How serious a distraction are cell phones to drivers? This is the subject of intense debate and ongoing study.

Opponents of cell phones in cars cite the danger of any activity that detracts from the diver’s primary obligation of operating their vehicle safely. They point to a New England Journal of Medicine study that shows drivers using a cell phone are four times more likely than drivers not on the phone to be in an accident during a call, nearly the same risk as driving drunk. They favor laws prohibiting cell phones in motor vehicles.

Supporters of cell phones in cars say holding a conversation on a cell phone while driving is no more distracting than talking to a passenger, eating, listening to the radio, or changing a CD. They point to a study by the American Automobile Association (AAA) that showed cell phones caused only 1.5 percent of all accidents nationwide from 1995 through 1999. They say motorists are responsible and capable of making decisions behind the wheel, and attempts to legally prohibit cell phones in cars infringes on personal rights.

No matter which side of the issue you are on, most experts agree that if you drive with a cell phone, avoid unnecessary calls and always make the driving task your top priority. If you must make an extended call, pull off the road and park in a safe place.

The AAA also recommends you not use your cell phone while driving. However, if you must call when behind the wheel, AAA suggests:

Know that driving requires your full attention
Before you get into the car, become familiar with the phone’s features
Use the phone only if it’s absolutely necessary
Use the phone only when and where it’s safe to do so
Ask a passenger to place the call for you and to do the talking
Keep the call short
Tell the person at the other end that you’re driving
Get off the phone as soon as possible — especially in traffic or bad weather
Don’t combine a phone conversation with other distractions
Secure your phone so it doesn’t become a projectile in a crash

http://safety.com/articles/cell-phones-and-driving.html

Upon impact, the car comes to a sudden stop (one-tenth of a second after a crash)
The collision force slams the unbelted passenger against the car interior, causing injury
Body organs then collide with other organs and skeletal structures, causing further injury

As you read that sequence events, you may have envisioned yourself or another adult. Imagine a child and the picture becomes even grimmer.

Children are the most vulnerable victims in car accidents. Because of their small size, the body of a child can be seriously injured in even a minor crash. That is why it is important that when you place a child in a car for a long or even a short trip, you need to take special precautions.

Never place a child in the front seat. As the NHTSA points out, the passenger-side airbag places young children at risk. During an accident, a bag opens with enough force to cause them injury.
Even in the back seat, children need to be safely restrained — in a child safety seat, booster seat, or with a lap/shoulder belt.

Car Seats: Toting the Toddlers
The NHTSA says that infants and small children less than 20 pounds should be placed in a securely locked car seat. In addition, the seat should face the rear of the car. This helps prevent neck or spine injuries during sudden stops or accidents. Snug harness straps should be placed at or below an infant’s shoulders. And if you’re transporting infants who have special health or monitoring needs, the NHTSA also recommends that an adult ride in the back seat.

Before installing a seat, carefully read the product instruction manual as well as the owner’s manual for your vehicle for seat belt and child seat installation instructions.

Boosting Bigger Kids
Some children may be too big for a car seat but still too small for seat belts, and these children should ride in booster seats. The NHTSA recommends boosters for children between ages four and eight, at least 35 inches tall, and weighing between 40 and 80 lbs. As with car seats, always read instructions before using a booster seat. This will ensure your child’s comfort as well as safety.

Children should continue to ride in booster seats until they are big enough that their feet touch the floor when their backs are leaning against the seat cushion.

Seat Belts
Eventually your children will graduate to seat belts. It’s your responsibility as a parent to set a good example by always using your own belt and by instructing a child how to use theirs. Seat belts help to avoid injuries and can save lives. During a serious accident, an unbelted passenger could be ejected from the automobile.

Conversely, when you and your children wear seat belts, your bodies will stop as the car stops. The belt helps spread the crash over larger parts of your bodies such as your chests, hips and shoulders. If you’re the driver, your head, face and chest are also less likely to strike the steering wheel, windshield, or dashboard if you’re using a safety belt.

– Dan Harvey

http://safety.com/articles/car-seats-and-safety-belts-protecting-the-child-passenger.html

Why is Driving in the Rain So Risky?
As the road gets wet, oil and grime that have settled into the pavement rise to the surface. The road gets extremely slick and slippery, making it more difficult to get traction.

Slow Down
Your best thing you can do to prevent an accident on a slick road is to slow down. When you drive slowly, a greater amount of the tire’s tread makes contact with the road, giving you better traction. Try to drive at a steady pace, and avoid jerky movements when braking, accelerating, or turning.

Keep a Safe Distance from the Car in Front of You
It takes up to three times longer to stop on a wet road than a dry one, even if your tires are designed for wet weather and are of good quality. Remember:

Don’t trail closely behind other vehicles; three car-lengths is a safe distance to be behind a vehicle that’s in front of you
Be alert for brake lights ahead of you
Always turn on your headlights so that other cars can see you
Drive without the cruise control; it will help you to be more aware
What to Do if You Lose Control of Your Car
If your car starts to skid, try this:

Don’t slam on the brakes
Apply the brakes in a firm but steady manner
Steer in the direction of the skid
If your car has anti-lock brakes, apply more pressure to the brakes but do not pump them
If there is water on the road, you may be in danger of losing control of your car due to hydroplaning. Hydroplaning occurs when your tires glide across the surface of the water on the road. If you start to hydroplane:

Take your foot off the gas, but don’t slam on the brakes
If you have a manual transmission, push down on the clutch and let the car slow down on its own
If you have automatic transmission, hold the steering wheel steady and lightly apply the brakes
Don’t Drive if You’re Tired or Distracted
Driving in wet weather requires extreme alertness, particularly at night. If you’re tired, find a safe place to pull over and take a rest. Avoid distractions such as eating, drinking, talking on the phone, fiddling with the radio, or handing items to children in the back seat — anything where you need to take one or both hands off the wheel.

Get Your Tires Checked
Driving with bad (or bald) tires can only make things worse. Try this:

Check your tires regularly for tread wear; the treads should be at least 1/16 in depth to perform safely in the rain
Have the air pressure checked at least once a month
Have the mechanic rotate the tires as part of your routine maintenance to ensure even wear
If you live in an area with a lot of wet weather, consider investing in a tire that’s specially designed for slicker road conditions.

– Beth Adamo

http://safety.com/articles/how-to-drive-safely-on-wet-roads.html

Let me prove it to you with a simple test.

• In most action movies, when there is a car chase, is the hero the one chasing or the one running away?

There, there! I know that you can give dozens of instances where it is the hero chasing.  But you must admit that thinking of a few requires some effort.

• Think of your favorite car chase.  Was the hero chasing or running away.
• Lastly, if your favorite action hero did not run even for once, will he be alive till the end of the movie?

I guess I proved my point, but that is not where I am driving at. 

Part of owning a car, involves knowing how to use it to the fullest.  I am not implying that you go to Talladega and race away, nor learn how to drive on both left wheels an do a ”Herbie”.

What, I think every driver should know is to use his car as a weapon; to use it save his life when it is threatened.  Armoring is not even an option for the average American, and honestly, when all else fails, nothing beats running away.

The following driving techniques are a must know for every American, to survive the perilous roads of ours today.  I could as easily label this article as “How to Carnap a Vehicle” “How to run away from the Cops” or “Carnapping 101″.  Still, the truth is that these techniques may mean the difference between life and death in the future.

“The Fast and the Furious”

 hat better motivation is there to learn to drive good, than the ability to drive your vehicle fast.  But for this skill, the easy part ends when you put your feet in the accelerator.  It is truly a skill to sustain fast paced driving.  Knowing how to negotiate a turn when you’re doing 80mph will give you significant edge from an assailant that can do it in 55 mph.  Know proper race lines and appropriate breaking techniques.

Kiss my Behind

 When on a high-speed chase, one can immediately stop the one giving chase, by breaking suddenly in front of it.  The key is to induce damage to the front end of his car, where his engine is.  Your rear end will also sustain damage but not that much, and not enough to cause you to need to stop.  This is a tricky maneuver though for it may cause your vehicle to spin.  This is famous for many as “Trap Breaking”.

Inducing the Spin

Imagine if the assailant was able to catch up to you and pull right beside you.  What will be best?  Battling him in a side collision contest will literally do you no good.  The best thing to do is to reduce speed a little so the vehicle gets in front of you a little.  Then simply clip the rear portion of the other car.  Hit it at about the rear quarter panel.  If you do this correctly, they will spin, giving you a time to flee.

Reverse 180

When your path is blocked, it is best to turn the other way and flee.  To do this, get your car to around 25 t0 30 mph in reverse.  Then, quickly turn your steering wheel to the left or right depending on where there is enough space.  Once you feel the nose of your car rotating, anticipate shifting to first gear in preparation of going forward after the spin.  (D for automatics) Once the car is pointed forward, step on it.  This is a difficult one to master.

Ramming

This maneuver is risky because there is a chance of damaging the front end of your car causing you to loose any hope of a safe getaway.   This is a good option though, especially when there is no room for backing up.  The key to this technique is to hit the other vehicle’s suspension.  It is best to target the wheel.  Using the corner of your car’s bumper, hit the rear portion of the other car.  This will free you from much damage and move the car with enough room for you to escape.

There might be more than the ones I mentioned, but these five techniques will truly make a difference in driving defensively.  For when all is said and done, there is one best way to carnap a car and bypass any advance security technique.  That is to wait for you, the unsuspecting owner, to come with the key.

Choose good equipment

• Bland colors (gray, silver, tan) are urban camouflage. Dark colors, including red, are difficult to see in dim light (thus the newer non-red fire engines).
• Have a low center of gravity.
• Have an all wheel drive system with a center differential to balance forces between front and rear.
• Avoid tinted windows.

Before you drive

• Check tire pressure, tread, and condition. Low tire pressure can cause tires to fail at high speeds.
• Check, and clean if necessary, all windows and lenses.
• Check oil, fuel, and water levels before taking long trips.
• Check that mirrors, seat, and steering column are suitably positioned.
• It is required by law in some jurisdictions that the driver ensures all seatbelts are locked and children are secure before starting the engine.
• Lock all doors.
• Check gauges after starting the engine.
• Secure all loose objects inside the vehicle or move them into the trunk. Make a visual circle check of vehicle before moving. Try to park where reversing is not required.
• Indicate with turn signal and check for traffic before moving away from the road shoulder.
• Keep all car documents updated and reachable.
• Be prepared for variable traffic and weather conditions.
• Be courteous to other drivers.
• Avoid road rage. Don’t drive while angry or upset.
• Know if the car has antilock brakes or not, and how you should respond to braking differently depending on your braking system.

See and be seen

• Scan the road well ahead and anticipate upcoming events. Look for tell-tale vehicle signals; brake-lights, indicators and be prepared to react, but don’t always expect them to be used. Watch for ‘urgent’ vehicle movement up ahead that can signal trouble.
• Keep an eye on faster rear-closing traffic, and don’t pull out in front of it.
• Use headlights at all times, even during the day, if the vehicle is not equipped with DRL‘s.
• Keep windows clean, especially when driving at night.
• Adjust rear-view mirrors correctly.
• Keep your distance when driving behind large vehicles, to keep your line of sight clear.
• Don’t drive in large packs on the highway; try to either lead the pack or be behind the group. The bunching of groups of cars is due to undisciplined driving style and traffic light systems.
• Keep windows clear and transparent. Avoid tinting, stick-on toys, light shades, dangling fuzzy cubes, and the like.
• Drive with hands positioned at 9 and 3 o’ clock, or at the 10 and 2 o’ clock position. This has been shown to be the most comfortable position for long time driving as well as the easiest to maneuver in reaction time.
• Do not talk on a cell phone while driving.
• Do not drive in the blind spot of other vehicles.
• Always use your turn signals well in advance whenever making a turn or lane change.
• Activate your hazard-warning lights on approach to a crash scene or unexpected on-road obstruction in order to improve the alert/warning given to other drivers further behind. Keep the hazard warning lights continually on – if you are stopped, or if you will need to stop. (See the “Crash Scene” text below).
• If equipped, use your vehicle’s rear fog lamp when driving in hazardous weather conditions causing seriously reduced visibility, such as heavy fog, torrential rain, blizzards and when driving in dust storms. Switch off the rear fog light the moment visibility improves.
• Actively scan for and anticipate the movements of pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles, animals, and be aware of all signs that warn you of dangers ahead, objects on the road, and potholes.
• Drive so that you can safely stop in the visible amount of road ahead, using at least the 2-second rule and preferably more.
• Beware of blind intersections. If your view of traffic on cross streets is obstructed by buildings or trees, take your foot off the accelerator and place it over the brake – to reduce your reaction time.
• Don’t drive too slow or too fast, doing so will increase the likelihood of collision.
• At traffic signals when starting off; ensure you have checked side roads beforehand, folk do run the red!
• Never do a U-turn on a motorway class road, the potential for disaster is very high, and is an offence on most jurisdictions.

Assume the worst in others

• Expect that a vehicle indicating that it is about to turn will not.
• Similarly, expect a vehicle that is apparently not turning to turn.
• Assume that stop signals will be ignored by others and be prepared for it. Beware of a stale green light.
• Expect that a red traffic light will be “run” (so don’t take off too quickly on your green light).
• Assume that any and all other drivers have not seen your vehicle.
• Assume that any and all other drivers are not capable of preventing an accident.
• Watch for drivers talking on cell phones while driving and be aware that their driving skills are severely diminished, even greater than a drunk driver. They often drive through stop signs and traffic signals and change lanes without warning.
• At intersections never assume that you have the right of way.

Maintain an exit route

• Keep the space on either side of your car free. Leave yourself an out.
• Drive in the outer lane on freeways. In case of a problem, you won’t have to cross a lane of traffic to get to the breakdown lane.
• Keep wheels straight when waiting to turn across oncoming traffic. If your car is rear-ended, it won’t be pushed into the opposite lane.

Avoid danger

• Do not drive next to large vehicles longer than necessary. The driver may not see you, and a turning truck can suddenly cut off all exit routes.
• Maintain a three second following distance behind other vehicles. Increase that to five seconds in fog, rain, or other adverse conditions. It takes most people at least half a second to react to an emergency condition. Following a car closer than one second effectively guarantees an accident if the leading car brakes unexpectedly.
• Conversely, change lanes or pull over if tailgated. If that is not possible, slow down, and / or maintain extra distance to the car in front, to allow for both yourself and the tailgater to stop safely.
• Avoid visibly damaged or defective cars. A history of accidents indicates that the owner has poor driving skills.
• Avoid cars that weave, do not stay in lane,brake too late at intersections, stops abruptly or responds slowly to traffic signals, as their drivers may be intoxicated or distracted.
• Never drive over any object on the road that can be safely avoided — a plastic bag can conceal more dangerous items, ropes can wrap around axles, and even mundane objects like sticks can puncture a tire or the fuel tank.
• On roads of 3 or more lanes, take care not to change lanes as another vehicle in the next one over moves into that lane. Vehicles in the left lane and the right lane can collide if they try to change to the centre lane simultaneously. In most jurisdictions, you are required on motorway category roads to be in the outside lane IF it is clear of traffic – regardless of speed, only merging then to the middle lane or lanes, and/or the inner (central median area) lane to overtake. You must then return to the outside lane once you have passed traffic, if it is clear and safe to do so. Even when not required by law, it is dangerous driving on the inside lane continuously. If a faster vehicle comes up from behind you, they are more likely to be on the inside lane. Remember 95% of fatal collisions on a undivided four lane highway occur in the inside lane and that you can avoid this danger by simply driving in the outside lane.
• Always Stop, Look and Listen at railroad crossings with no lighted signal. At crossings that have signals slow down and make sure your visual distance of the track is adequate, in case the signal is not working properly.
• Be wary of learning drivers as they are far less experienced than most other drivers on the road. They may stop or turn abruptly without necessarily paying due attention to where you are.

Crash and vehicle break-down scenes

Approach a broken-down vehicle or crash scene with caution, but do not be distracted by it. Watch for pedestrians and wandering animals at the scene.

If your vehicle develops mechanical or tire trouble and begins to slow, drive it to the side of the road as far as possible from traffic. If your vehicle breaks-down on the road in an exposed position, or for crashed vehicles blocking the road:

• Activate the vehicles hazard-warning lights.
• Immediately, switch off the ignition of immobilized crashed vehicles to reduce risk of fire.
• Have passengers leave the vehicle if and when it is safe to do so, and keep them well clear of traffic. Appreciate that a stationary vehicle can be pushed many metres by impacting traffic.
• Wear a bright, reflective safety vest or shirt when attending to urgent traffic control duty. (UN Transport Division social policy item for all road users. A low cost, cheap life insurance item).
• Carefully place a hazard-warning triangle to the side of the road, or side of an affected traffic lane to improve the alert-time given to approaching drivers of danger, IF it is safe to do so, AND as required by legislation in some jurisdictions. Within ‘built-up areas’ and on low-speed roads, place the triangle up to 50 metres away. Outside built-up areas on rural roads, place the triangle at 100 metres, for motorway class roads, 150 metres from the scene. Hold the triangle facing near-side approaching traffic when walking to place it, AND when returning it to store, to aid in your pedestrian safety! In some countries, heavy vehicles are required to carry a set of three warning triangles and these are placed within the 50-150 metre range as appropriate and legislated. (Buy only a good quality triangle such as one complying with UN/ECE Regulation 27 in Transport).
• Where legal to use; during an on-road emergency use a CB radio recognised ‘road channel’ to alert approaching traffic of danger. Some countries have dedicated CB radio emergency channels that might be useful for raising help should other methods fail.
• Avoid working on the traffic side of your vehicle.
• Avoid any naked flames or electrical items where the potential risk of a spark exists. Example: that caused by the momentary separation of battery from its device near flammable petroleum products!
• Watch carefully all approaching traffic for potential loss of vehicular control and be prepared to get out of the way, fast!

Training and Courses

Because of the increased need for an awareness and practice of defensive driving, several government agencies and non profit organizations have launched specialty courses that improve the public’s driving skills. In the United States a few of the familiar courses in defensive driving include Alive at 25, DDC or Defensive Driving Course, Coaching the Mature Driver, Attitudinal Dynamics of Driving, Professional Truck Driving, and DDC for Instructors. In relation to this, the government has launched active Air Bag and seat Belt safety campaigns that encourage High Visibility Enforcement.

Instructors have specialized courses that tackle various aspect of defensive driving like

• Emergency Care
• Specialty Vehicle courses that tackle specialized vehicles like ambulances, fire trucks, police cars, vans and lift trucks.
• Roadway work courses on Flagging and the design and supervision of Temporary Traffic Control.
• OSHA Compliance
• Principles of Safety
• Fleet Safety
• On-site Emergency Response Planning
• Safety Communication and Training Techniques.
• Smith System Advanced Defensive Driving Course

by Ann Arnott

Defensive Driving

It’s easier than you think

If a child darts out from the sidewalk in front of your car, on another car swerves too sharply in front of you, what do you do? If you’re like most people, you slam on the brakes. Unfortunately, that’s the worst reaction, because if the rear wheels lock, you’ll go into a spin. If the front wheels lock, you’ll lose all steering.

Whether you’re unsure about how to handle an emergency driving situation or common driving conditions, you can become a safer, more confident driver simply by adopting defensive-driving techniques. Mastering the wheel is not difficult if you follow the advice of our driving experts.

Avoiding Obstacles is Easy

In the scenario above, with the child and the swerving car, the word from our experts is: Don’t slam on the brakes; rather, steer around the obstacle if at all possible. According to Frank Kenel, staff director of traffic safety for the American Automobile Association (AAA), you should steer in the direction from which the hazard (the child or veering auto) came.

“Most people don’t realize that making a lane change {or steering around an object} takes only half a turn on the wheel,” says Bob Bondurant, professional race-car driver for 14 years, consultant to the Ford Motor Company and owner of a high-performance driving school. Many drivers aren’t aware that “today’s cars have improved over those they learned to drive in, even if that was just a few years ago.” For instance, side mirrors are now designed so they can be adjusted to reduce the “blind spot,” a visually obscured area that can limit a driver’s range of vision during a lane change.

If you can’t steer around the obstacle and must brake, don’t jump on the pedal. Apply gradual pressure. If any wheel starts to lock, ease back on the pedal by relaxing your leg muscles. Then press softly again. (As anti-lock brake systems {ABSs} become more and more prevalent, this braking technique will become obsolete. The ABSs make it possible to stop more quickly, with complete control.)

Bad Weather Doesn’t Mean Unsafe Driving

Decreased visibility and traction (stopping power) are the main problems in bad weather. The first thing to do in rain, snow, fog or ice is to slow down. Then remember the following: * Drive with your lights on so others can see you–even if you think you can see them. * Don’t drive if you can’t see clearly through front and rear windows and mirrors. * Make sure headlights are clean. Dirty headlights can cause loss of as much as 90 percent of illumination, according to the AAA. * Check the condition of the tires. In rain, a driver of a car with worn tires can easily lose control if the vehicle hydroplanes (when tires rest on a cushion of water instead of on the road).

You Can Control Skidding

When your car is skidding, you must once again resist the temptation to step on the brakes. Doing so is likely to lock the wheels and make you lose all steering control. Instead try to: * Ease off the gas pedal. * Focus your eyes on where you want the car to go, instead of heeding the confusing advice about “steering into the skid.” * Point the car’s nose in the direction in which you are looking, and start steering while keeping your hands in the three- and nine-o’clock position. Your arms will automatically follow your eyes and bring you out of the skid. * Once you’ve regained control, brake gently to stop.

Don’t Overlook the Basics

According to Kathy Rude, part of a husband–wife driving team who conduct performance driving clinics for Audi of America, the way you sit in a car seat affects your reflex ability: * Your back should be upright and pressed securely against the seat for support. * Your buttocks should be firmly planted into the seat base. * Your arms should be relaxed and slightly bent while your hands grip the steering wheel. * Your legs should be bent enough so you can fully depress the foot pedals with the balls of your feet. * Your left foot should have a secure footrest whenever it’s not needed for driving operations. * Both of your hands should be on the steering wheel, at the three- and nine-o’clock positions. “Don’t just drape one hand over the wheel and rest the other on an armrest or window,” cautions Lyn St. James, one of the foremost female racing drivers and a consultant to the Ford Motor Company. “If a sudden response is required, one arm tenses up before you can get the second one in place, and you tend to overreact.” * Always keep your seat belt snugly fastened against your hips and chest, not just for protection in the event of an accident, but also to help hold you in a proper position for comfortable driving and better control of the car.

Use Your Eyes

Just seeing objects is not enough, according to our experts. You must consciously look around you at all times. Be sure to: * Be aware of the vehicle in front of you, as well as those six or seven positions up the line for clues that might spell the need for evasive action. * Watch for drivers who are looking around, talking, fiddling with car controls or reading the paper–signs that they might make a sudden movement. * At intersections, always keep your eyes moving from the open to the blind side of your vision. * Never take a familiar route for granted. Many accidents happen at familiar intersections where drivers tend to react automatically.

Using these easy-to-follow tips will make your driving life safer and more pleasurable.

Ann Arnott is an automotives writer living in New York City.