Module 8 Notes: Driving in Inclement Weather
When are headlights required in Virginia?
DUSK TO DAWN
WHEN WINDSHEILD WIPER ARE ON
High beam lights should be dimmed when
WITHIN 500 FT OF AN APPROACHING VEHICLE
WITHIN 200 FT WHEN FOLLOWING A VEHICLE
Define overdriving your headlights.
WHEN A VEHICLES STOPPING DISTANCE IS GREATER THAN THE
DISTANCE LIGHTED BY THE HEADLIGHTS
What are some nighttime precautions you should take to increase safety when driving?
DECREASE SPEED
INCREASE SPACE
TURN OFF
INTERIOR LIGHTS
SWITCH REARVIEW MIRROR TO REDUCE
GLARE
What weather conditions or other circumstances can make a road more dangerous?
RAIN
SNOW
SLEET
WET LEAVES
FOG
WIND
HIGH WATER
Can the condition of your vehicle increase your chance of risks?
YES
When driving in the following adverse weather conditions what adjustments should you
make?
Fog
Leaves
REDUCE SPEED
REDUCE SPEED
USE LOW BEAMS
WINDSHEILD WIPERS
INCREASE FOLLOWING DISTANCE
Snow
LOW BEAMS
REDUCE SPEED
INCREASE FOLLOWING DISTANCE
Mud
REDUCE SPEED
Rain
REDUCE SPEED
WINDSHIELD WIPERS
INCREASE FOLLOWING DISTANCE
Deep Water
DON’T CROSS WHEN IN DOUBT
___2______ feet of water will carry most cars.
True or False: When in doubt of water depth you should not cross.
Vehicles are designed to operate in a diversity of weather conditions what should you
check specifically in:
Cold: TIRES, HOSES, RADIATOR, WINDSHEILD WIPER FLUID, BELTS,
LIGHTS, HEAT
Hot: TIRES, AC…SEE ABOVE
Identify the following roadway safety design features
1.
2.
BREAK AWAY SIGNS
GUARD RAILS
3.
CRASH BARRELS
List features that you may find on your vehicle that are designed to increase safety
ABS BRAKES
AIR BAGS
SEAT BELTS
What could cause loss of traction on your vehicle if not properly maintained?
TIRES THAT HAVE LITTLE TREAD
BRAKES THAT ARE NOT PROPERLY ALINGED
As a driver what mistakes could you make that might cause traction loss?
SUDDEN MOVEMENTS
SPEEDING
TOO FAST FOR ROADWAY CONDITIONS
Define
Understeering- NOT STEERING ENOUGH TO MAKE TURN- GOING
STRAIGHT WHEN SHOULD HAVE TURNED
Oversteering-STEERING TOO MUCH- TURN WHEN SHOULD HAVE
STAYED STRAIGHT
What can you do as a driver to correct loss of traction?
REDUCE SPEED BY EASING OFF ACCELERATOR
SLOW CONTROLED STEERING
CLEAR VISION
How do you properly perform an off road recovery?
DON’T PANIC- EASE OFF GAS- SLOW AND CONTROLLED
MOVEMENTS TO GET BOTH WHEELS BACK ONTO THE PAVEMENT
For each of the following controlling circumstances - circle the best choice reaction
(which type of reaction would lead to a safer outcome / hopefully lesser injury?)
Option #1
Option #2
1.
Drive off road rather
Skid off the road
2.
Hit something soft
Hit something hard
3.
Hit something going your way
Hit something stationary
4.
Hit a stationary object
Hit an approaching object
5.
Steer to avoid oncoming traffic
Head on collision