10 Benefits of Defensive Driving You Probably Didn't Know

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10 Benefits of Defensive Driving You Probably Didn’t Know
Defensive driving teaches safe driving techniques to drivers.
At defensive driving classes students learn to overcome mistakes in driving techniques, learn to
improve their driving skills; learn to make informed decisions and to anticipate situations while
driving. Defensive driving classes have been set up by the government and police departments to
make the world a safer place to live in. The need for speed can kill, it is important to teach driver
discipline and safety rules. Defensive driving aims to reduce the risk of driving. Drivers must
instinctively anticipate dangerous situations and avoid risks while driving vehicles in normal as
well as adverse conditions.
Defensive driving courses cover aspects like: emergency care, principles of safety, control of fear
and emotions, on the spot decision making, quick reactions, fear, and so on.
The benefits of defensive driving classes are many and vary with each province.
1. Most province offer as incentive a reduction of points on your driver’s license following a
driving violation ticket and offer the additional incentive of not increasing insurance rates.
2. In some provinces a defensive driving course would get at least 10% reduction is insurance
rates for a period of 3-5 years. This being a considerable saving.
3. A defensive driving course will teach safe and accident free driving techniques.
4. The course will teach protection techniques and how to handle road rage and speeding.
5. The defensive driving course will teach safe driving techniques in bad weather and adverse
conditions. The course will hone skills in highway driving, night driving, and extreme
weather driving.
6. The course will inculcate critical safety issues and teach emergency action too.
7. By taking a defensive driving course you will not have to appear in court.
8. The driving violation charges will be dismissed and a fine will not be assessed.
9. Defensive driving classes create responsible citizens which mean children and families will
remain protected.
10. Most important the defensive driving classes will improve driving skills, reiterate driving
laws and rules and make better drivers of people.
A defensive driving class can even be taken virtually. Defensive driving teaches people to be
responsible drivers and take all necessary precautions when seated behind the wheel of a car. It
protects not just the driver but pedestrians, animals, and fellow commuters. It makes the roads
safer saves lives.
Defensive Driving Techniques for All Drivers
Defensive driving requires all drivers to think ahead. This is even more important for RV drivers
than for drivers of passenger vehicles. An RV driver must be continually aware of the traffic
around the vehicle because directional changes are slower and the RV needs more space in traffic.
Try to avoid roads during rush hour traffic. If you are driving in unfamiliar areas, ask someone
(possibly one of your passengers) to help you with directions and always have a map of the area.
If you are driving by yourself, always pull off the road at a safe place and stop the vehicle before
looking at a map.
Be Prepared
Listen to the local radio stations where you are traveling. Be aware of traffic slowdowns,
collisions, or road construction, etc. If you are prepared and have a map, you will be able to take
alternative routes.
Starting and Shifting
Always try to start and shift (for manual transmissions) smoothly to prevent wear and tear on the
hitch and transmission systems.
Turning Patterns
Longer wheel bases make it necessary to change your turning patterns. You must turn wider at
intersections or the rear wheel may roll over the curb. Go further into the intersection before
starting the turn and adjust your lane position to increase the turning radius.
Curves in the highway can also be tricky. Stay to the center of the lane for right turns so the rear
wheels will not go off the pavement. For a left turn or curve, stay to the right of the lane to
prevent the back of the trailer from tracking into the oncoming lane of traffic.
RVs and some trailers have a high center of gravity, so turning corners and taking curves must be
done at slower speeds to prevent swaying. Slow down before you enter the curve.
If you transport livestock, be careful because they can move around in a trailer. This shifts the
center of gravity and makes a rollover more likely. With less than a full load of livestock, use
barriers to keep the livestock together. Even then, be very careful in curves. Livestock will also
lean in the curve and this could cause a rollover if you are driving too fast.
Winds
If you are driving in areas with strong winds, take special care. Crosswinds are the greatest threat
because they can push a large motor home or a vehicle and trailer combination into another lane
if you are not prepared. This is especially true for travel trailers. In most cases, going slower is
the best defense against strong winds. If you are towing a trailer, you should gradually apply the
trailer brakes to help control a swaying trailer. Headwinds require a heavier throttle to maintain
usual speeds. You may be able to control an RV in strong winds, but the safest thing to do would
be to pull over and wait it out. If you anticipate driving in very windy areas, call and obtain local
weather and road conditions. Good sources of weather information are local airports, highway
patrol, state police, or ranger stations. Often, you will see signs along the highway which show
radio frequencies for weather information.
Snow
Always carry drive wheel and trailer wheel chains when you travel in snow country. Know how
to put them on. Chains are needed for both the tow vehicle and for one axle of the trailer. If you
have a motor home with dual-rear wheels, you will need chains for one tire on each side.
Ice
If you are towing a trailer on icy roads, go slowly, especially downhill. Use the lower gears. You
may be able to gain additional traction for the tow vehicle by moderately releasing the tension of
the load equalizing hitch. Always readjust the hitch after the icy road condition has passed
because vehicle stability may be affected during normal driving conditions.
Mountain Roads
Will your vehicle make it up the grade? Almost all grades, regardless of severity, will cause you
to slow down. Any grade steeper than six percent is considered extreme and requires special
attention. The steeper the grade or the longer the grade and the heavier the load, the more you will
have to use lower gears to climb hills or mountains.
When going down steep hills, gravity will tend to speed you up. You must select an appropriate
safe speed, use a low gear, and apply enough braking power to hold you back without letting the
brakes get too hot. Use the braking effect of the engine (lower gears) as the principal way of
controlling your speed to save your brakes so you will be able to slow or stop as required by road
and traffic conditions. Slow the vehicle and shift the transmission to a low gear before starting
down a grade.
REMEMBER: The use of brakes on a long and/or steep downgrade is only a supplement to the
braking effect of the engine. Once the vehicle is in the proper low gear, the following is a proper
braking technique:
1. Apply the brakes just hard enough to feel a definite slowdown.
2. When your speed has been reduced to approximately five mph below your "safe" speed,
release the brakes. This brake application should last for about three seconds.
3. When your speed has increased to your "safe" speed, repeat steps 1 and 2.
Do not drive in the fast lanes on a multiple-lane grade. Stay in the far right lane while climbing a
steep grade if your RV or trailer will not maintain the legal speed limit. It would be better to drop
to a lower gear and slow down rather than pass slow trucks and tie up the faster lanes because you
don't have enough power.
Narrow Roads
Some two-lane roads have special "turn-out" areas. You may pull into these areas and allow
vehicles behind you to pass. Some two-lane roads have a passing lane. Stay in the right lane so
faster vehicles may pass you in the passing lane. When you drive a slow-moving vehicle on a
two-lane highway or road where passing is unsafe, and five or more vehicles are following you,
pull to the side of the road wherever you can safely do so to let the vehicles pass.
Try to stay to the right of the lane so the vehicles behind you can see ahead. Remember to pull off
the road when it is safe and allow the faster vehicles to pass.
Escape Ramps
Escape ramps have been built on many steep mountain grades, and are used to stop runaway
vehicles safely without injuring drivers and passengers. Escape ramps use a long bed of loose,
soft material (pea gravel or sand) to slow a runaway vehicle, sometimes in combination with an
upgrade. Know where escape ramps are located on your route. Signs show drivers where ramps
are located.
Road Signs
Pay attention to road signs that warn against travel by vehicles towing trailers. If you missed the
sign that warned of a "Dead End" ahead, would you be able to turn your vehicle around? What
was the weight limit for the bridge ahead? Did you notice the height clearance for the overpass?
You may not notice these types of signs because you've never had to worry about them in your
passenger vehicle. You will have to worry about them in your RV.
Freeway Driving
You will have slower acceleration when you enter a freeway, so you will need more space.
Remember that freeway traffic has the right-of- way, so you must look for gaps large enough to
accommodate your vehicle(s). You also need more space when passing other vehicles. Judging
how much space you will need takes practice. If you don't allow enough space and time to
complete a pass, you may need to swerve quickly into another lane. This could result in a
skidding, over steering, swaying, or tailing trailer.
Following distances must also be increased because you cannot slow down and stop your vehicle
quickly. When you want to exit a freeway, slow down sooner than you would for a smaller
vehicle. Be aware that many off ramps have curves which continually tighten. You will need to
stay to the outside of the curve so the rear wheels will not rub the curb or drop off the pavement.
By law, vehicles towing trailers must stay in the right-hand traffic lane or as close as possible to
the right edge or curb. If you drive on a divided highway with four or more traffic lanes in the
same direction or where a specific lane or lanes have not been designated, you can drive in the
lane just to the left of the right-hand traffic lane. When overtaking or passing another vehicle
going in the same direction, you must use either: (1) the designated lane, (2) the lane just to the
left of the right-hand lane, or (3) the right-hand traffic lane when use of that lane is permitted.
Dirt or unpaved Roads
Many times the only road into the campground is a dirt or gravel road. Consult a campground
directory to see if a certain road is suitable for your vehicle. Pay close attention to the signs
posted and believe them. If a sign prohibits trailers, don't use that road. There may be a hazard
such as rocks, low trees, or washed-out sections of the road ahead that only a four-wheel drive
vehicle can handle safely.
Traveling on a Holiday
Proper planning can help reduce much of the holiday traffic congestion. Many campsites accept
reservations. Since roads leading to many popular attractions will be crowded, you may want to
plan on a different route. If you haven't made reservations, it's a good idea to stop early in the day
to ensure you get a campsite, because private and public campgrounds fill up quickly. Get a good
rest before traveling.
Fatigue
Driving is not as easy as it appears. Break up your driving time by taking a 15 to 30 minute rest
every two-to-three hours. Get out of your vehicle and walk around. This will help to loosen tired
muscles and rest tired eyes. Use this time to inspect your vehicle. It will also improve your
alertness.
REMEMBER: Night driving can be especially hazardous since the body naturally wants to sleep at
night. Most drivers are less alert at night, particularly after midnight. If you are sleepy, the only
safe cure is to get off the road and get some sleep. If you don't, you are risking your life and the
lives of others.
Attitudes of Drivers
The Road Rage
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Attitudes can positively or negatively affect a person's driving behavior; a person may not
realize how an attitude affects their behavior.
Driver’s attitude is divided into three parts as follows;
 Childish attitude
 Parental attitude
 Adult attitude
Attitudes Influence on Driver’s Behavior and it can positively or negatively affect a
person's driving habit.
The four basic different types of driver’s behaviors are:
 The cautious drivers: are individuals who typically drive 10 km/hr below the
posted speed limit. They are either afraid to drive faster to not sure as to where
they are going. These types of drivers can cause serious traffic problems on the
road.
 The slow drivers: are individuals that do not pay attention to what is happening
on the road or are reluctant to drive faster, because they are worried about getting
caught or causing an accident. They do not cause any serious problems, yet since
they make up 10% - 20% of the total drivers on the road, they generally dictate
the general traffic speed when there is a moderate amount of traffic.
 The fast drivers: are individuals that typically go 10 km/hr or more, over the
posted speed limit. Fast drivers tend to have their eyes focused on the road not the
people and things in it. This makes fast drivers alert to what is going on and if
something abruptly happens, they will generally stop before it is too late. Fast
drivers only create a problem when they become extremely aggressive and start
tailgating, passing close to other vehicles and cutting off people.
 The tailgaters: are individuals that endanger themselves and the driver that is in
front of them. They drive extremely close where the driver who is being tailgated
will not be able to see their tailgaters head lights. If anything sudden happens
there is a 95% chance that they are going to collide into you.
Attitudes are infectious and can affect the people that are near the person, which in turn
can influence their behavior. Because, some drivers are influenced by their different
driving behavior. Behavior change can refer to any transformation or modification of
human behavior.
Our Biggest Fear as Drivers:
Statistics tell us that most all of us have been involved in an aggressive driving
experience either as the victim or the aggressor at some point in our lives. Aggressive
driving and road rage is on the rise and according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic
Safety (AAA) it is one, if not the top concern for many drivers today. AAA reported that,
"at least 1,500 people a year are seriously injured or killed in senseless traffic disputes."
The following includes excerpts from a report issued by the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration.
Characteristics of Aggressive Driving:
The words, "aggressive driving," emerged during the 1990s as a label for a category of
dangerous on-the-road behaviors.
The category comprises:

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
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Following too closely
Driving at excessive speeds
Weaving through traffic
Running stop lights and signs
Aggressive driving occasionally escalates to gesturing in anger or yelling at another
motorist, confrontation, physical assault and even murder. "Road Rage" is the label that
emerged to describe the angry and violent behaviors at the extreme of the aggressive
driving continuum.
Aggressive Driving
Eight out of 10 drivers surveyed in the AAA Foundation’s annual Traffic Safety culture
Index rank aggressive driving as a “serious” or “extremely serious” risk that jeopardizes
their safety. They’re right. Aggressive driving accounts for more than half of all traffic
fatalities.
Hit from behind Although “road rage” incidents provide some of the most shocking
views of aggressive driving, many common behaviors, including racing, tailgating,
failing to observe signs and regulations, and seeking confrontations with other drivers, all
qualify as potentially aggressive behaviors. Speeding is one of the most prevalent
aggressive behaviors. AAA Foundation studies show that speeding is a factor in one-third
of all fatal crashes.
Despite a strong public awareness and understanding of aggressive driving, many people
are willing to excuse aggressive behaviors. Half of all drivers in our Traffic Safety
Culture Index admitted to exceeding both neighborhood and highway speed limits by
more than 15% in the past 30 days. More remarkable, a quarter of drivers say they
consider speeding acceptable.
Throughout outreach and education programs, we work to offer the public tools to assess
their own behavior and recognize the signs of aggressive driving. As more people
understand the many behaviors that can become aggressive and see their behavior in a
new light, they can begin to adopt safer driving practices and manage risk more
effectively.
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Top 10 Tips to Prevent Road Rage
Increasingly congested roadways are a growing source of driver frustration, but studies
suggest the real root of aggressive driving lies within each of us. Drivers can cope by
taking an honest look at their driving behavior and attempting to reduce their stress level
behind the wheel.
1. Get your Zs.
A national epidemic of sleepiness is a contributing factor to road rage, according to the
National Sleep Foundation. We all know how cranky we get without enough sleep. It
makes us prone to feelings of annoyance, resentment and even anger. Eight hours is still
the recommended daily dose of sleep for adults.
2. Plan ahead.
Do you regularly whiz through your morning routine in a whirlwind of chaos, trying to
make up time while on the road? Do you allow just enough time to drive to an
appointment? Then you're probably also more prone to a lead foot and a lost temper. If
you add 10 minutes to your expected travel time, you'll have time to stop for gas, safely
navigate those snowy roads or detour around road construction. Also, try preparing
clothing, briefcases, children's school bags and lunches the night before to minimize your
morning rush. Extra time equals calmer driving.
3. Your car is not a therapist.
Many of us love and identify with our cars (part of why Edmunds.com launched
CarSpace), but sometimes you can take the "car as extension of self" idea too seriously. If
your boss or your spouse left you steaming, take care not to use driving as a way to blow
off steam. Competitive types (you know who you are) shouldn't try to prove themselves
on heavily traveled thoroughfares — save that enthusiasm for weekend romps on your
favorite back roads. No matter how much power you've got under the hood, your vehicle
is first and foremost a mode of transportation, not a weapon.
4. Turn down the bass.
Without getting into the argument over "aggressive music makes people aggressive," it
makes sense that listening to relaxing music — or even a comedy channel on satellite
radio — will make you less pumped up for action than a driving bass line. Try tuning in
to classical or jazz to reduce stress. Or listen to an audiobook. (Here are our Top 10
Audiobooks to get you started.) Either way will also help drown out stressful traffic
noise.
5. Loosen up, and then breathe:
If you notice yourself clenching the steering wheel in a death grip, try flexing your
fingers and loosening your hold — you'll find that you can control the car just as well. If
your right foot is cramped, set the cruise control if traffic allows. If you're on a prolonged
road trip, try not to exceed three hours of travel time without a break where you get out
and stretch. Struggling to see through a dirty windshield is also an unnecessary stress
factor, so fill up with washer fluid before you go. Periodically roll down the window and
breathe deeply and slowly.
6. It’s not about you.
Perhaps another driver cut you off. Or the car in front of you is braking erratically. Before
you assume the driver is getting off on your rising anger levels, realize that you, as an
individual, are not the target. Perhaps the driver simply made a mistake or was just being
oblivious. Maybe there's a screaming baby, a loose pet or a crazed bee in the car. Maybe
he was on a cell phone. The point is, don't take things so personally.
7. Hostility is toxic, and risky.
People most prone to anger are almost three times more likely to have a heart attack than
those with low anger, according to the American Psychological Association. Other health
risks seen in those who display hostility include obesity, depression and stroke. Wow,
who knew? Safe driving promotes healthy hearts! Not only will giving into anger not
resolve an irritating situation, it can increase the risk of retaliation. Think to yourself, "Is
making my point worth endangering my life?" If all else fails, do a mental 180 and try to
laugh it off.
8. Use restaurant etiquette.
While it's upsetting when a stranger is rude or cuts in line in a restaurant or store, most
folks wouldn't lose their cool and become abusive as a result. It isn't only because they
have good manners. Driving a car makes people feel more isolated and protected,
allowing them to act in ways they would normally find embarrassing. So when another
driver acts like a jerk, respond as though you're in a restaurant. And we don't mean Chuck
E. Cheese's.
9. Take the self-test.
Classes designed to help curb aggressive driving often have participants tape-record
themselves while driving. Hearing themselves swear or rant on tape is enough of a wakeup call for them to recognize and reduce dangerous behavior. So try to analyze your
driving. Do any of the following statements sound like you?
 I regularly exceed the speed limit in order to get to work on time.
 I tailgate other drivers, especially those who sit in the left lane.
 I flash my lights and honk my horn to let drivers know when they
annoy me.
 I verbally abuse other drivers whether they can hear me or not.
 I frequently weave in and out of traffic to get ahead.
 I feel the need to set bad drivers straight.
If you answered "yes" to any of these above questions, you may qualify as aggressive
driver. The American Institute for Public Safety (AIPS) has a more detailed Road Rage
Test that determines if your driving habits fall under the "aggressive zone," "hostile zone"
or — worse yet — "war zone."
10. Practice kindness:
Dr. Leon James, a.k.a. "Dr. Driving" and author of Road Rage and Aggressive Driving,
says that remembering simple courtesies, like allowing someone to merge or apologizing
when we make a mistake, can go a long way in making the driving experience positive
for ourselves and others. His basic motto is the old "do unto others" rule: Treat fellow
drivers how you would like to be treated. As additional incentive, reducing your
aggressiveness on the road can also keep you out of serious trouble: Several states have
created special law enforcement teams to seek out and cite aggressive drivers. Depending
on the frequency of offenses, violators may be fined, lose their license temporarily or
even face jail time. Often, they are required to take a behavior-modification class as well.
We're all bound to lose our cool at some point, but by planning ahead and keeping things
in perspective, we can prevent our emotions from getting the best of us. Putting
aggressive driving in park will help to ensure your own safety, as well as the safety of
everyone around you.
Basic car
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Regular preventive maintenance is probably the single thing you can do as a car owner to keep
your ride happy and save money on repairs in the future. However, not everyone agrees on what
preventive maintenance is what you should do, and when you should do it. Let's clear that up, and
give you some tips that'll apply to any vehicle.
Anyone who's ever worked on cars or spent a ton of money getting their car repaired will tell you:
Don't ignore preventive maintenance. The basics, like changing your oil, checking your tire
pressure, and getting scheduled inspections and work done are like getting regular checkups at the
doctor. They keep you healthy and give you—and the experts—a chance to catch anything
serious before it becomes a major problem. With your car, that can save you thousands.
First, Read Your Owner's Manual
Pay attention to your owner's manual. Regardless of the vehicle you drive, your regular
maintenance schedule is inside it, and you'll never fall for old car myths like, "You should change
your oil every 5,000 km," (unless of course, your manual says you should, and odds are it
doesn't). You will, however, discover how often your manufacturer really does suggest you
change your oil (it can vary widely by vehicle), your filters, any drive or timing belts in your
vehicle, and more. You'll even find out whether you're putting the right gas in your vehicle or
whether you're using the right kind of oil in the first place.
Seriously – you wouldn't fire up a complicated piece of technology or a massive new home
appliance without checking the manual to make sure you know what you're doing. Most car
lovers already know how important this is, but it's still important even for people don't consider
themselves interested in how their car works. If you're using the wrong oil, for example, or filling
a car that calls for higher octane fuel with the lowest octane stuff you can buy, you may run the
risk of voiding your warranty, and worse, causing damage that'll cost more to fix than you'd save
by using the cheap stuff.
Preventive Maintenance Every Vehicle Needs
Preventive maintenance is probably one of the biggest ways you can save money—not actively,
but in the long term. Spending a little money now on these basics will save you from more costly
repairs later on:

Do your own inspection. It's basic, but gives your car a once-over periodically so you catch
anything that looks out of the ordinary. Make sure all your lights are working. Check the air
pressure in your tires every month or so (and buy a cheap tire air pressure gauge and keep it in the
glove compartment). Doing so is good for your tires, gets you better mileage, and saves you
money in gas if you discover that the pressure is off. Listen for any strange sounds, inside and
out. Make sure your tires have enough tread. You can use a penny to do it, or look out for the
wear indicators on the tire treads. If anything's out of the ordinary, don't ignore it.

Learn to check your fluids. Even if you don't ever learn how to change your antifreeze, power
steering, coolant, or even your wiper fluid (although seriously, don't let someone charge you to
change wiper fluid), you should learn how to check those fluid levels. In some cases, you can see
the tank level directly, but most have gauges or dipsticks you can pull out to check current levels
against a notch that indicates optimal levels. Even if your owner's manual doesn't have much to
say about checking your transmission fluid or antifreeze, don't be afraid to open the hood and see
if you can find it. If you're running low, add more (if you can) or get it changed. Most
importantly, never ignore a leak.

Inspect and get your timing and serpentine belts replaced when necessary. Many people will
tell you to get your timing belt replaced every 100,000 km or so, and your serpentine belt
replaced every 65,000 km, give or take. Again, your owner's manual will offer real numbers for
your type of vehicle. If you can't find the manual, look around online. You'll probably find the
actual recommendation for your car. Use it as a guideline, and ask your mechanic to inspect the
belts when it gets time to replace them mileage-wise. If they're still in good shape, don't bother,
but if they're worn out, get them replaced before they fail. If you wait and those belts do fail,
you'll break down, and the damaged belt can damage other accessories, making the repair even
more expensive.

Check your oil and get it changed regularly. Whether your car has a dipstick to check the oil's
color and oil level or the dipstick has been replaced with an electronic gauge, you should know
how to check it. Knowing the difference between clean oil and muddy, murky oil will save you a
ton on unnecessary changes and gives you a way to tell if something's wrong with your engine
(e.g. the oil looks terrible but you just had it changed). It's hard to make a universal
recommendation for how frequently you should change your oil, but the answer is—as we
mentioned—in your owner's manual. Don't just blindly follow the 3,000 mile myth though—for
most vehicles it can be as high as 10,000 miles, depending on the oil your vehicle calls for
(something else that's in the manual).

Check your battery and clean the contacts (if necessary). Most batteries these days don't
require much in the way of maintenance, but you should know where it is and check it to make
sure it's not leaking and there's no mineral or other buildup on the contacts. If there is, clean it off
with a battery cleaning brush. It will set you back a couple of bucks at any auto parts or
department store. Buy one and keep it in the trunk. While you're at it, consider buying a cheap
battery tester or jump starter. You'll never need to call someone or wait for CAA (or a friendly
passer-by) to give you a jump.

Replace your windshield wipers when the view gets streak-y. It may seem silly, but I've
known several people who just ignored their wipers until they got them replaced as part of a
bigger job. Wipers are cheap and easy to replace yourself. Don't wait until you can barely see
through your windshield. Your visibility is important, and you wouldn't wait until you saw an
optometrist to clean your glasses, would you? While you're at it, give your windshield a good
cleaning inside and out—if it's hard to see, the problem may be inside, not out.

Replace your cabin air filter. Replacing a cabin air filter is probably one of the easiest things
you can do to keep your car comfortable. Most vehicles make the cabin air filter easily accessible,
and replacing it is as easy as opening a box. You can get a fitting filter at any auto parts store. It
may not be critical to your car's operation, but it's easy, it makes the ride more pleasant, and it's a
repair you'll never have to pay someone else to do.

Replace your engine air filter. Getting to the engine air filter may be a little trickier depending
on the vehicle you have, but replacing it regularly is important. Your owner's manual will give
you a mileage estimate for how frequently you should replace your engine air filter, but if you can
get to it, check it. If it's dirty, replace it. If you drive a ton, especially in stop-and-go traffic or
have a long commute, your engine air filter may get dirtier faster than someone who drives open
roads or only drives around on the weekends. If you need help or your owner's manual doesn't lay
out exactly how to do it (although it should).

Get your tires rotated and balanced, and your alignment checked. Your manual will tell you
how often to do this and it's important to do to make sure your tires wear evenly and your car
drive smoothly. You can make your tires – which are expensive to replace all at once, by the way,
take it from someone who's done it several times – last much longer by getting them rotated and
balanced. Your alignment is just as important. If you're fighting your car to keep it straight, that's
a bad situation that's easily corrected.

Change your spark plugs. If your spark plugs are worn out or covered in buildup, your engine
isn't working efficiently. That can cost you money in fuel for one, but it can also lead to a
breakdown. It may sound daunting, but in some cases checking and replacing them isn't that
difficult. If you don't feel like doing it yourself (or it's a big and complicated job for your
vehicle), follow your manual's recommendation and get them changed regularly—for most
standard copper spark plugs and vehicles, that's around 30,000 miles (but again, it varies - some
iridium plugs can last up to 160,000 km).
These are just a few things that every vehicle needs, and almost all of them are things you can do
yourself. We can't stress enough the importance of checking your owner's manual for anything we
may have overlooked here, or anything specific to your vehicle. If you don't have your manual,
you can find it pretty easily online.
City driving versus
freeway driving
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City Driving versus Highway Driving
Which is better for Your Automobile in the Long Run? This is a question that many of us have
pondered at one point or another. As automobile owners, we are always looking for ways to
maximize the life expectancy of the below 5 areas.
1. Fuel Efficiency
Fuel efficiency is higher on the highway as the speed limit is higher there and you don’t have to
make so many turns and stops every time the traffic lights turn red. Yes, you burn more gas on
the highway, but you will go more miles than when you are driving in the city. Besides, every
time you stop your automobile at the traffic lights and then try to reach the speed at which you
were driving before, you burn much more gas than driving fast on a highway.
Fuel efficiency is also influenced by the wind resistance, which increases at higher speed. So, on
one hand, the fuel efficiency is higher when you drive in the city simply because you have lower
speed, but, on the other hand when driving on the highway, if you can catch the draft from behind
another vehicle, preferably bigger one, this way your fuel efficiency will be increased.
If you have a new car, you can see the fuel efficiency both for city and highway driving listed in
big, bold letters on the car’s computerized dashboard.
2. Engine wear
When you are driving on a highway, you are obviously driving faster. This means that the oil
pressure is higher. High oil pressure keeps your engine internal parts more lubricated, so they
don’t wear out fast and don’t overheat. But this extra protection is just as necessary when you
driving in city too, because of the constant stop and go traffic. This makes highway driving safer
for your engine.
3. Transmission wear
Driving in the city, you shift the transmission more often; you slow down on the turns, stop on
the red light and follow the car in front of you going slower and faster. Every time you shift the
transmission you add wear to it, which makes highway driving more beneficial.
4. Brake wear
City driving is severe for your brakes, when driving in the city makes sure you do a brake check
on a regular basis. Driving on the highway you don’t use your brakes that often, simply because
there is no need to stop, this way highway driving preserves your brakes longer.
5. Tires wear
Again, on the highway you don’t stop as much as you are forced to stop driving in the city, and it
protects not only your brakes, but your tires too, preventing wear and tear.
Taking into consideration all these facts highway driving turns out to be more beneficial for your
automobile. City driving, on the opposite, will wear your automobile way faster, so driving in the
city you should take better care of your engine, transmission, brakes, tires, etc. Of course, when
you live in a big city you don’t have much choice, but then you can always use public
transportation for your benefit.
Although it is imperative that you drive safely whenever you are in the car, highway car safety
requires a different set of rules than city street driving. Because of increased speeds, less light at
night and a greater danger of exhausted drivers, it is arguably of more consequence should you
drive unsafely on the highway than in the city. That is, of course, not to say that city driving
should be taken lightly. Courteous driving, proper signaling and the obeying of light signals
among other things are instrumental for maintaining car safety on surface streets.
City Street Car Safety
When driving on city surface roads, car safety is as important as when driving anywhere else.
Due to the differences in traffic, speeds, obstacles and the presence of pedestrians, it has rules all
its own. Traffic is usually limited to speeds of 45 mph or less on city streets, but there are many
things you may encounter that you would not see on the highway. Frequent emergency vehicles,
crosswalks, merging and turning vehicles and regular traffic lights are routine.
Safety on city streets requires you to constantly be on the lookout for pedestrians, bicycles,
flashing lights and unsafe drivers. You cannot expect everyone to drive as they should, so you
should always be on the defensive. Slowing down for school zones and potholes, letting busses
merge into traffic, and generally being in no hurry help to ensure your safety and the safety of
others is critical. Signaling before turning, using your headlights in the dark and keeping your car
in good working order also help constitute safe driving.
Highway Car Safety
Highway car safety encompasses many of the same elements as driving in the city, but there are
notable differences. Since speeds are greater--70 mph or faster depending on the state--driving
automatically becomes more dangerous. Signaling is as, if not more, important than in the city. In
order to make a safe lane change on the highway, signals are a must. There are few if any
emergency vehicles on the highway, and pedestrians and bicyclists are seldom present. At night,
however, because there are few streetlights and none in some stretches, maintaining your driving
composure at high speeds can be nerve racking. If the lane lines or lane dividers are worn,
discerning the lanes from the shoulder can be difficult as well.
Despite the fact that there are fewer non-vehicular obstacles, highway driving involves high
speeds and frequent passing of large trucks. In high winds or bad weather, driving alongside a
big-rig can be harrowing. Keeping within the speed limit, staying attentive to the flow of traffic
and the cars around you, using your car's safety features including turn signals and headlights are
all ways to stay safe on the highway.
Whenever you drive it is vital that you practice good car safety. In both situations, using your
car's proper safety devices is necessary, as is being aware of everything that is going on in front
and to the side of you. Safe, defensive driving means obeying traffic laws, designed for your
safety and others. It is as much an attitude as it is a skill. Keep composed and don't be hasty
wherever you drive. Make car safety your top priority.
Knowing how to drive doesn’t mean you have to treat all driving trips the same. Just by the
difference in the thoroughfare traveled, a difference in speed, manner of driving, and areas of
caution have to be considered. For the lifetime of a vehicle, it will travel through streets,
avenues, highways, expressways, freeways, alleys, and other types of roads used by motorized
traffic.
A good example of this is the big difference between city driving and highway driving. Drivers
have to be aware of the challenges presented by each scenario and be prepared. Aside from
speed, drivers will have to consider the difference in traffic, obstacles, and pedestrians.
City driving is relatively more complex than highway driving because of the inherent
complexities of inner streets, smaller passageways, and circuitous roads as well as the expected
co-occupants of the road while driving. The number of vehicles occupying a city street in a given
time in relation to space is much more than a highway. Because of the great disparity in size of
the driving surface, city drivers will find that they are closer in distance to other vehicles and
therefore have a greater tendency for minor vehicular accidents that often result to scrapes and
dents. Highway driving on the other hand presents more risk for high-speed collision because of
the typical faster speed adopted by vehicles traveling what appears to be a free expanse of road.
When it comes to obstacles found on streets, city driving presents more problems. There will be
parked cars on streets that can block a driver’s view for incoming traffic. People will dart in and
out of streets either on foot, on bicycles, or also on cars. Loading and unloading from vehicles is
frequent and may require constant stops from other vehicles. Heavy traffic is also common in
many main thoroughfares. Highway driving requires drivers to be extra careful of environmental
factors since driving on highways presents more exposure to the natural elements.
Common people opinion about driving on city driving and freeway driving
1. You drive at a faster continuous rate of speed usually. More stop and go in city driving
because of intersections and pedestrian. Most people also over estimate their stopping
power when doing highway speed.
2. In highway driving you are usually going much faster (look at the speed limits) and have
to be primarily concerned with the actions of other drivers.
3. In city driving you are travelling slower, (but you have to watch out for homicidal
maniacs like tomhale138) but you to deal with pedestrians, cyclists, roller blades. Skate
boarders, and vehicles that make frequent stops like buses and delivery trucks
4. Depends on how do you drive and where. I usually do about 115 km/h everywhere I go;
ignoring the 40 km/h limit in the city, so there is no difference there. That is safe, because
where I live there are no pedestrians, stop signs, or bumper to bumper traffic jams. There
are no buildings either, and on the highway there aren’t any trees or animals. So I
basically make the same time and use the same amount of gas in both, there are no
differences.
5. Highway driving keeps your motor at the same rpm so the engine saves fuel. It is also ok
to run your ac on the highway it saves fuel.
6. You go MUCH faster there are no turns or stops.
7. The traffic can be reduced to stop and go traffic but this is only because of an accident or
tools. Other than that is all about merging in and staying at the right speed in the proper
lane then taking your exit. Highway driving is faster and requires far fewer stops and
speed changes (which is why it is more fuel efficient). Highways driving you drive at a
much faster speed than city driving. Also the road isn't as wide in city driving.
Dangerous or
aggressive driving
How it will affect you and the
society?
Prepared By
(Name of the student)
Enrol Number: (
Date: (
)
)
(Name of the school)
Aggressive driving can be extremely dangerous. Zipping in and out of lanes, thinking you are
going to get to your destination much quicker leads to one of few things. At best, you get where
you're going five percent faster. That's only three minutes over an hour's driving, hardly worth the
risk or the extra fuel. Another possibility is getting stuck in traffic ahead and all the cars you
passed catch up with you. The third one is the biggest problem, which is that you cause an
accident.
Why It Happens
Aggressive driving can be triggered by several different things. Usually, it is onset by the littlest
of incidents. All it takes is someone not allowing you to get over, or a car that is going very slow
in front of you. Cutting people off seems to be the number one cause, and something that simple,
can cause aggressive and reckless driving. One act may cause a long period of aggressive driving,
and maybe even create a permanent behavior for that driver. This can be extremely dangerous to
the driver, their passengers, other drivers and pedestrians.
What Occurs
There are many different forms of aggressive driving. Typical things include flashing your
headlights to the car in front of you to speed up, changing lanes without signaling, tailgating,
blowing your horn and the list goes on. Disregarding traffic symbols and signals is common, such
as running red lights or stop signs. This is not safe driving behavior, and also selfish. There is a
total disregard for other driver's safety by you driving recklessly.
Consequences
Aggressive driving can have a very bad outcome. It can easily lead to a vehicular homicide
because the driver was driving negligently. Aggressive driving includes speeding, and this greatly
increases your risk of getting into an accident, or getting a very serious ticket. The accident can
lead to the deaths of individuals involved, as well as yourself. If you are lucky enough not to get
into an accident, you can still get a heavy ticket, which if you have had offenses previously, could
result in the loss or suspension of your license. Aggressive driving can also lead to hitting a
pedestrian, or multiple pedestrians.
Overall, aggressive driving is a very serious issue. Studies have shown that almost 25 percent of
drivers have admitted to driving aggressively. It can have very serious consequences on
themselves and the other drivers on the road.
What Do You Learn in an Aggressive Driving Course?
Whether imposed by a court or initiated on your own, signing up to learn defensive driving
strategies should improve your road safety. Courses vary, but they incorporate learning the
psychology of yourself and others and changing behavior accordingly.
Recognition
Aggressive driving courses teach students to recognize the signs of risky driving including
excessive honking, following too closely, and challenging other vehicles and dangerous lane
changes. Many course participants have already exhibited the signs and received a court order to
take a course. Classes instruct students to recognize bad driving habits in themselves and others.
You learn to separate the dangerous driving of others from your responsibility to maintain selfcontrol.
Role Playing
Classes may include group exercises where participants put themselves in the place of aggressive
drivers and other drivers reacting to them. This helps people understand the human aspect of
anonymous drivers around them. Most people have the same needs and stresses of life, but some
express them inappropriately behind the wheel. Behavior modification is the next step.
Behavior Modification
Part of solving aggressive driving consists of mental changes and part involves physical changes.
Students learn to focus on their mental state and perform calming techniques, such as counting to
10. Physical changes include improving your vehicle's comfort, like having favorite music or
even stuffed animals with you. Drivers will also find that changing daily routines, like leaving
earlier or later to avoid peak traffic, can foster a calmer driving trip. Some people don't realize the
hazards resulting from habits like tailgating. Explaining the laws of physics to the student helps
the pupil realize that following vehicles at certain speeds and distances may prevent stopping in
time to avoid a collision.
Do Advanced Driving Lessons Affect the Price of Auto Insurance?
Advanced driving lessons can affect the price of auto insurance by reducing your premiums.
Taught by high performance driving schools, they provide a way to learn advanced skills that
should improve your driving experience. Improvements in your driving abilities mean fewer
accidents and tickets for speeding, which should lead to an overall reduction in your insurance
premiums or rates. If you're presented with an opportunity to take an advanced driving lesson to
improve your driving skills, you should consider the opportunity seriously.
Insurance companies look at the proactive steps that motorists take to improve their driving and
reduce their exposure to risks that will result in an insurance claim. Advanced driving lessons are
one of those proactive steps available to a motorist that can lead to lower risk exposure to the
insurance company, and result in lower insurance costs.
Advanced Driving Lessons
Advanced driving lessons offered through a high performance driving school, such as those
sponsored by NASCAR or a Skip Barber driving school; emphasize skills to help you become a
better driver. Many times these schools are portrayed as a way to learn how to drive faster and
compete on a professional racing car circuit. This is far from the reality of most advanced driving
lessons. The courses are structured to expose drivers to different aspects of the driving
experience, including defensive driving skills and ways to improve safety by understanding how
the car performs and works.
Discounts Available for Advanced Driving Lessons
Your insurance agent or the company that you purchased the policy from should be able to show
you which companies offer discounts for taking an advanced driving lesson. If your current
insurer does not provide this type of discount, you may consider changing your coverage to a
company that provides this type of rate reduction. The savings in your auto insurance premiums
may be enough to justify taking the course.
Benefits from Advanced Driving Lessons
The obvious benefit you can receive from advanced driving lessons is the improvement in your
driving skills, making you a better and more conscientious driver. The skills you are taught
should mean that you understand how to operate the car in a safe manner that will result in fewer
auto accidents and fewer insurance claims filed. This lowers costs and makes driving better for
everyone on the road. This benefit carries over to the reduction in your auto insurance rates.
The costs and other fees associated with an advanced driving lesson can be paid for over time by
the reduction in your insurance premiums. The effect that advanced driving lessons have on your
auto insurance price should be looked into with your insurance company, or with an insurance
company that provides discounts.
Aggressive driving is but one aspect of the larger set of problems related to impaired, dangerous,
and irresponsible vehicle use. This guide is limited to addressing the particular harms aggressive
driving creates. Related problems not directly addressed in this guide, each of which requires
separate analysis, include:




Drunken and impaired driving,
Reckless driving,
Joyriding,
Speeding,





Street racing,
Unlicensed driving,
Hit-and-run crashes,
Red-signal and stop-sign violations, and
Inattentive driving.
Aggressive driving refers to dangerous driving that disregards safety and courtesy. The U.S.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration defines aggressive driving as occurring "when
individuals commit a combination of moving traffic offenses so as to endanger other persons or
property." Driving behaviors that commonly constitute aggressive driving include:










Speeding,
Racing,
Frequently changing lanes,
Cutting off other drivers,
Failing to signal,
Running red lights,
Failing to yield,
Tailgating,
Slowing rapidly to discourage a tailgater, and
Boxing other cars in and using other intimidation maneuvers.
Aggressive driving behaviors are frequent and often include very dangerous actions. Currently
available deterrents appear to have limited impact in our congested area. Inadequate resources for
enforcement and limited public awareness may be partially responsible. We have adopted a
multidisciplinary approach to this serious problem including public education, stepped-up
enforcement, and psychological treatments.
Driving Distractions
and its affects
Prepared By
(Name of the student)
Enrol Number: (
Date: (
)
)
(Name of the school)
Many drivers today tend to view driving, especially in familiar environments, as a simple
everyday task that requires minimal attention. In fact, driving is a complex task that requires your
full attention every time you get behind the wheel. At the very least you are:

Operating a heavy piece of machinery at high speed

Navigating across changing terrain

Calculating speeds and distances

Responding to other drivers, signs signals and obstacles around you
The dangers of distracted driving are real and the evidence speaks for itself: drivers who use cell
phones are four times more likely to be in a collision than a driver who is focused on the road.
Cell phones and other wireless communication and entertainment devices are a significant visual
and cognitive distraction for drivers, with average "eyes off the road" times that increase the risk
of collision considerably. At highway speed, a driver sending a simple text message travels the
length of a football field without looking at the road.
A recent study shows that when drivers take their eyes off the road for more than two seconds
their crash risk doubles. A driver using a cell phone is four times more likely to be in a crash than
a driver focused on the road.
In three seconds driving sixty kilometres per hour you travel fifty metres — that's the distance
across half a football field. A momentary distraction can result in death or serious injury.
Reducing Distractions
There are a number of potential driver distractions and these may include:





devices such as hand-held cell phones, organizers and laptops
reading maps or other material
grooming activities
eating or drinking
tending to children or pets
Managing distractions is easy. The following are some tips to help reduce driver distraction:





Make it a habit to use your cell phone only when parked, have a passenger take the call or
let the caller go to voice mail.
Before you start driving turn off your cellular phone.
Identify and pre-set your vehicle's climate control, radio and CD player.
Attend to personal grooming and plan your route before leaving.
When hungry or thirsty, take a break.
During the three-month period that followed the law was supported by a comprehensive public
education and awareness campaign which informed the public about the new rules. As of
February 1, 2010, police started issuing tickets.
As of February 1, 2010, police may issue tickets and drivers can settle out of court by paying a
fine of $225, plus $50 victim fine surcharge and $5 court costs, for a total of $280. Drivers who
receive a summons or who contest their ticket by going to court may face a fine of up to $500.
There are no demerit points associated with an offence, and police will not be confiscating any
hand-held devices used by a driver caught breaking the law.
Drivers, who endanger others because of any distraction, including hand-held and hands-free
devices, may also still be charged with careless driving and will automatically receive six demerit
points, fines up to $2,000 and/or a jail term of six months. In some cases, your licence may be
suspended for up to two years. You may even be charged with dangerous driving (a criminal
offence).
In addition to legislation and enforcement, the key to success in combating all forms of driving
distraction is education and awareness. For this reason, the ministry is using a variety of media
and public education approaches to raise awareness about the new distracted driving law. For
example, MTO is working to discourage young drivers from using cell phones and other wireless
devices while driving by promoting initiatives such as the iDrive program. This program raises
awareness among youth about the risks of unsafe driving behaviour.
A number of safety messages on the ministry’s COMPASS signs are on a rotation, and are
displayed during ‘non-peak’ times on roads across Ontario: Cell Phone Users/Drive Now – Talk
Later; Safety Comes First/Drive Now – Talk Later; Please Focus on Driving/Avoid Using a Cell
Phone.
The ministry has also distributed 10,000 posters and 100,000 brochures in communities,
including schools, across the province to remind drivers of all ages to keep their hands on the
wheel and their eyes on the road while driving.
Through local initiatives and community-based programs, the ministry’s Regional Planners are
working across the province with over 150 community groups, stakeholders in road safety, public
health officials and enforcement agencies, to raise awareness about distracted driving. New signs
on the highway at border crossings inform drivers from other provinces and the US that handheld devices are prohibited while driving.
Although distracted driving among teenagers is of great concern to traffic safety professionals
and has received considerable media attention in recent years, rigorous research on this issue has
been limited. Most of the research to date has concentrated on the risks associated with teen
passengers and driver cell phone use. Almost no research has examined the many other potential
driving distractions often believed to be common and problematic among teenage drivers. For the
present analysis, the authors sampled and coded video data with the specific purpose of studying
the nature and prevalence of distracted driving among teenagers.
The study addressed a number of questions:
 Which distracted driver behaviors are most common among teenage drivers?
 Do males and females differ in how often they engage in distracted behaviors, or the
kinds of distractions they experience?
 Do distracted driver behaviors vary based on the number of passengers and the
characteristics of those passengers (e.g., teens vs. adults vs. young siblings)?
 Are distracted driver behaviors more common during certain times of day or week (e.g.,
weekday vs. weekend), and do these behaviors bear any relation to the amount of traffic
or other characteristics of the driving environment?
 Do drivers who engage in distracted behaviors spend more time looking away from the
roadway than drivers who are not distracted?
 Are distracted driver behaviors associated with serious incidents such as near collisions,
or events involving hard braking or swerving?
Studies show that teenage drivers are at a higher risk for crashes. Opportunities to engage in
technology and non-technology based distractions appear to be a particular concern among this
age group As one would expect, speeding substantially increases the likelihood of severe injuries
for teenage drivers and their passengers. The results of the analysis also reveal that teenage
drivers have an increased likelihood of more severe injuries if distracted by a cell phone or by
passengers than if the source of distraction was related to in-vehicle devices or if the driver was
inattentive. Additionally, passengers of teenage drivers are more likely to sustain severe injuries
when their driver is distracted by devices or passengers than with a non-distracted or inattentive
driver. This supports the previous literature on teenage drivers and extends our understanding of
injuries for this age group related to distraction-related crashes. Dangerous drinking and driving
situations contribute heavily to morbidity and mortality among older adolescents.
Two studies tested the hypothesis that women are more likely than men to focus on themselves
and their mood when in a depressed mood, and that this leads them to experience longer periods
of depressed mood. In both studies subjects were predominantly Caucasian college students. In
our first study, a laboratory study, females chose to engage in an emotion-related task
significantly more often than did males, even when this lead them to focus on an existing sad
mood. In the second study, a prospective naturalistic study, females were more likely than males
to evince an emotion-focused ruminative style of coping with their moods. A ruminative response
style at Time 1 was a significant predictor of depression scores at Time 2, even after initial levels
of depressed mood were taken into account. Furthermore, once rumination levels were controlled
for, gender was no longer a potent predictor of depression outcome. The implications of these
response styles for treatment are discussed.
In Emergencies
Having a cellular phone in your vehicle can be an important safety aid for drivers and passengers
— whether for personal safety or for reporting a crime or a collision.
All drivers may use hand-held devices to call 9-1-1
If you need to use your cell phone in an emergency — a situation that could result in a danger to
your safety or the safety of others if it is not corrected without delay — consider the following
tips:





Pull over safely if conditions allow.
Keep emergency calls as brief as possible.
Alert the caller that you are on the road.
End conversations immediately if driving conditions or situations become hazardous (for
example, inclement weather, roadway construction, high-speed or high-volume traffic).
Be alert to situations on the road where a cell phone's radio frequency and electronics
may be potentially harmful such as: construction zones where blasting is occurring, or at
gas stations/fuelling areas.
Province Introducing New Legislation to Keep Roads Safe
Ontario is introducing legislation today to help reduce collisions, injuries and fatalities on the
province's roads and highways and keep them among the safest in North America.
If passed, the proposed Keeping Ontario's Roads Safe Act and supporting amendments to the
Highway Traffic Act will make highways and roads safer by:

Increasing fines for distracted driving from a range of $60 - $500 to a range of $300
- $1,000 and assigning three demerit points upon conviction

Increasing fines for drivers for door cyclists from a range of $60 - $500 to range of
$300 - $1,000 and raising the demerit points from two to three

Requiring all drivers to maintain a distance of one metre when passing cyclists

Requiring drivers to yield the whole roadway to pedestrians at school crossings and
pedestrian crossovers
Ensuring Ontario's roads and highways are safe is part of the government's economic plan that is
creating jobs for today and tomorrow. The comprehensive plan and its six priorities focus on
Ontario's greatest strengths - its people and strategic partnerships.
QUICK FACTS

Drinking and driving fatalities represented close to one quarter of all fatalities annually.

According to current collision trends, fatalities from distracted driving are
forecasted to exceed those from drinking and driving by 2016.

Pedestrians represent about one in six motor vehicle-related fatalities on Ontario roads –
41 per cent of which occurred at intersections.

The proposed legislation would build on existing measures Ontario has introduced to
improve road safety, including making booster seats mandatory, ensuring every person
wears a seatbelt, introducing stiffer penalties for street racing, bringing in tougher
impaired driving laws, and banning hand-held devices while driving.
QUOTES
"Ontario’s roads consistently rank among the safest in North America thanks to our tough laws
and strong enforcement, along with the work of our many dedicated road safety partners. Our
new legislation, if passed, would keep drivers, cyclists and pedestrians even safer as we get
tougher with those who ignore the law."
— Glen Murray, Minister of Transportation, Minister of Infrastructure
"Despite Ontario’s road safety record, there is still more to do – by targeting impaired, distracted
and other unsafe driving with increased fines or penalties, we hope to reduce the tragic and costly
consequences of collisions, injuries and fatalities on our roads."
— Dr. Arlene King, Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health
“If passed,
our
legislation
will help
keep
pedestrians,
drivers and
cyclists safe
on Ontario’s
roads.
Thanks to
our legacy
of tough
laws, strong
enforcement
Economy driving
and
partnerships
with many
Fuel Efficiency
dedicated
road safety
partners,
Ontario’s
roads are
among the
safest in
North
America and
Prepared By
these new
measures are
intended to
(Name of the student)
Enrol Number: (
Date: (
)
)
keep it that
way.”
– Steven
Del Duca,
Minister of
Transportati
(Name of the school)
Economy driving: How to cut your fuel costs
With costs rising at the pumps, there's no need to despair. For the canny
motorists there are a variety of ways to cut costs by reducing the amount of
fuel they use
on
Gasoline and diesel might never be cheap again, but there are ways to
save money.
Lose weight.
The heavier your car, the more energy (fuel) is required to move it. Every
ounce you lose will save money at the pumps.
Let it roll.
Think how difficult it is to pedal a bike with a puncture. Keep your tires at
the maximum recommended pressure and consider low-rolling resistance
"eco" tires when you need new ones. Also have the wheel alignment
checked so the car runs easily straight and true.
Make it slippery.
Not with baby oil, unless you love your car to an unnatural degree, but by
minimizing aerodynamic drag at speed. Keep windows and the sunroof
closed and open cabin air vents only to prevent drowsiness. Remove roof
racks, top boxes, cycle carriers and purely cosmetic body additions with
the exception of plastic hubcaps on steel wheels (except in town, where
you could lose them to save more weight).
How cool is cool?
Air conditioning is less costly than open windows, but it still saps power
and can increase the fuel thirst of a small engine by up to 10 per cent. If
already fitted you need to run it once a week to keep the system healthy,
but this is Britain, not Bermuda - how cold do you need to be? If the cabin
gets too hot, fit reflective film to the rear windows/sunroof and take off
your hat.
Fuel's gold.
You'll find the cheapest local source at www.petrolprices.com but don't use
a pound's worth of fuel to reach a filling station where you can save 50p on
a tankful. Avoid false economy; high-octane brews offer small efficiency
gains, cheap rubbish can damage the engine. Also remember the weight
issue: the less fuel you carry around the less fuel you'll use, so only buy as
much as you need; the low-fuel warning light is sure to make you drive
carefully anyway. Don't be fooled by products that claim to improve
economy, be they magnets, magic pellets or snake oil; they don't work.
Make your own.
You can run a diesel car on vegetable oil, and you can process up to 2,500
litres per year at home without attracting fuel duty. Your main difficulty
might be finding a source, as commercial operations are moving in to take
used oil from takeaways and restaurants. If you already own a chip shop,
you're laughing.
Drive like Dan Dare.
Treat your car like a spaceship. As soon as you can, accelerate smoothly
and gently up to a safe, appropriate (and legal) speed and select as high a
gear as possible, keeping the revs down to minimize fuel use without
labouring the engine. Between short fuel burn to maintain momentum, lift
off the accelerator completely, which shuts off the fuel supply. Never coast
in neutral; idling uses more fuel than running in gear on a closed throttle. If
you're not moving at all, switch off.
Don't use the brakes.
Brakes turn fuel into waste heat and should be used as little as possible (try
never on motorways). Approaching any obstruction, such as traffic lights
on red (or green for a long time and likely to change), don't just drive up to
it and brake; reduce your speed by lifting off the accelerator, aiming to roll
to a stop at the right place. Make driving an enjoyable game of economy
and accuracy, like bowls, rather than a test of nerve, like Grand Theft Auto.
Advanced tuition will help you drive economically as well as safely.
Plan your journey.
It has been estimated that perhaps a third of city traffic is lost or looking
for somewhere to park, so plan your journey from A to Z; write a list of
directions on a piece of paper (or GPS) and stick it in an easily visible
place on your dashboard or steering wheel boss. Use motorways and freeflowing roads whenever possible; a car is most fuel-efficient at a steady
speed.
Do your homework.
Don't rush to replace a "thirsty" car until you've worked out the cost/benefit
equation; you want to save money, not spend it. Used values are falling,
and unless you're downsizing from a BMW to a banger or a
motorcycle/scooter (or indeed selling up altogether and joining a car-share
club) you might be better off running your current car as efficiently as
possible for as long as you can. If you're changing anyway, the smallest
diesel that suits your needs is probably best. The less fuel a car burns, the
lower its tax-defining CO2 emissions ought to be.
Think electric? Think hard.
Will you save money overall? How long do the batteries last, and what will
the resale value be? Do you want or need a car with a short range? Could
you make such short journeys by other means? Can you plug it into the
mains without running a cable across the pavement? If not, it's a nonstarter. Although not strictly relevant to running costs, spare a thought for
the source of your electricity: how green is a coal/gas/nuclear-powered
vehicle? As for hybrids, they're expensive and while they might offer fuel
savings at low speeds in town, they're less economical on motorways.
Buy a Lamborghini.
Supercars are hard to park, costly to repair and burn petrol like nothing
else, which is why they cover fewer miles and consume less fuel overall
than everyday cars. If you owned a Lamborghini, better still a classic, you
wouldn't drive it to the supermarket and you couldn't use it for the school
run. You and your children probably could live longer, healthier, richer
lives by walking. And having saved enough for several tankful of gasoline,
you could go for a blast with a clear conscience, just for fun…
Your fuel consumption will vary
Fuel consumption ratings show the fuel consumption that may be achieved
with a properly maintained vehicle driven with fuel efficiency in mind. The
ratings provide a reliable comparison of the fuel consumption of different
vehicles. However, no laboratory test can simulate all possible
combinations of conditions that may be experienced by drivers. Your
vehicle’s fuel consumption will vary from its published fuel consumption
ratings, depending on how, where and when you drive.
The following factors will significantly affect the fuel consumption of your
vehicle: your driving style and behaviour, vehicle acceleration, braking and
driving speed, overall age and condition of your vehicle, temperature,
weather, traffic and road conditions, and drive systems and powered
accessories (e.g. air conditioning) installed on your vehicle. In addition,
small variations in vehicle manufacturing will cause fuel consumption
differences in the same make and model, and some vehicles do not attain
optimal fuel consumption until they are “run in” for about 6,000 to 10,000
km.
Hybrid vehicles are particularly sensitive to driving conditions and
behaviours and can exhibit greater variations in fuel consumption than
conventional vehicles. Moderate differences in how, where and when you
drive can have a significant impact on how much your hybrid’s gasoline
engine is used.
Published ratings are a useful tool for comparing vehicles before you buy,
but keep in mind that they are based on standardized tests and may not
accurately predict the fuel consumption you will get on the road.
Emergency driving
and its procedures
Prepared By
(Name of the student)
Enrol Number: (
Date: (
)
)
(Name of the school)
How to Avoid Vehicle Malfunction
Although some vehicle malfunctions may not be avoidable, routine maintenance
helps keep the vehicle functioning at its best. Get oil changes every three months
or after every 3,000 miles of driving. Also have your mechanic check brake fluid
levels and power steering fluid levels. Pay attention to gauges while driving. If the
oil light or "check engine" light turn on, drive slowly, stay away from heavy
traffic and get your vehicle to a mechanic promptly. If you are like most drivers,
you may not have the chance to practice how you would react in an emergency
situation before it happens. But, knowing what to do in unexpected driving
situations can make a difference. Taking the wrong action or no action when
something goes wrong can increase your chances of crashing your vehicle.
Emergency Scenarios
Tire Failure
Tire failure most commonly occurs when a tire blows or becomes otherwise
detached. Focus on steering to keep the car on the road and avoid traffic
obstruction. Do not slam the brakes. Steer the car and tap gently on the brakes, as
not to create and sudden jolts that could throw the car off balance. Continue to
slow down and tap the brakes until you have regained full control of the car and
are able to safely pull off to the side of the road.
Sometimes thumping noises start before a tire blows out, but you usually will not
know ahead of time when a tire will blow. You should protect against blowouts
by keeping your tires in good condition and properly inflated. When a front tire
blows out, your steering wheel may vibrate, and you may feel the vehicle
suddenly pull to one side. When a rear tire blows out, one corner of the vehicle
may drop suddenly, and you may feel the rear of the vehicle wobble back and
forth. If one of your tires blows out, do the following:
 Hold the steering wheel tightly.
 Stay off of your brake! Braking after a blowout may cause you to skid and
lose control of your vehicle.
 Slowly take your foot off the gas pedal.
 Steer where you want to go, but steer smoothly - do not make large or
jerky steering actions.
If you have to use your brakes, press them gently. If possible, let the vehicle slow
to a stop. Make sure it is off the road and you are far enough from traffic lanes to
safely change the tire.
Brake Failure
When brakes fail, pump the brake pedal as hard and rapidly as possible. This will
most times build up enough brake pressure to bring the car to a stop. Try to get
the car off to the side of the road to prevent accidents from traffic moving behind
you. The goal is to bring the car to a stop. Shift the car into a low gear, which will
ease acceleration and slow the car, and also pull the emergency brake if necessary.
Hold onto the release button of the emergency brake handle, as you may need to
release the brake if the rear wheels lock, causing the car to skid.
In newer vehicles, a split braking system reduces the possibility of total brake
failure. If your brake system warning light comes on, you may still have braking
in two of the four wheels, probably one front wheel and one rear wheel. This will
allow you to pull over to the side of the road or into the next service station. You
may feel the brake pedal go down farther than usual before the vehicle begins to
slow, and you may need to push harder on the pedal. Your stopping distance may
be increased, so be aware of where your vehicle is headed. If your brakes fail:
 Shift to low gear, and look for a place to slow to a stop.
 Pump the brake pedal quickly several times. This may build up enough
brake pressure to stop the vehicle.
 If pumping the brake pedal does not work, slowly apply the parking
(emergency) brake. If the rear wheels lock and you begin to skid, let off
the parking brake slowly until you no longer feel the vehicle skidding.
 Keep your eyes focused on where you are going, and look for a safe place
to pull off of the road. Look for an open place to steer into, or steer into
an uphill road.
 If the vehicle still will not stop and you are in danger of crashing, turn
your ignition “OFF” as a last resort. Do not turn it to the “LOCK”
position because this will also lock your steering.
After you have stopped your vehicle, call for help. Do not try to drive.
Engine Fire
If the car engine begins to smoke or catch fire, pull off the road to a safe location
promptly, turn off the engine, get out of the car, and move away from the vehicle.
Engine fires can be very serious, as the car is fueled by flammable gasoline and
can cause explosion. Stay as far away from the car as possible and allow
emergency services to handle the fire.
Jammed Accelerator
If the accelerator becomes jammed, focus on steering and slam the accelerator
petal hard with your foot. Many times this will un-jam the accelerator, but if it
does not work, shifts the car into neutral. This will most likely cause engine
damage, but when facing the alternative of a high speed car crash, engine damage
is the better alternative. Brake the car to come to a complete stop.
If the accelerator (gas pedal) sticks, your vehicle may keep going faster and faster.
If this happens:
 Keep your eyes on the road. You can tap the pedal a few times to see if it
will spring back to normal, or you may be able to lift it with your toe, but
do not reach down to try to free the pedal with your hand.
 If the pedal remains stuck, shift to neutral immediately and use the brakes.
This will cause your engine to race, but the power will be removed from
your wheels.
 Concentrate on steering and pull off the road when you have slowed down
to a safe speed. Stop, turn off the engine, and put on your emergency
brake and emergency flashers.
NOTE: As a last resort, turn your ignition to “OFF,” if you need to slow or stop
quickly. Do not turn it to “LOCK” because you will lose steering ability. Then,
apply your brakes. It will require more effort to steer and brake with your ignition
off.
Running Off Pavement
When your car runs off the pavement, hold the steering wheel tightly to keep the
car straight and steady. Slowly tap the brake, and ease back onto the road when it
is safe. Do not slam the brake, as this may lose control of the car.
Steering Out Of an Emergency
When you have a choice of either braking or steering to avoid a crash, it is usually
better if you can steer to avoid the hazard than to brake, particularly at speeds
above 25 mph. This is because your reaction time to swerve is faster than your
reaction time to brake. But, you must have good steering skills to keep control of
your vehicle in an emergency. As a general rule, you should be holding the
steering wheel with both hands. This is especially important in emergencies
because evasive steering often requires you to turn the steering wheel quickly at
least one-half turn in one direction, and then turn the wheel back almost a full
circle in the opposite direction, once you clear the object. You then return to
center steering to continue moving in your original direction of travel. At higher
speeds, less steering input is needed to move your vehicle to the left or right. If
you think of the steering wheel as a clock face, your hands should hold the wheel
at either the 9 and 3 o’clock position or the 8 and 4 o’clock position, whichever is
the most comfortable. Keep your thumbs along the face of the steering wheel
instead of gripping the inside of the rim. By keeping your hands in this position
on the wheel:
 You will be less likely to overcorrect during an emergency steering
maneuver, which could cause you to spin out of control or run off the
road.
 It is less likely the air bag will throw your arms and hands back into your
face if you are involved in a crash.
 Your arms will be more comfortable and less fatigued during long drives.
A 10 and 2 o’clock hand position is acceptable; however, if your air bag
deploys, you are at risk of injury.
Braking Suddenly
If you need to hit your brakes in a hurry, your safety depends on knowing whether
your vehicle has conventional or anti-lock brakes (ABS), and how to use them.
You should check your owner’s manual to determine what kind of braking system
your vehicle has. Do these before you get into an emergency situation? Knowing
how to apply your brakes in an emergency situation may save your life.
 Without ABS, press and release the brakes repeatedly. Pumping the
brakes will slow your vehicle and keep it under control. Slamming on the
brakes can lock your wheels, causing your vehicle to skid.
 With ABS, maintain firm and continuous pressure on the brake. Do not
pump the brake pedal. Do not be alarmed by mechanical noises and/or
slight pulsations.
After the Malfunction
After you have safely stopped the car, turn on your emergency flashers and
determine the next step. If you are a member of a roadside assistance service like
AAA, call the hotline to have a tow truck or mechanic dispatched to your location.
If you do not have your membership card on hand, call the toll-free number (800)
AAA-HELP. Staff can look up your membership number by name and address,
and you can also use this service if you are riding in a car that does not belong to
you. This is especially helpful when you are riding with a friend that does not
have membership to one of these services.
If you do not have these services, and your vehicle is still in a dangerous location,
call 911 for immediate assistance. If the car is parked in a safe location, call your
mechanic or local tow truck company, and have the vehicle towed to a repair
location.
Do not try to flag down other traffic. Put the hood up on your vehicle and tie a
white shirt or cloth to your car antenna or window. If your car is safely removed
from oncoming traffic, remain in the car with doors locked. If the car is still
unsafe, move away from traffic and stand to the side of the car.
Environment and
driving in today’s
society
Prepared By
(Name of the student)
Enrol Number: (
Date: (
)
)
(Name of the school)
The environment has become our times' crucially important issue and the global
community is finding it difficult to cope with the environmental problems. There
is nobody on this planet that will not be affected. Most of us must do our best to
keep this problem in check; otherwise the situation will get much worse. To find
solutions to the environmental problems demands research in many disciplines. It
is no longer enough to apply only the natural scientific perspectives. We must also
find out how societies can be made more environmentally friendly. Social
scientific environmental research is carried out in many fields of science. As the
earth's population grows and more and more become involved in a global
consumer society, competition for the available land area also increases. Land use
has suddenly become a sensitive issue in world politics.
With skyrocketing gasoline prices being what they are, the hazards of global
warming, and the public's concern about foreign oil, more and more automakers
are offering electric, hybrid, and alternative fuel vehicles. While purchasing a
green vehicle is a great start toward reducing the environmental impacts of
driving. Of course, the vehicle you drive is the most important factor, but your
driving habits and how well you maintain your vehicle will also impact the
environment in a positive or negative way.
A Greenhouse Gas (GHG) is any gas that, when released into the atmosphere,
traps infrared radiation (heat) and causes a slow heating of the planet. The most
common GHGs are: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs) and nitrous oxides (N2O). CO2 makes up about 70 percent of total
greenhouse gas emissions, which is why many vehicles produce several times
their weight in greenhouse gases each year. In fact, most of the fuel you put in
your gas tank becomes GHG emissions!
In hot weather, park in the shade when possible and open doors and windows to
cool the car off before you turn on the air conditioning. Window shades also help
cut down on heat and sun damage. Use of AC increases fuel consumption, and
involves using fluids that are potentially harmful to the environment. Avoid
driving in rush hour traffic. Start and stop driving increases emissions of smog-
forming pollutants. Go easy on the brakes and the accelerator. Jack-rabbit starts
result in wasted fuel and releases more pollutants into the environment. Let your
vehicle coast to a stop as much as possible and save wear and tear on your brakes.
Obey the speed limit. If you drive 110 km/h instead of 90 km/h, you will lower
your fuel economy by almost 10 percent, and increase exhaust pollution output.
Instead of taking separate trips, combine them as much as possible. An engine that
is already warm generates far less air pollution. Catalytic converters only work
well when the exhaust has warmed them to a certain temperature. If you cold-start
your vehicle and drive just two miles, the emissions are much higher than driving
an additional two miles to stop at the grocery after your usual evening commute.
Combining several short trips into one can make a big difference when it comes to
driving green. Use your tire gauge! Properly inflated tires are a must. Fuel
economy decreases by about two percent per every three pounds below the
recommended pressure. Check the air pressure regularly; especially before going
on a long trip. Your tires will last longer, too. A tune-up can have a substantial
impact on your fuel economy. Check fluids, spark plugs, and the air filter. Change
the oil (to go even greener, ask for recycled oil) and replace worn belts. Rotate the
tires and have your wheels aligned for even tire wear.
Avoid topping off the gas tank after the automatic nozzle shuts off. Spilled
gasoline is carcinogenic to breathe, evaporates into the atmosphere, and can leak
into the ground, pollute the water, and poison wildlife. Save on fuel and decrease
pollution by biking or participating in a car or van pool to get to work, and share
rides to and from the kids' activities. By following these simple tips and
guidelines, you can do your part to offset global warming and help the
environment. Go green!
The most crucial threat to our environment today is pollution. Everywhere I go I
can see the earth being polluted in some type of way. Whenever I pass by a
chemical plant, the fumes in the air are so foul that they make my head hurt. I can
hardly breathe while I am inside of a car passing through the contamination. So
just think of how bad it is for every living thing outside in the open air.
Automobiles release a gas called carbon monoxide that can be poisonous and
harmful to us. Still, millions of people drive to work every day because that is the
most efficient travel they can use. This neglect for safer transportation causes
more and more pollution as the years go by.
Not only do we as humans pollute our environment involuntary, but a lot of times
people will litter just because they are too lazy to throw their trash away. How
many times do you see trash thrown on the streets somewhere whenever you are
traveling? I can’t count how many times because they are so numerous. Littering
not only hurts our environment, but it harms everything living inside of that
environment. Animals who are looking for a bite to eat accidentally chew on the
trash that we leave on the ground and choke to death. The ocean gets polluted all
the time and people seem to care less. Yet, when we destroy the sea creatures and
their ecosystem, we end up hurting ourselves as well. There may not be enough
fish for us to eat in years to come. Who knows the extent of the damages we have
done to our environment?
The only way we can reverse the process is if we start now. Already, technology
is trying to improve our transportation systems by creating devices such as the
electronic automobile, which is a car, ran by electricity instead of by fuel. There
are also some ways we won’t have to pollute the air by using fossil fuels instead
of burning chemicals in the air. There are different ways to generate electricity.
We can have solar electricity, which is powered by the sun. Wind mills can
generate wind electricity to supply our homes with electricity. There are probably
much more techniques that we haven’t even came up with. So funding different
research programs dealing with the environment would be very beneficial as well.
Although people are supposed to hold themselves accountable for littering, we
can help make their decision much easier if only we provided more choices for
them. I use to see recycling bins all around the community.
Now I rarely see a trash can when I look out the window of a car. The government
can play a big role on improving the environment if they purchased waste baskets
and recycling bins to place inside and outside of every place of business, in every
community, and near every highway. On numerous containers and plastic bottles I
usually see a sign at the bottom that says, “Please Recycle.” The only problem
with that is there aren’t enough places that have containers to recycle in. The
people I know who recycle do it on their own. They have to separate their trash
themselves and drive it to the recycling place. That is too much work for a lot of
people. So they just decide not to recycle. Once we have the facilities and provide
the containers to recycle, then I know that the littering problem will improve
dramatically. Just taking one step at a time to a safer and cleaner environment can
cause a major difference.
Problems with
drinking and
driving
Prepared By
(Name of the student)
Enrol Number: (
Date: (
)
)
(Name of the school)
Consuming alcohol and driving is one of the most dangerous actions drivers can
perform on the road. It causes hundreds of unnecessary accidents and deaths every
year, resulting in an unsafe environment. It is very important for drivers to not
break the law and must not attempt to drive their motor vehicle while impaired,
especially under the influence of alcohol. There are many reasons why people
believe they can drink and drive, however, the alcohol itself is one of the biggest
factors into leading people into driving while under the influence.
Most people don’t realize how dangerous it is to be driving under the influence of
alcohol to themselves and others in their surrounding environment. A 2005 study
shows that 17,000 impaired driving incidents were reported by police in Ontario
alone, and in the same year 174 people were killed and 3852 people were injured
in a motor vehicle collision. Just in the past decade more than 2000 people were
killed and over 50,000 people have had major and minor injuries.
In Ontario, you are allowed to have a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of
0.08% if you’re are a fully licensed G driver. Most of the time people will have a
few drinks and do not realized that their BAC level is higher than the law permits,
and they’ll believe that they are legally allowed to operate a motor vehicle. Many
people don’t know that your BAC level is affected by how fast you drink, your
gender, body weight and how much food you have in your stomach. With a BAC
level of 0.05, an individual’s vision may already be affected in terms of sensitivity
to brightness, the ability to determine colors, and depth and motion perception.
The brains ability to perform simple motor functions is diminished, which results
in a slower and less accurate driver’s reaction and response time. This means
degraded driving performance and a significant increase in collision risk.
Over 500 issued Driving under the Influence (DUI) charges and over 500
warnings have been issued per year for the last few years. Every year, Peel Police
in Ontario charge hundreds of drivers with DUI’s resulting in most of them
having their licenses suspended and removed, and depending on how server the
case is, some may even be taken to prison. Getting a DUI charge can put you in
heavy finical depth and pause, or put a stop to, your current goals you are
currently engaged in. If those who were charge with a DUI would like to continue
driving after their suspension, they would need to pay for BAC level tester system
to be installed in their vehicle that they would operate. They would also have to
pay for the uninstallation when the time comes to take it out, the total cost for the
installations alone are over $1000.
Ontario has come a long way but impaired driving still remains a serious problem.
Every year, around 17,000 drivers are convicted of criminal code of Canada
offences. These include impaired driving, driving with a blood alcohol level
concentration of more then 0.08, criminal negligence causing bodily harm or
death, manslaughter and dangerous driving and failure to remain at the scene of
collision. It is estimated that approximately three quarters (75%) of those
convictions are related to drinking and driving. Impaired drivers are involved in
thousands of traffic collisions every year. If drivers were to only operate their
vehicle’s while there are never under the influence of alcohol, this would bring the
convictions significantly making our community a much safer place.
In Conclusion, Operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol can be
just as dangerous as an escaped convict waving around a loaded gun in your
environment. Motor vehicles are very dangerous objects and should not be taken
for granted. Everyone should be educated about the dangers of driving while
under the influence of alcohol to help ensure that the environment is a safe place
for drivers and pedestrians.
Consuming alcohol and driving is one of the most dangerous things
drivers do on the road. It causes hundreds of unnecessary deaths every year,
resulting in an unsafe driving environment. There are many reasons why people
choose to drink and drive, however, the alcohol itself is the biggest factor into
leading people into driving while under the influence.
The effects of alcohol on a person vary depending on the amount of alcohol
consumed, or how much alcohol is in the blood stream. BAC, or Blood Alcohol
Concentration, is the term used to measure blood alcohol levels. For drivers, the
Blood Alcohol Concentration Level cannot be higher than 0.08%.
Most people do not realize how dangerous it is to themselves, and to others to be
under the influence while driving. A lot of times, a driver is only mildly
intoxicated, and doesn’t know that their Blood Alcohol Concentration level is
slightly higher than the law permits. In this case, they would be pulled over, and
given a breathalyser test, to determine the level of intoxication.
Every year, Peel Police charge hundreds of drivers with DUI (Driving under the
Influence), resulting in most of them having their licenses suspended and
removed, and depending on the severity of the case, some may even be taken to
prison. Drinking and driving is a very serious offence, one that most police
bureaus in the country pose heavy fines, and serious jail time.
There are many ways to prevent drinking and driving. Most police departments
usually just use the fines and jail sentence to scare and prevent drivers from
driving while under the influence. However I personally feel that is not enough.
The most effective way to prevent drinking and driving in my opinion, is to
educate drivers, to show to dangers of driving while intoxicated first hand.
Another common case when drinking and driving is peer pressure. Sometimes,
and individual may not “want” to drive while intoxicated, however, his or hers
friends may greatly influence whether or not the driver ends up actually getting
behind the wheel or not. It is important for a driver to understand, when it is his or
hers limit, and to cut it off from there, and not to let anyone else influence the
decision of whether or not to drive.
A lot of times, the cases of drinking and driving are closely related to cases of
alcoholism. Police are pulling drivers over, to find that not only are they under the
influence, but some of them have had other drunken driving issues as well as
other alcohol related crimes. Alcoholics have a much higher tendency to operate a
motor vehicle then the average person, so I feel that setting up programs to help
prevent alcoholism is a good idea.
Motor vehicles are very dangerous objects, and should be taken much more
seriously than they currently are. Drivers should be educated about the dangers of
driving while intoxicated, and other step should be taken, like preventing
alcoholism, to help ensure that the road is a safe place for all drivers.
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