Safe Driving Basics
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DRIVER REACTIONS, PERCEPTION AND RECOMMENDED ACTIONS
PREPARING TO DRIVE
Check the technical condition of the vehicle carefully before starting the journey. It is necessary to make sure that the brake system, steering mechanism, light and alarm systems, windshield wipers, speedometer, seat belts, tires, driver's tool kit, spare wheel, etc. are in order.
Each motor vehicle must have a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, and emergency stop sign.
The physical and mental state of the driver must be suitable for driving.
When sitting at the steering wheel, the arms should be slightly bent (100-120°) at the elbows, the legs should be bent at the knees at an angle of 100-140°, the knees should be at a distance of 3-5 cm from the lower edge of the steering wheel and slightly shifted forward. The knees are not obstructed behind the steering wheel when the pedals are pressed with the feet. When sitting, your back should lean against the backrest. You must have a clear view of the road ahead. Do not adjust the steering wheel and seat position while driving - this is dangerous.
The comfort and position of the seat has a great influence on the fatigue of the driver, the speed and accuracy of driving movements, and the visibility of the road. Adjust the seat properly before driving. To determine its longitudinal position, adjust the backrest, the height of the seat so that the eyes are at the right height above the steering wheel, check the height of the headrest.
CAR STABILITY
1. The stability of the car is higher, the lower its center of gravity is.
2. An unloaded vehicle is less prone to overturning.
3. A fully filled tank truck is more stable than a half-full one.
4. It is necessary to drive slowly on the slope, without making sudden movements with the steering wheel and brakes.
5. The force of inertia affects the car when starting to drive suddenly, braking suddenly, driving around a corner.
6. Centrifugal force is greater, the higher the driving speed and the smaller the radius of the road bend.
7. The cause of a car sliding sideways on a slippery road can be both sudden braking and sudden acceleration.
8. If the traction force of the car's wheels is greater than the force of adhesion of the wheels to the road surface, the driving wheels will slip.
9. When driving on a slippery road, it is dangerous to suddenly increase the engine speed (press the accelerator pedal), because the car may slide to the side.
10. If the tire tread is worn, the force of adhesion of the wheels to the road surface decreases.
11. When braking the car suddenly, the rear wheels lock (skid) faster than the front wheels.
12. If, while driving a car with rear-wheel drive, the rear axle started to slide to the side during a turn, you need to release the accelerator pedal a little, turn the steering wheel in the direction of the slide.
13. If, while driving a car with front-wheel drive, the rear axle started to slide sideways in a turn, you need to press the accelerator pedal a little harder and adjust the direction of the car's movement with the steering wheel.
14. If the braked car starts to slide sideways, you must stop braking.
15. In a corner, the car is more stable if the gear is engaged and the clutch remains engaged.
16. If the right wheels of the car you are driving hit an unsealed shoulder, it is recommended to direct the car to the roadway without stopping.
17. A strong side wind is dangerous on a slippery road when driving from a closed section of road to an open one.
18. After crossing a body of water (when the car's brakes were flooded), the driver is recommended to press the brake pedal several times at low speed to dry the brake pads.
19. The size of aquaplaning (water wedge between the tire tread and the road surface) depends on the driving speed, the condition of the tire tread, the intensity of the rain, and the road surface.
20. If while driving straight, you unexpectedly entered a small icy section of the road, it is advisable not to change the driving speed and direction, but to release the accelerator pedal lightly.
21. When driving through deep snow, on a broken dirt road, you must select a lower gear in advance, do not make sharp turns, do not switch gears, try not to stop.
22. When transporting heavier loads on top of the passenger car body (trunk on the roof), sudden turning of the steering wheel and braking are dangerous.
23. One of the most slippery surfaces is the road surface of hewn stones.
24. Too low air pressure in tires increases fuel consumption and reduces car stability.
25. Only when it starts to rain, the road surface is extremely slippery.
DRIVING IN A CORNER
26. When you reduce the driving speed in a corner, the centrifugal force will decrease.
27. During a turn, the trailer of the set moves to the side of the center of the turn (the longer the tow, the more).
28. During a turn, the driver must ensure that the rear wheels (trailer) of the moving car, rolling with a smaller radius than the front wheels, do not hit an obstacle, and that the vehicle does not drive into the oncoming traffic lane.
29. If the bend in the road turns out to be sharper than you expected, it is necessary to reduce the speed.
STOPPING
30. Stopping distance - the distance traveled by the car from the moment when the driver noticed an obstacle until it came to a complete stop.
31. Braking distance - the distance traveled by the car from the moment the driver presses the brake pedal until it comes to a complete stop.
32. Reaction distance is the distance travelled by the car from the moment the driver noticed an obstacle to the moment he started braking.
33. The stopping distance is directly proportional to the square of the increase in speed: i.e. A threefold increase in speed will increase the stopping distance ninefold.
34. The structure of the steering mechanism does not affect the stopping distance. The braking distance depends mainly on the driving speed, the structure of the brake drive, the number of braking wheels and the force of pressing the brake pedal.
35. Following distance is the distance between vehicles travelling one behind another. The safe distance between cars following each other is about half of the speedometer reading.
36. When following a large vehicle, you should keep as far away from it as possible in order to see a longer section of the road ahead.
37. When braking suddenly, you must press the brake pedal without releasing the clutch pedal.
38. If, during braking, the braked wheels are blocked and slide on the surface of the carriageway, the braking distance becomes longer.
39. When driving on a slippery road, the car's stopping distance will be reduced if it is braked intermittently without disengaging the clutch and gear (when there is no ABS).
40. When driving on a slippery road, braking the engine and not locking the wheels improves the stability of the car.
41. When braking suddenly, passengers and unsecured cargo move forward.
42. If you brake suddenly in heavy traffic, you may be hit by those driving behind you.
43. In the event of a sudden failure of the service brakes, it is necessary to engage a lower gear and brake with the parking (manual) brake. If possible, use an obstacle.
44. If the car is stopped for a long time on a steep slope, the brakes may overheat and fail. Braking on a slope must be in gear.
45. It is dangerous to suddenly brake a car with uneven wear on the left and right wheels, as it may slide off the road.
46. When braking the car with the engine, the steeper the slope, the lower the gear.
47. When leaving the vehicle stationary, always engage the parking brake.
DRIVER REACTIONS, PERCEPTION AND RECOMMENDED ACTIONS
47. The driver's reaction time - the time interval from the moment the driver noticed an obstacle until he took specific actions.
48. The reaction time of a drunk driver increases.
49. A tired and sick driver's attention weakens, reaction time increases.
50. As the speed of a moving car increases, the driver's viewing angle decreases.
51. The driver's emotional excitement has a negative impact on traffic for safety.
52. If the driver is tired and sleepy, he must stop and rest.
53. Oncoming cars painted in dark colors (gray, dark blue) create the illusion that they are moving slower than they really are.
54. An oncoming large vehicle creates the illusion that it is moving faster than it actually is.
55. It is recommended to press the clutch and brake pedals with the middle part of the foot.
56. When approaching a parallel road intersection, it is recommended to look at it from left to right.
57. In residential areas, you need to be careful when driving past a public-transport stop, as pedestrians can run out in front of a standing bus or trolleybus, and a public-transport vehicle has priority when leaving the bus stop.
58. After overtaking a vehicle, it is recommended to return to the right lane when the driver sees the overtaken vehicle through the rearview mirror.
59. When stopping on a slope and waiting for a traffic light or regulated signal, it is advisable to keep the car in place with the parking brake.
60. When starting to drive uphill, the parking brake must be released synchronously with the car moving off (releasing the clutch and pressing the accelerator pedal).
61. Leaving a car with a diesel engine in gear on a slope is dangerous because the engine can start by itself.
62. If you are blinded by the sun's rays, reduce your speed, continue driving only if you are sure that it will be safe.
63. When driving in fog - the distance to the oncoming vehicle appears deceptive - it seems greater than it really is.
64. Frequent acceleration and braking of the vehicle increases fuel consumption.
65. Smooth acceleration and smooth braking ensure the lowest fuel consumption.
66. Driving efficiency is affected by the smoothness of the car, engaged gear (driving speed), road conditions, condition of ignition and power systems, driving style.
67. When turning, the driver must try to drive in reverse as little as possible.
68. At sub-zero temperatures, it is necessary to dry the brake pads before parking the washed car in an open parking lot (when driving at low speed, pressing the brake pedal often).
DRIVING IN THE DARK
69. In the dark, when approaching the top of the hill, it is always recommended to switch the high beams of the headlights to the low beams.
70. It is unsafe to drive a car at a speed of 90 km/h in the dark, outside of settlements, because the stopping distance is longer than the length of the lit road section.
71. In the dark, during heavy snow, rain, snow, fog, the road will be better visible if you turn on the fog lights together with the low beams.
72. Too much load on the rear axle of a passenger car will lead to poor handling, the dipped beam can dazzle oncoming drivers.
The blind zone is the part of the road that is not visible through the rear and side view mirrors. When you want to turn, merge into traffic, stop, change lanes, you have to look over your shoulder. Always be aware of what is happening around you when driving. Get into the habit of looking in mirrors.
OVERTAKING
Before starting to overtake, it is necessary to make sure that:
- none of the following drivers who could be obstructed started overtaking;
- the driver of the vehicle driving in the same lane in front did not show the left turn signal;
- the section of the lane necessary for overtaking is free and will not be obstructed by oncoming vehicles, - after overtaking, he will be able to return to his lane without obstructing the overtaking vehicle.
The road section chosen for turning must be clearly visible. If you get too close to the vehicle being overtaken, the visibility of this section will be limited. Also, the driver of the overtaken vehicle may no longer see your car through the rear view mirrors.
Road traffic rules prohibit exceeding the permitted driving speed, i.e. the speed must not be exceeded when overtaking vehicles.
After overtaking, you must not suddenly return to your lane. Go back only after seeing the overtaken vehicle in the rearview mirror.
DRIVING THROUGH INTERSECTIONS
At intersections, especially in a residential area, the driver must observe many objects at the same time and quickly assess the situation. Road signs, traffic lights, road markings, vehicles, pedestrians, various obstacles influence the driver and therefore increase the driver's reaction and decision-making time.
Some intersections have limited visibility, so new vehicles may appear unexpectedly. Sometimes it is difficult for large vehicles to turn or pass due to the limited area of the intersection.
The most dangerous are unregulated, especially intersections of roads with different priority. Drivers who have to give way often make mistakes here. If you have a question: whether it is safe to proceed - never drive and it is better to check safety again.
At regulated intersections, dangerous situations usually arise due to non-observance of traffic rules.
It is forbidden to enter the intersection if there are vehicles or pedestrians. In this case, even when the traffic light is green, you cannot enter the intersection.
Traffic safety is influenced by the structure of the car, the age of the driver, the environment, the road.
OTHER SAFE DRIVING TIPS
Seat belts often save the lives of the driver and passengers in car accidents when the vehicles collide or hit an obstacle. Wearing seat belts is several times less likely to be injured or killed.
While driving on a straight road, the vehicle deviates from the straight direction due to road irregularities, tire elasticity, looseness in the steering mechanism, cross road slope or side wind.
High speed is dangerous. As the speed increases, the field of concentration of the driver's attention decreases, the time left to make decisions decreases, the stopping distance of the car increases, the adhesion of the wheels to the road surface decreases, and the coefficient of rolling resistance increases. The car becomes harder to control.
The higher the speed, the more severe the consequences of car accidents. Speeding is also dangerous because other vehicles have to overtake a slower vehicle.
Safe distance. The safe distance between vehicles depends on the speed, road surface, driver's reaction, technical condition of the vehicle.
When driving at a speed of 100 km/h, a car travels about 27 meters per second. When the speed is doubled, the stopping distance is quadrupled, that is, the stopping distance is proportional to the square of the speed, so it is recommended that the minimum distance between cars be at least half of the driving speed value in meters. That is, if the driving speed is 60 km/h - 30 m, if 100 km/h - 50 m, etc.
If you get too close, you won't be able to see what's going on ahead.
Overtaking. Passing oncoming vehicles is dangerous in sharp road narrows, on bridges, tunnels, small radius turns, sections with slippery road surfaces, places where pedestrians can walk, etc.
Bending. Overtaking is the passing of one or more vehicles by entering the oncoming traffic lane. This is one of the most dangerous maneuvers on the road.
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