The SAS Survival Driver’s Handbook. John Wiseman

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СКАЧАТЬ brakes

       • Stability

       • Four-wheel drive

       • Crash protection:

       •Seat belts

       • How to wear a seat belt

       • Seat belt maintenance

       • Seat belt regulations

       • Child restraints

       • Types of child restraints

       • Airbags

       • Steering wheels and columns

       • Head restraints

       • Side-impact bars

       • Bull bars

       • Load restraints

       SAFE DRIVER

       • Alertness:

       •Alcohol

       • Drugs

       • Medical conditions

       • Stress

       • Fatigue

       • Distractions

       • Don't Smoke and Drive

       • Awareness

       • Attitude:

       •Road rage

       • Speeding

       • Driving Offences

       • Tailgating

       • Anticipation

       • Deadly motorway debris

       SURVIVAL KITS

       SAFETY CHECKS

       SAFETY IN THE GARAGE

Safe Car

       Almost 50 per cent of accidental deaths occur on the roads. Dangerous driving and unhealthy attitudes to other road users are the main causes of these accidents, but since we can’t change the way others drive — and of course it’s always the other driver who’s at fault — the next best thing is to choose a car that will keep us safe in the event of an accident.

      So what makes a car safe? Advertisements for new cars make much of features like airbags, side impact bars, roll cages and seatbelt pre-tensioners, designed to minimize the risk of injury. But more mundane items like mirrors, wipers, demisters and lights are every bit as important to safety, because when used properly they can help you to avoid accidents in the first place.

Accident Prevention

      Safety regulations ensure that all cars come equipped with a range of features designed to allow the motorist to see hazards and avoid them. Mirrors, headlights, wipers and demisters give the driver a clear view of the road. Lights and reflectors make the vehicle visible to other road users even in poor conditions. Indicators, brake lights, the horn and headlights allow the driver to give others advance warning of his or her manoeuvres, while the brakes and tyres enable the car to be brought to a swift halt.

      It’s easy to take such features for granted when choosing a car — after all, they come as standard, the car wouldn’t be allowed on the road if it didn’t have mirrors, lights, brakes, etc. But test drive a few different makes and models and you will soon become aware that leg-room can vary dramatically from car to car, some feel cramped while others are impossible for anyone of below average height to drive safely. Some cars provide a clearer all-round view of the road by doing away with wide front and rear pillars. New innovations include dashboard warning lights to tell you when there’s ice on the road, and some high-performance cars are equipped with traction control to give better grip in slippery conditions.

      Even colour can make a difference to your safety. A light- or bright-coloured car stands out more than a dark one. Statistics show that dark blue cars are top of the league table where accidents are concerned, because blue blends into the background more easily than any other colour. Of course, if you live in a snowy wasteland, white would be the colour to avoid. Bright red, yellow and silver show up well in most conditions.

MIRRORS

      You cannot drive safely unless your vehicle is fitted with at least two clean, correctly adjusted rear-view mirrors, at least one of which must be mounted on the outside of the vehicle. The police have the authority to bring prosecutions against drivers who do not meet these requirements, and in some countries they can impose on-the-spot fines for a dirty or cracked mirror.

LIGHTS

      It is vital that all lights and reflectors on your vehicle are kept СКАЧАТЬ