When you are approached by an emergency vehicle, what should you
do?PROGRAM READING
MODULE 10
| Required amount of time to complete: 25 minutes |
MAN, MACHINE AND ENVIRONMENT
MODULE 10: FLORIDA TRAFFIC
LAWS (B)
SUBJECT 1: School Buses
School buses carry our most precious cargo (children), yet we have people who drive by them when they are loading and unloading children.
When must you stop for a school bus?
On a two-way street or highway, all drivers moving in either direction must stop for a stopped school bus, whether it is picking up or dropping off children. You must remain stopped until all children are clear of the roadway and the bus signal has been withdrawn.
On a four lane highway, you need not stop if the bus is on the other side of a divided highway with an unpaved space of at least five feet or a raised median or a physical barrier when you are traveling in the opposite direction. If you are traveling in the same direction, you must stop.
If you pass a stopped school bus with the sign displayed loading or unloading what can happen to you?
You get four points on your driving record for a conviction of passing a stopped school bus and:
RESOURCES:
Florida Statutes, Sections 316.172, 318.18(5),
322.27(3)(d)(4).
MAN, MACHINE AND ENVIRONMENT
MODULE 10: FLORIDA TRAFFIC
LAWS (B)
SUBJECT 2: Emergency Vehicles
As we go about our daily business, we are watched over by law enforcement, fire rescue and emergency medical teams. We need to be aware as drivers what to do when one of these emergency vehicles approaches.
When you are approached by an emergency vehicle, what should you
do?
On the immediate approach of an emergency vehicle sounding a siren, having at least one lighted lamp exhibiting a red or blue light plainly visible, a driver must yield the right of way and immediately drive to a position parallel to and as close as possible to the nearest edge or curb of the highway clear of any intersection and remain there until the emergency vehicle has passed. Exercise extreme caution around an emergency situation and follow the directions given by a police officer. To further increase the safety of our emergency personnel, the Florida Legislature passed the “Move Over Act". The Move Over Act requires that when you encounter an emergency vehicle parked on the side of the road conducting its business with their lights flashing you must: vacate the lane closest to the emergency vehicle when you are on a roadway that has two or more lanes of travel in the same direction (i.e., an interstate highway) or slow to a speed that is 20 mph less that the posted speed limit when the speed is over 25 mph or reduce your speed to 5 mph when the posted speed limit is less that 20 mph when you are driving on a two lane roadway. If you are directed by a law enforcement officer to do something different, follow the directions of the police officer. A violation of this law is considered to be a non-criminal traffic infraction and considered a moving violation (i.e., a fine and 3 points on your driver record).
What is the distance you must stay behind an emergency vehicle?
Stay at least 500 feet behind any moving emergency vehicle displaying flashing warning lights and sounding a siren.
Once the emergency vehicle approaches you, should you start moving slowly?
Remain off the side of the road until the emergency vehicle has passed. Keep a foot on the brake so the brake lights let emergency vehicle drivers know you have stopped.
RESOURCES:
F. 316.126, Florida Statutes.
MAN, MACHINE AND ENVIRONMENT
MODULE 10: FLORIDA TRAFFIC
LAWS (B)
SUBJECT 3: Required Vehicle Safety Equipment
For you to survive in today's driving environment, the safety equipment installed in your vehicle will play a large role. No matter how well you drive, you are not safe unless your vehicle is in good condition. If it is not, you could have a serious crash.
What safety equipment is required and what is its proper function?
Tires: Your vehicle's tires should be kept with at least 1/16th of an inch tread of tire. Bald or unevenly worn tires will reduce or eliminate any control you would have over your vehicle in an emergency situation.
Tail lamps: The tail lamps of your vehicle are supposed to send out light that is visible for a distance of 1000 feet to the rear of the vehicle.
Lighting Equipment: Your headlights in low beam should be able to let you see someone at 150 feet, and in high beam, you should be able to see a person or motor vehicle 450 feet in front of you. The law requires use of lower or passing beams during all twilight hours when it is dark or during fog, smoke, or rain. Twilight shall be the time between sunset and full night or between full night and sunrise.
Brakes: The brakes on your passenger vehicle should be able to stop the vehicle from 20 mph within 25 feet.
Horn: Your vehicle must have a horn which can be heard from a distance of 200 feet. Drivers should be aware that horns are put on as standard equipment in motor vehicles. The law states that a horn should be used in an emergency situation dictated by a driver's own discretion. Proper use of the horn is a helpful technique in defensive driving as it warns other drivers of road conditions and hazards that may affect them. When passing other vehicles, the horn may be used to alert other drivers. Often times, use of the horn can warn opposing drivers of impending danger or lane straddling, allowing them to make the necessary adjustment to their driving.
Mirrors: On your vehicle, the inside and outside mirrors should be
adjusted to be able to see 200 feet behind your vehicle.
Windshield: The windshield of your motor vehicle has to be made out of safety glazed glass that meets all federal standards on safety glass. You are also required to have your windshield wipers in good working order. If the front windshield is dirty, it will be difficult to see the road ahead.
Bumpers: Every motor vehicle of not more than 5000 pounds shall be equipped with a front and rear bumper. On an automobile, when measured from the ground, the front can have a maximum height depending on vehicle weight or 22 to 27 inches and the rear bumper can have a height of 22 to 29 inches.
RESOURCES:
Sections, 316.221, 316.237, 316.251, 316.262, 316.271, 316.294,
316.2952, Florida Statutes.
These questions are for practice only. You must only pass the
final exam.
(REMEMBER: You must answer ALL questions
listed below correctly before you can move to the next module)