misdemeanor you could face up
to one year of jail time and a hefty fine; an infraction version of this offense if punishable
by fine only.

Driving With a Suspended or Revoked License: Driving with a suspended or revoked
license is a much more serious offense and is a misdemeanor. Upon the first conviction,
you could be imprisoned in the county jail for up to six months or have to pay a fine that
could be anywhere between $300 and $1000. You could even be punished by both jail
time and a fine. It could also lead to the impoundment of your vehicle and points on your
record.

Outdated Registration: If your registration has expired and you've parked your car on the
street, your car could be towed. In addition to the impound fees you'll have to pay to
retrieve your car, you will also have to pay penalties and fines for updating your expired
registration.

No Insurance: If you are caught driving without any insurance, you could be fined up to
$200 on your first conviction. In addition, you could have your car impounded and your
license suspended. If you get into a collision and don't have any insurance you might have
to pay out of pocket for any injuries or damages. If you're caught driving without car
insurance it could cost you twice as much (or more) as what you would have spent for one
year of auto insurance. If you're trying to save money, cut your budget from somewhere
else. This could be a very expensive gamble!







COMMUNICATING WITH OTHER ROAD USERS

As children, we are always taught to share. If you have a brother, sister, cousin, or friend
you are told that you have to share your toys. Your parents don't insist that you give your
toys away, but they do remind you that there are other children around and you shouldn't
be selfish. Maybe you play with one toy for fifteen minutes and then switch toys with your
friends. Even at this young age you learn to communicate and share so everyone is happy.
Well, these rules still hold true when you're an adult, especially on the road. We share the
road with other drivers and pedestrians. With this sharing comes communication. We all
have to communicate with one another, whether it's with appropriate hand signals, using
your turn signals or making eye contact. Any time you are going to change your course
you should make sure the vehicles and when applicable, the pedestrians around you
know what you're up to.


Turn signals: Turn signals are the most common and easiest way to communicate your
intentions to others. Letting people know that you are going to turn or change lanes
allows time to make a decision about what they should do.

Eye contact: Eye contact is especially useful when communicating with pedestrians. Eye
contact can be reassuring for pedestrians when they are trying to cross the street. It's the
best way to let them know that you see them.

Flashing headlights: This is an effective way to get someone's attention especially at night.
Just be cautious about using this method directly in people's eyes. The bright light of the
high beams can be blinding.

Horn: The horn is the most used and abused communication tool. You should only use
your horn to warn others of a problem on the road or to let another driver or pedestrian
know you're there. This doesn't mean you charge ahead, assuming everyone else on the
road knows you're coming. If a car is backing out of a driveway, don't just honk your horn
and continue driving! The other driver still might not notice you. Slow down and make
sure the driver sees you before continuing. It's also important to remember that your
horn is not a self-expression tool. You should not use your horn to convey anger or
frustration at another driver! Unnecessary horns just frustrate everyone around!





BEING COURTEOUS

Part of sharing something, whether it's a toy or the road, is being courteous. Being
courteous means being polite and considerate. Remember, you are sharing the road, so
not only should you think about yourself but about everyone else on the road. After all, if
you're a courteous driver, it means you're a safe driver. If another driver is trying to
change lanes, give them the chance to do so. Don't speed up and try to stop them from
switching lanes! It can be frustrating if someone suddenly decides they have to change
their lane to exit the freeway. What's the point of being rude and not giving them the
chance to pass? What if that was you? What if you had to exit the freeway and if you
missed this exit, the next one wasn't for another three miles? Wouldn't you hope the other
drivers would be courteous and let you pass? You should always be courteous and treat
others the way you want to be treated. This means on the road too! If everyone on the
road were a little more polite and considerate, the road would be a safer place for
everyone using it.






FOLLOWING THE RULES OF THE ROAD

Imagine driving on a road where there were no rules. You could drive in any direction,
you didn't know when to stop or when to go, when you could turn or where you could
turn from. Imagine that you were surrounded by other drivers who had no idea if there
were any rules or what they were. It's a scary thought, because this would be chaos.
What's even more frightening is that all these drivers have dangerous weapons - their
cars.

The only way to avoid chaos is to know the rules and to follow them. Sometimes it might
seem like there are too many rules to keep up with, but rules tell you how to behave as
well as what you can expect of other drivers. These rules make the road a safer place, so
learn them and follow them!


DEALING WITH ROAD HAZARDS

The road, often times, resembles an obstacle course. You have to be aware of other road
users as well as the challenges that the road itself presents. How many times have you
driven on a street and encountered a huge pothole or a stretch of road that needs to be re-
paved? How many times have you driven down the freeway at 60mph and have had a
cardboard box or a plastic bag making its way towards you? These hazards can be as
dangerous, if not more so, than other drivers, pedestrians, or road users. Apart from these
inanimate objects, you can also encounter other vehicles that suddenly stop. What's the
best way to deal with these hazards?

Always follow the rules of the road: The rules of the road have been implemented to keep
you and others safe. If you keep within the speed limit, for example, you are less likely to
get into a collision. If you maintain a safe following distance of at least three seconds
(covered further in Ch. 7), instead of tailgating the car in front you, you can spot a hazard
more easily. You'll also have more time to come to a stop.

Scan the road: You should also practice proper scanning techniques. Look forward at least
10-15 seconds ahead, use your peripheral vision to see to your side and your mirrors to
see behind you. You obviously should keep your eyes on the road, but make sure you also
know what’s happening everywhere else. Is the car two cars ahead slowing down? Is the
pedestrian at the intersection up ahead about to cross? Is a car coming up behind you
really fast? If you’re properly scanning ahead, to the sides and behind you, you’ll see the
hazard earlier on; this will give you more time to think and react.

React to the hazard: Once you've scanned the road and realized you can't avoid the
hazard, think quickly. Accept that there's a hazard and make a quick decision. Use your
best judgment. Think about who or what is around you. Is it better to slow down, stop or
swerve? The more experienced you are as a driver, the more you'll have honed these
skills. But never take your experience for granted. Anything can surprise you.



POOR DRIVING CONDITIONS


Poor weather and road conditions make driving more complicated. Bad weather makes it
harder to see and be seen. It makes the roads slippery. This especially becomes a problem
if you don't have experience driving in extreme weather. The best thing to do is to avoid
driving in bad weather. Listen to or watch the weather report. If it appears that the
conditions are going to be especially dangerous, wait for the weather to improve. This
isn't always possible, however, so make sure you're prepared!

Be Prepared
The best way to be prepared is to know what to expect before you get into the car. Listen
to a current weather report. Are you anticipating heavy rains? Do your windshield wipers
work? If the roads are going to be slippery, do your tires have enough traction? If it's
going to snow or you're expecting ice on the road, do you have tire chains? It's important
to check that you have all your safety equipment and that it's all functioning properly.

On the Road
Once you've checked all your safety equipment and you get on the road, you should take
as many precautions as you can.

See and be seen: Just like the hippest celebrity hangouts ask that you see and be seen, so
does the road in extreme weather. Use your low beam headlights and fog lights, if you
have them, for the most visibility with least glare. High beam headlights will only reflect
back and make it even harder to see. Turn on your wipers and defroster to keep the
windshield as clear as possible. If needed you may have to stop to clean mud or snow off
the headlights and windows.

Slow down: Posted speed limits apply to perfect driving conditions. If you're driving in
bad weather, you should drive slowly. Don't assume that either you or your vehicle can
handle all conditions while moving at the speed limit. Even four-wheel and front-wheel
drive vehicles can encounter trouble on the winter road and have a difficult time avoiding
danger. If you're driving at high speeds in heavy rain, you could hydroplane. In other
words, your car could actually lift and travel on a thin layer of water that has formed
between the tire and the road. We're not comic book heroes, our cars should not be lifting
off the ground! Drive slowly and stay safe.

Pull over and wait it out: Sometimes the fog or rain is just too much to continue driving
safely no matter how careful or prepared you are. For your safety and the safety of those
around you, it is best to pull off the road and wait until conditions improve. A roadside
diner or gas station is a great spot to kill some time while waiting for the weather to
improve. If you must stop on the shoulder of the road because you have no other choice,
be sure to pull completely off the road and turn off your lights including the brake lights,
so that other drivers do not mistake you for a moving car and drive into you.

Deep water: Always use a lower gear if you're driving after a heavy rainstorm or through
any kind of deep water. But never drive through water that is more than a few inches
deep. If you estimate it will be over the bottom of your vehicle, do not enter it. If it is only
a few inches deep, accelerate gently to reduce the chances of stalling. After crossing the
water, check the brakes by pressing the brake pedal gently. If the brakes are wet, drive
slowly and apply the brakes while having your foot gently on the accelerator. This will dry
your brakes after several seconds.

Avoiding and managing skids: Your car can easily skid in icy, snowy, or rainy conditions.
You can avoid skidding by decreasing your speed and braking gently. Sometimes, even
this might not be enough. Skidding can take you by surprise. Instead of panicking be
prepared, use quick judgment and react appropriately. Don't let the skid take control of
your vehicle! Instead you should control the skid. Quickly determine which direction the
rear of your car is skidding and turn your wheel towards that direction. Pump brakes
intermittently and continue to steer in the correct direction to take control.





CHILD ENDANGERMENT

Children are a part of the population most susceptible to physical and emotional harm.
For this reason governments pass laws specifically to protect them. These laws are
intended to ensure the safety of children, inside and outside the home. Child
endangerment laws make it a crime to endanger the health or life of a child through an
adult's indifference or carelessness. Some of these laws are intended to protect children
while they are riding in cars.

Before Driving
As children, we all loved to play hide and seek. Some of us played in the house, hiding in
closets or even cabinets we could fit in. Some of us played outside, hiding behind trees,
parked cars and in garages. Whenever you are about to enter your vehicle and drive off
remember to check behind it and around it for children. It's not only the people that you
see standing behind the vehicle that you need to be careful of, but also the people you
can't see - in this case, children. They could be hiding behind or around a car, getting their
ball, or even just walking. Their size makes them especially vulnerable to these senseless
collisions. Before driving off, make sure no one is behind or around the car.

Car Seats
If you have a child as a passenger who is under the age of eight years and under 4 feet 9
inches tall, he or she must be restrained in an appropriate child restraint system in the
back seat of the car. There are important exceptions to this rule (covered further in Ch.
11).



Leaving Children Unattended
Once you reach your destination, never leave a child six years of age or younger
unattended in a car, unless there is someone who is at least 12 years old to supervise. This
is considered child endangerment and a possible felony. You could be jeopardizing the
safety and the life of the child and even others around the vehicle.

When you leave a child in the car, you threaten his or her life. You might think that the
child is safe. He or she is locked in the car, safe from any potential predators. You're
wrong. In this instance, the car itself can transform into a predator. The temperatures in a
car, even on a cool day can be dangerous. A car is a small, enclosed space that traps a lot of
heat. Even if you crack open the windows, this is not enough to circulate the air in the car.
Don't risk the life of a child. Just take them with you.





A child's own curiosity can also pose a threat. Kids love playing with buttons and knobs.
The temptation to touch and press is heightened in adult environments, especially cars.
Even if a child has been in a car with you dozens of times, and on each occasion, you've
told them that they shouldn't touch anything, once you're away, a child's curiosity can
take over. What if he or she shifts the car into neutral? The car would roll away,
endangering the child's life and the lives of those around them. Why would you take this
chance?




DEALING WITH OTHER ROAD USERS

Sometimes we forget that people in cars are not the only road users. People can be
walking, cycling, or riding motorcycles. We all share the road and should ensure one
another's safety. Since cars are the largest and most powerful road users, drivers need to
be especially cautious and considerate of other road users.

Pedestrian Safety
Pedestrians are the most vulnerable and least trained road users. While you are driving in
your car, in a relatively safe and protected environment, pedestrians are on the road,
without the same protection of a vehicle that you have. In fact, pedestrian deaths occur in
17% of all traffic fatalities. Drivers have to be especially cautious and considerate of
pedestrians.

Different types of pedestrians: Pedestrians are not just adults walking along the street.
They include skateboarders and joggers who may suddenly jump onto the street.
Pedestrians can be children. They too can be unpredictable. You should watch out for
them especially around schools, playgrounds, and residential areas. Contrary to the
spontaneity of the children, the elderly and physically or visually impaired take longer
deciding and actually crossing the road. Be patient with them.

Some guidelines for sharing the road with pedestrians:

Pedestrians have the right-of-way in ALL crosswalks - both marked and unmarked.
Don't pass a vehicle that has stopped at a crosswalk. A pedestrian you can't see may be
crossing the road.
Don't stop inside the crosswalk. This is a pedestrian's safe space. By entering this space
with your vehicle, you are endangering the pedestrian.
Don't forget the importance of eye contact! If a pedestrian has made eye contact with you,
he or she is ready to cross the street.



Bicycle Safety
In many ways, cyclists resemble pedestrians. They're untrained road users and equally
vulnerable to the powerful force of a moving vehicle.

Check for cyclists before making turns or lane changes. Remember, it's not just other
vehicles that are on the road. A cyclist could be right next to you as you change your lane
or when you open your door when you've parked your car. Let them know your position
and intentions and learn to anticipate theirs.

They don't take up much space on the road, but that doesn't mean you should crowd
around them! Give them plenty of space when passing. Be especially careful when making
right turns since bicycle lanes are often located at the far right of the road. Don't get into
the bicycle lane until the last 200 feet before the turn. Never try to overtake a cyclist while
making your turn! Wait for the cyclist to pass and merge into the lane behind him or her.

Three Feet for Safety Act (VC 21760)
Starting September 16, 2014, the driver of a motor vehicle overtaking or passing a
bicyclist going in the same direction on a highway shall do so at a safe distance that does
not interfere with the safety of the bicyclist. The driver must have due regard for the size
and speed of the motor vehicle and bicycle, traffic conditions, weather, visibility, and the
surface and width of the highway.

He must allow a distance of at least three feet between any part of the vehicle and any
part of the bicycle or its operator.
If it is not possible to leave three feet distance because of traffic or roadway conditions,
then the driver shall slow to a speed that is reasonable and prudent and may pass only
when doing so would not endanger the bicyclist.
If a collision occurs between the driver and the bicyclist and the bicyclist is injured, the
driver could be fined $220 if he is found guilty of violating this law.

Helmet Law: California law requires that bicycle riders under the age of 18 wear an
approved helmet that is properly fitted and fastened while riding.

Motorcycle Safety
Just because a motorcyclist is riding a motorized vehicle does not mean he or she is any
match for a car. In a sense, they are at greater risk. They might be able to move more
quickly than a pedestrian or cyclist but they're still small and less visible. This makes it
difficult to determine exactly how fast they're going and how far away they are. You might
be tempted to assume their distance and speed but don't take a chance. You should
always be extra careful around motorcyclists and be aware of the following:

Changing lanes: Just as with cyclists, make sure you watch out for motorcyclists when you
change lanes or turn left. They can seem to appear out of nowhere so watch out for them.
Keep in mind that turn signals don't turn off automatically on most motorcycles; you must
make sure the rider is actually turning before you turn in front of him. He may have
forgotten to turn his signal off and doesn't plan on turning.

Following motorcycles: Be sure to allow at least a four-second following distance when
driving behind a motorcycle. If you follow too closely, you might distract the rider from
paying attention to the road. Allow the motorcycle the entire width of the lane. A
motorcycle is smaller than a car but for the sake of the rider's safety, you should allow
them the entire space. The rider may move around the lane to increase his or her chances
of seeing and being seen as well as to avoid obstacles. Just as with cyclists, don't try to
overtake a motorcycle in the same lane. If the rider crashes, it's your fault.

Poor Weather and Road Conditions: Be extra careful around motorcycles when road
conditions are poor. Bad weather, gravel, mud, or ice on the road makes it harder for all
road users, but it is even worse for motorcyclists. They don't have the balance and
stability of a four-wheeled vehicle and are more likely to skid on slippery roads.

Instruction Permit: Motorcycle (VC 12509.5)
If you are trying to obtain a motorcycle instruction permit, the law now lays out age-
specific requirements. For example, if you are under the age of 21, you must complete the
motorcycle safety course administered by the CHP.

Helmet Law: California law requires that the driver and passenger of a motorcycle wear
an approved helmet that is properly fastened while riding.




Driving is an enormous responsibility. Your safety and the safety of those around you are
in your hands. A drowsy bob of the head, a quick turn to the back seat to check on your
dog that's running around, or your insistence to drive in bad weather conditions could
have horrible repercussions. Don't take unnecessary chances! Don't risk your life or the
life of other road users by making bad decisions.






Chapter 6: Driving Maneuvers


Drivers need to have the appropriate skill set to drive. These skills come with experience,
but there are certain maneuvers that every driver needs to practice and master. Mastery
of these technical skills will make the road safer for everyone.

BACKING UP
Backing up is one of the most important and most used driving maneuvers. When you
think about backing up, you probably think about moving out of a parking space. But you
also have to back up when you get out of a driveway or when you parallel park. Even
though it's one of the most common driving maneuvers, it's also one of the most difficult.
It requires that you shift your body into an awkward and uncomfortable position while
steering the car backwards. This is not easy, but you can master this skill.

Check behind the Vehicle
You might assume that backing up begins once you are in the car, behind the wheel, with
your body in the appropriate position. Backing up actually involves a few more steps even
before you open your car door.

Before getting into your vehicle always check behind the car. You never know when
children might be playing behind the car. You will not be able to see them when you are
sitting behind the wheel, so check for them beforehand. You should also look behind the
vehicle for broken glass or any other objects that might damage your car, especially your
tires.



Head and Body Position
Once you've done the initial check, you need to know how to position yourself while
backing up. When reversing always place your left hand at 12 o'clock on the steering
wheel. The position of your head should match the direction into which you are backing
up. When backing into a right turn or going straight, turn your torso and head to the right
until you can see out the rear window. When backing into a left turn, place your right
hand at 12 o'clock and turn your torso and head to the left until you can see to the left
rear. It is important that you actually turn your body to look out the back window; do not
simply rely on the rearview mirror. There are blind spots that won't allow you to have a
complete view of the back of the car. As you're backing up you should check all around the
car as well. The only way you can do this is if you turn your head. The rearview mirrors
are not enough!


Steering
You should avoid making a sharp turn while backing up. Backing up is already a
complicated maneuver, no need to make it more difficult! If you have to make a sharp
turn, reduce your speed and back up carefully. Backing up requires that you maintain
complete control of the car and remain extremely vigilant. This means you should back up
slowly. If you are driving at a very slow speed, you will have enough time to react if an
obstacle appears. You should be even more cautious if you're going to make a sharp turn
while backing. Your vision will be very limited and you have to be sure that you have a
clear view of everything behind you and around you.

If you are going to back around a corner into the flow of traffic make sure you have
another person outside the vehicle to guide you. Not only will this person help you back
up, but their presence outside the vehicle will communicate your intention to other
drivers.

Tight Spaces
Try to avoid parking in tight spaces. Before you park, make sure you will have plenty of
room to back up. In parking lots, find spaces that do not require backing up. If it's possible
drive through one space into a second where you can drive out when it's time to leave.
Even if you have been driving for years, backing up is a difficult maneuver. Don't take
unnecessary risks! If you do have to back up out of a tight space, use your mirrors and
your passengers to help you navigate. It's always helpful to have another set of eyes. This
will allow you to back up more comfortably.





CHANGING LANES

Along with backing up, changing lanes is one of the most used driving maneuvers. Just
because we change lanes on a daily basis does not mean it's easy. It can be tricky and
dangerous. It's important to know when you can change lanes and how you can change
lanes safely. There are a number of reasons why a driver might choose to change lanes:

You plan to turn at the upcoming intersection and need to get into the appropriate lane.
The vehicle in front of you is driving slower than the speed limit and you would like to
pass them safely.
Your lane is ending and you need to merge.
You notice an obstacle or hazard up ahead and would like to avoid it.

If you have to or want to change lanes, plan ahead. Make sure you have ample space to
make the change. Check the vehicle ahead of you and the speed of the vehicle behind you.
Check for vehicles in the lane you will be entering.

1. Check Mirrors
Before changing lanes, make sure it's safe to change. Look around you and scan for
pedestrians, cyclists, other cars or obstacles that might pose a problem. Use your side and
rearview mirrors to check your surroundings.

2. Check Blind Spots
Checking your mirrors is not enough. Everyone also has two blind spots that are two gaps
in our visual field that restrict us from seeing everything. These blind spots are large
enough to hide a pedestrian or even another vehicle. The only way you can be sure that it
is safe for you to change lanes is to turn your head to the left and right. The side and
rearview mirrors are helpful and necessary but they don't reflect the full picture. So turn
your head and check your blind spots!





3. Signal
Once you've checked your mirrors and your blind spots and decided that it's safe to
change lanes, you should activate your turn signal continuously for 100 feet before
changing lanes. Lights and turn signals are an important means of communication. When
you activate your turn signal, you're telling other drivers that you plan to change lanes.
Don't just flick it on briefly. Leave your turn signal on until you've successfully changed
lanes so that all other road users can see your signal. If you're on the freeway, signal five
seconds before changing lanes.

4. Adjust Speed to Enter and Stay
Re-check your surroundings. Check the space you'll be moving into. You should have
enough room to enter without disrupting the flow of traffic. Other cars should not have to
slow down, speed up or change lanes because you are entering the lane. If you have
decided you have ample room and time, adjust your speed to match the speed of the lane
you will be entering. Make the transition as smooth as possible. Don't jerk into the lane!
Move into the new lane gradually by moving the steering wheel slightly. Never slow down
unnecessarily. This could cause other vehicles behind you to get closer and even cause a
collision.

5. Cancel Signal
After you've changed your lane, maintain your speed and cancel your signal. If you don't
cancel your signal, other drivers might think you're planning another lane change. Don't
confuse them!




PASSING

If you decide to pass a driver, always use good judgment and think and act quickly. You
often have a small window of time to pass, so it's essential that you decide the best course
and take action. If you are being passed, don't turn into an aggressive driver and speed up.
You should do everything you can to avoid a collision and to avoid being caught in one.


Deciding When It is Safe and Legal to Pass
Before passing, you should remember the rules of passing. Just like any other driving
maneuver you should be sure that it is completely safe to pass. Before you pass, take a
look ahead and check for road conditions or traffic that may cause other vehicles to move
into your lane. If you cannot see far enough ahead, don't take the chance and pass. You
don't know what lies ahead or why the other vehicles have slowed down or stopped. It's
safer if you wait until you can see ahead. Never drive off the paved road and do not drive
on the shoulder to pass. This is dangerous, illegal and can damage your car.

As a general rule, you should pass on the left. You can pass on the right if:

you are on a freeway
the vehicle you're going to pass is making a left
you are on a one-way road
you don't drive off the pavement or the main-traveled part of the road


When You Should NOT Pass
There are many reasons and situations that call for drivers NOT to pass:

You may not pass other vehicles when approaching within 100 feet of an intersection or
railroad crossing.
You may not pass as you approach a hill or the curve of a road if your view is blocked in a
way that would prevent you from seeing an oncoming vehicle.
You may not pass if your view is blocked as you approach within 100 feet of a bridge,
viaduct or tunnel.

But it is also illegal to pass when you simply can't see far enough ahead or do not have
enough space to pass or whenever the pass creates a real danger for other road users
involved. That is why it is safest to avoid passing unless you have no doubt that it can be
done safely.

One very important situation where you should absolutely never pass is when
approaching a school bus with red signal lights flashing. The flashing red lights tell
drivers that the bus is loading or unloading children. And since children can be
unpredictable, you have to stop and wait for the bus driver to turn the flashing lights off.
Be patient and wait for the flashing lights to stop. Once the lights are off and you begin to
drive, do so very carefully. Look around and make sure there aren't any children that
might be crossing the road or standing around the bus. You never know when a child may
step into the street. You do not have to stop if the bus is on the opposite side of a physical
barrier or divider such as a divided highway or multi-lane highway.


How Do You Decide When It is Safe to Pass?
Before passing you should decide whether or not you can pass safely. First, realize that it
will take at least several seconds and several hundred feet (depending on your speed) to
pass successfully. Choose to pass only when the oncoming vehicle is more than double
this distance from you. As a general rule the oncoming car should be at least 10-12
seconds away - At 55 mph, this is 1600 feet, or 1/3 of a mile. If the car is any closer, trying
to make a pass could end up in a head on collision. Check ahead and make sure you can
identify an end of pass gap to pull back into. Be mentally prepared for possible problem
and have a plan for how you will handle it.



Steps for Successful Passing
One you've decided it is safe to pass, take the following steps to ensure that you pass
safely and successfully.

1. Scan the road: Just as you would for other driving maneuvers, scan the road for
hazards. Check the situation of the oncoming vehicles, vehicles approaching from the rear
and merging vehicles. Also check your mirrors and left blind spot.

2. Is there enough space ahead? Then determine if you have enough time and space to
pass safely. If you are driving 50 to 55 mph, you need a 10-12 second gap in oncoming
traffic in order to complete the maneuver. At that speed your car and the oncoming car
will each travel 800 feet. So you need at least 1600 feet (1/3 of a mile) between your
vehicle and any oncoming vehicle to pass safely. It's difficult to judge the speed of a
vehicle that far away because it will look like it is standing still. In fact, if you see it moving
closer to you then that should tell you that it is too close for you to start passing. If you
have the slightest doubt, do not attempt the pass! Be patient and wait for another
opportunity.

3. Make your move quickly: If you feel the situation is safe, activate your signal to show
your intent to pass and warn the driver ahead. Accelerate to obtain a speed advantage.
Recheck the situation ahead including your blind spot. Steer into the passing lane keeping
your eye on the situation ahead and the vehicle you are passing.

4. Return to your lane: Check your rear view mirror. When you are able to see both front
tires of the vehicle you are passing, activate your turn signal. Check the blind spot and
steer into the right lane without reducing your speed. Turn off your signal and ease off the
accelerator to meet the flow of traffic. If another vehicle is passing yours, don't be
discourteous and aggressive! Don't speed up, instead maintain or decrease your speed
yield to the other driver.





HYDROPLANING

It's a cold, rainy day in California. It's been raining for days and it seems like it's never
going to stop. Maria wakes up to the sounds of heavy rain. It's the worst rainfall yet. She
thinks to herself, "If I didn't have to go to work, I would stay home. But I have to get to
work..." She gets dressed and leaves the house. Maria is a careful driver, especially in poor
conditions. Even she can't expect what happens next though. All of a sudden, she feels as
though she's flying. It's as though the wheels of the car aren't touching the ground. She
quickly realizes what's happening: her car is hydroplaning.

What is Hydroplaning?
Hydroplaning can be a frightening experience. It can feel like you've lost control of the car.
Your steering wheel will feel loose and your car will begin to slide. When you're
hydroplaning, it means that your tires are no longer touching the ground. Your car is
floating on top of the water on the road.

When Is It Most Likely to Happen?
As we saw with Maria, hydroplaning is most likely to occur if you're driving in heavy
rains. It could also happen while you're driving through large puddles. The reason you
hydroplane is because there is so much water on the road that your tires can't push
through it. It's not just the amount of water though. You are more likely to hydroplane if
you are driving fast in these poor road conditions and have worn out tires.

How Can You Avoid It?
Hydroplaning can happen anytime the roads are wet. There are some steps you can take
however to avoid it. Maintaining your tires is essential to avoiding hydroplaning. Keep
your tires inflated properly and ensure that you have good tire tread. If your tires are
worn out, replace them! You're more likely to hydroplane if you drive fast. If the roads are
wet, slow down and avoid puddles. Finally, try to follow the cars in front of you and drive
in their tire tracks. Your tires are more likely to stay in contact with the road if cars in
front of you have pushed away some of the water on the road.

How Can You Recover?
While following these precautions drastically reduces your likelihood of hydroplaning, it
could still happen. If you do hydroplane, don't panic! Do not make any sudden moves such
as braking or turning. This could make you skid. Gently ease your foot off the gas until the
car slows down. Your tires should touch the road soon thereafter. If you need to brake, do
it gently by pumping the brakes.




FISH-TAILING
Imagine you're driving on an icy road and suddenly your car starts shaking and wobbling.
The back of your car is skidding to one side! You feel like you have lost control of the car.
What's happening?


What is Fishtailing?

When you feel like the back of the car is skidding or moving in a different direction from
the front of the car, you're fishtailing. This means that the rear wheels have lost traction.
You might be able to hear the gas splashing around in the tank. This is scary and
dangerous. Not only do you feel like you've lost control but your car could turn around
completely or get thrown into oncoming traffic.

When Is It Most Likely to Happen?
Since fishtailing happens when your rear wheels lose traction, it's most likely to happen
when you are driving on low friction surface such as snow or ice. You are more likely to
fishtail if you are driving at high speeds or brake suddenly. If you drive a rear-wheel drive
car, you are more likely to fishtail, but front-wheel drive vehicles could fishtail too.

How Can You Avoid It?
If you're driving on low friction roads, drive slowly. Do not brake suddenly and take your
turns slowly. Just like hydroplaning, it's the rapid movements in bad road conditions that
cause you to lose control.

How Can You Recover?
If you do fishtail, stay calm and don't overcorrect the problem. Ease off the gas pedal and
steer in the direction of the skid. For example, if your rear is skidding to the left steer to
the left. Don't steer too far to the left though. This can cause your car to skid in the
opposite direction, making your car look like a wriggling fish. As with any other skid,
don't brake suddenly. You'll just make it worse! If you fishtail while you're driving in
traffic, try to stay away from oncoming traffic by steering the skid to the side of the road,
away from traffic.

UNEVEN SURFACES
John is driving after some heavy rains. He's glad he was able to avoid driving in bad
weather. He didn't have to leave the house that day and decided to stay home instead of
risking the possibility of hydroplaning or skidding. He was especially pleased with his
decision after he heard what happened to Maria. Once the rains stopped, he decided it
was time to go out and run his errands. He had to buy groceries and pick up his dry
cleaning. He didn't think he would have to face any obstacles now that the weather had
cleared up. Unfortunately, he was wrong. He was driving down his usual path and
suddenly felt like his car fell into something. What was that? He pulled over, worried he
had a flat tire. He checked his tires and they seemed fine. He then carefully inspected the
road and found a huge pothole. A part of the road, already worn from daily use, had sunk
in because of the heavy rain and formed a pothole!

While cities and counties try to maintain their roads as much as possible, drivers
occasionally encounter uneven surfaces. They may or may not be expecting them. In these
instances, drivers may lose control of their cars or damage them. There are a few road
conditions that all drivers should be wary of and should know how to maneuver.

Bad Pavement
Cracks, potholes or patches in the pavement reduce the contact between the tires and the
road and may cause you to lose some control of your vehicle. Bad pavement, if driven over
in high speeds can also damage your tires and your car's suspensions. You should always
be alert when driving. Try to identify bad pavement before you encounter it. Be vigilant
especially after heavy rains or snow. These weather conditions are more likely to stress
already worn roads, leading to cracks and potholes. Reduce your speed in order to give
yourself more time to see and deal with these obstacles. If you can, try to avoid them
completely by safely maneuvering around them. If you have to drive over them, brake
before your wheels get to the pothole and then release the brake pedal as you are rolling
over the pothole. Braking directly over a pothole can seriously damage your car's
suspension system.



DROP-OFFS
Drop-offs are either a small difference in height between the road and the shoulder or a
steep cliff. They restrict your ability to swerve onto the shoulder in an emergency or to
use the shoulder to park in case of breakdowns.

Where Are They?
Anytime a road does not have a "hard" paved shoulder it probably has a drop-off. They
can range from a few inches below the road into a large graveled area to 12 inches or
more. Rural and mountain areas are most likely to have drop-offs just because of the way
the road was created in the land.

How Can You Identify Them?
When you are driving on an unfamiliar road, take a quick look to the edge of the road. Is it
a drop-off or a hard shoulder? If it's a hard shoulder, it should look the same as the road.
In other words, the drop-off and the road will be paved in a similar way. If it does not look
like a paved shoulder, you should be careful. The steeper the drop-off, the more careful
you should be. If you are driving in a mountainous area for example, you might find
yourself driving on the side of a cliff. Don't drive fast! You don't want to lose control of the
car! Also, if there is any kind of malfunction with the car, such as a flat tire, you'll have
more control of this dangerous situation if you are driving at a slower speed.

How Can You Avoid Them?
If you know that the road you will be using has a drop-off, try to find an alternate route. If
this is not possible, drive slowly and stay as far away as you can from the edge of the road.





How Can You Recover?
You can recover from falling into a small drop-off. It can be tricky however. If there is
enough road ahead and the drop-off is not too steep, you can try to accelerate and then
turn the tires to get them back on the road. If the tire falls into a larger drop-off, you may
need a tow truck to get you out. If it falls off a cliff, your entire car will go down with it.

Drivers can't always see these uneven surfaces and drop-offs. You can combat these road
conditions by driving at reduced speeds, especially after bouts of bad weather. Always be
mentally prepared for these obstacles. The road is full of unexpected situations.

The best driver is both courteous and experienced. An experienced driver has mastered
all of these maneuvers and is prepared for any surprises. If a driver doesn't feel
comfortable with any of these maneuvers, he or she should practice them in a safe
environment. Mastering these maneuvers will make you an experienced driver and a
better road user.


SECTION 2 REVIEW QUIZ RESULTS

You answered 3 questions correctly and scored 75%.

Click on Continue below to start the next section.


1. Driving without minimum insurance in California puts you at risk for ______.
REVIEW
A. A warrant for your arrest
*B. $200 fine, car impounded, license suspended
C. Getting two points on your driving record
D. None of the above





2. How do defensive drivers communicate with other road users?
A. Use the horn only as a way to warn others of a problem on the road
or of their presence
B. Get their attention by using eye contact
C. Use turn signals at least 100 feet before turning or changing lanes
*D. All of the above

3. What is the best way to drive over a pothole if you can't swerve around it?
A. Brake only when you are directly over the pothole
B. Pump the brakes softly before and directly over the pothole
*C. Press the brakes and slow down before reaching the pothole but
then let go as you go over the pothole
D. Press the brakes only after you pass the pothole

4. If your car is hydroplaning you should ______.
A. Change lanes to get off the road
*B. Take your foot off the gas pedal to slow down
C. Press the brakes hard to slow down quickly
D. Turn on your hazards to warn other drivers








Chapter 7: Defensive Driving


What is defensive driving? The National Safety Council defines defensive driving as
"driving to save lives, time, and money, in spite of the conditions around you and the
actions of others." A good driver who has mastered driving maneuvers, is courteous on
the road and is familiar with the rules of the road. Drivers trained in defensive driving,
however, reduce the risks associated with driving by anticipating dangerous or
emergency situations and knowing how to respond to them.

PLANNING TRIPS
Defensive driving begins before you even get into your car. You should always be
prepared for an unexpected emergency or collision. You never know what will happen
while you are driving. Take the precautionary steps to ensure that you will be prepared
for a variety of situations. Think about your destination. What do you need? Do you know
how to get there? Should you write down the directions or program your GPS? Are you
worried about the weather? Have you given yourself enough time to reach your
destination? It seems like common sense to ask yourself these questions. Oftentimes
however we are in a rush to leave and forget to plan ahead. Then we get to a jammed
freeway, and scramble to figure out a detour, or realize our car is low on gas miles from a
gas station. Give yourself enough time to plan your trips; you'll be better prepared for any
surprises the road may have to offer! More importantly, you have the power to decrease
the number of surprises you might have to face.

Packing
Be prepared! Cars break down all the time. In fact, the Automobile Association of America
handles between 29 and 30 million calls every year from drivers stranded on highways. In
most instances, it's easy to get help. If you are on a secluded road however this might be a
little trickier. It might take some time for help to arrive. If it's late at night places might be
closed, making it more difficult to get help. Weather can also play a role in this. If you are
stuck in a snowstorm it's unlikely that you'll be able to get help immediately. Don't take a
chance! Pack the necessities in an emergency kit and always have it in the car.






Every emergency kit should have a first aid kit, a flashlight, a blanket, a navigation aid,
and some warm clothing. If you are stuck in the middle of nowhere in a heavy storm, you
want to be sure you can stay warm without the car's heater.

You should also take the additional step and pack some food and water. Obviously, it
would be a bad idea to pack sandwiches and fresh food and leave them in your car for an
indefinite period of time. What you can do however is pack some energy bars. These high
calorie bars provide long-term energy and while not the tastiest foods, they have a long
shelf life. You can keep them in your car for months without having to worry about them.

You have the food, but don't forget the water! Up to 60% of the human body is water.
While you might be able to survive a few days without food, you can't live without water.
Pack a few liter bottles and just leave them in the trunk. If you have a large family or
usually travel with many passengers, reconsider your supplies. You don't want to be
forced to share that one energy bar among five people because you forgot to pack more.

(Source: "10 Things that Should Always Be in Your Car," by Evan Griffin of MSN Autos)

Checking Road Conditions
A defensive driver always anticipates road conditions. While you cannot always predict a
traffic jam or a sudden thunderstorm, you can take some measures to better prepare for
extreme weather conditions, heavy traffic, or construction.

Weather
Mother Nature can be very unpredictable. A clear, beautiful day can transform into a
thunderstorm. Who would have guessed it was going to rain? You also can't judge the
weather in another part of town. While it might be sunny where you begin your journey, a
dark cloud may be looming over your destination, ready to descend. Always check the
weather forecast before leaving. Will it be raining? If so, are your windshield wipers in
proper working condition? Do you anticipate snow at any point today? Do you have the
necessary chains and know how to use them? Sometimes, even meteorologists are wrong
about the weather. Checking on the weather report however will still be more accurate
than simply looking out of a window!

Traffic and Road Construction
Much like weather, traffic jams can be unpredictable. You never know if a collision will
back up a freeway for miles. You can however plan your route based on current traffic
conditions. You can check for congestion, traffic jams, and road construction by listening
to your local news or doing a quick online search. If you can anticipate heavy traffic or
construction, you might rethink your plans. Are there any side streets you could use? How
about another freeway? Maybe you should leave earlier than you had planned? Planning
ahead will also make you a more relaxed driver. If you know to anticipate traffic and plan
accordingly, you're less likely to get angry or irritated while driving.


Inspect Your Vehicle
If you are planning on taking a long trip whether it's for a few hours or longer, make sure
your vehicle is the well-oiled machine it should be! Neglecting to do a basic maintenance
check could leave you stranded on the road. The most important areas you should check
before taking a trip are engine fluids, radiator hoses, belts, tires and brakes.

Engine fluids: Check your oil levels and the date you are due for another oil change. If it's
sometime soon, just change the oil before you leave on your trip. If you do take the car in
for an oil change, the mechanic could also check other fluids, such as the transmission
fluid.

Hoses and belts: Look under the hood and take a look at the hoses. They play an integral
part in keeping your car healthy and running. Do they have any cracks or blisters? If so,
it's better to change them than take a chance. You don't want to smell burnt rubber while
you are driving in the desert! The same rule applies for belts: if they appear torn or
cracked, get them changed before you get on the road.

Tire pressure and treading: Take a look at your tires, give them a gentle kick, and if you
have a tire pressure gauge, use it to measure the air pressure of your tires. Are they
properly inflated (Remember to check your vehicle's owner manual for the recommended
inflation)? While you are checking tire pressure, don't forget to inspect the treading of
your tires. Do they look worn? Consider changing them before you head out.

Spare tire: Even though you have checked your tires, the road is full of surprises. What if
you drive over a sharp object that deflates a tire? Make sure you have a spare tire. Spare
tires can be found in the trunk of a car or might be secured underneath. Check the tire
pressure and treads of this tire. A spare tire won't do you much good if it is deflated too!
Do you have a wheel wrench and jack? If not, go to the automotive store, pick them up and
keep them in the trunk of your car. Even if you don't know how to change a tire, they
might be useful to the Good Samaritan that helps you.

Brakes: Healthy brakes and brake fluid are essential for a safe trip. Check your brake fluid.
What color is it? Is it the color of maple syrup? If it is, that means the fluid is old and it will
start rusting your brakes. Change the fluid or have it changed. Don't forget to check the
brakes themselves. If they too are worn, have them changed.

By following these measures, you are sure to have a safer and more relaxing journey. Your
car will be less likely to break down, especially because of your carelessness.




AVOIDING PROBLEMS ON THE ROAD

The Importance of a Safe Following Distance
Once you get on the road, maintain a safe following distance between yourself and the car
in front of you. A safe following distance allows you to create a buffer zone; if the car in
front of you brakes suddenly, you will have enough space to brake without crashing into
it. What then is a safe following distance? How are you supposed to determine if you have
a sufficient buffer zone?





Three-Second Rule
If you are driving during the day, on dry roads and in low traffic, you should follow the
three-second rule for determining how much space to leave in front. How do you measure
three seconds? Choose a fixed object on the road such as a sign or tree. When the vehicle
ahead of you passes that object begin counting slowly "one-one thousand; two-one
thousand; three-one thousand." Don't cheat and rush with the counting! If you reach the
object before you have finished counting, you are following too closely. Slow down and try
the count again.

Four-Second-Plus Rule
Road conditions always change and a defensive driver knows to adjust his or her
strategies to accommodate these changes. What happens to the three-second rule when
perfect driving conditions become imperfect? If you are driving in heavy rain, if the roads
are wet or slippery, if you are driving in traffic or even if it's just dark outside, you should
increase your following distance to four or more seconds. If the weather is particularly
poor or there are several factors in play (it is dark out, heavy traffic, etc) then don't
hesitate to triple it to nine seconds. For your own safety and for the driver in front of you,
ensure that you can brake suddenly without causing a collision.

Increase Your Following Distance around Motorcycles
Motorcyclists are more vulnerable than drivers. They don't have the cushioned protection
of a car. They have their helmets and that's it. Sometimes it's difficult to gauge if a
motorcycle is slowing down. Furthermore, motorcycles are able to stop much more
quickly than cars. This means that if you are following a motorcycle too closely, the
motorcyclist will have stopped, but you will still be trying to stop. Inevitably, this will lead
to a collision which could be fatal for the motorcyclist. For this reason, you should use
extra caution when following a motorcycle. Follow at least a four second rule if you are
behind a motorcycle. Give yourself enough space to determine if a motorcycle is slowing
down. Allow yourself enough space from the motorcycle to even anticipate a stop. By
following the four second rule you will have enough time to react to any change in the
speed of the motorcycle.

Maintaining a safe following distance is the key to being a defensive driver and a good
driver. Following a car closely will not help you reach your destination any faster. It will
just aggravate the driver in front of you and endanger you and other road users.




AVOIDING PROBLEMS ON THE ROAD (continued)

Avoid Driving in Someone's Blind Spot
There are two areas around your vehicle that you cannot see called blind spots. These are
very dangerous areas! It's important to check your own blind spots before changing lanes
since other vehicles could be driving in them without being seen. If cars could be hiding
accidentally in your blind spots, you too could be hiding unintentionally in another car's
blind spots. A defensive driver will take that extra step and stay out of other drivers' blind
spots. The other driver may not turn his or her head as they should and end up hitting you
while switching lanes. Either slow down or speed up so you are not driving right next to
any cars.




Driving right next to other cars also poses another problem: it doesn't give you the
opportunity to maneuver in case of an emergency. Imagine you are driving on the freeway
and a large cardboard box is flying at your car. Your only option is to swerve out of your
lane. If you have decided to drive in bunches with other vehicles, you can't go anywhere.
You are forced to drive ahead, slow down, and hope that you win this game of chicken
with the box. Whether it's following the three-second rule or ensuring that you are not
driving in clusters of traffic, always allow yourself room to maneuver. This way, you will
be prepared for the unexpected.


Be Prepared to Escape a Problem
Pablo and John are driving on the freeway, on their way home from the beach. They spent
all day at Santa Monica with a group of friends. While everyone else decided to leave
earlier, John and Pablo being good defensive drivers decided to wait for traffic to calm
down. They know that you are less likely to get into a collision if you avoid rush hour.
Once they left the beach, traffic was significantly better, however, there were still quite a
few cars on the road. John was driving. He not only followed the three-second-plus rule (it
was dark, after all) but he also kept looking around, making sure he wasn't in anyone's
blind spot. After driving for fifteen minutes, they noticed that a car was approaching them
rapidly. Both John and Pablo knew that tailgating was a problem especially on the
freeway. They both assumed that was all it was, a stubborn tailgater refusing to abide by
the three-second rule. After looking up at the car again, they noticed he was right behind
them and did not seem to be slowing down. Was there something wrong with his brakes?
Or was this an example of road rage? Whatever it was, they did not want to find out how
far this would go. The other driver was approaching them too quickly. John quickly
signaled that he would change lanes, checked his mirrors, looked both ways and switched
lanes. This evasive action saved John and Pablo from a dangerous collision.

A defensive driver is always prepared to escape a sudden problem or obstacle. In this
case, the threat came from behind the car. In most cases, however, drivers must be
prepared for what lies ahead or next to them. What should you do if a driver stops
suddenly? If you are alert enough and have given yourself enough space, then you should
be able to brake as well. But what if you can't? You must think and act quickly. Your other
option is to switch lanes. This of course is only possible if you are not driving directly
alongside other vehicles. Evasive actions require fast thinking and fast acting. They also
require you to plan ahead. In other words, to maintain a safe following distance and plan a
set of escape routes all around you. If John had decided to drive alongside other cars on
the freeway, he would not have had room to switch lanes and the car behind him may
have crashed into him. John however is a defensive driver. Even though he did not expect
such an incident, he prepared ahead. He gave himself a number of escape routes, in
anticipation of such a hazard. Even if you don't think you'll need this escape plan, always
have one ready and be ready to implement it. You never know what lies ahead or even
what might be coming up from behind you!




AVOIDING PROBLEMS ON THE ROAD (continued)

Increase Your Car's Visibility: Drive with Your Headlights on during the Day



One of the easiest ways you can avoid a collision is by making sure that other drivers and
road users can see you. It is every driver's responsibility to look around and check for
other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and obstacles. But it is also every driver's
responsibility to make sure they can be seen. All cars are equipped with lighting to help
drivers see and make sure the vehicle can be seen by others. You should use the
headlights when it is cloudy, foggy, raining or snowing, on frosty mornings when other
drivers' windows may be icy or foggy, and on small country or mountain roads. You
should use headlights any time you have trouble seeing other cars because they're
probably having trouble seeing you too! In fact, the law requires you to turn on your
headlights whenever weather conditions prevent you from clearly seeing a person or
other motor vehicle on the highway from a distance of 1000 feet, or when driving in
conditions that require your windshield wipers to be in continuous use.

What about when you are driving during the day? It's another beautiful, sunny day in
California. Do you need to use headlights? Can everyone see you? They can, but with all
the other things they are looking at, they might not pay enough attention to your car. After
a while, your car could look like it's blending into the background. Having your headlights
on just adds an extra layer to the scene to call attention to yourself. Even though the law
does not require it, it is a good idea to drive with your headlights on all the time, even on
sunny days. This will help other drivers see you and may help you avoid a head-on
collision. But don't forget to turn them off when you park!





AVOIDING PROBLEMS ON THE ROAD (continued)

Avoid Lane Changes near Intersections
Intersections are the most dangerous areas of the highway system. They are defined as
any location where two roads cross or join. The right-of-way rules must be applied at
these crossroads. There are two kinds of intersections: controlled and uncontrolled.
Controlled intersections have signs or signals posted or a traffic control officer to control
the flow of traffic and help determine the right-of-way. Uncontrolled intersections do not
have signs, signals or a traffic control officer directing the flow of traffic.



Whether intersections are controlled or not, they are the centers of much activity. It is at
the intersection where oncoming cars will be turning left, where cars in your lane will be
turning right and where some cars will attempt u-turns. For this reason, it is best to avoid
lane changes in or near intersections. These are already dangerous situations. Do not add
another element of danger. Changing lanes near an intersection can lead to a
misunderstanding among drivers. A driver planning to make a left turn has scanned the
road for hazards. He or she assumes that drivers approaching the intersection will stay in
their lanes until after they have passed the intersection. In most cases, they decide
whether or not they can turn safely based on this assumption. If you decide to change
lanes just as you approach the intersection, or even worse in the intersection, you are
confusing the other driver. This could cause a collision. Instead of endangering yourself
and others, wait to pass the intersection then change lanes.




AVOIDING PROBLEMS ON THE ROAD (continued)

Scanning for Hazards
You can easily avoid problems and collisions on the road by carefully looking all around
your car (scanning) for hazards. By looking far enough ahead and keeping your eyes
moving, you are able to anticipate any problems and give yourself more time to deal with
them. In order to scan the road fully, you should repeat these steps:

When looking ahead, don't just stare at the car in front of you. Aim your gaze around 10 to
15 seconds ahead so you can see problems with enough time to decide what to do. Do you
see brake lights up ahead, even before the car in front of you brakes? You can start
slowing down and preparing your next move.
Use your peripheral vision to scan the sides of your car. Your peripheral vision will help
you determine if a car is trying to switch lanes or if any sudden changes have taken place
around you.
Use your mirrors to help you see what's happening behind you and around you. Is a car
speeding toward you? Should you change lanes?
Repeat the above steps until you arrive at your destination.

LOOK OUT FOR: Parked Vehicles Moving into Traffic
It happens so often. You are driving and all of a sudden a car jumps in front of you. Where
did it come from? If you did not see a car exit a driveway, then that leaves only one other
alternative: the car was parked. It's common sense that the driver of a parked car will
eventually return to his or her car and get back on the road. These cars don't stay parked
forever! Yet they continue to surprise other drivers. A defensive driver will scan the road
for just such a hazard. As you are driving, continue to look ahead. Take advantage of your
peripheral vision as well, which allows you to see out of the corner of your eye. Are any
drivers entering their parked cars? They might be unlocking their car doors to retrieve
something; or they might be getting ready to leave. This should be enough of a clue that a
new car will be merging with traffic. Just to be safe pass this car slowly. Brake lights are
also a big clue. The driver might have just pulled into a parking spot; or he might have just
turned his car on and is preparing to join the road.



If you are driving in the lane closest to the parked cars, regularly scan the road for these
signs. Is anyone entering a parked vehicle? Were brake lights or turn signals activated in a
parked vehicle? These are clear signs that a parked car may soon merge with traffic. If you
see these signs, slowdown in case a car does pull out in front of you. If a car has activated
their turn signal, be courteous and let them merge. Don't be aggressive and hog the road.
This is not only rude but it can also be dangerous. You properly scanned the road and
anticipated this car's intentions. The driver behind you might not have been so diligent
and might have missed the signals. If you don't allow the car to merge, the driver might
try to merge behind you and crash into the car behind you. You might get caught in a
collision you could have easily prevented.

LOOK OUT FOR: Vehicles Taking Your Right-of-Way at Intersections
Another common hazard is a vehicle that is taking your right-of-way at an intersection.
There is a set of right-of-way rules that all vehicles should follow. By doing so you
decrease the likelihood of a collision.

A vehicle going straight has the right-of-way over a vehicle turning left.
A vehicle with a left turn arrow (a type of protected turn, discussed further in Ch. 12) has
the right-of-way over a vehicle going straight.
A vehicle already in the intersection has the right-of-way over other vehicles just getting
there.
At a 4-way stop ( a type of controlled intersection, discussed further in Ch. 12), the driver
reaching the intersection first gets to go first.
When two or more cars arrive at an intersection at the same time, the right-of-way should
be given to the car on the right.
At an intersection where there are no traffic signs or signals (an uncontrolled
intersection, discussed further in Ch. 12), the vehicle on your right has the right-of-way
and should go first.
Vehicles entering a main road from a minor road, private road or driveway must yield to
all traffic and pedestrians on the main road.

These laws are intended to clarify any confusion at an intersection. Unfortunately, some
road users might overlook these right-of-way laws or simply forget. Imagine you are the
first to reach a four-stop intersection. Another car drives up to the intersection a few
seconds after you. You are about to step on the gas pedal when you realize that the other
driver has decided to start accelerating. Instead of accelerating yourself, yield to the other
driver. Even though you do have the right-of-way, the other driver has refused to grant it
to you. Don't risk a collision to prove a point! Since you were scanning the road, you
noticed the other driver accelerating. If you were not using this defensive driving
technique, you could have risked a collision. Defensive driving coupled with common
sense saved you from a crash!

LOOK OUT FOR: Inattentive Driver or Erratic Driving
In many senses, the greatest hazards are inattentive drivers or those driving erratically.
Inattentive drivers are most often distracted drivers. These are the drivers who are
fiddling with the radio or their GPS. They might be daydreaming about the rest of their
day, about a trip they have planned or about what they are going to have for lunch.
Obviously, these thoughts are not more important than the task at hand - driving. If you
are a skilled driver you can easily spot an inattentive or distracted driver. These drivers
might make unsafe turns or nearly run red lights. Since they are distracted, they are not
scanning the road for potential hazards. They might not notice a car pulling out of a
parking spot. They might miss that palm tree branch that broke off last night. A defensive
driver will notice these signs and try to avoid the distracted driver. If he or she didn't see
that huge tree branch, how do you know he or she will see you when you try to switch
lanes? Avoid these drivers. Don't try to drive behind them or in front of them. If you are
driving behind them, you might want to consider changing lanes. They might finally notice
an obstacle and brake without any warning. You could then be responsible for rear-
ending the other driver. Avoid driving next to them as well. The distracted driver might
decide to swerve to avoid something on the road, but forget to scan the area for other
drivers. Driving in close proximity to these drivers is a hazard. You have already seen that
they are not paying attention. Avoid these drivers as you would any other hazard.



While some drivers are distracted others might be erratic. By definition, erratic drivers
are unpredictable. They are most often under the influence of a substance, be it drugs or
alcohol. This is a terrifying possibility: an intoxicated person in charge of a ton of metal,
glass, and plastic. Scan the road for these drivers, especially if you are driving late at night.
Erratic drivers tend to swerve in and out of lanes for no apparent reason. They might also
be driving well-below or well-above the speed limit. Remember, their ability to sense
speed is distorted. They might be driving well-below the speed limit, thinking they are
being inconspicuous. Also keep in mind that erratic drivers, particularly intoxicated ones,
have a slow reaction time. If they come across a hazard, they might brake a few seconds
too late or swerve into an adjacent lane to prevent a collision. They are not going to be
alert and might collide into the vehicle next to them. In many ways, these drivers are
worse than inattentive drivers because they are under the influence of a substance. It is
physically and biologically impossible for them to react to other hazards in an appropriate
time frame. While an inattentive driver might "wake up" after a near-collision incident,
intoxicated drivers cannot. If you are driving behind or in front of one of these drivers,
change lanes. If possible, pull aside and call 911 to report the erratic driver. He or she is
risking the safety and life of all road users.



WHAT TO DO? Scan for Hazards before Making Lane Changes
If there are hazards while you are driving in your own lane, you have to be even more
cautious when switching lanes. Changing lanes is one of the most common driving
maneuvers but also one of the most dangerous. If you have to switch lanes to avoid a
hazard, scan the other lanes for potential hazards too. Make sure you're not going to cut
anyone off when you do switch lanes. Don't become a hazard for other drivers!

Pablo is driving down the freeway and as we have seen he can be a careless driver. It's not
on purpose, he's just easily distracted. At one point he decides he needs to change lanes.
He looks in his rearview mirror and his side mirrors, but forgets to check his blindspots.
He begins to veer into the next lane when a car starts honking at him. If the other driver
had not been alert and scanning for hazards, there could have been a collision! Scanning
the road is crucial when changing lanes. You don't want to be the hazard on the road! You
also want to avoid potential hazards such as speeding cars. Before you change lanes
always check your mirrors and your blindspots. Remember, if a car is right next to you the
only way you can see it is if you turn your head. As we saw with Pablo, the mirrors are
essential but never enough. Don't simply rely on your mirrors! A defensive driver can
anticipate hazards but also avoids being the hazard herself.





AVOIDING PROBLEMS ON THE ROAD (continued)

WHAT TO DO? Cover the Brake
When we think about driving, we usually think about moving and reaching our
destination. This, of course, is done by pressing the gas pedal. Naturally, we know we will
brake but usually at red lights or stop signs. Defensive driving however should be a fine
balance consisting of braking, accelerating and covering the brake. What is "covering the
brake?" Covering the brake means holding your foot above the brake pedal, without
actually touching it, in case you need to brake. You obviously don't need to cover the
brake the entire time you are driving. You do have to accelerate to move!

When you approach an intersection however you should always cover the brake.
Intersections are the most dangerous areas of the road. Imagine you are driving on a two
way road. You approach an intersection where your light is green and instead of covering
the brake, you continue at the same speed. Suddenly, a car from the opposite side decides
to make a left turn, directly in front of you. You have to slow down! If your foot isn't
already covering the brake, you may not have enough time to slow down to avoid a
collision. While the other driver should have been more cautious with his or her turn, you
could have avoided the problem by being prepared with your foot covering the brake.
Every time you approach an intersection, reduce your speed and scan the intersection left,
center and right before crossing. It doesn't matter if the intersection is controlled or not.
Stay safe! Don't rely on traffic lights, traffic signs and other drivers respecting these lights
and signs.



Not only should you cover the brake when approaching an intersection, but anytime you
see a hazard up ahead. Maria's adventures on the road offer the perfect example. Maria is
on her way to visit John. As she's driving, she notices a cat scurrying across the road in the
distance. She does what most drivers would do. She covers the brake and prepares to
stop. The cat reaches the other side of the street and Maria returns to her normal speed.
Maria knows that if she recognizes a hazard she should cover the brake. Defensive drivers
not only scan for confused animals, but for all hazards. What is the point of scanning the
road for hazards if you are not going to slow down? Sometimes you can switch lanes, but
other times you can't. What if there is a car in the lane right next to you? If you don't have
an escape route, you have no choice but to slow down or stop. As soon as you recognize a
hazard, cover the brake! Be ready to slow down and when that is not enough, to stop.




AVOIDING PROBLEMS ON THE ROAD (continued)
Using Modern Technology to be a Better Driver
All drivers rely on their senses and on their good judgment to drive well. Modern
technology however has introduced some great aids. These aids are especially useful in
helping drivers see better. Don't hesitate to use these aids! There are limitations to what
the human body can do, but these aids help diminish them.

Sunglasses
While sunglasses are not an invention of the 21st century, they have dramatically
improved over time. Over the years, the lenses have become clearer allowing for greater
visual clarity and comfort. Why use them while driving? Sunglasses are more than just
fashion accessories. They are wonderful and simple driving aids. When driving on a bright
day, the rays from the sun could feel as though they are blinding. Bright sunlight can
hinder your ability to drive safely. The glare from the sun could prohibit you from seeing
oncoming traffic, traffic control devices and especially pedestrians. Wearing sunglasses
will help reduce this temporary blindness.



Auto Designed Water Repellent on the Windshield
Traditionally, when drivers saw drops of rain, they would switch on their windshield
wipers. Some windshield wipers worked better than others. Windshield wipers could
become a problem if you had not washed your car in some time. Windows can be dirtier
and grimier than they appear in dry weather. Once it starts raining, you can see the dirt
rolling down. If you activate your windshield wipers when the windows are dirty, you will
spread the grime and make it harder to see. As windshield wipers are not equally
effective, people started considering alternatives. One such alternative became the water
repellent. What is a water repellent? Just as its name implies, it's a product that repels
water. It coats a car's windshield so that it becomes a very smooth surface; so smooth that
water beads and rolls off. If you activate your windshield wipers, however, they can create
a mist behind the blade. Generally, water repellents are a great aid to help you see better
in the rain.

Convex and Panoramic Mirrors
All cars come equipped with rearview mirrors and passenger-side mirrors. They have
been installed by manufacturers to help you see better, however they also create two
areas known as blind spots - those areas around your car that you cannot see. Two recent
innovations can help reduce and possibly eliminate these blind spots.

Convex mirrors: Convex mirrors or wide angle mirrors virtually eliminate blind spots.
They are especially useful when you are passing or changing lanes. Even if your car does
not come equipped with convex mirrors, you can easily install one. Most automobile parts
stores will have a variety of convex mirrors to choose from. Pick one that will fit on your
existing mirror. In most cases, all you need to install the convex mirror is some double-
sided tape. If you do choose to install a convex mirror, be careful! These mirrors have
distorting effects on distance perception. "Objects in mirror are closer than they appear"!



Panoramic Mirrors: Panoramic rear-view mirrors eliminate all blind spots. Just like
panoramic pictures, these mirrors give you a wider range of vision, allowing you to see
everything that is happening behind you and beside you. Similar to convex mirrors,
panoramic rear-view mirrors are easy to install. You can find them at most auto supply
stores and all you need to do is clip them on your present mirror.

Audible Back-up Warning Devices
Driving aids are now audible as well! When backing up, it can be difficult to gauge how far
or how close an object is. It's also difficult for a driver to determine if a new object has
appeared behind the car. A good driver will check behind the car before backing up, but
there is still a gap between checking and starting to back up. Another object or even a
person, especially a child, has the opportunity to run behind a car. Can you ever be sure
that the path is safe and clear? Until recently, the only way you could ensure an absolutely
safe path was if a passenger was guiding you. In recent years, many car companies have
added another feature to their cars. Some newer cars come equipped with audible back-
up warning devices. These devices use radar technology to detect obstacles behind a
vehicle. The devices start beeping if the vehicle gets too close to an object. These driving
aids reduce the chances of any unfortunate collisions, be it colliding into a person or
bumping into a car parked behind you. If your car does not come with this device, there
are some devices that can be purchased and installed.




AVOIDING PROBLEMS ON THE ROAD (continued)

Knowing When to Give Up your Right-of-way
Right-of-way rules try to simplify the concept of "right-of-way" into "black and white,"
easy to understand situations. They tell us which car should go and which car should wait.
But even with all those rules, right-of-way situations still have a lot of gray area that is
based on the driver's point of view. The way one driver sees a situation makes it obvious
to him that he should go ahead, and the way the other driver sees the situation makes it
clear to her that she should go through. They can't both go through. So what do you do
when you find yourself in this kind of situation?

Keep in mind that the ultimate goal when driving is not about being right or proving that
the other driver was wrong. The goal is to avoid all collisions and keep everyone safe,
even if it means giving up your right-of-way. Does it seem unfair to give up your well
deserved right-of-way to another driver? Well think about it this way: Who cares if you
are right, if you end up in a crash to prove it? What if you or your loved one died in a crash
because you insisted you were right and forced your way through a situation when the
other driver was not giving you the right-of-way? Does it still seem unfair?


Let's go through some common situations and examine how you can decide when it is not
worth fighting for your right-of-way. Do these sound familiar?

As you approach a construction zone ahead, you attempt to merge into the lane next to
you in the standard alternating from each lane method, but the driver that is supposed to
give you the right-of-way, insists on going ahead. We suggest that you let him go, and
don't get angry about it. Save your energy for more important problems.

As your signal light turns green and you prepare to move forward, you see several cars
that are still trying to make a left turn on the red. Inconsiderate and stupid? Yes! Should
you barrel through the intersection because you have a green light? No! Charging at them
will either guarantee a crash or the start of an angry fight with another driver. Let them
continue; it will only take a few seconds.
A pedestrian crosses the road in front of you with no regard to the nearby crosswalk or
your approaching vehicle. It's technically your right-of-way. But should you take it?
Absolutely not! How will you explain to the officer your reason for hitting the pedestrian?
What if the pedestrian dies?
You are trying to exit your driveway, which is on a busy street. Legally there is no law that
stops you from exiting the driveway and making a left turn, but traffic is always bumper
to bumper in the morning and nobody is giving you the right-of-way to cross the lanes
and make your turn. Should you inch your way forward and insist that traffic stops so you
can make your turn? Not a good idea. Even if it seems unfair for you to lose the ability to
make your turn, you have to consider the difficulty of the situation and find a way to enter
traffic and go to the right (a much easier move) and go around the block.


Driving is a social situation where black and white rules don't always solve the situation
or tell the full story. What would you do if a very large group of people with guns were
walking down the street towards you and didn't bother to move over to allow you room
to pass by? Would you stand your ground, insisting that you pass, and risk conflict with
the armed bandits? Or would you move over and patiently wait for them to pass?

Next time you find yourself in a situation where another driver is not giving you the right-
of-way (even though the rules say he has to), imagine that the other driver is that armed
group of people, and let it go. You get to avoid a crash, continue with your day and go
home to tell your family and friends about the crazy and rude driver you escaped. Doesn't
that sound better than telling them how you insisted on taking the right-of-way, as you lay
in your hospital bed or in court?

Defensive drivers take the necessary steps to anticipate road conditions and the
movements of other drivers. These drivers are prepared for almost any situation and they
are ready to deal with the unexpected. By using defensive driving techniques you can
reduce your chances of a collision. Defensive drivers are also the ideal road users. The
measures they take preserve not just their own safety but also the safety of those around
them.






Chapter 8: Collision Avoidance


In states such as California, where there is not much of a public transportation system,
most people spend a big portion of their day driving. In these states, the number of
collisions can be higher. While it's impossible to stop all collisions from happening, there
are ways to decrease the number of collisions and your chances of being involved in one.
Don't be a statistic!

Collision Statistics
Collision statistics show some promising overall trends. According to the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the number of collision related fatalities
in 2015 is significantly lower than 2005. Experts believe the overall decrease can be
attributed to tougher laws and improved safety features on newer cars. In 2015 an
average of 96 people died each day in a car crash; that is one every 15 minutes. While this
is an improvement over previous decades, the recent upswing of deaths and injuries on
California roads shows us that the road remains a dangerous place. In 2015 there were
2348 more people killed and 105,000 more people injured than in 2014. Experts aren't
sure what is causing this.

(Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2017. Summary of Motor
Vehicle Crashes, Table 2. Persons Killed or Injured, and Fatality and Injury Rates per
Population, Licensed Drivers, Registered Vehicles, Miles Traveled 1966-2015)








California
Our remarkable state of California is truly a unique place to live and drive. We love our
beaches, our natural parks, and the amazing weather. It's no wonder we have the highest
population and we drive the most miles over any other state. We also have the second
highest death rate from automobile crashes (Texas is #1).

In 2004 there were a total of 4094 collision deaths in California. Deaths and injuries from
car collisions continued to decrease year after year and just 6 years later, we had an all-
time low of only 2739 collision deaths in 2010. Unfortunately, in 2011 the death toll
started to creep up again and had increased to 2835. It increased again in 2012, 2013,
2014, and in 2015 had increased to 3176 deaths. Each year more of our friends, family
and neighbors are dying on the road. What's happening? Experts aren’t sure yet.

(Source: California Highway Patrol, 2016. Annual Report of Fatal and Injury Motor Vehicle
Traffic Collisions. Table 1A. Fatal Collisions by Month, 2004-2013)

(Source: Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, 2017.
http://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/t/general-statistics/fatalityfacts/state-by-state-
overview)

Type of Violation

Alcohol and Drugs (DUI): Year after year hundreds are killed by people driving under the
influence of drugs or alcohol. It is, in fact, the leading cause of traffic fatalities in California.
In 2003, drunk driving killed 1,274 people. The number steadily decreased every year
until it reached 1,072 deaths and 24,343 injuries in 2010. But in 2011, the death toll
unfortunately started climbing up again. In 2013 it was back up to 1,197 deaths. Oddly
enough, injuries continued to decrease slightly in 2011, 2012 and 2013. DUI remains the
number one cause of traffic fatalities in California.

(Source: California Highway Patrol, 2004. Annual Report of Fatal and Injury Motor Vehicle
Traffic Collisions. Table 5B. Persons Killed and Injured in Alcohol Involved Collisions by
Month, 1999-2003)

(Source: California Highway Patrol, 2016. Annual Report of Fatal and Injury Motor Vehicle
Traffic Collisions. Table 5B. Persons Killed and Injured in Alcohol Involved Collisions by
Month, 2009-2013)
Right-of-way: Whether drivers don't understand or knowingly don't follow right-of-way
rules, such as who should go first at a four-way stop, a minor collision is almost sure to
follow. The good news is that right-of-way collisions are less deadly than the other top
violations, but they did cause the second most injuries in 2013; 24,247 injuries total.
That's double the injuries caused by DUI.

(Source: California Highway Patrol, 2016. Annual Report of Fatal and Injury Motor Vehicle
Traffic Collisions. Table 7A. Fatal and Injury Collisions by Primary Collision Factor, 2009-
2013)
Improper Turns: You might not think making an improper turn would be one of the
biggest contributing factor to collisions, but the statistics show otherwise. Improper
turns, such as unsafe left or right turns or making a turn from the wrong lane, account for
the second most number of deaths and the greatest number of injuries. In 2013, for
example, 544 people were killed and 21,863 people were injured because a driver made
an improper turn.

(Source: California Highway Patrol, 2016. Annual Report of Fatal and Injury Motor Vehicle
Traffic Collisions. Table 7A. Fatal and Injury Collisions by Primary Collision Factor, 2009-
2013)
Speeding: Driving at unsafe speeds is another, less surprising factor causing collisions. In
2013, 436 people were killed as a result of speeding and 48,050 people were injured. That
makes it the #1 cause of car crash injuries.

(Source: California Highway Patrol, 2016. Annual Report of Fatal and Injury Motor Vehicle
Traffic Collisions. Table 7A. Fatal and Injury Collisions by Primary Collision Factor, 2009-
2013)




(Source: California Highway Patrol, 2016. Annual Report of Fatal and Injury Motor Vehicle
Traffic Collisions. Table 7A. Fatal and Injury Collisions by Primary Collision Factor, 2009-
2013)


Time of Day
Statistics also illustrate that the highest number of collisions is related directly to the
number of vehicles on the road. You are more likely to get into a collision if there are
more vehicles that you can collide with. Generally, there are fewer people driving in the
very early hours of the morning, such as 4am. This is also when you see the least number
of collisions. More people are out on the road on the weekends and it should come as no
surprise that most collisions occur on weekends. The additional challenge of driving on
the weekends is that you are more likely to encounter a drunk driver. All of this
contributes to the number of fatalities each month. And it should not be surprising that
holidays account for an increase in collisions. For example, 39 people were killed and
1786 people were injured on New Year's Eve alone (2012-2013 holiday period).

(Source: California Highway Patrol, 2016. Annual Report of Fatal and Injury Motor Vehicle
Traffic Collisions. Table 70. Persons Killed and Injured During Holiday Periods 2009-
2013)

Age Groups
Particular age groups are also more likely to be driving when a collision occurs. In 2013
Drivers between the ages of 20-24 are more likely to be drivers in fatal collisions. One
might think that it would be the youngest drivers who just got their license, but that is not
the case. While there are fewer drivers in the first age group of 15-19, it may also be that
they are more cautious as new drivers. After a few years of driving, however, these
drivers appear to become over-confident and reckless. We also have to consider the
impact that alcohol must have. It is when a driver is in this age group that he or she can
legally drink. With little experience drinking and understanding drinking limits, they are
more likely to get behind the wheel after a long night of drinking and socializing.

(Source: California Highway Patrol, 2016. Annual Report of Fatal and Injury Motor Vehicle
Traffic Collisions. Table 3B Drivers in Fatal and Injury Collisions by Age Compared to
Licensed Drivers in California)

Gender
Even gender appears to determine who is more likely to be involved in collisions. In 2013,
1683 male drivers in California were at fault for fatal collisions vs. 475 females. This is
consistent with our knowledge of gender differences, where males are more aggressive
and willing to take extreme chances with their driving. It could also be that they are more
likely to stay out socializing with friends and drive under the influence. Whatever the case
might be, it calls for male drivers to be more cautious.

With injury collisions the difference between male and female drivers is smaller; 85,150
injury crashes were caused by male drivers while 51,507 injury crashes were caused by
female drivers. While they may not be driving as destructively as their male counterparts,
these numbers tell us that some female drivers are still making moderately poor driving
decisions.

(Source: California Highway Patrol, 2016. Annual Report of Fatal and Injury Motor Vehicle
Traffic Collisions. Table 3B Drivers in Fatal and Injury Collisions by Age Compared to
Licensed Drivers in California)

Personal Liability Immunity (Health and Safety Code 1799.102)
A good Samaritan who offers medical or non-medical care in a responsible manner at the
scene of an emergency cannot be sued for any liable damages.




Collision Statistics (continued)

United States
Fatalities due to traffic collisions have decreased overall not just in California but in the
United States as a whole. While some of this is due to a greater awareness of road rules,
this positive shift in the statistics can also be attributed to the dramatic increase in the use
of seat belts. The NHTSA estimates that in 2015, 87% of the population used seat belts.
They also estimated that over 12,000 lives were saved because of seat belt use.
Furthermore, over half of the people who were killed in traffic collisions in 2012 might
have survived if they had been wearing seat belts. These statistics highlight the
importance of being properly belted while in a moving car. But just as in California,
questions remain. What is the cause of so many of these collisions? How can we avoid
them and keep each other safe?

(Source: NHTSA, 2015 Traffic Safety Facts FARS/GES Annual Report, 2017)

Type of Violation
DUI and speeding: In 2015, speeding was a major factor in all collisions where at least one
person died. In fact, 27% of all fatal crashes that year can be blamed on speeding.
Translated into the number of human lives, this means 9,557 people were killed because
of a speeding driver in the United States. The NTHSA has also determined that there is a
relationship between speeding and driving under the influence. In 2015, 45% of all
speeding drivers in fatal crashes had been drinking, compared to 20% non-speeding
drivers involved in fatal crashes. What does this mean? Drivers who have been drinking
are more likely to speed and then cause a deadly crash because of it.

(Source: NHTSA, Traffic Safety Facts: Speeding, 2017)



Distracted Driving: According to www.distraction.gov, distracted driving was also another
huge factor in collisions. At any given daylight moment in the US, approximately 660,000
drivers are using cell phones or manipulating electronic devices while driving. That is a
lot of drivers that are putting everyone around them at risk.

10% of all fatal collisions and 17% of injury collisions could be blamed on distracted
driving. In 2015, there were 3,477 people killed and 391,000 injured because a driver was
not completely focused on driving. About 14% of these deaths (442) were because at least
one of the drivers was using a cell phone.

Not surprisingly, the age of a driver has a big impact on whether they will drive
distracted. Drivers in their 20s are most likely to drive while distracted. In 2015, 27% of
distracted drivers in fatal crashes were in this age group.

(Source: NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts, 2017: Distracted Driving in 2015)

Time of Day
Just like California, most collisions in the United States happen in the warmer months
when people drive more. In 2015, there were more fatal crashes in August than in any
other month. One might assume that December or January would have the highest
numbers because of the winter holidays and poor weather. However, year after year,
August proves to be the most deadly month to drive in the US. It should come as little
surprise though that the most dangerous time of day to drive is between midnight and
3am, on a Saturday or Sunday. It's during the weekends that most people go out to
socialize and it's during the weekends that more people are likely to drive under the
influence of a substance, thus increasing the likelihood of a collision.

(Source: NHTSA, 2015 Traffic Safety Facts FARS/GES Annual Report, 2017)

Age Groups
Driving-related fatalities have had some devastating effects on the younger portion of the
population. Much of this is related to the inexperience and foolish boldness of younger
drivers. Some of this is alcohol-related though. You must be 21 to drink legally in all 50
states, yet in 2015, 36% of all fatal crashes involved young drivers (between the ages of
16-20) who had a blood alcohol concentration of .01% or more. Since it is illegal to drink
at this age, this number should be 0! Once someone has started drinking, especially
someone from this inexperienced age group, they are more likely to make poor decisions
like speeding, inappropriate passing, running red lights, etc. This makes the road a
dangerous place for all.

While these younger drivers are a problem, it is the age group above them that are a more
serious concern. From 1982 to 2015, the newly legal drinking age group (21-24 year-
olds) have consistently caused the most alcohol-fueled fatal crashes in the United States.
Even while the general trend was a decrease in overall drunk driving crashes, these young
people are always at the top of the list. It’s not hard to imagine why. Decision making
skills and maturity have not yet fully developed in this group, and what little they have is
muffled by the loud voice of the alcohol in their system.

(Source: NHTSA, 2015 Traffic Safety Facts FARS/GES Annual Report, 2017)



On the other end of the spectrum, older drivers (all drivers above the age of 65) appear to
be the safest drivers. The population of people 65 and older increased by 29 percent from
2006 to 2015; however, driver fatalities in crashes involving older drivers increased by
only 3 percent over this period.

In 2015 most traffic fatalities in crashes involving older drivers occurred during the
daytime (74%), on weekdays (70%), and involved other vehicles (67%). This is a sharp
contrast to the statistics of fatal crashes involving all other drivers, which was 49 percent
during the daytime, 59 percent on weekdays, and 44 percent involving another vehicle.
This could be because older drivers are on the road more during the day than at night,
and they drive slower and more cautiously than younger drivers who can be impatient
and aggressive with the older drivers.

(Source: NHTSA, 2015 Traffic Safety Facts: Older Population, 2017)





Gender
According to the NHTSA, young male drivers continue to be the most reckless drivers. In
2015 nationwide, 32% of both 15-20 year old and 21-24 year old males who were
involved in fatal crashes were speeding. In contrast, only 20% of 15-20 year old females
and 19% of 21-24 year old females in fatal crashes were speeding. This difference
between the genders stays true regardless of the age group. So even gender plays a part in
the likelihood of collisions.

These numbers can be shocking and frightening, but there are steps you can take to avoid
collisions.

(Source: NHTSA, 2015 Traffic Safety Facts FARS/GES Annual Report, 2017)





Common Causes of Collisions

What causes all these collisions? There are a variety of reasons, but common collisions
happen because drivers think certain violations are not "a big deal." Others may not
understand the laws or just don't know the law exists.

Unsafe Speed
The NHTSA has conducted a number of surveys and it appears that drivers have a lax
approach to speeding. Many drivers seem to think they are in a better position to judge
the proper speed limit. In other words, 75% of drivers admitted to driving over the speed
limit because they thought it was safe.

(Source: NTSA, National Survey of Speeding and Unsafe Driving Attitudes and Behaviors:
2002)

What Is an Unsafe Speed?
California’s Basic Speed Law says that anytime you are driving faster than the conditions
allow, you are driving at an unsafe speed. For example, even if the speed limit is 55mph,
you should be driving slower if it’s raining. The posted speed limit is meant for perfect
weather, road and driving situations. If you are driving in traffic, if visibility is low, the
weather conditions or the roads are poor, you are expected to slow down. You can be
cited for driving “too fast for conditions” even if you are driving at the speed limit in these
conditions.


Speed Limits for Designated Areas
As you probably have already noticed, different areas of the highway system require
different speed limits for everyone’s safety. Places that have a high concentration of slow
pedestrians have a much lower speed limit than an area with no pedestrians and no traffic
lights. Traffic safety experts have taken into consideration all these factors and have
devised special speed regulations for the following areas:

Freeways: Freeways were designed to handle traffic of higher speeds. However, since you
are sharing the freeway with others you must remember that some vehicles are not able
to move as fast as others. If very high speeds were permitted for cars and other vehicles
drove at much slower speeds, the risk of collisions would increase. So a maximum speed
that makes all of the different vehicles capable of sharing the same road without conflict
must be the posted limit. The maximum speed limit on most California freeways is 65
mph. On some highways the maximum speed limit varies from 55 to 70 mph. Always pay
attention to the posted speed limit.

Two-lane Undivided Highways: The maximum speed limit is 55 mph unless the posted
speed limit shows otherwise.

Residential Zones: Because of the large number of pedestrians in residential zones the
maximum speed limit ("Prime Facie") is 25 mph.

Business Districts: Also, because of the large number of pedestrians the maximum speed
limit ("Prime Facie") is 25 mph.

School Zones: Always drive more carefully near schools, playgrounds, and parks because
children may suddenly dart into the street. Near a school, the speed limit is 25 mph while
children are outside or crossing the street. No matter what the speed limit sign states, you
should never drive faster than 25 mph when the school ground has no fence and children
are outside.

Senior Areas: Certain areas around senior citizen centers or senior activity centers may be
marked with a “Senior” warning sign. You must obey a 25 mph speed limit in these areas.

Uncontrolled Blind Intersections: Uncontrolled blind intersections are those where you
cannot see for 100 feet in either direction (left or right) during the last 100 feet before
crossing including alleys. As you approach an uncontrolled blind intersection the speed
limit is reduced to 15 mph. You must also reduce your speed to 15 mph when you
approach within 100 feet of a railroad crossing when you cannot see 400 feet in both
directions (left or right).



Speed Limits for Designated Vehicles
Some vehicles are required to observe a lower speed limit of 55 mph on highways. Three
or more axle trucks, a vehicle hauling a trailer or towing another vehicle, a school bus
transporting students, a farm labor vehicle transporting passengers or a vehicle
transporting explosives all have to obey a reduced speed limit. These vehicles are also
required to use designated lanes when such lanes are available or the right hand lane
when these lanes are not available. It is important not to be upset by their reduced speed
and instead try to work with them. They may have to further reduce their speed in certain
circumstances such as hills.



Driving Too Slow
Driving at an unsafe speed does not apply to speeding alone. The Minimum Speed Law
tells us that driving too slow is also dangerous and illegal! You could become an obstacle
to other drivers and cause a collision. If you insist on driving slower than the traffic
around you, you must drive in the farthest right lane.


Speed and Stopping Distance
While stopping time may seem short, when you consider the fact that you are often
traveling at great speeds, total stopping distance is actually rather long. The time it takes
to see the danger depends on your mental and physical state, how far ahead you are
scanning the road and how quickly you identify the danger. If all factors are at their best,
it will take 3/4 of a second to see the danger and make a decision. Acting on your decision
requires another 3/4 of a second. It will take a total of 1 1/2 seconds for you to start
reducing your speed. This could take much longer depending on the driver.

Total stopping distance is the distance you will travel from the moment the hazard
appears until your vehicle comes to a complete stop. For your vehicle to come to a
complete stop, it will have traveled a certain distance. Your experience and skill in
braking, the mechanical condition of the vehicle, road conditions and your speed are all
factors in determining this distance. The most important factor, however, is your speed. If
you double your speed, the braking distance is quadrupled. This means that it will take
four times the distance to stop your car. If you don't have that much room in front of you,
then a crash is impossible to avoid. Give yourself the time and space to react to an
obstacle or hazard.

How Does Speed Affect a Crash?
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the higher the speed you are
traveling, the greater the risk of serious injury or death in a crash. Vehicles and their
occupants in motion have kinetic energy that is released in a crash. This release of energy
happens when the car hits another object, the occupants hit the inside of the car, and their
organs hit the inside of their chest wall. The greater the energy that must be released, the
greater the chances of severe injury or death.


How speed affects a crash:

It increases the distance a vehicle travels from when a driver detects an emergency until
the driver reacts.
It increases the distance needed to stop a vehicle once an emergency is perceived.
Crash severity increases with speed. For example, when speed increases from 40 to 60
mph, speed goes up 50 percent while the energy released in a crash more than doubles.
Higher crash speeds reduce the ability of vehicles, restraint systems, and roadway
hardware such as guardrails, barriers, and impact attenuators to protect occupants.





Common Causes of Collisions (continued)

Driving On the Wrong Side of the Road
It might seem obvious, but driving on the wrong side of the road automatically puts you in
hazards way. Most drivers end up in the wrong lane because they are trying to pass
another vehicle or have made some error while making a turn. These are mistakes that
can be easily avoided.

Passing
If you are trying to pass another car, you can legally drive on the other side of the road,
but only for a brief time. Always keep in mind that this is a risky move! Make sure you
have at least 10-12 seconds of space between your car and the oncoming car before
attempting to pass. And of course, never try to pass in areas where passing is completely
illegal such as railroad tracks and blind curves, etc. (Discussed further in Ch. 6 and Ch. 12).

Entering a Left Turn Lane Too Early
If you enter the left turn lane too early, you could find yourself driving on the wrong side
of the street. Don't enter the left turn lane until you see the markings. Otherwise you can
get into a head-on collision with an oncoming car.

Cutting the Corner on a Left Turn
When you are making a left turn, don't turn too soon and cut the corner of the lane for
oncoming traffic. By doing so, you are driving on the wrong side of the road and could end
up in a head on collision.



Other Factors
While trying to pass or making a left turn might be the most common reasons for driving
on the wrong side of the road, other factors might also lead to this dangerous mistake. If
you are drowsy, driving under the influence of a substance, or distracted, such as by
turning back to discipline your child, you could get into a collision. Remain alert!





COMMON CAUSES OF COLLISIONS (continued)

Improper Turns
Many crashes happen because of improper turning. Follow the basic procedures for
turning to avoid a collision. First, plan your turn ahead of time. Signal 100ft before making
the turn. Reduce your speed and check your mirrors and blind spots. Turn only when it's
safe. Are you correctly judging the distance between yourself and the oncoming car? How
about your distance from the pedestrian? Don't take unnecessary risks! If you see a Do
Not Turn sign, don't turn!

Right Turns
You can avoid a collision easily on a right turn. Always give the right-of-way to
pedestrians. Obey the No Right Turn on Red signs. If you come across one of these signs,
don't take the turn, even if you don't see any traffic. The sign has been posted for a reason;
obey it.

Left Turns
If you are making a left turn, always give the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing on a
green. Check the other side of the road to ensure that pedestrians aren't crossing before
you make the turn. Make sure that you are properly gauging the distance between
yourself and the oncoming car. A car might approach you faster than you think. Make sure
that the turn is safe before you start. If a car is making a right on the other side of the
road, they have the right-of-way. Yield to the cars turning right. Only make your turn
when you are confident you will avoid a collision, either with a pedestrian or another car.

U-turns



Avoiding illegal u-turns is one of the easiest ways to avoid a collision. Perfectly legal u-
turns are already tricky maneuvers. They require skill and experience to be completed
successfully and safely. Illegal u-turns, however, are even more dangerous. Many drivers
make illegal u-turns in the middle of business districts, unaware that these turns are
illegal. Remember, these are already busy and congested roads. A u-turn here could be
deadly. Another common mistake made by drivers is making a u-turn in front of a fire
station or using the fire station driveway to make a turn. This endangers the firefighters
who are racing to reach the emergency, the people who are in an emergency and yourself.



Other Places Where U-turns are Illegal


At or on a railroad crossing
On a divided highway by crossing a dividing section, curb, strip of land, or two sets of
double yellow lines

Where you cannot see clearly 200 feet in each direction because of a curve, hill, rain, fog,
or other reason

Where a “No U-Turn” sign is posted

When other vehicles may hit you

On a one-way street

In front of a fire station or on the fire station driveway

In business districts. Areas with churches, apartments, multiple dwelling houses, clubs,
and public buildings (except schools) are also considered to be business districts. Turn
only at an intersection, unless a sign prohibits it, or where openings are provided for
turns






COMMON CAUSES OF COLLISIONS (continued)

Violating Right-of-way Rules
Right-of-way rules are an integral part of the road. They are key to understanding the
"rules of the game." Because of right-of-way rules, drivers can anticipate other drivers'
actions. Will the car to my right move before I do? Should I yield to that driver? Without
right-of-way rules, drivers would have to deal with chaotic and confusing roads. It is no
wonder then that collisions occur when people are not aware of the right-of-way rules or
simply refuse to follow them.

Drivers should also remember that abiding by the right-of-way rules does not only mean
you let a pedestrian cross or you respect a bicycle lane. You might yield to these road
users, but if you pass a stop sign without stopping you are not respecting another driver's
right-of-way. By obeying all the signs and signals you are following ALL the rules of the
game. Remember, everyone has to follow all the rules, all the time, in order for this game
to work.

Pedestrians
Pedestrians are the most vulnerable road users. Pedestrians account for 17% of all traffic
fatalities. Everyone using any kind of vehicle, be it a car, a motorcycle or a bicycle should
respect a pedestrian's right-of-way. If you are making a right turn, always make sure the
pedestrian has safely reached the other side of the street before making the turn. Don't
inch up next to them hoping they'll walk faster or hoping you'll make that turn a few
seconds earlier. And do not stop in the crosswalk. That is the pedestrian's safety zone.
That ton of metal, glass, and plastic you are maneuvering can have a devastating impact
on a pedestrian.

Remember that pedestrians have the right-of-way when crossing at corners or other
crosswalks, even if the crosswalk is in the middle of the block. This also applies to street
corners with or without traffic lights, and whether or not the crosswalks are marked by
painted lines. You must stop for them and allow them to safely cross before moving. Be
especially careful when you are exiting a driveway. Creep up to the sidewalk slowly. You
never know when somebody might be jogging by or when a skateboarder might come
jetting in front of you. If you quickly emerge out of the driveway onto the sidewalk you
could easily miss these pedestrians and collide into them. At best, these pedestrians could
suffer injuries or depending on your speed, they could be killed.

Intersections
More than 45% of all collisions occur in intersections. Furthermore, intersection collisions
account for 21% of traffic fatalities. Signals and signs are in place but they are obviously
being overlooked or ignored by a portion of the population. Consider an intersection with
a four-way stop sign. If a driver is unaware of the right-of-way rule, he or she might stop
briefly and continue driving, even if other cars are already at the intersection. Another
driver who had first reached the intersection would have correctly assumed that he or she
had the right-of-way and drive into the intersection. Unless one of these two drivers was
cautious and alert, a collision could happen. Since intersections are so complicated,
drivers can only avoid collisions by following the right-of-way rules.

(Source: http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/right_of_way.htm)




Other Right-of-way Situations
There are numerous other right-of-way situations that require drivers to follow these
rules to avoid devastating collisions. Not knowing or following the right-of-way rules
regarding school buses could have the most horrific outcome. Remember, if you approach
a school bus with flashing red lights, you have to STOP unless you are on the opposite side
of a physical barrier or divider such as a divided highway or multi-lane highway. The
flashing red lights mean that passengers, most often children, are getting on or off the bus.
If a driver overlooks these lights or forgets to stop, he or she could easily hit a child,
seriously injuring or even killing the child (Discussed further in Ch. 12).




COMMON CAUSES OF COLLISIONS (continued)

Stop Signs and Signals
How often has this happened to you? You are driving down a residential street. You're in a
hurry or are simply feeling lazy. You approach a stop sign, brake a little, but decide to
keep driving instead of stopping completely. You think to yourself: "I know this street.
There's never anyone driving on this street. If someone does approach the intersection,
they should be driving slowly. I'll be able to see them and stop if I have to. Why bother
stopping?"

Stop signs are not a suggestion; they are a rule! Even if the stop sign is in a quiet
residential neighborhood, you have to stop! You might think you can see all the traffic that
is at the intersection or approaching the intersection. You never know when another
vehicle might come speeding through the intersection (just like you). Or what if another
vehicle has stopped a few feet behind the line and you can't see them until it's too late? If
you don't stop you could be involved in a head-on collision.

Purpose of Stops
Stops and traffic signals are not arbitrary additions to the road. Traffic engineers take
many factors into consideration when they decide to add a stop sign or traffic sign to an
intersection. They chart and analyze the amount of traffic going through a particular
intersection. They also assess a driver's visibility at the intersection. Are there many large,
old trees interfering with the visibility of a corner? Well, the solution is not to cut down
every tree at every intersection in California. The stop sign is intended to ensure that all
drivers at that particular intersection have a chance to see and be seen. Right-of-way rules
then guide drivers as to when they should drive ahead. In order for the stop sign to serve
its purpose, you must stop completely!





Rolling Stops
What is a rolling stop? A rolling stop happens when a vehicle does not stop all the way at a
stop sign or signal, but instead rolls through. Just because you don't see another car,
doesn't mean one isn't there. The only way you can be sure, and in fact the only way you
can avoid a collision, is if you come to a complete stop. There is a reason why traffic
engineers decided to place that stop sign there. Don't try to find out why by rolling
through the stop and getting into a collision!

Running a Yellow or Red Light
It happens so often. You are approaching an intersection and the light turns yellow. Do
you stop or do you go? You should always think about safety first. You should always try
to stop at a yellow light. Just as you are eager to get through that intersection once the
light has turned yellow, other drivers are eager to drive ahead once their light turns
green. This is a recipe for disaster. If you still have some distance before you actually
reach the intersection, stop. Don't think that you will "make the light". What if someone
equally anxious to get through is waiting on the other side? You will find yourself involved
in a collision that you could have easily avoided.

Distracted Driving
Just because the law only prohibits cell phone use and texting does not mean that other
distractions are safe. Any time you spend looking away from the road increases your
chances of a collision. Even if you are not doing anything else, something like drowsiness
could have deadly results. For those couple of seconds that you shut your eyes, you could
end up driving on the wrong side of the road and into oncoming traffic. Always stay alert
and do not multitask. You are sitting behind the wheel to drive, not to do anything else. In
2013, the NHTSA listed distracted driving as the cause of 17% of all injury collisions.
Don't join this 17%!






Chapter 9: Road Rage and Aggressive Driving


John is having one of those days; everything is going wrong. Before leaving for work, he
spilled coffee on his new shirt. Busy with changing into a clean shirt, he forgot about an
important meeting at work and arrived too late. Early in the afternoon he received a
phone call from his son's school, informing him that his son was misbehaving in class.
What else could go wrong? By 5pm John is ready to leave and get home. Unfortunately, it's
not going to be that easy. There was a collision on the freeway and the roads are jammed
up. He gets off the on-ramp and quickly discovers that this is going to take a very long
time. As soon as he gets on, an aggressive driver cuts him off. John starts getting agitated.
As more time passes, he becomes increasingly frustrated. He starts honking his horn at
everyone who tries to change their lane around him. He is reluctant to let anyone pass. He
is cursing, making gestures, and making an already bad situation worse. Fortunately, John
realizes that he is overreacting and calms down before his aggressive driving escalates.
Who was the problem in this scenario? John and his aggressive driving are one problem,
but so is the other aggressive driver who is cutting him off. What's the difference between
the two? There really is no difference; they are both guilty of aggressive driving.


WHAT IS AGGRESSIVE DRIVING?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration defines aggressive driving as "when
individuals commit a combination of moving traffic offenses so as to endanger other
persons or property." Speeding, tailgating (following too closely), erratic and sudden lane
changes, and failing to obey traffic signs and signals are all examples of aggressive driving.
Both John and the other driver in the examples above are driving aggressively.

(Source: NHTSA Aggressive Driving Campaign)

WHAT IS ROAD RAGE?
Unlike aggressive driving, road rage is a criminal offense and a form of assault. Road rage
is attempting to injure or kill another driver because of an incident on the road. Road rage
became a problem in the United States in the 1980s, with the increasing road congestion.
Some people actually got out of their cars and started fighting or shooting each other on a
regular basis! If the situation with John escalated to the point that he followed the other
driver and tried to harm him or put him in danger it would be considered road rage.

(Source: AAA Foundation Aggressive Driving Study)

Faces of Road Rage
In Seattle, Washington, Terrance Milton Hall, age 57, shot and killed Steven Burgess, a 21-
year-old college student, because Burgess couldn't disarm the loud anti-theft alarm on his
jeep.

In the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., in April of 1996, Narkey Keval Terry and Billy
Canipe, both 26, began dueling in their cars as they drove up the George Washington
Parkway. Traveling at speeds of up to 80 miles per hour, the cars crossed the median of
the parkway and hit two oncoming vehicles. Only one of the four drivers involved in the
crash survived; Terry was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in the incident.

In October of 1999, a Las Vegas woman was indicted after she allegedly cut off a tractor-
trailer that was driving too slow, and then slammed on her brakes. A motorcyclist
following that truck crashed into it and died of massive head injuries.

In February of 2000, an unidentified man got out of his car after a fender bender in San
Jose, California. He approached the other driver, reached inside her car, grabbed her dog
and threw it into oncoming traffic. The dog was run over and killed.

Even people you would never expect to behave like this have been known to commit road
rage. In California, Oscar winner Jack Nicholson believed that the driver of a Mercedes-
Benz cut him off in traffic. The 57-year-old actor grabbed a golf club, stepped out of his car
at a red light, and repeatedly struck the windshield and roof of the Mercedes.

In 1995, Robin Ficker, 52, a prominent Maryland lawyer and former Maryland state
legislator, was driving his two sons to see his ailing father at Holy Cross Hospital.
Suddenly Ficker's 1990 Jeep Cherokee bumped into a newer model Jeep in front of him.
The driver, Caroline Goldman, was six months pregnant. Goldman reported that when she
approached Ficker's car he became very agitated, pointing at her and yelling. "He seemed
to be out of control," she said, and reported that Ficker struck her in the face, breaking her
prescription sunglasses and giving her a black eye that lasted for ten days. Ficker was
convicted of battery and malicious destruction of property.



In Massachusetts, Donald Graham, a 54-year-old church deacon, saw Michael Blodgett, 42,
flash his high beams at another car and didn't like it. The two antagonized each other as
Graham chased Blodgett's car for seven miles on Interstate 95. When the men finally
pulled off the freeway and got out of their vehicles, Graham retrieved a crossbow from his
trunk and shot Blodgett in the chest. Blodgett bled to death; Graham was sentenced to life
in prison.


As you can see from these examples, the slightest mistake can trigger road rage.
Sometimes it's triggered by minor driving errors such as forgetting to signal before
turning. Some causes of road rage then are misunderstandings between drivers. One
driver might think that the other driver deliberately didn't signal before he turned, when
in fact it was just a mistake. You might be thinking, "That would never happen to me."
Don't be so sure. How often do you find yourself weaving through traffic because you're
late for an important event? You justify your actions by telling yourself that you have no
choice; you cannot be late. Drivers around you don't know what your situation is or what
you're thinking. You could be racing to get to the hospital, but to them it looks like you
have no respect for the road or other road users. You could anger someone who is
frustrated already with his or her day. This could trigger thoughts and behaviors they
would not normally have and even escalate into road rage.


It's not only other drivers who can overreact. How many times do you find yourself
thinking another driver is a rude or selfish driver? How often do you react to these
thoughts? Once you start having these thoughts, any situation could transform them into
something much worse. If someone cuts you off, do you take it personally and try to
"teach him a lesson"? You could act on these thoughts and turn into the "road rager." If
you expect sympathy and understanding from other drivers, you should extend them the
same courtesy.

California's Road Rage Law
Situations like this happen all the time and you should avoid them at all costs. Road rage
incidents are so common that the state of California passed a set of laws to address this
problem. If you are convicted of assaulting a person with a car, you can be imprisoned for
one to four years, fined up to $10,000, or both. The court can also suspend your license.
For a first time road rage offense, your license can be suspended for six months. If you are
convicted for subsequent offences, your license could be suspended for one year.
Additionally, the court may order you to complete an anger management course.




AVOID AN AGGRESSIVE DRIVING SITUATION

Every time you get in a car, you might encounter an aggressive driving situation.
Sometimes you might be the victim, and other times you might even become the
aggressive driver. There are steps you can take to avoid these situations.

Avoid Rush Hour
If you are someone with a particularly bad temper, you should avoid driving during rush
hour. If you're having a bad day or feel especially irritable, take some time to calm down.
Don't get behind the wheel. You never know what could happen if you're already feeling
frustrated and then find yourself sitting in traffic. Don't give yourself the opportunity to
find out what you are capable of!




Give Yourself Time
Allow yourself plenty of time to reach your destination especially if you are driving to an
important event or meeting. Nothing can be more aggravating than sitting in traffic when
you know you have to be somewhere.

Even if you are running late, don't turn into a rude driver. Don't cut off other drivers.
Imagine you were in a coffee shop, waiting in line to order your afternoon coffee. You
have a meeting in a few minutes and the line is reaching the door. Would you just cut in
front of the line? No. Then why even consider it on the road? Furthermore, you don't
know the other driver's emotional state. Don't become a trigger that might set off road
rage!

Drive in the Appropriate Lane
If you know you are a slower driver, don't get in the fast lane (the farthest left lane).
Everybody in the left lane assumes they will be driving a little faster than the rest of
traffic. Switching into the left lane and then driving slowly is going to irritate other road
users. Be considerate and switch into another lane. This not only helps other drivers who
drive at a different speed, but it's also safer for everyone on the road.

Don't Follow Too Closely
Tailgating is one of the most irritating things a driver can do. When you tailgate, it means
you think the other driver is driving too slowly. Do you actually think driving a couple
inches behind them will make them drive faster? How do you feel when someone tailgates
you? Does it make you speed up, or does it make you angry and annoyed. Remember,
treat others the way you want to be treated.

When you are driving that close to the car in front of you, you could make the other driver
nervous. He or she might think, "What if he hits me when I stop?" If the flow of traffic
changes and you are tailgating, you might not have enough time to stop suddenly and
safely, hitting the car in front of you. The other driver, becoming increasingly anxious,
might give you a taste of your own medicine and slow down or make sudden stops. This
doesn't help anyone. It increases the chances of a collision and aggravates both drivers. If
you would like to be driving faster, simply change your lane.

Don't Make Gestures
Do you regularly make gestures at people while you're walking down the street or while
you're shopping? Then why would you make them while you're in your car? Walking,
shopping and driving are all social situations and you should behave with the same level
of courtesy in all social situations. Just because you're in your car does not mean you can
make rude gestures freely. If you think you can because you feel safer in your car than
walking down the street, you're wrong. Your car does not offer you the safety or the right
to be rude. Any situation could escalate rapidly and you could find yourself at the
receiving end of an aggressive situation.

Don't Use the Horn as a Weapon
When you're in a car, rude gestures can be made with your hands but also with your horn.
The purpose of your horn is to warn other drivers of an emergency or to inform them of
your presence. You should not be pounding on the horn because you're annoyed with
another driver, you want them to drive faster or you want them to get out of the way.
Consider the noise that a horn makes. It can be grating on the ears and upset even those
drivers who were calm prior to then. Apart from the noise pollution, unnecessary use of
the horn can trigger road rage.





CONTROL YOUR OWN EMOTIONS

Avoid Situations You Can't Handle
If you are someone with a bad temper, avoid driving during rush hour. Traffic can be
frustrating for even the calmest drivers, but for those with a temper it can be disastrous.
And always give yourself more time to reach your destination. You're less likely to get
aggravated if you're not in a hurry. It might also prevent you from blowing up if someone
does cut you off.



Relax
If you do find yourself getting agitated, try some techniques to calm down. Deep breathing
is proven to help calm nerves. Another relaxation technique is to breathe in counting to
five, then breathe out counting to five. This forces you to regulate the rate at which you
breathe and is guaranteed to slow down your heart rate.

Give Them the Benefit of the Doubt
Always give other drivers the benefit of the doubt. Remember the last time you cut
someone off? Was it deliberate or was it a mistake? In most of these situations, drivers
misunderstand one another and because they can't verbally communicate while they are
in their cars, the situation escalates. In almost every instance, the other driver did not
mean to offend you so don't overreact.






DEALING WITH AGGRESSIVE DRIVERS

If you find yourself coming across an aggressive driver on the road, there are some
measures you can take to avoid a confrontation.





Avoid Eye Contact
Avoid making contact with the aggressive driver. Even if he or she appears to be getting
more aggressive, do not make eye contact. By acknowledging the driver or their actions
you could aggravate the situation even more. The driver can also misunderstand eye
contact for a challenge. Just don't look them in the eye! It may seem cowardly, but is this
worth fighting for?

Do NOT Engage with the Aggressive Driver
If the situation does worsen, don't argue with the aggressive driver. He or she is ready to
blow up. You want to avoid it, and more importantly, you don't want to become a trigger.
Arguing with aggressive drivers or even engaging them can rapidly worsen the situation.

Leave Plenty of Space
Give the angry driver plenty of space. Don't tailgate and don't cut him or her off.
Remember, road rage is a consequence of congestion. Don't further cramp into the angry
driver's space by allowing only a few inches between yourself and the driver.

Encountering someone with road rage can be a frightening and dangerous situation. It
might be even more frightening if you see yourself turning into a "road rager." If you find
yourself getting angry take some measures to calm down and avoid a traumatic event. If
you come across an aggressive driver on the road, take the necessary measures to stay
out of their way. Our daily lives can be very stressful and driving often just adds to this
stress. Don't turn into another factor that already contributes to this stressful task. Stay
calm, stay considerate, and give other drivers the benefit of the doubt.


SECTION 3 REVIEW QUIZ RESULTS

You answered 3 questions correctly and scored 75%.

Click on Continue below to start the next section.


1. If you see a distracted driver on the road you should ______.
*A. Avoid him as best you can
B. Honk to get his attention and stop
C. Follow him and write down his license number for the police
D. Call 911

2. What is the best way to stay safe when faced with an aggressive driver?
A. Yell and argue back
B. Tailgate him as soon as you have the chance
*C. Avoid making eye contact or engaging with him
D. Cut him off and speed away

3. If you ______, you have committed road rage.
A. Are speeding
B. Make dangerous and sudden lane changes
C. Are tailgating
*D. Try to cause harm or kill another driver because of something that
happened on the road

4. In California, what is the most common reason for car crashes where someone is
injured? REVIEW
A. Distracted Driving
B. Right-of-way
C. Alcohol and drugs
*D. Speeding





Chapter 10: Driving Distractions


WHAT IS DISTRACTED DRIVING?

Distracted driving is driving while doing other, non-driving activities at the same time. It
means that you are not giving driving your full attention, thus increasing your chances of
a collision. The US Department of Transportation lists three types of distractions:

Visual distraction: taking your EYES off the road
Manual distraction: taking your HANDS off the wheel
Cognitive Distraction: taking your MIND off driving

(Source: US Government website for Distracted Driving)

Think of your brain as a computer. If you open too many applications at once, it starts
running slowly. It takes longer to open a document or close a browser because you've
given it too much to do at the same time. Your brain works in the same way. If you are
doing anything else while driving, your brain is weighed down with too many activities. It
means that you are doing each activity more slowly and it's going to take you longer to
react to any change on the road. A pedestrian could step off the sidewalk or another car
could change its lane. If you're distracted, you could miss the pedestrian or the car and get
into a horrible collision.




We usually think of cell phones as the worst kind of distraction and this is true. Texting in
particular is by far the most dangerous since it combines all three types of distractions -
visual, manual, and cognitive. Even if you're just talking on the phone, using a hands-free
set, your mind is still distracted and you put yourself and others at risk.


DISTRACTED DRIVING STATISTICS
Many people think that they can handle multi-tasking, especially when it comes to driving
and cell phones. But here are some statistics that prove otherwise.

Using a cell phone while driving, whether it's hand-held or hands-free, delays a driver's
reactions as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of .08 percent.
(Source: University of Utah)
Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious
enough to injure themselves. (Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
In 2015 alone, 3,477 people were killed in U.S. roadways and an additional 391,000 were
injured in motor vehicle crashes that were reported to have involved distracted driving.
(Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: FARS and GES)

These statistics are frightening and there is no doubt that using a cell phone significantly
impacts your ability to drive well. Instead of taking your chances on the road, wouldn't it
be better to just make your phone calls once you've stopped driving? Even if you think
you can talk or text while driving, the law now says that you can't.

CELL PHONE AND TEXTING LAWS
Since cell phones and especially texting are such hazards, the State of California has
passed some laws to deal with these problems.

As of July 1, 2008 it is illegal to talk on a handheld cell phone while driving. If you are over
18, you may use a hands-free device while driving. If you are under 18, you cannot talk on
any wireless device, handheld or hands-free. The law makes an exception for emergency
situations.

Handheld Wireless Telephones and Electronic Wireless Communication Devices (VC
23123.5)
In addition to existing laws regarding the usage of electronic devices while driving, it is
now against the law to be holding or manually operating an electronic wireless
communications device. The device must be specifically designed and configured to allow
for voice-operated and hands-free operation. This law exempts manufacturer-installed
systems that are embedded in the vehicle.

While operating the vehicle, the driver's hand may only be used to work a handheld
wireless telephone or electronic wireless communications device only if 1) the device is
mounted on the vehicle's windshield the same way a portable Global Positioning System
(GPS) is mounted. Pursuant to paragraph (12) of subdivision (b) of Section 26708 of the
Vehicle Code, it may be mounted in a seven-inch square in the lower corner of the
windshield farthest removed from the driver or in a five-inch square in the lower corner
of the windshield nearest to the driver and outside of an airbag deployment zone. It may
also be mounted on the vehicle's dashboard or center console in a way that does not affect
the driver's view of the road and 2) the driver's hand is used to activate or deactivate a
feature or function of the device with the motion of a single swipe or tap of the driver's
finger.

A violation of this law is an infraction punishable by a base fine of $20 for the first offense
and $50 for each subsequent offense.

This law does not apply to an emergency service professional while operating an
authorized emergency vehicle while performing his or her duties.

Electronic wireless communication devices includes but is not limited to, a broadband
personal communication device, a specialized mobile radio device, a handheld device or
laptop computer with mobile data access, a pager, or a two-way messaging device.

Even though hands-free sets are legal, they are still a distraction, so it's best to leave all
phone calls for when you have pulled over. If we think about the brain as a computer,
talking and driving are two very big applications running at the same time. When using a
hands-free set, both hands are free for the steering wheel but your mind is still distracted.
You could be making plans and daydreaming about what you're going to be doing that
evening or arguing with customer service about a credit card bill you know you paid on
time. It doesn't matter who you're talking to, talking on a cell phone means you are trying
to carry on a conversation and drive at the same time, forcing your brain to work slowly.
This means you will react more slowly to the unexpected conditions of the road than you
would if you were only driving.


Television Broadcast or Video Signal (VC 27602)
With this law, you can drive a car with a television receiver, video monitor, television or
video screen, or any other similar visual displayer as long as the equipment is designed,
operated and configured in such a way that the driver cannot view the broadcast or video
and not be distracted.



NOT JUST ABOUT CELL PHONES
Cell phones are not the only things that can distract us while driving. While they are one
of the most obvious causes of collisions, there are other distractions that can lead to
collisions. For the most part, we create these distractions, especially the ones in the car, or
allow ourselves to get distracted by what is happening outside.





Dashboard Electronics
While cell phones are the most hazardous electronic devices used in the car, the car itself
is most often equipped with a variety of gadgets. These electronics, however, offer us
another opportunity to do anything but drive. Global Positioning Systems (GPS) are a
great way to ensure that you don't get lost. Your GPS will tell you where to turn left or
right, where to get on and off a highway, saving you from the anxiety of feeling lost or
actually getting lost. The GPS might calm the nerves of many drivers but navigation
systems are also a huge problem on the road. Oftentimes drivers change destinations
while driving or ask for the system to "re-calculate," which draws the driver's attention
away from the road and onto the dashboard.

Dashboard electronics are not restricted to these navigation devices. Many of the buttons
and knobs on the dashboard are also there to make your experience in the car as pleasant
as possible. Controlling the music and the temperature in the car means that you will have
a comfortable drive. We all know, however, how annoying the radio can be sometimes,
playing songs you don't want to hear, or maybe even hate, almost forcing you to reach
over and change the station. By taking that time to look down, reach for the knob or
button, and surf the radio, change a track on a CD, or skip a song on a portable media
player like an iPod or MP3, you increase your chances of getting into a collision. Is it
worth it to get into a collision because you don't like a song you're hearing?

Similarly, no one likes to be in the car if it's too hot or too cold inside. You should try to
turn on the air conditioner or heater before you start driving. If it does get too cold or too
hot, just wait until a normal stop such as a red light to change the temperature.

Let's turn to our companions, Pablo and Maria, to illustrate some of these points. Pablo
can be a careless driver. He is easily distracted and always has to make sure he is
absolutely comfortable while driving. This means he changes radio stations and keeps
changing the temperature in the car. For Pablo, it's either never cold enough or never hot
enough and he's always confident he can find better music if he just keeps looking. He's
been driving like this for years and has almost gotten into a collision on numerous
occasions. Since it hasn't happened yet, he thinks it won't happen.



One afternoon, Pablo picked up Maria to go to the movies. As soon as Maria was in the car
she noticed that he was once again changing radio stations, putting the air conditioner on
low then on high, incapable of keeping his eyes on the road. While driving during rush
hour, on one of the busiest freeways, Pablo was looking down to adjust the temperature
in the car. Traffic was moving and he didn't think anything would change during that
second he was looking down. But it did. All of a sudden the car in front of him came to a
stop. Maria screeched and he immediately stopped. Thanks to Maria's caution he avoided
a collision by a few inches. Maria was obviously very upset and barely stopped herself
from yelling at Pablo. Instead, she sternly suggested that when she's in the car, he should
tell her (or whoever is in the passenger's seat) to fiddle with the music or temperature
controls rather than doing it himself. If he's not driving with any passengers, shouldn't he
just wait until he comes to a normal stop? Is it worth getting into a collision because he
needs to change the temperature to make it "perfect" or to change the music?

Other Passengers
In this instance the passenger, Maria, was helpful to the driver. Without her, Pablo would
have hit the car in front of them. Maria also offered some useful suggestions for safer
driving. In other instances, however, other passengers can be an additional distraction.
When you're driving with friends and relatives it's important to keep your passengers
under control and to keep your attention on the road. They can distract you by talking
loudly or arguing with one another or even with you. You should remind your passengers
from the start that they should try to be helpful as passengers (such as by changing music
and regulating the temperature in the car) rather than being disruptive. If they do start
arguing with one another or with you, don't get involved and don't get distracted by it!
You can continue an argument or a discussion once you've pulled over and stopped
driving. Always remember that there's a psychological aspect to driving too. If you get
upset or angry while driving, this will impact your ability to drive well.
Friends and relatives aren't the only kinds of passengers though. Children and pets can
also be passengers and in some instances can be even more distracting than adults.

Children
Before you take children in the car with you, make it very clear to them that driving is a
serious and important job. Teach them that while they are in the car they should buckle
their seat belts. Remind them that you have to concentrate when you're driving so they
shouldn't argue or fight with one another while they are in the car. They should stay in
their seats and play a game or read a book, quietly entertaining themselves and allowing
you to focus on driving.

Pets
Many people love to drive with their dogs on their laps or running loose in the car. While
it's always nice to see a happy dog with its head out the window and ears flapping, this is
also very dangerous. You should always secure your pet in a carrier or harness. If your pet
is loose in the car, or worse, sitting on your lap, both you and the pet are in danger.
Instead of worrying as to where your pet has gone in the car or what it is doing, secure
your pet and focus on the road.



You should think of yourself as the captain of your ship. You are in charge of your vessel
and all the other members of your crew, be they other adults, children, or pets. For the
sake of your safety and that of your passengers, you should make sure you have control
and that you have established rules for the ship.




NOT JUST ABOUT CELL PHONES (continued)

Eating
We all have very busy lives. Sometimes we rush out early in the morning to get to work,
with no chance to eat breakfast or drink coffee. After a while, this begins to take a toll on
our bodies. We are not as alert as we should be when we get to work or even on our way
to work. A good breakfast is necessary to kick start your day. It will get your mind and
body working properly for work. We all know this, which is why we all make our morning
coffee and bagel stops. This however becomes a problem when you're driving. It's become
a habit with many people to eat and sip while driving. You may think that this isn't a
problem or a distraction. Let's consider some of the things involved in eating and
drinking. The first thing you have to do is reach for the food. As we've seen with the
electronics on the dashboard, this can be a brief but dangerous distraction. Once you have
your food in your hands, you have to unwrap it if it's wrapped or remove it from its
container or box. This forces you to use your hands to get to the food instead of keeping
your hands on the steering wheel. What if you drop what you're eating? How can you pick
it up and clean yourself up while driving safely?

You may think a drink, whether it's hot or cold, might be safer than eating. After all, all
you have to do is put the cup to your lips and sip or put the straw to your mouth. That
can't be too difficult, right? Even drinking a soda or a coffee is a distraction. Remember,
every time you are doing something that takes your attention away from driving, even if
it's for a split second, you are forcing your brain to multi-task. Your brain will not only
think about driving but also about getting your mouth to the straw so that you can sip that
soda. This might not seem like a big deal, but it's still a distraction. There's also the
possibility that you might spill some of your drink. There's nothing worse than spilling
hot coffee all over yourself. We all know that those coffee cup lids can be tricky.
Sometimes there are no problems whereas other times the lid is not on properly or it
somehow spills. Maybe you can ensure that you don't have a knee jerk reaction when you
spill some soda on yourself, but what about hot coffee? It's nearly impossible not to react
at least by slightly jumping out of your seat. This can be extremely dangerous. Not only
will you try to clean the mess and soak up the hot coffee, but you might even lift your leg
off the gas or brake pedal, coming close to or getting into a collision. That sip of coffee can
end up costing you thousands of dollars.


The best way to avoid these collisions or near-collision experiences is to just eat and drink
when you are not driving. Either pull over for a few minutes or wait until you get to your
destination.

Personal Grooming



We all want to look "put together" before we get out of the house. Whether this involves
shaving or applying makeup, we try to look our best. Just like that elusive breakfast,
sometimes we run out of time to get ready. We dress ourselves and rush out, thinking we
can take care of the rest of it in the car. The car is not an extension of your bathroom
where you can groom yourself. Grooming in particular requires attention to a lot of detail.
Whether you are shaving or applying makeup, you have to pay close attention to what
you're doing. You don't want to miss a spot while shaving or apply lipstick to somewhere
other than your lips. If you are trying to do all this in the car it is inevitable that you are
distracted. You are most likely only looking in your rearview mirror, not at what's
happening in front of you. And even though you are looking in your rearview mirror, you
are not even paying attention to what is happening behind you, just to your face. By the
time you apply that lipstick or shave that unseemly patch of hair off your face and look
down, you could be too late to stop from getting into a collision. Instead, plan ahead and
make sure you finish all your grooming at home instead of relying on your time in the car
to get this done. You'll probably look much better if you apply your makeup or shave
when you're not operating a moving vehicle!

Always remember, your car is a very different space from your home. You can multi-task
at home without it being a serious threat or danger to yourself or those around you. Your
house is not on wheels and in motion with you steering it in one direction or another; it's
stationary. If you choose to do multiple chores at once, you can. If you spill something, you
can easily wipe it clean without worrying about a deadly collision. When you're in your
home, you can easily read the newspaper or chat on the phone while sipping your coffee.
You don't have to worry about anything else. Another car will not hit you nor will you hit
another car. You can't collide with a pedestrian or run over someone's pet. So just do all
these things before you get in the car. Your car is not an extension of your home or office.
It's not the place to finish what you couldn't finish at home or at work.

Scenery and Window Shopping
Maria and John love to drive along the coast on the weekends. The Pacific Coast Highway,
with its dramatic cliffs and beaches, is so stunning and beautiful. Maria always drives on
the way out and John always drives on the way back. They think it's the fairest way to
share the burden of driving. It's also the best way to make sure that the driver is always
paying attention to the road. When it's Maria's turn to be a passenger, she can look out the
window and enjoy the scenery, knowing that John is driving safely. One weekend, John
and Maria thought they should invite Pablo for the drive. He eagerly offered to drive,
promising John and Maria that he would only pay attention to the road. For the first thirty
minutes, Pablo was not distracted. He paid attention to the road and drove with caution.
After an hour of driving though, he couldn't keep his eyes away from the coast and
occasionally peaked to the side to take a look. During one of these peaks, he began to
swerve and nearly collided with an oncoming car. While John and Maria yelled at Pablo
for being careless and irresponsible, Pablo was lucky on this occasion.

This is just one example of how distractions that are not even in the car can be a problem
and endanger your ability to focus while you drive. Focus is essential to driving. It is one
aspect of those key elements of driving that include timely, proper judgment and the use
of your senses. Driving on scenic roads can be distracting. Who doesn't want to look out
the window and enjoy the scenery? But is it worth risking a collision as well as the safety
of yourself and your passengers?




Outside distractions are not restricted to ocean side drives. Driving in a city with bright
lights, passing by billboards or storefronts can all be sources of distraction. You may think
you are only looking away for a moment, just for a quick look, but even a few seconds with
your eyes off the road can lead to disaster.

Other Distractions



Some other outside distractions that have been listed by the California DMV include:

Collisions: Staring at collisions not only causes traffic but also can cause other collisions.
The passersby are too busy trying to figure out what happened that they forget to look at
where they are going.
A car pulled over by a police officer: Why did he or she get pulled over? Were they
speeding? Will they get arrested? All of these thoughts might cross our minds as we drive
past a car that has been pulled over. Not only are you unlikely to figure out what has
happened, but you are more likely to get into a collision.

Addresses and street names: We often get in the car and drive somewhere we've never
been before. This means we have to be looking out for street names and specific
addresses. If no one is in the car with us, we're on our own and that can make it difficult to
find a building or a house. The best thing to do is to get a very good idea of where you're
going. Do a quick search online and see if there are any landmarks near your destination
that will make it easier to find. You might even want to pull over at some point to make
sure you're going the right way and how much further you have to go.



THE FACES OF DISTRACTED DRIVING

So far we have considered some imaginary situations involving John, Pablo, and Maria
where distractions could seriously hamper good driving. In reality, texting, cell phone use,
eating, drinking and other distractions have had real life fatal consequences and continue
to do so.

On September 15, 2010, Ani Voskanian, 20, drove through a stop sign while she was
texting. She ran over and killed 80-year old Misak Ranjbar. She was charged with
vehicular manslaughter, which is a felony. (Source: Los Angeles Times)

On July 25, 2009, 19-year-old Eric Okerblom was killed when his bike was struck by a
truck traveling at 60 MPH. Cell phone records indicate that the driver was texting just
prior to the collision. (Source: US Government website for distracted driving)

These are only two of the countless victims of distracted driving. Don't add to these
numbers by being a distracted driver.

The road is full of surprises. A car can switch lanes suddenly, a pedestrian can seem to
emerge from nowhere, a light can change, anything can happen. You should always stay
focused and pay attention. It's only by following these tips that you can successfully deal
with the unexpected, avoiding any type of collision.


Chapter 11: The Vehicle


While driver behavior is by far the number one cause of car collisions, equipment failure
is in the top four. You could be the most cautious, considerate, and experienced driver, but
if you don't take care of your vehicle you dramatically increase your chances of a collision.
What if your brakes failed? If there was a car a few feet away and you had to brake
suddenly, you would no doubt hit that car. What if your headlights and fog lights went out
in the middle of a storm? The cars around you would not be able to see you and you
would not be able to see them, increasing your chances of a dangerous and possibly
deadly collision.

REQUIRED SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLE MAINTENANCE

Lighting




Vehicle lighting plays three important roles. First the headlights act as the driver’s eyes.
They help the driver see the road ahead and help the driver see at night. Second, the
taillights make the vehicle visible to drivers behind you both at night and during the day.
Third, the brake lights tell drivers that you are slowing down or stopping.

Headlights: Every vehicle except motorcycles must have two working headlights on the
front of the vehicle. When the headlights are set to low beam, it should be of sufficient
intensity to reveal any persons or vehicles at a distance of at least 100 feet ahead. When
operating your high beams, it should be of sufficient intensity to reveal any persons or
vehicles at a distance of at least 350 feet ahead. You must turn the headlights on at least
half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise. In addition, you should use the
headlights when it is cloudy, foggy, raining or snowing, on frosty mornings when other
drivers' windows may be icy or foggy, and on small country or mountain roads. You
should use headlights any time you have trouble seeing other cars because they're
probably having trouble seeing you too! In fact, the law requires you to turn on your
headlights whenever weather conditions prevent you from clearly seeing a person or
other motor vehicle on the highway from a distance of 1000 feet, or when driving in
conditions that require your windshield wipers to be in continuous use.

Taillights: Every vehicle except motorcycles must also have two working red taillights on
the back of the vehicle. For vehicles manufactured after January 1, 1969 its taillights
should be plainly visible from all distances within 1000 feet to the rear. For vehicles
manufactured prior to January 1, 1969 the required visibility distance is 500 feet.
Taillights automatically turn on when the headlights activated, and your vehicle visible
from behind.

Brake Lights: These are the red lights on the rear of the vehicle that are activated
automatically every time you apply the brake pedal. Every vehicle other than a
motorcycle must be equipped with two red brake lights, which are visible from a distance
of 300 feet to the rear both during normal sunlight and at night. In addition a vehicle may
also have a supplemental brake light mounted on the rear window of the vehicle as long
as it is not visible to the driver.

If you are towing a trailer or semi-trailer, they must be equipped with their own two red
brake lights. Trailers less than 30 inches wide and manufactured after July 1973 need
only one brake light near the center.

Keep all the lights on your car clean to maximize the light they give out. If a light burns
out, take care of it immediately. It’s dangerous and illegal to drive with a burned out light.



Instrument panel
Always keep an eye on the instrument panel. It tells you a lot of important information,
even with just a glance. You can know how much gas you have, the car's speed, and the
car's total miles driven. Your instrument panel might also have indicators for low fuel, low
oil pressure, low tire pressure and faults in the airbag (SRS) system. It might even tell you
that it's time to have your engine checked. Low gas and low tire pressure can be hugely
stressful so always take a quick look at the panel to ensure that everything is normal.

Belts and Fluid Levels
Think of the car's fluids as the car's blood. You need regular blood tests and your car
needs regular fluid checks. You car's service manual will tell you the minimum
recommended maintenance services for your car. Use it as a guide, but remember that
your driving habits and even the roads on which you drive can affect how often belts and
fluids need to be checked and changed.


REQUIRED SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLE MAINTENANCE (continued)
Horn
Apart from a vehicle's lights, the horn is another excellent way to communicate with other
road users. It's like the car's voice. It's the most obvious way to get another driver's
attention to warn them of your presence or of an oncoming obstacle or hazard. Car horns
are manufactured so that they can be heard from 200 feet away. You should never tamper
with the horn to make it louder. You can be cited for a horn that is too loud. It's irritating
and distracting to other drivers as well as the neighborhoods you're driving through.
Unlike headlights, horns rarely malfunction, but if yours does, get it repaired immediately.
Without the horn, you lose the additional layer of security of being able to get someone's
attention.

Windshields and Mirrors
The windshields and mirrors help the driver to see the environment around him or her.
The windshield also protects you from debris and foreign materials that could obstruct
your view of the road. Mirrors are equally important. They allow us to check on the traffic
behind us, which is important when you're trying to change lanes or turn.

Windshields
All vehicles must be equipped with an adequate windshield and rear window. What does
this mean? First, the glass must be made of shatterproof material. That way, if a vehicle is
involved in a collision, the driver and passengers won't be injured by broken and flying
glass. Second, the windshield must be clean and have functioning windshield wipers. And
finally, the windshield and rear window should be in good condition without any cracks
or holes that will impair the driver's ability to see to the front or back. You can be cited or
even arrested if you are driving with a windshield or rear window that does not comply.





Mirrors
California law is also clear about mirrors. The law requires that your car have at least two
rear view mirrors that allow the driver to see at least 200 feet to the rear. One mirror
must be mounted on the exterior left side and the other can be mounted on either the
exterior right side of the vehicle OR in the interior. If the driver’s rear view is obstructed
because of the design of the vehicle or because of its contents or an item being towed,
there must be a rear view mirror installed at BOTH the left and right exterior.





Brakes
Brakes are an essential component of the car. They are designed to bring your car to a
stop while still giving you control and steering ability. The braking system is so important
that even national standards have been set: All passenger vehicles traveling at 20mph
must be able to stop in 25 feet.

Service Brakes vs. Parking Brake
All vehicles have to be equipped with two braking systems: a dual hydraulic system (also
known as service brakes) and a mechanical brake system (parking or emergency brakes).
What is the difference between these brakes? When you press on the service brakes, you
apply braking action on all four wheels. These are the brakes you use while driving, to
slow down, to stop and to control the speed of the car.

The parking brakes only activate the rear brakes. When you are parked on an incline, you
use the parking brakes to ensure that your vehicle is stable and will not roll down the hill.
For this reason, the parking brake must be able to hold the vehicle on any grade and
under all conditions that it is operated. You must be able to apply both the service brake
and the parking brake separately.



Maintaining the Brakes
Check the brake fluid level at least once a month, but also have a qualified technician
inspect the brakes. Make sure you have the brake cables lubricated and adjusted. If the
brake pedal feels lower than usual, your vehicle pulls to one side while braking or makes
any noises such as grinding or squealing, have them checked out by a service technician
immediately. Your brakes might need to be realigned or replaced. This is not the kind of
information you want to discover while driving 60mph on the highway! You can also
check the working condition of the parking brake. Apply the parking brake and slowly
ease off the service brake while still in drive to make sure your vehicle doesn't move.


REQUIRED SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLE MAINTENANCE (continued)
Tires
If you were a long distance runner, you would get your feet regularly examined by a
podiatrist. You would make sure you have the proper shoes, with adequate cushioning
and shock-absorption. When it comes to cars, tires are the car's feet and running shoes.
Driving a car with deflated or worn out tires is similar to running with a sprained ankle or
worn out running shoes. You won't be able to get very far and you're most likely to cause
a severe injury.

Tires have two functions. Just like running shoes, they are air-filled cushions that help
absorb the shock caused by road hazards or poor road conditions. Tires also grip the road
to provide you with traction, protecting you from skids and hydroplaning.

Tire Inflation
If your tires are properly inflated, they will provide the best traction they can offer. If your
tires are under-inflated, your car won't work efficiently and will waste gas. This will also
affect tire wear and your ability to properly handle and control the vehicle. Under-inflated
tires are also more likely to blow out. Check your vehicle's manual for the recommended
tire pressure and check it regularly using a pressure gauge.






Tread Conditions
Similar to running shoes, tires have grooved surfaces called treads. These treads are
designed to push water, snow, hail, sleet, mud, and more out from under the tire so that it
stays grounded and touching the pavement. As the tire wears out, the tread gradually
becomes thinner and eventually the tire surface becomes smooth. You should replace the
tires before they become smooth. Smooth or bald tires are just like worn out running
shoes: they won't grip the road and cause the vehicle to slide.

According to the law, tires must have at least one thirty-seconds (1/32) of an inch depth
in any two adjacent grooves at any location of the tire. You can check you tire's tread by
doing the penny test. Take a penny and put Lincoln's head into one of the grooves of the
tire tread. If you can't see part of his head, the tire has enough tread. But if you can see all
of Lincoln's head, then it's time for a new tire.

When you're done with the penny test, take a look at your tires and check for signs of
wear, such as bulges and splits in the tread or sidewall. Check for uneven wear, too. It
might indicate that one tire is more inflated than the others or that your brakes or
alignment need to be checked out. If you rotate your tires every 12,000 miles, you can
equalize the wear of your tires and give them a longer life span.




Seat Belt Myths
There are many myths about seat belts. Dispelling these myths will help convince you to
wear yours more often.

ANSWER SURVEY QUESTION
1. Pregnant women should wear seat belts because it won’t harm the fetus.


2. Seat belts will not trap you if your car catches fire or starts sinking.


3. You do need to wear a seat belt for long trips.


4. If your car has airbags, you do need to wear a seat belt.


5. You do need to wear a seat belt if you're driving at slow speeds.




REQUIRED SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLE MAINTENANCE (continued)
Seats, Seat Belts and Airbags
Sometimes even the most cautious and experienced driver can be involved in a collision. If
the driver was alert and focused, the severity of the collision will be much less. This
increases the chance that the people involved will survive the crash. Another important
factor that will determine the outcome of a crash is whether or not the occupants were
wearing seat belts. The single most important safety device in any kind of collision is the
seat belt. Seat belts restrain the driver and the passengers during a collision and keep
them from hitting the hard surfaces of the car, such as the windshield. Air bags are
intended to cushion the driver and front seat passenger from the force of the impact, but
they do not replace seat belts.



The law requires that you use your seat belt. If your car is a 1968 or later model the law
requires that it must have a seat belt in good working condition. It also requires that the
driver and all passengers 16 and older wear a seat belt. Children under the age of 16 must
be restrained in a seat belt, safety seat, or booster seat, depending on the child's size. It
doesn't matter where your passengers are sitting, everyone must be safely restrained.
Any passenger over 16 years of age can be cited for not wearing his or her seat belt. It's
also the driver's responsibility to ensure that he or she is wearing a seat belt and that all
other passengers are also restrained. Remember, a police officer may stop you for a seat
belt infraction.

Air Bags
Some of us have heard about the dangers surrounding airbags. What is the best way to
stay safe and protected while driving? Adjust your seat before you drive. Make sure your
head Is at least ten inches from your driver air bag. Keep in mind that you have to be able
to reach the pedals and steering wheel comfortably and easily. If pulling your seat ten
inches away from the steering wheel is too far, you can adjust your seat to maintain the
ten-inch distance while being able to reach the steering wheel and pedals. You can recline
the back of the seat, move the seat rearward or, if your steering wheel is adjustable, tilt it
downward. Always drive belted and sitting ten inches away from the steering wheel.

(Source: NHTSA)


Child Safety Equipment
Children, because of their size and age, are more vulnerable to the dangers of a car. They
might also have a difficult time understanding the consequences to their actions. For this
reason, a car is equipped with safety measures that protect over-curious children.

Child Safety Locks
These locks stop children from opening doors and windows.

Child Restraint System and Safety Seats
Any child who is under the age of eight years and who is less than 4 feet 9 inches tall, must
be secured in an appropriate child safety seat and ride in the back seat of a vehicle. Once
that child is at least eight years old OR at least 4 feet 9 inches tall she may use an
appropriate safety belt instead.

A child who is under the age of eight years and who is less than 4 feet 9 inches tall should
always ride in the back of the vehicle unless:


There is no rear seat or the rear seats are either side-facing jump seats or rear-facing
seats.
 The child passenger restraint system cannot be properly installed in the rear seat.
All rear seats are already occupied by children seven years of age or under.
A medical reason requires the child to ride in the front seat.

Beginning in 2017, children under the age of two who weigh less than 40 pounds and are
less than 40 inches tall must be secured in a rear facing child safety seat that meets
federal safety standards, in the back of the vehicle. Children who exceed these age, weight
or height minimums, do not have to be placed rear-facing (they may be placed forward-
facing), but must still be secured in a child safety seat appropriate for their size and age, in
the back of the vehicle. The court may exempt the parent/guardian from these
requirements (with written proof) if the child is physically unfit to be placed in a rear-
facing child safety seat because of a medical condition, or because of the child's size.

Exceptions are also made in the case of a life-threatening emergency or if the child is
being transported in an authorized emergency vehicle. If there is no child safety seat
available, the child must be secured by a seatbelt.



It is the responsibility of the driver or the parent/guardian if they are a passenger in the
vehicle to take care of this. Drivers who fail to restrain child passengers in child safety
seats will receive a point on their driving record and a $100 fine. The fine increases to
$250 for a second or subsequent offense. You are the adult and you should be the one
ensuring the safety of your child passengers.


MECHANICAL FAILURES
Sometimes even the most careful drivers, despite diligent car maintenance, have a
mechanical emergency on the road. Being prepared and knowing how to handle these
kinds of frightening situations will give you confidence and peace of mind.

Accelerator is Stuck
Recent headlines of people crashing because their accelerator was stuck have brought
this issue to the forefront. There are four things to remember if this happens to you.

Try to unstick the gas pedal by pressing it sharply; it may loosen. Or lift it up with the tip
of your shoe.
If that doesn't work, shift the car into neutral and steer to safety.
If that still doesn't work, press the brake hard and fast. Pressing slowly and gradually will
only eat away at the pads and make them ineffective.
4. And finally, if all else fails or you have trouble stopping completely, turn the
ignition off. You will lose power steering, but you should have enough momentum to steer
to safety.

Tire Blows Out
If you have a tire blow out while you are driving, stay calm and do not slam on the brakes.
Instead, grip the steering wheel firmly and steer to keep your vehicle in a straight line.
Once you have control of the car, ease off the gas pedal to start slowing down. Activate
your turn signal, and press the brakes gently to slow down even more. Steer slowly off the
road as far away from traffic as possible. Park your car and turn on your hazard lights.

Brakes Fail
Thankfully brake failures are rare. But it is still a good idea to be prepared to handle one
just in case. If your brakes stop working, downshift to a lower gear to help slow down the
vehicle. For ABS brakes, press the brake pedal as hard as you can. Don't be startled by the
vibrating, that is what ABS brakes do.

For non ABS brakes, press the brake pedal several times quickly( this is called pumping)
to build up pressure in the brakes. Activate the hazard lights and honk the horn to warn
other drivers. Also pump the parking brake while releasing the lock mechanism, but stop
if the car starts to skid. Steer gently to move off the road safely. If you are still not able to
stop, look for an uphill slope, guard rail or curb to help further reduce your speed. As a
last resort, select objects that are soft and will give on impact to collide with in order to
come to a complete stop. Avoid hard objects such as trees, light posts, telephone posts,
buildings, etc.

Stop Safely Off the Road
No matter what the mechanical emergency, you should always try to get your car safely
off the road as far away from traffic as possible. Try your best to maneuver to a well lit
area and turn on your hazard lights to warn other drivers.



It is usually safest to stay in the car with your seat belt on and doors locked while you call
and wait for help. Be wary of strangers offering help. It doesn't mean all strangers are out
to harm you, but being aware of possible dangers helps you stay safe. If you don't have a
phone, ask them to call a tow truck for you.







Chapter 12: The Road


RULES OF THE ROAD






Pablo and Maria are driving in her neighborhood. While Maria always follows the speed
limit, Pablo is getting irritated. “Why do I have to drive so slowly on this road? No one is
ever around. What’s the problem with driving 35mph? This is just another excuse to give
someone a ticket!”

Maria says, “The rules of the road are not there to annoy you. It’s not a scheme by the
state, county or city to collect money from you either! Driving is like a game of Monopoly.
You have to know and follow the rules to be able to play.”



HOW TO USE LANES PROPERLY
Lanes exist to channel traffic and help guide drivers safely. Learning these rules will make
your journey more efficient and safe.

Yellow lines separate traffic going in opposite directions

Solid yellow lines: Mark the center of the road.

Broken yellow lines: Allow you to pass if it is on your side of the road.

Double yellow lines: Do not pass when you are next to a double yellow line. You may cross
a double yellow line, however, to make a left turn into an intersection or into a private
driveway.

Two sets of double yellow lines: These are called a barrier and they are used to separate
higher speed traffic going in opposite directions. You may not cross these lines for any
reason. A left turn or u-turn can be made in designated openings.





White Lines separate traffic going in the same direction

Solid white lines: Mark traffic lanes going in the same direction.

Broken white lines: These are used when there are two or more lanes going in the same
direction.

Double white lines: These separate regular lanes from carpool or other special lanes. You
may not cross over the solid double lines. Wait for the broken white lines to enter the
lane.



Choosing a Lane

Traffic lanes are often referred to by their number. Starting the lane on the left, they are
numbered 1, 2, 3, etc. When driving a long distance, use the number 2 lane. It is generally
the smoothest because drivers aren’t slowing down to turn or passing. If you want to pass
someone, make the pass on the left. This is the expected area to make a pass, and causes
the least disruption to the road. If you plan to turn left or right soon, get into the
appropriate lane with enough time to slow down for the turn.

DO NOT weave in and out of traffic or make abrupt lane changes to make a turn, as this
puts all road users in danger of a collision.



Bicycle Lanes



Motorists need to be especially careful when sharing the road with cyclists. In order to
avoid any devastating collisions between cyclists and motorists, additional precautions
have been taken. On some roads, there are designated bike lanes. They are marked by a
solid white lane and usually have the image of a cyclist. They are narrower than a usual
lane but are just like any other lane. Would you cross over the white line and use two
lanes? The answer is no. The same should apply for bike lanes. Cyclists are road users and
you should respect their designated lanes. The only time you can drive in the bicycle lane
is when you are going to make a right turn. Once you are within 200 feet of the corner,
make sure you will not be colliding with any cyclists and then enter the bicycle lane.

Other roads that aren’t wide enough for a bike lane have markings that show that vehicles
and bicycles must share the road. These markings, called sharrows, alert drivers to watch
out for bicyclists on that part of the road.




Properly Ending Left or Right Turns
Most people know where to start their left or right turn, but it is just as important to know
where to end the turn.

General Rules for Left turns: If you are going to make a left turn, position yourself in lane
closest to the left. Use the center left turn lane if one is available. Start signaling about 100
feet before the turn. Slow down and stop behind the limit line. You must yield to all
pedestrians crossing the road and other vehicles coming from the opposite direction,
including any cars making a right turn. Scan the road, left, center and right. Make the turn
only when it’s safe and do not cut the corner! End your turn in any lane as long as no one
else is trying to use that lane. This applies whether you are turning into a one-way street
or a two-way street.

General Rules for Right turns: If you are going to make a right turn, position yourself in
the farthest right lane. Check for pedestrians and bicycles and start signaling about 100
feet before the turn. Look over your right shoulder and slow down, stopping behind the
limit line. Look both ways, especially for pedestrians who might be stepping on or off the
sidewalk. Yield to any pedestrians who are already crossing the street or are about to
cross and make your turn only when it is clear and safe. End your turn in the lane nearest
the right-hand curb.







Other Examples of Left and Right turns:

Left turn from a one-way street onto a two-way street: When turning left from a one-way
street you should position yourself in the farthest left lane and may turn into any lane that
is available.
Left turn from a two-way street onto a one-way street: Position yourself in the far left lane
of your side of the road and turn into any lane that is available.






Two or more left turn lanes: If more than one lane is indicated for left turns, you may use
either lane, but you must stay in your lane and end the turn in the corresponding lane.








Right turn from a one-way street into a one-way street: Position yourself in the farthest
right lane. Make sure it’s safe and turn into any lane that is open. If there is more than one
lane indicated for turning right, you may use either lane, but you should stay in your lane
and end the turn in the corresponding lane to avoid colliding with the car in the far right
lane.
Right turns on red signals: You may make a right turn against a red signal as long as there
is no sign prohibiting it. Make a complete stop before the crosswalk and yield to any road
users moving on their green light. Never turn on a red arrow.



High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes (VC 21655.9)
If you drive a low emission vehicle and have white clean air stickers, you can continue to
use the carpool lane regardless of how many passengers are in the car. Hybrids with
white stickers can use the carpool lane until January 2015. This law also states that
starting in 2012, 40,000 HOV access stickers can be issued to early purchasers of
Enhanced Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emission Vehicles.


HOW TO USE LANES PROPERLY (continued)
Center Left Turn Lane
Center left turn lanes are located in the middle of a two way street. They are marked by
two lines on each side. The inner line is a broken line and the outer one is solid. If a street
has a center left turn lane you may use it to turn left. The two lines indicate that this is not
a regular traffic lane, so don't use it as one! Even if you are sitting in heavy traffic, you are
not allowed to use the center left turn lane to cut through to the left turn only lane. If you
are going to make a left turn (into a driveway) you can only drive in this lane for 200 feet.

Left turn: To make a left turn from this lane, follow the usual lane changing procedure:
signal, check your mirrors and blind spots and switch into this lane. Make sure you are
completely in the lane. You don't want the rear of the vehicle in another lane. This could
cause traffic and even a collision. Unlike a regular left turn lane you might have other cars
driving towards you in the center left turn lane to also make a left turn.





Sharing Lanes with Motorcycles
Just like cyclists, motorcyclists are a more vulnerable group of road users. They too have
to obey the same traffic laws, but they too are harder to notice on the road. As a general
rule, you should allow motorcycles the width of an entire lane. There are occasions
however where "lane splitting" may happen. Because of their small size, motorcycles are
able to travel faster than traffic during periods of heavy congestion. They legally can use
the space between two lanes of traffic which is known as lane splitting. If you are sharing
a lane with a motorcycle, be careful. Don't squeeze them out of the flow of traffic or try to
force them into another lane!

PASSING OTHER VEHICLES
Passing is very dangerous and should be done only when it is completely safe. But
sometimes it is hard to judge how dangerous a situation really is. Much of this depends on
how far ahead you can see and whether or not you have room to safely pass.

Special Situations
These are situations that are confusing for many drivers because the dangers of passing
may not be completely obvious.

Bridges, viaducts and tunnels: If your view is blocked as you approach within 100 feet of a
bridge, viaduct or tunnel, you may not pass.
Hills: When you are driving up or down a hill, you have limited visibility. You often can't
see oncoming cars and they can't see you. For this reason, you should not pass on hills.
Only pass if the hill or curve is at least one-third of a mile away, but avoid passing on the
hill itself.
Intersections and railroad crossings: It is illegal to pass within 100 feet of intersections
and railroad crossings. If you are further than 100 feet away, you should decide whether
you can pass safely.
Class A and Class B vehicles: Class A and class B vehicles tend to be commercial trucks,
farm vehicles and buses. Their size and weight makes it difficult for them to slow down, so
attempting to pass them could be very dangerous. Only pass them when it's absolutely
necessary. Do you have an exit or a turn approaching? If so, avoid passing these vehicles
and wait for a better opportunity. If you have to pass these large vehicles, pass on the left
and allow for more than the usual 10-12 seconds to pass. Don't forget to give yourself
more room to enter as well. You don't want to cut these vehicles off. They might not be
able to slow down fast enough to avoid rear ending you.




Dangerous Situations
There are some situations that may not be technically illegal to pass, but the fact that you
end up doing other illegal moves to make the pass happen still makes them illegal and
extremely dangerous.

Long line of vehicles ahead: If you are trying to pass more than one vehicle, this means
you are on the wrong side of the road for too long. It may be difficult for you to get back
into your lane. This is not safe!
Intention to stop or turn: Passing someone when you know you are going to stop or turn
in front of them is an act of aggressive driving. This can create a rear end crash with you
on the receiving end.
Vehicle is at or near speed limit: It's simple. If you have to exceed the speed limit in order
to pass a vehicle ahead of you because he is already at or near the speed limit, you should
not be passing him. Don't exceed the speed limit to pass another driver.
Sight or distance ahead is limited: Remember safety first! If you can't see the distance
needed to make the pass, you should assume there is a car there and stay where you are.
Unable to pass before reaching a no passing zone: No passing zones are places in the road
where it is just too dangerous to pass. It may be because it is harder to see ahead or
because the road is too narrow.


RIGHT-OF-WAY
The rules of the road give drivers a lot of information about what they can and can't do
and what they should do. Right-of-way rules tell motorists who has the higher priority
over the other, in a given situation, and what the best way is to handle the situation.
Below is a list of some of the most common right-of-way situations and how to handle
them.

Controlled vs. Uncontrolled Intersections
Controlled intersections have some kind of device or sign telling drivers what to do. There
are many different kinds of controlled intersections and each one has its own right-of-way
rules:

Four-way stop: At a four way stop, the driver reaching the intersection first gets to go
first. If two cars arrive at the same time, the right-of-way should be given to the car on the
right. If there is no car on your right, then you technically "have" the right-of-way. But
remember, you still have to make sure the other driver gives you the right-of-way before
hitting the gas pedal.
Yield signs: A yield sign facing you means you are about to enter an area where other road
users have the right of way. Slow down as you approach the yield sign and be prepared to
stop if you see another road user already using that part of the road. This could be the car
going straight on the road you want to make a right turn on, or the pedestrian using the
crosswalk in front of the yield sign.
Unprotected left or right turn: These are turns made at any uncontrolled intersection or
when a controlled intersection does not have a special turn light. The turn is also
unprotected when a special left or right turn light ends -- while you are still allowed to
turn, you don't have the "protection" of the light. If you are making an unprotected left
turn, you should yield the right-of-way to all other traffic.
Intersections with a broken signal light: If the traffic signal is not working, approach the
intersection carefully and treat the broken signal like a four-way stop. Only drive ahead
when it is your turn and it is safe.

Vehicles Stopped at a Crosswalk
Do not pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. They are most likely waiting for a pedestrian
to cross the street. You could endanger the pedestrian. Wait for the car ahead of you to
pass the crosswalk before you move forward.


Pedestrian's Right-of-Way at Crosswalks
Pedestrian is anyone who is on foot but also includes people using a mobility devise such
as a wheel chair, skateboard or electric scooter. They always have the right-of-way at
crosswalks no matter where they are! It doesn’t matter if the crosswalks are marked or
not, have a signal light, a stop sign or no sign at all, you must yield to pedestrians.


If you are going to make a right turn, wait at the limit line (not in the crosswalk) for
pedestrians to clear the sidewalk before making your turn. Even if you have a green light,
you must allow pedestrians to cross first.
Do not pass a vehicle that has stopped at a crosswalk. A pedestrian you cannot see may be
crossing the street. Stop, and then proceed when all pedestrians have crossed the street.
Do not drive on a sidewalk, except to cross it to enter or exit a driveway or alley. When
crossing, yield to all pedestrians.
Do not stop in a crosswalk. You will place pedestrians in danger.
Remember, if a pedestrian makes eye contact with you, he or she is ready to cross the
street. Yield to the pedestrian.
Allow older pedestrians, disabled pedestrians, and pedestrians with young children
sufficient time to cross the street.

Bicyclist's Right-of-Way
Right-of-way rules are the same for bicycles and cars. They have to follow the same rules
and have the same responsibilities as motorists. Motorists must remember that bicyclists
are entitled to share the road with other vehicles if they do not have a designated bike
lane. They are also allowed to use turn lanes. So while motorists should treat bicyclists
with more caution, they should not be surprised to see them cycling with traffic or using
turn lanes. If cyclists are moving slowly, they should behave like any other slow moving
vehicle and stay to the right.

Anti-Gridlock Law
What happens when drivers enter the intersection on a green light when the lanes are
already backed up? The light turns red and, since the cars are still stuck in the
intersection, other traffic can't get through. Gridlock! When passing through an
intersection, you have to keep in mind California's anti-gridlock law. It is your
responsibility to make sure you have enough space on the other side of the intersection or
railroad crossing before entering the intersection. Blocking an intersection is not only
inconsiderate to other drivers, but it is also dangerous and illegal.

School Buses with Red Flashing Lights
If you approach a school bus that has stopped with red signal lights flashing from either
direction, you have to stop and wait for them to stop flashing before you move. The
flashing lights tell drivers that passengers are loading or unloading. You cannot pass the
bus or otherwise move until the lights are no longer flashing.


You don't have to stop if the bus is on the opposite side of a physical barrier or divider
such as a divided highway or multi-lane highway.




RIGHT-OF-WAY (continued)
Road or Lane Narrows
If a road or lane narrows or ends, two lanes will have to merge into one. In these
instances, merging traffic always has to yield. In other words, if you are driving in the
right hand lane and your lane is ending, you will have to merge with the left lane. The left
lane, that is the lane that continues, will have the right-of-way. If your lane narrows or
ends, you must yield to the rest of traffic and merge when it is safe. If you are in the lane
that is continuing on, be courteous and let the other driver merge into your lane!

Entering Freeways
Freeway traffic always has the right-of-way, so entering motorists must be quick and
cautious to merge into traffic. Most freeways have acceleration lanes which allow the
vehicles entering the freeway to reach the speed of traffic and merge more easily. Even
when you reach the speed of traffic while in the acceleration lane, you do not have the
right-of-way once your lane merges with the rest of the freeway. You have to yield to
freeway traffic until you find a safe merging point.


Railroad Crossings
The Federal Railroad Administration reports there are over 3000 train collisions every
year and almost 900 fatalities on this country's 200,000 railroad crossings. It seems
motorists don't take railroad crossings seriously.




But the reality is that trains travel at very high speeds. Even at slower speeds, a train
requires a very long distance to stop. A train traveling at 50 mph will take a mile and a
half to come to a complete stop. A train can also cross at any time so you must be extra
cautious when crossing a railroad.

For this reason, trains always have the right-of-way. It does not matter if the railroad
crossing is protected (gated) or unprotected (un-gated), you should cross the tracks
carefully and always yield to oncoming trains. If the crossing is unprotected and you see a
train approaching, don't take a chance. Do not try to race across the tracks hoping to
outrun the train. If you miscalculate the speed of the train or if your car stalls, it will be
impossible for the train to stop in time, thus leading to a deadly collision.

Traffic Breaks
It occasionally happens. You are driving on the freeway and you see a large object on the
road. Sometimes it's not a large enough hazard to get the CHP involved, but other times
these objects are very dangerous! They can range from stalled cars to mattresses and
construction equipment. The CHP may be called in to create a traffic break so that the
object may be removed. Traffic breaks are most often created by an officer driving back
and forth across all the lanes with his lights flashing. If you see an officer creating a traffic
break, you must yield to the officer. Do not try to drive past the officer! Wait for the CHP
to clear the road and to end the traffic break.



ADJUST YOUR DRIVING FOR THE CONDITIONS
Once you've learned and mastered the rules of the road, you have to be able to adjust to
changing roads and road conditions. It's rare that drivers are faced with the same driving
conditions all the time. A good driver has to take the rules of the road and adjust his or
her driving to the environment. For example, you can't drive on the freeway the same way
you would in the city. Your speed will be different, the obstacles you are looking for will
be different and the techniques you use will be different.

Demands of City Driving
While city driving may be exciting with all its lights and sounds and people, it is these
distractions that make driving in the city so difficult. Take extra care when driving
through the city. Reduce your speed, watch out for but don't watch the pedestrians and
try to reduce the distractions inside your car. It's also important to avoid being a "rubber
neck," a person who slows down to see what is happening on the side of the road. This
doesn't mean you shouldn't be aware of the situation; you just shouldn't stare at it.





Look ahead of traffic: Make it a point to look 10 to 15 seconds ahead and you will likely
catch the majority of hazards liable to endanger you. If you catch these early enough, you
have sufficient time to respond to them accordingly. Always scan the road for hazards!

Leave enough distance to maneuver: Always leave enough distance between you and the
vehicles or hazards around you. The more room you leave the more room you will have to
maneuver yourself to safety should you need to. Follow the three-second rule. When you
have stopped, always leave at least one car length between you and the car in front of you.

Anticipate signal light changes: When scanning ahead of traffic, you should pay attention
to and anticipate signal light changes. How long has the light been green? If you have been
paying attention, you will be able to tell if it is going to stay green or turn yellow once
you've reached the intersection. Avoid crossing the intersection when the signal is yellow.
Drivers in the cross traffic may enter the intersection as soon as their light turns green,
and if you are still in the intersection, a crash would be hard to avoid.

Other road users: Unlike driving on the freeway, city driving is especially challenging
because of the variety of road users. In a city, you share the road with other cars, bicycles,
pedestrians and buses. Scan the road for these other road users and respect their right to
share the road with you.

Cover the brake, don't ride it: When you are driving in a city, cover the brake. In other
words, let your foot hover over the brake pedal, ready to brake immediately if it becomes
necessary. Do not ride the brake though! When you are riding the brake you are touching
the brake pedal which causes the brake lights to illuminate. This can be very confusing to
the drivers behind you. They will wonder why you are stopping. Cover the brake instead
of riding it.


ADJUST YOUR DRIVING FOR THE CONDITIONS (continued)

Demands of Freeway Driving
Freeway driving is very different from city driving. Freeway driving is faster paced and
requires a special set of skills unique to the freeway.




Plan a Route in Advance
You can avoid confusion and dangerous moves on the freeway by planning your route
ahead of time. Be familiar with your entrance and exit. If you are driving somewhere
unfamiliar, try to leave while it is still daylight.

When Entering the Freeway
Acceleration lanes exist at many freeway entrances. They permit vehicles that are
entering to accelerate and reach the speed of traffic in order to merge more easily. Be
familiar with entrance signs that warn of curves, speed limits and merge areas. Adjust
your speed to the posted speed limit on the entrance ramp. While on the ramp, check the
flow of traffic on the freeway. Judge the speed and spacing of the vehicles. Try to locate a
gap in the traffic. Watch the vehicle ahead for sudden stops; many drivers reduce speed
and even stop while attempting to merge. Check the freeway again and locate the gap that
you will use to merge onto the freeway. Activate your left turn signal and begin to match
your speed to the freeway traffic. Check the mirror and blind spot, and then merge into
the gap. Cancel the turn signal once you are safely in your lane.

Choosing Your Lane
If you are on a two-lane freeway you should use the right-hand lane when you enter and
just prior to exiting. The left lane is for passing and faster traffic. Be prepared to move
right and allow faster moving vehicles to pass. When on a three-lane or larger freeway
you should drive in the right lane when you enter the freeway, just before exiting and if
you are driving less than the posted speed limit. The center lanes should be used when
driving at or near the speed limit and when driving long distances. The left lane should be
used for passing or preparing to exit when the exit is on the left side of the freeway. Often
a freeway divides into three or more different routes called interchanges. When
approaching an interchange, avoid merging conflicts by changing lanes to the left or by
adjusting your speed.

Speed Limits
California's "Basic Speed Law" says that you must never drive faster than is safe for the
present conditions, regardless of the posted speed limit. When road, weather, visibility or
traffic conditions are not ideal, the driver must determine what is safe for the existing
conditions. The posted maximum speed limit is the maximum speed at which you can
legally drive in a particular zone. A minimum speed limit may also be posted to keep
traffic from moving too slowly. Driving too slowly during good conditions is as illegal as
driving too fast. A very slow driver blocks the flow of traffic and essentially forces other
drivers to make risky last minute lane changes to avoid the slow vehicle.

Keep a Space Cushion around your Vehicle
A space cushion is the empty area to the front, back and sides of your vehicle. The bigger
the space cushion, the more options you have to maneuver out of a problem nearby.
What if the car in front of you unexpectedly stalls? If you are surrounded by cars in every
direction, you won't have many options for an exit strategy. In fact, you might rear-end
the car in front of you before you have a chance to escape.

Establish a space cushion by increasing the minimum three-second following distance to
at least four seconds. Avoid driving next to other cars or in clusters of cars to increase
your space cushion to the sides. The only area that you have the least control over your
space cushion is behind you. You can't exactly stop a tailgater, but at least if you have
enough room to the front and sides you can get away from him or allow him to pass you.




Freeway Emergencies
When you come across a blocked roadway on the freeway you should reduce your speed,
check for an open lane next to you and steer around the obstacle. If you are not able to
steer around the obstacle and stopping becomes your only option, tap the brake pedal
before applying the brakes to warn the vehicles behind you. If needed turn on the hazard
lights to warn other drivers.

When Exiting the Freeway
When you are planning to exit the freeway, scan ahead for signs indicating the exit lane
you are looking for. When you see your exit sign, start changing lanes to reach your exit
lane. Give yourself ample time to reach the exit lane. If you miss your exit, do not try to
dash across several lanes or attempt to back your vehicle on the freeway. Drive on to the
next exit and then return to the desired exit on the other side of the freeway.

ADJUST YOUR DRIVING FOR THE CONDITIONS (continued)

The Open Highway
The open highway can present a variety of surprises for drivers. You might find yourself
sharing the road with some interesting road users, such as animals, horses, tractors and
more. Be aware of these surprises and be prepared to deal with them.

Unpredictable Road Conditions
Open highways are often poorly maintained. When driving on an open highway, you may
come across potholes, broken pavement, bumps and more. Slow down and try to avoid
them. The road might not even be paved. If you are driving on gravel, sand or mud, this
will affect your car's traction. Drive carefully. The roads can also vary in width. If you're
driving on a narrow road, drive slowly and carefully and be especially careful with
oncoming traffic.

Environment
Open highways are often characterized by curves and hills. Adjust your driving to
accommodate the changing terrain. When approaching a curve, slow down but don't stop.
If you are driving on a hill, shift to a lower gear even with an automatic transmission to
make the engine turn faster and develop power to climb more easily. When on a downhill
slope, shift to a lower gear. The lower gear will help control the speed. As you approach
the top of the hill it will be difficult for you to see any oncoming traffic and even traffic
that is ahead of you or behind you. Stay safe! Stay to the right of your lane and ease off the
accelerator until your visibility increases. Mountain driving can be a greater challenge.
High altitudes not only affect drivers but their cars as well. Your car may overheat so
check the temperature gauge often.

Other Road Users
Since open highways are typically found in rural settings, you may come across some road
users you don't often see in the city. You will be sharing the road with animals, tractors
and slow moving vehicles. Watch out for signs that warn drivers about animal crossings.
Once you spot one of these signs, be more vigilant in your scanning. Trucks and other
slow moving vehicles can also be a challenge. Their sheer size means it takes them longer
to speed up, slow down and turn. Don't try to cut them off to get ahead of these slow
moving vehicles. Give the truck drivers their space! It's safer for everybody. Remember
you are in the smaller vehicle; a collision would not end well for you.




Lighting
Open highways are often poorly lit. If you are driving on an open highway in the dark, use
your high beam lights to ensure that you can see and are seen by other drivers. Be sure to
switch to the standard headlights at a distance of 500 feet when there are oncoming
vehicles or when you are 300 feet behind a vehicle that you are approaching from the
rear.

Construction Zones
You must be extra cautious and alert when driving through construction zones. Reduce
your speed; look out for construction workers, flaggers and guide signs. These men and
women are working under dangerous conditions. They do not have the protection of their
cars as you do. Be considerate and cautious. If you are convicted of an offense against
highway workers, you could be fined up to $2000 and/or a jail term of up to one year. All
other citations received in construction zones are doubled.

Traffic Congestion
Rubbernecking
If you do drive past a crash don't slow down just to stare at it. This creates traffic and
could even cause another collision. Of course you should slow down if you need to get
past safely, or for a merging vehicle.

Tailgating
Tailgaters think that by driving right behind the car in front of them that they will
miraculously get where they are going faster. All this does is annoy the driver in front and
create a dangerous situation for both drivers. Always follow the three-second rule and
avoid tailgating.

Weaving
Unnecessary lane changes, especially on the freeway, will not get you to your destination
any faster. They simply cause a commotion, forcing other drivers to slow down and move
over to avoid you.

Distractions
Eating, grooming, talking on the phone or even dealing with your children or pets can all
force you to slow down unnecessarily or make bad decisions when driving.

Poorly-maintained vehicles
Make sure your vehicle is properly cared for. You don't want to be the driver whose car
has stalled or who has run out of gas. Proper maintenance ensures your safety and well-
paced traffic flow.


ADJUST YOUR DRIVING FOR THE CONDITIONS (continued)

Driving in Different Weather Conditions
The most unpredictable part about driving is the weather. When possible, avoid driving in
bad weather. In most cases, you are unable to see properly. The risk you will be taking to
drive in bad weather is just not worth it. If you must drive, however, be prepared to adjust
your driving to better deal with different weather conditions.




Rain
Wet roads are slippery roads! This is especially true when it first starts to rain because
the oil and dust on the road have not washed away yet. Slow down when it first starts to
sprinkle or drizzle.

Continue to drive slowly once the rain gets heavier so you can avoid hydroplaning and the
problem of decreasing visibility. Slowing down will increase your ability to see and give
you precious time to react effectively to a possible problem. The heavier a rainstorm, the
more difficult it is to see and be seen. Keep your headlights on and make sure your
windshield wipers are working properly. If the humidity is making your windows foggy,
keep defrosting them. When you can't see farther than 100 feet ahead, you should not be
driving faster than 30 mph - keep this in mind the next time you are on the freeway in a
storm.

Since it takes longer to stop and slow down in the rain the only way you can ensure that
you will be able to stop safely is if you are driving slowly. Make sure you follow the three-
second plus rule to leave a generous space in front. What if there is a problem up ahead
and you have to stop suddenly? If you are following the car in front of you too closely you
might not be able to avoid a collision, so maintain a safe distance of least four seconds.

Snow and Icy Roads
If you will be driving in a snowstorm, you'll be facing many of the same challenges as
driving in the rain except more so. Icy, snowy roads can be much more dangerous than
wet ones, and the only way to get through all the snow is with snow tires or chains. Make
sure the chains fit your tires and that you know how to put them on before you get on the
road.


Falling snow can be blinding. If the snow is too much for your windshield wipers to
handle, pull over and clear up your windshields. It's hard enough to drive in a snowstorm.
Don't make it more difficult and dangerous by allowing the snow to accumulate.





Fog
Heavy fog can make it impossible to see. You might be able to see only a few feet or so
ahead of you! If at all possible, avoid driving in fog. If you must drive, slow down! It will be
easier to spot other vehicles and to stop if you are driving slowly. Add a few more seconds
to the three-second-plus rule. Use your low beams or fog lights to see and be seen. If the
fog gets even thicker as you drive and you really can't see, don't continue driving. Pull off
the road until the condition improves. Turn off any headlights or brake lights. Cars behind
you might think you are still driving and follow your lights leading them off the road and
rear-ending you.

Sandstorms and Dust Storms
Dust storms can catch you off guard. Much like other difficult weather conditions, these
storms can decrease visibility severely. If you find yourself stuck in a dust storm, the best
thing to do is to pull off the road and wait for the storm to pass.




1. If your tire blows out while you are driving the best thing to do is ______.
*A. Grip the steering wheel firmly and gently ease off the gas pedal
B. Turn quickly off the road
C. Slam on the brakes to slow down
D. Turn on the hazards and stop the car

2. What does it mean when a school bus is stopped with its red signal lights flashing?
*A. Children are loading or unloading and you must stop and wait for
the lights to stop flashing before you move
B. Children are loading or unloading and you must slow down and pass
carefully
C. Children are loading or unloading and you must make a complete
stop and pass carefully
D. Children are loading or unloading and you must look out for
pedestrians as you continue on your way

3. If you enter an intersection or railroad and get stuck because of all the cars in front
of you, you have violated California's ______ law. REVIEW
A. Anti Gridlock law
B. Anti Passing law
C. Intersection law
D. Railroad crossing law

4. What should you do in a traffic break?
A. Pull over to the shoulder of the road and rest
*B. Yield to the police officer who is slowing down traffic on the freeway
by driving back and forth across all the lanes with his lights flashing
C. Yield to the police officer if he pulls you over for driving too slow
D. Yield to the police officer if he pulls you over to write you a ticket