7. Signal well in advance to warn others of an
intended stop or turn.
WET ROADS
When driving through water, reduce speed to
prevent the brake drums, engine, and ignition from
getting wet. Apply foot pressure on the brake pedal just
before entering and during passage through water deep
enough to enter the brakes. Test the brakes for
effectiveness immediately after leaving the water. If
water has entered the brake drums and wet the linings,
drive very slowly while gently applying sufficient
pressure on the brake pedal to cause a slight drag,
thereby squeezing the brake linings against the drums
and forcing the water out of the linings.
Most roads are more slippery just after it begins to
rain. This is because oil, that has dropped from vehicles
traveling the road, forms a film on the road. Under these
conditions, an operator should proceed at a slow speed
because at least twice the normal stopping distance is
needed to stop a vehicle.
When roads are wet, your tires may ride on a thin
film of water, like skis. This condition is called
hydroplaning and you can easily lose control and skid
when your tires are not touching the road. Keep your
tires on the road by slowing down when it rains and by
having the correct air pressure and good tread on your
tires.
NIGHT DRIVING
Some operators try to drive just as fast at night as
they do in the daytime. Speed should always be reduced
for nighttime driving.
NIGHT DRIVING IS TWO TO THREE TIMES
MORE DANGEROUS THAN DAY DRIVING.
Fatigue and sharply reduced vision are the primary
causes for increased danger. The steady hum of the
motor and the darkness on the road ahead tend to lull us
to sleep at the wheel. Wide-awake driving is necessary
at all times and especially at night, since we cannot see
as well at night as we can in daylight. Driving safely
after dark requires particular skills and extra care.
The following are requirements and practices
applicable to night driving which should be carefully
observed:
. Lower the beams of your headlights when within
500 feet of an approaching vehicle.
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Lower the beams of your headlights when within
200 feet of a vehicle in front of you.
Lower the beams of your headlights when you
are driving on well-illuminated streets.
Use your low-beam headlights when driving in
fog, and reduce your speed. Driving with your
high beams in fog is like shining your high-beam
headlights on a mirrorlight is reflected back
into your eyes and blinds you.
Use your high-beam headlights when it is safe
and legal. Using low-beam highlight all the time
cuts down on your ability to see ahead. Use your
high-beams when you are NOT within 500 feet
of an approaching vehicle.
Avoid looking directly into the lights of
oncoming vehicles. Instead, watch the right-hand
edge of the road.
Keep your headlights properly adjusted so the
lower beams are not aimed upward into the
approaching drivers eyes.
Keep your windshield clean.
Slow down when facing the glare from
approaching headlights.
Be sure you can stop, when necessary, within the
vision distance of the headlights of your vehicle,
and watch constantly for pedestrians along the
roadside.
Use your headlights from one-half hour before
sunset to one-half hour after sunrise and at any
time visibility is reduced.
FOG OR SMOKE
Driving in fog or smoke greatly reduces visibility.
Use the techniques described earlier for driving on wet
roads. Again, slow down, turn on your low-beam
headlights, and be ready for a fast stop.
DRIVING UNDER SPECIAL
CONDITIONS
You may have to operate a vehicle in unique
conditions. The way you perform under these conditions
are discussed in the following paragraphs.
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