Driver Responsibility Buckle Up- NJ’s Seat Belt Law

Car SeatsChild Restraint Law

Air BagsCar Condition

Starting a Parked CarSteering

Stopping DistancesProper BrakingDriving Signals

Driving in ReverseTurningParking

Buckle Up- NJ’s Seat Belt LawThe driver and all passengers MUST

wear a seatbelt. ◦Primary offense: driver, front seat

passenger & children under age 18◦Driver is responsible for all passengers

under 18Exemptions

◦Vehicle manufactured before July 1, 1966◦Federal law vehicle◦Medical reason

Verified by licensed physician

Seat BeltsSave lives and improve a

motorist’s chance of surviving a crash by 60%

Chances of surviving a collision are three – four times better.

Tips for seat belt use Seat belt test

Car SeatsAll child restraint systems built since

Jan. 1, 1981 must be designed to pass tough safety tests.

Infant car seat: ◦protect a baby up to 20 pounds & 26 inches◦Facing rear

Convertible car seat: ◦Larger seat;◦Infant/ toddler up to 40 pounds & 40

inches; placed in vehicle facing backwards for a baby

Special Note…It is preferred that whenever

possible, child car safety seats be placed in the backseat. However, if there is no backseat in the vehicle, move the front seat as far back as possible.

NEVER place rear- facing infant safety seats in the front row of a vehicle with a front passenger- side air bag.

Child Restraint LawChildren up to age 8/ 80 pounds

MUST ride in federally approved safety/ booster seat in rear seat of vehicle.

Children under age 8/over 80 pounds MUST be in rear seat & use a seat belt◦$54.00 fine

Car Condition

Responsibility of all vehicle owners◦ Backup lights◦ Brake Lights◦ Headlights◦ Horn◦ Steering

Should always hold a straight course Should not vibrate (shimmy)

◦ Brakes Conventional disc & drum brakes

Pump gently after driving through water to test & dry out Antilock braking system (ABS) Tested by applying steady pressure to brake pedal.

NEVER pump or jerk steering wheel when braking

Starting a Parked CarLook behind, and in frontChecklist:

◦Windows: clean & clear◦Adjust seat: arms length◦Inside/outside rearview mirrors◦Seat belts- fastened ◦Vehicle should be parked;

emergency brake set◦Doors locked

Starting a Parked CarGood postureEye checkup- every 2 yearsAfter starting the engine

◦Turning & looking back; do not only depend on rearview mirrors

◦Blind spots

Car ConditionTires

◦Tire pressure should be checked often◦Never should be driven= less than 1/16 in.

of thread (dime)Turn signalsWindshield

◦NJ laws prohibit add- on tinting on windshields and front side windows

Snow & Ice ◦Must remove snow/ ice before driving ◦$25-$75 fine

Idling Your VehicleEngine is running, car isn’t moving.Restrict vehicle idling to 3 minutes/

less.◦Unnecessary ◦Harmful to vehicle & yourself◦fines: $250-$1,000

Idling stinks, and it’s against the law- turn the key and be idle free!

Steering Hand position9 & 3 o’clock position.Less chance of hand, wrist or arm injury

if air bag is deployed.Never turn the wheel while gripping it

from the inside of the rim.Steering wheel should be held firmly-

not too tight.Keep vehicle in center of the lane

◦Two lane road- keep to the rightABS- NEVER jerk the wheel while

braking!

Hand Position

Hand- Over- Hand- Steering

Stopping DistancesDepends on:

◦Reaction time◦Weather & visibility conditions◦Vehicle weight◦Brake conditions◦Condition and type of tires◦Roadway conditions ◦Speed

The faster a vehicle is going the longer it will take to stop

Stopping Distances on Dry Surfaces for Passenger Vehicles:

Proper BrakingType of brake system

◦Conventional drum & disc system◦ABS

Do not pump brakes violently/ jerk the wheel Out of control

Steady, gentle pressure should be applied to bring a vehicle to a controlled stop

Should use right foot for both the brake & gas pedal

Manual transmission- left foot for clutch

Driving SignalsAlways give proper signal:

◦Turning◦Changing lanes◦Stopping/ slowing down

100 feetHand signals:

◦Stopping/ slowing down: hand & arm downward, palm facing rear

◦Right turn: hand and arm upward◦Left turn: hand and arm straight out

Another signal= the horn (200 feet)

Hand Signals:

Driving in ReverseMake sure path is clear:

◦ Mirrors & turning to check.Turning the wheel to the right will direct

the vehicle to the right.Steering the wheel to the left will direct the

vehicle to the left.Reverse in a straight line

◦ Head & body should be turned to the right.◦ Right hand and arm should be placed over the

back of the front passenger seat◦ Left hand grasp the top of the steering wheel◦ 2-4 mph◦ Do not turn forward until vehicle is stopped

Driving in Reverse (cont.)Other than reversing in a straight

line, two hands must be on the wheel.

Front of vehicle will swing in opposite direction of a turn.

Turning

Motorist should decide well in advance where he/ she wants to turn (100 ft).

The faster the traffic is moving, the sooner the motorist should plan his/her turn.

If a turn is missed- NEVER back up.

Before turning, a motorist should always:Use mirrors to look behind & to both sides for other

vehicles or people.Check for less visible vehicles:

◦ Motorcycles◦ Bicycles◦ Mopeds

Signal first:◦ Turn signals◦ Hand signals

Slow down before reaching an intersection.Keep a steady speed & follow pavement markings.Always stay in the same lane until the turn is

finished.Make sure signal is turned off after the turn is

completed.

The 3-point Turn (K turn) When turning a vehicle around,

motorist should start from the right edge of the road.

Choose a safe spot; good visibility Signal left; move forward slowly turning

the steering wheel to the left Signal right & back slowly while turning

the steering wheel to the right Next, move vehicle forward, signaling

left, turning the steering wheel to the left.

Finally- straighten the vehicles wheels

The 3-point Turn

ParkingAlways set the hand brakeWhen parking a vehicle facing

downhill:◦Hand brake should be set◦Vehicles wheels should be turned

toward the curbWhen parking a vehicle facing

uphill:◦Hand brake should be set◦Vehicles wheels should be turned

away from the curb

Angle ParkingParking lotsCurbsEntering an angle

parking space:1. Watch for traffic2. Signal & begin to slow

down3. Make sure rear of vehicle

will clear parked cars4. Steer sharply into

parking space & straighten wheels; centering the vehicle

5. Shift to park; apply parking brake

Angle Parking A motorist should follow these rules when

backing out of an angle parking space:1. Walk around; make sure nothing is in

vehicle’s way2. Slowly move vehicle in reverse3. Tap horn to warn pedestrians4. Look back & to each side for other

motorists5. Front of vehicle swings opposite to the

direction of the turn6. Back up slowly- left front wheel passes

rear bumper of vehicle parked on left7. Straighten the wheels

Parallel ParkingMost common on city streetsA motorist should:

◦ Find a parking spot large enough to fit vehicle◦ Signal for a stop and to the right◦ Pull up alongside vehicle in front

2-4 feet

◦ Turn & check to see that the way is clear◦ Turn his/ her body- look out rear window; turn steering

wheel all the way to the right◦ When front of vehicle has cleared the rear bumper of

vehicle in front- stop & check the angle◦ Make sure back right wheel has not hit the curb◦ Turn steering wheel all the way to the left- back up

slowly◦ Turn vehicle’s wheels straight & drive to the center of

the parking space Vehicle’s tires should be no more than 6 inches from the curb

Parallel Parking

Signal Stop & put RIGHT signal on

Reverse: Turn steering wheel all the way to the RIGHT

Stop & Check; Reverse; Turn steering wheel all the way to the LEFT

Straighten out vehicle; 6 inches