Driver's Manual

Skidding/Hydroplaning

1. Take you foot off the gas pedal. 2. Do not use your brakes, if possible. 3. Turn the vehicle's front tires in the direction you want to go - steer in the direction of the skid. 4. If you are about to hit somehing, see Emergency Braking, below.

Right Wheels Off Pavement

1. Take your foot off the gas pedal. 2. Hold the wheel firmly and steer in a straight line. 3. Brake lightly. 4. Wait until the road is clear. Turn back on the pavement at a slow speed (signal your intention).

Public Transit

All drivers shall yield the right-of-way to public transit buses traveling in the same direction that have signaled and are reentering the traffic flow from a specifically designated pullout bay.

Parking

Always park on the right side of the road, unless it is a one-way street. Before you drive from any parked position, make sure the roadway is clear. Give the proper turn signal and yield to other traffic before pulling away from the curb.

Avoid passing a CMV on a downgrade

Avoid passing a CMV on a downgrade; the CMV's weight and momentum will cause it to increase speed.

Rain (4)

Brakes often become wet after driving in heavy rain. They may pull to one side or the other, or them may not hold at all. If this happens, slow down and gently push on the brake pedal until your brakes are working again.

Commercial Motor Vehicles

CMVs have specific No Zones. Even though large vehicles have several rear-view mirrors, other vehicles will be hidden from view if within the "No Zone"/blind spot.

CMVs swing wide

CMVs often need to sing wide to the left in order to make a right turn. Do not drive between the CMV and the curb- the will not be able to see you.

School Crossings

Crossing guards are the first to enter and last to exit a crosswalk to indicate that pedestrians, especially children, are about to cross or are crossing. BOLD - When children or school crossing guards are present in a crosswalk, you must yield and stop a the stop line and not in the crosswalk.

To reduce your chances of colliding with an animal (2)

Deer/vehicle crashes occur most frequently from October to December. Slow down when approaching animals that are standing near the roadway, they may bolt out or change direction. If you have time to avoid hitting an animal, slow down, tap brakes, and sound horn. If you turn on the headlights, deers tend to fixate on the lights and freeze.

Defensive Driving - Handling Emergencies Ch. 8 You must learn how to anticipate what the other driver will do and learn how to make adjustments. Crashes happen at intersections more than any other place.

Defensive driving is using safe driving strategies to prevent crashes. This means that you alter your driving to fit the weather conditions, the way you feel, and the actions of other motorists. bicyclists, and pedestrians.

Backing Up 1. Check behind your vehicle before you get in. Children and small objects cannot be seen from the driver's seat. 2. Place your right arm on the back of the passenger seat and turn around so that you can look directly through the rear window.

Do not depend on your rear-view or side mirrors as you cannot see directly behind your vehicle. Don't completely rely on cameras/ alarms; they don't always detect small children and animals. Back slowly; your vehicle is much harder to steer while you are backing.

Follow these guidelines for driving at night: When leaving a brightly lit area, drive slowly until your eyes adjust to the darkness.

Don't look directly at oncoming headlights. Use lane lines as visual guides and look quickly to check the other vehicle's position every few seconds. Drive as far to the right as you can if a vehicle with one light comes toward you; it could be a vehicle with a missing headlight.

No Highbeam Headlights with a CMV

Don't use high beam headlights when following a CMV at night. Bright lights will blind the driver when they reflect off the CMV's large side mirrors.

Driveways

Drivers entering a road from a driveway, alley, or roadside must yield to vehicles already on the main road, as well as to pedestrians and bicyclists on the sidewalk or in bike lanes.

When should you only use hazard lights?

Flashing hazard light must only be used while your vehicle is legally stopped or disabled on the highway or shoulder.

Increase your following distance in these situations: Rain or when roads are wet. Low visibility - dusk, dawn, nighttime, fog, etc. When being passed (more space in front of your vehicle so the pass can be completed safely). Heavy loads or pulling trailers make it more difficult to stop quickly/ steer correctly.

Following a vehicle behind an incline. Motorcycles - you need extra stopping distance to avoid hitting the motorcycle/rider. Emergency vehicles - against the law to follow a fire truck responding to an emergency closer than 500 feet.

When leaving a limited access highway:

Get into exit lane (always from the right lane). Turn on signal to show intention. Slow down in the deceleration lane. Check safe speed limit. Don't make last-minute turns into an exit. If you pass your exit, go to the next one.

What is reaction distance?

How far you will continue to travel after seeing the hazard until you physically hit the brakes. Average drive has a reaction time of 3/4 second to 1 second.

Braking Distance: Perception Distance

How far your vehicle travels- in favorable weather conditions- from the time your eyes see a hazard until your brain recognizes it. Perception distance can be affected by mental and physical conditions, medication, as well as visibility and the hazard itself.

Braking Distance

How far your vehicle will travel- in favorable weather conditions- while you are braking.

Rain (3)

Hydroplaning happens when your vehicle slides on top of a thin layer of water between your tires and the road. Tires with low air pressure or bad tread increase the risk of hydroplaning- and so does speeding.

Law Enforcement

If a law enforcement officer is directing traffic where there is a traffic signal, obey the officer not the signal.

To reduce your chances of colliding with an animal (3)

If collision is inevitable, do not swerve to avoid the animal. Keep your vehicle under control and on the roadway.

School buses and Raised Barriers/Unpaved Medians

If the highways is divided by a raised barrier or an unpaved median at least five feet wide, you do not have to stop if you are moving in the opposite direction of the bus.

Leave Space Behind a CMV

If you are stopped behind a CMV on an upgrade, leave space in case the CMV drifts back when it starts to move.

Following Law Enforcement Officer Instructions

If you are stopped by a law enforcement officer: Pull of the roadway to the extreme right. At night, reduce your headlights to parking lights and turn on your interior light. Do not get out of vehicle unless asked to do so. Keep hands visible. Be prepared to show your driver license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance.

Rain (5)

If you come to a roadway that is flooded, turn around and find another way to go. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DRIVE THROUGH THE WATER. It is impossible to determine the depth or current and your vehicle could become submerged or swept away.

School Buses

It is against the law for any driver to pass a school bus when the school bus displays a stop signal.

If a crash is unavoidable - Hitting a vehicle moving in the same direction as you is better than hitting a vehicle head-on. Hitting a "soft-object" (e.g., a garden hedge) is better than hitting a vehicle head-on.

It is better to swerve off the road than into oncoming traffic. it is better to drive off the road than to skid off. It is better to hit something that is not moving instead of a vehicle moving toward you.

Sharing the Road with Pedestrians - Ch. 6

It is the motorist's responsibility to do everything possible to avoid colliding with a pedestrian (person walking).

Avoid cutting in too soon when passing a CMV.

Large CMVs can't stop as quickly as other vehicles. Be sure you can see the cab in your rear-view mirror before completing your pass. CMV drivers may flash headlights to let you know it is OK to merge back into the lane.

Intersections

Many intersections are marked with stop lines to show where you must come to a complete stop. After a stop, you must yield the right-of-way to all other traffic already in the intersection and to pedestrians.

Funeral Processions

Motorist, bicyclists, and pedestrians, must yield the right-of-way to funeral processions. If the funeral lead vehicle enters an intersection, the remaining vehicles in the procession may follow regardless of any traffic control devices.

Drivers with anti-lock brakes (ABS)

Must press down hard on the brake pedal, hold it, and steer out of danger. If the motorist with ABS removes steady pressure from the brake pedal or pumps the brakes, the ABS will disengage or turn off.

Limited Access Highway Safety Reminders - Plan ahead. Know your exits. In FL, they match the mile markers on the highway. Drive in the right lane and pass on the left. While in the right lane, watch for cars entering the highway. Adjust your speed or move over so they can enter safely. Never drive across or park on the median. Never stop on the pavement, shoulder, or connecting ramp except in an emergency. If your vehicle breaks down, you must move it completely off the pavement. (No more than six hours.) Don't follow too closely. Rear-end collisions are the greatest danger on limited-access highways.

Never back up on an entrance ramp or exit ramp. The ONLY exception to this is if you see a WRONG WAY or DO NOT ENTER sign or red reflectors on lane lines. You must back up or turn around. Stop driving when you feel tired. Do not risk falling asleep at the wheel. Obey the Move Over law.

Never cross behind a CMV backing up

Never cross behind a CMV that is preparing to back up or is in the process of doing so. The size of most CMVs and trailers completely hide objects behind them from view.

Important suggestions about U-turns...

Never make a three-point turn or a U-turn on a curve, a hill, the highway, or where there is a sign that prohibits U-turns.

This is in BOLD

Never make last minute turns. If you reach an intersection where you wish to turn and are not in the proper lane, drive to the next intersection and the make the turn from the proper lane.

Motorcycles

Never pass a motorcyclist with only a few feet of space. The force of the wind gust can cause the rider to lose control. When you vehicle is being passed by a motorcycle, maintain your lane position. Do not increase your speed.

Special Driving Situations

Night Driving - You will need to drive with extra care at night. You can't see as far ahead and the glare from oncoming cars can reduce your vision even more.

Night Driving - Use headlight between the house of sunset and sunrise. No high beam headlights within 500 feet on an oncoming vehicle; use low beam headlights.

Not use high beam headlights within 300 feet of the vehicle ahead of you; use low beam headlights. Not driving using only parking lights in place of headlights. Turn on your parking lights at night when you are parked on a roadway or shoulder outside of cities and towns.

Traffic Lanes

On a two-lane highway you must always drive in the right lane unless you are overtaking and passing (where permitted).

School buses - remain stopped

On a two-way street or highway, all drivers moving in either direction must stop for a stopped school bus that is picking up or dropping off children. You must remain stopped until the stop signal is withdrawn and all children are clear of the roadway.

When driving slower than the flow of traffic, keep right so others may safely pass.

On highways, when the posted speed limit is 70 mph, the minimum speed limit is 50 mph.

Overcorrection - It can result in a rollover crash or steering into oncoming traffic. Avoid overcorrecting! If you find yourself unintentionally leaving the roadway: 1. Stay calm. 2. Hold the wheel firmly. 3. Take your foot off the gas and do not slam the brakes. 4. Steer the car where desired. 5. If necessary, steer the car to a safe place and stop.

Overcorrection is excessive steering in reaction to an event or loss of control of a vehicle. It typically occurs when a motorist steers too sharply in an effort to avoid a collision or driving off of the roadway.

Passing Commercial Vehicles

Pass CMVs on the left side for maximum visibility. Complete your pass as quickly as possible so that you do not remain in the CMV's blind spot.

Passing on the Right

Passing on the right is only legal when there are two or more lanes of traffic moving in the same direction or the vehicle you are passing is making a left turn.

Emergency Vehicles - Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians must yield the right-of-way to law enforcement vehicles, fire engines, and other emergency vehicles using sirens or flashing lights.

Pullover to the closest edge of the roadway immediately and stop until the emergency vehicle has passed. Do not block intersections.

Safe Following Distances

Rear-end collisions are almost always caused by drivers following too closely. Maintaining a large enough following distance greatly helps avoid a collision with the vehicle in front of you. The more distance between your vehicle and others, the more time you have to react.

Vehicles can be equipped with two different types of ABS: Four-wheel - on passenger cars and some light trucks. Brake hard, steer, and keep constant pressure on the brake pedal.

Rear-wheel: only on some light trucks. ABS prevents the rear wheels from locking up so that the back end of the vehicle does not skid. The front wheel can still lock up and cause the driver to lose steering control. If this happens, let up on the brake pedal just enough to allow the front wheels to start rolling again to regain control.

Red Reflectors Turn around or get into the proper lane immediately! • If you see red reflectors on the edge lines of the road, you are going the wrong way on an entrance or exit ramp. Pull over immediately! Turn around when it is safe to do so.

Red Reflectors. Red reflectors on lane lines always mean you are facing traffic the wrong way and could have a head-on collision. • If you see red reflectors facing you on the lane lines, you are on the wrong side of the road.

Roundabouts - Drivers entering the roundabout must yield to traffic already in the roundabout. Do not change lanes in the roundabout. Do not stop in a roundabout. Signal before exiting a roundabout.

Remember, that prior to entering or exiting the roundabout, drivers must yield to pedestrians in the crosswalks. Bicyclists may take the lane in the roundabout or use the sidewalk.

Rain (2)

Slow down! Roads become slick during rainstorms and especially if it has not rained in a while because of oil build-up on the highway. Wet road conditions will increase your braking/stopping distance, so be sure to increase following distance.

Low Visibility

Smoke from wild fires and controlled burning, fog, and heavy rain will affect your ability to see.

Vehicle Approaching in Your Lane

Sound horn and flash high beams, break hard, and steer to the side of the road.

Driving Safely - Ch. 5

Speed Limits - Obeying speed limits improved safety by reducing the probability and severity of crashes. Speed limit signs tell you the maximum safe speed when both weather conditions and visibility are favorable.

The speed buffer of driving 10 mph over the speed limit is a myth.

Speeding is the #1 citation written for teens.

Speed Limit - BOLD

Stay within the speed limit. It's illegal to exceed the speed limit while passing.

Smooth Stops

Stopping suddenly is dangerous and is usually caused by not paying attention to the traffic flow or following other too closely.

Florida's Move Over Law

The Move Over Law protects law enforcement officers, emergency workers, tow truck drivers, sanitation workers, and utility workers stopped along roadways while performing their jobs.

Speeding is extremely dangerous.

The faster you drive, the greater the impact or striking power of your vehicle. Double the speed, the force of impact increases four times. Triple the speed of a car, the force of impact increases nine times.

Yellow Arrow

The oncoming traffic has a green light. Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.

Total Stopping Distance

The total minimum distance your vehicle will travel - including perception distance, reaction distance, and braking distance - until you can bring your vehicle to a complete stop.

Who yields at a two-way stop?

The turning vehicle yields to the vehicle going straight.

Animals

There may be times when an animals suddenly runs in front of your vehicle. Do not swerve into oncoming traffic or off the roadway to avoid hitting the animal. This may result in a more serious crash than if your vehicle collided with the animal.

You are responsible for adjusting your driving speed to the weather, roadway, and traffic conditions.

This is in bold, CORALI - The safest speed is one that allows you to have complete control of your vehicle and avoid collisions.

Avoiding Rear-end Collisions Drive with the flow of traffic (within the speed limit). Driving too slowly can be dangerous.

To avoid striking the vehicle in front of you, keep at least four seconds following distance and increase following distance during unfavorable weather or heavy traffic.

Emergency Braking

To stop in an emergency situation where traction is lost, drivers with conventional brakes should pump the brakes.

When driving in low visibility conditions

Turn on headlights. Parking light are not a substitute. Drive with lights on low beam. High beams will reflect back off the fog and impair visibility even more. DO NOT drive using flashing hazard light - only use when car is broken down on side of road.

When driving in low visibility conditions (2) -

Turn on your headlights whenever you turn on your windshield wipers. Use the lines as a guide in situations of low visibility. Eliminate all distractions in your vehicle. Turn off radio, cell phone, etc. Keep your windshield and headlight clean to reduce glare and increase visibility.

To reduce your chances of colliding with an animal

Use caution when driving at dawn and dusk; this is when animals are more active. Be extra alert when driving on roadways marked with animal crossing signs and near woods and water. Scan the sides of the road and watch for the reflection of your headlights in the eyes of animals.

Intersections - 2

Vehicle proceed through the intersection in the order that they arrived at the intersection. The first to arrive should move first. If vehicle arrive at same time, each driver must yield to the drivers on their right.

CMV coming to the right

When a CMV is coming from the opposite direction, keep to the right to avoid a sideswipe crash.

When a CMV passes you...

When a CMV passes you, keep to the right side of your lane. Do not speed up while the CMV is passing.

Entering & Leaving Limited Access Highways - All limited access highway entrances have three basic parts: an entrance ramp, an acceleration lane, and a merging area.

When entering a limited-access highway: 1. Check for an opening in traffic. Signal intent to merge onto the highway. 2. Increase speed as ramp straightens into the acceleration lane. Adjust speed so that you can safely merge into traffic. 3. Merge into traffic when you can do so safely.

Rules for Pedestrians

When walking along a roadway without a sidewalk, always walk on the shoulder on the left side, facing traffic.

Rain

When you turn on your windshield wipers, turn on your headlights. Do not turn on hazard lights.

Passing

You must activate your signal before moving into the left lane. Stay a safe distance. Check blind spots. Tap horn or flash headlights. Do not return to the right side of the road until you see the tires of the vehicle you passed in your rearview mirror.

For how many feet must you give a turn signal?

You must give a turn signal for at least 100 feet BEFORE you make your turn.

Breakdowns/Disabled Vehicles - Get all passengers out of the car on the side away from traffic. Call *347 or another law enforcement agency for assistance.

You must move the vehicle so all four wheels are out of traffic lanes as soon as possible. If possible, park where the disabled vehicle can be seen for 200 ft. in each direction. Turn on hazard lights.

On a Two-Lane Roadway

You must slow down to a speed of 20 MPH below the posted speed limit. If the speed limit is 20 MPH or less, you must travel at 5 MPH.

Rules for Motorists

You must stop and remain stopped for pedestrians crossing a street or driveway at any marked crossing, driveway, or intersection. Pedestrians, basically have the right of way in most circumstances. Never block the crosswalk when stopped at a red light.

Making Turns

You must use vehicle directional signal or hand signals to show other drivers that you are turning. CORALI - this is in bold - Turn signals are also required by law when changing lanes or overtaking a vehicle.

Move Over Law - On a Multi-Lane Roadway

You must vacate the lane closest and you must signal your intention to change lanes. If you cannot move over safely, reduce speed by 20 MPH below speed limit. Drivers that are not in the closest lane must prepare to move over for those who are not.

Don't tailgate a CMV

You'll be in the rear blind spot and may collide with the CMV if it stops unexpectedly.