StreetSafe Driving Academy Session 5. Highways & Night Time Driving

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1 StreetSafe Driving Academy Session 5 Highways & Night Time Driving

2 4 Keys to Smart Driving S.E.A.N. Strategic thinking Expecting other drivers to make mistakes Appropriate scanning Not getting emotional

3 Highways In the US there are: æ 46,000 miles of Interstate Highways æ US Interstate Highway system includes: æ 82 tunnels æ 14,000+ interchanges æ 55,000+ bridges æ 114,000 miles of other US National Highway system roads (state highways Route 202, Route 422, etc.) æ 114,000 miles = around the world, Four times

4 Highways æ Interstate highway system built in 1956 for $34 billion æ Today $34 billion = 1 year s federal expenditure on highway maintenance and improvement æ US highway system is wearing out Highways need: æ Increased maintenance due to increasing volume of traffic æ Improvements in design æ Increased capacity to help alleviate congestion æ Funding

5 Highways æ Average number of vehicle miles traveled per year 1970 = 10,000 Today = 13,000 æ Speed Limits on Turnpike 1950 s = none Today = 65 mph æ More than half of all traffic deaths occur on highways with 55mph speed limit or higher æ Americans do less than half of their driving on highways æ Far fewer crashes on interstate highways, but higher speeds make highway crashes more deadly æ Drivers sustain more crash injuries on roads with 50 mph speed limit or less

6 Types of Highways Limited access Turnpikes Divided Non-divided highways Rural Urban

7 Advantages of Interstate Highway Driving ü Easier to create space cushion ü Usually have straighter path of travel ü Usually have wider shoulders ü You usually can see farther ahead

8 Challenges of Interstate Highway Driving æ Faster speeds require greater visual scanning distance: Scanning seconds ahead = ½ mile Scanning 15 seconds ahead =at least ¼ mile æ Faster speeds require shorter reaction time to problems æ More trucks æ Merging and exiting at high speeds

9 Driving at High Speed æ About 1/3 of all deaths in traffic crashes are the result of speeding æ Nearly 40% of speed related fatal crashes occur because the driver lost control on a curve High speed makes it difficult to: Ø Steer around curves Ø Avoid objects in road Ø Stop quickly Ø React to dangerous situations

10 Driving at High Speed High crash speeds reduce the ability of: æ Vehicle safety features æ Restraint systems æ Guardrails æ Barriers æ Impact attenuators æ To protect vehicle occupants Economic costs of speed related crashes in US? æ $40.4 billion per year according to NHTSA

11 On Highways Increased Space Cushion is Essential Why? æ Greater speed requires greater distance to stop æ As speed doubles, stopping distance quadruples æ Average car traveling 60 mph needs: -230 feet to stop -90 feet to perceive problem -140 feet to react and come to a halt once brakes are applied æ Increase space cushion to: 5 second rule or 3 car lengths for every 10 mph of speed

12 Changing Lanes When may a lane change be required? æ To create or maintain space cushion æ To merge or exit æ To allow for merging and exiting traffic æ When road configuration changes road divides, enters another road, etc. æ Recent federal figures identify 345,000 crashes per year as a result of lane changes

13 Key Considerations for Lane Changes Do I have enough room to: Pass vehicle in front of me completely without getting stuck in a blind spot? Move left or right without disrupting flow of traffic? What will I need to do regarding my speed? Do I have to alter my speed to make the move? Is other traffic increasing, decreasing or maintaining speed?

14 Changing Lanes Safely Once you have decided it is safe: æ Signal your intention æ Look in your mirrors one more time æ Look over the shoulder in the direction you plan to move When looking over shoulder: æ Don t look over for more than a second (car will drift out of lane) æ Time your look keep it to 2 seconds only æ Focus only on blind spot area looking beyond blind spot tends to create a longer look æ If it is clear, move quickly and smoothly

15 When changing lanes, don t forget to æ Turn off blinker once change is complete æ Analyze situation ahead to be sure your move can be made safely æ Look in mirrors and over shoulder æ Don t return to a lane until you can see the entire bumper of the car you passed in your mirror æ Move quickly and smoothly

16 Lane Choice on Highways When choosing a lane consider: æ When do I need to exit highway? æ If soon, choose right lane æ If not, consider: æ If I stay in right lane, I am agreeing to accommodate merging and exiting traffic continual speed adjustments æ Left lane is for passing only æ Middle lane requires managing space cushion on both sides of vehicle Best choice is the lane that: æ gives you most control over situation æ has maximal space cushion

17 Merging onto Highways On entrance ramp: æ Signal intention to merge æ Accelerate to speed of highway traffic æ Continually check mirrors and look over shoulder to identify sufficient gap æ If there is not sufficient gap, reduce speed until appropriate gap develops æ If you are going slower than speed of highway traffic, a larger gap is required æ Try not to stop

18 Merging onto Highways (continued) æ Check your mirrors to ensure cars behind you are paying attention to your reduced speed, however: æ Cars behind you are likely to be looking over their shoulder, not at you æ Usually, you can use shoulder to continue beyond entrance ramp if necessary until you can merge safely æ Never pass a vehicle in front of you on an entrance ramp æ While climbing entrance ramp, do not change lanes, until you are presented with a broken traffic line

19 Exiting Highways æ Navigation is essential æ Read signs as far ahead as possible æ Once you know your exit is coming up, plan to move toward it æ Be aware some exits are on the left æ Don t wait until the last minute æ Maintain highway speed - even in exit lane æ Once exit lane leaves highway, reduce speed æ Scan ahead to identify upcoming changes

20 Weave Lanes What are they? æ Lanes where entrance and exit ramps merge æ Use extra caution æ Be aware of brake lights æ Be prepared to slow æ Generally, cars on entrance ramp yield to exiting cars æ If you are exiting and can t find a sufficient gap in weave lane, continue to next exit æ It s not worth it!

21 Interstate Highway Shoulders æ Typically wide æ Used for emergencies only æ Can be used as part of your escape route in an emergency Be aware of shoulder conditions: æ Type of surface asphalt, gravel, rumble strips æ Condition drop off, debris, uneven æ Give vehicles/people in shoulder extra room when passing æ Do not stare at activity on shoulder where you look is where car will go

22 Congestion While stopped or crawling in traffic: æ Create space cushion æ Be able to see where tires of car in front of you meet road æ Don t be tempted to use emergency lane- It s illegal and dangerous æ To avoid overheating car while idling- Reduce some functions such as AC/heat Avoid abrupt starting and stopping æ Be aware of and anticipate zigzag lane changers æ Congestion is often caused by a crash ahead just be grateful it s not you

23 Construction Zones Construction zones on highways are especially dangerous For you and the construction workers æ 90% of construction zone deaths involve motorists approximately 1000 each year æ construction workers die each year æ High speed makes any mistake more serious æ If you are responsible for someone else s death or injury there will be stiff penalties: Fines Prolonged legal battle Driving privileges restricted or suspended Jail

24 When approaching a Work Zone: Even if you don t see anyone at the construction site: æ Slow down æ Lights on æ Pay attention to changing lanes, road pattern, reduced shoulders æ Increase space cushion æ Double your following distance æ Obey all signs, signals, personnel æ Give workers and equipment extra space

25 Work Zone Safety Laws æ Full headlights must be on in a work zone not just day time running lights æ Increased penalties in active work zones indicated by signs and flashing lights æ If you are cited for failing to drive at a safe speed (11 mph or more over posted speed limit) while involved in a crash in an active work zone, your license will be suspended for 15 days æ Fines for speeding, DUI and failure to obey traffic devices are doubled for active work zones æ If you are convicted of homicide by vehicle in an active work zone, up to 5 additional years of jail time will be added to your sentence

26 Turnpikes æ EZPass is the safest way to enter and exit a turnpike: æ Less congestion in EZPass lanes æ Less distraction while passing through toll booth (no fumbling for money or tickets) æ Minimal changes in speed æ Less stress

27 When Approaching a Turnpike Entrance or Exit æ Read signs well in advance to establish correct lane based on payment method æ Pay attention to changing road configuration æ Reduce speed unless directed not to (some EZPass lanes)

28 When Approaching a Turnpike Entrance or Exit æ Know that other drivers are distracted: Locating money/tickets æ Some drivers don t know what exit they need æ Some drivers are unfamiliar with area æ Compensate with added caution æ Watch for stopped traffic and pedestrians at toll booths

29 When Exiting a Turnpike Entrance or Exit æ Know ahead of time which lane you need æ Look in mirrors and over shoulder as you move to correct lane æ Expect other drivers to move quickly out of toll booth æ Increase speed back to highway limit

30 Rest Stops on a Highway æ Park far off highway æ Watch for pedestrians, children, pets æ Recheck your travel plans, make any adjustments while car is parked If you are using a rest area at night: æ Park close to the facility you are using in well-lit area æ Have keys ready as you approach your car æ Be aware of any and all activity around you æ If you don t feel safe, return to the facility æ If you are using a rest area for sleep, lock car doors

31 Bridges Special considerations: æ Wind affects speed, ability to stay in lane æ Wind has more impact on higher vehicles æ Lack of shoulder æ Restricted lanes æ Bridges freeze before roads

32 On bridges: æ Many people feel most comfortable in center lane Less room for error Increase space cushion æ Concentrate on path of travel æ Minimize distractions

33 Tunnels As you approach a tunnel: æ Make sure lights are on æ Remove sunglasses æ Choose appropriate lane

34 While in tunnel: æ Takes 5-10 seconds for eyes to adjust æ Maintain speed æ Do not switch lanes æ Concentrate on lane position no shoulder æ Be aware brake lights ahead When exiting tunnel: æ Allow 5-10 seconds for eyes to adjust before making any changes

35 Night Time Driving Statistics According to NHTSA: æ Most Americans spend ¼ of their time on the road at night æ The number of vehicles on the road significantly decreases between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. æ Yet half of all fatalities occur between these hours æ Night time driving is 3-4 times as dangerous as day time driving on a per mile basis æ Most car/animal crashes occur at night

36 Night Time Driving æ Reduced visibility at night limits your ability to: æ Scan appropriately æ Identify problems ahead, behind and to the side æ React to problems quickly æ Judge space and distance æ Anticipate changes in road conditions (curves, divided lanes, dips, surface, etc.) æ Distinguish entry and exit points æ Read road signs

37 Night Time Driving How is your visibility reduced? æ Peripheral vision is decreased æ Field of vision is narrowed æ Colors fade less contrast vs. other objects æ Eyes need time to adjust to lower light and glare

38 Night Time Driving Dusk and dawn are challenging: æ Eyes are continually adjusting during these times æ Eyes can miss important clues while adjusting After being in a well lit area: æ Give eyes time to adjust before moving the car æ Too much exposure to glare and bright sunlight during the day fatigues eyes and causes them to take longer to adjust to diminished light at night æ Wear sunglasses during the day

39 To improve visibility at night æ Keep windshield and mirrors clean æ Make sure your headlights are clean (headlight illumination can be reduced by half if covered by dirt) æ Keep you eyes moving: Don t focus just on middle of lighted area in front of you Search edges of lighted area for spots of light or movement that could be other cars, bike reflectors, pedestrians, road side markers When turning corners, don t just follow headlights scan areas beyond headlights and to the side Keep you focus around your car avoid distractions such as neon signs and brightly lit buildings

40 Headlights How much do they typically illuminate? æ Low beams feet æ High beams feet Use low beams: æ When following within 300 feet of another vehicle æ Within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle (as soon as you see them approach) æ When driving within cities and towns Use high beams: æ When there are no other vehicles around you æ When there is no other lighting æ High beams should be used as much as possible, with consideration for other drivers

41 When are You Required to use Headlights? According to PA law: æ Between sunrise and sunset æ In work zones æ On days with insufficient light æ In heavy traffic æ During unfavorable conditions: Rain Snow Sleet Fog Smoke Smog æ When you cannot see pedestrians or vehicles 1,000 feet ahead, but if you can t see it, how would you know? æ In bad weather use low, not high beams

42 Headlights How long does it take to stop? If you are driving 55 mph you are traveling approx. 80 feet per second, You see something at the front edge of your headlights: It takes 2 seconds to recognize the need to slow or stop and move foot to brake = 160 feet You now have 90 feet to stop (140 for high beams) Distance required to stop from 55 mph at least 250 feet if pavement is clear and dry You will hit the object unless you use evasive action æ Scenario above is known as over driving your headlights

43 Evasive Action at Night æ Can be problematic æ To make a safe evasive maneuver you need to know: Road side conditions: Slope Obstacles trees, poles Surface conditions gravel, dirt, asphalt Is escape route clear? æ Very difficult to determine in the dark due to: Lack of peripheral vision

44 Encountering other Driver s Headlights As cars approach from the other direction: æ Avoid looking directly at the headlights æ Look at your intended path of travel If approaching driver has high beams on: æ Flash high beams quickly æ If driver does not dim headlights æ Look toward right side of road, at white line on right or where pavement meets shoulder until car passes æ Looking at oncoming high beams can blind you for 1-2 seconds æ At 55 mph, your car has traveled about 80 feet in that time

45 Encountering other Driver s Headlights æ If a car behind you creates glare or has high beams on: Switch inside rearview mirror to night time setting Be alert to different effects caused by: HID lights High Intensity Discharge produce 3 times more light than common halogen headlights, can be very white or blue white in appearance SUV lights often 9 inches higher than regular lights Misaimed lights Truck lights

46 Driving Differently at Night vs. Daytime æ Primary reason reduced visibility æ Secondary reason number of impaired and fatigues drivers increases at night æ Don t over drive headlights æ Slow down æ Remember speed limit is a limit, not a goal æ Increase following distance and space cushion æ Rely on other senses in addition to sight sound, feel, smell æ Use extra caution if you think you see something, you are probably right æ Increase concentration on driving environment

47 Impaired Driving What constitutes impaired driving? æ Driving while under the influence of: Alcohol Drugs Medications Mental or physical fatigue

48 Alcohol Impaired Driving What is a DUI offense? æ If you are 21 or older, a BAC of.08 or higher æ You may still be convicted of DUI with a lower BAC if you are stopped for driving erratically æ If you are under 21, 0% tolerance

49 Implied Consent Law æ By having a valid PA driver s license, you have agreed to take one or more chemical tests to determine the level of drugs or alcohol in your system These tests include Breath Blood Urine æ If you refuse to take the test, your license will automatically be suspended for 1 year æ Even if you are found not guilty of DUI, your driving privilege will be suspended for 1 year for refusal to take a blood, breath or urine test

50 Zero Tolerance Law If you are under 21 and are convicted of DUI for the first time you will: æ Go to jail for 6 months to 2 years æ Have your license suspended for 1 year æ Pay a fine of between $500 and $5,000 æ If you are under 21 and are detained for blood, breath or urine testing, the police will notify your parents æ Parental consent is not necessary to conduct tests

51 Additional PA Laws æ It is against the law to possess an open container of alcohol in a car while on the road æ It is against the law for a driver or passenger to consume alcohol in a car while on the road æ Even if you are not driving, if you are under 21 and are convicted of: lying about your age to obtain alcohol carrying false ID purchasing, consuming, possessing, or transporting alcohol your driver s license will be suspended

52 Alcohol and Driving æ Every 30 minutes there is a fatal alcohol related motor vehicle crash in the US æ Each year in America, alcohol related car crashes cause: Ø nearly 17,000 deaths Ø more than 500,000 injuries Ø over $50 billion in economic losses æ 3 out of every 10 Americans will be involved in an alcohol related traffic crash during their lifetime æ Each year, police arrest over 1.5 million drivers for DUI

53 Alcohol and Driving According to the IIHS, the risk of a driver being killed in a crash at: æ.08 BAC is at least 11 times higher than that of drivers without alcohol in their system æ.10 BAC is 29 times higher æ Even.05 BAC is 2 times as high æ 20% of alcohol related traffic deaths involve BACs below.10 æ Less than.5% of all trips are made by drivers who are DUI, but those trips account for 39% of all traffic fatalities *reflects entire driving population

54 Alcohol and Driving Alcohol in a person s system can make crash injuries worse, Especially injuries to the: Brain Spinal cord Heart æ Higher chance of permanent disability or death æ Nearly 80% of alcohol related fatalities were people not wearing seat belts æ What does this indicate? æ Lack of judgment once alcohol is consumed

55 Teens and DUI æ Approximately 25% of teen driving crashes are caused by DUI æ Alcohol has a greater affect on teens than on adults Alcohol affects teens more quickly More drastically Takes longer to recover

56 Alcohol Content æ 12 ounce glass of beer contains 0.58 ounces of pure alcohol æ 4 ounce glass of wine contains 0.48 ounces of pure alcohol æ 12 ounce wine cooler contains 0.60 ounces of pure alcohol æ 1 shot or mixed drink with 1 ounces of liquor ( gin, whisky or vodka) contains 0.40 ounces of pure alcohol

57 Drunk Driving Commercial æ Videos available in on-site classroom presentation only.

58 Alcohol Content Pure Alcohol 0 Beer Wine Wine Cooler Shot

59 Alcohol Content æ Surprisingly, the wine cooler tops them all æ Beer is the second strongest drink of the four - contains approximately 44% more alcohol than the shot of whiskey æ It is also the most common beverage consumed by drivers charged with DUI offenses.

60 ALCOHOL EFFECTS Same Amount and Type of Alcohol Affects People Differently Depends On: æ Body weight æ Amount of food consumed before and during drinking æ Metabolism æ Length of time in which alcohol was consumed æ Mood æ Medication/drugs æ Fatigue æ Gender Women have less of an enzyme that neutralizes alcohol before being absorbed into blood stream

61 Alcohol Impairment When are you considered to be impaired? æ.05 BAC and above When are you considered to be sober? æ 0.0% BAC only

62 Which of these activities will help sober you up? æ Drinking coffee - caffeine negates the alcohol s affect æ Eating to absorb the alcohol æ Exercising to sweat it out æ Taking a cold shower to wake you up æ Drinking water to flush it out æ Sleeping None of the above æ Only time can take away alcohol s affects æ Takes about 1 hour for body to absorb and metabolize drink

63 True or False? You can build up a tolerance to alcohol the more often you drink so it won t have as much of an affect æ False Most people killed in DUI traffic crashes are the drunk drivers æ False Drinking makes you funny, witty and a great party guest æ False Slurred speech and the inability to walk make you attractive to the opposite sex æ False Your choice to drink and drive can have life altering consequences æ True

64 Why the Pressure to Drink? æ An adult activity æ Glamorized in movies, TV, music æ Frequent, fun advertising by alcohol manufacturers æ Associated with celebrating æ Peers may be drinking æ Parents may drink æ Relaxes you æ Stress relief æ Lowers inhibitions æ Creates false confidence

65 The Bottom Line ü Alcohol is a depressant ü For each perceived positive, there is a negative ü Weigh your choices ü They may have life long consequences

66 What does Alcohol Affect? æ Judgment/reasoning æ Vision æ Reflexes æ Coordination æ Reaction time æ Perception æ Concentration/attention æ Balance *All of which are critical to driving*

67 What you can do to improve your odds against drunk drivers æ Identify a designated driver æ Never ride with anyone who has had any alcohol no matter how small the amount Call a parent, friend or relative to pick you up if the intended driver has been drinking Don t let friends drive if they have been drinking take their keys if necessary

68 Identifying Drivers under the Influence æ If you see a car doing any of the following, pull over and report it to police Weaving Swerving Speeding excessively Nearly striking another vehicle or object Driving significantly under the speed limit Driving the wrong way on a way street Driving in opposing lanes Driving without headlights Making uncontrolled turns æ Someone s life may depend on it

69 New Technology to Monitor BAC Among Drivers æ Ignition interlocks require driver to blow into it before ignition will start æ Infrared cameras monitor eye movement æ Trans-dermal sensors lock onto ankle, detect alcohol from sweat on skin surface transmits information to a remote server æ Tissue Spectroscopy uses light shined against skin to analyze chemical make up and determine alcohol content

70 Drugs and Driving æ Drugs have many of the same affects as alcohol æ Drugs cause approximately 20% of traffic fatalities each year æ All illegal drugs affect driving ability æ Many prescription drugs affect driving ability How? By reducing mind s ability to recognize and process information By slowing reaction time By impairing judgment

71 Prescription and OTC Drugs æ All drugs have side affects æ Read the label for every drug you take æ Be aware of how drugs affect you personally æ Check with pharmacist or doctor before combining drugs æ Never combine drugs and alcohol