Utah Driver Education and TrainingUtah Driver Education and Training

Strategies for Emergencies

Standards and Benchmarks1. Laws and Highway System

a. know the laws outlined in the Utah Driver's manualb. understand the laws outlined in the Utah Driver's manualc. consistently demonstrate knowledge and understanding by responsible adherence to highway transportation system traffic laws and control

devices

2. Responsibilitya. recognize the importance of making safe and responsible decisions for owning and operating a vehicleb. demonstrate the ability to make appropriate decisions while operating a motor vehiclec. consistently display respect for other users of the highway transportation systemd. develop habits and attitudes with regard to responsible driving

3. Visual Skillsa. know proper visual skills for operating a motor vehicleb. communicate and explain proper visual skills for operating a motor vehiclec. demonstrate the use of proper visual skills for operating a motor vehicled. develop habits and attitudes with regard to proper visual skills

4. Vehicle Controla. demonstrate smooth, safe and efficient operation of a motor vehicleb. develop habits and attitudes relative to safe, efficient and smooth vehicle operation.

5. Communicationa. consistently communicate their driving intentions (i.e., use of lights, vehicle and personal signals)b. adjust their driver behavior based on observation of highway transportation system and other usersc. adjust communication (i.e., use of lights, vehicle and personal signals) based on observation of highway transportation system and other usersd. develop habits and attitudes relative to effective communication

6. Risk Managementa. understand driver risk-management principlesb. demonstrate driver risk-management strategiesc. develop driver risk-management habits and attitudes

7. Lifelong Learningc. understand benefits of a lifelong learning approach to drivinge. identify opportunities for lifelong education in driving

• Sometimes, even the best maintained vehicle will malfunction

• The best way to be prepared for a possible malfunction is

– Prevention through good vehicle maintenance– Detecting symptoms of malfunctions– Knowing how to take corrective actions when needed

• Handling a vehicle emergency requires the driver to be securely seated in the driver’s seat ─ always buckle up

• Maintain a good driving posture when driving• Keep hands in a balanced position on the steering wheel

Vehicle Malfunctions

Dashboard Warning Lights There are three major warning lights that monitor the vehicle

1. Engine oil pressure

2. Engine coolant temperature

3. Vehicle charging system

• A few days ago I was having some work done at my local garage. A blonde came in and asked for a seven-hundred- ten. We all looked at each other and another customer asked, 'What is a seven-hundred- ten?' She replied, 'You know, the little piece in the middle of the engine, I have lost it and need a new one..' She replied that she did not know exactly what it was, but this piece had always been there.    The mechanic gave her a piece of paper and a pen and asked her to draw what the piece looked like.    She drew a circle and in the middle of it wrote 710. He then took her over to another car which had its hood up and asked 'is there a 710 on this car?'   She pointed and said, 'Of course, its right there.'   If you're not sure what a 710 is 

• When the ignition key is first turned to the ON position, all of the vehicle's warning lights should illuminate

• The "big three" lights typically remain on until the engine is started and running

• Once the engine is running, all the warning lights should go out within a few seconds

• They let the driver know if the vehicle is performing properly and alert the driver to a variety of potential problems

• Warning lights are generally red in color

Dashboard Warning Lights

• Alert lights are different from warning lights• Alert lights shine when the engine is started and tell the driver the

computer monitored system has checked certain functions• Alert lights are generally amber in color• Alert lights go off after a few seconds, however, if an alert light

stays on or turns on during driving, it indicates a problem with the system that needs mechanical attention

Dashboard Warning Lights

Sudden Tire Deflation (Blowout) • The term "blowout" describes a bursting tire

accompanied by a rapid loss of air pressure• What a driver does following a blowout can

make the difference between a simple inconvenience or a serious incident

• A blowout can occur in a quarter of a second• Steering with one hand is dangerous ─ if

anything happens that causes the wheel to jerk, the driver will not have control and a crash can occur quickly

• Tire blowouts are usually the result of overloading the vehicle

• Impact damage (either immediate or delayed depending on severity of the impact)

• A massive cut that causes rapid air loss

• An unnoticed small puncture that allows the tire to slowly lose air over time until it fails

Sudden Tire Deflation (Blowout)

• No matter which tire blows out — front or back — the do’s and don’t’s for safely maintaining control of a vehicle are exactly the same

• Yesterday I had a flat tire on the interstate. So I ease my car over • >> to the shoulder of the road, carefully get out of the car and open • >> the trunk. I took out 2 cardboard men, unfolded them and stood them • >> at the rear of my car facing oncoming traffic. They look so life like • >> you wouldn't believe! They are in trench coats exposing their • >> undressed bodies and private parts to the approaching drivers. But to • >> my surprise, cars start slowing down looking at my lifelike men. And • >> of course, traffic starts backing up. Everybody is tooting their • >> horns and waving like crazy. It wasn't long before a state trooper • >> pulls up behind me. He gets out of his car and starts walking towards • >> me. I could tell he was not a happy camper!• >> 'What's going on here?' he asks. 'My car has a flat tire', I said • >> calmly. 'Well, what are those obscene cardboard men doing • >> here by the road?' I couldn't believe that he didn't know. So I told • >> him, 'Helloooooo, those are my emergency flashers!

In any blowout situation, it’s most important to remember the two things a driver should NOT do: 1. Do not step on the brake

As instinctive as it may be, it’s the worst mistake a driver can make in any tire blowout situation─applying the brakes will

cause an even greater imbalance on the vehicle’s stability2. Do not abruptly release the foot from the accelerator

This is the second worst mistake a driver can make because rapidly releasing the accelerator causes the vehicle to transfer more of its weight from the rear tires to the front tires

With a flat tire, this can lead to loss of control of the vehicle

Sudden Tire Deflation (Blowout)

Front or Rear Blowout?• If a front tire blows out - a catastrophic failure ─ the

vehicle will tend to pull toward the left or right, depending on which side has the bad tire

• If a rear tire blows out (particularly on a rear-wheel-drive car or truck), the vehicle's tail will want to slide around, or "fishtail" - a very dangerous situation that can lead to a spinout and complete loss of directional control

• At the first sign of trouble, grasp the steering wheel firmly

• Gradually release the accelerator • Look and steer to the target• Once the vehicle has stabilized, put on

the emergency flasher• Continue to slow down and pull off the

road, away from traffic, where and when it is safe to do so

• If it is necessary to keep driving on the flat tire to an area that is safe, do it slowly for as short a distance as possible

Reduced Risk Behaviors During a Blowout

• If the tire went flat on a major roadway with lots of traffic, call a professional to handle the problem

• Raise the hood and tie something white to the antenna or hang it out of a window so law enforcement can see it

• Do not stand near the vehicle; get as far away as possible until help arrives

• Some interstate highways in urban areas have a “help” telephone that can be used for road side emergencies

Reduced Risk Behaviors During a Blowout

Accelerator Problems • Imagine you are driving and prepare to slow

down by releasing pressure on the accelerator pedal─but the vehicle does not respond─it continues to accelerate, or

• What if the accelerator pedal suddenly depresses to the floor and the vehicle lurches forward, although you've taken your foot off the accelerator?

• What can you do?

• If an accelerator problem occurs– Shift to neutral to remove power to the wheels– Apply the brakes to reduce speed– Lightly lift up on the pedal with your foot to see if it will

release• If that doesn’t work, signal and leave the roadway in a

safe location

Accelerator Problems

• If there is a need to slow quickly, turn off the ignition and apply the brakes ─ be sure the key is not incorrectly turned to LOCK ─ this will lock the steering wheel and stop all steering control

• With a vehicle using power steering and power brakes, turning off the ignition will require increased physical effort to steer and brake the vehicle as the vehicle slows

• As the vehicle slows down, steer it off the roadway• After stopping the vehicle, look for the source of trouble

– The accelerator pedal may be caught on the floor mat or rug– If it is stuck ─ a little oil from the dipstick can be applied

Accelerator Problems

• If the problems seems to be fixed, put the parking brake on, put the gear in Park or Neutral then start the vehicle

• Press on the accelerator pedal and be sure it returns to normal when the foot is released

• Shift to drive and rev the engine a few times before releasing the parking brake and driving away

• If the problem is not fixed, do not drive the vehicle until it has been fixed by a qualified mechanic

Accelerator Problems

Engine Problems • When the “Check Engine” light goes on, it means

that a system in the vehicle (examples: ignition, fuel injection, emission control) is not operating at peak performance, even if the vehicle appears to be running normally

• A glowing check engine light doesn't mean the driver must immediately pull over to the side of the road

• Ignoring the warning light, however, could severely damage engine components and incur additional repair expenses

• When the check engine light goes on, first check the gas cap to make sure it wasn't left loose after refueling

• Sometimes this can trigger the light; if the cap was loose, the light should go out after a few short trips

• If the light remains on, have the system checked out as soon as possible

• A light that flashes indicates a more severe condition that should be checked out immediately to prevent damage to the catalytic converter

• When the warning light flashes, minimize driving at high speeds or under heavy loads and get the vehicle to a mechanic

Engine Problems

Cooling Problems • Cooling system failure is a leading cause of engine-

related breakdowns• The warning light is usually a thermometer symbol or

may have “TEMP” as the symbol• When this warning light goes on, the engine

temperature has exceeded a safe maximum ─ STOP• The engine will be damaged or suffer catastrophic

failure if not attended to immediately

• Overheating can be extremely bad for a car; modern engines have far less tolerance if overheated

• Be vigilant of the vehicle’s thermometer• If the vehicle starts to overheat, move off the road and

let the engine idle ─ not a fast idle• If this does not cool the engine, turn the ignition off

Cooling Problems

• You are the driver when all of a sudden the vehicle’s water temperature gauge goes on and stays red ─ what do you do?

• Pull over immediately and have the car towed to a mechanic

• Failure to do this could result in costing thousands of dollars in repairs

Cooling Problems

What can Cause Engine Cooling Problems?

• The system can spring a leak• If there's a leak, occupants should be able to see

it, hear it, or smell it• The engine coolant level may be very low; refill

the coolant to the proper level• The engine thermostat could have a malfunction • Unless trained as a mechanic, if simple attempts

do not fix the problem, have a mechanic check the vehicle

• Turn the heater setting and blower to high─it will help pull heat from the engine

• Locate a safe place to stop and turn off the engine• If the engine is pouring out steam, don’t open the

hood• It will take a long time for the engine to cool• When the engine has cooled, release the hood by

pulling the lever under the dashboard

If a Vehicle Overheats

• Walk to the front of the vehicle, locate the hood latch and squeeze to open the hood– Check the coolant reservoir tank,

don’t open it if the engine is hot– Open the radiator cap slowly– Use a funnel to add coolant to the

reservoir’s full level• If replacing coolant does not fix the

problem, take the vehicle to a mechanic for a thorough check

If a Vehicle Overheats

Oil Pressure Problems • The engine oil warning light is usually an oil can

symbol or the word “OIL”• When the light goes on - STOP! - the engine has

lost oil pressure• Severe engine damage or catastrophic engine

failure can occur within seconds• Of all the warning lights, the oil pressure light

indicates the greatest potential for serious mechanical damage

• This warning light gives the least amount of time to take quick action

• If the oil pressure warning light comes on and stays on, pull off the road immediately and shut off the engine

• Driving any further can significantly increase the extent of any engine damage ─ turning a minor repair into a complete engine replacement

• Prevent this problem by checking the engine oil frequently ─ check the owner’s manual for recommended oil changes and checks

Oil Pressure Problems

Steering Problems • Loss of steering can occur suddenly and without

warning by something in the steering mechanism or its related components that has broken or jammed

• When this occurs all steering control is lost

• Stop as quickly as possible• Warn others of the emergency by activating

the emergency flashers, flashing headlights, blowing the horn, or even using hand signals

• Drivers can identify steering problems before they have complete steering power loss and it may be fixed with simple maintenance or system checks

Steering Problems

• Loss of power steering requires a lot of effort to turn the steering wheel ─ at low speeds it is very hard to turn

• It takes more strength to turn the steering wheel

• The steering wheel is very easy to move and feels “loose” and “sloppy”

• It takes more steering than should be necessary before the vehicle responds

• The vehicle bounces a lot, especially when a bump in the road is hit

Sample Steering Problems

Electrical Problems • Alternators generate electricity to power a vehicle’s

electrical system• The warning light displays a red battery symbol or “ALT” or

“GEN”• When the light goes on, the electrical system is not getting

power from the alternator• If the alternator does not generate enough electricity to

run the vehicle, the battery will eventually be drained and stop

• Electricity is needed for the ignition, vehicle lights, power steering, power windows, and all the accessories

• When the alternator warning light goes on, it is warning the operator there is a problem with the electrical system

• When the light goes on, turn off non-essential accessories and get the vehicle checked; do not delay

Electrical Problems

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• Vehicles are equipped with fuses that help protect from electrical short circuits and power overloads

• Know where to find the fuse box in your vehicle• Electrical problems can start a fire or cause other

damage• A fuse can blow if there is an overload ─ the vehicle’s

interior lights or horn may stop working• Replace the fuse, if it blows repeatedly, there is

probably an electrical problem, take the vehicle to a mechanic

Electrical Problems

Lighting Problems • Montana law requires motor vehicles to be

equipped with at least two headlights• At least one functioning taillamp must be visible

from a distance of 500 feet• When the headlights or taillight goes out, they

must be replaced or drivers risk being cited for driving without the required lights

• Identify light problems by checking all vehicle lighting on a monthly basis, including the headlights, turn signals, brake lights, side lights, parking lights, taillights, backup lights and license plate lights

Lighting Problems

• To avoid getting a ticket, a broken light cover can be temporarily fixed by putting a red or yellow tape over the light

• The tape is made specifically for this purpose and is sold at auto parts stores

• Headlight failure is rare but could happen• If it occurs when it is dark, that can be dangerous

Lighting Problems

• The first action is to keep visual contact with the road• Reduce speed• Check for other possible sources of lights by switching to

high beam, turning on the emergency flashers or turn signal

• Signal and leave the roadway in a safe location• Call for assistance• It is a good practice to keep spare bulbs and fuses in the

vehicle

Lighting Problems

Brake Failure

• If the indicator light for the ABS system lights up, there is a problem in the ABS system

• Conventional brakes will continue to work• If the brake light stays on, first check to be

sure the emergency brake was not left on• If the brakes fail completely there are

different actions that may restore braking:– Try pumping the brakes rapidly– Shift into a lower gear and apply and release the

emergency brake several times quickly

• Apply the parking brake gradually ─ quickly release the parking brake if the vehicle begins to skid, and reapply as needed

• Pull off the road and do not continue until the problem has been corrected

• If the brakes get wet apply light pressure to the brake pedal for a short distance

• Heat generated will help evaporate the water from the brake linings

Brake Failure

Vehicle Fire • When an emergency occurs, quick action is

needed• Fires are usually caused by electrical system

problems or leakage in the fuel system which leaks gas onto the hot engine

• When fire occurs under the hood or dashboard, immediately pull off the roadway where safe

• Turn off the ignition and move away from the vehicle

Photo courtesy of the AAA Foundation

• Consider the risk before trying to put a fire out; if it is a major fire, wait for the fire department to put out the fire

• When the fire is in the rear of the vehicle, it could be very hazardous since most vehicles have gas tanks in the rear

• Immediately pull off the road to a safe spot

Vehicle Fire

• All occupants should get out immediately and stay at a far distance

• Warn others of the danger and have someone call the nearest fire department

• Never attempt to put out a vehicle fire with water! • Consider keeping a fire extinguisher in your vehicle

emergency kit

Vehicle Fire

Blocked Forward Vision Windshield Wipers

• Murphy’s Law says wipers will fail when needed the most

• Improve the odds by checking the wipers periodically ─ replace worn blades

• If the wipers fail while driving, open the window, look forward, and drive the vehicle to a safe stop

• If unable to fix the problem, do not drive until the wipers work and visibility is restored

• A federal safety standard requires two hood latches, one in the vehicle and a second one in the hood

• Despite this, hood latch failure can occur• A hood can pop up if the hood latch fails or was

not closed properly• If the hood flies up while driving, do not panic• Look through the side window or it may be

possible to see between the space of the hood and car– Check rear zone– Apply the brakes slowly– Turn on the emergency flashers– Move off the road to a safe location– Stop and securely latch the hood

Blocked Forward Vision Hood Pop-Up

Conditions Causing Traction LossConditions Causing Traction Loss

• By the driver• By the vehicle

• By the surface of the road

Photo courtesy of the AAA FoundationPhoto courtesy of the AAA Foundation

Traction Loss to the FrontTraction Loss to the Front

• The front tires go from rolling to sliding resulting in loss of all steering control

Actual Path of Travel

Actual Path of Travel

Intended Path of Travel

Sliding Front Tires = Loss of Steering Control

Responding to Front Wheel Traction LossResponding to Front Wheel Traction Loss

Look to the Target

• Look to the target• If braking, ease off the brake pedal• Reduce steering input

Traction Loss to the RearTraction Loss to the Rear

• The rear tires lose traction and the rear of the vehicle moves left or right as it tries to overtake the front of the vehicle

Responding to Traction Loss to the RearResponding to Traction Loss to the Rear

• Look to the target• Release the brake or

accelerator to maintain rolling traction

• Steer no more than necessary to keep wheels pointed to target

• Maintain constant attention to steering until the vehicle is back under control

Look to the Target

Front Wheel Drive Traction LossFront Wheel Drive Traction Loss

• Front wheel drive vehicles have more weight over the drive wheels giving the tires more traction

• Actions when traction loss occurs: Going downhill, shift to a lower gear Avoid over-acceleration on slippery surfaces Reduce speed Reduce steering input

Rear Wheel Traction LossRear Wheel Traction Loss

• Rear wheel drive vehicles have less weight over the drive wheels than front wheel drive vehicles

• Avoid traction loss by: Controlling acceleration Reducing speed

All Wheel Drive Traction LossAll Wheel Drive Traction Loss

• All wheel drive vehicles use power on all the wheels• If a driver over-accelerates, loss of traction to all four

wheels can occur• Avoid traction loss by:

Controlling acceleration Reducing speed Reducing engine power

Off-Road Recovery • Drifting off the road is often caused by

fatigue or inattention• When a vehicle leaves the road, it can be

tripped by soft surfaces, or roadway objects• Rollovers are more likely to occur on rural

roads and highways, particularly undivided, two-way roads or divided roads with no barriers

• Check traffic• Reduce speed to about 10 mph without using

the brakes• Move the vehicle so that it straddles the

roadway edge• If necessary, brake lightly, check traffic again• Signal to return to the roadway• Select a level location for returning to the

road• With hands at 9 and 3 o’clock, turn the wheel

no more than 1/8 to turn back onto the road• Look to the target and return to lane position

one, check rear zone, cancel signal

Off-Road Recovery Reduced Risk Behaviors

Utah Good Samaritan Law What Is A "Good Samaritan Law“?

• The law helps protect rescuers voluntarily helping a victim in distress from being successfully sued in tort (i.e., for wrongdoing)

• The law is designed to encourage people to help a stranger who needs assistance by reducing or eliminating the fear that, if they do so, they will suffer possible legal repercussions in the event that they inadvertently make a mistake in helping the victim

What to do at the Scene of a Crash

• Stop immediately, regardless of how little the damage appears

• Call for medical assistance if anyone is injured

• Do not move an injured person unless there is danger of fire or another collision

• Call the police• Ensure all vehicles in the collision

have the engines turned off

• Set out reflectors to warn oncoming traffic• Exchange names, addresses, telephone numbers,

insurance company names and addresses, driver license

• Do not sign any document unless it is for law enforcement or an insurance agent

What to do at the Scene of a Crash

• Gather as much information about the collision as possible

• Time of day• Weather

conditions• Road conditions• Street lighting or

lack of lighting• Presence or

length of skid marks

What to do if Involved in a Crash• Draw a diagram of the

location, include street names and locations of the vehicles, crosswalks, traffic lights and stop signs

• Get the names and addresses of any witnesses

• This can help prevent disagreement concerning how the accident actually happened

• Record the speed the vehicle was traveling

• Notify the insurance company as soon as possible – even if a claim is not going to be made ─ this is a condition of insurance policies

• The insurance company’s contact information should always be in the glove compartment or other secure place

• Most insurance agents provide a 24-hour, toll-free number to call

• If a vehicle is hit while parked and the owner is not seen the driver of the vehicle is legally obliged to leave a note with contact details on the windshield

What to do at the Scene of a Crash

When to Contact Law Enforcement

Utah law requires the driver of a vehicle to immediately contact the local police department within the municipality the collision occurred or nearest highway patrol office if:

• There was injury or death of any person• Property damage occurred that appears to be

$500 or more

Responding to Emergency Personnel

The acronym SIREN can help drivers remember how to yield the right of way so the emergency responders can get to their destination quicklyS Stay alert ─ keep the noise level down in the vehicle and look for more than one emergency vehicle approaching when a siren is heardI Investigate ─ check the rearview mirror, scan around the car, try to estimate the closing speed of the emergency vehicle to plan the next moveR React ─ quickly and calmly scan in all directions, use the turn signal and exit the roadway without slamming on the brakes or pulling over suddenlyE Enter ─ before reentering, make a visual sweep in all directions; signal and

gradually mergeN Never ─ stop where there isn’t enough room to pull over safely and never

follow or try to outrun an emergency vehicle

• When there is an emergency, emergency personnel may be directing traffic to help clear the roadway

• Drivers must follow the directions given by emergency personnel, even if directed to a street which is not the desired route to the planned destination

Responding to Emergency Personnel

What to do if Pulled Over by Law Enforcement

• An officer may pull over a driver because there is a malfunctioning light on the vehicle, or the driver may have broken a law

• How will the officer let the driver know they should stop?

• The officer will signal with flashing lights and/or a siren

• What should a driver do when being stopped?• Immediately drive to a position parallel to and as close as possible to, the

nearest edge or curb of the roadway, clear of any intersection• Stay in the vehicle, keep both hands on the steering wheel where they can

be seen by the officer• Do not start looking for any documents until after the officer asks for

them• The officer will probably ask the driver to roll down the window or may

direct the driver to a different location• All current vehicle registration, insurance, and driver’s license information

should be in easy reach• Drivers can be cited for not having current information available

What to do if Pulled Over by Law Enforcement

• The officer notifies dispatch personnel of the traffic stop, the location, and request vehicle registration information on the vehicle using the license plate number

• The officer will approach the vehicle while looking for signs of anything that might indicate criminal activity or a threat to the officer or citizen safety

• The officer will discuss the violation and ask for insurance, registration, and the driver’s license

• The officer will return to the patrol car to check the status of the documents and if there are any outstanding warrants

• The officer will write out the appropriate citation or warning and explain it to the driver

• The driver may be asked to sign the citation which only indicates the citation was received

What will the Officer do?

• A lawyer runs a stop sign and gets pulled over by a sheriff's deputy. He thinks that he is smarter than the deputy because he is a lawyer from New York and is certain that he has a better education than any cop from Houston, Texas. He decides to prove this to himself and have some fun at the Texas deputy's expense.

• • The deputy says," License and registration, please."

"What for?" says the lawyer.The deputy says, "You didn't come to a complete stop at the stop sign."Then the lawyer says, "I slowed down, and no one was coming.""You still didn't come to a complete stop, says the deputy. License and registration, please." The lawyer says, "What's the difference?""The difference is you have to come to complete stop, that's the law.License and registration, please!" the Deputy says.Lawyer says, "If you can show me the legal difference between slow down and stop, I'll give you my license and registration; and you give me the ticket. If not, you let me go and don't give me the ticket."

• • "That sounds fair. Please exit your vehicle, Sir," the deputy says. • • At this point, the deputy takes out his nightstick and starts beating

the ever-loving */#! out of the lawyer and says, "Do you want me to stop, or just slow down?

Reporting to the Insurance Agent • Utah is a tort state, which means that drivers are financially responsible

for the damage and injury they may cause during an auto accident• Liability coverage is required in Utah

The coverage must be 25/50/10 ($25,000 per person for injuries you cause to the other party, up to $50,000 for all, and $10,000 for any damage that you cause to the other driver's car and/or property.)

• Insurance companies require the insured to contact the company immediately after a collision – regardless of the amount of damage

• Each insurance company has their own reporting requirements• Carry the insurance information in your vehicle at all times

Filing a Collision Report • When a collision occurs, gathering as much

information as possible may prevent problems resulting in a lawsuit

• A Utah crash report must be filed:– If a driver is involved in a CRASH where damage totals

over $1,000.00, or someone is hurt or killed– Every driver must fill out a written report to the Highway

Patrol within 10 days of the crash– The form can be obtained from any police, sheriff or

patrol officer– Failure to report the crash could cause a driver’s license

to be suspended

Preparing an Emergency Kit

Place in the glove compartment • Emergency names, addresses, and telephone

numbers • Spare fuses for the electrical system• A good flashlight with reliable batteries• An ice scraper for winter driving• A pocketknife

Keep in the trunk • Battery jumper cables• Spare tire (properly inflated)• Can of tire sealant• Fire extinguisher• First aid kit• Jack and lug wrench for changing tires• Flares or reflective day/night devices • An empty can to carry gasoline (if the vehicle

runs out of gas) and a plastic jug of water (if the engine boils over and coolant is lost)

• Never carry gas in the trunk ─ it is dangerous, and illegal in some places

Preparing an Emergency Kit

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Staying Safe with Occupant Protection

• In 2004, 196 people died on Montana highways in crashes involving passenger vehicles

• Over 70 percent of them —140 drivers and passengers—either didn't use or improperly used their seatbelts

• In all likelihood, most, if not all of the 96 people who were killed because they were partially or completely ejected would be alive today had they been wearing their seatbelts

• Buckling up on every trip — not just the long distance ones —can save lives

• Not wearing a seat belt doubles the chances of being seriously hurt in a crash

• Most accidents occur at speeds less than 40 mph, often within 25 miles of home

• Seatbelts and air bags are meant to work together to keep drivers and passengers safe

• The presence of air bags in a vehicle doesn't mean seatbelts are unnecessary

• In the United States, auto collisions are the leading cause of paraplegia (from damage to the spinal cord)

Staying Safe with Occupant Protection