Ch10 Special Driving Conditions

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EXPRESSWAY DRIVING

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"Expressway" means any divided highway where traffic is going in one direction on two or more lanes. You usually enter or exit the expressway by using ramps (controlled-access). The speed limit is usually 55 mph (88 km/h), but may be posted at 65 mph (100 km/h) in some rural areas. Examples are the New York State Thruway, major interstate routes, and parkways.

Know where to get on and off the expressway, and be prepared to get into the proper lanes for your entrance and exit. If you miss an exit, however, never back up to get back on the expressway. Get off at the next exit, and look for signs that tell you how to get back on the expressway going the other way.

Unless there is a STOP or YIELD sign or traffic light on the entrance ramp, use the ramp to accelerate to expressway speed and blend with traffic. Signal, then look over your shoulder for approaching traffic already on the expressway. If necessary, slow down to safely merge into traffic.

If the entrance lane is too short to allow acceleratio

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NIGHT DRIVING

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About 90 percent of your driving decisions are based on what you see. At night, you must use extra caution to make up for reduced visibility. You should also be aware that the ability to see well at night generally declines with age.

Night driving is more dangerous because the distance you can see ahead or to the side is reduced. You should drive slower than you would in daylight, especially in unfamiliar areas or on narrow, winding roads. Your headlights cover about 350 feet ahead. It is important that you drive at a speed that allows you to react and stop safely within that distance. This is called "driving within the range" of your headlights.

The law requires you to use your headlights from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, when visibility is less than 1,000 feet (300 m) and whenever you are using your windshield wipers to clear rain, snow, sleet, etc. Turn your headlights on at dawn and dusk and in fog, too. Even when headlights do not help you see in low light periods, t

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DRIVING IN RAIN, FOG, OR SNOW

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Experienced drivers know that even just a thin coating of rain, snow or ice makes roads slippery. And wet leaves can be especially slippery and hazardous. You can improve your driving safety by slowing down under these conditions and by increasing your following distance (see Chapter 8). Be extra careful on curves, turns and expressway ramps.

In heavy rain, your vehicle's tires may begin to actually ride on the water lying on top of the road pavement. This "hydroplaning" can cause complete loss of traction and steering control. Hydroplaning usually occurs at higher speeds, but it also can occur if your vehicle's tires are tread worn or improperly inflated. When there is heavy rain, it is almost always wise to drive more slowly. If your vehicle begins losing traction, slow down even more. Good tires with deep tread help prevent hydroplaning.

Rain, fog, or snow makes it harder to see out through your vehicle's windshield, and difficult for other drivers to see you. New York State law requires you to turn

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WINTER DRIVING

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Winter is the most difficult driving season. Not only do you have snow and ice to deal with, but there are fewer hours of daylight as well.

Before winter weather arrives, make sure your vehicle is in good condition. Make sure your vehicle has good snow tires. Put them on the vehicle early, before the first snowfall. Never combine radial and non-radial tires on the same vehicle. On front-wheel drive cars, it is best to put snow tires or "all-season" tires on all four wheels, not just the front. Tires with metal studs may be used in New York State only from October 16 through April 30.

During ice or snowstorms, especially when a traveler's advisory is issued, do not drive unless it is absolutely necessary. If you must drive, first clear the ice and snow from your vehicle, including the headlights and taillights, the windshield wipers and all of the windows. Be sure the windshield washer reservoir is adequately filled with a freeze-resistant cleaning solution.

Drive slowly. Even if your vehicle has goo

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AVOIDING COLLISIONS WITH DEER

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Two-thirds of all deer/vehicle collisions happen during the months of October, November and December. This is also breeding season, when deer are most actively traveling about. Daily deer activity peaks at dawn and dusk, which often is peak motor-vehicle commuter traveling times. Deer travel in groups - if you see one, expect more. Highway areas where there have been numerous deer/vehicle collisions often are already marked with deer crossing signs. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation recommends these precautions motorists can take to reduce their chances of striking a deer:

Use extreme caution when driving at dawn and dusk; this is when driver visibility is poor and the deer are most active.

The risk of deer/vehicle collisions is greatest when deer movements peak due to the onset of the breeding season during the months of October, November and December.

Slow down when approaching deer that are standing near roadsides. Deer may "bolt" or change direction at the last minute.

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TIRE BLOWOUT

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A thumping sound may be a warning that a blowout is about to occur. If you hear it, get safely off the road and check your tires. If a tire blows out, hold the steering wheel firmly, and ease your foot off the gas pedal. If your vehicle skids, handle it as you would on ice or snow. Do not use your brake until your vehicle is under control. Get off the road as soon as it safe to do so.

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LOSS OF A WHEEL

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Handle this as you would a blow out. A thump or clunk in the wheel may be a warning sound. Pull off the roadway and stop. Then check your vehicle or have it checked.

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STEERING FAILURE

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If your vehicle suddenly stops responding to the steering wheel, ease your foot off the gas pedal, turn on your vehicle's four-way flashers and keep your foot off the brake pedal for as long as it is safe and practical. The vehicle's natural balance should allow it to continue going straight, but a sudden change in speed could spin it out of control. As the vehicle slows down, you may be able to brake very gently to bring it to a stop.

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BRAKE FAILURE

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If your brake pedal suddenly sinks to the floor, try pumping it to build up pressure. If that does not help, use your emergency or parking brake - but use it gently. Shifting to a lower gear will also help your vehicle slow down.

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HEADLIGHT FAILURE

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If your headlights suddenly go out, try your vehicle's four-way flashers, parking lights and directional signals. These may still work and should give you enough light to get safely off the road. If your headlights begin to dim, drive to a nearby service station, or pull off the road and go for help.

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STUCK GAS PEDAL

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Hook your toe under the pedal and see if you can free it. If not, shift into neutral and use the brake to slow your vehicle and get off the road. Do not turn off the ignition if your vehicle has power steering or a steering wheel that has a locking column because, if you do, you will lose power steering or not be able to steer at all.

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RUNNING OFF THE PAVEMENT

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If your wheels drift off the pavement onto the shoulder of the road, do not yank the steering wheel back. Ease your foot off the gas pedal, and brake gently. When your vehicle has slowed down, check for traffic behind you, then steer gently back onto the pavement.

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VEHICLE APPROACHING HEAD-ON IN YOUR LANE

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Slow down, pull over to the right and sound your horn to alert the other driver. Do not swing over to the left lane. If you do, the other driver may suddenly recover and pull back into that lane, too, causing a head-on collision.

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STALLING ON RAILROAD TRACKS

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If a train is approaching, unfasten your seat belt, get out of the vehicle and get as far away as you can from the tracks. Run toward the general direction the train is coming from. If you run "down the track," in the same direction the train is heading, you may be hit with debris when the train strikes your vehicle. Only if you are absolutely sure no trains are coming, open your window to listen for an approaching train and try to start the engine. If that fails, shift your vehicle into neutral and push it off the tracks.

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GOING INTO WATER

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A vehicle will usually float for a while, and you should have time to get out before it starts sinking. Unfasten your seat belt and escape through a window. Opening a door would cause water to rush in, and the car could overturn on top of you.

If the vehicle sinks before you can get out, climb into the rear seat. An air pocket may form there as the weight of the engine pulls the vehicle down nose first. When the vehicle settles, take a breath and escape through a window. As you rise, air pressure will build in your lungs. Let it out in small breaths through your nose or lips as you surface. Do not hold your breath tightly or try to blow air out; just allow the air to escape naturally.

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FIRE

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If you see smoke come from under your vehicle's hood, pull off the road and park your vehicle. Turn off the ignition. Get away from the car and call the fire department. Trying to fight the fire yourself is dangerous.

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BLOCKED VISION

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If your vehicle's hood flies open suddenly, or your vision through the windshield becomes blocked by some other object or wipers that have failed, you should roll down the side window so you can see. Turn on your vehicle's four-way flashers and carefully pull your vehicle off the road and park it.