Chapter 3

Driver
Responsibility
Mrs. Dias
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 Kyleigh’s Law Review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tKQ0E-5NGI

After learning about Kyleigh’s law from last class,

what is your opinion regarding its effectiveness?

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 Unit 2 Scale: Basic Vehicle Control
and Vehicle Readiness
In addition to scoring a 3.0, students will be able to teach about the basic
4 car maneuvers, safety equipment and car condition to their peers.

Students will demonstrate an understanding of basic car mechanics, safety

3 equipment and basic car maneuvers.
SWBAT: Demonstrate an understanding of NJ Seat Belt Law as well as the
Child Restraint Law.
SWBAT: Demonstrate knowledge of basic safety equipment, car condition
and air bags.
SWBAT: Demonstrate an understanding of how to perform basic driving
maneuvers, such as K-turns, parallel parking, and changing lanes.
Students will be able to demonstrate understanding of the basic car mechanics,
2 safety equipment and basic car maneuvers, but are unable to teach this to their
peers.

Students will be able to recognize and recall specific terminology related to

3
1 basic car mechanics, safety equipment and basic car maneuvers, but cannot
apply it to a given situation, even with teacher assistance.
 Unit Goal

Unit Goal
Students will develop an understanding of the basic
mechanics of a car and safety equipment.
Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of
basic car maneuvers.

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 Lesson Objectives
TSWBAT:
Demonstrate an understanding of the New Jersey Seat
Belt Law as well as the Child Restraint Law.
Understand the importance of driver responsibility.
Demonstrate an awareness for Air Bags, Car Condition
and basic driving maneuvers.
Demonstrate an understanding of how to properly
perform a K-Turn and parallel park a vehicle.
Demonstrate an awareness for the various basic
driving maneuvers (Parking, passing or changing lanes,
Intersections, and Right Turns on Red).
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1. TRUE
○ Under state law, the driver and all passengers of a
passenger vehicle must wear a seat belt.
2. FALSE
○ The motorist is responsible for all occupants under
18 years of age to wear a seat belt.

○ Front-seat passengers 18 years of age and over are

responsible for themselves.
3. TRUE
○ Motorists with GDL permits or probationary
licenses must use seat belts.

○ Additionally they must require all passengers

seated anywhere in the vehicle to use seat belts.
4. TRUE
○ A police officer CAN stop a motorist solely for the
violation of the seat belt law.

○ Non-compliance is a primary offense.

5. FALSE
○ Seat belts can NOT save a life and improve a
motorist’s chances of surviving a crash by 60
percent.
6. TRUE
○ A motorist’s chances of surviving a collision are
three to four times better if he/she is wearing both
a seatbelt and a shoulder strap.
7. TRUE
○ Hitting the dashboard or windshield at 30 mph is
like falling from the top of a three-story building.

○ If a vehicle hits something, the vehicle stops, but

the person keeps going at the same speed that the
vehicle was moving.
 Driver Responsibility
Safe driving is the responsibility of all individuals who
operate a vehicle on New Jersey roads. The rules of the
road must be obeyed at all times and laws must be strictly
followed. A motorist must ensure the safety of all
passengers who are riding in his/her vehicle and be mindful
of the other motorists who share the road each day!

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 Seat Belt Law
On January 18,
2010, legislation
was signed into
law requiring all
occupants to
buckle up,
regardless of their
seating position in
a vehicle.
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 Seat Belts
Seat belts can save your life and improve your
chances of surviving a crash by 60 percent.
 Your chances of surviving a collision are three to four
times better if you are wearing both a seat belt and a
shoulder strap.
 Fastening your seat belt takes only three seconds and
reduces the chances of death or serious injury.

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 According to the MOTOR VEHICLE
OCCUPANT SAFETY SURVEY: Safety Belt
Report

16
 According to the MOTOR VEHICLE
OCCUPANT SAFETY SURVEY: Safety Belt
Report

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 How Seat Belts Help???
 They keep you from being thrown from
the car in a collision. If you are held in
place, any injury may also be less severe.

 They slow your body down with your car.

If you hit something, your car stops, but
you keep going at the same speed you
were driving. Hitting the dashboard or
windshield at 30 mph is like falling
from the top of a three-story building.

 Belts and straps keep you in position so

you can control the car.

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 Crash Test with and without a seat
belt…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7iYZPp2zYY&list=PLKb
Ku-BOWX2tWku7jTm1skQl-IgztcDFT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLCWGcNpY94

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20
 Car Seats
Traffic accidents are
a leading killer of
children.
When riding in a
car, children should
be held in place by a
restraint system that
meets all Federal
Motor Vehicle
21 Safety Standards.
 Child Restraint Law
Children up to age 8 or a weight of 80 lbs, must
ride in a federally approved safety or booster seat in
the rear seat of the vehicle. If there is no rear seat,
the child must sit in the front seat secured by a
safety or booster seat.
Children under age 8 and over 80 lbs. must be in a
rear seat and use a seatbelt. If there is no rear seat,
the child must be properly belted in the front seat.
Failure to comply with this law could result in a
$54 fine and court costs.

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 Air Bags
• Air bags are standard equipment in almost all new cars and
are designed to supplement safety belts in frontal crashes.
Federal safety standards require that manufacturers equip all
new passenger cars and light trucks with air bags by 1999.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSz6y-W-R_A

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Air Bags
○ How fast do you think air bags inflate
at?
Air Bags

○ Air bags inflate at speeds of up to 200 mph.

○ An average-sized adult who is correctly

belted is not likely to come in contact with
the air bag until it is fully inflated.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08uIvF
○
j5EoQ
 Other safety points
*Children of any age are the safest when they are belted properly in the
backseat of a vehicle, especially when the vehicle is equipped with a
passenger-side air bag:

 Always put an infant in a

rear-facing infant child
safety seat in the back seat
of a car with air bags.
 Always be sure that
children 12 years and
younger ride in the back
seat of the vehicle.
 Always make sure
everyone is buckled up.

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 Do Now: Review from last class
What are some more example of what you
should check on your vehicle before driving?
Why is car condition so important?
(True/False) Everyone in your car must be
wearing a seatbelt.
Why do most accidents happen close to home?
Seat belts can improve your chances of
surviving a crash up to _______%.

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 http://www.state.nj.us/lps/hts/index.html

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 Car Condition: Checking your vehicle!
It is the responsibility of all vehicle owners to ensure the
proper working condition of their vehicles. ALWAYS
check your vehicle before driving and prevent problems
with regular maintenance and care!

What are some of things you think you

should check before driving your vehicle???

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 Car Condition
 BACKUP LIGHTS: When driving in reverse, your backup
lights should be on. Check them to make sure they are in
working order.

 BRAKE LIGHTS: If your brake lights are not working,

someone may crash into you from the back. Have someone
help you check them. Replace broken light covers. They
may cause a glare that affects the driver in back.

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 Car Condition
 BRAKES: You should be able to brake smoothly and
quickly. If you feel your car pull to one side when you stop,
feel a taut pedal or hear an unusual squealing or grinding,
have your brakes checked. With conventional disc and
drum brakes, pump them gently after driving through water
to test them and dry them out. Do not hit the brakes hard or
they could lock up.

 For vehicles with Antilock Braking System (ABS), the

motorist should apply steady pressure to the brake pedal.
Never pump ABS or jerk the steering wheel when braking.
○ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKrgD_aSbg0
○ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LK-dal4vvn4

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 Car Condition
 HEADLIGHTS: Make sure your bright and dim lights are working
and in line. Check them against the garage wall or on parked cars.
Keep your lights clean. If other drivers flash their lights while yours
are on low beam, this could mean your lights are out of line.

 HORN: Do not overuse your horn but check it often to know it is

working. Use your horn to signal when passing and when coming
out of a blind alley, curve or driveway.

 STEERING: On straight level roads a car should hold a straight

course. The front end should not vibrate (shimmy). Your steering
should respond to your turns without too much play in the steering
wheel.

 TAILLIGHTS: Always keep tail and side lights in working order.

They signal other drivers in the dark and prevent accidents.
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 Car Condition
 HORN: Do not overuse your horn but check it
often to know it is working. Use your horn to
signal when passing and when coming out of a
blind alley, curve or driveway.

 STEERING: On straight level roads a car

should hold a straight course. The front end
should not vibrate (shimmy). Your steering
should respond to your turns without too much
play in the steering wheel.

 TAILLIGHTS: Always keep tail and side

lights in working order. They signal other
drivers in the dark and prevent accidents.

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 Car Condition  TIRES: If you feel or hear
any unusual thumping while
driving, check your tires.
Bumps, cuts, or bad tread
can cause blow-outs. Your
tire pressure should be
checked often, when tires
are cold. Do not drive on
tires that have less than 1/16
inch of tread, about the edge
of a dime. To hold onto the
road properly, tires must
match (don't mix radials
with other tire types) and
must have enough tread.
 November 15th-April 1st is
when you are allowed to
34 have studded tires.
  TURN SIGNALS. You should
be able to hear the clicking and
see the lighted arrows flash on
your dashboard. If they don't Car Condition
work, get the signals fixed as
soon as possible. Meanwhile,
use hand signals.

 WINDSHIELD. Cracks or
chips in your windshield could
cause it to break; have it
replaced. Keep your windshield
clean, inside and out. Make
sure your windshield wipers
are always working. If they
come with washers, keep
antifreeze in the spray to stop
icing. New Jersey laws prohibit
add-on tinting on windshields
and front side windows.
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 Car Condition
 Snow and Ice: State law
requires a motorist to remove
snow or ice from a vehicle
before driving it. If snow or
ice dislodges from a moving
vehicle, it could strike another
vehicle or pedestrian, causing
injury or damage. Any
violation could result to a fine
of $25 to $75.

 https://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=
HZTgmC0Pmb8
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 Starting a parked car
Before getting into a car, look behind it and in front of
it. These are blind spots once you are behind the
wheel. There may be children there. There also may be
bottles, cans, bicycles or other things which you
cannot see from the driver's seat.

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 1. Make sure all windows
Starting checklist are clean and there is
nothing blocking your
vision.
2. Adjust the seat so you
can reach all pedals and
controls easily.
3. Adjust the inside and
outside rearview mirrors.
4. Fasten safety belts and
shoulder harnesses so
that they are firm and
comfortable.
5. Make sure the car is in
park or neutral gear and
the parking brake is set. 
38 6. Doors should be locked.
 Blind Spots
Adjust both inside and
outside mirrors to reduce
blind spots. These are
areas where you can not
see behind your car (on
both sides) through the
mirror. Check this by
turning your head. A
motorist should not
depend on their
rearview mirrors.
 https://
www.youtube.com/watch?v
=8jlNN_Y-Pg8
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 Idling your Vehicle
New Jersey law requires all motorists to 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.
There are some specific situations in which a vehicle may
idle for an extended time, such as stuck in traffic, or at a
drive-thru establishment.

TURN THE KEY AND BE IDLE FREE!!!

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 Steering
For normal driving, keep both hands on the upper half
of the wheel. Your grip on the steering wheel is
important. Think of the wheel as the face of a clock.
In normal driving, keep your left hand at 9 o'clock
and your right hand at 3 o'clock. Your grip should
be firm but not too tight.

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 Speed Control
It is important in driving to use certain speed control
guidelines. Start slowly. Gradually increase speed.
Keep a steady speed on open roads. Slow down
smoothly.
Press the gas pedal lightly. Starting up slowly gives
other drivers and people walking a chance to see what
you are doing. They can then judge how to react.

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 Stopping Distances
There is no simple way to tell exactly how long it will
take a vehicle to stop at a certain speed. This depends
on:
your own reaction time;
weather and road conditions;
the weight of the vehicle;
the condition of the brakes;
the condition and type of tires;
the condition of the roadway.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zZXMDSRO
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Ok
 Stopping distances on dry surfaces for
passenger cars
Reaction Braking
Speed mph Total
distance distance
10 mph 11ft 8 ft 19 ft
20 mph 22 ft 31 ft 53 ft
30 mph 33 ft 69 ft 102 ft
40 mph 44 ft 123 ft 167 ft
50 mph 55 ft 192 ft 247 ft
60 mph 66 ft 277 ft 343 ft
70 mph 77 ft 376 ft 453 ft
*The faster a vehicle is going, the longer it will take to stop. When a motorist
44 must stop quickly, speed can be the difference between life and death!
 Stopping Distance

A truck takes more then

25 % longer to stop then a
car
In adverse conditions, trucks
may take 50% longer to stop

http://newyork.cbslocal.com
/video/category/news/35798
15-inside-a-big-rig/
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 Proper Braking
 The use of brakes may seem
simple but it is not. Many
new motorists make the
common mistake of
slamming on the brake pedal
even if there is no emergency.
The vehicle will jerk to a stop
and wear out the brakes and
tires quickly. Steady, gentle
pressure should be applied to
the brake to bring the vehicle
to a controlled stop.
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 Turning
The law requires you to signal first at least 100 feet
before you make any turn!

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 Driving signals
These signals are standard for all states. Put your arm well
out of the car window when giving signals. Turn signals
must be given at least 100 feet before you turn.
A motorist should always give a proper signal when turning,
changing lanes, stopping or slowing down. Most vehicles
have turn signals and a motorist should always use them.

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 Driving in Reverse
The driver’s head and body should be turned back and
to the right to get the clearest view possible. Placing
the right hand and arm over the back of the front
passenger seat and grasping the top of the steering
wheel with the left hand will help accomplish this. It is
important to remember that when driving in reverse,
the front of the car will swing in the opposite direction
of a turn. Do not depend on mirrors alone as a guide
to driving in reverse.

Always drive in reverse slowly. This skill must be

mastered in order to pass the road portion of the
driving test.
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 Turning
Before turning, a motorist should always:
Use mirrors to look behind and to both sides for other
vehicles.
Check for less visible vehicles.
Signal first and then move into proper lane.
Slow down before reaching intersection.
Keep a steady speed and follow pavement markings.
Always stay in the same lane until the turn is finished.
Make sure turn signal is turned off after the turn in
completed.

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 Turning around
 Start from the far right side
of the road. Look for other
The 3-Point Turn (K Turn) traffic. If clear, move
forward slowly while turning
the steering wheel to the left.
Stop several inches from the
left curb or street edge.
 Back slowly while turning
the steering wheel to the
right. Stop several inches
from the right curb or street
edge.
 Drive forward slowly while
turning the steering wheel to
the left. Straighten your
wheels as you face the
direction you want to go.
This should complete your 3-
point turn.
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 Parking  When parking, the motors
should always set the hand
brake and put the vehicle in
park or, the manual
transmission, in reverse or low
gear. There are several
important steps for a motorist
Uphill = to follow when parking:

 Facing uphill, turn your

wheels away from the curb
and shift into low gear or
Park.

Downhill  Facing downhill, turn your

= wheels toward the curb and
shift into reverse gear or Park.

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 Parallel parking
Find a space large
enough for your car.
Signal for a stop. Pull up
alongside (parallel) about
two to four feet from the
car in front. Turn and
check to see that the way
is clear behind you
before you back up.

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 Parallel Parking
Begin backing up
slowly for about two
feet. Then turn your
wheel all the way to the
right. Remember, when
you are backing and
turning, the front end of
the car will swing into
traffic.

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 Parallel Parking
 When the front of your car has
cleared the rear bumper of the
car in front, stop. Check your
angle.
 Make sure your right back
wheel has not hit the curb. Then
turn your wheel all the way to
the left while beginning to back
slowly. Remember, the front
end of your car will swing
toward the car in front. Make
sure you can clear its back
bumper.

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 Parallel Parking
When your car is in line,
stop. Be sure you do not
hit the car in back. Then
turn your wheels straight *To parallel park, you need
and drive to the center of practice. If you are a new
the parking space. Your driver, try it often in an empty
tires should be no more parking lot first. Use flags or
markers 25 feet apart to show
than six inches from the
where the other cars would be.
curb. If you hit these signs, you are
56
not ready for parking between
real cars. Keep practicing!!!
 Take out a piece of paper…
Draw your depiction of what a residential area
roadway would look like…
Demonstrate a K-turn
Demonstrate parallel parking
With the Matchbox car, demonstrate the skills listed
above!

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 Parallel Parking
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJ-loe3xXLg

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