Transportation Tuesday

TRANSPORTATION TRANSPORTATION TUESDAYTUESDAY

Even at 25mph, the Even at 25mph, the force of a head-on force of a head-on collision is the same as collision is the same as pedaling a bicycle full-pedaling a bicycle full-speed into a brick wall, speed into a brick wall,

… … or diving off a 3-or diving off a 3-storey building onto storey building onto the footpath.the footpath.AVOIDING AND

SURVIVING COLLISIONS

Transportation Tuesday

Avoiding collisions …(1) Stopping Quickly

With ABS - make sure you’ve read your owner’s manual

• press on the brake pedal as hard as you can and keep pressing on it

• you might feel the break pedal pushing back - do not take your pressure off - ABS only works with the brake pushed down

Without ABS

• ! braking too hard may cause you to skid !

• apply the brakes as hard as you can without locking them

• if the brakes lock, you will feel the vehicle start to skid - quickly let up on the brake

• as soon as the skid stops, press on the brake pedal as hard as you can again

• keep doing this until you stop

Once you’ve stopped, make sure you feel okay, that no-one has been hurt and that it is safe to move away.

Use your mirrors and indicators.

Transportation Tuesday

Avoiding collisions …(2) Turning Quickly

ABS helps you to turn without skidding - read your owner’s manual.

• make sure you have a good grip, with both hands on the steering wheel

• be ready when you’ve made your turn to correct your direction and keep the vehicle under control

• pay attention and check your mirrors - make sure you do not cause another accident by turning into traffic

• generally it is better to run off the road than to collide with another vehicle

• if you turn off the road, keep the vehicle as straight as you can until you slow and stop

In most cases, you can turn the vehicle quicker than you can stop it … you may need to use this if you’re too close to the vehicle in front, and they stop, or if the vehicle in front has a collision

Without ABS …• step on the brake pedal, then

let up and turn the steering wheel

• do not lock up the front wheels while braking

• turn slowly to avoid a skid

Breaking slows the vehicle, puts more weight on the tyres and allows for a quicker turn

Transportation Tuesday

Avoiding collisions …(3) Speeding Up

•another vehicle is about to hit you from behind•another vehicle is about to hit you from the side•you see a collision about to occur in front and there

is clear space for you to go around

The least favoured option … but it may save you when ...

Only use this option if …•you have a clear view of the road ahead•you are in control of your vehicle•there is room ahead for your manoeuvre

Transportation Tuesday

Protect yourself in a collision

Hit from the rear … your body will be thrown backwards

• press yourself against the back of your seat

• put your head against the head restraint

• be ready to apply your brakes so that you don’t fly forward and hit another vehicle

Even when you’ve tried every move, you may not always be able to avoid a collision. But, there are some things you can do to survive.WEAR YOUR SEATBELT - even on short journeys

Hit from the side …• your body will be thrown towards

the side that is hit• only your seatbelt will hold you in

place and keep you behind the wheel

• get ready to steer or brake to prevent your vehicle from hitting someone else

Hit from the front … it is important to try and have a glancing blow instead of a full impact

• try to turn the vehicle - you might even get lucky and miss the collision

• if your vehicle has an airbag it will inflate• try to stay in control and alert in case you need to avoid a

second collision

Transportation Tuesday

After the collision

If there are injuries …• do not move injured people

unless they are in danger from fire, explosion or other vehicles

• call the police - remember to tell them if the vehicles are on fire

• never remove a motorcyclists helmet

• do not give injured people anything to drink - even water

• keep them warm to help avoid shock

Survive the scene …• if possible, move your vehicle off

the road• do not - and do not let anyone

else - stand between the accident and other traffic

• do not smoke - you risk fire and explosion if there are petrol fumes

• turn off the ignition of the wrecked vehicles

• if power lines have been knocked down, stay away from them

If your vehicle has an airbag - this is what will happen if it inflates …• it is a soft fabric that will not cause injury - it may feel like a slap, but

no pain• there is a slight smell from the airbag inflation gas … don’t be panicked

into thinking this means fire or poisonous fumes• it will deflate again almost instantly and you will be able to steer the

vehicle• you will not be trapped by an airbag

Transportation Tuesday