Police Driving Techniques and skid Control Practices

Flashcards covering police driving techniques, emergency maneuvers, physics of motion, and skid control management.

According to the lecture, what can result from poor and discourteous driving habits on the part of the police?

Death, injury, accidents, property damage, financial liability, lawsuits, loss of time on the job, and public ill will.

In emergency situations, what is the tendency for drivers regarding their brakes?

They tend to slam on the brakes and freeze.

On a downgrade hill, how should the front wheels be turned when parallel parking?

Sharply toward the curb.

How should front wheels be turned when parallel parking on an upgrade hill with a curb?

Sharply away from the curb.

What is the correct wheel position when parallel parking on an upgrade hill without a curb?

Sharply toward the road edge.

If an emergency requires leaving the road, what is the recommended direction to dodge?

Dodge right rather than to the left.

When a collision with a stationary object is unavoidable, how should the vehicle strike it to dissipate energy?

With a sideswipe.

What two components constitute the 'total stopping distance'?

Perception/reaction distances and braking distance.

How does an increase in speed affect braking distance?

As speed increases, braking distance increases.

In controlled or threshold braking, where should the driver keep their heel?

On the floor.

Which part of the foot should be used on the brake pedal during threshold braking?

The toe.

Where should the brakes be applied during controlled/threshold braking?

To the friction point, just short of lock up.

What action should a driver take when the pulsating sensation of the antilock brake system (ABS) begins?

Maintain pressure through the pulsating until the vehicle is stopped.

What common braking action has a negative impact on an antilock brake system?

"Pumping the brakes."

How is Inertia defined in the rules of motion?

An object at rest will remain at rest, and an object in motion will remain in motion, until acted upon by an outside force.

What is Centrifugal Force?

A force tending to make a rotating body move away from the center of rotation.

What is Centripetal Force?

A force tending to make a rotating body move toward the center of the rotation.

What determines the amount of friction between two bodies?

The nature of the surface of the two bodies and the magnitude of the force pressing them together.

In which direction does a vehicle lean during a left turn?

The vehicle leans RIGHT.

In which direction does weight shift during braking?

The vehicle shifts FORWARD.

What percentage of braking is accomplished by the front wheels?

$60\%$ to $70\%$

In a vehicle without an antilock brake system, which wheels are the first to lock up during heavy braking?

The REAR wheels.

In which direction does weight shift during acceleration?

The vehicle shifts to the REAR.

How is a skid defined in this unit?

Losing traction or “grip” with the roadway, by one or more of the vehicles tires.

What is the 'critical link' in the control of a vehicle?

The tires.

What is the estimated size of the tire 'contact patch' with the roadway if properly inflated?

No larger than the palm of your hand.

What defines the 'Static' stage of skid control?

The wheel/tire or vehicle is at rest; it has its best grip on the road and is $100\%$ efficient.

What is the traction efficiency during the 'Rolling friction' stage?

$60\%$ or less efficient.

What occurs during the 'Sliding friction' stage?

The wheel/tire or vehicle is no longer rolling; wheels are locked and sliding or skidding.

When does hydroplaning occur?

When a vehicle’s tires are riding on a layer of water deeper than the tread on the tire.

What steering technique is used to regain control of a vehicle after a skid?

Quick hand over hand steering inputs.

What are the four named types of skids mentioned in the text?

Front wheel brake skid, rear wheel brake skid, power skid (fish tailing), and four-wheel brake skid.

What is counter steering?

Steering in the direction you want the vehicle to go.

If a vehicle skids $25$ degrees or more laterally, what is the recommended procedure?

Allow the vehicle to continue through the skid; eventually, you will be able to regain control by steering out of it.

Which force exceeds the other when a skid progresses to a $25$ degree angle or more?

Centrifugal Force exceeds Centripetal Force.

In rear-wheel drive terminology, what is 'Over Steer'?

When the REAR of the vehicle has skidded out of control; this is the most difficult to control.

What are the first two steps of corrective action for Over Steer?

1. Shift to neutral. 2. Get off the brake or accelerator.

In rear-wheel drive terminology, what is 'Under Steer'?

When the FRONT of the vehicle has skidded out of control (plowing effect).

What is the corrective action for a Power Skid in a front-wheel drive vehicle?

Ease up on the accelerator until the front wheels stop spinning and steering is regained.

What should be avoided when correcting a front-wheel drive cornering skid to prevent the rear from sliding sideways?

Backing off of the accelerator too quickly.

What is 'Neutral Steer'?

When both the FRONT and REAR of the vehicle are skidding out of control.

What is the natural enemy of rubber in tires?

Heat.

What is the difference between tread separation and a blowout?

In tread separation, the outer layer peels away; in a blowout, the sidewall ruptures.

What happens to braking capability during a front tire blowout?

What is left of front braking capability is concentrated on the side with the good tire.

Why must a driver NOT step on the brakes during a tire blowout?

It will cause the vehicle to swerve wildly into an uncontrollable skid or a rollover.

What is the proper method to bring a vehicle to a stop after a blowout?

Gradually take your foot off the accelerator and let the vehicle roll to a stop while steering straight.

What does 'scanning' and 'covering the brake' refer to in the context of intersections?

Adjusting speed and looking/listening for potential hazards while being ready to apply the brakes.

In an unregulated intersection, which driver must yield the right-of-way?

The driver of the vehicle on the left must yield to the vehicle on the right.

When backing a vehicle, what is the recommended physical position for the driver?

Keep right arm up over the seat, lift self up, and look directly over the right shoulder out the back window.

What is the most common driver error during the six Cumulative Skills Driving Course exercises?

The speed is too high for the course.