Chapter 3
Driver Responsibility
Seat belt laws
The Driver is responsible for all passengers under 18 years of age
GDL Law the driver and all passengers must wear a seatbelt
Primary offense for any front seat passengers who doesn’t wear a seatbelt
Anyone unbuckled in the back seat 18 years or older maybe issued a summons if the vehicle is stopped for another reason
(Secondary offense)
Three ways seatbelts help
o Seatbelts keep people from being thrown out the vehicle.
o The seat belts slow down a body.
o Keeps people from sliding on stops and turns.
Car seats
Children under age 8 and less than 57 inches tall must be belted in the rear seat unless there is no rear seat available
Infant car seats should be in the rear seat whenever possible
Car Conditions
Tires
A vehicle should not be driven with tires that have less than 1/16 inch of tread tires (almost the edge of a dime).
Snow and Ice
Snow and ice needs to be removed from a vehicle before driving it.
o Any person who breaks this law is subject to a fine, regardless of whether any snow or ice.
o If the snow causes injuries or property damage, the fine is up to $1,500.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
The Rosa-Bonilla Family Act
Requires the Motor Vehicle Commission to educate motorists about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning from motor vehicles and
techniques for the safe operation and proper maintenance of a motor vehicle
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
odorless, colorless gas that is present in a vehicle’s exhaust
Conditions that can lead to poisoning include:
Operating a vehicle with an exhaust leak or poorly tuned engine
Operating a vehicle with the trunk or rear tailgate open
Operating a vehicle with holes in the body of the vehicle
idling a vehicle in a garage or confined space, even with the outside garage door open
Operating a vehicle with a tailpipe that is blocked by debris, including snow, leaves or water
Most common symptoms of CO poisoning
Headache
Dizziness
Loss of consciousness
Nausea/vomiting
Chest pain
Confusion
If you suspect CO poisoning
Immediately remove that person from the source of the CO
Call 911 for immediate medical attention
Turn off the engine
Get out of the vehicle as soon as possible
Get the victim to breathe fresh air while you wait for help
Idling Law
Restrict vehicle idling to three minutes or less
Idling more than three minutes is unnecessary and harmful to your vehicle and your health
Vehicle and property owners face fines of $250 to $1,000 for each violation of this law
Blind spots
Areas where motorist cannot see on both sides of the vehicle with use of mirrors.
Stopping Distances
Stopping distances depends on:
Motorist reaction time
Weather and visibility conditions
Vehicle weight
Brake conditions
Condition and type of tires
Roadway conditions
Speed
Driving Signals
Stop or slowing down: Left Hand and arm downward palm facing the rear.
Right turn: Left Hand and arm upward
Left turn: Left Hand and arm straight out
Driving in Reverse
Body should be turned to the right.
Right hand and arm should be placed over the back of the passenger’s seat.
The left hand should grasp the top of the steering wheel.
Turning
Motorists need to get in the proper lane and signal 100 feet before turning.
When a turn or exit is missed, never back up.
A motorist is required to make a K turn during the MVC road test.
Parking
Downhill: the vehicle’s wheels should be turned toward the curb.
Uphill: the vehicle’s wheels should be turned away from the curb.
Parallel parking
Parallel parking is the most common type of parking on city streets.
When practicing, place flags or markers 25 feet apart to show where the other vehicle would