Driving Test Chapter 3

Tips

-Buckle up with both lap and shoulder belts on every trip. (Air bags are supplemental protection devices.) -Wear the lap belt under the abdomen and low across the hips. The shoulder portion should come over the collar bone away from the neck and cross over the breast bone. The shoulder belt in most new cars can be adjusted on the side pillar to improve fit. -Know how to adjust your seat belts, and how to release them if you have to quickly get out of the car. -Buckle up if riding in the backseat; use center seat belts if those seats are used. The safety belts help riders from falling forward. -Never put more than one person in one belt.

Car Conditions HORN

-Do not overuse your horn but check it to know it is working. -Use your horn to signal when passing and when coming out of a blind alley, curve or driveway.

Parallel Parking

-Find a space large -Signal for a stop -Pull up alongside (parallel) about two to four feet from the car in front. -Turn and check to see that the way is clear before you back up. -Begin backing up slowly for about two feet. Then turn your wheel all the way to the right. Remember, when you are backing and turning, the front end of the car will swing into traffic. When the front of your car has cleared the rear bumper of the car in front, stop. Check your angle. Make sure your right back wheel has not hit the curb. Then turn your wheel all the way to the left while beginning to back slowly. Remember, the front end of your car will swing toward the car in front. Make sure you can clear its back bumper. When your car is in line, stop. Be sure you do not hit the car in back. Then turn your wheels straight and drive to the center of the parking space. Your tires should be no more than six inches from the curb.

Seat Belts

-Improve chances of surviving a crash by 60% -Chances of surviving a collision are 3 to 4 times better with both a seat belt and shoulder strap. -Only 3 seconds reduces the chances of death or serious injury.

Turning

-Look behind and to both sides for other vehicles (or people) -Signal first and then move into the proper lane (use turn lights or hand signals). The faster the traffic is moving, the sooner you should plan your turn. -Law= signal at least 100 feet before you turn. Before turning, a motorist should always: Use mirrors to look behind and to both sides for other vehicles. Check for less visible vehicles. Signal first and then move into proper lane. Slow down before reaching intersection. Keep a steady speed and follow pavement markings. Always stay in the same lane until the turn is finished. Make sure turn signal is turned off after the turn in completed.

3-Point Turn

-Start from the far right side of the road. -Look for other traffic. If clear, move forward slowly while turning the steering wheel to the left. Stop several inches from the left curb or street edge. Back slowly while turning the steering wheel to the right. Stop several inches from the right curb or street edge. Drive forward slowly while turning the steering wheel to the left. Straighten your wheels as you face the direction you want to go. This should complete your 3-point turn.

Seat Belt Law

-State law= driver and all passengers of a passenger vehicle must wear a seatbelt. -The failure of a front seat passenger and children under 18 to wear a seatbelt is a primary offense. Driver is responsible for anyone under 18. -Back seat passengers 18 and older-SECONDARY LAW -GDL- driver is responsible for everyone is vehicle to wear a seatbelt.

Seat Belts Help

-Stop being thrown from the car (held in place= less severe injuries) -Slow down body (If you hit something, your car stops, but you keep going at the same speed you were driving) -Stop sliding on the seat during sudden stops and turns. (keep you in position to control the car)

Car Seats

-Traffic accidents are a leading killer of children. -When riding in a car, children should be held in place by a restraint system that meets all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. -Using the car seat every time a child rides in the vehicle - and using it correctly each time - is very important for the safety of the child.

Blind Spots

Adjust both inside and outside mirrors to reduce blind spots. These are areas where you can not see behind your car (on both sides) through the mirror. Check this by turning your head. A motorist should not depend on their rearview mirrors.

Air Bags

Air bags are standard equipment in almost all new cars and are designed to supplement safety belts in frontal crashes. Federal safety standards require that manufacturers equip all new passenger cars and light trucks with air bags by 1999. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, between 1986 and 2000 frontal air bags save the lives of 5,303 front seat riders - 72 percent of them unbelted. Air bags inflate at speeds of up to 200 mph to protect adults in a front-end collision. An average size adult who is correctly belted is not likely to come in contact with the air bag until it is fully inflated.

Car Condition TAILLIGHTS

Always keep tail and side lights in working order. They signal other drivers in the dark and prevent accidents.

Car Condition BRAKES

BRAKES: You should be able to brake smoothly and quickly. If you feel your car pull to one side when you stop, feel a taut pedal or hear an unusual squealing or grinding, have your brakes checked. With conventional disc and drum brakes, pump them gently after driving through water to test them and dry them out. Do not hit the brakes hard or they could lock up. You should be able to stop within 25 feet at 20 miles per hour. Try this out in an empty parking lot. Make chalk marks on the surface and see if you can stop within that distance. For vehicles with Antilock Braking System (ABS), the motorist should apply steady pressure to the brake pedal. Never pump ABS or jerk the steering wheel when braking. HEADLIGHTS: Make sure your bright and dim lights are working and in line. Check them against the garage wall or on parked cars. Keep your lights clean. If other drivers flash their lights while yours are on low beam, this could mean your lights are out of line.

Driving in Reverse

Before driving in reverse, be sure the path is clear by checking all mirrors and turning to check. The view to the back of the vehicle is limited, so be very careful. In reverse, steering the wheel to the right moves the car to the right; steering to the left moves the car to the left. A steering wheel not turned to the right or left will move the car straight backward when in reverse. The driver's head and body should be turned back and to the right to get the clearest view possible. Placing the right hand and arm over the back of the front passenger seat and grasping the top of the steering wheel with the left hand will help accomplish this. It is important to remember that when driving in reverse, the front of the car will swing in the opposite direction of a turn. Do not depend on mirrors alone as a guide to driving in reverse. Always drive in reverse slowly. This skill must be mastered in order to pass the road portion of the driving test.

Starting a parked car

Before getting into a car, look behind it and in front of it. There are blind spots once you are behind the wheel. There may be children there. There also may be bottles, cans, bicycles or other things which you cannot see from the driver's seat.

Child Restraint Law

Children up to age 8, must ride in a federally approved safety or booster seat in the rear seat of the vehicle. If there is no rear seat, the child must sit in the front seat secured by a safety or booster seat. Children under 2 weigh less than 30 pounds must ride in a rear faced child passenger restraint system. Failure to comply with this laws can subject a person to a fine of not less than $50 but no more than $75, plus fees and court costs. Always put an infant in a rear-facing infant child safety seat in the back seat of a car with air bags. Always be sure that children 12 years and younger ride in the back seat of the vehicle. Always make sure everyone is buckled up.

Car Condition WINDSHIELD

Cracks or chips in your windshield could cause it to break; have it replaced. Keep your windshield clean, inside and out. Make sure your windshield wipers are always working. If they come with washers, keep antifreeze in the spray to stop icing. New Jersey laws prohibit add-on tinting on windshields and front side windows.

Steering

For normal driving, keep both hands on the upper half of the wheel. Your grip on the steering wheel is important. Think of the wheel as the face of a clock. In normal driving, keep your left hand at 9 o'clock and your right hand at 3 o'clock. Your grip should be firm but not too tight.

Car Conditions TIRES

If you feel or hear any unusual thumping while driving, check your tires. Bumps, cuts, or bad tread can cause blow-outs. Your tire pressure should be checked often, when tires are cold. Look in your owner's manual for the right tire pressures or ask for advice at a service station. Do not drive on tires that have less than 1/16 inch of tread, about the edge of a dime. To hold onto the road properly, tires must match (don't mix radials with other tire types) and must have enough tread.

Speed Control

It is important in driving to use certain speed control guidelines. Start slowly. Gradually increase speed. Keep a steady speed on open roads. Slow down smoothly. Press the gas pedal lightly. Starting up slowly gives other drivers and people walking a chance to see what you are doing. They can then judge how to react.

Checklist

Make sure all windows are clean and there is nothing blocking your vision. Adjust the seat so you can reach all pedals and controls easily. Adjust the inside and outside rearview mirrors. Fasten safety belts and shoulder harnesses so that they are firm and comfortable. Make sure the car is in park or neutral gear and the parking brake is set. Doors should be locked.

Idling

New Jersey law requires all motorists to restrict vehicle idling to three minutes or less. Idling more than three minutes is unnecessary and harmful to your vehicle and your health. Vehicle and property owners face fines of $250 to $1,000 for each violation of this law. There are some specific situations in which a vehicle may idle for an extended time, such as stuck in traffic, or at a drive-thru establishment.

Car Conditions Steering

On straight level roads a car should hold a straight course. The front end should not vibrate (shimmy). Your steering should respond to your turns without too much play in the steering wheel.

Car Condition BACKUP LIGHTS

Reverse= Backup lights should be on. (against law to have any backup lights on while is moving forward. (white lights)

Car Conditions BRAKE LIGHTS

Someone may crash into you from the back. Replace broken light covers. Can cause a glare that affects the driver in back. (Red Lights)

Snow and Ice

State law requires a motorist to remove snow or ice from a vehicle before driving it. If snow or ice dislodges from a moving vehicle, it could strike another vehicle or pedestrian, causing injury or damage. Any violation could result to a fine of $25 to $75. If the snow or ice causes injury or property damage the fine can go up to $1,500.

Proper Braking

The use of brakes may seem simple but it is not. Many new motorists make the common mistake of slamming on the brake pedal even if there is no emergency. The vehicle will jerk to a stop and wear out the brakes and tires quickly. Steady, gentle pressure should be applied to the brake to bring the vehicle to a controlled stop.

Stopping Distance

There is no simple way to tell exactly how long it will take a vehicle to stop at a certain speed. This depends on: your own reaction time; weather and road conditions; the weight of the vehicle; the condition of the brakes; the condition and type of tires; the condition of the roadway. A truck takes more then 25 % longer to stop in adverse conditions then a car.

Driving Signals

These signals are standard for all states. Put your arm well out of the car window when giving signals. Turn signals must be given at least 100 feet before you turn. A motorist should always give a proper signal when turning, changing lanes, stopping or slowing down. Most vehicles have turn signals and a motorist should always use them. Down- Slow or Stop Up- Right Turn Left-Left Turn

Parking

When parking, the motorist should always set the hand brake and put the vehicle in park or, the manual transmission, in reverse or low gear. There are several important steps for a motorist to follow when parking: Facing uphill, turn your wheels away from the curb and shift into low gear or Park. Facing downhill, turn your wheels toward the curb and shift into reverse gear or Park.

Air Bags 2

You can tell if your vehicle has an air bag by the words "air bag" or the letters "SRS" (supplemental restraint system) or "SIR" (supplemental inflatable restraint) on the steering wheel and dashboard panel. Manufacturers also may mark the sun visors or the sides of the open door frame with warning labels or enter a warning in the vehicle owner's manual.

Car Condition TURN SIGNALS

You should be able to hear the clicking and see the lighted arrows flash on your dashboard. If they don't work, get the signals fixed as soon as possible. Meanwhile, use hand signals.