Adverse and Emergency Conditions

Swerving should only be used as a last resort to avoid a _____________?

Collision

Why is driving in windy conditions hazardous?

High-octane wind can blow a number of objects onto roads

Describe hydroplaning? When does it happen? How can a driver reduce their risk of having it happen?

Hydroplaning occurs when water gets in front of your tires faster than the weight of your vehicle can push it out of the way. To avoid this, avoid puddles, using cruise control on wet roads, and slow down.

What happens to the vehicle when a there is a tire blowout?

Let your car slow down gradually by taking your foot off the gas. DO NOT BRAKE

When does rain tend to make roadways the slickest?

Rain tends to make roadways the slickest as rain begins to fall.

Is it legal and safe to drive with the high-beam headlights on (brights)?

Always abide by your state's laws concerning headlights and high beams. High beams can be blinding and very dangerous for other vehicles on the road. ... If you are driving with your high beams on, make sure you switch to low beams whenever there is oncoming traffic or you are approaching a vehicle from behind.

When total steering failure occurs, what should a driver do first?

Avoid the impulse to brake suddenly and bring your car to a very slow speed or stop

In reduced visibility conditions, why does a driver need to work harder to gather visual info?

Because if they don't they will get distracted by the light and could crash.

Describe black ice and how to handle it as a driver.

Black ice, sometimes called clear ice, is a thin coating of glaze ice on a surface, especially on roads. Try to Avoid braking or pump brakes. And go slowly over it if needed to.

Define controlled braking

Controlled braking is the method of applying a vehicle's brakes as hard as possible without locking the wheels.

What is the first action you should take if you experience brake failure?

First, downshift to a lower gear. Second, if you have regular brakes pump the brake pedal fast and hard to build up brake fluid pressure. If the brakes haven't started working after three or four pumps go on the step three which is use the parking brake.

How does fog and headlights affect a driver's vision?

Fog obviously produces accidents because a driver cannot see as far ahead.

What is the first action to take when making an off-road recovery?

Foot off the gas and break pedals

What should a driver do if their car stalls on railroad tracks and NO train is coming? What if a train IS coming??

Get yourself and any other passengers out of the vehicle immediately. If a train is coming, get out immediately and move quickly toward the oncoming train and away from the tracks at a 45-degree angle.

How does a driver avoid being blinded by an oncoming driver using their bright headlight?

If the driver of an oncoming vehicle fails to dim the lights, look down toward the right side of the road to avoid being blinded.

How should a driver handle a skid? If the rear of the vehicle skids to the right, which way should the driver turn the wheel?

If you find yourself in a skid, take your feet off the pedals. Stop braking and stop accelerating. Then, quickly turn the steering wheel in the direction you want to go.

How can a driver improve traction on snow?

If you're driving in packed snow cut your speed to half of what you would normally drive. To increase traction use snow tires or tire chains placed over the tires.

How can a driver reduce the risks of sun glare?

Keep your windshield clean, inside and out, Check your windshield for pitting and cracks, Avoid storing papers or other items on the dashboard,

How should a driver handle driving in deep water? What would be the best decision?

Never enter water you cannot cross on foot or water 6 inches or midway up your tires. Enter the water at 1-2 mph, Cross the water at 3-4 mph, Drive in the center of the road, the highest point, Let cars cross the road one-by-one.

What is the immediate action to take if a driver experiences a tire blowout? What should you NOT do?

Pull your car over to a safe spot, stop the vehicle, and turn off the engine. Safely navigate your car to the side. If you have a blowout while driving you should make this your goal!

Define rocking the vehicle. How does this help in adverse conditions?

Rocking your car is gently moving your vehicle back and forth in an effort to gain some traction and move your tires out of the rut. Continue switching back and forth between reverse and drive until your vehicle catches and can drive out of your situation. rocking your car can help your tires gain traction again, because it can clear a pathway out of the spot you're in.

The hood of your vehicle flies open while driving, what is the best thing to do?

Slow down, Try to look underneath the hood at the road ahead, If that is not possible put your head out the window and look around the hood, and then Use the painted center line or lane markings as a guide.

How should a driver handle their vehicle when it starts to fishtail?

Steer gently into the direction of the skid, beginning the correction as early in the slide as possible, Keep your foot off the brake pedal, Slow your rate of speed.

How should you handle evacuating your vehicle if submerged in deep water?

Try rolling down your window before going completely under water if you can't do that take the head rest off your seat and break the windows. DO NOT TRY OPENING YOUR DOOR.

Explain why bridge surfaces freeze before adjoining road surfaces.

Water on a road or bridge will freeze once the surface becomes colder enough. So, the road must cool faster than the roadway.

How does a driver keep the inside of the window clear?

With window cleaner.

When driving in snow, rain, fog or any other adverse condition, what should a driver do with their speed? Which type of headlight should be used?

You should reduce your speed by 1/3 on wet roads and by 1/2 or more on snow packed roads. or raining. Low beam headlights should be used in fog, rain, and snow.

What should you carry in your vehicle in the event of a fuel, oil, grease, electrical or ordinary combustible fire?

an A-B-C-type fire extinguisher.

What is the cause of most passenger-compartment fires?

careless use of matches, lighters, or tobacco products. Your vehicle stalls on railroad tracks.

What safety feature can a driver use in heavy fog, in order for other drivers to see their car, if pulled off to the shoulder of the road?

high beams actually reflect off the fog and back at the car, which makes visibility even more restricted. Instead, use your low beam headlights or fog lights, if your vehicle has them.

What should a driver do if their car stalls while driving in traffic?

it's important to keep your eyes on the road and pull as far out of the travel lanes, if that is at all possible. Then, turn on your emergency flashers and call the 9-1-1 for help.

How does wet leaves affect a vehicle's traction?

leaves are smaller than the tire rolling over them, causing the tire's load and torque force to be unevenly applied between leaf and road. Additionally, for each layer of leaves you add to the equation, you exponentially increase the possibility of traction loss between multiple slippery, loose surfaces

Under normal driving conditions at night, explain the stopping distance in relation to the range of the headlights.

never more than two seconds. c. the distance you travel in four seconds at normal speeds and within the range of your headlights.

How should a driver handle a front wheel dropping off the roadway? What should they NOT do?

slow down as much as possible. turn around or take another route. release the brakes just before the collision.

If a driver uses high-beam headlights in adverse conditions, how will that affect their vision?

the headlights of an oncoming vehicle are blinding, glance toward the right edge of the road instead of looking directly ahead. This should keep your vehicle safely on the road until you pass the oncoming vehicle.

What happens if the power-steering system fails?

the wheels of the car become exponentially more difficult to turn

If pumping the brakes DOES NOT work when experiencing brake failure, what should a driver do next?

use the parking brake.

What type of lights should be on during dawn or dusk?

you should use your headlights throughout the day, including dusk and dawn.