When driving in extraordinarily wet situations, decelerate and switch in your headlights. “I’ve just a little saying that goes, ‘in case your wipers are going, your headlights are glowing,'” says Hector Carias, an officer with the California Freeway Patrol.
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Klaus Kremmerz for NPR
When you have a driver’s license, it is best to know the fundamental guidelines of the street. Buckle your seat belt. Use your flip sign. Cease on the purple gentle.
However there could also be situations on the street that you simply really feel much less ready for. What do you have to do in case your automotive begins to skid on ice? If somebody is being aggressive towards you on the freeway? In case your automotive falls right into a physique of water?
Hector Carias, an officer with the California Freeway Patrol, explains what to do in these emergency conditions. The secret’s to remain vigilant, he says. “Driving ought to take 100% of your focus, 100% of the time. Being defensive behind the car can solely convey constructive outcomes.”
Motorcar crashes are a number one reason for demise in america, killing greater than 120 folks on a regular basis, in line with 2022 information from the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.
However they’re preventable. Carias, who works out of CHP’s Central Division workplace in Fresno, Calif., shares his high street security do’s and don’ts.
1. DON’T velocity. It could actually make it more durable to keep away from potential hazards on the street, and it could possibly make automotive crashes extra extreme, Carias says. If somebody is tailgating you, “transfer over one lane and allow them to cross. There is not any motive so that you can velocity up.”
2. DO name 911 if you happen to’re being threatened by one other driver. “If somebody is brandishing a firearm or a automotive has been following you, contact 911,” Carias says. Do not interact. Officers will ship assist. If they can not get to your location on the freeway, “Do not cease. Our dispatch will keep on the telephone with you and provide you with instructions to a delegated location, the place an officer will attempt to meet you.”Â
3. DON’T slam the brakes when you have engine bother on the freeway. In case your automotive stalls or runs out of fuel on the street, put your hazard lights on immediately and launch the accelerator, Carias says. “Attempt to veer to the precise shoulder of the freeway and are available to a protected cease,” then name roadside help or 911.Â
Sitting within the passenger’s seat may be safer than sitting within the driver’s seat if you happen to’re parked on the precise shoulder of the street awaiting assist. And keep in mind to buckle up.
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4. DO hop into the passenger seat whereas ready for assist in the precise shoulder lane. It may be safer than sitting within the driver’s seat. You wish to place your self as far-off from site visitors as attainable. And buckle up, Carias says.
5. DO get as far-off out of your automotive as attainable if you happen to see smoke or flames popping out of the engine. Within the occasion of a automotive fireplace, pull over, flip off the engine and transfer your self at the least 100 ft away from the burning car, in line with the U.S. Hearth Administration. Do not attempt to battle the hearth.
6. DO decelerate in excessive wet situations. “Give your self extra time to be reactive” to street hazards, Carias says. And switch in your headlights. Rain could make it exhausting to see the street and for different drivers to see you. “I’ve just a little saying that goes, ‘in case your wipers are going, your headlights are glowing.'”
7. DON’T speed up or slam the brakes if you happen to’re skidding on ice. “As soon as you’ve got already began sliding, you are type of going alongside for the journey,” Carias says. Cautiously flip your wheel within the path you need the automotive to go, and straighten the wheel as you are feeling the automotive straighten out, in line with AAA.
8. DON’T flip in your excessive beams in heavy fog. “Fog is basically water molecules. Shining vivid gentle at these molecules is simply going to replicate that gentle again to you and make it more durable to see,” Carias says. As a substitute, flip in your headlights and fog lamps when you have them.
The second your automotive falls right into a physique of water, unbuckle your seatbelt and roll down the home windows. Do not open the door.
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Klaus Kremmerz for NPR
9. DO unbuckle your seatbelt and begin to roll down the home windows the second your automotive falls right into a physique of water. “Do not attempt to open the door,” Carias says. As soon as a car is extra absolutely submerged, the strain from the water in opposition to the home windows and doorways could make it troublesome to open them.
Escape via the open window and exit to security. If you cannot roll down the window, “do your finest to shatter the window utilizing your elbow or no matter you’ll be able to,” Carias says. For peace of thoughts, buy a window punch to maintain in your automotive.
10. DO hold emergency provides in your automotive. That features a first support package, water, jumper cables, a flashlight and blankets, Carias says. AAA additionally recommends maintaining a primary set of instruments and street flares or reflectors.Â
This episode was produced by Margaret Cirino. The digital story was edited by Meghan Keane. The visible editor is Beck Harlan. We would love to listen to from you. Depart us a voicemail at 202-216-9823, or electronic mail us at LifeKit@npr.org.
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