Driver's Ed Sections 3.7 and 3.8

Backing

The most common mistake that drivers make when backing up is failing to look both ways behind them. Mirrors do not give you a full view. To see as much as possible, turn your body and head to the right and look out through the rear window. Back up slowly and check for pedestrians and approaching traffic by glancing quickly to either side.

Prevent Drink Driving

Alcohol-related crashes are not accidents. They can be prevented! The only way to avoid the risks of drinking and driving is to decide before you start drinking that you are not going to drive. Remember, alcohol affects judgment. Making the decision not to drive is a lot more difficult after one or two drinks. Drive to social events in groups of two or more and have the driver agree not to drink.

Other Facts 2

Almost any drug can reduce your ability to drive safely. It's not just illegal drugs that cause problems. Many over-the-counter medications and prescription drugs for headaches, hay fever, colds, allergies or nervous conditions can cause drowsiness and dizziness. This includes syrups, drops, sprays, pills and tablets. They often affect driver alertness and slow reaction time.

Distracted Driving 2

Annually, driver distraction accounts for roughly 20 percent of all traffic crashes in Virginia. Why is distracted driving so deadly? Because while the driver is distracted, the vehicle may move into a high risk situation. The driver then loses precious seconds before recognizing the situation and must make an emergency maneuver. Young distracted drivers are even more susceptible. Failure to maintain proper control, following too closely, and not yielding the right-of-way are common actions of young distracted drivers. Inexperience in handling or controlling a vehicle during an emergency situation combined with distracted driving (cell phone use, other passengers, eyes not on the road, etc.) puts them at greater risk of a crash.

Night Driving

At sunset, as soon as light begins to fade, turn on your headlights to make your vehicle more visible to others. You must use headlights from sunset to sunrise. Use low beams when driving in cities and towns, except on streets where there is no lighting. Switch to low beams whenever you meet oncoming traffic to avoid blinding the other driver. When following, use low beams whenever you are within 200 feet of the vehicle ahead.

Other Facts

Combining alcohol with other drugs usually multiplies the effects of both and can have a disastrous effect on your ability to drive. One drink taken when you are on another drug - even an aspirin, or allergy or cold medicine - could have the same effect on your driving ability as drinking several alcoholic beverages.

Drowsy Driving

Constant yawning, head nodding, heavy eyelids, difficulty remembering the last few miles driven, missing road signs or exits, unplanned lane changes, driving off the road or hitting rumble strips are all signs of drowsy driving. Driving while you are sleepy increases your crash risk as you struggle to process complex information coming from different places at once. You may make careless driving decisions, have trouble paying attention or actually fall asleep while driving.

Rain

Driving in heavy rain can be as hazardous as driving in fog, especially if the wind is blowing. Other vehicles to the rear and in blind spot areas are especially difficult to see when it's raining. Use your low-beam headlights to see and be seen. In light rain or drizzle, turn on your windshield wipers to improve visibility; using wipers for sprinkles may smear the windshield and make it harder to see, so make sure you have windshield washer fluid.

Snow 3

Driving on packed snow is similar to driving on ice. When you brake, apply the brakes gently. Slow down before stopping or turning. When driving on slippery surfaces and you need to stop, apply brakes gently. You have the most traction and control when the front tires are rolling. Keeping a slow, steady speed - rather than hard braking - will allow you to control your vehicle. Watch for ice on bridges and in shady areas. Bridges freeze before other road surfaces.

Distracted Driving

Driving requires your full attention. There are many distractions that may prevent drivers from focusing on driving: changing the radio or CD, talking to passengers, observing outside surroundings, eating, using a cell phone and more. When on the road, drivers should not use cell phones, computers or other distracting devices except to report a crash or emergency. Before engaging in distracting behavior, pull over and stop the vehicle in a safe location. Effective January 1, 2021, Virginia law prohibits drivers holding cell phones or any other wireless communication devices while driving except in a driver emergency or the vehicle is lawfully parked or stopped.

Snow 2

Equip your car with all-weather snow tires or chains to help prevent skidding and reduce stopping distance. Driving on packed snow is similar to driving on ice. When you brake, apply the brakes gently. Slow down before stopping or turning. When driving on slippery surfaces and you need to stop, release the accelerator and apply brakes gently. You have the most traction and control when the front tires are rolling. Therefore, your vehicle will respond more effectively to steering while moving more slowly than hard braking.

Car Crash 2

Exchange information with other people involved in the crash as soon as possible. Be sure to get the following information: Name, address and driver's license number of other drivers License plate numbers of other vehicles Name and address of anyone who was injured Name and address of each witness Name, address and insurance policy number of other vehicle owners Notify your insurance company immediately.

Fog

Fog reflects light and can reflect your own headlights back into your eyes. Use low-beam headlights in heavy fog and look for road edge markings to guide you. Even light fog reduces visibility and your ability to judge distances, so slow down.

Traffic Crashes

If you are involved in a traffic crash, you must: Stop at the scene of the crash or as close to the scene as possible without blocking traffic. You may move the vehicles before the police arrive if the vehicles create a traffic hazard. Give any help you can if someone is injured. Do not attempt to move an injured person from a wrecked vehicle unless you have the necessary medical training or there is an immediate danger such as fire. Report the crash to the police as quickly as possible. Motor vehicle crashes involving property damage, personal injury or death must be reported to the police.

Traffic Stops

If you are stopped by a police officer: Remain calm. Pull your vehicle to the side of the road in a safe location and park. Turn on your flashers. Stay in your vehicle. Do not get out unless the officer asks you to. Keep your hands in plain view, preferably on the steering wheel. Ask your passengers to keep their hands in plain view also. Do not make any movement that will make the officer think you are hiding or reaching for something. Carry proper identification: a valid driver's license, proof of vehicle registration and proof of insurance. If the officer asks for these documents, tell him where they are and reach for them slowly, keeping one hand on the steering wheel.

Protect Yourself

If you see an aggressive driver, stay out of the way. Don't challenge the aggressive driver by speeding up or trying to out-maneuver him. Avoid eye contact and ignore his gestures and shouting. Remember if you are convicted of aggressive driving, your license could be suspended for ten days or for as long as six months.

Facts about Drunk Driving

Just one alcoholic drink can affect your driving ability because even a small amount of alcohol affects the brain's functions - particularly vision, judgment, and coordination. Because alcohol affects your judgment and driving ability, your chances of being in a crash are seven times greater if you drive after drinking than if you drive sober. Twelve ounces of beer is the same as a shot of liquor or a five-ounce glass of wine. Only time can decrease intoxication. Coffee, cold showers or exercise will not sober you up.

Car Crash 3

Law enforcement officers are required to forward a written crash report to DMV when a traffic crash results in injury or the death of any person or total property damage is in excess of $1,500. All crash information will be recorded on the DMV records of each driver involved in the crash. You must make a reasonable effort to find the owner of an unattended vehicle or other property damaged in a crash. If you cannot locate anyone, leave a note that can be found easily at the scene of the crash. Include your name, telephone number, the date and time of the crash, and a description of the damage. You must also report the crash to the police within 24 hours.

Drinking and Driving

Legally, drivers age 21 or older are considered to be driving under the influence (DUI) if your blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08 percent or higher. If your driving is impaired, you can be convicted of driving under the influence with a BAC lower than .08 percent. If under age 21, you can be convicted of illegal consumption of alcohol if your BAC is at least .02 but less than .08. If your BAC is .08 or higher you could be convicted of a DUI. If your driving is impaired because you are under the influence of any drug, you may face the same penalties as driving under the influence of alcohol.

Visibility

Most of what you do while driving depends on what you see. To be a good driver, you need to know what to look for, where to look, and how to adjust to possible problems. The single biggest contributor to crashes is failing to identify a risk. Always know where other vehicles are positioned around you. You must look down the road, to the sides, and behind your vehicle. You must also be alert for unexpected events, especially pedestrians and bicyclists. You must use your headlights at night and at other times when it's hard to see. You must be alert and pay attention to what is going on around you.

Other Facts 3

Read the label before taking any drug or medicine. Look for warnings about side effects. If you're uncertain about the effects of a drug, ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice. Remember that, while the effects may vary among users, no drug is harmless.

Snow

Remove snow and ice from your entire car, including the roof, hood and rear of the vehicle, before you start driving. Snow and ice left on the car can fly off when the vehicle is moving and create a hazard for other motorists. Be sure to clear all of your windows, mirrors and front and rear lights of snow or ice so you can see and communicate with other drivers.

Drinking and Driving 2

Researchers estimate that between the hours of 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. three out of every ten drivers are drunk. More than one-third of these drivers have been drinking at someone else's home. Nearly 50 percent of the drivers arrested for DUI are social to moderate drinkers. Don't think that it won't happen to you. In your lifetime, there's a 50-50 chance that you'll be involved in an alcohol-related crash.

When Aggressive Drivers are behind the wheel, these High-Risk Drivers take out their anger on Other Motorists.

Their frustration levels run high while their concerns for fellow motorists run low. They break the law by running stop signs and red lights, speeding, tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, passing on the right (including on the shoulder and unpaved portions of the road), making improper and unsafe lane changes, as well as making hand and facial gestures, screaming, honking and flashing their lights.

Aggressive Driving

This dangerous driving behavior is defined by Virginia law as the intent to harass, intimidate, injure or obstruct another person while committing one or more traffic offenses such as failing to stop or yield the right-of-way, avoiding a traffic control device or failing to give way to an overtaking vehicle.

Deer Hazards

Thousands of deer-vehicle crashes take place in Virginia each year, resulting in fatalities, injuries and costly vehicle damage. To avoid hitting a deer: Be alert at dusk and dawn especially in the fall. Slow down if you see a deer near or crossing the road. Deer frequently travel in groups; there are likely more deer nearby. Use the horn to scare deer away. If a collision with a deer or other animal is unavoidable, do not swerve. Brake firmly, stay in your lane, and come to a controlled stop. If you hit a deer, report it to law enforcement.

Lights

Virginia law requires motorists to use headlights during inclement weather such as rain, fog, snow or sleet when visibility is reduced to 500 feet. You must use your headlights whenever you use your windshield wipers as a result of bad weather. Using headlights at all times, including during the day, increases your vehicle's visibility.

Night Driving 2

Use high beam headlights on highways, unless another vehicle is within 500 feet coming toward you. If the high beams of an oncoming car are on, avoid looking directly at the bright lights. Glance toward the side of the road, then look quickly ahead to determine the other vehicle's position. Keep doing this until you have passed the other vehicle. Even if the other driver does not dim his headlights, do not turn on your high beam headlights.

Parking

When parking on a public road, move as far from traffic as possible. If you park on a shoulder, pull over as far on the shoulder as possible. If you park next to a curb, pull close to it. You may not park more than one foot from the curb. On a two-way street, park on the right side of the road. On a one- way road, park on either side.

Rain 2

When rain begins, during the first half-hour, roads are more likely to be slippery due to oil on the road surface mixing with water. Use caution when driving through ponded water, and avoid it if possible. Ponded water can cause vehicles to hydroplane or otherwise lose control.

Parking on a Hill

With a curb: Turn the front wheels of your vehicle to prevent it from rolling into the street. Parking downhill with a curb: Turn front wheels right. Parking uphill with a curb: Turn front wheels left.

You may Not Park

Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant Within 20 feet of an intersection Within 15 feet of the entrance to a fire, ambulance or rescue squad station Within 500 feet of where fire trucks or equipment are stopped answering an alarm Within 50 feet of a railroad crossing

Parking on a Hill 2

Without a curb: Turn the front wheels so that if the vehicle rolls, the rear of the vehicle will roll away from traffic. Parking downhill - no curb: Turn front wheels right. Parking uphill - no curb: Turn front wheels right.