CHAPTER 12

DRIVING IN ADVERSE CONDITIONS12.1 REDUCED VISIBILITY12.2 REDUCED TRACTION12.3 OTHER ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS

REDUCED VISIBILITYWHENEVER REDUCED VISIBILITY

1. SLOW DOWN2. SCAN EARLY3. PREDICT OTHERS MOVEMENTS4. DECEIDE POSITION WITH EXTRA SPACE CUSHION5. EXECUTE GENTLY TO MAINTAIN CONTROL

IF MOISTURE BUILD-UP

1. TURN ON FRONT DEFROSTER2. SWITCH ON REAR DEFOGGER3. USE AIR CONDITIONER/ HEATER TO HELP4. OPEN WINDOWS IF NEEDED

SUN GLARE

2. BRIGHTEST DAYS CREATE DARKEST SHADOWS3. LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS HELP OTHERS SEE YOU

1. USE VISOR

DAWN AND DUSK

LOW VISUAL CONTRAST BETWEEN MOVING AND THE DRIVING SCENE

DAWN AND DUSK

• Driving can be dangerous• Use low beam lights

Night Driving

•Switch to Low Beam for Oncoming cars•Use Low Beam in Bad Weather

•Use High Beam Lights to See Further Down the Road

•Avoid staring at mirrors

•Glare of other headlights can blind you

Make sure you flip your rear view mirror to night driving to avoid

glare

Meeting Other Vehicles•Flick to Low Beam Lights•If Other Driver is Using High Beams Move to the right and Look for Curb•You May Also Flash Your Lights to Remind Oncoming Driving to Switch to Low Beams

Over Driving Headlights

Driving at a speed that makes your stopping distance farther than the distance lighted by your headlights

FOG

•Use Low Beam•Other cars appear closer than they are•Increase following distance

RAIN

• Use Wipers and Low Beam

RAIN•Reduce speed and increase following distance•Avoid Deep Pools of Water

Reduced Traction

SNOW

•Slow and Steer Carefully•Slush and Ice build-up on Wipers and Head Lights

SNOW

•Fresh Snow at Low Temps

•Traction Can Be Good but…

•Covers Roadway Markings

SNOW

• Driving in tire tracks of others can help increase traction

Snow

Fresh Snow – Traction Fairly GoodPacked Snow – Low TractionSub Zero – EVERYTHINGS FROZEN

Hydroplaning

Tires lose Contact because they are on top of the WaterTire Tread Cuts through water to grip the roadIf Traveling Too fast…………………#!&@

Deep Water

• Estimate Depth– Fire Hydrants– Fences– Trees

• If water is higher than bottom of your vehicle, DO NOT ENTER

Rocking the Vehicle

Driving Forward and Backward quickly and Repeatedly.

IceOn BridgesBlack IceIce in Tire Tracks

Gravel Roads

Gravel act like marbles under your wheels and may cause skidding

Leaves Wet Leaves are slippery

Avoid Piles

Construction Areas

Trucks and Equipment leave mud, dirt, sand, on the roadway

Slow, Be Watchful for Workers!

Skidding•Over-Power Skid

–Too much power to the drive wheels

•Over-Braking Skid–No ABS, may lock up your wheels when stopping suddenly

Front Wheel Skid

•Loss of Steering–Release Accelerator or brake–Pump Brakes (if no ABS)–Steer towards path you want to go

Rear Wheel Skid

•Release Accelerator or Brake•Steer Quickly the direction you want to go•If Fishtail Counter steer according

Front Wheel Skid

Rear Wheel Skid

Skidding In a Curve

•Happens when entering a curve too fast•May go off the road!•Let the Car slow on its own and aim for the roadway

Controlled Braking

Pumping the brakes gently to slow quickly and be able

to steer

Car with ABSPumps the brakes for you allowing you to brake and steer at the same time

Car without ABS

WIND

•Be Ready to steer into wind•Especially Dangerous when passing trucks

Tornado

• Listen to weather reports

• Listen for sirens

• Be prepared to pull over

• Get out of the car and lay down in the lowest lying area (ie. A ditch)

Hot Weather

•Cooling systems may over heat engine•Check gauges Often

Cold WeatherExhaust Leaks

Do Not Race EngineDo Not Set Parking Brake

Bad Weather Driving Tips

1. Look and Listen to Weather Reports2. Keep Windows Clear3. Respect Lower Speeds4. Keep Safe Following Distance5. Keep Moving in Snow6. Lower Gear on Slippery Roads7. Avoid Cruise Control