Driving Facts and Tidbits

Whether you are a new driver needing to learn and understand some safety and maintenance tips, or a seasoned driver who just needs a little informational reminder, I hope that you will find this hub informative. Too often, most forget the importance of car maintenance, safety on the road and unexpected dangers. But they go hand in hand, it is important that we do what we can to ensure safety to all. Here are some helpful tips and tidbits. But they go hand in hand and we can do more to protect ourselves and our loved one.

Motor Vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death for people between the ages of three and thirty-three.

Child safety seats are 71% effective in preventing infant deaths, and 54% effective for children ages one to four. Eight out of ten child safety seats are installed incorrectly.

• Rear facing until child is 1 year old or at least 20 pounds or more.
• Forward facing child safety seats are used for children older than 1, weighing more than 20 but less than 40 pounds-usually children around 4 years old.
• booster seats are for children four to eight years old, weighing over 40 pounds and until about 4'9" until the lap and shoulder belt fits properly.

Between 1975 and 2005, safety belts saved 211,128 lives.

• Forty-nine of fifty states have mandatory seat belt laws.
• Currently 75 to 80% of drivers and passengers wear seat belts.

An average of 119 persons died everyday in a motor vehicle accident in 2005, there were 43,443 total automobile related deaths-about 1 every 12 minutes.

• When you under steer, your front wheels lock or lose traction and vehicle skids straight ahead.
• When you over steer, your rear wheels lock or lose traction and the vehicle skids side to side this is known or called fishtailing.
• Rear collisions account for approximately 5% of fatal accidents in 2005.

Factors that affect stopping time and distance:

• Your attention level.
• Where you are looking.
• Impairment.
• Weather conditions.
• Conditions of road surfaces.

To dry your brakes when they get wet, pull over to side of road or parking lot and apply brake and accelerator at the same time.

The purpose of controlled breaking is to achieve the shortest possible stopping distance without losing directional control. The best way to make a controlled stop in an emergency situation is to use the threshold braking method-with the heal of your foot on the floor and using your toes to quickly apply steady and firm pressure on the brake pedal just short of lockup(the point at which the wheels stop turning).

Try to allow at least one car width of space to one side of your vehicle at all times to lower risk of collision..

• Space margins provide visibility, time and distance you need to avoid collisions.
• When steering away from a collision, use the push-pull steering method for the best control of your vehicle.
• The 8 and 4 o'clock position allows more freedom of movement based on your height, arm length, seat heights and steering wheel position. it also allows room for the airbag to deploy without hurting your hands. It allows smooth rotation of the steering wheel in either direction or nearly 90 to 160 degrees in either direction without crossing your arms.
• The push-pull or push-pull-slide method: one hand pushes or pulls the steering up or down in the direction of the turn while the other hand slides up or down to make fine adjustments as necessary.

Maintain a 5 to 8 second space margin ahead of you to allow for these situations. To determine margin space-pick an item such as a mile marker, speed sign, bridge, tree or etc. When the vehicle in front of you passes the object count 1,2,3.., until the front of your vehicle passes the object. If you did not make it to 5, you are following too closely.

• When following motorcycles as they stop more quickly than other vehicle drivers.
• When following large trucks that block your view and you need extra room to see around and the sides.
• When driving RVs, SUVs, or vans-the additional weight causes them to require longer stopping distance.
• When following school buses and tank trucks carrying flammable liquid-they ar required by law to stop at railroad crossings-so allow space.
• When you have a heavy load or are pulling a trailer-for every ten feet of trailer length add a one second space.

Collision avoidance begins with the proper seat position for optimal control of the vehicle.

• Sitting straight up helps you to see, steer and brake quickly. Sit erect and back in the seat at least 10" away from steering wheel.

When driving at speeds of 50 miles per hour, in hills, around curves, inclement, weather and low light conditions-increase space ahead at least to the 5 second rule,

• Again, the 5 second rule: Pick an object ahead of you, when the vehicle in front of you passes the object begin counting until the front of your vehicle passes the object.

Tread wear and temperature ratings, both are rated on an A, B and C scale.

Tread wear rates the tires relative wear rate. The Higher the tread wear number, the longer it should take for the tread to wear down. Ratings of tread wear:

• 15% are rated below 200
• 25% are rated between 201-300
• 32% are rated between 301-400
• 20% are rated between 401-500
• 6% are rated between 501-600
• 2% are rated above 600

Temperature ratings are A,B and C. Tires rated "A" are the most heat resistant and the least likely to have a heat induced blow-out. The tire traction rating for a tire is one of three; A, B or C. "A" is the best traction, the rating measures the tires ability to stop on a wet surface. Tire failure prospects:

• under inflation (low tire pressure).
• sharp or overly aggressive steering maneuvers.
• repeat hard or abrupt breaking.
• unbalanced wheels.
• poor wheel alignment.
• frequent driving over lumps or through potholes.

To ensure good operating conditions, do regular checks on the following. Common vehicle failures include:

• engine
• brake
• electrical failure
• tire inflation and tread depth
• battery
• lights
• brakes
• ignition

Engines fail for many reasons, overheating, lubrication system failure, or malfunctioning fuel system or electrical system. if your engine should suddenly fail..

• Keep your eyes on the road.
• select the best place to exit traffic
• shift into neutral and keep moving
• signal and steer out of traffic without breaking. The brakes and steering will be harder to handle or operate because the system (hydraulic) that control your power brakes and steering has failed.
• position your vehicle safely on the shoulder and try to restart engine. If it fails to start, turn on your emergency flashers and exit the vehicle away from traffic and raise the hood.
• If you have a cell phone, use it to call for roadside service or assistance.
• If you have them, place flares or warning triangles to warn other drivers.

Place flares "behind" vehicle: first flare 200', second flare 100' and third flare 10', in "front" of the vehicle place at 100'. On a hillside or curve place the flare behind the vehicle, the first at 500' away from the vehicle, then second flare 100' away from vehicle and the third 10' behind vehicle.

Proper maintenance schedules for your automobile:

• every month-exterior and interior lights and brakes
• every six months- steering, suspension, parking brake, signal and warning lights, windshield washer fluid, engine belts, battery connection, air pressure in spare tire and seat belts.

74% of fatal crashes in 2005, occurred on two lane undivided highways. Head on crashes occur because the driver fails to see and accurately judge the speed and distance of approaching vehicles. When oncoming vehicles are getting closer it is too close to pass.  In the interest of self protection/preservation make sure you have enough room to pass when approaching large vehicles, hills, curves, intersections and restricted lanes. Passing large vehicles require more time and space. At speeds of 60 mph, you will need an additional 5 to 7 seconds to pass a large vehicle traveling at 50 mph.-you will need 25 to 27 seconds and 2,250 to 2,450 feet to pass safely. If oncoming traffic is also traveling 60 mph, you will need almost a mile to safely complete the pass. If you are within one-third of a mile of a hill or curve-DO NOT PASS, and do not pass within 100 feet of an intersection.

Each year 1.5 million animal-vehicle collision cause 1 billion in damage. Collisions with deer, elk, or moose average damage is $2,500 and can exceed $10,000.  If you come upon an animal did not sound your horn or rev your engine-you will startle the animal and cause unpredicted actions. There were 174 fatal crashes involving animals, and 15,00 injury collisions in 2005. And about 20% of fatal accidents occur at intersections.

Since we are never expecting or looking for an accident, it is best that we be prepared for anything and take precaution to help ensure our survival. Emergency Tool Kit:

• first aid kit
• gloves (both latex and work)
• pocket knife
• flares (warning triangles or reflectors
• blanket
• white flag or cloth
• bottled water
• flashlight with extra batteries
• jumper cables
• appropriate protective clothing
• shovel small supply of non-perishable food
• kitty litter or sand
• ice scrapper or snow brush.