Florida Driving Handbook Parts 7 and 8

What to do in the event of a vehicle fire

1. Exit the vehicle. 2. Call 911 for assistance. 3. You should only attempt to extinguish the fire if you have a portable extinguisher and the fire is small. NEVER apply water to a gasoline or diesel fire. 4. If you can't extinguish the fire get away from the vehicle! The fumes are toxic and an explosion is possible.

What to do in the event of a brake failure

1. If you do NOT have anti-lock brakes (ABS), pump the brake pedal hard and fast; if you have ABS, skip to #2. 2. Shift to a lower gear. 3. Apply the parking brake slowly and while holding down the release lever/button. This will prevent your rear wheels from locking and your vehicle from skidding. 4. Rub your tires against the curb to slow your vehicle or pull off the road into an open space.

How to avoid crashes

1. Look for possible danger. For example, if you see school zone signs, plan what you will do if a child runs or rides into the street. 2. Anticipate what another driver might do and make appropriate adjustments. For example, you've noticed someone aggressively passing and changing lanes as they approach you from the rear. You should anticipate that they will probably pass you and cut you off—slow down and be ready to brake, if necessary. 3. Crashes happen at intersections more than any other place. Use extra caution when approaching an intersection. 4. If a crash is unavoidable: ◆ 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. ◆ 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 solid object like a tree or post.

If you are stopped by a police officer, you should:

1. Safely pull off the roadway immediately to the extreme right, and clear of traffic. 2. At night, reduce your headlights to parking lights and turn on your interior light. 3. Stay in the driver's seat. Do not get out of the vehicle unless asked to do so. Keep your hands visible. Sit calmly and follow the officer's instructions. 4. Be prepared to show your driver license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance when asked.

How to deal with a vehicle approaching in your lane

1. Sound horn and flash high beams. 2. Brake hard. 3. Steer for the side of the road.

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 on the brakes. 4. Steer the car where desired. 5. If necessary, steer the car to a safe place and stop.

What to do after a crash

1. Stop and call 911,*FHP, or local law enforcement. 2. Turn on flashing hazard lights. 3. If anyone is hurt, you must get help immediately! 4. If the crash is minor and your vehicle is blocking the flow of traffic, you must move it or have it moved. 5. Exchange vehicle, witness, and driver information (name, address, phone number, license plate number, driver license). 6. Take photos or sketch the scene, showing vehicle crash locations.

Skidding

1. Take your 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 something, see Emergency Braking, below.

How to deal with 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)

What to do in the event of a jammed gas pedal

1. Take your foot off the gas pedal. Disconnect the engine from driving wheels by pressing the clutch (manual transmission) or shifting into neutral (automatic transmission). 2. If necessary, press—don't slam— brakes to slow the vehicle.* 3. Carefully steer to a safe place to stop. *Do not shut off engine unless #1 and #2 do not work to slow the vehicle. If you shut off your engine, you will lose the ability to steer the car.

What to do in the event of a tire blowout

1. Take your foot off the gas. Do not use brakes. 2. Concentrate on steering. 3. Slow down gradually. 4. Brake softly when the car is under control. 5. Pull completely off the pavement/roadway.

What to do in the event of wet brakes

1. Test brakes lightly. 2. Brakes may pull to one side or may not hold at all. 3. Dry brakes by driving slowly in low gear and applying brakes.

What to do if you crash in water

1. Unbuckle your seat belt. 2. Roll down window before the car sinks. If you are able to open the door, be aware that the car will immediately fill with water. 3. If you are unable to roll the window down, try to kick out a side window.

How to deal with a vehicle breakdown

1. You must move the vehicle so all four wheels are out of traffic lanes as soon as possible. If you can't move it, you must have it moved as soon as possible. 2. If possible, park where the disabled vehicle can be seen for 200 feet in each direction. 3. Turn on your emergency flashers/flashing hazard lights. 4. Get all passengers out of the car on the side away from traffic. 5. Call *FHP or another law enforcement agency for assistance.

How long will your vehicle float on surface

30-60 seconds

Rear Wheel ABS

ABS prevents the rear wheels from locking up so that the back end of the vehicle does not skid. The front wheels 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.

Four Wheel ABS

Brake hard, steer, and keep constant pressure on the brake pedal

Wet road conditions increases _____

Braking/stopping distance

How to lower the risk of someone rear ending your vehicle

Check your brake lights often to make sure they are clean and working properly. • Know what is going on around you. Use the rear-view and side mirrors. • Signal well in advance for turns, stops, and lane changes. • Avoid sudden stops; slow down gradually and smoothly. • Drive with the flow of traffic (within the speed limit). Driving too slowly can be dangerous.

Hit & Run Penalties

Death: 1st degree felony, minimum 4 year prison term. Serious bodily injury: 2nd degree felony. Injury: 3rd degree felony. All of the above include losing driver license for 3 years minimum. Damage to a vehicle or other property which is driven or attended by any person. 2nd degree misdemeanor.

If you see a crash, then what do you do with your vehicle

Pull as far off the road as possible, and turn on your flashing hazard lights to alert others. Be careful when exiting your vehicle and stay out of traffic.

What to do when it starts to rain

Slow down! Roads become slick during rainstorms and especially if it has not rained in a while (oil build-up on the highway).

Flashing hazrd lights must only be used while ?

Your vehicle is legally stopped or disabled on the highway or shoulders with the exception of funeral processions

Shock

all of the body functions slow down

If someone is injured...

apply first aid. However, don't move an injured person who may have a neck or spinal injury. Don't attempt to remove the helmet of an injured motorcycle or bicycle rider.

If you come across a crash...

call 911 and/or send someone for help. Don't assume someone else has called; it is better for emergency services to get multiple calls rather than none at all.

Overcorrection

excessive steering in reaction to an event or loss of control of a vehicle. It typically occurs when a driver steers too sharply in an effort to avoid a collision or driving off of the roadway. It can result in a rollover crash or steering into oncoming traffic. Avoid

What to do in the event of your vehicle stalling on railroad tracks

get everyone out immediately and get away from the car! (If you are stalled at a grade crossing and the warning lights begin to flash, 20 seconds is the minimal amount of time that it takes a train to reach the grade after the warning lights begin flashing.) If a train is coming, run in a 45 degree angle away from the tracks, but in a direction toward the train; you will be less likely to be hit by your vehicle or debris from the collision. Call 911 or *FHP.

when turning on the windshield turn on your _______ not your _________

headlights, emergency flashers

Emergency Notification System

installed at every highway-rail grade crossing. This sign provides critical emergency contact information to reach the railroad responsible if there is a problem at the crossing or if something is blocking the tracks

How to avoid striking the vehicle in front of you

keep at least four seconds following distance and increase following distance during bad weather or heavy traffic.

If a law enforcement officer is directing traffic where there is a traffic signal...

obey the officer not the signal.

If your brakes pull to one side or the other...

slow down and gently push on the brake pedal until your brakes are working again

If you find an animal in the roadway DON'T _________

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.

If the power goes out...

treat intersections as four-way stop

If you come across 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

Defensive driving

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 drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians.

Hydroplaning

when your vehicle slides on top of a thin layer of water between your tires and the road. When your tires are not touching the road, you can easily lose control and skid. Tires with low air pressure or bad tread increase the risk of hydroplaning— and so does speeding.

If the crash results in vehicle or property damage and does not require a law enforcement report...

you must make a written report of the crash to DHSMV within 10 days. (This can be done at flhsmv. gov.)

If you are in a crash with an unattended vehicle or other property...

you must make every attempt to locate the owner and notify law enforcement. If you can't locate the property owner, you must leave a note including your name, contact information, and license plate (registration) number.

What to do if a person is in shock

• Keep the injured person calm. • Don't give them anything to drink. • Have the person lie flat and elevate their legs. • Cover the person with blankets to hold body heat. • Maintain an open airway

Night Driving Guidlines

• Low beam headlights are only effective for speeds up to 20-25 MPH. Avoid "over driving" your lights (driving too fast for what you can see). • High beam headlights can reveal objects up to a distance of 450 feet and are most effective for speeds faster than 25 MPH. • 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.

What to do if an animal is on a roadway and too prevent crashes with it.

• Use caution when driving at dawn and dusk; this is when animals are most 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. • 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. • Flash your headlights to warn other drivers when animals are spotted on or near the road. • If you have time to avoid hitting an animal, reduce your speed, tap your brakes, and sound your horn. Deer tend to fixate on headlights so flashing them may cause the animal to freeze. If there are no vehicles close behind you, brake hard without locking your wheels. • If collision is inevitable, do not swerve to avoid the animal. Keep your vehicle under control and on the roadway. • Report the crash to the police if it involves a large animal such as a bear, deer, or farm animal.

Night Driving requirements

• Use headlights between the hours of sunset and sunrise. • Not use high beam headlights within 500 feet of 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 drive 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.

Low Visibility Driving

• You must turn on your headlights. Parking lights 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 lights, which can only be used when your car is broken down/stopped on the side of the road. • Turn on your headlights whenever you turn on your windshield wipers. • Use wipers and defrosters for maximum visibility. Sometimes it is difficult to determine if poor visibility is due to fog or moisture on the windshield. • Use the right edge of the road or edge lines and center lines as visual guides. • Eliminate all distractions in your vehicle. Turn off the radio, cell phone, etc. • Watch out for slow-moving and parked vehicles. • Keep your windshield and headlights clean to reduce glare and increase visibility