Chapter 10

Railroad crossing signals

Flashing red lights, lowered crossing gates and/or a bell at a railroad crossing indicate that you must stop, at least 15 feet (5 m) from the tracks. Do not cross the tracks until the lights and bell have stopped and the crossing gates are completely up. Do not drive around/under a gate that is moving up or down. Yield when you see a crossbuck sign (sign shaped like an "X" with "RAILROAD CROSSING" on it). If there are multiple train tracks, the sign will show the number of tracks.

When you are on the exit ramp

decrease your speed, there is often a lower speed limit for the ramp

In heavy rain

drive more slowly. If your vehicle begins to lose traction, decrease your speed even more. Good tires with deep tread help to prevent hydroplaning

As you approach a crossing always

expect a train. Trains can run on any track at any time and from either direction,.

If a tire blows out

hold the steering wheel tight and slowly take your foot off the gas pedal. If your vehicle skids, handle it as you would on ice or snow. Do not use your brake until your vehicle is controlled. Leave the road when it is safe to do so

If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes

keep your foot with even pressure on the brake pedal. If your vehicle does not have ABS, pump the pedal carefully. Pump more rapidly only as your car slows down. If you brake hard with regular brakes, it will make the situation worse.

Nigh driving is dangerous because

the distance you can see ahead or to the side is limited. You should drive slower than you do in the day. Especially on narrow roads with curves or unfamiliar areas.

Expressway driving

"EXPRESSWAY" means any divided highway were the speed limit is 55 to 65 MPH

Running off the pavement

Do not pull the steering wheel back, brake gently, slow down, regain control, turn slowly onto the road

Stalling on Railroad Tracks

1) Get out of the car! 2) get away from the tracks, even if you do not see a train. 3) Locate the emergency notification system sign and call the number provided, telling them about the stalled vehicle

VEHICLE APPROACHING HEAD-ON IN YOUR LANE

Decrease speed, pull over to the right and sound your horn to warn the other driver. Do not turn into the left lane. If you do, the other driver may suddenly recover and pull back into that lane, causing a head-on collision.

Tire blowout

A thumping sound can be a warning that a blowout is about to occur. If you hear it, get safely off the road and check your tires.

Railroad crossing warning sign

Color: Yellow w/ Black letters "RR" and "X" symbol. Means there is a railroad crossing ahead. Use caution be prepared to stop. IF following a bus or truck be prepared to stop as most buses and trucks MUST stop at RR crossings.

Some grade crossings have

Flashing red lights, lowering gates when a train approaches. When approaching marked, or active grade crossings do not proceed until the gates are completely raise and lights are off.

Fog lights can be

Front fog lights can be amber or white in color. Back fog lights must be red and can be larger than the normal back lights - they will give advance warning of the presence of your vehicle to the drivers behind you.

Loss of a wheel

Handle as you would a blowout. Thump/noise in wheel can be a warning. Leave roadway and stop then check vehicle.

stuck gas pedal

Hook your shoe under the pedal and see if you can free it. If not, shift into neutral and use the brake to slow your vehicle and get off the road. Do not turn off the ignition if your vehicle has power steering or a steering wheel that has a column that locks, because if you do, you will lose power steering or not have the ability to steer at all.

Before you travel on an expressway

ID your entrance and exit points, know where to get on and off the expressway and be prepared to correct lanes for your entrance and exit.

blocked vision

If your hood opens suddenly or your vision through the windshield becomes blocked by some other object or wipers that have failed, you can open the side window so you can see. Turn on your emergency lights and carefully pull your vehicle off the road and park it.

fire

If you see smoke come from under the hood, pull off the road and park your vehicle. Turn off the ignition. Get away from the car and call the fire department. It is dangerous to try to fight the fire yourself.

Brake failure

If your brake pedal suddenly goes to the floor, try pumping it to increase pressure. If that does not help, use your emergency or parking brake - but use it gently. If you shift to a lower gear, it will help your vehicle decrease speed.

headlight failure

If your headlights suddenly go out, try your emergency lights, parking lights and directional signals. These may continue to work and can give you enough light to leave the roadway safely. If your headlights begin to dim, drive to a service station or pull off the road and go for help

Pavement markings

Instead of flashing red light signals or gates, pavement markings will show you a grade crossing ahead. Stay behind the stop line while waiting for a train to pass.

Driving in the winter

Make sure you have good snow tires. Drive slow. Do not drive in ice/snow storms unless you have to. Clear ice from the vehicle including headlights and backlights, windshield wipers, and windows. Make sure there is a cleaning solution that resists freezing.

Driving in rain, fog, or snow.

Reduce speed and increase following distance. Take additional care on curves and turns on expressway ramps

Keep your headlights on low beam for better visibility during rain, fog, and snow.

Reduce your speed. Signal your turns further ahead of time to give other drivers and roadway users more warning. Brake early when you decrease speed behind another vehicle or come to an intersection stop.

GOING INTO WATER

Release your seat belt and escape through a window. An open door would cause water to rush in and the car could turn over on top of you. If the vehicle sinks before you can remove yourself, get into the back seat. When the vehicle settles, take a breath and escape through a window. When you rise air pressure will build in your lungs. Let it out in small breaths through your nose or lips as you surface. Do not hold your breath tight or try to blow air out; just allow the air to escape in a natural way.

To prevent skids on snow and ice...

brake early, carefully and gently. "Press" your brakes in slow, steady strokes. Allow the wheels to keep turning. If they begin to lock, decrease pressure on the brake pedal. As your vehicle decreases speed, you can also shift into a lower gear

If your front wheels skid

Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral or push in the clutch, but do not try to immediately steer. As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As traction returns, turn the wheel in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in "drive" or release the clutch and accelerate carefully.

UNLESS there is a stop or yield sign

Use the ramp to accelerate to expressway speed and blend with traffic. Signal, look over your shoulder for traffic on the expressway. If necessary, slow down to safely merge into traffic.

"Driving within the range" of your headlights means

You can stop safely within the distance your headlights cover - 350 feet

Avoiding Collisions with deer

occur during the months of October, November, and December. Daily deer activity is highest at dawn and dusk. - Be careful at these times (dusk/dawn) - Decrease speed when you approach deer near roadsides as they can bolt the last min. - if you see a deer cross the road decrease speed and becare as they travel in groups - use emergency lights or headlights to warn other drivers when deer are seen on/near roads -pay attention to deer crossing signs.

The law requires you to use your headlights from

one-half hour after the sun sets to one-half hour before the sun rises, when visibility is less than 1,000 feet (300 m), and when you use your windshield wipers to clear rain, snow, or sleet. Turn your headlights on at dawn, dusk, and in fog. Even if they do not help you see in lowlight periods, they make it easier for other drivers and pedestrians to see your vehicle

Grade crossings

point at which train tracks intersect with a roadway and is considered an intersection

If the entrance lane is too short to allow acceleration to expressway speed

safest method to enter is to stop and wait for a large space in traffic. Then enter the expressway and accelerate quickly. To avoid conflicts with other entrance lane traffic, stop when necessary and merge into expressway traffic as soon as possible.

When approaching unmarked/passive grade crossings

slow down and be prepared to stop. Before you cross be sure that a train is not coming. If train is coming wait until it passes then cross the tracks when safe to do so.

Steering failure

slowly take your foot off the gas pedal, turn on your emergency lights and keep your foot off the brake pedal while it is safe to do so. The balance of the vehicle will allow it to continue going straight, but a sudden change in speed could send it out of control. As the vehicle decreases speed, you can brake very carefully to bring it to a stop.

After leaving the expressway make sure to look for

speed limit signs, and check your speedometer to be sure you are within posted limit.

Entering an expressway in a different direction than intended or at wrong exit

stay on expressway until next exit. You can then figure out where to go and if needed get back on expressway. DO NOT back up on entrance/exit ramp or try to cross a median

Rain, fog or snow make it harder to see through your windshield, and difficult for other drivers to see you. New York State law requires you to

turn on your headlights when the weather conditions require the use of windshield wipers to clear rain, snow, sleet or fog. "Daytime lights" do not qualify as headlights.

If your rear wheels start to skid, you must:

turning the steering wheel in te direction of the skid. If rear wheels start to slide in other direction as you recover, turn steering wheel towards that side. You may have to turn left and right multiple times to control your vehicle.

For multiple tracks:

wait until you can clearly see down all sets of tracks in both directions for another approaching train before crossing.

Hydroplaning

when a tire loses road contact by rising up on top of water and no longer has contact with the road. Causes complete loss of traction and control of steering.

Do not, under any circumstances, attempt to cross any railroad tracks unless

you are certain your entire vehicle will clear all of the tracks at the crossing. You can't go across any railroad tracks unless there is room for your vehicle on the other side. If other traffic prevents you from going fully across, wait and go across only when there is room. School buses with or without passengers, other buses with passengers on board, and vehicles with explosives or flammable cargo must stop at all railroad crossings. Remember those rules if you are following one of these vehicles.

In a Rear-wheel drive vehicle,

you can normally feel a loss of traction or the start of a slide. With a front-wheel-drive vehicle, there might not be a warning