In snow and ice conditions, a motorist should take precautions and get a feel for the road. Gently applying the brakes while driving slowly will allow a motorist to find out just how slippery the road is. This will also allow the motorist to judge how fast the vehicle can go and still stop safely. A vehicle will skid if a motorist:
* Accelerates too quickly.
* Turns too fast.
* Brakes improperly.
Motorists who have a vehicle with antilock brakes (ABS) should keep a foot on the brake pedal and not pump the brakes. Conventional disc and drum brakes require firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal. Hitting the brakes too hard may cause the wheels to lock. If the brakes do lock, release the brake pedal and then immediately reapply with slightly less pressure. This process should be repeated with less and less pressure on the brake pedal until the vehicle is under control. Snow tires help driving during the winter months by providing better traction for more controlled starting, steering and stopping. Snow tires do not provide good traction on ice. Tire chains are the best traction on ice and in hard-packed or deep snow. In New Jersey, motorists may use studded snow tires between November 15 and April 1 (N.J.S.A. 13:20-15.2g).
To start on snow and ice, keep the engine speed low. If the wheels spin, a lower gear should be used. When stuck, rock the vehicle back and forth by shifting between forward and reverse to escape.
Motorists are prohibited from allowing their motor vehicles to idle for more than three consecutive minutes. Among the exceptions for this prohibition include motor vehicles stopped in the line of traffic, motor vehicles being repaired, motor vehicles waiting to be inspected, emergency vehicles in emergency situations and buses while discharging or picking up passengers (N.J.A.C. 7:27-15.8, 7:27-14.3).
Reduced Visibility
Poor roadway or weather conditions require motorists to increase following distance because rough, wet or snow-covered roads may require more response time. A good rule on snow-covered roads is to maintain a following distance of six seconds or more.
* Frost or ice: Always scrape and wipe a vehicles windows before starting. Turn on the defroster. If the defroster does not work while driving in freezing rain or snow, stop the vehicle. Close the windows and let the heater warm up the windows.
* Fog: Always slow down when driving in fog. Headlights should be kept on low beam and fog lights should be turned on, if the vehicle has them. Pavement markings and other vehicle lights can serve as a motorists guide.
* Sun glare: Sun visors should always be adjusted to shield a motorists eyes without cutting off his/her view of the road. Hold the steering wheel firmly and slow down. Watch for lane markings.
In all cases, if visibility is greatly reduced, a motorist should stop alongside the road or on the shoulder, out of the way of traffic, and turn on emergency flashers.
Night Driving
Nearly 90 percent of driving decisions are based upon what a motorist sees while driving. At night, a motorists vision is reduced. To drive safely at night, slow down and drive within the range of the vehicles headlights. A motorist should always be sure the vehicle can stop within the distance that he/she sees ahead. A motorist should always consider the following factors when driving at night:
* Speed
* Reaction distance (distance traveled before hitting the brake)
* Braking distance (distance needed to completely stop vehicle)
Driving And Stopping At Night
Speed/Reaction distance/Braking distance/Total distance
20 mph/44 ft/25 ft/69 ft
30 mph/66 ft/57 ft/123 ft
40 mph/88 ft/101 ft/189 ft
50 mph/110 ft/158 ft/268 ft
60 mph/132 ft/227 ft/359 ft
70 mph/154 ft/310 ft/464 ft
Other safety rules for night driving are:
* Drive with headlights on at dusk, night, dawn, on dark days and whenever weather conditions reduce visibility to less than 500 feet State law requires the headlights to be on when windshield wipers are in use (N.J.S.A. 39:3-46).
* Drive more slowly than during daylight.
* Watch for road signs, slow-moving or unlit vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians and animals.
* Allow for more safety margins than you would during daylight.
Driving situations
A motorist will come across a number of different driving situations that have their own unique safety concerns or requirements. A motorist must know how to safely navigate his/her vehicle in each of these situations.
City Driving
When traveling in a city, heavier traffic and more pedestrians require motorists to be very alert. In city traffic, a motorist should try to cooperate with other motorists. Drive more slowly and watch for the movements of others. Motorists must be more careful about pedestrians and less-visible vehicles, such as bicycles, mopeds, motorcycles, motorized wheelchairs and mobility-assistance vehicles. Pedestrians and individuals in wheelchairs or mobility-assistance vehicles always have the right-of-way in a crosswalk. Motorists must always yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk.
A motorist should look at least 12 seconds ahead. This means that he/she should be able to see an object far enough ahead so that it takes at least 12 seconds to get to it. While driving at 25 mph on a clear road in a city, a motorist should be able to see about a block ahead. When traffic is heavy, extra time to react is necessary, which means driving more slowly. By reducing speed, a motorist gains time.
On city streets, a motorist will pass through intersections very often. Many new motorists fail to see intersections. A motorist should always consider the following safety tips:
* If at the middle of a block, check intersections ahead for traffic controls.
* When approaching or nearing an intersection, reduce speed. Glance left and then right. Keep foot on the brake.
* When at a crosswalk, a vehicle should be at its lowest speed. A motorist must decide whether to stop or go across. Take quick glances around. If clear, proceed to cross.
Watch for uncontrolled intersections where there are no lights or signs. Do not think that a roadway is protected because it is wide, smooth or busy. If there are no traffic signals, there is no traffic control. Avoiding collisions is up to the motorist. Look. Listen. Think.
Highway Driving
Traffic accidents and deaths can happen on highways when the weather is good and the roads are dry. Exceeding the posted speed limit or driving too fast for road conditions is one of the most prevalent factors contributing to traffic collisions.
Major highways are usually in good condition. They often have four or more lanes. Wide-open spaces often give a motorist the feeling that he/she can relax his/her attention. It is important to stay alert on highways. Some highways may not have traffic signs or signals at crossroads. This means a motorist must drive defensively and stay within the speed limit. Always be ready to react to the unexpected.
Hills, Bridges And Other Road Hazards
A motorist should always be on the lookout for signs that warn of road hazards. These include hills, dips, narrow bridges, bumps and railroad tracks. Drive slowly in these areas. If a vehicle is moving too fast, the motorist may not be able to slow down in time. Speeding and applying the brakes firmly can cause a skid or a spin.
Motorists should be cautious when traveling in farm country or in open land where livestock or deer may cross the road. If a motorist encounters an animal, he/she should slow down until the animal has passed. Animals make unexpected moves, so a motorist must be alert.