Traffic conditions change constantly. You cannot afford to let your attention wander from what is going on around you. Always scan the road ahead. Do not use the road or even the vehicle directly ahead as your only focal point. Look ahead so you can avoid, or lessen, potential problems.

Keep your eyes moving, notice what's happening at the sides of the road, and check behind you through your mirrors every few seconds.

Anticipate mistakes by other drivers and think about what you will do if a mistake does happen. Do not always assume that a driver approaching a STOP or YIELD sign on a side road is actually going to stop or yield. It is better to assume the other driver may not stop. Be ready to react.

To prevent aggressive driving from developing into road rage, it is sometimes better to not make eye contact with another driver, especially where conflict can occur - the other driver may interpret eye contact as a "challenge."

When confronted by an aggressive driver:

• Avoid eye contact.
  
   
• Stay calm and relaxed.
  
   
• Make every attempt to get out of the way safely. Do not escalate the situation.
  
   
• Put your pride in the back seat. Do not challenge an aggressive driver by speeding up or attempting to hold your position in your travel lane.
  
   
• Wear a seat belt and encourage your passengers to do the same.
  
   
• Ignore harassing gestures and name calling, and do not return them.
  
   
• Report aggressive drivers to the appropriate law enforcement authorities by providing a vehicle description, location, license plate number, and direction of travel.
  
   
• If you are being followed by an aggressive or threatening driver, do not stop or get out of your vehicle. Drive directly to the nearest police station.
  
   
• If an aggressive driver is involved in a crash, stop a safe distance from the crash scene. When the police arrive, report the driving behavior you witnessed.
  
   

To avoid becoming an aggressive driver:

• Allow enough travel time to reach your destination on schedule.
  
   
• Alter your schedule to avoid driving during peak highway congestion periods.
  
   
• If you're running late, call ahead so you can relax.
  
   
• Do not drive when you are angry, upset or overly tired.
  
   
• Make your vehicle comfortable. Listen to relaxing music and avoid situations that raise your anxiety.
  
   
• When driving, relax and remain aware of your posture. Sit back in your seat, loosen your grip on the steering wheel and do not clench your teeth.
  
   
• Give others the benefit of the doubt; be polite, courteous and forgiving.
  
   
• You can control your own reactions to other drivers. If someone else drives aggressively, do not retaliate.

If you have the right-of-way, do not think of it as an absolute right. Be prepared to give up the right-of-way to avoid a crash or prevent confusion. Waiting a few seconds for another driver is far better than risking a crash. Knowing you were "in the right" will not make up for the expense or pain of a collision.

Aggressive driving is not road rage. However, aggressive driving can escalate into road rage. Aggressive driving generally involves the violation of a traffic safety law, while road rage generally involves the breaking of a criminal law.

Who can become road raged? It could happen to any of us when our irritation or anger with others leads us to drive, or behave outside, our vehicle in an unsafe or hostile manner. We become a threat to ourselves, and to the safety and lives of others on and near the road or highways. Reckless endangerment, threats of violence, assault, and other violent actions are illegal. They can result in severe penalties that include fines, imprisonment and court-ordered probation, as well as revocation and suspension of driver license.

Road rage can include:

• Verbal provocations, such as yelling, cursing, excessive horn honking, rude or obscene gestures and threats.
  
   
• Driving actions, such as cutting off another vehicle, extremely close tailgating, blocking another vehicle from using a traffic lane, pursuing or chasing another vehicle, or running it off the road, deliberate ramming or bumping of another vehicle.
  
   
• Stopping a vehicle at the side of the road, and getting out of it to threaten, frighten, attack, fight or hurt another motorist or passenger, or a pedestrian, cyclist, or other person.

Recent research indicates that being in a state of rage can affect your blood pressure, and your ability to reason and make decisions. As a driver, you will make more driving errors. You will increase your chances of causing or being involved in a traffic crash.

Aggressive driving and road rage leads to revoked or suspended driver licenses, difficulties between family members and friends, loss of employment, and significant legal problems.

Many drivers do not recognize when their own aggressive driving, and their own road rage, is affecting their ability to drive safely. State law requires every DMV-approved accident prevention course to address the hazards and dangers of road rage, and how to prevent it from occurring. For information about DMV-approved accident prevention courses, see the publication Point & Insurance Reduction (C-32A), available from the DMV Internet Office, by request from a DMV Call Center, and at any motor vehicle office. You may also contact one of the program sponsors presented in the DMV publication List of Course Sponsors (C-31), available at any state or county motor vehicle office.

To keep traffic flowing smoothly, some highways also have minimum speed limits. Driving slower than the minimum speed can interrupt the traffic flow and create a dangerous situation. Even if there is no minimum speed limit, those driving much slower than the posted limit can be as dangerous as driving too fast.

Be aware that some cities have speed limits lower than 55 mph (88 km/h) that may not be posted. For example, the speed limit is 30 mph (48 km/h) in New York City unless another limit is posted.

Four of every ten crashes involve rear-end collisions, usually because someone is following too closely (tailgating). Leave enough room between your vehicle and the one ahead so you can stop safely if the other vehicle stops suddenly.

For a good "space cushion," use the two-second rule: Choose an object near or above the road ahead, such as a sign, tree or over-pass. As the vehicle ahead passes it, count aloud, slowly, "one thousand one, one thousand two." If you reach the same object before you finish counting, you are following too closely. Slow down and let the other vehicle get further ahead. In bad weather and when following large trucks, including tractor-trailers, increase the count to three at least or four seconds for extra space.

If a driver tailgates behind you, move to another lane if possible, or slow down and pull off the road if necessary, to let the driver go by you. Be sure to signal when you drive off the road and when you return to it. Do not press your brakes to warn the offending driver - this could make a difficult situation become even more dangerous.

Brake early and gently when preparing to stop or turn. It gives drivers behind you plenty of warning that you are slowing down.

Be aware of space on either side of you, too, in case you have to change lanes quickly or pull over to avoid a hazard. If possible, leave yourself some "escape" room to your left and right.

A shoulder harness is worn across the shoulder and chest, not under the arm. Wearing the harness the wrong way could cause serious internal injuries in a crash.

If you are wearing a seat belt, your chances are at least 50 percent less of being killed or seriously injured in a traffic crash than if you are not wearing one.

All children under age 16 must also wear them, no matter where they ride in the vehicle. All children under age four must ride in federally-approved child safety seats, or if also over 40 pounds in weight use an appropriate child restraint system such as a booster seat.  Beginning March 27, 2005, all children under age 7 must use an appropriate child restraint system, unless they are more than four feet nine inches tall.  If your vehicle has side impact air bags, please refer to your owner's manual for additional safety tips. Persons 16 and older are responsible for buckling themselves up, and can be fined if they do not. If a passenger under 16 is not properly protected, the driver can be fined. The maximum fine for each seat belt violation is $50. The fine for a violation involving a person under age 16 is at least $25, and can be up to $100.

New York is a "primary enforcement" state. A law enforcement officer can stop you and issue a traffic ticket just for failure to wear a seat belt or to make sure child passengers are properly buckled up or in safety seats. The law applies to out-of-state visitors as well as New York State residents.

New York's seat belt law applies to drivers and occupants of all vehicles except authorized emergency vehicles, taxies, liveries, buses (except for bus drivers), and 1964 and older model cars. Rural letter carriers are also exempt while delivering mail. Individuals who qualify for a medical exemption due to a physical disability which prevents seat belt use must carry a letter of exemption. This letter must be written on a physician's letterhead or prescription blank and signed by the physician. The DMV strongly recommends that medically exempted passengers ride in the back seat.

Whenever you drive, you should make sure everyone in your vehicle wears a seat belt. In the event of a crash, a person without a belt becomes a projectile, and a danger to everyone else in the vehicle. Make sure every child under age four in your vehicle is properly using an approved safety seat, and that the seat is properly installed.

We all share the financial burden of deaths and injuries due to traffic crashes. As you practice the safe driving techniques in this manual, make buckling up part of your routine - a habit as automatic as turning the key in the ignition or turning on the radio.

Here are some facts to encourage you to buckle up:

• If you are thrown out of a vehicle in a crash, your chances of being killed are 25 times greater than if you stay inside.
  
   
• Eight of ten crashes happen at speeds of less than 40 mph (64 km/h), and people have been killed in crashes at speeds as low as 12 mph (19.2 km/h). About 75 percent of crashes occur within 25 miles (40 km) of the driver's home. Wear your seat belt even on short trips or when traveling at low speeds.
  
   
• Do not worry about being trapped by your seat belt. Less than one-half of one percent of all traffic crashes involve a fire or a vehicle going underwater. Even in these rare incidents, a seat belt keeps you from being knocked unconscious or being too badly injured to escape. It only takes a second or two to unfasten the belt so you can get out of the vehicle.
  
   
• A seat belt can help you avoid a crash. It helps you stay in position behind the steering wheel and near the brake pedal if your vehicle goes out of control. With a belt on, you may be able to regain control. Without it, you may not even be able to stay in the driver's seat.

For added protection, adjust your vehicle's head rest, lock the doors and keep loose, heavy objects out of the passenger area. Put them in the trunk instead.

Air bags provide an extra degree of protection against injuries when used with seat belts. They are meant to work WITH seat belts, not to replace them. An air bag protects a front-seat occupant in a head-on crash by inflating upon impact and cushioning the occupant from colliding with the steering wheel, dashboard or windshield. The combination of a seat belt and an air bag offers maximum protection, partly because they help the driver maintain control of the vehicle and help avoid secondary collisions.

The air bag deploys rapidly from the steering wheel and/or dashboard. Most adults who are properly buckled up are safer in a vehicle with air bags, but the force of an air bag deploying may injure those who sit too close to it. You should sit with at least 10 inches between the center of your chest and the cover of your vehicle's air bag. Also, place your hands on the steering wheel at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions to keep them out of the way if the air bag deploys.

IMPORTANT: NEVER PUT AN INFANT IN A REAR-FACING CHILD SAFETY SEAT IN THE FRONT SEAT OF A VEHICLE THAT HAS A PASSENGER AIR BAG.

Diamond-shaped orange "work zone" warning signs are often posted in advance of road construction projects and other work areas that can affect traffic flow. One sign might read: "flagger ahead." A flagger is a worker who motions for you to stop, proceed with caution, or change lanes. A flagger has the same authority as a regulatory sign, which means you can be ticketed for disobeying his or her directions. Slow down! Be Alert! Obey the signs!

Work Zone Tips:

• Some signs may suggest a detour that allows you to avoid the work zone entirely. Also, if you already know where a work zone is located ahead, you may be wise to use an alternate route.
  
   
• As you enter a work zone, signs with flashing arrow panels or that warn "lane closed ahead" mean you should merge your vehicle into the proper lane as soon as safely practical. Don't zoom to the end of the closed lane and try to force your way into the other lane. If you move to the appropriate lane at first notice, your driving is more likely to be calm, efficient, and safe.
  
   
• Slow down when a sign says to do it. If it warns: "Road Work 1,500 feet," that means your car, traveling at 60 miles per hour, will get there in just 17 seconds. Faster than that, and your safety margin is even less.
  
   
• The rear-end collision is the most common crash in a work zone. To avoid being involved in one, it helps to keep a braking distance of two seconds, or more, between you and the vehicle in front of you. (See "Allowing Yourself Space," page 65) Keep a safe distance between your vehicle and traffic barriers, trucks, construction equipment and workers.
  
   
• Some work zones are mobile - such as line painting, road patching and mowing. These zones move up or down the roadway as the work is finished. Workers may be nearby even if you do not see them immediately after the warning signs. Obey the signs until you pass the one that states you have left the work zone.

Tips for driving safely through a roundabout:

• As you approach the roundabout, look for the street and direction signs you need. This will help you know which exit to take. These signs should be posted along the roadside before you reach the roundabout.
  
   
• When you arrive at the roundabout, yield the right-of-way to any pedestrians and bicyclists that also might be entering. You also must yield to any drivers already in the roundabout. Sometimes your entry point will be controlled by a stop sign or traffic signal. When the traffic level allows enough space and time, you may enter the roundabout.
  
   
• While inside the roundabout, stay in your lane until you are ready to exit. Use your vehicle's right turn signal to let the other users know what you want to do, whether you want to move from the "inside path" to the "outside path" before exiting, or already are in position to exit. Start signaling at the exit BEFORE the one you want to take. Do not change lanes or take an exit before checking for vehicles that may be continuing through the roundabout in the lane next to you or behind you. Expect vehicles to be in the "blind spots" you cannot see in your rearview mirrors. (See "Blind Spots," Chapter 11).

Symptoms of Fatigue — Researchers have found the following symptoms to be associated with drowsy driving:

• Your eyes close or go out of focus by themselves.
  
   
• You have trouble keeping your head up.
  
   
• You cannot stop yawning.
  
   
• You have wandering disconnected thoughts.
  
   
• You do not remember driving the last few miles.
  
   
• You drift between lanes, tailgate, or miss traffic signs.
  
   
• You keep jerking the car back into the lane.
  
   
• You have drifted off the road and hit the rumble strips which produce a loud noise and vibrations.

Who is Most At Risk? All Drivers who are:

• Sleep-deprived or fatigued.
  
   
• Driving long distances without rest breaks.
  
   
• Driving through the night, the early afternoon, or at other times when you are normally asleep.
  
   
• Taking medication that increases sleepiness or drinking alcohol.
  
   
• Driving alone.
  
   
• Driving on long, rural, boring roads.
  
   
• Frequent travelers, e.g., business travelers and long-distance commuters.
  
   
• Young People — Sleep related crashes are most common in young people, who tend to stay up late, sleep too little, and drive at night.
  
   
• Shift Workers — Studies suggest individuals with non-traditional work schedules have a greater risk of being involved in a fatigue-related driving traffic crash.
  
   
• People With Undiagnosed Sleep Disorders — The presence of a sleep disorder also increases the risk of crashes. If you find you are regularly tired during the day or experience any of these symptoms on a regular basis, you may have a sleep disorder and should seek medical help.

Effective Countermeasures

Prevention — Before you embark on a trip, you should:

• Get a good night's sleep.
  
   
• Plan to drive long trips with a companion.
  
   
• Schedule regular stops, every 100 miles or 2 hours.
  
   
• Avoid alcohol and medications (over-the-counter and prescribed) that may impair performance. Check with your doctor or pharmacist about any medication you are taking. Alcohol interacts with fatigue; increasing its effects.

Actions for the Drowsy Driver — Once driving, you should:

• Recognize that you are in danger of falling asleep and cannot predict when sleep may occur.
  
   
• Not count on the radio, open window or other "tricks" to keep you awake.
  
   
• Respond to symptoms of fatigue by finding a safe place to stop for a break.
  
   
• Pull off into a safe area from traffic and take a brief nap (15 to 45 minutes).
  
   
• Drink coffee or another source of caffeine to promote short-term alertness if needed. (It takes about 30 minutes for caffeine to enter the bloodstream.)

You are not at your best if you are ill or very tired. Do not drive for at least 15 minutes after waking from sleep.

NOTE: See Chapter 9 for more information about the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and other drugs.

Tips for safer mobile phone use:

• Buckle-up, keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.
  
   
• Keep your phone where it is easy to see. Learn its features while your vehicle is parked.
  
   
• Use your phone's speed dial feature for frequently called numbers, and park off the road to dial manually.
  
   
• Use voice mail to receive calls when the driving is not safe. NEVER make written notes while driving.

Pay special attention to the maintenance and repair of the brakes, steering mechanism, lights, tires and horn. Rely on your owner's manual and a knowledgeable mechanic as your guides to a safe, smooth-running vehicle.

Here are some common problems and some quick equipment checks you can do yourself:

• BRAKES - Brakes that pull to one side may be wet, or may need to be adjusted or repaired. If wet, you can dry them by riding lightly on the pedal. If this does not help, have your brakes checked by a mechanic. If you notice any change in the performance of your brakes, have them checked right away.
  
   
• STEERING - There should not be too much "play" in the steering wheel. If you have power steering, check the fluid level periodically. A whining noise when you make a sharp turn can be a sign of trouble.
  
   
• LIGHTS - Keep your lights clean and clear of dirt, snow and ice. Broken lenses can cause dangerous glare for other drivers, so have them replaced as soon as possible. Make sure your headlights are adjusted properly to give you the best view of the road and to avoid blinding approaching drivers.
  
   
• TIRES - The law requires that your vehicle's tires have at least 2/32nds of an inch (.16 cm) of tread. You can check tread depth with a penny. Place it upside down in the tread. If the top of Lincoln's head shows, the tires are too worn and should be replaced. It is also illegal to drive with tires that have cuts down to the cords, knots bumps or bulges. Consult your owner's manual or a tire store about proper tire pressure, and check their pressure often with a reliable gauge.
  
   
• GLASS - Keep your windows clean and clear all the way around. Replace wiper blades that streak, keep your defroster and rear window defogger in good working condition, and make sure you have enough windshield washing fluid.
  
   
• HORN - Your vehicle's horn may not seem to be an important safety equipment, but it could easily become your only way to warn other drivers or pedestrians of possible trouble. If the horn is not working, get it repaired as soon as possible. And remember, a horn is used as a warning to others. It should not be used unnecessarily or to express your anger at other drivers or pedestrians.

• Should you always look straight ahead when driving?
  
   
• If there is no posted speed limit, what is the fastest you may legally drive in New York State?
  
   
• Is it always safe to drive at the posted speed limit?
  
   
• What is the purpose of minimum speed limits?
  
   
• Who must wear seat belts? Who should wear them?
  
   
• How can you prevent fatigue on a long trip?
  
   
• What is road rage? How can you avoid becoming involved in road rage?
  
   
• How should you drive safely through a work zone? A roundabout?