This manual gives you information on safe driving rules and practices to help you become a safe driver. This manual will provide information needed to drive a passenger vehicle and a motorcycle. If you want a license to drive a commercial vehicle (truck or taxi), you need to read the Commercial Driver License (CDL) Manual. Be sure to read the manual carefully. Unless you know the information contained in this manual, you cannot pass the written test.

Anyone operating a motor vehicle or motorcycle on public roadways in the State of New Mexico is required to have a driver license. You are also required to have a New Mexico driver license if you are a resident.

Graduated License — If you are under the age of 18, you must operate on a graduated driver license until you meet the requirements for an unrestricted license. The three different levels of Graduated driver license (GDL) are:

1. Instructional Permit
2. Provisional License
3. Unrestricted Drivers License

Instructional Permit — A permit allows you to operate a motor vehicle when supervised by another driver who is at least 21 years of age and who is licensed to drive that type of vehicle. In all vehicles except motorcycles, the licensed driver must sit in the right front seat. On motorcycles, the licensed driver must follow the learner.

To obtain an instructional permit you must be at least 15 years of age and pass the knowledge test and vision test. If you are under the age of 18, you must also have a consent form signed by your parent or guardian. The driver must retain the permit for six months.

1. The minimum age for an instructional permit is 15 years of age.
2. A person 15 years or older must be enrolled in and attending a driver education course approved by the Traffic Safety Bureau and includes DWI education and practice driving.
3. The driver must have an approved instructor occupying the seat beside the driver; or,
4. The driver is with a licensed driver 21years of age or older who has been licensed for at least three years in this state or any other state.
5. The driver must retain the instructional permit for at least six months.

1. The driver must complete the practice driving component which consists of not less than 50 hours of actual driving by the applicant, including not less than 10 hours of nighttime driving. The parent or guardian shall certify that the driver has completed the practice driving component.
2. The driver must pass a written and road test in addition to a vision screening.
3. The minimum age to receive a provisional license is 15 years and 6 months if the driver has held an instructional permit for 6 months.
4. The driver must have completed the practice-driving component (50 hours of actual driving).
5. The driver must have held an instructional permit for at least 6 months.
6. The driver must have not been convicted of a traffic violation in the 90 days prior to applying for a provisional license.
7. The driver may not have more than one passenger under the age of 21 who is not a member of the immediate family in the vehicle while driving.
8. The driver may not operate a motor vehicle upon public highways between the hours of midnight and 5:00 AM. A provisional licensee may drive at any hour if:

1. Accompanied by a licensed driver twenty-one years or older.
2. Required by family necessity as evidenced by a signed statement of a parent or guardian.
3. Required by medical necessity as evidenced by a signed statement of a parent or guardian.
4. Driving to and from work as evidenced by a signed statement from the licensee’s employer.
5. Driving to and from school or a religious activity as evidenced by a signed statement of a school, religious official or a parent or guardian.
6. Required due to a medical emergency.

1. The driver must have held a provisional license for the 12 month period immediately preceding the date of application for a driver license.
2. The driver must not have been convicted of a traffic violation 90 days prior to applying for a driver license.
3. The driver must not have any traffic violations pending at the time of the application for a driver license.
4. The driver must not have been adjudicated guilty or have an offense pending involving the use of alcohol or drugs during the provisional period.

Class [A] License - Combination Vehicles — Any combination of vehicles with gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds falls in Class A, providing the GCWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds. Most Class A vehicles are trucks such as tractor -trailer or truck and trailer combinations. Driving a Class A vehicle requires considerably more skill and knowledge than driving vehicles in Classes B and C. Since these skills include those required to drive a B and C vehicle, a driver who has a Class A license may also drive vehicles in Classes B and C.

Class [B] License - Heavy Straight Vehicles — Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds falls in Class B, or any such vehicle towing another vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR. Class B includes straight trucks and large buses, including articulated buses. Safely driving these heavy vehicles requires considerably more knowledge and skill than driving the small trucks and buses found in Class C. Since they include the skills required to drive Class C vehicles, drivers who have qualified for a Class B license may also drive vehicles in Class C.

Class [C] License - Small Vehicles — Any single vehicle with a GVWR less than 26,001 pounds falls in Class C, or any such vehicle towing another vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR. However, vehicles of this size are included in the CDL program only if they are: (1) Designed to carry 16 or more passengers including the driver, or (2) Used to transport hazardous materials in quantities requiring placarding under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (49 CFR Part 172, Subpart F).

There are a great variety of vehicles in Class C. Some other large Class C vehicles may require more skill and knowledge to operate than do the smaller ones. However, the licensing category is based principally on the type of cargo carried. Because of the seriousness of an accident involving hazardous material or human passengers, the safe operation of even the smaller vehicles in Class C requires special knowledge and the drivers of the vehicles must have a CDL.

All commercial drivers who drive certain types of vehicles or haul certain types of cargo must add endorsements to their CDL licenses to show they have the specialized knowledge required for these operations. There are 5 kinds of CDL endorsements that may be required, depending on the vehicle or type of cargo.

Double and Triple Trailers [T] — Many drivers who are qualified to drive Class A vehicles may want to pull double or triple trailers. Research shows that considerable additional knowledge and skill is necessary to safely pull double and triple trailers in various traffic conditions and driving environments. Consequently, adding the endorsement to the licenses of Class A driver is necessary if they wish to pull double or triple trailers. A special knowledge examination on the problems associated with pulling multiple trailers must be passed.

Tank Vehicle [N] — Drivers of vehicles used to haul liquids or gaseous materials in permanent tanks or in portable tanks having a rating capacity of 1,000 gallons or more must have specialized knowledge and skills to drive safely. Liquids in bulk cause driving control problems because the cargo is heavy, shifts, and has a high center of gravity. These drivers must add an endorsement to their license showing they have passed a special knowledge examination on the problems posed by large volume liquid cargos.

Passengers [P] — Any driver who wants to drive a vehicle having a design capacity to carry 16 or more passengers, including the driver, must add a passenger endorsement to their CDL. They must pass a special knowledge examination on safety considerations when transporting passengers and must pass skills tests in a passenger vehicle. The endorsement applies to applicants who wish to drive a bus in any class (A, B, or C).

Hazardous Materials [H] — Any driver, regardless of the class of their vehicle who wants to haul hazardous materials or waste in amounts requiring placards must add a hazardous materials endorsement to their CDL. The driver must be 21 years or older. They must pass a special written examination on how to recognize, handle and transport hazardous materials.

Combination Hazardous Materials and Tank Vehicle [X] — Drivers who haul hazardous materials or hazardous waste in a tank vehicle must add an X endorsement to their CDL. This endorsement demonstrates that they have passed the special knowledge examinations for both tank vehicles and hazardous materials.

Air Brakes Restriction — Most drivers of heavy commercial vehicles drive trucks or buses equipped with air brakes. Therefore, part of the examination process covers the operation and critical aspects of air brake systems. Many Class A and B vehicles have air brakes. Some Class C vehicles also have air brakes. If a driver cannot pass the Air Brakes knowledge test, or if the driver does not successfully complete the CDL skills tests in a vehicle equipped with air brakes, a restriction must be placed on the applicant’s CDL indicating that the driver is not qualified to drive a vehicle with air brakes.

Class [D] License - A license to drive any single vehicle weighing less than 26,001 pounds and vehicles towing 10,000 pounds or less.

Class [M] License – A license to drive a two or three-wheeled motorcycle. This license classification carries one of three endorsements:

• W – any two or three wheeled motorcycle with an engine piston displacement of more than 100 cc’s (minimum 15 years of age with successful completion of an approved driver education course);

• Y – any two or three wheeled motorcycle with an engine piston displacement of at least 50 cc’s, but not more than 100 cc’s (minimum 13 years of age); or

• Z – any two or three wheeled motorcycle with an automatic transmission and engine piston displacement of less than 50 cc’s (minimum 13 years of age).

Your driver license is valid for either 4 or 8 years. You may renew the license anytime up to 30 days before or after it expires. You will need to bring your current license and one other proof of identity. You may be required to take a vision, knowledge and in special cases, a driving test.

You must drive safely at all times to keep your driver license. You can lose your driving privileges for any of the following:

Your safety and the public’s, depends on what you do before driving, including adjusting the seat and mirrors, using safety belts, checking your vehicle, maintaining a clear view and securing items in and on the vehicle.

Before you drive away, always fasten your safety belts and make sure all your passengers are using safety belts or child restraints. Also remember to lock the vehicle's doors.

It is important that you and your passengers use safety belts. Studies have shown that if you are in an accident while using safety belts, your chances of being hurt or killed are greatly reduced. In the State of New Mexico, it is illegal to drive or to be a front-seat passenger, without wearing safety belts.

If your vehicle has a two-part safety belt system, be sure to wear both the lap belt and the shoulder belt. Wearing either part alone reduces your protection. If you have an automatic shoulder belt, be sure to buckle your lap belt as well. Otherwise, in a collision you could slide out of the belt and be hurt or killed.

In addition to protecting you from injury as a driver, safety belts help you keep control of the vehicle. If you are struck from the side or make a quick turn, the force could push you sideways. You cannot steer the vehicle if you are not behind the wheel.

Safety belts should be worn even if the vehicle is equipped with air bags. While air bags are good protection against hitting the steering wheel, dashboard or windshield, they do not protect you if you are hit from the side, rear or if the vehicle rolls over. An air bag will not keep you behind the wheel in these situations.

The law requires that all children under the age of 12 wear appropriate safety restraints while the vehicle is in motion. Children under the age of 24 months, or weighing less than 60 pounds, must be secured in an approved safety device. Children should be secured in the rear seat. Never secure a child in the front passenger side, especially if your vehicle has an air bag. If you are in a crash and the bag deploys, your child could be injured. A number of organizations will loan you a child safety device if you are unable to afford one. For further information, contact the Traffic Safety Bureau at (505) 827-0429 or toll free at 1-800-541-7952.

Some people still have "bad information" about using safety belts. For example,

"Safety belts can trap you inside a car." It takes less than a second to undo a safety belt. Crashes where a vehicle catches fire or sinks in deep water and you are "trapped", seldom happen. Even if they do, a safety belt may keep you from being "knocked out." Your chance to escape will be better if you are conscious.

"Safety belts are good on long trips, but I do not need them if I am driving around town." Over half of all traffic deaths happen within 25 miles of home. Many of them occur on roads posted at less then 45 mph.

"Some people are thrown clear in a crash and walk away with hardly a scratch." Your chances of not being killed in an accident are much better if you stay inside the vehicle. Safety belts can keep you from being thrown out of your vehicle, into the path of another one.

"If I get hit from the side, I am better off being thrown across the car; away from the crash point." When a vehicle is struck from the side, it will move sideways. Everything in the vehicle that is not fastened down, including the passengers will slide toward the point of crash, not away from it.

"At slow speeds, I can brace myself." Even at 25 mph, the force of a head-on crash is the same as pedaling a bicycle full-speed into a brick wall or diving off a three-story building onto the sidewalk. No one can "brace" for that.

There are traffic rules that say where, when and how fast you can drive. These rules help to keep traffic moving safely. Rules of the road include traffic control devices, right-of-way, and parking rules.

Traffic control devices include traffic signals, signs and pavement markings. Traffic control also can be provided by law enforcement, highway personnel or school crossing guards. You must obey directions from these persons.

Traffic signals are lights that tell you when or where to stop and go. A "green" light means you can go if it is safe. A "yellow" light means caution and a "red" light means stop.

Traffic lights are usually at intersections and are green, yellow and red, from bottom to top, when together. There are some intersections and other locations where there are single green, yellow or red lights.

A steady GREEN traffic light means you can go through the intersection. You must yield to emergency vehicles and others as required by law. If you are stopped and then the light turns green, you must allow crossing traffic to clear the intersection before you go ahead. A GREEN arrow means you can safely turn in the direction of the arrow. There should be no on-coming or crossing traffic while the arrow is green. If you are turning left, a steady green traffic light means you may turn but only when safe to do so. Oncoming traffic has the right-of-way. Be alert for signs that prohibit left turns. When turning right or left, watch for pedestrians crossing in front of your vehicle.

A steady YELLOW traffic light means the traffic light is about to change to red. You must stop if it is safe to do so. If you are in the intersection when the yellow light comes on, do not stop but continue through the intersection. A flashing YELLOW traffic light means slow down and proceed with caution. A YELLOW arrow means that the protection of a green arrow is ending and if you are turning in the direction of the arrow, you should prepare to stop and give the right of way to oncoming traffic before turning.

A steady RED traffic light means stop. You must wait until the traffic light turns green and there is no crossing traffic before you may move ahead. If you are turning right, you may turn after coming to a full stop, if it is safe to do so and if there is no sign prohibiting the turn on a red light. Be careful of pedestrians crossing in front of your vehicle. A flashing RED traffic light means the same as a stop sign. You must come to a full stop and then may proceed when it is safe to do so. A RED arrow means you must stop and you cannot go in the direction of the arrow. You may proceed when the red arrow goes out and a green arrow light goes on.

Traffic signs tell you about traffic rules, hazards, where you are, how to get where you are going and where services are located. The shape and color of these signs give clues to the type of information they provide.

Warning Signs - These signs are usually yellow with black lettering or symbols and most are diamond shaped. These signs warn you to slow down and be prepared to stop if necessary. It warns you that a special situation or a hazard is ahead. Some common warning signs are shown below.

Railroad Crossing Warning Signs - Many railroad crossings have signs or signals to warn drivers. Never try to beat a train across the tracks. Never start to cross if there is not room for your vehicle on the far side and if you will have to stop on the tracks. Wait until there is room for your vehicle on the far side. It is wise not to shift gears when crossing railroad tracks, just in case you might stall. Remember that trains are large and may be moving faster than they look. Some common railroad crossing warning signs and signals are shown in the illustration below.

Regulatory Signs - These signs are square, rectangular, or have a special shape and are usually white, red or black with black, red, white or green letters or symbols. They give you information about rules for traffic direction, lane use, turning, speed, parking and other special situations.

Some regulatory signs have a red circle with a red slash over a symbol. These signs prohibit certain actions, i.e., no left turn, no right turn, no U-turn, etc.

Common types of regulatory signs are:

• Speed Limit Signs. These signs indicate the maximum safe speed allowed or the minimum safe speed required. The maximum limit should be driven only in ideal driving conditions and you must reduce your speed when conditions require it. For example, you should reduce your speed when the roadway is slippery, during rain, snow, icy conditions, or when it is foggy and difficult to see clearly down the road. Some high-speed roads have minimum speed limits and you are required to travel at least this fast so as not to be a hazard to other drivers. If the minimum posted speed is too fast for you, you should use another road.

• Lane Use Control Signs. These signs tell you where you can go, where you can turn and often use an arrow symbol. These signs can be located on the side of the road or hanging over the lane of travel. Sometimes arrows may be painted on the road as a supplement to the signs.

• No Passing Signs. These signs tell you where passing is not permitted. Passing areas are based on how far you can see ahead. They consider unseen hazards such as hills and curves, intersections, driveways and other places a vehicle may enter the roadway. These signs, along with pavement markings indicate where you can pass another vehicle, the beginning and ending of a passing zone or where you may not pass. Where it is permitted to pass, you may do so only if it is safe. Be aware of road conditions and other vehicles.

Stop Sign - A stop sign has eight sides and is red with white letters. You must come to a full stop at a stop sign or stop line, if one is present. You must wait until crossing vehicles and pedestrians have cleared and pull forward only when it is safe to do so.

Yield Sign - A yield sign is a downward pointing triangle. It is red and white with red letters. It means you must slow down and yield the right-of-way to traffic in the intersection you are crossing or roadway you are entering.

Do Not Enter Sign - A square sign with a white horizontal line inside a red ball means you cannot enter. You will see this sign at roadway openings that you should not enter such as exit ramps, in crossovers on divided roadways and at numerous locations on one-way streets.

Slow Moving Vehicle - A reflective orange triangle on the rear of a vehicle means it is traveling less than 25 mph. You may see this decal on construction equipment, on farm equipment or horse drawn wagons or carriages.

Common types of Guide Signs are:

Destination Signs - These signs are square or rectangular shaped and are green or brown with white lettering. They show directions and distance to various locations such as cities, airports, state lines or to special areas such as national parks, historical areas or museums.

Service Signs - These signs are square or rectangular shaped and are blue with white letters or symbols. They show the location of various services such as rest areas, gas stations, campgrounds or hospitals.

Route Number Signs - The shape and color of route number signs indicate the type of roadway. When planning a trip, use a road map to determine your route. During the trip, follow the route signs to prevent you from getting lost.

Lines and symbols on the roadway divide lanes, tell you when you may pass other vehicles or change lanes, which lanes to use for turns, define pedestrian walkways and where you must stop for signs or traffic signals.

Edge and Lane Lines - Solid lines along the side of the road show you where the edge of the road is located.

Some travel lanes are designed to carry traffic in one direction at certain times and in the opposite direction at other times. These lanes are usually marked by double-dashed yellow lines. Before you start driving in them, check to see which lanes you can use at that time. There may be signs posted by the side of the road or overhead. Special lights are often used. A green arrow means you can use the lane beneath it; a red "X" means you cannot. A flashing yellow "X" means the lane is only for turning. A steady yellow "X" means that the use of the lane is changing and you should move out of it as soon as it is safe to do so.

On various roadways, one or more lanes may be reserved for special vehicles. Reserved lanes are marked by signs stating that the lane is reserved for special use and often have a white diamond posted at the side of the road or painted on the road surface.

These center lanes are reserved for making left turns (or U-turns when they are permitted) but can be used by vehicles traveling in both directions. On the pavement, left-turn arrows for traffic in one direction alternate with left-turn arrows for traffic coming from the other direction. These lanes are marked on each side by a solid yellow and dashed yellow lines. In some areas, the shared center lane becomes a "reversible lane" during rush hours. Be sure you can enter the lane before you do so and then only if it is safe to do so.

When there are no signs or markings to control the use of lanes, there are rules that indicate which lane is to be used. These rules cover general driving, passing and turning.

General driving - Never back a vehicle in any travel lane except to parallel park. It is illegal and unsafe to do so. Drivers do not expect a vehicle to be backing towards them and may not realize it until it is too late. If you miss your turn or exit do not back up but go on to where you can safely turn around.

Do not stop in travel lanes for any reason (confusion, breakdown, letting out a passenger). Keep moving until you can safely pull off the road.

On a road with two or more lanes traveling in the same direction, stay in the right lane except to pass. On a road with three or more lanes traveling in the same direction, if there is a lot of entering or exiting traffic, use the center travel lane.

Unless told to do so by officials, never drive on the shoulder of the road.

Passing - On multi-lane roads, the left-most lane is intended to be used for passing slower vehicles. If you pass on the right, the other driver may have difficulty seeing you and might suddenly change lanes in front of you. Never pass on the shoulder, whether it is paved or not. Other drivers will never expect you to be there and may pull off the road without looking.

Turning - Where there are no signs or lane markings to control turning, you should turn from the lane that is closest to the direction you want to go and turn into the lane closest to the one you came from. This way, you will cross the fewest lanes of traffic. When making turns, go from one lane to the other as directly as possible without crossing lane lines or interfering with traffic. Once you have completed your turn, you can change to another lane if you need to. Always use turn signals when changing lanes or turning.

Where vehicles or pedestrians are likely to meet one another and there are no signs or signals to regulate traffic, there are rules on who must yield the right-of-way. These rules tell who goes first and who must wait in different traffic situations.

The law says who must yield the right of way; it does not give anyone the right-of-way. You must do everything you can to prevent striking a pedestrian or another vehicle, regardless of the circumstances.

The following right-of-way rules apply at intersections:

Maximum

15 mph within a school zone, with a posted speed limit

30 mph in business or residential areas, unless posted otherwise

55 mph on public highways, unless posted otherwise

75 mph on rural interstate highways, unless, posted otherwise

Minimum

No one should drive at a speed less than the minimum posted speed limit. If no minimum is posted, drive so that you do not interfere with regular traffic flow. You should travel on the right-hand side of the road when your driving speed is slower than other vehicles. Speed should be adjusted for adverse conditions and for the type of vehicle and to avoid accidents.

Drivers are responsible for making sure that their vehicle is not a hazard when it is parked. Whenever you park, be sure it is in a place that is far enough from any travel lane to avoid interfering with traffic and visible to vehicles approaching from either direction.

No-Parking Zones — There are many areas where you cannot park. Check for signs that may prohibit or limit parking. Some parking restrictions are indicated by colored curb markings. Do not park:

Other parking restrictions are indicated by curbs painted:

No driver manual can teach you how to operate a vehicle or be a safe driver. Driving requires skills you can only gain through instruction and practice. The following offers some basic driving information.

Check the vehicle owner’s manual for how to best start the vehicle. Make sure the parking brake is on before you start the vehicle. If the vehicle has a manual transmission, it must not be in gear and in some vehicles the clutch must be depressed. For a vehicle that has an automatic transmission, you must put the shift selector in "park."

Accelerate gradually and smoothly. Trying to start too fast can cause the drive wheels to spin, particularly on slippery surfaces and cause the vehicle to slide. With a manual-shift vehicle, practice using the clutch and accelerator so that the engine does not over-rev or stall when shifting between gears.

Both hands should be placed on opposite sides of the steering wheel (e.g., left hand between 8 and 10 o’clock and right hand between 2 and 4 o’clock). This position is comfortable and on high-speed roads it allows you to make turns without taking your hands off the wheel.

Look well down the road and on both sides of the road, not at the road just in front of your vehicle. Look for traffic situations where you will need to steer before you get to them. This way, you have time to steer smoothly and safely.

When turning sharp corners, turn the steering wheel using the "hand-over-hand" technique. When you complete a turn, straighten out the steering wheel by hand. Letting it slip through your fingers could be dangerous.

The best way not to speed is to know how fast you are going. Check the speedometer often. People are not very good at judging how fast they are going. It is easy to be traveling much faster than you think. This is especially true when you leave high-speed roads and are driving on much slower local roads.

Follow the speed limit signs. They are there for your safety.

Be alert so that you know when you will have to stop well ahead of time. Stopping suddenly is dangerous and usually points to a driver who was not paying attention. When you brake quickly, you could skid and lose control of your vehicle. You also make it harder for drivers behind you to stop without hitting you.

Try to avoid panic stops by seeing events well in advance. By slowing down or changing lanes, you may not have to stop at all and if you do, you can make a more gradual and safer stop.

Most of what you do in driving depends on what you see. To be a good driver, you need to see well. The single biggest contributor to crashes is failing to see what is happening. You must look down the road, to the sides and behind your vehicle and be alert for unexpected events. At night and at other times when it’s hard to see, you must use your headlights.

You must be alert to what is going on around you. Many crashes occur because drivers do not pay enough attention to their driving. Do not take your eyes off the road for more than a few seconds at any one time. If you need to look at a map, pull safely off the road before you try to look at it. Do not try to read the map while you are driving. In many crashes with motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians, drivers reported that they looked but did not see them.

If you have a cellular phone or CB radio, avoid using it when the vehicle is in motion. Even with "hands free" equipment, conversing on a phone or radio takes your attention away from driving and can cause you to be less likely to notice a dangerous situation.

Do not drive with head or earphones that cover or go in both ears. These are illegal and make it hard to hear emergency horns or sirens.

Do not slow down just to look at a crash, someone getting a ticket or other roadside activity. This could cause you to be in a crash. If you take your eyes off the road to look at something, you could run into a vehicle ahead that has slowed or stopped. Rubbernecking also can increase congestion. When you pass these roadside activities, keep your eyes on the road and get past them as soon and as safely as you can.

Scanning helps you to see problems ahead; vehicles and people that may be in the road by the time you reach them, signs warning of problems ahead and signs giving you directions.

Look ahead - In order to avoid last minute braking or the need to turn, you should look well down the road. By looking well ahead and being ready to stop or change lanes if needed, you can drive more safely, save on fuel, help keep traffic moving at a steady pace and allow yourself time to better see around your vehicle and along side the road. Looking well down the road will also help you to steer straighter with less weaving. Safer drivers tend to look at least 10 seconds ahead of their vehicle. How far is this? It is the distance that your vehicle will travel in 10 seconds.

In the city, 10 seconds is about one block. When you drive in city traffic, you should try to look at least one block ahead. On the highway, 10 seconds is about four city blocks or a quarter of a mile.

How do you know how many seconds you are looking ahead? Here is how to figure how far ahead you are looking.

1. Find a non-moving object like a sign or telephone pole near the road about as far ahead as you are looking.

2. Start counting: one-one-thousand, two-one-thousand, three-one-thousand, etc., until you reach the object.

3. The number of seconds you have counted is the number of seconds ahead that you were looking.

You can be a safer driver by looking well ahead. You can avoid the need to stop or turn quickly. The less you have to stop or turn quickly, the less likely you are to run into someone or have someone run into you.

By looking well ahead, you can save on fuel. Every time you have to stop quickly, it takes time and fuel to get your vehicle back up to speed. Drivers, who look ahead, can slow down gradually or change lanes and avoid unnecessary braking that leads to lower miles-per-gallon.

Traffic would flow more smoothly if everyone looked well ahead. Making driving changes before the last moment gives drivers behind you more time to react. The earlier you act, the less often someone behind you has to react quickly to your vehicle. By seeing needed driving changes early, you can drive more safely and that helps drivers behind you drive more safely too. It also keeps traffic moving at a steady pace.

Look to the sides - As other vehicles or pedestrians may cross or enter your path anytime, you should look to the sides to make sure no one is coming. This is especially true at intersections and railroad crossings.

Intersections - Intersections are any place where traffic merges or crosses. They include: cross streets, side streets, driveways and shopping center or parking lot entrances. Before you enter an intersection, look to both the left and right for approaching vehicles and/or crossing pedestrians. If stopped, look to both the left and right just before you start moving. Look across the intersection before you start to move to make sure the path is clear all the way through the intersection and you will not block it if you have to stop.

Before you turn left across oncoming traffic, look for a safe gap in the traffic. Look to the street you are turning into to make sure that no vehicles or pedestrians are in your path, leaving you stranded in the path of oncoming traffic. Look one more time in the direction of oncoming traffic before you turn.

Before turning right, make sure that there is no traffic approaching from your left and no oncoming traffic turning left into your path. Do not begin your turn without checking for pedestrians crossing where you will be turning. You may turn right on red unless prohibited. You may also turn left from a one-way street into another one-way street unless prohibited.

Do not rely on traffic signals or signs to tell you that no one will be crossing in front of you. Some drivers do not obey traffic signals or signs. At an intersection, look left and right, even if other traffic has a red light or a stop sign. This is especially important just after the light has turned green. This is when people on the cross street are most likely to hurry through the intersection before the light changes to red. Others who may not stop are individuals who have been drinking or other reckless drivers.

Make sure you can clearly see crossing traffic before entering an intersection. If you were stopped and your view of a cross street is blocked, edge forward slowly until you can see. By moving forward slowly, crossing drivers can see the front of your vehicle before you can see them. This gives them a chance to slow down and warn you if needed.

Whenever there is a lot of activity along the side of the road, there is a good chance that someone will cross or enter the road. Therefore, it is very important to look to the sides when you are near shopping centers and parking lots, construction areas, busy sidewalks and playgrounds and schoolyards.

Railroad crossings - As you approach any railroad crossing slow down and look up and down the tracks to make sure a train is not coming. Do not assume that a train is not coming even if you have never seen one at that crossing before. Assuming that a train is not coming is one of the leading causes of fatalities at railroad crossings. Make sure there is room for your vehicle on the far side before you cross the tracks.

At crossings with more than one track, wait until the passing train is well down the track before starting to cross. Another train may be hidden by the one that just passed.

Look behind - Besides watching traffic ahead of you, you must check traffic behind you. You need to check more often when traffic is heavy. This is the only way you will know if someone is following too closely or coming up too fast and will give you time to do something about it. It is very important to look for vehicles behind you when you change lanes, slow down, back up or are driving down a long or steep hill.

When changing lanes - Whenever you want to change lanes, you must check that there are no vehicles in the lane you want to enter. This means you must check for traffic to the side and behind your vehicle before you change lanes. Changing lanes includes changing from one lane to another, merging onto a roadway from an entrance ramp and entering the roadway from the curb or shoulder. When changing lanes, you should:

When you slow down - You must check behind your vehicle whenever you slow down. This is very important when you slow down quickly or at points where a driver would not expect you to slow down, such as private driveways or parking spaces.

When you back up - It is hard for you to see behind your vehicle. Try to do as little backing as possible. In a shopping center, try to find a parking space you can drive through, so you can drive forward when you leave. Where backing is necessary, here are some hints that will help you back your vehicle safely.

When going down a long or steep hill - Check your mirrors when you are going down hills or mountains. Vehicles often build up speed going down a steep grade. Be alert for large trucks and buses that may be going too fast.

It is much harder to see at night. Here are some things you can do that will help you see better:

If a vehicle comes toward you with high beams on, flash your headlights quickly a couple of times. If the driver fails to dim the lights, look toward the right side of the road. This will keep you from being blinded by the other vehicle’s headlights and allow you to see enough of the edge of the road to stay on course. Do not try to "get back" at the other driver by keeping your bright lights on. If you do, both of you may be blinded.

COMMUNICATING

Crashes often happen because one driver does not see another driver, or when one driver does something the other driver does not expect. It is important that drivers let other road users know they are there and what they plan to do.

Some drivers do not always pay attention to what is going on around them. It is important that other road users know that you are there.

Use headlights - Besides helping you to see at night, headlights help other people see you. If needed, flick your headlights to alert other road users you are there. Remember to turn on your headlights whenever you have trouble seeing others. If you have trouble seeing them, they may have trouble seeing you.

Use your horn - People cannot see you unless they are looking your way. Your horn can get their attention. Use it whenever it will help prevent an accident. If there is no immediate danger, a light tap on the horn should be all you need. Give your horn a light tap :

If there is danger, do not be afraid to sound a SHARP BLAST on your horn. Do this:

When not to use your horn - There are several occasions when you should not use your horn. They include:

Use emergency signals - If your vehicle breaks down on a highway, make sure that other drivers can see it. All too often crashes occur because a driver did not see a stalled vehicle until it was too late to stop.

If available, use your 2-way radio or telephone to notify authorities that your vehicle or someone else has broken down. Many roadways have signs that tell you the CB channel or telephone number to call in an emergency. If you are having vehicle trouble and have to stop;

Stay out of the blind spot - Drive your vehicle where others can see you. Do not drive in another vehicle’s blind spot.

Generally other drivers expect you to keep doing what you are doing. You must warn them when you are going to change direction or slow down. This will give them time to react if needed, or at least not to be surprised by what you do.

Signal when you change direction - Signaling gives other drivers time to react to your moves. You should use your turn signals before you change lanes, turn right or left, merge into traffic or park.

Signal when you slow down - Your brake lights let people know that you are slowing down. Always slow down as early as it is safe to do so. If you are going to stop or slow down at a place where another driver does not expect it, tap your brake pedal three or four times quickly to let those behind you know you are about to slow down.

Signal when you slow down to:

The faster your vehicle is going, the more distance it will take to turn, slow or stop. For example, stopping at 60 mph does not take twice the distance it takes at 30 mph as one might think, but over three times the distance. Driving safely means adjusting your speed for road and traffic conditions, how well you can see and obeying speed limits.

There are various road conditions where to be safe, you must slow down. For example, you must slow down before a sharp curve, when the roadway is slippery and when there is standing water on the road.

The only contact your vehicle has with the road is through the tires. How good a grip the tires have with the road depends on the type and condition of the tires and the type and condition of the road surface.

Many drivers do not pay enough attention to the condition of their tires or to the condition of the roadway. It is important that the tires be in good condition and have enough air in them. See the vehicle owner’s manual for correct tire pressure.

You do not have as much traction on gravel or dirt roads as you do on concrete or asphalt roads. When driving on gravel or dirt, you must slow down. It will take you much longer to stop and it is much easier to skid when turning.

Curves - A vehicle can travel much faster in a straight line than it can in a curve. It is easy to go too fast in a curve. If you go too fast, then the tires will not be able to grip the road and the vehicle will skid. Always slow down before you enter the curve so you do not have to brake in the curve. Braking in a curve can cause the vehicle to skid.

Slippery roads - Slow down at the first sign of rain, snow or sleet. These all make the roadway slippery. When the road is slippery, the vehicle’s tires do not grip as well as they do on a dry road. How slow should you go? On a wet road you should reduce your speed about 10 mph. On packed snow you should cut your speed in half. Use snow tires or chains when the road has snow on it. On ice, you must slow to a crawl. It is very dangerous to drive on ice.

If at all possible, do not drive when the roads are icy. In some areas where there is a lot of icy weather, special studded tires are allowed. Because these tires can cause road damage, they are not allowed in many areas or on certain roads.

Some road surfaces are slippery at certain times or places. Here are some clues to help you spot slippery roads:

Water on the roadway - When it is raining or the road is wet, most tires have good traction up to about 35 mph. However, as you go faster, your tires will start to ride up on the water, like water skis. This is called "hydroplaning." In a heavy rain, your tires can lose all traction with the road at about 50-mph. Bald or badly worn tires will lose traction at much lower speeds. The best way to keep from hydroplaning is to slow down in the rain or when the road is wet.

If it feels like your tires have lost traction with the surface of the road you should:

Vehicles moving in the same direction at the same speed cannot hit one another. Crashes involving two or more vehicles often happen when drivers go faster or slower than other vehicles on the road.

Keep pace with traffic - If you are going faster than traffic, you will have to keep passing others. Each time you pass someone, there is a chance for a collision. The vehicle you are passing may change lanes suddenly or on a two-lane road, an oncoming vehicle may appear suddenly. Slow down and keep pace with other traffic. Speeding does not save more than a few minutes an hour.

Going much slower than other vehicles can be just as bad as speeding. It tends to make vehicles bunch up behind you and causes the other traffic to pass you. If vehicles are piled-up behind you, pull over when safe to do so and let them pass. You should either drive faster or consider using roads with slower speeds.

Entering into traffic - When you merge with traffic, try to enter at the same speed that traffic is moving. High-speed roadways generally have ramps to give you time to build-up your speed. Use the ramp to reach the speed of the other vehicles before you pull onto the road. Do not drive to the end of the ramp and stop or you will not have enough room to get up to the speed of traffic. Also, drivers behind you will not expect you to stop. If they are watching the traffic on the main road, you may be hit from the rear. If you have to wait for space to enter a roadway, slow down on the ramp so you have some room to speed-up before you have to merge.

Leaving traffic - Keep up with the speed of traffic as long as you are on the main road. If the road you are traveling has exit ramps, do not slow down until you move onto the exit ramp. When you turn from a high speed, two-lane roadway, try not to slow down too early if you have traffic following you. Tap your brakes and reduce your speed quickly but safely.

Slow moving traffic - Some vehicles cannot travel very fast or have trouble keeping up with the speed of traffic. If you spot these vehicles early, you have time to change lanes or slow down safely. Slowing suddenly can cause a traffic accident.

Trouble spots - Wherever people or traffic gather, your room to maneuver is limited. You need to lower your speed to have time to react in a crowded space. Here are some of the places where you may need to slow down:

If something is in your path and you need to stop, you need to see it in time to be able to stop. It takes much longer and further to stop than many people think. If you have good tires and brakes and dry pavement:

If you cannot see 400 feet ahead, it means you may not be driving safely at 50 mph. If you cannot see 200 feet ahead, you may not be driving safely at 30 mph. By the time you see an object in your path, it may be too late to avoid it.

Here are some things that limit how well you can see and hints you can follow to be a safer driver.

Darkness - It is harder to see at night. You must be closer to an object to see it at night than during the day. You must be able to stop within the distance you can see ahead with your headlights. Your headlights will let you see about 400 feet ahead. You should drive at a speed that allows you to stop within this distance or about 50-mph.

Rain, fog or snow - In a very heavy rain, snowstorm or thick fog, you may not be able to see much more than 200 feet ahead. When you cannot see any farther than that, you cannot safely drive faster than 30 mph. In a very heavy downpour, you may not be able to see well enough to drive. If this happens, pull off the road in a safe place and wait until it clears.

Hills and curves - You may not know what is on the other side of a hill or just around a curve, even if you have driven the road many times. If a vehicle is stalled on the road just over a hill or around a curve, you must be able to stop. Whenever you come to a hill or curve where you cannot see over or around, adjust your speed so you can stop if necessary.

Parked vehicles - Vehicles parked along the side of the road may block your view. People may be ready to get out of a vehicle or walk out from between parked vehicles. Give parked vehicles as much room as you can.

Sight-distance rule - Drive at a speed where you can always safely stop. To tell if you are driving too fast for conditions, use the "Four Second Sight Distance Rule." Pick out a stationary object as far ahead as you can clearly see (e.g. a sign or a telephone pole). Start counting "one-one-thousand, two-one-thousand, three-one-thousand, four-one-thousand." If you reach the object before you finish saying "four-one-thousand," you need to slow down. You are going too fast for your sight-distance. You must not drive faster than the distance you can see. If you do, you are not safe and could injure or kill yourself or others.

You should also use the "Four Second Sight Distance Rule" at night to make sure you are not "over-driving your headlights."

Speed limits - You must comply with speed limits. They are based on the design of the road, and the type of vehicles that use them. They take into account things you cannot see, such as side roads and driveways where people may pull out suddenly, and the amount of traffic that uses the road.

Remember that speed limits are posted for ideal conditions. If the road is wet or icy, if you cannot see well or if traffic is heavy, then you must slow down. Even if you are driving under the posted speed limit, you can get a ticket for traveling too fast under these conditions.

You always must share the road with others. The more distance you keep between yourself and everyone else, the more time you have to react. This space is like a safety cushion. The more you have, the safer it can be. This section describes how to make sure you have enough space around you when you drive.

Rear-end crashes are very common. They are caused from drivers following too closely to be able to stop before hitting the vehicle ahead when it suddenly stops. There is an easy way to tell if you are following too closely. It is called the "two-second rule," and it works at any speed.

There are situations where you need more space in front of your vehicle. In the following situations, you may need a four-second following distance to be safe.

It is not always easy to maintain a safe distance behind your vehicle. However, you can help keep the driver at a safe distance by keeping a steady speed and signaling in advance when you have to slow down or turn.

You need space on both sides of your vehicle to have room to turn or change lanes.

Anytime you want to merge with other traffic, you need a gap of about four seconds. If you move into the middle of a four second gap, both you and the vehicle that is now behind you have a two-second following distance. You need a four-second gap whenever you change lanes, enter a roadway or when your lane merges with another travel lane.

When you cross traffic, you need a large enough gap to get all the way across the road. When you enter traffic, you need enough space to first turn and then to get up to speed.

Whenever signs or road markings permit you to pass, you will have to judge whether you have enough room to pass safely. Do not count on having enough time to pass several vehicles at once. Be safe. As a general rule only pass one vehicle at a time.

Before you return to the driving lane, be sure to leave enough room between yourself and the vehicle you have passed. When you can see both headlights of the vehicle you just passed in your rear-view mirror, it is safe to return to the driving lane.

There are certain drivers and other road users you should give extra room. Some are listed here.

Those who cannot see you - Anyone who cannot see you may enter your path without knowing you are there. Those who could have trouble seeing you include:

People who are distracted - Even when others can see you, allow extra room or be extra cautious if you think they may be distracted. People who may be distracted include:

People who may be confused - People who are confused may cause an unsafe situation. People who may be confused include:

Drivers in trouble - If another driver makes a mistake, do not make it worse. Drivers who pass you when they do not have enough room for example. Slow down and let them return to the drive lane safely. If another driver needs to suddenly change lanes, slow down and let them merge. These gestures will keep traffic moving smoothly and safely.

Bicycle riders have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers. They must stop at traffic lights, signal their intentions and obey other traffic laws. They also have a right to ride on any public roadway in New Mexico, which means drivers must take special care when approaching or passing bicycles. Drivers should allow a distance of no less than five feet from the bicyclist when passing.

Statistics show three out of four accidents between large commercial trucks and cars are found to be the fault of the car driver, simply because they were unaware of what they were dealing with. Keep the following information in mind when sharing the road with large commercial vehicles:

1. If you are driving behind a truck or bus and cannot see the rearview mirrors of the vehicle in front of you, the driver of the large vehicle cannot see you.
2. A loaded truck with good tires and properly adjusted brakes, traveling at 55 mph on a clear, dry road requires a minimum of 290 feet to come to a complete stop. It is essential, therefore, to refrain from entering a road in front of a large vehicle. It also is important to avoid changing lanes in front of a large vehicle, if you are turning off the road.
3. A truck or bus has blind spots on each side where a smaller vehicle cannot be seen. These blind spots are referred to as the "No Zone". Do not drive in the "No Zone", except when absolutely necessary. It is advisable to avoid driving alongside large vehicles for prolonged periods, in any circumstances.
4. Trailer tires do not follow the same track left by the tractor tires when a truck makes a side turn. Instead, they follow inside the truck tire curve. This is the reason large vehicles must swing wide to make turns.
5. When traveling up or down steep grades, large vehicles must drive slowly, about 34 mph, and therefore use the right lane. Avoid driving in the right lane when traveling up or down hills, as well as in the vicinity of truck weigh stations, where slow-moving trucks will be attempting to re-enter faster-moving traffic. By avoiding the right lane in these areas, you will reduce the possibility of rear-ending or being rear-ended by a large vehicle.
6. On long downgrades, there are sometimes special "escape" or "runaway" ramps for trucks. The ramps are for use ONLY by large vehicles that are out of control or cannot stop because of brake failure. Never stop or park in the vicinity of these ramps.
7. Vehicles carrying hazardous materials must stop at all railroad crossings. Be prepared.

Unlike the hydraulic brakes on cars, trucks and buses have air brakes. Air brakes do not operate instantly. The air lines in air brakes are empty until the brake pedal is depressed, at which time the air lines fill with air. Only then will brakes on a large vehicle begin to operate. It is therefore imperative that drivers do not make sudden stops in front of large vehicles.

Driving safely is not always easy. In fact it is one of the most complex things that people do. It also is one of the few things we do regularly that can injure or kill us. It is worth the effort to be a careful driver.

Being a safe driver takes a lot of skill and judgment. This task is even more difficult when you are just learning to drive. Driving can easily take every ability you have. Your ability to be a safe driver depends on being able to see clearly, not being overly tired, not driving while on drugs, being generally healthy and being emotionally fit to drive. In other words, being in "shape" to drive safely.

Good vision is a must for safe driving. You drive based on what you see. If you cannot see clearly, you will have trouble identifying traffic and road conditions, spotting potential trouble or reacting in a timely manner.

Vision is so important that New Mexico requires that you pass a vision test before you get a driver license. This test measures that you have at least 20/40 vision in at least one eye, with or without corrective lenses.

Other important aspects of vision are:

Because seeing well is so important to safe driving, you should have your eyes checked every year or two by an eye specialist. You may never know you have poor vision unless your eyes are tested.

If you need to wear glasses or contact lenses for driving, remember to:

Hearing can be helpful to safe driving. The sound of horns, a siren or screeching tires can warn you of danger. Hearing problems, like bad eyesight, can come on so slowly that you do not notice it. Drivers who know they are deaf or have hearing problems can adjust and be safe drivers. These drivers learn to rely more on their vision and tend to stay more alert. Studies have shown that the driving records of hearing impaired drivers are just as good as those drivers with good hearing.

You cannot drive as safely when you are tired as when you are rested. You do not see as well, nor are you as alert. It takes you more time to make decisions and you do not always make good decisions. You can be more irritable and can get upset more easily. When you are tired you could fall asleep behind the wheel and crash, injuring or killing yourself or others.

There are things you can do to help from getting tired on a long trip.

Alcohol is involved in about 40% of the traffic crashes in which someone is killed. If you drink alcohol, even a little, your chances of being in an accident are much greater than if you did not drink any alcohol.

No one can drink alcohol and drive safely, even if you have been driving for many years. New drivers are more affected by alcohol than experienced drivers because they are still learning to drive.

Because drinking alcohol and then driving is so dangerous, the penalties are very tough. People who drive after drinking risk heavy fines, higher insurance rates, loss of license and even jail sentences.

Alcohol reduces all of the important skills you need to drive safely. Alcohol goes from your stomach into your blood and to all parts of your body. It reaches your brain in 20 to 40 minutes. Alcohol affects those areas of your brain that control judgment and skill. This is one reason why drinking alcohol is so dangerous; it affects your judgment. Good judgment is important to driving but in this case, judgment helps you to know when to stop drinking. In a way, it’s like alcohol puts good judgment on hold. You do not know when you have had too much to drink until it is too late. It is a little like a sunburn, by the time you feel it, it is already too late.

Alcohol slows your reflexes and reaction time, reduces your ability to see clearly and makes you less alert. As the amount of alcohol in your body increases, your judgement worsens and your skills decrease. You will have trouble judging distances, speeds and the movement of other vehicles. You will also have trouble controlling your vehicle.

The best advice is if you drink alcohol, do not drive. Even one drink of alcohol can affect your driving. With two or more drinks in your bloodstream you are impaired and could be arrested.

An alcohol drink is a 1 1/2 oz. of 80-proof liquor (one-shot glass) straight or with a mixer, 12 oz. of beer (a regular size can, bottle, mug or glass) or a 5-oz. glass of wine. Specialty drinks can have more alcohol in them and are the same as having several normal drinks.

It takes about an hour for your body to get rid of each drink. There is no way to sober up quickly. Coffee, fresh air, exercise or cold showers will not help. Time is the only thing that will sober you up.

There are ways of dealing with social drinking situations. Arrange to go with two or more persons and agree which one of you will not drink alcohol. You can rotate among the group being a "designated driver." You can use public transportation or use a cab, if available.

You are not allowed to buy alcohol, consume alcohol or be in possession of alcohol unless you are 21 years of age. If you are arrested for drinking and driving the penalties are severe. You can be arrested for driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% or more. In New Mexico, if you are under 21, you also can be arrested for alcohol impairment at .02%. BAC is the percentage of alcohol in your blood and is usually determined by a breath or blood test. If a police or traffic officer asks you to take a BAC test and you refuse to do so, you can lose your driver license for one year.

If you are found guilty of an alcohol violation and it is your first conviction, you could be fined up to $500 plus court costs. You could be sentenced up to 90 days in jail and your license could be revoked for up to one year. For second and subsequent convictions the penalties are much worse.

Besides alcohol, there are many other drugs that can affect a person’s ability to drive safely. These drugs can have effects like those of alcohol, or even worse. This is true of many prescription drugs and even many of the drugs you can buy without a prescription. Drugs taken for headaches, colds, hay fever or other allergies or those to calm nerves can make a person drowsy and affect their driving. Pep pills, "uppers" and diet pills can make a driver feel more alert for a short time. Later however, they can cause a person to be nervous, dizzy, unable to concentrate and they can affect your vision. Other prescription drugs can affect your reflexes, judgement, vision and alertness in ways similar to alcohol.

If you are driving, check the label before you take a drug for warnings about its effects. If you are not sure it is safe to take the drug and drive, ask your doctor or pharmacist about any side effects.

Never drink alcohol while you are taking other drugs. These drugs could multiply the effects of alcohol or have additional effects of their own. These effects not only reduce your ability to be a safe driver but also could cause serious health problems, even death.

Illegal drugs are not good for your health and affect your ability to be a safe driver. For example, studies have shown that people who use marijuana make more mistakes, have more trouble adjusting to glare and get arrested for traffic violations more than other drivers.

Many health problems can affect your driving — a bad cold, infection or virus. Even little problems like a stiff neck, a cough or a sore leg can affect your driving. If you are not feeling well and need to go somewhere, let someone else drive.

Some conditions can be very dangerous. In New Mexico drivers who have epilepsy, diabetes, adverse heart conditions and other medical problems are required to send the Motor Vehicle Division periodic medical statements signed by their physicians. Consult the Motor Vehicle Division for more information.

Emotions can have a great affect on your driving. You may not be able to drive well if you are overly worried, excited, afraid, angry or depressed.

All drivers sooner or later will find themselves in an emergency situation. As careful as you are, there are situations that could cause a problem for you. If you are prepared you may be able to prevent any serious outcomes.

There is always a chance of a vehicle problem while driving. You should follow the recommended maintenance schedule listed in the vehicle owner’s manual. Following these preventive measures greatly reduces the chance your vehicle will have a problem. Possible vehicle failures and what you can do if they happen are listed below.

If your brakes stop working:

If a tire suddenly goes flat:

If the engine dies while you are driving:

If your headlights suddenly go out:

The motor keeps going faster and faster:

When it looks like a collision may happen, many drivers panic and fail to act. In some cases they do act, but they do something that does not help to reduce the chance of the collision. There almost always is something you can do to avoid the crash or reduce the impact of the crash. In avoiding a collision, drivers have three options: stop, turn or speed up.

Many newer vehicles have an ABS (Antilock Braking System). Be sure to read the vehicle owner’s manual on how to use the ABS. The ABS system will allow you stop without skidding. In general, if you need to stop quickly:

With ABS - If you have an antilock braking system and you need to stop quickly:

Without ABS - If you must stop quickly and you do not have an antilock braking system:

In most cases, you can turn the vehicle quicker than you can stop it. You should consider turning in order to avoid a collision.

Make sure you have a good grip with both hands on the steering wheel. Once you have turned away or changed lanes, you must be ready to keep the vehicle under control. Some drivers steer away from one collision only to end up in another. Always steer in the direction you want the vehicle to go.

With ABS - One aspect of having ABS, is that you can turn your vehicle while braking without skidding. This is very helpful if you must turn, stop or slow down.

Without ABS - If you do not have ABS, you must use a different procedure to turn quickly. You should step on the brake pedal, then let-up and turn the steering wheel. Braking will slow the vehicle, put more weight on the front tires, and allow for a quicker turn. Do not lock-up the front wheels while braking or turn so sharply that the vehicle can only plow ahead.

Remember that generally it is better to run off the road than to crash head-on into another vehicle.

Sometimes it is best or necessary to speed up to avoid a collision. This may happen when another vehicle is about to hit you from the side or from behind and there is room to the front of you to get out of danger. Be sure to slow down once the danger has passed.

Any road that is safe under normal conditions can be dangerous when it is wet or has snow or ice on it. High speeds under normal conditions also increase the possibility of a skid if you must turn or stop suddenly. Skids are caused when the tires can no longer grip the road. Since you cannot control a vehicle when it is skidding, it is best not to cause your vehicle to skid in the first place. Skids are caused by drivers traveling too fast for conditions.

If your vehicle begins to skid:

PROTECT YOURSELF IN COLLISIONS

You may not always be able to avoid a collision. Try everything you can to keep from getting hit. If nothing works, try to lessen any injuries that could result from the crash. The most important thing you can do is to use your lap and shoulder belts. Besides your safety belts, there are a couple of other things that could help prevent more serious injuries.

If your vehicle is hit from the rear, your body will be thrown backwards. Press yourself against the back of your seat and put your head against the head restraint. Be ready to apply your brakes so that you will not be pushed into another vehicle.

If your vehicle is hit from the side, your body will be thrown towards the side that is hit. Front air bags will not help in this situation. Your lap and shoulder belts are needed to help keep you behind the wheel. Get ready to steer or brake to prevent your vehicle from hitting something else.

If your vehicle is about to be hit from the front it is important to try and have a "glancing blow" rather than being struck head on. This means that if a collision is going to happen, you should try to turn the vehicle. At worse, you are hit with a glancing blow. If your vehicle has an air bag, it will inflate. It will also deflate following the crash, so be ready to prevent your vehicle from hitting something else. You must use your lap and shoulder belts to keep you behind the wheel and to protect you if your vehicle has a second crash.

Do not stop at an accident unless you are involved or if emergency help has not yet arrived. Keep your attention on your driving and keep moving, watching for people who might be in or near the road. Never drive to the scene of an accident, fire or other disaster just to look. You may block the way for police, firefighters, ambulances, tow trucks and other rescue vehicles.

No matter how good a driver you are, there may be a time when you are involved in an accident. If you are involved in an accident you must stop. If you are involved in an accident with a parked vehicle, you must try and locate the owner. If any person is injured or killed, the police must be notified. It is a crime for you to leave an accident site where your vehicle was involved if there is an injury or death before police have talked to you and received all the information they need about the accident.

You may want to carry a basic vehicle emergency kit. These kits have emergency flares, first aid supplies and basic tools.