Safe Driving: Surveillance, Hazards, and Road Conditions

Flashcards covering safe driving techniques, environmental hazards, vehicle control during skids, and traffic law enforcement procedures.

Scanning distance

The practice of keeping your eyes moving and scanning the road at least $10 \, \text{seconds}$ ahead of your vehicle to identify hazards.

Tailgating

Following another vehicle too closely, which blocks the view of the road ahead and reduces reaction time if the front driver brakes suddenly.

Three-second rule

A technique used to ensure a safe following distance and avoid collisions.

Blind spots

Areas around a vehicle that a driver cannot see when looking straight ahead or using mirrors, typically located at the sides and slightly behind the driver.

High-beam headlights

Headlights used on open country roads or dark city streets; they must be dimmed for oncoming vehicles to prevent blinding other drivers.

Skid

A situation where one or more tires lose traction with the road surface and the vehicle begins to slip.

Locked wheel skid

A type of skid usually caused by braking too hard while traveling at high speeds, resulting in a loss of steering control.

Wet road speed adjustment

A recommended safety measure to reduce driving speed by $5$ to $10 \, \text{mph}$ when roads are wet.

Packed snow speed adjustment

A driving safety rule to reduce speed by half compared to normal dry conditions.

Ice speed adjustment

A critical safety requirement to reduce driving speed to no more than $5 \, \text{mph}$.

Hydroplaning

A condition in wet or rainy weather where tires lose all contact with the road and the vehicle rides on a layer of water.

Low visibility speed limit

When heavy rain or snow prevents seeing farther than $100 \, \text{feet}$, it is unsafe to drive faster than $30 \, \text{mph}$.

High Winds hazard

Weather conditions that create unpredictable gusts, requiring reduced speed and a firm hand position on the steering wheel, particularly for larger vehicles.

Traffic break

A manuever where law enforcement weaves across lanes with emergency lights on to slow or stop traffic for hazards or unusual conditions.

Four-wheel antilock braking system (ABS)

A safety feature where the driver should apply firm pressure on the brake pedal during a locked wheel skid to regain control.