Chapter 10 DMV: Special Driving Conditions

reach the proper speed before blending the traffic

Expressways have "expressway entrance lanes" (acceleration lanes) so that drivers can:

railroad crossing signals

Flashing red lights, lowered crossing gates and/or a bell at a railroad crossing indicate that you must stop, at least 15 feet (5 m) from the tracks. Do not go across the tracks until the lights and bell have stopped and the crossing gates are completely up. Do not drive around or under a gate that is moving up or down.

The distance we can see ahead is reduced

Night driving is dangerous because:

active grade crossings

grade crossings have flashing red lights or lowering gates when a train approaches

grade crossing

is the point at which train tracks intersect with a roadway and is considered an intersection. As you approach a crossing, always expect a train. Trains can run on any track, at any time, from either direction. Never race a train to a crossing, never drive around lowered gates, and do not stop on tracks

if your vehicle has anti lock brakes (ABS), you must

keep your foot with even pressure on the brake pedal. If your vehicle does not have ABS, pump the pedal carefully. Pump more rapidly only as your car slows down. If you brake hard with regular brakes, it will make the situation worse.

expressway

means any divided highway where traffic moves in one direction on two or more lanes. You normally enter or exit the ____________ on ramps (controlled-access). The speed limit is normally 55 mph (88 km/h), but can be posted at 65 mph (105 km/h) in some rural areas.

how to drive in snow

-make sure your vehicle is in good condition -do not drive unless its a must, before driving, make sure to clear your windsheild, headlights, backlights and all the windows -drive slowly -In a rear-wheel drive vehicle, you can normally feel a loss of traction or the start of a slide.

Stalling on Railroad Tracks

1. GET OUT! (That includes EVERYONE in the car, children, babies, an elderly passenger, etc.) 2. Get away from the tracks, even if you do not see a train. 3. Locate the Emergency Notification System sign and call the number provided, telling them about the stalled vehicle. Run toward the general direction the train is coming from. If a train is approaching, run toward the train but away from the tracks at a 45-degree angle. If you run "down the track," in the same direction as the train, you can be hit with debris when the train hits your vehicle.

Make sure your lights and windshield glass are clean for night driving.

A dirty windshield increases glare from approaching headlights.

Hydroplaning

A driving condition where the tires lose traction on a wet road, and float on a layer of water or slush.

the blowout

A thumping sound can be a warning that a ________ is about to occur. If you hear it, get safely off the road and check your tires. If a tire blows out, hold the steering wheel tight and slowly take your foot off the gas pedal. If your vehicle skids, handle it as you would on ice or snow. Do not use your brake until your vehicle is controlled. Leave the road when it is safe to do so.

going into water

A vehicle will normally float for a while, and you should have time to remove yourself before it starts to sink. Release your seat belt and escape through a window. An open door would cause water to rush in and the car could turn over on top of you. If the vehicle sinks before you can remove yourself, get into the back seat. An air pocket can form there as the weight of the engine pulls the vehicle down front first. When the vehicle settles, take a breath and escape through a window. When you rise air pressure will build in your lungs. Let it out in small breaths through your nose or lips as you surface. Do not hold your breath tight or try to blow air out; just allow the air to escape in a natural way.

night driving

About 90% of your decisions are based on what you see. At night, you must use extra caution to make up for reduced visibility. You should also know that the ability to see well at night decreases with age.

check your speedometer to be sure you are driving within the posted limit

After you leave an expressway, look for speed limit signs and check your speedometer to be sure you are driving within the posted limit. You are not likely to be on a 55 mph (88 km/h) road.

make sure to signal all lane changes and check over your shoulder to make sure you will not cut off any vehicles behind you

As you drive on the expressway, make sure to signal all lane changes and check over your shoulder to make sure you will not cut off any vehicles behind you. Make sure your directional signal goes off after you change lanes.

vehicle approaching head-on in your lane

Decrease speed, pull over to the right and sound your horn to warn the other driver. Do not turn into the left lane. If you do, the other driver may suddenly recover and pull back into that lane, causing a head-on collision.

deer crossing sign

Deer cross the roadway in this area. Slow down, be alert and be ready to stop.

high beams

Be considerate when you use your ____ ______. Your headlights must be on low beam when you are within 500 feet (150 m) of an oncoming vehicle or within 200 feet (60 m) of a vehicle ahead of you, even if the vehicle ahead is in a different lane. You should also dim your lights for pedestrians who approach you. Any fog or driving lights your vehicle has must be arranged, adjusted or operated to avoid dangerous glare to other drivers.

loss of a wheel

Handle this as you would a blowout. A thump or noise in the wheel can be a warning sound. Leave the roadway and stop. Then check your vehicle or have it checked.

driving in rain

Headlights on high beams reflect rain, fog and snow as it falls. This makes it even harder for you to see. For better visibility during these weather conditions, keep your headlights on low beam. Reduce your speed. Signal your turns further ahead of time to give other drivers and roadway users more warning. Brake early when you decrease speed behind another vehicle or come to an intersection stop.

stuck gas pedal

Hook your shoe under the pedal and see if you can free it. If not, shift into neutral and use the brake to slow your vehicle and get off the road. Do not turn off the ignition if your vehicle has power steering or a steering wheel that has a column that locks, because if you do, you will lose power steering or not have the ability to steer at all.

Hold the steering wheel firmly, and ease up on the gas

If a tire blows out, the proper thing to do is:

stalling on railroad tracks

If a train approaches, release your seat belt, leave the vehicle and get as far away as you can from the tracks. Run toward the general direction the train is coming from. If you run "down the track," in the same direction as the train, you can be hit with debris when the train hits your vehicle. When completely sure no trains are coming, open your window to listen for a train and try to start the engine. If that fails, shift your vehicle into neutral and push it from the tracks.

flash your headlights to high beam for a second, then return to low beam

If an approaching driver does not dim the headlights, _______________. To help avoid the glare of approaching high beams, move your eyes to the right. Use the road edge as a guide until the approaching vehicle passes by. To reduce glare from the lights of following vehicles, switch your inside rear view mirror to the "night" position.

Not cross the tracks until the train has completely passed

If an approaching train is near enough or going fast enough to be a danger, you must:

safest method to enter is to stop and wait

If the entrance lane is too short to allow acceleration to expressway speed, the safest method to enter is to stop and wait for a large space in traffic. Then enter the expressway and accelerate quickly. To avoid conflicts with other entrance lane traffic, stop when necessary and merge into expressway traffic as soon as possible.

There is room for your vehicle on the other side

If traffic prevents you from crossing all the way across a set of railroad tracks, you may proceed only when:

drive to the next exit and leave the expressway

If you drive past your exit on an expressway, you should:

fire

If you see smoke come from under the hood, pull off the road and park your vehicle. Turn off the ignition. Get away from the car and call the fire department. It is dangerous to try to fight the fire yourself.

brake failure

If your brake pedal suddenly goes to the floor, try pumping it to increase pressure. If that does not help, use your emergency or parking brake - but use it gently. If you shift to a lower gear, it will help your vehicle decrease speed.

Try to pump it to build up the pressure

If your brake pedal suddenly sinks to the floor, you should first:

blocked vision

If your hood opens suddenly or your vision through the windshield becomes blocked by some other object or wipers that have failed, you can open the side window so you can see. Turn on your emergency lights and carefully pull your vehicle off the road and park it.

steering failure

If your vehicle suddenly will not respond when you steer, slowly take your foot off the gas pedal, turn on your emergency lights and keep your foot off the brake pedal while it is safe to do so. The balance of the vehicle will allow it to continue going straight, but a sudden change in speed could send it out of control. As the vehicle decreases speed, you can brake very carefully to bring it to a stop.

running off the pavement

If your wheels move off the pavement, do not pull the steering wheel back. Ease your foot off the gas pedal and brake gently. When your vehicle has decreased speed, check for traffic behind you, then turn carefully back onto the pavement.

Keep the interior roof light off and dim the dashboard lights.

Light from inside your vehicle or from street lights makes it harder for you to see the road ahead. Adjust your visors to reduce glare from lights from above.

driving within the range

Night driving is more dangerous because the distance you can see ahead or to the side is reduced. You should drive slower than you would in daylight, especially in areas that are not known or on narrow roads with many curves. Your headlights cover about 350 feet ahead. It is important that you drive at a speed that allows you to stop safely within that distance. This is called "_______ _______ ___ _______" of your headlights.

Slow down and be prepared to stop

Some grade crossing do not have gates or flashing lights. When approaching unmarked, or passive, grade crossings,

pavement markings

Sometimes, grade crossings do not have flashing red light signals or gates. Pavement markings will often show you that a grade crossing is ahead. Stay behind the stop line while waiting for a train to pass.

if your front wheel begins to skid, you must

Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral or push in the clutch, but do not try to immediately steer. As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As traction returns, turn the wheel in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in "drive" or release the clutch and accelerate carefully.

a railroad crossing

This sign is a warning that you are approaching:

check the destination and exit signs, and get into the correct lane for your exit ahead of time

To prevent a last-minute lane change, check the destination and exit signs, and get into the correct lane for your exit ahead of time. Make sure to signal your exit at least 100 feet (30 m) before you reach the exit ramp. When you are on the exit ramp, decrease your speed. There is often a lower speed limit for the ramp.

how to avoid deer collisions

Two-thirds of all deer-vehicle collisions occur during the months of October, November and December. This is also the time when deer breed and when they travel the most. Daily deer activity is highest at dawn and dusk, which often is the highest time of travel for motor-vehicle commuters. Deer travel in groups - if you see one, expect more

Slow down and be prepared to stop

What is the appropriate action to take when approaching a railroad crossing that does not have signals (such as lights or crossing gates)?

School buses and passenger buses carrying passengers

What vehicles must stop at all railroad crossings?

Apply the brakes in slow, steady strokes

When attempting to stop on a slippery road, the best action to take is:

Drive within range of your headlights

When driving at night, it is most important for you to:

Looking to the lower right side of your lane

When you drive at night you can reduce the problem of glare from the headlights of an approaching car by:

Headlights on low beam

When you drive in heavy fog during daylight hours you should drive with your:

100 feet before the exit ramp

When you get ready to leave an expressway, you should begin to use your turn signal:

Ease your foot off the gas and brake gently

When your right wheels run onto a soft shoulder, what is the best way to get back on the highway?

Think before you act

Which of the following statements applies to all driving emergency situations?

You must think faster and handle your vehicle more effectively

Why is driving on an expressway different from driving on an ordinary street?

Wait for a large gap in traffic then speed up quickly

You are getting on a highway which has a very short entrance lane. The safest way for you to enter the flow of traffic would be to:

Check your speedometer to keep at the lower speed limit

You have just left an expressway and are starting to drive on an ordinary highway. You should:

under no circumstances

You may drive around or under a gate that is being lowered or raised at a railroad crossing:

To prevent skids on snow and ice...

brake early, carefully and gently. "Press" your brakes in slow, steady strokes. Allow the wheels to keep turning. If they begin to lock up, decrease pressure on the brake pedal. As your vehicle decreases speed, you can also shift into a lower gear.

If your rear wheels start to skid, you must:

turn the steering wheel in the direction of the skid

railroad crossing warning sign

what sign is this? Yellow with black letters "RR" and "X" symbol.

Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go

your car starts to skid on a slippery road, you should: