IMPROV Online Traffic School
Chapter 7: Environmental Hazards, Vehicle Emergencies

And other fun stuff you should be ready to deal with.

Environmental Hazards

As a driver you will occasionally encounter adverse or difficult conditions…and we're not talking about the mundane conversation in your morning car pool. You must be prepared to cope with a threatening emergency situation. In this chapter, you will learn how to compensate and deal with these hazards and other emergencies.

What is the trickiest time of the day to drive?
A. Early Morning
B. Late Night
C. After Sunset

Answer: The answer is C - After Sunset.

The most dangerous time to drive, the trickiest and most difficult lighting exists at dusk.

During twilight, the sky is still bright but at ground level, it becomes progressively darker. The bright sky deceives the eyes and they don't know how to adjust. The law requires that you turn your headlights on 30 minutes after sunset and leave them on until 30 minutes before sunrise. (Of course you'll want to be driving at the time, otherwise your battery will run out.) It is also illegal to drive with only your parking lights on.

Use Your Headlights

• When it is cloudy, raining, snowing, or foggy.
• Any time you have trouble seeing other cars. Other drivers will be having trouble seeing you, too.
• On small country or mountain roads, even on sunny days.

A few night driving tips:

• Don't overdrive your headlights.
• Look away from oncoming headlights.
• Switch to a low beam when following or approaching another vehicle.
• Be aware of drowsiness.
• If you are using high beams, dim them when you are within 300 feet of the vehicle ahead or within 500 feet of the oncoming vehicle.
• Do not drive with only your parking lights on.

Fog

Fog is especially treacherous. DO NOT USE YOUR HIGH BEAMS… Always use your low beam headlights when you're driving. High beam rays reflect off the fog, the rain, or the snow particles at about the same level as your eyes, making each particle act like a tiny mirror.

• Drive slowly and turn on your low beams.
• Increase your following distance and be on the alert for brake lights up ahead.
• If you are behind another vehicle be prepared to stop.
• If you can't see, pull completely off the road and turn off your lights, so that another vehicle doesn't see your tail lights and plow into you.
• Don't drive until conditions improve.

Slow down during rain storms

The danger of reduced traction is greatest within the first half hour of rainfall. At that time, the water mixes with the oil and the dust on the surface of the road, making the pavement more slippery than a baseball player testifying before Congress.

• Gradually reduce your speed.
• Do not brake hard or suddenly on wet or slippery pavement.
• Avoid any sudden acceleration. When you change your speed or direction, do so smoothly and gradually, rather than sharply.
• Increase your following distance to allow more time to stop. If you approach a sharp curve or a hill, grip the steering wheel firmly and give yourself time to slow down.
• In heavy rain or still water, your tires can actually lose contact with the road and glide over the water. It's called HYDROPLANING. If you start to hydroplane, first of all, stay calm.
  • Don't brake suddenly, but apply gentle pressure on your brakes.
  • Plan ahead so that you don't come to a full stop until you are out of the water.

Skidding

Remember, your chances of going into a skid increase drastically when driving on slick or wet roads.

Few basic skid control techniques:

• Never lock your brakes.
• Ease your foot off the accelerator.
• Steer in the direction of the skid.
• Stop when you have regained control of your car.

Anti-Lock Brakes — A valuable feature to have

If you must stop quickly, your next action will depend on whether your vehicle is equipped with anti-lock brakes (ABS). If you have anti-lock brakes, just press firmly and the computer will take over. Do not pump your brakes. You may hear noise coming from your wheels or a vibration in the brake pedal. Don't panic, this is all part of the braking system adjusting the pressure applied to each wheel to prevent the car from skidding out of control (time for your free, relaxing foot massage)

Non Anti-Locking Brakes

If you do not have antilock brakes, you must do the complete opposite. Apply a quick pumping motion onto your brake. It's very, very important that you steer smoothly, not sharply, into the skid.

Water On The Road

After a storm, be aware of standing water. When you see a large pool of water covering the road, you should do whatever you can to avoid it. Even if the water doesn't look that deep, don't drive through it. Many hazards can be hiding in standing water. One of the most treacherous is sinkholes.

After a heavy rain or tropical storm, the ground can sometimes do unpredictable things. — You don't want to be the street version of the Titanic.

Driving In Traffic

DEALING WITH TRAFFIC CONGESTION

Chronic traffic congestion is the California commuter's biggest headache. But even small changes in driving habits could provide fast relief, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS).

Several driving behaviors which contribute to congestion include:

• Rubbernecking - perhaps the most frustrating of behaviors. Slowing down to look at crashes or virtually anything else out of the ordinary, is one of the worst congestion offenders. (We're all guilty of this one, hoping to see some carnage that we're glad doesn't involve us)
• Tailgating - following too closely is common on California freeways, accounting for innumerable crashes which in turn clog major freeways, often for hours.
• Unnecessary lane changes - although it produces virtually no improvement in arrival times, many motorists insist on weaving in and out of freeway lanes, which slows down all traffic.
• Inattention - commuters can commonly be seen eating, grooming in the rearview mirror, talking on a cellular telephone, or even reading the newspaper as they drive to work.

Vehicle Emergencies

Mechanical Breakdowns

If possible, move your vehicle out of the traffic lane and park where the disabled vehicle can be seen for at least 200 feet in each direction. Turn on your emergency flashers, raise the hood, stay away from traffic lanes and keep your passengers away as well. If you use emergency flares, keep them at least 200-300 feet away from your vehicle.

Did you know that you can get a ticket for getting stuck on the freeway without gas?

 (It's like a triple downer—you've got no gas, you're not going anywhere and now you're going to get ticketed for it—loser!)

Gas Pedal sticks

• You should shift into neutral (that's the "N" gear), then apply the brakes.
• Make sure you find a way out of traffic and warn others by flashing your lights.
• Pull off the highway (if possible)
• Turn off your ignition

Brake failure

• Pump the brake pedal hard and fast
• Shift to a lower gear
• Apply the parking brake slowly, so you don't skid
• Rub your tires against the curb to slow your vehicle, or pull off the road into an open space

Wet brakes

• Test your brakes lightly any time you've driven through deep water
• Brakes may pull to one side or may not hold at all
• Dry your brakes by driving slowly in low gear and applying your brakes

Tire blow out

• Grip the steering wheel firmly
• Ease off the gas pedal to slow down
• Do not use your brakes
• Look for a safe place to pull over
• When you feel your car is under control again, gently start braking

Hood files up while driving

• Slow down
• Find a way to keep your eyes on the road.
• Look through the crack between the hood and the body of the car.
• Look out the side window
• Pull over as soon as possible

Power steering failure

• Slow down
• Grip the steering wheel firmly, applying more pressure than usual
• Find a safe path through traffic, change lanes and move as far off the roadway as possible
• Power steering failure can be caused by a stalling engine, a low level of power steering fluid, a broken steering drive belt, or a defective pump

Right wheels go off the shoulder

• Take your foot off the gas pedal
• Hold the wheel firmly and maintain a straight line
• Brake lightly
• Turn back onto the pavement sharply at low speed

Car or motorcycle approaching in your lane

• Sound your horn and flash your lights
• Brake sharply
• Steer for the side of the road, a ditch, or the next lane
• And it never hurts to pray

Fire

• If the fire is small and you have a portable extinguisher, you should attempt to extinguish the fire.
• If you cannot extinguish the fire and it continues to get larger, get away from the vehicle. There may be toxic fumes and the possibility of an explosion.
• Never apply water to a gasoline or diesel fire.

Remember you never know what potential environmental hazard or vehicle emergency you will encounter when driving.

BE PREPARED!

Let's Review

• The most difficult time to drive is at dusk.
• Don't lock your eyes on the road.
• Increase following distance in any adverse conditions.
• Don't use high beams in a fog or snow.
• Avoid hydroplaning by slowing down when wet.
• Avoid large pools of water.
• Carry a small fire extinguisher and an emergency kit.

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