Handling Hazardous Roadway Conditions/ Collisions and Other Emergencies (8.5-8.6)

6 Steps to Take if You're Involved in a Collision:

1. Stop and remain calm. If you are involved in a collision, it is essential for you to stop and calmly continue through the next steps. 2. Check for injuries. Check on the condition of anyone involved in the crash—don't wait for them to speak up; they might be too injured to speak. If anyone is seriously injured, call 911 immediately. Move out of harm's way. Do not block traffic, if possible. If you are not injured and are able to do so, move your car out of the way, and make sure it doesn't pose a threat to anyone else on the road. Call a tow truck if you are not able to move the vehicle yourself. Share information. Exchange information with anyone else involved in the collision. You are required to give your name, address, and vehicle registration number. You must also show your driver license. Report it. If the collision results in property damage, injury, or death, you are required to report it on-site, even if you can't find the owner of the other vehicle involved. Call either your local police, the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), or the county sheriff's office. The officers that arrive on scene will provide directions and file a written report. Once you have a copy of the report, call your auto insurance company to file a claim. Your claim representative will direct you on the next steps toward insurance claims. The police report is extremely important. It's the official account of what happened—it's what matters in court, or for insurance purposes Be diligent. It's also a good idea to take pictures of the scene, write everything down, and gather the names of the witnesses. If you hit an unattended vehicle or object and cause damage, you must attempt to find the owner. If you can't locate the owner, leave a note with your name, address, and license plate number.

6 Steps to Take in the Event of a Traffic Stop:

1. When an officer is attempting to pull you over, remain calm. Find the nearest—and safest—place to pull over and park your car, then turn your engine and radio off. 2. Stay in your car until you receive further instructions from the officer. Keep your hands on the top of your steering wheel and in the officer's view at all times. At night, turn on the interior cabin light. 3. Wait for the officer to approach your car and ask you for your license and registration, don't shuffle around looking for these or take your hands off the wheel before he or she gets there. 4. Smile and greet the officer with a polite and simple, "Hello, Officer." Wait to be asked for your license and registration, and if these documents are out of reach, let the officer know where they are before you reach for them. 5. You are encouraged by law enforcement to inform the officer if you have a weapon in the vehicle, so he or she is aware. You also may want to show a firearm license when you give him or her the driver documents. 6. Give your full attention to the officer and be courteous, as this will make it a less stressful situation for both of you.

Rising Water:

Always pay attention to, and obey, signs providing information or warning of storm surges and flooding. Your car might weigh 3,000 pounds, but it will float in just one foot of water. Two feet of water is enough to rapidly carry away even a heavier vehicle like a large pickup truck.When floodwaters rise, don't take any chances. The most common kind of fatality caused by flooding is people trapped in submerged vehicles.If the vehicle you're in enters deep water and begins to sink, stay calm. Having your wits about you will help you get to safety.Roll down the windows first: this gives you an escape route. It may be difficult or impossible to roll down your windows when they're under water—the water outside your vehicle can exert high pressure against your doors and windows. After a few moments submerged in water, your door's electronics may stop functioning. Rolling down your windows as soon as you enter the water will equalize the pressure and enable you to open the door to get out.Once the windows are open, unbuckle yourself and escape. If there are children in the vehicle, unbuckle them and make sure they get out safe.Many counties in Florida have designated evacuation zones for hurricane surge flooding. Visit the Florida Division of Emergency Management's Know Your Zone web page to learn the evacuation zone, evacuation routes, and emergency maps in your county.

Pulled Over> Don't Panic:

Another important situation you'll need to be prepared for is a traffic stop, otherwise known as "being pulled over." We know, this can be nerve-wracking, but take a deep breath! Your first reaction to sirens and flashing lights should immediately be to slow down and get ready to pull over, as it could very well be a fire truck or other emergency vehicle responding to an emergency. If the vehicle is directly behind you and it's a police car, chances are you're being pulled over. Don't panic, we have a list of do's and don'ts for you.

Emergency Kit:

First and foremost, you'll want to carry an emergency kit in the trunk of your car. Keep the kit in the trunk so it doesn't become a missile in the event of a collision. Here's what it needs to include: Gallon of water (replace regularly) Granola bars, nuts, or other easy open, non-perishable food (replace regularly) Blanket Flashlight Warning lights Portable phone charger Emergency numbers (including roadside assistance and Florida Highway Patrol) listed on paper in the glove box, should you need to borrow a phone or use an emergency phone First aid kit Despite your best efforts and commitment to driving defensively, you may at some point be involved in a collision. If this happens, keep the following list of steps in your glove compartment, as you may find that in the moment you are a bit flustered, which is totally understandable!

Storm Safety:

Living in a sub-tropical or tropical climate as we do here in Florida, we're all very familiar with wet weather, and increasingly, severe storms.Some weeks it rains nearly every day! Unless you're on a road that's dry and free from traffic, it's imperative you learn how to deal with hazardous road conditions.The first rule of avoiding weather-induced hazards is to do just that, avoid them. If you expect severe weather, don't drive. Yet, we all know that the reality is sometimes a mild thunderstorm turns ugly, or an unexpected front moves in while we're driving. Never fear, we have tips to help you in the various scenarios you'll face. Think about how different conditions affect your ability to drive: Fog and falling snow or rain all reduce visibility, making it harder to see. Snow, ice, rain, and flooding all reduce traction, making it harder to steer and harder to stop in time. In these conditions, you might even experience hydroplaning. Deep water can stall your vehicle, or sweep it away if the water is moving. High winds make it much harder to steer your vehicle in the direction you want to go, especially if your vehicle is tall or narrow. In these dangerous conditions, you'll need to exercise extreme caution. A good rule of thumb in any of these hazardous conditions is to slow down, and increase your following distance to five seconds or more. If other drivers want to go around you, let them. Anyone driving aggressively in these conditions is someone you want to stay clear of, and it's very likely you'll see that same car pulled over down the road—or worse!

Emergency Preparedness:

We are all human, and sometimes there are hazards that we miss, or conditions that are out of our control. And while a collision or emergency is something we try our best to prevent, we need to be prepared if the worst does happen.

Handling Bad Weather Safe Skills:

When encountering low visibility from rain or fog, use your low beams and fog lights. High beams will only increase the glare. If you can't see at least five seconds in front of you, don't drive. Pull over and put your hazards on until it clears up. Remember, it's illegal to drive with your hazard lights on. Be aware that the beginning of a rain storm is most hazardous, as the oil from cars has yet to wash off the road. If needed during a rain storm, turn on your defogger even before your windshield fogs up. Heavy rain may cause your car to hydroplane. This loss of traction can throw your car into an uncontrollable skid. Look for how to deal with a skid later in the lesson. To prevent hydroplaning, slow down! Make sure your tires are properly inflated and have enough tread before you drive. During or after heavy rain, there may be flooding. Avoid shoulders or any areas on the road that have pooled water, as they could cause your car to hydroplane or stall. In northern regions of the state and country, you may encounter ice or snow. The same rules for visibility apply, but if there is snow or ice on the road, just don't drive, unless you have the equipment and experience to do so. High winds can be dangerous, particularly on bridges, when driving near large trucks, and in urban areas where things can literally be thrown into your path. If you have a high-profile vehicle like an SUV, a sudden wind gust could cause you to lose control. A good rule of thumb: don't drive if there is a wind advisory over 30 mph. Extreme heat can cause your vehicle to overheat. Always keep at least a gallon of water in your car and keep your coolant level up.

Dealing with Skids Safely:

When it's slippery out, skidding will be a potential hazard. Knowing how to respond to a skid is not necessarily instinctual, so if you have an opportunity to practice with a professional driving instructor, this would be ideal.Skids are typically caused by taking a corner or turn too quickly. Always decelerate when coming into a turn, and even more so if it is raining or a rough road surface. f you're in a skid, remember these steps: Keep calm! This may be difficult if you've never experienced a skid before, but take a deep breath and relax, you can handle this! Keep your eyes focused on a target in the distance, in the direction you want to go, and stay focused on this object. This will enable you to ensure your vehicle eventually gets back on the right track. Ease off the accelerator. If your vehicle has a manual transmission, press the clutch pedal. Steer your car gently, not abruptly, toward your target, or the direction you want to go. Make sure to counter steer as necessary: once your tires regain traction, your vehicle will move in the direction the front wheels are pointed. If you oversteer, you could drive out of your lane. Carefully guide your vehicle toward the center of your lane. If you're not on course after two to three seconds, lightly press the brake. If you press the brake too hard, you could make the skid worse, so remember to be gentle. Braking too hard is often what causes a skid in the first place. If you don't have ABS, use threshold braking any time you need to brake hard. Squeeze the brake pedal until just before the wheels lock, then ease off the pedal, then squeeze again, repeating until you've reduced your speed enough.