Chapter Three

Driver Safety and Rules

Seat Belt Law

The driver is ALWAYS responsible for enforcing the seat belt law for passengers under the age of 18

WHAT IS THE SEAT BELT LAW????? Answer: all front seat passengers must be

wear a belt. GDL permits requires that ALL passengers must where a seat belt seated any where in the vehicle

WHAT ARE SOME WAYS IN WHICH SEAT BELTS ARE HELPFUL??

Take 3 minutes and write down as many as possible

Seat Belts Help in a Number of Ways

They keep passengers from being thrown from a car in a collision

They prevent passengers from hitting the dashboard or windshield during severe breaking or a collision

They keep passengers from sliding on the seat during sudden stops and turns

They prevent the driver from sliding off the seat and losing control of the car

HOW MANY OF YOU WEAR A SEAT BELT EVERYTIME YOU ARE IN A CAR?????

PROJECT

You are to find two recent article online pertaining to driving and seat belts

Once you find the article, it is to be printed out and you are to write an article review on each article

ARTICLE REVIEW

Name of the article YOUR NAME ( - 10 for no name!!!) Summarize the article ( where it took place,

what happened, who did it involved, what is the main point of the article)

What are your feelings on the article Did you learn anything from the article, if so

what? **** Most importantly – When is this due????

Car Seats

All car seats should have a label verifying that it is approved by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard

When possible, the car seat should always be placed in the back seat

If a back seat is not available, the car seat may be placed in the front seat, as far away from the dashboard as possible

NEVER place a rear facing seat in the front seat with a vehicle that has a front passenger air bag

Children 12 and under should ALWAYS sit in the backseat!

Child Restraint Law

New Jersey’s seat belt law requires ALL FRONT seat passengers to buckle up

All passengers between 8 – 18 must wear a seat belt no matter where they sit in the car

Children 8 and under who weight less than 80 pounds must sit in a car or booster seat

The DRIVER is responsible for ensuring all passengers under 18 are properly restrained by a seat belt or a car seat

Air Bags

Air bags are standard equipment in nearly ALL new cars

They are identified on the steering wheel and dashboard panel with one of the following abbreviations

AIR BAG SRS ( supplemental restraint system) SIR ( supplemental inflatable restraint)

Air Bags

Children of any age are safest when seat belted in the back seat of a passenger vehicle

Car Condition

** ALWAYS check a vehicle’s condition before driving it Reverse Lights- Should light when driving in

reverse ( Law prohibited reverse lights being in while car is in forward)

Brakes – should be smooth and stop a car quickly when necessary. If car pulls one way while braking, or if there is noise, have the brakes checked!

Brake Lights - always replace broken brake lights and bulbs immediately!

Car Condition

Headlights – help prevent accidents. Always replace broken or dimming bulbs immediately

Horn - DO NOT OVERUSE!!! Tap horn when coming out of blind alley, curve or driveway

** While steering on a straight level road, there should be no shimmy or vibrations!

Taillights- help prevent accidents by signaling other drivers in the dark

Turn signal - clicking sound and signal in car should be working. Immediately fix your turning signals in the event that they are not working. If not possible you MUST use hand signals!!!

Car Conditions

Windshield – Should not have chips or cracks in it. It Must always be cleaned inside and out. NJ law prohibits adding tint to windshield and front side windows

Starting Your Car

Before getting into a car to drive, look behind and in front of the car to check for children, animals, bottles or anything else that could be broken or injured

ALSO…. Make sure window are clean Adjust steering wheel and seat Adjust inside and outside mirrors Fasten safety belt

Also…….

Keep good posture while driving Keep both hands on the upper half of the

steering wheel Keep car in the center of the lane Keep to the right, oncoming traffic is in the

other lane Best way to enter a curve

SLOW DOWN FIRST!!!! GRIP THE STEERING WHEEL FIRM!!!!!!!!!

Steering Wheel

Where and how do I hold a steering wheel?? Clock

Speed Control

Gas pedal

Stopping Distance

Stopping distance depends on numerous factors

1. individual reaction time 2. weather and road conditions 3.Vehicle weight 4.Brake conditions 5.Conditions and types of tires 6. roadway conditions 7. speed

Proper Braking

In class assignment Look up the differences between

conventional drum and disc system or anti lock braking system

Proper Braking

Do Not push or stomp on the brake if there no emergency …. Your car will jerk forward!!!!

This will quickly wear out your brakes Apply gentle pressure while applying foot on

the brake while bringing the car to a controlled stop

Use the right foot to both accelerating and braking

If vehicle is an automatic, use the left foot for the clutch

Driver Signals

**** Always give proper driving signals when driving

******* ALWAYS USE YOUR TURN SIGNALS****

Turn on your turn signals at least 100 feet before turning ( about 30 yards)

NJ law requires that all drivers also know the correct hand signals…. These hand signals are standard in ALL states

Hand Signals

Left Turn

Right Turn

Stop or Slow

Driving in Reverse

Before driving in reverse, be sure the path is clear by checking all mirrors and turning to check

Obviously, steering to the right will move the car to the right, steering to the left will move the car to the left

The driver’s head and body should be turned to the right to get a clear possible view

Driving in Reverse

To accomplish this position. Place your right hand on the top of the passenger seat and steer the vehicle with your left hand ( grasping the top of the steering wheel)

*** ALWAYS REMEMBER: when driving in reverse, the front of the vehicle will swing in the opposite direction of the turn

************** this skill must be mastered in order to pass your road test******************

Parking

Always set your hand brake/ parking brake When parking on a decline facing downhill, to

ensure the vehicle does not roll into traffic, turn the wheel toward the curb and shift into park

When parking on an incline facing uphill, turn wheels away from the curb and shift into park

Angle Parking

Angle parking is often used in shopping centers and sometimes in store fronts

Steps 1. check for traffic in front and behind you ( why

behind you????) 2. signal then begin to slow down 3. make sure the rear of the car will clear any

parked car 4. steer into spot then straighten out the wheels,

making sure the car is in the center of the space 5. always remember to pit your car in parking

before shutting off the car

Angle Parking

1. look behind you, make sure there are no people or cars behind you

2. back up slowly until the left front wheel passes the rear bumper of the car parked on the left

3. straighten the wheels once you have entered the traffic lane

Parallel Parking

********** You MUST possess this skill in order to pass the road test**********

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