EZ METHOD DRIVING SCHOOL, THE PROFESSIONALS BEHIND THE WHEEL.
Thing that every one should know:
Below are recommended procedures to most safely address the following situation
Recently, there has been complaining about sticking accelerators in some cars and faulty brakes in some trucks. While these cases are extremely rare, they could pose a very serious safety hazard. In each case, a driver would be operating a vehicle, potentially at a high rate of speed, without being able to use normal procedures to decelerate or stop. Hopefully none of you will ever face this situation but if you did would you or your teen driver know what to do in any case?
Brake failure:
· Shift into neutral and /or use the emergency brake to slow down
· Put on your directional signal and select a safe spot to stop
· As above, if your vehicle has a locking steering wheel or power steering, do not turn off the ignition because you will lose power steering or lock the wheel, making it impossible to steer.
It is important to be prepared for the unexpected and I recommend that all driver, experience and beginners, mentally practice these steps. And always, drive at a safe speed and maintain a proper following distance in case and emergency occurs, always be prepared.
Stuck accelerator pedal
· Hook you toe under the accelerator and try to pull toward you
· If you can not free the accelerator, shift into neutral and use the foot brake to slow down
· Signal and select a safe spot to stop]
· If your vehicle has a locking steering wheel or power steering do not turn off the ignition because you will lose proper steering or lock the wheel making it impossible to steer
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Driving at night
Night driving is much more dangerous that daytime driving. In fact, traffic fatality rates are there times greater at night than during the day, this is because limited visibility for you and other drivers. Depth perception, color recognition speed judgment a peripheral vision are all compromise after sundown.
Here is little suggestion to make night driving safer.
· Reduce your speed and increase your following distance. At night you will have less time to react because your visibility will be limited. Give yourself extra time by slowing down and creating more space ahead of you.
· Turn on your low beam headlights. Even at dusk, low beams help others see you better.
· Use your high beams when it is safe and legal. Be sure to lower them as you approach oncoming traffic or when following another vehicle. If you happen to approach an oncoming vehicle with its high beams on, direct your eyes to the right edge of the road to avoid being blinded.
· Make sure your window is clean. Film buildup may be unnoticed during the day but at nigh or in late afternoon sunlight, this firm can substantially diminish your ability to see well.
· Dim you dash lights. This reduces the glare within your vehicle.
· Avoid smoking when driving
· Always scan the driving environment for impaired drivers. At night you are far more likely to encounter drivers impaired by drugs, alcohol or fatigue so be on the lookout, for your safety and the safety to others.
Driving in Rain and Fog
Wet roads and or fog add complexity of driving.
· Driving too fast for the conditions and obscures vision due to weather or other issues are the #2 and #10 factors, respectively in fatal crashes,
· Hydroplaning (where water between the roadway and your tires adversely affects your ability to drive or steer) can occur at speeds as low as 30 mph.
Practice driving in such condition if done properly, can improve a student’s depth of experience and make them safer drivers, don’t forget that we are in Florida and you can expect raining any time.
We suggest all drivers do the following in adverse weather condition
· Reduce your speed- don’t for get that speed limits are set for ideal conditions
· Increase your following distance from the normal 3 seconds from the vehicle in front you to 5 seconds or more.
· Brake smoothly, evenly and easy don’t wait to late to stop
· Try to avoid standing water, if safe to do so, change lanes
· Use your low beams to make yourself more visible, day and night we encourage you to have your teen practice driving in such conditions but only when you feel it is safe and they are prepared to do so.
Distracted driving.
Things to know.
· 16% of fatal crashes involve drive distraction anything that takes your focus off the road
· Teens are the #1 age group for crashes due to driver distraction
· [people who text while driving are 23 times more likely to be in a crash
· Talking on a cell phone reduces the amount of brain activity associated with driving by 37% and 19% of all drivers and 37% of 18-27 year old drivers regularly send texts while driving
Cell phones and texting are main reason why so many accidents.
You as a parent what is the best thing to do?
· Be a good sample for your teens. Doesn’t use the cell phone when driving remember that kids copy what parents do.
· Turn your cell phone off
· Talk to your kids about the use of cell phones texting and all distractions before they start driving .Same as the use of alcohol Cell phone “Zero tolerance” simple as that.
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Distracted driving:
1. What is distracted driving?
There are 3 main types of distraction:
· Visual- taking your eyes off the road
· Manual- taking your hands off the wheel
· Cognitive-taking your mind off what you’re doing
Distracted driving is any non-driving activity a person engages in while operating a motor vehicle. Such activities have the potential to distract the person from the primary task of driving and increase the risk of crashing.
2. Why do people do it?
There are many reasons for distracted driving, including busy lifestyles, stressful jobs, and the presence of children and pets in the car. Many people use technology such as cell phones, Blackberries, and other electronic devices as their main means of communication. They forget to put these devices down when they should be paying the closest attention to their driving for the sake of their own safety and that of other.
3. Who are the offenders, and how great a problem in this?
Every one is guilty to a certain extent. The youngest Americans are most at risk, but they are not alone. At any given moment during the daylight hours, over 800,000 vehicles are being driven by someone using a hand-held cell phone. People of all ages are using a variety of hand-held devices, such as cell phone, mp3 players, personal digital assistants, and navigation devices, when they are behind the wheel...
4. Is it safe to use hands-free (headset, speakerphone, or other device) cell phones while driving?
The available research indicates that whether it is a hands-free or hand-held decided, the cognitive distraction is significant enough to degrade a driver’s performance. The driver is more likely to miss key visual and audio alertness to avoid a crash.
5. Is talking on a cell phone ay worse than having a conversation with someone in the car?
Some research finding shows both activities to be equally risky, while others show cell phone use to be more risky. A significant difference between the two is the fact that a passenger can monitor the driving situation along with the driver and pause for, an alert the driver to, potential hazards, whereas a person on the other end of the phone line is unaware to the roadway situation.
6. What, if anything, is NHTSA doing to try to combat this problem?
NHTSA is conducting a research projects on driver cell phone use and will continue to monitor the research of others in this subject. As we learn more and as wireless technologies evolve and expand, NHTSA will make its findings public.
Teenagers are dying and being injured every day because too many drivers are focusing on using a handheld phone instead of on the road. That’s why the U.S.Department of Transportation and Consumer Report have joined together to help parents and educators raise awareness of this danger and reduce the tragedies. Here are the facts:
· Motor-vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens Mile for mile; they are involved in three times as many fatal crashes as all other drivers. And one in three teens who text says they have done so while driving.
· In 2009, almost 5,500 people were killed and almost a half million were injured in accidents related to distract driving, that 16 % of al fatal crashes and 20 % of all injury crashes for that years. And almost one in five of those deaths involve reports of a cell phon.
Steps you can take.
Don’t forget that your teen driver’s license belongs to you until they turn 18.
· Set a good example: kids learn from their parents. Put down your phone while driving and only use it when you’ve safely pulled off the road. According to the Pew Research Center, 40 % of teens 12 to 17 say they have been in a car when the driver used a cell phone in a way that put themselves or others in danger.
· Talk to your teen- Discuss the risks and responsibilities of driving, and the danger of dividing their attention between a cell phone and the road. Show them the statistics relate to distracted driving. And urge them to talk to other; friends take care of friend’s.
· Establish ground rules- Set up family rules about not texting or talking on a handheld cell phone while behind the wheel, Enforce the limits set by your State’s and create you own family policies.
· Sign a pledge- Have your teen take action by agreeing t family contract about wearing a safety belts and not speeding, driving after drinkng, or using a cell phone behind the wheel. Agree on penalties for violating the pledge, including paying of tickets or loss of driving privileges(remember your teens license belongs to you until they turn 18)
· Educate yourself- Find out more about this tragic problem. View the information and resources available at www.distraction.gov.and www.ConsumerReports.org/distracted . The more you know the more you will understand the seriousness to the issue.
· Spread the word- Get involved in education and promoting safe driving in your community and through online social-media websites. Talk to friends, family, and coworkers. And support advocacy organization such as the National Organizations for Youth Safety(www.noys.org) and Focus Driven(www.focusdriven.org)
DISTRACTED DRIVING-has become a deadly epidemic on America’s roads, and teens are especially vulnerable because of their inexperience behind the wheel and often peer pressure.
For more information go to:
DISTRACTION.GOV
www.ConsumerReports.org/distracted
And don’t forget to have a contract with your teens, go to Parent-teen driving contract and print out one.
Explain the whole content and ask question if they don’t understand any part of it. Have them sign it and if they don’t abide by the contract just don’t give out the keys. Or simply create your own.
Good luck
Note: within 30 days of obtaining traffic citation and prior to take a traffic safety course you need to inform the Clerk of the Court on your county that you are electing to take the ticket class BDI.
Go to www.hsmv.state.fl.us and seek information about the Move over law, many people don’t know about the move over law.
"Teenagers are involved in three times. As many fatal crashes as all other drivers ... has blossomed over the years to one of. The most distinguished in the...
http://hsmv.state.fl.us/Expressways/Winter2008.pdf
Web sites with very good informational material for the parents and teens.
Takethewheel.net
