That is the same principle when you pull a trailer with FWD or RWD and the back of the trailer wants to pass in front,
DO NOT BRAKE or you will make it worse, accelerate and it will come back straight.
It is a bit tricky if the situation wants you to stop, so you may use the brakes as soon as the trailer is in line.
The safe way: Have independent brakes installed on your trailer (see Topic f5 -Towing in case you missed it)
5g – Adverse Conditions
PLEASE NOTE:
IN SOME STATES, INCLUDING NEVADA, USING AN EMERGENCY FLASHING LIGHT IS NOT PERMITTED WHILE DRIVING,
Using hazard lights while you’re driving may incorrectly signal to other motorists that you’re stopped and it also turns off your ability to use your turn signals.
ADVERSE CONDITIONS
This entire course is equivalent to 50 hours of driving experience.
Without it, the DMV would require 100 hours of driving behind-the-wheel training.
Quiz and exam questions are related to text only, not to the videos.
But for this to be effective, you must read your topics in order to remember.
Guessing quizzes for an answer does not print in your brain, it confuses it.
So GUESSING IS NOT AN OPTION, you will have no time to guess when driving.
PLEASE BE RESPONSIBLE YOU WILL BE IN CHARGE OF A DEADLY WEAPON!
Cheating on this rule is only cheating yourself and your passengers.
Driving in Bad Weather
How to drive in bad weather?
A car isn’t just a way to go from point A to point B.
It’s a serious responsibility as a driver
and a potentially dangerous machine for you and others,
especially if you have to drive in bad weather.
THE JOY OF DRIVING IS NOT ALWAYS A JOY. Sorry to look like a whistleblower but this may help you to be aware and get prepared for all dangers awaiting you on the road. They are plenty but don’t be afraid:
Better knowing your enemy will give you the wisdom to deal with all adverse conditions.
Some safety tricks to remember
DUST STORM:
As soon as a dust storm hits, pull over and entirely off the road. Also, make sure all your head- and taillights are off. If you don’t turn off the lights, other drivers may believe that’s where the road leads. They’ll follow you and crash into your car. Do not resume driving until it’s safe to continue your trip. STAY IN YOUR CAR!
RUNAWAY CAR a scary situation:
What causes sudden unintended acceleration?
Sudden unintended acceleration (SUA) occurs when a vehicle suddenly begins to accelerate in speed without a driver’s control. SUA happens when an electronic malfunction occurs inside of the vehicle, causing the throttle to expand and the vehicle to accelerate without the driver’s intervention. In older cars, it could be the accelerator cable getting stuck. do not panic! push the accelerator up or put the car in neutral
BLACK ICE:
Black ice is a thin layer of frozen water containing very few air bubbles. That causes the ice to be transparent, It takes on the same color as the road surface.so it is invisible. The only real visual warning you’ll have is that the roadway will have a wet appearance. When driving at night, your headlights can reflect off the road, warning you that there’s ice ahead..
LOW VISIBILITY
Slow down . Use your low beaam head lights or fog light if you have any. Nevada State does not allow using hazard lights while driving so make sure of the state you are in allows it.. Avoid using your brights since they can reflect light and blind you especially in fog and snow storm. Use low beams instead.
And many more reasons. so you better be prepared for the unexpected: Read below:
DEEPWATER POOL:
slow down and turn around. Driving through a large pool is too risky. You might damage the electronics of your car, get stuck, or even get swept away if the water’s moving. (see videos below)
RAINDROPS ON YOUR WINDSHIELD:
Raindrops on your windshield act as lenses that refract light. As a result, they can temporarily blind you, especially if it’s pouring rain and your whole windshield is covered in water. Try to adjust your headlights so that the light doesn’t shine up
THICK FOG:
Turn off the radio and keep your windows rolled down. This way, you’ll be able to hear what’s happening around you to partially make up for your limited visibility. Use your low beams or fog lights if you have any.
Runaway car (Good to know)
Storm on the road near Las Vegas
The term “joy ride” does not apply when it’s pouring and the wind is gusting. The best strategy for driving in bad weather is to avoid it.
Winter driving in many parts of Nevada means variable road conditions. It may be suddenly icy or snow-packed and this may take you by surprise. This is typical of bridges and tunnels. But if going out is necessary or you get caught in bad conditions once you’re already on the road, follow these safe driving tips:
1) Before departure, check your windshield wiper blades and fluid, battery, antifreeze, headlights, and tire inflation. Keep windows and windshield clear.
2) Make sure your headlights are on. Many states require drivers to keep their headlights on if windshield wipers are on.
3) Slow down. Stopping distances on slippery roads maybe 2 to 10 times greater than on dry pavement. The slower you go, the easier it will be for you to maintain control and stop your vehicle.
4) Slow down long before you come to an intersection or turn. You may have the green light or the right of way but someone on the crossing road may have lost control or speeding and is unable to stop in time.
5) Increase your following distance. Allow yourself plenty of space to react if something happens.
6) Stay alert; scan ahead to spot potential hazards. Many people are scared to drive in bad weather and may react violently, losing control.
7) Avoid changing lanes, avoid passing other cars, avoid the right lane in two-way traffic, even on freeways with a solid separation, as someone on the opposite lane may lose control.
8) Keep two hands on the wheel and two eyes on the road at all times.
9) Give other drivers plenty of space and pay special attention to the tail lights on vehicles in front of you.
Aquaplaning or hydroplaning
This isn’t a cool new water sport, but it happens when the water in front of your tires builds up faster than your tires can displace it.
Depending on your speed, a thin layer of water forms between your tires and the road so that there is no longer any contact between the tire and the tarmac. Your car is surfing!…
You’ll know you’re aquaplaning because your steering will feel very light.
If you think you’re aquaplaning, ease off the accelerator so that you slow down gradually until your tires grip the road again. (about 30 mph)
Don’t brake hard, if you need to use the threshold braking, meaning a very light pressure, and hold it there. Avoid steering as you’ll be in danger of losing control since your front tires are not touching the road
HOW TO REACT?
SLOW DOWN! or you may lose control exactly like driving on ice.
CRUISE CONTROL:
SWITCH OFF YOUR CRUISE CONTROL DURING HEAVY RAIN SITUATIONS:
Cruise controls do not recognize aquaplaning. If you have cruise control in your car, switch it off so you have as much control over your vehicle as possible. Travel slowly enough and you’re very unlikely to aquaplane.
The best way to avoid aquaplaning is to control your speed.
Skidding / Slippery Roads
Beware of the first drops of rain, especially in Nevada.
The oil on the road will become very slippery.
It will take a few hours before the road is well washed out. This is very typical in Nevada when it does not rain every day. When water mixes with oil and dirt on the road it can make the surface slippery, and that can cause you to skid. You can avoid this by driving slowly and carefully and avoiding harsh braking, keeping your foot slightly against the pedal. In short, if your car is skidding: DO NOT BRAKE, you may make it worse and you could end up spinning…Leave the Merry-Go-Round at the attraction park!
It will take a few hours before the road is well washed out. This is very typical in Nevada when it does not rain every day. When water mixes with oil and dirt on the road it can make the surface slippery, and that can cause you to skid. You can avoid this by driving slowly and carefully and avoiding harsh braking, keeping your foot slightly against the pedal. In short, if your car is skidding: DO NOT BRAKE, you may make it worse and you could end up spinning…Leave the Merry-Go-Round at the attraction park!
Driving on Ice
Skidding means your vehicle’s tires have lost traction. Skidding usually happens on ice or packed snow, but it can also occur on wet pavement or graveled roads. Different types of braking and steering systems, as well as vehicles with 4-wheel drive or front-wheel drive, respond in different ways. Consult your vehicle owner’s manual for specific information on skid recovery.
If you do start to skid, don’t panic! Take your foot off the accelerator while steering smoothly in the direction you want the front of the car to go (steering into the skid). Avoid braking above all, even if you have an anti-lock braking system (ABS) fitted to your car. ABS cannot help you once you are skidding. If your car has front-wheel drive, you may accelerate smoothly but you have to be very careful, so as a new driver you should leave this to experts.
DRIVING ON ICY ROADS / BLACK ICE:
You cannot see black ice because it is transparent.
WHEN DRIVING IN WINTER, BEWARE OF BRIDGES AND TUNNELS WHERE COLD WIND MAY CREATE BLACK ICE.
Ice is one of the most hazardous of all driving conditions. Black ice is particularly treacherous because it is often unexpected, it is transparent and harder to spot compared to snow, frozen slush, or thicker white ice. It is particularly present on bridges in winter because of cold wind passing under it, creating a sudden cold zone.
As a result, many drivers often don’t realize they are actually driving on ice and don’t reduce their speed. This is particularly dangerous on freeways where cars drive faster, resulting in pileups.
As a result, many drivers often don’t realize they are actually driving on ice and don’t reduce their speed. This is particularly dangerous on freeways where cars drive faster, resulting in pileups.
Remember, you may need to make several wheels (smooth) corrections before the car gains traction.
if you are going downhill, try to get closer to the roadside where your tires may get some traction.
Rear-wheel-drive cars require the front wheels to steer while the rear wheels push the vehicle.
This benefits from braking and acceleration, but they are more prone to skids than front-wheel-drive cars.
WHAT TO DO AND NOT TO DO WHEN SKIDDING ON BLACK ICE:
BASIC RULES (This can be a little different whether the vehicle in front, all or rear-wheel drive… the front-wheel drive is easier to control when skidding):
1. Do not panic,
2. Do not use your brake pedal even if you have an anti-lock braking system (ABS),
3. DO NOT accelerate (take your foot off the accelerator),
4. Steer smoothly in the direction the back of the car is going to (meaning if the back of the car is going left, then smoothly steer to the left, and vice versa), or since your car is pointing sideways, steer smoothly in the direction you want the front of the car to go (meaning the same thing),
5. Keep your hands ON the steering wheel,
6. DO NOT change gears, that will be the same as using your brakes.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF SKIDDING AND HOW TO RECOVER FROM THEM
1) WHEELSPIN:
This has nothing to do with the Wheel of Fortune…besides your car doing the spinning.
Wheelspin occurs when you try to accelerate too abruptly or enthusiastically for the available traction. The tires will start to spin at a faster rate than the vehicle is actually traveling. The cure for wheelspin is simple: just back off the throttle until the tires regain traction, and try ramping it up more slowly and cautiously next time. This makes wheelspin a very easy litmus test for how much grip you actually have. For example, intentionally hitting the gas while leaving your driveway on a snowy day to see how easily the tires spin is like dipping your toes into a pool to test the temperature.
Wheelspin is generally to be avoided in turns, but can often actually work to your advantage when moving in a straight line. On pavement or glare ice, there is no real benefit to spinning the tires, but we need to think of the road surface as three dimensional in many cases. Say you have a few inches of snow on top of a good paved or gravel surface, spinning the tires will chew through the fluff and catch good traction on the underlying surface, which can often make the difference between getting up a snowy hill or sliding back down. The same is true in mud or anywhere else there is a slippery material on top of hard, grippy material.
Traction control in some vehicles will not allow your tires to spin in this fashion. It will either cut the throttle, apply brakes to the spinning wheels, or both. This might mean that your vehicle can’t make it up slippery hills or even get out of your parking space if there’s snow. Try the same thing with the traction control off and you might find that you have no problem at all.
2) WHEEL LOCKUP:
Wheel lockup occurs when you try to brake too aggressively or suddenly for the surface you’re on. The tires will essentially stop turning while the vehicle is still moving. The solution is thankfully very simple: release the brakes until the tires start to turn again. You may need to release the brakes completely and try braking again more softly and progressively.
You may find that you can actually brake fairly hard on a slippery road, as long as you do it smoothly. If you suddenly go from 0 to 50 using your brakes on the snow, for example, the tires will probably lock up. If you build up the brake pressure slowly and progressively, however, you might be able to brake well beyond 50 percent on the same surface. Just like with wheelspin, wheel lockup can be a very handy gauge to have in changing conditions. Occasionally test the brakes in a straight line as you’re driving on a slippery road to feeling for wheel lockup; this is a good indication of how much grip you’re working with.
Wheel lockup can also be an advantage in a straight line, in the same conditions that spinning the tires would have benefited. On a loose surface, locking the tires will scuff away the top surface, often digging in and plowing the soft stuff out of the way to find a better grip. On snow, gravel, and especially sand, locking the tires up can stop the vehicle very quickly.
Anti-Lock Brake Systems (ABS) will not allow your wheels to lock up; they’ll pulsate brake pressure for all four wheels so that the tires keep turning. This means that on a loose surface, your car may not decelerate very well, and you’ll need to leave extra braking and following distances to compensate.
3) UNDERSTEER:
An understeer skid occurs when the front tires lose grip, and the car is unable to turn around a corner. It’s often referred to as “plowing” or “pushing,” and it most often occurs when you enter a corner with too much speed for the conditions. If you’re doing 70 mph in a 30 mph corner, unfortunately, it’s all over…look for something soft to hit and work on reading the road and the conditions better next time. If you’re only slightly too hot coming into a corner, the ONLY solution is to let off of the gas since the front wheel is already skidding and apply the brakes gently, while looking where you want the car to go at all times.
Spinning the front tires can also cause massive understeer. In a front-wheel-drive car, don’t spin the tires if you want to have any chance of turning. Locking the front tires in a corner will also cause horrible understeer. If you’re braking aggressively in any vehicle and trying to turn at the same time, you’ll need to release the brakes somewhat in order for the car to steer.
Understeer also happens because of weight transfer. If you’re accelerating, especially up a hill or in a vehicle with soft suspension, there won’t be much weight on the front end and you’ll have to lift off the gas or apply the brake a little to get the nose down. Weight on the front tires will push them down onto (or into) the surface, often giving you a much better grip.
Resist the temptation to give the car more actual steering when you enter an understeer skid. It’s the natural thing to do — “The car won’t turn, so I’ll turn more!” — but the problem needs to be fixed with the pedals and not with your hands. You’re either accelerating or braking too much or not enough; adding more steering will only compound the problem and waste valuable time. You have the most grip with slight steering inputs — if your front tires are turned at high angles, there’s very little chance they’ll do what you want.
4) OVERSTEER:
An oversteer skid occurs when the rear tires lose grip, and the rear of the vehicle starts to slide sideways. This most often occurs because of wheelspin in rear-wheel drive (and some all-wheel drive) vehicles, and the solution, in that case, is simply to back off the throttle, look where you want to go, and slightly steer in that direction.
Oversteer also occurs fairly often when you’re going too fast for the conditions, and apply brakes while turning a corner. This will shift much of the vehicle’s weight onto the front tires and off of the rear. The rear will start to come around simply because there is no weight on those tires, especially in pick-up trucks, front-wheel-drive cars, or other vehicles that are naturally light in the back. This also happens going downhill around corners for the same reason. Again, the solution is to look down the road where you want to go, release the brakes, and even accelerate a little (especially with front-wheel drive) to put some weight back onto the rear tires and stop them from sliding.
5) COUNTER SKID:
The counter-skid occurs when you have oversteered and failed to correct appropriately. The rear end of the vehicle will skid back and forth, often building momentum with each swing. If you don’t fix the first or second skid, you’ll often generate enough energy to make the third skid very violent and difficult to recover from.
When you encounter oversteer (the back of the car wants to pass you), if you brake, it will. The key is to look down the road and only use enough corrective steering to point the front tires where you want to go. As the vehicle straightens out, straighten the wheel so that the tires are always pointed down the road. Counter-skids most often happen when drivers correct late, over-correct, and then repeat this mistake until they’re off the road. Known as “fishtailing” or “tank slapping,” counter-skids can be difficult to recover from, but your vision is the key. Regain control of the steering, don’t let the car bounce back and forth, and you’ll be fine.
My personal advice when driving on highways when there is a risk of black ice or fog:
Just in case of a sudden slow down of traffic for any reason, do not stay in a center lane. chose the right lane preferably because the left lane does not provide for much escape route (side road or shoulder) and you are too close from the incoming traffic in case of a pile-up.
Always be aware of your surroundings. Look for the traffic behind you to avoid being rear-ended, especially if there is a big truck or semi behind you. (you should know if you passed it earlier) You may avoid being hit by using the shoulder or a free lane as far as you possibly can, especially if that truck is transporting gasoline.
Imagine the worst-case scenario in fog or black ice situation:
You just passed a truck transporting gasoline and you know it is somewhere behind you. It will need a lot of distance to stop. Just by slowing down it may skid sideways and burn on impact, spill gasoline or even explode, so it is better to be as far as possible from such a disaster.
Think of an eventual escape lane or roadside if you have to. Always thinking of the unthinkable might save your life someday. Always be prepared! I did that for the last 56 years and it did save my life once. In case you are in the middle of a pileup, stay in your car until everything is settled. It is the safest place.
On a highway with no solid barrier as a median:
ALWAYS think of someone losing control in the opposite lane, especially if the opposite lane is busy with traffic, or covered with snow.
Stay in the right lane away from the opposite traffic to avoid a possible head-on collision. Someone coming from the opposite traffic lane may lose control on ice or snow or maybe skidding to avoid a pileup. It may then suddenly cross the median, so it is better to stay away as much as possible.
Here are more useful tips for driving on snow or icy roads:
- Only drive if it’s necessary. Don’t be afraid to turn back if you think the conditions are too treacherous. It is not only regarding your ability, but mostly the danger other cars may become when losing control.
- Make sure your windows are completely clear before you start driving. Check your windshield wiper blades. In a desert climate, windshield wipers may have been burned by the heat. It is a good idea to verify and/or change them often.
- If you’re driving to meet someone, let them know where you are traveling and when you expect to arrive. Do not rush to meet the rendezvous! If you call, they will understand; it is not your fault.
- You may need to leave as much as 10 times the normal recommended gap between you and the car in front of you.
- If you do encounter a skid, steer gently into it. For example, if the rear of the car is sliding to the right, steer to the right.
- Do not take your hands off the steering wheel.
- DO NOT EVER stomp your foot on the brakes!
- If you are pulling a trailer and the trailer is skidding, do not break! On the contrary, accelerating will make it straight again, then slowly slow down. To avoid this, have your trailer equipped with its own brake system that you can use independently, and let the trailer stop you. If the trailer is getting out of line or skidding, using ONLY the trailer brake will straighten it immediately and will also slow you down. (The hand command is fixed on the dashboard.) See Topic 5F-Towing
- Controls such as the brakes, as well as the steering, accelerator, and even gear changing, should be operated both smoothly and slowly.
- A higher gear may be more appropriate to aid the tires’ gripping when moving off on packed ice
6) DRIFTING
Drifting is a controlled motion of oversteer in which the car is made to slide sideways with its front wheels totally in control with traction and grip.
The pilot is playing with the accelerator to keep the rear wheel spinning and helping carry out the slide using excessive power and lack of traction. Most of us have watched movies like “The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift” and we know how fascinating it is to watch a car drift. Hence, in theory, only an RWD or a rear-biased car has the ability to drift.
Watch carefully how the front wheel is always pointing to the center of the road. See below the posted video about drifting racing.
LOOK AT THEIR FRONT WHEELS.
they are always pointing in the direction they want to go.
Same as your eyes: Always look in the direction you want to go.
Snow Chains
Snow and ice can even bring all-wheel-drive vehicles to a standstill. Snow chains can help. But what’s the right way to put them on? Improperly mounted snow chains can be a safety hazard. Also, do not drive faster with snow chains as it may react as if you were driving on ice, The tires will lose grip and it will be very difficult to gain control
What is better: Front-Wheel Drive or Rear-Wheel Drive. The better one?
An enthusiast will choose an RWD (rear-wheel-drive) over an FWD (front-wheel-drive) any-day. Why? Because it can drift, that’s why. And drifting is fun at least if you know how to control it.
But does that mean FWDs aren’t fun! They are easier to recuperate in an overseer (if the back of the car is shifting sideways). Considering that the FWD still has traction, accelerate and the back of the car will go back in line.
ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) COMPARED TO FWS AND RWD ON A RACE TRACK
FREEZING RAIN
Freezing rain is the name given to rain that falls when surface temperatures are below freezing. Unlike a mixture of rain and snow, ice pellets (both of which are sometimes called “sleet”), or hail, freezing rain is made entirely of liquid droplets. The raindrops become super-cooled while passing through a sub-freezing layer of air hundreds of meters above the ground and then freeze upon impact with any surface they encounter. The resulting ice, called a glaze, can accumulate to a thickness of several centimeters.
A storm that produces a significant thickness of glaze ice from freezing rain is often referred to as an ice storm. Although not violent storms, freezing rain is notorious for causing travel problems on roadways, breaking tree limbs, and downing power lines from the weight of accumulating ice. It is also known for being extremely dangerous to aircraft since the ice can effectively “remold’ the shape of the airfoil and flight control surfaces.
DRIVING INTO A HAILSTORM
- Stay inside the vehicle. Hail falls at fast speeds, and it can cause injury to those in its path.
- Stop driving and pull to a safe place so hail doesn’t break the windshield or any windows — driving compounds hail’s impact with your car. Stop under an overpass, and don’t forget to pull out of traffic lanes and onto a shoulder. Avoid ditches due to possible high-rising water.
- Keep your car angled so the hail is hitting the front of your car. Windshields are reinforced to withstand forward driving and pelting objects. Side windows and back glass are not, so they’re much more susceptible to breakage.
- Lie down, if possible, and keep your back to the windows. If you have a blanket, cover yourself with it to prevent possible debris from hitting you.
A Very Scary Hailstorm Getting Worst toward the end, until the truck stops
Slide the cursor to the right at about 6 minutes to see the action.
FLASH FLOODS
DON’T BE A HERO, DO NOT CROSS FLOODED AREAS:
The average automobile can be swept off the road in 12 inches of moving water, and roads covered by water are prone to collapse.
Attempting to drive through water also may stall your engine, with the potential to cause irreparable damage if you try to restart the engine. If you come upon a flooded street, take an alternate route.
The average automobile can be swept off the road in 12 inches of moving water, and roads covered by water are prone to collapse.
Attempting to drive through water also may stall your engine, with the potential to cause irreparable damage if you try to restart the engine. If you come upon a flooded street, take an alternate route.
Nevada’s dry climate creates an ideal situation for flash flooding to occur, particularly during the summer months. Drivers need to use extra caution when driving during a summer storm, spring thaw or prolonged rains.
More than half of all flash flood fatalities are auto-related. Here are some facts about flooding:
• Less than 1 inch of water can cause a driver to lose control of his or her car.
• Most vehicles can float in 2 feet of water or less.
• Cars traveling at a high rate of speed can be pushed off the road by only 6 inches of water.
In Nevada, floods can occur anywhere. Floodwaters may be rising gradually but be aware that it may not be raining where you are but in a higher elevation and flood water could strike suddenly. Never attempt to cross a flash flood. Your car may stall and the water may rise faster than you can think.
This does not mean you have to carry your scuba gears with you… Just stay away!.
Flash floods are the number one weather-related killer in the United States. Most flood fatalities happen because people try to drive through deadly waters rather than avoid them.
If you encounter a flooded roadway, don’t attempt to drive through it.
Turn around and seek an alternate route or wait until the water subsides. Although it may look like just a few inches of water on the roadway, it is difficult to determine the depth of floodwaters. You have no idea if the road has washed away underneath, causing a hazardous situation for drivers. If your vehicle stalls in rising floodwater and you can safely do so, abandon it immediately and seek higher ground. Rapidly rising water may engulf the vehicle and its occupants and sweep them away.
Never underestimate the power of water
Water’s powerful force can easily overtake vehicles caught in a flood. Follow these tips to stay safe in your car during a flood.
This happened not far from Las Vegas: cars got swept away.
How to Drive in a Flood Situation
Pay attention to barricades.
Don’t ignore them by driving past them.
Be aware that what appears to be a small flash flood may suddenly become much bigger and unpassable. You may think it is safe because it is not raining, but a storm may have hit a mountain miles away. Especially in a desert area, the ground does not absorb the water so a flood may run for many miles, carrying mud, tree trunks, and debris.
Take extra precautions if you're forced to drive through water.
Do not drive through standing water on roads or in parking lots.
The average automobile can be swept off the road in 12 inches of moving water, and roads covered by water are prone to collapse. Attempting to drive through water also may stall your engine, with the potential to cause irreparable damage if you try to restart the engine. If you come upon a flooded street, take an alternate route.
This happened recently in Moapa near Las Vegas on highway 15, several cars got swept away with their passengers for attempting to cross it.
Once vehicles begin to float, they move toward deep, faster-moving water where escape is even more dangerous and top-heavy vehicles may rollover. Deaths often occur because people mistakenly believe that vehicles protect from rising, swiftly moving waters. If you find yourself in this situation, you must make a judgment call about whether you can make it to higher ground or if you would be better off remaining with your vehicle. The only sure safety rule is to turn around and avoid flooded roadways in the first place.
If no alternate route exists and you have no other reasonable alternative but to drive through standing water:
- Do your best to estimate the depth of the water (if other cars are driving through, take note of how deep the water is).
- Drive slowly and steadily through the water.
- Avoid driving in water that downed electrical or power lines have fallen in — electric current passes through water easily.
- Watch for items traveling downstream — they can trap or crush you if you’re in their path.
- If you have driven through water up to the wheel rims or higher, test your brakes on a clear patch of road at low-speed. If they are wet and not stopping the vehicle as they should, dry them by pressing gently on the brake pedal with your left foot while maintaining speed with your right foot.
- Stay off the telephone unless you must report severe injuries.
- If your vehicle stalls in the deep water, you may need to restart the engine to make it to safety. Keep in mind that restarting may cause irreparable damage to the engine.
- If you can’t restart your vehicle and you become trapped in rising water, immediately abandon it for higher ground. Your life is more precious than any car. Try to open the door or roll down the window to get out of the vehicle. If you are unable to get out safely, call 911 or get the attention of a passerby or someone standing on higher ground so that they may call for help.
DRIVING IN HIGH WINDS
Be particularly careful when pulling a trailer yourself and passing a big rig.
Watch this police car being crushed by a big rig with lateral wind
Do not stay alongside a big rig on high wind. Be careful when passing it too. Be aware of the chock wave when a big rig is passing you or is coming from the opposite lane in a high wind situation. Hold your steering wheel firmly, and lay on it if necessary the same as with a blown tire, to keep your wheels straight.,
This situation happened to me in France when my driver’s door burst open, the convertible roof was blown away, and the hood opened suddenly, blocking my front` view..
SAND STORM
IF YOU WANT TO RUIN YOUR CAR DRIVE THROUGH A SAND STORM! Not only you will sandblast your paint and windshield but sand will clog your air filter and if your engine has a carburetor you may ruin it too.
My advice, make a U-turn and run away! If you have no other choice, stop the engine far away from traffic.
The safest action during a sandstorm is to stop as far away from the road, since someone may rear-end your car without seeing you, and then wait for the storm to pass.
Be aware that in the sand desert the road may be blocked by a heavy sand deposit that would be very dangerous. It is recommended to pull over safely and put your emergency blinking lights on.
Make sure your air conditioning is on circulating air from inside and not getting “fresh air” from outside.
It might even be better to switch off your engine to avoid having sand clogging the air filter of other components.
If you park outside the road switch off your lights as drivers may think that is where the road is and rear-end your car.
Keep only your parking lights on if you must. Do not get out of the car as you may get sand in your eyes.
BETTER SOLUTION.
MAKE A U-TURN AND GET AWAY FROM IT, YOUR ENGINE AND YOUR PAINT ARE NOT GOING TO LIKE IT!!!!.
DRIVING IN A SNOWSTORM
Car safety experts all agree that if you can avoid driving at night while it’s snowing, do it.
The light-reflecting properties of snow cause your headlights to reflect light at you.
Low visibility and driving don’t mix. Check the weather forecast before you go. If you have to drive, slow way down, be alert, and stop as soon as you can.
When driving at night in a snowstorm, do not use high beam headlights; the snow will block visibility ahead.
Only use low beam and reduce your speed.
Watch Out for Wildlife
If you are traveling through areas with wildlife, watch for pairs of eyes. If you see them, slow down.
Animals are drawn to the lights and might move right in front of you.
MORE ADVICE: (We may repeat ourselves sometimes but it is to make sure you understand.
- If your car has anti-lock brakes (ABS) press firmly on your brakes. You will feel your car pulsing. This means the ABS is working. The pumping action creates traction. A light will appear on your dashboard telling you that your ABS System is engaged. This is normal, it does not mean something is wrong with your car. If your car does not have anti-lock brakes, manually pump them with your foot. When you feel the car gain traction then start steering out of the skid.
- Driving safety experts are suggesting that the first thing to do when skidding is to pick a fixed place (for example, a patch or line on the road) in the direction you want to go and keep your eyes locked on that point. Research shows that when people focus on the thing they are afraid to hit, they end up hitting it, but by focusing on where you want to go your body intuitively makes driving corrections. You can see it demonstrated in this video.
- Learn about front wheel and rear wheel skids. You can find two informative articles with details about winter driving and how to correct for skids from Edmunds and Road Trip America. Nothing, however, beats real practice.
- Use all-weather radial tires, snow tires, or chains. Even properly equipped vehicles may slide on ice or snow-packed roads. If you use chains, do not speed, since they will not grip the snow and it would be like driving on ice.
- Gently test your brakes to find out the reaction of your car.
- Avoid sudden changes in speed or direction. In general, gentle braking (using a slow light touch and release pattern) will allow you to slow down and stop safely.
- Leave ahead of schedule to allow yourself plenty of extra time to get to your destination.
DRIVING AT NIGHT
WHAT IS IT LIKE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT?
End of Topic 5 g – ADVERSE CONDITIONS”
Next TOPIC 5 h : ‘Mechanical Failure”