Comprehensive Notes on Safe Driving Practices

Seat Belt Safety and Crash Impact

• A crash simulator demonstrated the impact of a 5 mph crash, shocking students and highlighting the importance of seat belts.
• Even a minor accident at 5 mph can cause a significant jolt.
• The experience of the simulator makes people reconsider unsafe seat belt habits.
• The impact is much more severe at higher speeds like 10, 20, 50, or 70 mph.

Misconceptions About Seat Belts

• Myth: Being trapped in a submerged or burning car is a reason not to wear a seat belt.
  • Reality: Research suggests people in such situations are often unconscious or fatally injured, and seat belts can prevent these outcomes.
• Myth: Wearing a seat belt implies distrust of the driver.
  • Reality: It can be explained as a habit or concern for other drivers.
• Myth: Being thrown clear of a collision is safer than staying in the vehicle.
  • Reality: While seat belts can cause bruising, injuries from being ejected are typically far more severe, such as flying through the windshield.
• Myth: Wearing a seat belt takes too much time.
  • Reality: It only takes about 4 seconds.

Effectiveness of Seat Belts

• Car crashes cause over 30,000 deaths annually.
• Wearing seat belts increases survival chances by approximately 25%.
• Seat belts can reduce the risk of injuries by 50%.
• Rollover collision simulations demonstrate the significant reduction in injury risk when occupants are buckled up.

Developing a Seat Belt Habit

• Buckling up should be the first thing you do upon entering a car.
• Proper Adjustment:
  • The lap belt should be snug across the hips.
  • The shoulder belt should be snug across the chest, with shoulder height adjustments for comfort and fit.

Head Restraints

• Head restraints prevent whiplash in rear-end collisions.
• Position the head restraint so the top is even with the top of the head.

Airbags

• Airbags are supplemental restraint systems designed to inflate upon impact.
• Airbags are designed to work with seat belts, not as a replacement.

Securing Objects in the Vehicle

• Unrestrained objects can become dangerous projectiles in a collision.
• Items on the rear window shelf or back seat should be secured.
• Large items should be placed in the trunk.

Vehicle Controls and Instruments

• Adjusting seat, mirrors, head restraint, and safety belts takes less than a minute.
• Wearing a safety belt is generally required by law.

Main Controls

• Gear Lever: Selects the driving gear.
• Accelerator Pedal: Controls the vehicle's speed (forward or backward).
• Brake Pedal: Controls how quickly the vehicle slows down.
• Parking Brake: Holds a parked vehicle in place.
  • Hand-operated: Located on the center console, pull up to set, release the lever to disengage.
  • Foot-operated: Pedal located to the far left of the brake pedal, press down to set, release either by pressing again or pulling a release knob.

Secondary Controls

• Horn: Communicates presence to other drivers, activated by pressing the middle of the steering wheel.
• Turn Signal Lever: Signals turns or lane changes, push up for right, down for left.
• Hazard Flashers: Make lights blink simultaneously, used to attract attention in emergencies.
• Windshield Wipers: Clears the windshield in wet conditions, with speed controls.
• Windshield Washers: Clears dirt from the windshield.
• Headlights: Increases visibility to other drivers, with high and low beam controls.
• Climate Controls: Controls for heat and cold air.
• Releases: Levers or buttons for the hood, trunk, and fuel door.

Gauges and Indicators

• Speedometer: Shows how fast you're going.
• Odometer: Shows the total distance traveled by the vehicle.
• Fuel Gauge: Shows how much fuel you have, may also indicate the side of the car with the fuel door.
• Temperature Gauge: Indicates the temperature of the water in the cooling system.
• Oil Gauge: Shows the engine oil pressure, a light signals dangerous levels.
• Alternator Indicator: Registers the output of the system that keeps the battery charged, warning light alerts to low power.

Pre-Driving Checks

• Familiarize yourself with all controls and indicators before driving a vehicle.
• Adjust the vehicle to your body and preferences.
• Ensure everyone in the vehicle is properly secured.

External Checks

• Check yourself, make sure you're ready to go driving, and are mentally and physically fit
• Look around the car for objects, animals, and children.
• Check your tires.

Fluid Leaks

• Transmission Fluid: Pinkish or reddish.
• Radiator Fluid: Yellowish-green or blue.
• Engine Oil: Opaque, honey-like consistency when new, black when used.
• Also look for leaks of windshield washer fluid, brake fluid, and steering fluid.