Driver Responsibility

Chapter 3

Buckle Up – It’s the law…True or False: NJ law requires only the driver, front seat passengers, and children under 18 to wear a seatbelt?True

True or False: The driver is responsible for front seat passengers under 18 to wear a seatbelt?True

True or False: Passengers in the front seat over 18 are responsible for themselves?True

True or False: GDL Drivers with permits or probationary licenses must require all passengers seated anywhere in the car to wear a seatbelt?True

True or False: Passengers should always wear seatbelts, no matter where they are in the car or how old they are?

TRUE

What is 60%

Answer: The percentage chance increase you will have in surviving a crash if you are wearing your seatbelt.

Activity: In your groups, come up with a list of at least 2 detailed reasons as to how a seatbelt can help save a life…1. They slow down your body. If a vehicle hits something, the car stops but you keep traveling the speed the vehicle was traveling and it will stop you from hitting the windshield.

2. They keep you from sliding on the seat in sudden turns or stops.

3. They keep you from being thrown out of the vehicle in a crash.

Wear your Seatbelt!

Activity: In your groups, come up with 3 great strategies to get a friend to wear a seatbelt in your car…

Car Seats - InfantsInfant Car Seat: Designed for children up to 20 pounds and must face the rear of the vehicle.

Car seats should always be placed in the rear of a vehicle unless that is not possible. Can you think of a situation where that would not be possible?

Car Seats - ToddlersConvertible Car Seats: Designed for an infant or a toddler. It can be adjusted for a baby (rear-facing) for up to 20 pounds and when the baby can sit up without help (around 17 pounds) it can be adjusted upright and face forward in the car.

Rear-Facing with Insert Forward-Facing

Car Seats - ChildrenBooster Seats: Children up to 8 years old or weighing less than 80 pounds must ride in a booster seat in the rear of the vehicle.

Children under 8 years old but weighing more than 80 pounds must ride in the back seat using a seatbelt.

What if there is no back seat?

Be Smart…Airbags aren’t designed for children…

It is a good idea to always have children under 12 years old ride in the rear of the vehicle!

Your car’s condition is your responsibility…

Here are some things to check before driving…

Backup Lights

Brake LightsHeadlights (dim or low beams)

Brakes

Headlights (bright or high beams)

Brakes…-Drum (Conventional) Brakes: Used in older cars, driver should pump them after driving through water to test.

-Antilock Brakes (ABS): Used in newer cars, driver should never pump them. Steady, consistent pressure is necessary for proper use even thought they may feel like they are slipping. Great for snow and rain!

How are Antilock brakes better than Drum brakes?

More things to check…

Tire tread should be checked often with a penny…

Horn

Tail lights

Turn Signals

Steering

True or False: If snow or ice from the top of your car causes an accident, you can be help liable?

True...look what can happen

Before you start a car…follow the LAWSLAWS checklist

Look…

Around the outside of the car for children or objects

Windows must be clear

Seat must be adjusted so driver can reach pedals

Lock doors

Adjust side and rearview mirrors

Wear your seatbelt

Set car into “Park”

Adjust your mirrors to reduce blind spots

How do we avoid hitting a driver in a blind spot?

Properly adjusted mirrors…helps to eliminate blind spots…but always turn and check…

Glasses are your responsibility to wear when driving…

90 to 95% of driving is Visual.

SteeringA driver must keep their hands at 9 and 3 when driving in normal conditions…

Hand-over-Hand Steering-Used for turning through corners, intersections, curves -Used with “controlled slipping”

Making Turns

Stopping

Activity: In your groups, create a list of all the factors that influence the stopping distance of a car…

-Driver reaction time-Weather and road conditions-Vehicle weight-Brake conditions-Condition of tires-Roadway conditions-Speed

Stopping continued…In your groups…Explain how a responsible driver would handle each of these situations to be as safe as possible?

-Driver reaction time-Weather and road conditions-Vehicle weight-Brake conditions-Condition of tires-Roadway conditions-Speed

Stopping continued…

No Emergency

!

New Driver

A common mistake of new drivers is slamming the brake even if there is no emergency.

Signaling other drivers…

100 feet

A driver must use his/her turn signal 100 feet before making a turn…

But what if your turn signals aren’t working?

How do we signal a right turn?

Always use your left hand

How do we signal a right turn?

Always use your left hand

How do we signal a left turn?

Always use your left hand

How do we signal slowing down or a stop?

Always use your left hand

Driving Straight in Reverse…-Turn head around until you can see clearly through rear window-Place right arm over the back of the passenger seat-Place left hand at the top (12 o’clock) on the steering wheel

Turning in Reverse…-Two hands must be on the wheel to turn the wheel-Head and body must be turned around to look out the rear window-Example…parallel parking

Turning in Reverse…If you turn the steering wheel to the left when driving in reverse, which way will the rear of the car move? How about the front?

Left!Right!

Turning in Reverse…If you turn the steering wheel to the right when driving in reverse, which way will the rear of the car move? How about the front?

Right!Left!

Turning Around…

The 3-Point Turn (K Turn)-Used to make a U-turn when space is limited-You will be tested on this during you driver’s test

Parking…-When parking on a hill with a curb, it is best to turn your tires to prevent your car from rolling into the street in the event your emergency brake fails.

Can I have a volunteer to come up and label the picture?

Parking facing downhill…-The vehicle’s wheels should always be turned toward the curb to prevent rolling downhill and into traffic.

Parking facing uphill…-The vehicle’s wheels should always be turned away from the curb to prevent rolling downhill and into traffic.

Hint: To remember this, Superman

Angle Parking…-Used commonly in shopping centers, parking lots and curbs

Parallel Parking…I know I have to do this to pass my driver’s test!!!!

-Most common on city streets-Must be within 6 inches of curb-Practice with cones 25 feet apart

How to Parallel Park…