5 Dollar Traffic School
What is the average cost for a severe injury in a collision?
$247,000
When considering passing a slow vehicle on a two-way road, how far away should the oncoming vehicle be from you before you make your move?
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.
What can a pedestrian 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.
Which drivers are most likely to be in a deadly crash?
Drunk drivers who are also speeding
For safety reasons anytime there are no sidewalks it is best to ______.
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.
What should you do if your car hydroplanes?
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.
What is the purpose of your car's lights?
Headlights help you see the road at night Headlights help other drivers see you Signal lights allow you to communicate with other road users
What is the leading cause of injuries in traffic collisions in California?
Speeding. 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.
What is the purpose of the DMV point system?
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.
As vehicle technologies advance ______?
The laws have to change accordingly Increases distracted driving Cars drive differently than they used to
What could happen if you drive in another car's blind spot?
The other driver may not turn his or her head as they should and end up hitting you while switching lanes. Also, it doesn't give you the opportunity to maneuver in case of an emergency.
You should give up your right-of-way when ______.
The other driver refuses to give it to you even though he is supposed to It helps you avoid a crash with another car or pedestrian
How does minimum insurance work?
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.
Why do traffic laws exist?
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.
What can you do to communicate with other road users?
Turn signals, Eye contact, Flashing headlights, Horn
When should you be courteous to other road users?
You should always be courteous and treat others the way you want to be treated. After all, if you're a courteous driver, it means you're a safe driver
What does the US Department of Transportation list as the most likely cause of collisions?
alcohol and drugs (most common), distracted driving, sleepy drivers, speeding (primary factor in 29% of fatal and injury collisions - reported by the CHP)
What should you do to get over a pothole safely if you can't maneuver around it?
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.
Pedestrians have the right-of-way 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.
What are some types of vehicle technology advancements?
dashboards, cell phones, navigation systems, driving techniques, braking systems
Pedestrians with white canes and seeing eye dogs should always ______.
have the right-of-way
A pedestrian with a white cane ______.
is blind and should always be give the right-of-way blind or partially blind pedestrians always have the right-of-way. These people can be identified by their white canes or seeing eye dogs.
What are blind spots?
large areas around your car that you cannot see using your mirrors
When is it ok to leave a child unattended in a car?
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.
Covering the brake means ______.
placing your foot over the brake pedal without actually touching it Holding your foot above the brake pedal in case you need to brake
Wet roads are ______.
slippery roads
What do tire treads do?
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.
What is California's cell phone law?
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.
What happens if you are caught driving without 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 double your driving speed what happens to your stopping distance (the distance it takes to stop the car)?
If you double your speed, the braking distance is quadrupled.
What is California's Anti Gridlock Law?
It is illegal to enter an intersection or railroad crossing if you don't have enough room to get across
What can you do to protect yourself from an aggressive driver?
Never argue or make eye contact with an aggressive driver and leave them plenty of space.
What is a seat belt pretensioner?
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.
What are center left turn lanes for?
allows you to make a legal left turn into a street or driveway
What is a space cushion?
the empty area to the front, back and sides of your vehicle.
Why should you be extra careful around motorcycles?
they are small/less visible and they can easily skid out in poor weather conditions
The reason we have traffic laws is ______.
to keep everyone safe.
What is the leading cause of traffic fatalities in California?
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.
Which is the most dangerous kind of distracted driving?
Cognitive Distraction: taking your MIND off driving
What can you do to lessen the chances of being in an aggressive driving situation?
Avoid rush hour, Give yourself time, Drive in the appropriate lane, Don't follow too closely, Don't make gestures, Don't use your horn as a weapon
What is the best way to deal with a distracted driver?
Be on the lookout for these kinds of drivers so you can avoid them
______ is an example of aggressive driving.
Speeding, tailgating (following too closely), erratic and sudden lane changes, and failing to obey traffic signs and signals are all examples of 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."
When do you NOT have to stop for a stopped school bus with red signal lights 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.
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
What is the proper head and body position when going in reverse?
in reverse, your left hand should be at the top of the steering wheel and your head turned so you could see out of the back window
How does having headlights on during a sunny day help you drive safer?
it allows your car to be more noticeable to other drivers
The purpose of the California's Anti Gridlock Law is to ______.
prevent intersections from getting backed up
______ is an example of road rage.
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.
What should you do if your tire blows 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.
Adult drivers age 18 and over may:
use a hands-free device while driving
What happens to you when you try to drive when you are drowsy?
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.
What should you do if you approach a school bus with red signal lights flashing?
you have to stop and wait for them to stop flashing before you move.
______ is an example of driving on the wrong side of the road.
Cutting the corner on a left turn
How much does a DUI cost over ten years?
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!
Why should you be afraid of legal problems after a collision that was your fault even if you have insurance?
Even if you have insurance, the other driver can sue you for negligence and win. If someone dies because of the collision, the victim's family can sue you for wrongful death The cost of a collision can be more than the insurance coverage (especially minimum insurance)
When can children move on to using a safety belt instead of a child safety seat?
Once the child is at least eight years old OR at least 4 feet 9 inches tall she/he may use an appropriate safety belt instead. 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.
What is a traffic break?
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. The officer is likely trying to stop traffic so they can remove an object from the roadway
