Chapter 8 DMV: Defensive Driving

roundabout

A "___________" is a round intersection with a small diameter that makes drivers decrease speed, normally to 30 mph or less. Studies show a ___________ can reduce the number and severity of accidents at an intersection, compared to intersections controlled by stop signs or traffic signals. ___________, or rotaries, are now more common in New York State and other states.

who weighs more than 40 pounds

A child under age _ ___ ______ ____ _____ __ ______ can be restrained in a booster seat with a lap and shoulder belt. A child of age 4, 5, 6 or 7 must use a booster seat with lap and shoulder belt or a child safety seat (The child safety restraint system must meet the height and weight recommendations of the restraint manufacturer.)

To avoid becoming an aggressive driver:

Allow enough travel time to reach your destination on schedule. Adjust your schedule to prevent driving during times with the most highway traffic. If you are late, call ahead so you can relax. Do not drive when you are angry, upset or very tired. Make your vehicle comfortable. Listen to relaxing music and prevent conditions that make you anxious. When you drive, relax and be aware of how you sit. Sit back in your seat, loosen your hold on the steering wheel and do not grind your teeth. Be polite, courteous and forgiving to other drivers. You can control how you react. If another person drives aggressively, do not do the same. If you have the right-of-way, do not think of it as a complete right. Be prepared to yield the right-of-way to other highway users. To wait a few seconds for another driver is far better than to risk a crash.

defensive driving tips

Be prepared and look ahead. Maintain the correct speed. Signal before you turn or change lanes. Allow space. Wear your seat belt. Do not drive if you are very weary, are on medication or have been drinking beverages that contain alcohol. Keep your vehicle in good condition. Do not use hand held mobile devices while driving.

drivers whose at risk

Deprived of sleep or fatigued. Driving long distances without rest breaks. Driving through the night or at times when you are normally asleep. Taking medication that increases sleepiness or drinking alcohol. Driving alone. Driving on long, rural, or boring roads. Frequent travelers, e.g., business travelers and long-distance commuters.

Shift Workers

Drivers who have non-traditional work schedules have a greater risk of being involved in a fatigue-related traffic crash.

all of these choices : Affect your ability to reason and make decisions Increase the chance of being involved in a traffic accident Lead to a revoked or suspended license

Driving in a state of rage can:

In work zones, you should:

Expect to find a work zone wherever you drive - you may have to decrease speed quickly or even stop. Traffic lanes can shift or be completely closed. Workers and work vehicles can be on or near your driving lane. When you drive in a work zone, make it safer because you know what to do.

Prevention — Before you embark on a trip, you should

Get enough sleep. Plan to drive long trips with a companion. Schedule regular stops for every 100 miles or two hours. Avoid alcohol and medications (over-the-counter and prescribed) that may impair performance. Check with your doctor or pharmacist about any medication you are taking. Alcohol interacts with fatigue increasing its effects. You are not at your best if you are ill or very tired. Do not drive for at least 15 minutes after waking from sleep.

Make sure to signal when you drive off the road and when you return to it

If a driver follows you too closely (tailgates) move to another lane if possible, or reduce speed , what do you to the driver close by?

$200

In New York State, it is a traffic infraction to speak into or listen to a hand-held mobile telephone while driving. For a first offense you could pay a fine up to $___ and receive five license points

Penalties for texting, electronic device use

In New York State, it is illegal to use portable electronic devices, such as cell phones and smart phones, to send or receive text messages or e-mails while driving. The penalty for a first offense is a fine of up to $150. A second offense (both committed within 18 months) is a fine up to $200. A third or subsequent offense (all committed within 18 months) is a fine up to $400. Also, drivers with probationary and junior licenses who use a hand -held phone or text while driving will receive a 60-day suspension for first convictions and revocations of 60 days (for junior licenses) or six months (for probationary licenses) for subsequent convictions within six months of the time a license is restored after suspension.

...

In case you must change lanes quickly or pull over to avoid a hazard, leave some "escape" room to your left and right.

Orange signs in the shape of diamonds

-- "work zone" warning signs - are often placed before road construction projects and other work areas that can change traffic flow. One sign can read: "flagger ahead."

Who can become road raged?

anyone when our irritation or anger with others leads us to behavior that is a threat to ourselves and to the safety and lives of others on and near the road or highways. Threatening or assaulting another person is illegal and these behaviors can result in severe penalties that include fines, imprisonment and court-ordered probation. They can also mean revocation and suspension of a driver license.

no more than 55 kmp

how many mile per hour should you drive with NO speed limit posted?

aggressive drivers

includes speeding, which often leads to following too closely, frequent or quick lane changes without a signal, passing on the shoulder or parts of the roadway that are not paved or being a nuisance to motorists, bicyclists or pedestrians, who don't get out of the way.

brakes

that pull to one side may be wet or may need to be adjusted or repaired. If wet, you can dry them riding the pedal lightly. If this does not help, have your brakes checked by a mechanic. If you notice any change in the brake performance, have them checked immediately.

Keep traffic flowing smoothly

Minimum speed signs are designed to:

road rage can include

Shouts, excessive use of a horn or obscene gestures and threats. Driving actions like when you cut off another vehicle, drive too closely, block another vehicle so it can not use a traffic lane, chase another vehicle or run it off the road, deliberately slam into a vehicle. When you stop a vehicle at the side of the road, and get out to threaten, attack, fight or injure another motorist or passenger or a pedestrian, bicyclist or other person.

Merge your vehicle into the correct lane when it is safe

Signs that warn "lane closed ahead" may indicate a work zone ahead. You should:

People With Undiagnosed Sleep Disorders

The presence of a sleep disorder increases the risk of crashes. If you find you are regularly tired in the daytime or experience any of these symptoms on a regular basis, you may have a sleep disorder and should seek medical help.

steering

There should not be much free movement in the _______ wheel. If your vehicle has power ________, check the fluid level periodically. A noise like a whine when you make a sharp turn can be indicate a problem.

what is considered a safe and smooth flow of traffic?

To keep a smooth traffic flow, some highways also have minimum speed limits. If you drive slower than the minimum speed you can halt the traffic flow and create a dangerous condition. Even if there is no minimum speed limit, those driving too slow can be as dangerous as those who drive too fast.

eye contact

To prevent road rage, it is sometimes better not to make ___ _______with another driver. The other driver can take this as being challenged.

2 seconds

What is the safe following distance or space cushion of the car ahead of you?

be prepared and look ahead

You should sit in a comfortable, but vertical position, and keep both hands on the steering wheel. Slouching in the driver's seat or using only one hand on the wheel makes it more difficult or even dangerous to control your vehicle. Traffic conditions change continuously. Always scan the road ahead. Do not use the road or even the vehicle ahead as your only points of focus. Look ahead so you can prevent, or decrease, possible problems. Keep your eyes moving, notice what is happening at the sides of the road, and check behind you through your mirrors every few seconds. Anticipate errors by other drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians and think about what you will do if an error occurs. Do not assume that a driver who approaches a STOP or YIELD sign on a side road is actually going to stop or yield. It is better to assume the other driver will not stop.

horn

Your ____ is important safety equipment that could become your only means of warning other drivers or pedestrians of possible problems. If the ____ does not work, get it repaired as soon as possible. It should be used properly, not to express anger at other drivers or pedestrians.

wear bars

The law requires that your tires have at least 2/32nds of an inch (.16 cm) of tread. Most tires for passenger cars and light trucks have indicators called "_____ ____" that show across the tire grooves when the minimum tread depth is reached.

flagger

A ______ is a worker who motions for you to stop, continue with caution or change lanes. A ______ has the same authority as a sign, which indicates you can receive a ticket for disobeying their directions.

Depends on the weather and road conditions

A safe speed to drive your car:

Be prepared to yield the right of way

Aggressive driving can become road rage. What should you do when confronted by an aggressive driver?

Air bag safety

Air bags are meant to work WITH seat belts, not to replace them. An air bag protects a front-seat occupant in a head-on crash by inflating on impact and providing a cushion so the occupant does not collide with the steering wheel, dashboard or windshield. The combination of a seat belt and an air bag offers maximum protection, partly because they help the driver maintain control of the vehicle and help prevent secondary collisions.

least 10 inches between the center of your chest and the cover of the air bag

Air bags engage (expand quickly) from the steering wheel and/or dashboard. Most adults who are correctly fastened are safer in a vehicle with air bags, but the pressure of an air bag as it opens could injure those who sit too close to it. You should sit with at __________________________________________. Place your hands on the opposite sides of the steering wheel at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions to keep them away if the air bag engages.

Work zone speed limit

Decrease your speed when a sign indicates: "Road Work 1,500 feet," that means your car, with a speed of 60 miles per hour, will get there in 17 seconds.

when an aggressive driver confronts you:

Do not make eye contact. Remain calm and relaxed. Try to move away safely. Do not challenge an aggressive driver with increased speed or try to hold your position in your travel lane. Wear a seat belt and encourage your passengers to do the same. Ignore gestures and shouts and do not return them. Report aggressive drivers to law enforcement authorities and give a vehicle description, location, vehicle plate number and direction of travel. If an aggressive driver is following you, do not stop or leave your vehicle. Drive to the nearest police station. If an aggressive driver is involved in a crash, stop a safe distance from the crash scene. When the police arrive, report the driving behavior you saw.

...

Do not press your brakes suddenly or unnecessarily as this may startle the motorist behind you and could escalate into road rage.

when driving

Do not use cell phones or text. Avoid arguments and stressful or emotional conversations with passengers. Avoid eating while driving. Be sure children are properly and safely restrained. Properly secure pets in a pet carrier or portable kennel.

young people

Drowsy driving crashes are most common for _____ ______, who tend to stay up late, sleep too little and drive at night

LATCH

Every passenger under age 16 must use a safety restraint. If under age 4, persons must be correctly secured in a government approved child safety seat that is attached to a vehicle by a safety belt or universal anchorage (_____) system.

$50

In the front seat, the driver and each passenger must be properly restrained, one person per belt. The driver and front-seat passengers age 16 or older can each face a fine of up to $__ if they fail to buckle up.

yes

Is this an exception? A child more than 4 feet 9 inches in height or weighing more than 100 pounds is allowed to use a seat belt that has both a lap belt and a shoulder harness. If the seat belt does not fit correctly, the child must use a booster seat with a lap and shoulder belt.

lights

Keep your ______ clean and free of dirt, snow and ice. Broken lenses can cause dangerous glare for other drivers, so replace them as soon as you can. Make sure headlights are adjusted correctly to give you the best view of the road.

glass

Keep your windows clean and clear. Replace worn wiper blades. Keep your defroster and rear window defogger in good condition and make sure there is enough windshield fluid in the reservoir.

the speed limit is 25 mph (40 km/h) in New York City unless another limit is posted.

Know that some cities have speed limits less than 55 mph (88 km/h) that are not be always posted. For example, what is the speed limit in New York City?

When using roundabouts or traffic circles, drivers must

Look for the street and direction signs you need. Slow down when you enter the roundabout. A sign, like the one above, warns of a roundabout.

child safety

NEVER PUT AN INFANT IN A REAR-FACING CHILD SAFETY SEAT IN THE FRONT SEAT OF A VEHICLE THAT HAS A PASSENGER AIR BAG.

Stopping at regular intervals for a rest

On long trips you can prevent drowsiness by:

primary reinforcement

New York is a "________ ___________" state. A law enforcement officer can issue a traffic ticket for failure to wear a seat belt. This law also applies to visitor from outside New York State.

55 mph

On a New York State highway where there is no posted speed limit, the fastest you may legally drive is:

Stay alert and keep your eyes moving

One of the rules of defensive driving is:

vehicle condition

Pay special attention to the maintenance and repair of the brakes, steering mechanism, lights, tires and horn. Depend on your owner's manual and an experienced mechanic as keys to a safe vehicle. It is the operator's responsibility to ensure that the vehicle being driven is safe.

Actions for the Drowsy Driver — Once driving, you must

Recognize that you are close to sleep and cannot calculate when sleep may occur. Not depend on the radio, open window or other "tricks" to keep you awake. Find a safe place to stop for a break in response to symptoms of fatigue. Pull off into a safe area away from traffic and take a brief nap (15 to 45 minutes). Drink coffee or another source of caffeine to promote short-term alertness if needed. (It takes about 30 minutes for caffeine to enter the bloodstream.)

1964

Seat belt use is not required in taxis or livery vehicles, emergency vehicles, ____ or older vehicles or by passengers in buses (except school buses; seat belt use can required by a school district). Rural Letter Carriers are also exempt when they are delivering mail.

Passengers and the driver whenever they are in the car

Seat belts can be most effective as injury preventive devices when they are worn by:

BEFORE

Start to signal at the exit ______ the one you want to take. Do not change lanes or take an exit before you check for vehicles that may be continuing through the roundabout in the lane next to you or behind you. Expect vehicles to be in the "blind spots" you cannot see in your mirrors

Rear-end collisions are the most common type of crash in work zones

What is true of work zones?

make sure your passengers are properly restrained

When you drive, you must make sure each person in your vehicle is properly restrained by a seat belt, child restraint system or car seat. During a crash, a person not properly restrained becomes a flying object and a danger to each person in the vehicle.

You should remain polite to aggressive drivers

Which of the following is always true about road rage?

An orange diamond with black letters

Which of the following may describe a work zone sign?

Inside path and outside path

While inside the roundabout, remain in your lane until you are ready to exit. Use your right turn signal to let the other users know your intention to move from the "______ ____" to the "______ _____'; or if you are in position to exit now

Symptoms of fatigue while driving

Your eyes close or go out of focus by themselves. You find it difficult to keep your head up. You continue to yawn. Your thoughts wander and are disconnected. You do not remember driving the last few miles. You drift between lanes, tailgate or miss traffic signs. You must jerk the car back into the lane. You have drifted off the road and hit the rumble strips which produce a loud noise and vibrations.

A driver distraction is

anything that takes your attention away from driving. Distracted driving can cause crashes, resulting in injury, death, or property damage. Taking your eyes off the road or hands off the steering wheel presents obvi

no, that should be lower to prevent accidents

in a slippery of fogged-in expressway, is it safe to drive more than 65 mph?

No: However, aggressive driving can become road rage. Aggressive driving generally involves the violation of a traffic safety law, while road rage involves the breaking of a criminal law.

is aggressive driving road rage?

road rage

is an angry, hostile state which can increase into violent criminal actions, or attempts of violent actions, that result from the operation of a motor vehicle and can include behavior to provoke others or to make them fearful.

When you arrive at the roundabout, you must

yield the right-of-way to any pedestrians and bicyclists. You must also yield to any drivers who were in the roundabout before you. Sometimes a stop sign or traffic signal will control your point of entry. When the traffic level allows enough space and time, you may enter the roundabout in a counterclockwise direction.