IMPROV Online Traffic School
Chapter 6: Crash Prevention
Insurance Claim Forms
Crashes not only ruin your day, they also cause a lot of confusion! Here are some funny stories from actual insurance claim forms.
- "To avoid hitting the bumper of the car in front of me, I struck the pedestrian."
- "This pedestrian had no idea which direction to go so I ran over him."
- "The telephone pole was approaching fast. I was attempting to swerve out of its path when it struck my front end."
- "Coming home I drove into the wrong house and collided with a tree I don't have."
- "I was on my way to the doctor with rear end trouble, when my universal joint gave way."
- "A pedestrian hit me and went under my car. It's their fault."
- "This guy was all over the road. I had to swerve a number of times before I hit him."
- "I pulled away from the side of the road, glanced at my mother-in-law, then headed over the embankment."
Distractions Are Everywhere
Driver distraction in all of its various forms probably contributes to approximately one out of four collisions.
Earlier we read that there are over 6 million crashes per year. If we estimate that 25% of those were caused by driver distraction — that's one-and-a-half million crashes a year
or over 4,000 PER DAY!
Cellular Telephones
While it's hard to imagine life without a cell phone, you increase the risk of being involved in a collsion by 400% every time you use your cell phone when driving (even if you are downloading stock quotes).
Effective July 1, 2008, it is illegal to drive a vehicle while using a cell phone unless the driver uses a hands-free device.
However, if you are under 18, you can't use a phone at all! Not even when texting or using a Bluetooth device.
Don't Text While Driving - Effective January 1, 2009
"This new law applies to electronic wireless communications devices used to manually communicate with any person using text-based communication, including, but not limited to, communications referred to as a text message, instant message, or e-mail."
This means you CANNOT:
- Hold phone to ear (unless emergency)
- Write, send or read text messages or e-mail
- Browse the internet (no matter how bad the stock market is)
But you CAN:
- Use a hands-free device like Bluetooth
- Dial phone numbers
- Use a GPS system
- Use a speaker phone
Violating this law is punishable by a base fine of $20 for a first offense and $50 for each subsequent offense. With the addition of penalty assessments, fines can be more than triple the base fine amount. Further, if your texting contributed to the collision, the officer could charge you with a host of other violations, including reckless driving, unsafe speed for conditions, etc…
Driving Distractions
Top 10 List of Driving Distractions:
- 10. Eating — messy and dangerous
- 9. Kids — the trick is keep them busy with books, games… whatever works
- 8. Navigation — decide where you are going before you leave the house
- 7. Tuning the radio — and it's so out… just plug in your iPod
- 6. Pets — don't let them loose inside the car
- 5. AC — just give it up. It will never be perfect for either of you
- 4. Personal Grooming
- 3. Rubbernecking
- 2. Cell phones
- And The Number One Dangerous Distraction:
Arguing With your Spouse (Why can't you two just get along?)
Did you know?
Taking your eyes off the road for two seconds at 60 mph means you have traveled blindly for half the length of a football field
Vehicle crashes are the number one killer of teenagers. Driver distractions, risk-taking, and inexperience contribute to more than 5,000 teenage deaths each year.
The Marco Firebaugh Memorial Children's Health and Safety Act of 2007 makes it an infraction for a person to smoke a cigarette, pipe, or cigar in a motor vehicle when a minor is present in the vehicle. The law applies whether the vehicle is at rest or in motion. Violations are punishable by a fine not exceeding $100.
Collisions
Traffic Trivia:
How many different collision types you can be involved in?
Answer: Eight (8)
- Head-on
- Sideswipes
- Rear End
- Broadside
- Hit Object
- Overturned
- Auto/Pedestrian
- And any Other……
Typical Collision Factors… recognize any?
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Any Surprises…?
No wonder that it feels that getting from one point to another is like developing a game plan for a football game.
Urban Myth:
"Defensive driving" is an old outdated term.
Truth:
Today we call it Common Sense Driving, similar to your plan for surviving …
It's important that you know the rules of the road. But simply knowing the rules doesn't make you a safe driver.
Protect Yourself… No, not for that (well, yeah, that too)… but we mean in case you can't avoid a collision.
- For example, if you stop worrying about wrinkling your clothes, a properly worn seatbelt will increase your chances of escaping without an injury by 50%.
- While bracing yourself may help to lessen the impact, it's like trying to break a fall from a four story building.
- Releasing the brake during rear-end collisions can lessen the chance of severe back or neck injury.
- DO NOT turn the wheel into oncoming traffic… it may have tragic results if the vehicle is pushed forward
- During a head-on collision, it is vital to protect your face, especially if you're really good looking. You should make any move possible to lessen the chance of injury in an unavoidable crash.
Avoiding Rear-End Collisions and Watching Your Behind
Traffic Trivia:
If you hit a car from behind you are almost always at fault.
- 3–second rule—Allow more space between you and the car ahead. Maintain at least a 3-second following distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. Refer to a table below to adjust for less-than-perfect conditions.
- Give notice—Let other drivers know what your plan is by signaling and using your breaks only when necessary.
- Keep pace—Keep up the pace with traffic around you, but do not go over the posted speed limit.
- Check your rear-view mirror—Check every 2-5 seconds and keep your eyes moving (and we don't mean to glance at newspaper while checking your blackberry). LOOK BEFORE GOING — especially before changing lanes
- Look Ahead—Look at least one block ahead (about 15 seconds) to see upcoming hazards and traffic conditions.
If you are being followed by a tailgater, you should change lanes or slow down to encourage them to pass. (If the tailgater chooses to stay on your tail rather than pass, he's a moron and you should get out of his way…)
Avoiding Multiple Hazards… Just not at Once…
Identify and Predict Hazards Early
A ball can mean a child chasing it
Anticipate and Plan Possible Escape Routes
and please
Control your emotions
Recommended Following Distance
| 3 SECONDS | 4 SECONDS | 5 SECONDS | 6 SECONDS PLUS |
|---|---|---|---|
Normal Traffic Condition Entering the Freeway Exiting the Freeway |
Following a Van Merging on a freeway Following a Motorcycle If Crowded by a Tailgater If the Driver Behind You |
Following Trucks Pulling a Trailer or Carrying |
Crossing Intersections Driving on Icy At night and |
And again…Always ask yourself,
"What if…What if someone cuts in front of me?"
"What if the car in front of me makes a sudden stop?"
"Am I ready for the next move?"
If any of these questions makes you think twice, then adjust your speed or change your position in traffic.
Passing
It is one of the most dangerous maneuvers.
At highway speeds of 65 to 70 mph, you need a 12-to-15 second gap in oncoming traffic to pass safely.
When you decide to pass, don't hesitate.
Never overtake or pass another vehicle if the line on your side is solid yellow, or if you are at an intersection, or if a "Do Not Pass" sign is posted. You should have clear visibility for at least 1,000 feet. Don't pass on hills, or around curves, if you can't see. Or within 100 feet of an approaching bridge, viaduct, tunnel, intersection, or railroad crossing or while typing an email.
If a school bus is displaying a flashing red light, the driver of the vehicle shall stop immediately before passing the school bus and not proceed past the bus until the flashing red light and, if the school bus is equipped with a stop signal arm, the stop signal arm cease operation.
Space To Pass
Oncoming Vehicles
At 55 mph, you will travel over 800 feet in 10 to 12 seconds. So will an oncoming vehicle. That means you need over 1600 feet (or about one-third of a mile) to pass safely.
Hills Or Curves
To pass safely, you must be able to see at least one-third of a mile.
Please DO NOT drive on the left side of a roadway when coming to a curve or the top of a hill where you can't see far enough ahead to be sure it is safe to pass. Otherwise, you could wind up being a new species of road kill.
Car Fact: If there were just two people who drove in the entire city of Los Angeles, it would just be a matter of time before they ran into each other.
What if you really can't wait and need to pass someone?
First, ask yourself the following:
- Is passing legal?
- Do I have at least a 12 to 15 second opening (One-third of a mile)
- Is anyone else going to make a move? What if they have a more pressing emergency?
- Can I accelerate without breaking a speed limit?
- Do I really need to do this?
Don't do it if you have to ask — Are there any cops around?
When being passed — don't speed UP… it's really not a contest.
Intersections
Intersection Definition
An intersection is the area embraced within the prolongations of the lateral curb lines, or, if none, then the lateral boundary lines of the roadways or the area within which vehicles traveling upon different highways joining at any other angle may come in conflict, or a place where two streets meet. The first definition just sounds more official. It is also another place where many crashes occur.
Intersections can be controlled…
So, as you approach you are looking out for signals, signs, special road markings.
…or uncontrolled
These intersections are more dangerous as you have no clue what's going on, so a bit extra attention may be required here.
The Big Picture
Traffic Trivia:
What is the most common excuse for people who get into crashes?
Answer: "I didn't see it."
Which in the bad driver's version of the excuse "the dog ate my homework."
Collision Cases
Here are a few scenarios from a game we came up with. It's called "I didn't see them." We will review few crash scenarios, related laws and determine who caused the crash. These are true crash situations that are embellished for your amusement.
CASE REVIEW 1
This crash scenario takes place at an intersection where two cars are making left turns and a third car is proceeding through the intersection. As you're reading, pay close attention to each car's involvement in the crash. Determine who is at fault and if any laws were violated. Remember, sometimes more than one car causes the crash even if they're not legally liable.
Cars Number One and Two are stopped at the intersection waiting to make left turns. The driver of Car Number One motions to the driver of Car Number Two to go ahead and turn. The driver of Car Number Two starts turning. Car Number Three is traveling in the right lane proceeding through the intersection and hits Car Number Two broadside. The driver of Car Number Two suffers several fractures. The passenger in the right front seat of Car Number Two is badly injured. The driver of Car Number Three is wearing a seat belt and shoulder harness and escapes with minor injuries.
Who caused the crash? Car Number One? Car Number Two? Car Number Three?
Usually more than one person, sometimes two, cause the crash. In this case, two people caused the crash. Car Number Two is turning left into oncoming traffic. Car Number Three should have slowed down when he sees other cars stopped at the intersection. These drivers are not really doing anything wrong or illegal. They're going right through the intersection. Car Number One shouldn't have waved Car Number Two on. Never tell someone to go on, even if you think it is okay. Don't direct traffic… especially considering that you hate it when someone in your own car tells you what to do.
Car Number Two was at fault
Turning
After reading the first crash scenario let's read more about turning and the proper methods to avoid getting into a collision.
Signal When You Change Direction
Drivers signal:
- To let other drivers know their plans.
- Before pulling next to (or away from) the curb.
- Before turning or changing lanes.
Use the signal lights on your vehicle. If you happen to drive an older vehicle not equipped with signal lamps or if your signals are inoperative, you may use arm signals.
Center Turning Lane
If a street has a left turn center lane, you must use it when you turn left.
- The two-way left-turn lane may not be used to pass another vehicle.
- Driving in the two-way left-turn lane for more than 200 feet is prohibited.
- You may use the two-way left-turn lane to make a u-turn if permitted and safe.
To turn left from the street, drive completely inside the center left turn lane. Don't stop part way into the lane with the rear of your vehicle blocking traffic. Turn only when it is safe. Look for vehicles coming head on towards you in the same lane as they start to make their left turns.
When turning left from a side street or driveway, wait until it is safe, and then drive into the center left turn lane. Signal before moving into regular traffic. Enter traffic only when it is safe. You may drive across a center left turn lane.
Legal U-Turns
When you make a U-turn, you turn around and go back the way you came.
- Make the turn only from the far left lane on your side of the road.
- If the street has a center left turn lane, begin your U-turn in that lane, provided there are no vehicles to your left.
- At an intersection, you can make a U-turn unless a "No U-turn" sign is posted.
YOU MAY NOT MAKE U-TURN:
- Where you cannot clearly see in each direction because of a curve, hill, rain, fog, or other reason.
- Where a "No U-Turn" sign is posted.
- When vehicles may hit you.
- On a one-way street.
- In front of a fire station. Never use a fire station driveway to turn around.
CASE REVIEW 2
This crash scenario takes place on a highway where the right lane is ending. The car needs to merge left into the next lane. As you're reading pay close attention to each car's involvement in the crash. Determine who is at fault and if any laws were violated. Remember sometimes more than one car causes the crash even if they're not legally liable.
Car Number One is in the far right lane of a highway where the lane is ending. Car Number One doesn't notice the arrows on the road pointing to merge left. Car Number Two is in the middle lane and Car Number Three is in the left lane alongside Car Number Two.
Car Number 1 all of a sudden realizes they have no more lane and puts on their left turn signal attempting to change lanes. They roll down the window and start waving. Car Number 2 and 3 speed up not allowing Car Number 1 to merge left.
Now Car Number 2 and Car Number 3 are alongside Car Number 1 giving him the evil eye.
Car Number 1 accelerates, attempting to pull out in front of Car Number 2. To avoid a collision, Car Number 2 swerves over into Car Number 3's lane, causing a collision. Car Number 2 and Car Number 3 having crashed pull off to the side of the road to fight, and exchange information. Car Number 1 drives away laughing.
Who caused the crash?
Car Number 1, Car Number 2 or Car Number 3?
The answer is Car Number 1. Car Number 1 caused the crash because their lane ended. We covered yielding the right of way earlier in this course. Car Number 1 had no more road! Car Number 2 and Car Number 3 should not have sped up. Whenever you can avoid a crash, you do it! It's the same scenario as pulling out of your driveway. If this was your driveway, you wouldn't just pull out and force people to stop.
When your lane ends you need to slow down!
It's like leaving a football game. There are 10,000 cars pulling out of the parking lot onto the highway. Sometimes you have to stop and merge with the other cars. You must wait for somebody to let you in.
CASE REVIEW 3
Below is a small country road going uphill with a solid yellow line on the right hand side of the road. There's a van full of rock-n-roll musicians coming back from an all-night concert. It's about 6:00 AM in the morning and they're impaired. The van is driving extremely slow causing traffic to build up behind them. Two cars have been following this van for the last 15 miles
There are about 18 people in this van, the road crew and the band going up this hill 10 mph in a 35 mph speed zone. Car Number 1 and Car Number 2 have been behind this van for the last 15 miles. They're saying, "What's going on! We can't stay behind this van any longer!" Finally Car Number 1 says, "I'm going to try and pass." Car Number 1 pulls out to pass. As Car Number 1 pulls out, Car Number 2 speeds up, of course. There is an unwritten law that you have to speed up and take the place of the car that was in front of you. As they start to pass, Car Number 1 sees another car coming head-on straight at them from the other direction. That's why there is a solid yellow line on their side of the road (NO PASSING ZONE).
Car Number 1, not being able to pass, tries to squeeze back into the lane, but Car Number 2 has closed the gap between themselves and the van and there's not enough room. Car Number 1 and Car Number 2 crash. Car Number 1 and Car Number 2 having crashed, pull off onto the side of the road. The van pulls over to see what happened. Who's at fault?
The answer is Car Number Two.
Here's why. This is considered a rear end collision. Anytime you're hit from behind, the driver who hits you is at fault because they're not leaving enough room between them and the car in front. Car Number Two should have maintained at least a three second gap between themselves and the van, or at least two seconds. In this scenario, all the drivers contributed to this crash. The driver of the van should not have been driving under the influence, or impaired. The van should not have been going so slow, impeding traffic. Car Number One should not have been trying to pass where there's a solid yellow line. Car Number Two should have maintained a gap of at least three seconds between them and the van.
When you have space in front of you, don't close the gap. Always keep a minimum 3 second gap between you and the car in front.
CASE REVIEW 4
Below is a small country road going uphill with a solid yellow line on the right hand side of the road. Two cars are following the van up the hill. The van full of rock-n-roll musicians coming back from an all-night concert. It's about 6:00 AM in the morning and they're impaired. A third car is traveling in the opposite direction.
The bus, for no apparent reason, all of a sudden stops in the middle of the road. The bus driver is having a heart attack and has passed out behind the wheel. The door swings open and Pete, the pedestrian, jumps out of the bus and yells "Our driver passed out, we need help!!"
The bus is now stuck in the middle of the road. Car Number 1 and Car Number 2 are not going to try and pass the bus after what happened in the last crash scenario; they're stuck behind the bus. Pete knows he needs to call for help. He sees a farm house across the street and wonders if they have a phone. He makes eye contact with the driver of Car Number 1. Can I cross? Car Number 1 gestures to go ahead and cross. Pete is distracted as he begins crossing between the bus and Car Number 1. As he runs across the street, Pete laments never signing up for that CPR course he'd seen offered. Just as Pete makes himself a promise to sign up for the next course, guess what? Here comes Car Number 3 over the hill going 35 mph in a 35 mph speed zone. The driver of Car Number 3 sees Pete too late, slams on the brakes and skids for almost 100 feet. Car Number 3 hits Pete so hard, that he flies up over the roof of the car. Dead!
Who's at fault in this fatal crash?
The bus? Car Number 1? Car Number 2? Car Number 3? Pete? The bus driver?
The answer is Pete. Pete crossed between two stopped vehicles. A pedestrian must use the crosswalk at an intersection, wait on the corner until cars stop for them, make eye contact with each driver as they cross, and walk briskly across the street. A driver must always try to avoid pedestrians but pedestrians are responsible for their own safety.
Car Number Three couldn't see Pete as they were coming over the hill. They tried to stop to avoid the Pete. This is considered a non-chargeable fatal crash.
When driving a car, you must take every possible step to ensure pedestrian safety. It's a simple fact of physics, if you hit a pedestrian with a car, the pedestrian is going to get hurt. Be extra careful around pedestrians and always look out for them.
Crashes
What to do if you're involved in a Traffic Crash
Your chances of being involved in a crash will be significantly reduced assuming you use the tools you've just learned. Here are some basic steps to follow if you are ever involved in a car crash.
- First, you must stop — unless you're in the line of oncoming traffic, stop. If you're in the line of oncoming traffic, then pull off onto the nearest shoulder on the road and stop. You are breaking the law if you do not stop at the scene of a crash.
- Move your car — away from the traffic flow and warn oncoming traffic, if possible. You should turn on your emergency flashers and place flares or safety triangles at least 100 feet behind your vehicle.
- Check for any injuries — Try to make the injured person as comfortable as possible, but do not move the injured person unless they are in a burning car. Moving an injured person can result in more serious injury.
- If they are bleeding —
- Cover the wound with a piece of clothing or what ever is available.
- Apply pressure and elevate the wound above the heart unless it causes pain.
- Keep the injured person warm and lying down because they may be going into shock.
- Try to get medical help as quickly as possible, use a cell phone or flag down someone that has a cell phone or a CB radio.
- If that fails, ask someone else to go for help, call the police.
- Exchange information — with the other driver and passengers. You should exchange names and addresses, driver license information, names of insurance companies, and vehicle registration information. If you're involved in a collision with a parked car, you must leave this information on or in the car. Perhaps on a sheet of paper placed under the wiper blade. Make sure you have accurate information, including the license plate numbers of all the cars involved. Take pictures if you have a camera. Get names or business cards of witnesses you may need to verify the events of the crash.
P.S. Just in case you were thinking of giving the wrong information or leaving the scene of a crash, you may be charged with a hit-and-run or other severe penalties. (And even if they don't catch you, you're going to have a lot of nightmares)
Let's Review
- Try to always maintain at least a 3-Second following distance.
- Don't pass in poor visibility and/or against oncoming traffic.
- Move your eyes and check mirrors every 3-5 seconds.
- Look ahead one city block (10-15 seconds).
- Ask "What If…?" Plan an escape route .
- As a pedestrian, you can still be held at fault for causing a collision<./li>
- If you have to ask if there is a cop out there, … DON'T DO IT !!!
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All Improv Traffic School courses are DMV and/or court-approved for online Traffic School and Online Defensive Driving. Many commercial fleets use our Defensive Driving courses in California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, New Jersey and New York. Some of our most popular programs include: California Online Traffic School, for the CA Court System; Florida DMV Traffic School - Basic Driver Improvement; Georgia court-approved defensive driving course; Idaho DMV Defensive Driving Course; New Jersey DMV Defensive Driving Program; NYS DMV Defensive Driving Program.