Driving Safety - Lesson 3

VEHICLE CONDITION

The condition of your vehicle affects your ability to control it, to see and be seen and to communicate with other drivers and pedestrians. Your chances of staying out of an incident are better with a vehicle in good condition.

Inspect Your Vehicle Regularlycar with damaged light

  • Lights/Turn Signals- Ensure that all headlights, turn signals, back-up lights and brake lights are in working order.
  • Oil/Fluids - Check all fluid levels (engine oil, transmission oil, brake fluid) for adequate level and viscosity*.
  • Windshield- It should be clean. Test the defroster to ensure that it is adequate to clear the windshield of moisture.
  • Windshield Wipers - Maintain a clear field of vision with operational windshield wipers and effective wiper blades.
  • Seatbelts - Inspect that all seatbelts are operational and securely attached to the body of the vehicle.
  • Tires- Check for over or under inflation of tires as well as adequate tire tread.
  • Brakes - Evaluate for "softness", grinding, screeching, off-center pulling - all could suggest brake problems.
  • Steering Wheel - Determine that the steering wheel provides adequate control of the vehicle while driving.
  • Mirrors -Make certain that all mirrors are in place and aligned to provide adequate vision of blind spots.
  • Horn - Test the horn to determine if it works.

 

*Viscosity - The condition or property of being viscous or resistant to flow.

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