When driving in extraordinarily wet situations, decelerate and switch in your headlights. “I’ve somewhat saying that goes, ‘in case your wipers are going, your headlights are glowing,'” says Hector Carias, an officer with the California Freeway Patrol.
Klaus Kremmerz for NPR
cover caption
toggle caption
Klaus Kremmerz for NPR
When you have a driver’s license, you need to know the fundamental guidelines of the highway. Buckle your seat belt. Use your flip sign. Cease on the purple mild.
However there could also be eventualities on the highway that you simply really feel much less ready for. What must you 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 bottom line is to remain vigilant, he says. “Driving ought to take 100% of your focus, 100% of the time. Being defensive behind the automobile can solely convey constructive outcomes.”
Motorized vehicle crashes are a number one reason for dying in the US, killing greater than 120 folks on a regular basis, in response to 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 prime highway security do’s and don’ts.
1. DON’T velocity. It might probably make it more durable to keep away from potential hazards on the highway, and it may possibly make automotive crashes extra extreme, Carias says. If somebody is tailgating you, “transfer over one lane and allow them to go. There is no motive so that you can velocity up.”
2. DO name 911 when you’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 have interaction. Officers will ship assist. If they cannot 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’ve got engine bother on the freeway. In case your automotive stalls or runs out of fuel on the highway, put your hazard lights on instantly and launch the accelerator, Carias says. “Attempt to veer to the fitting 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 when you’re parked on the fitting shoulder of the highway awaiting assist. And bear in mind to buckle up.
Klaus Kremmerz for NPR
cover caption
toggle caption
Klaus Kremmerz for NPR
4. DO hop into the passenger seat whereas ready for assist in the fitting shoulder lane. It may be safer than sitting within the driver’s seat. You need to place your self as far-off from site visitors as doable. And buckle up, Carias says.
5. DO get as far-off out of your automotive as doable when you 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 automobile, in response to the U.S. Hearth Administration. Do not attempt to struggle the fireplace.
6. DO decelerate in excessive wet situations. “Give your self extra time to be reactive” to highway hazards, Carias says. And switch in your headlights. Rain could make it onerous to see the highway and for different drivers to see you. “I’ve somewhat saying that goes, ‘in case your wipers are going, your headlights are glowing.'”
7. DON’T speed up or slam the brakes when you’re skidding on ice. “As soon as you have already began sliding, you are type of going alongside for the trip,” Carias says. Cautiously flip your wheel within the route you need the automotive to go, and straighten the wheel as you’re feeling the automotive straighten out, in response to AAA.
8. DON’T flip in your excessive beams in heavy fog. “Fog is actually water molecules. Shining vibrant mild at these molecules is simply going to replicate that mild again to you and make it more durable to see,” Carias says. As an alternative, flip in your headlights and fog lamps when you’ve got 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.
Klaus Kremmerz for NPR
cover caption
toggle caption
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 automobile is extra totally submerged, the stress from the water towards the home windows and doorways could make it tough to open them.
Escape by means of the open window and exit to security. If you cannot roll down the window, “do your greatest to shatter the window utilizing your elbow or no matter you may,” Carias says. For peace of thoughts, buy a window punch to maintain in your automotive.
10. DO maintain emergency provides in your automotive. That features a first support package, water, jumper cables, a flashlight and blankets, Carias says. AAA additionally recommends protecting a fundamental set of instruments and highway 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 might love to listen to from you. Depart us a voicemail at 202-216-9823, or e-mail us at [email protected].
Take heed to Life Equipment on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and join our e-newsletter. Observe us on Instagram: @nprlifekit.
